NOVPUBStarlight was cast upon the ancient artisan-carved dome, brilliantly reflecting the Immortal Crystal chandeliers.
The burst of orange radiance from the gradually emptying golden cabinets in the Regency Hall silenced the entire hall in an instant.
And Fallen Lord Calila, who had unsealed this painting from the nearly depleted golden cabinet, also stiffened slightly in her expression.
[Portrait·On a Night with Falling Stars]
[Type: Artistic Piece]
[Grade: Epic]
[Rank: 1]
[Creatures that appreciate this painting will consume a small amount of physical stamina and spirit, feel a sense of awe towards the princess depicted in the portrait, and have a chance of gaining a slight artistic insight, one time only.]
The enthusiasm of the Demon Race’s nobility quenched like flames extinguished by a massive wave.
Silence intertwined with the dazzling and supreme orange glow of magic power, permeating the hall.
This painting ingeniously captured a unique and mysterious moment during a solar eclipse morning in the Demon World—
The sky was enveloped by a strange darkness, a light neither dim as the night nor bright as dawn, but a hazy glow that lay in between.
The contradictory yet harmonious play of light and shadow meticulously rendered the square and steps in front of the royal palace, with the steps winding and extending, leading the viewer’s gaze deep into the scene.
This was exactly how the princess looked when she made her public appearance in the Demon World in full regalia a week ago.
Yet, she seemed forever unable to walk out of the eclipse, trapped in perpetual night, a sense of oppression and suffocation assaulting those of the Demon Race, causing them to subconsciously want to look away, yet unable to extricate themselves from the painting as if their souls were falling into it.
Clearly, such a concept could only come from Marquis Ulysses, the Blood Clan’s tenth Ancestor.
"Epic-level?"
The members of the Demon Race swallowed hard, shifting their gazes towards the Blood Clan’s side at the far end of the Regency Hall.
The tenth Ancestor simply sat, hands atop his knees, smiling faintly as if indifferent to the gazes of the Demon Race.
He spared a slight glance at the princess as if to ask, was Her Highness still pleased with the painting?
Despite the likelihood that its oppressive nature might cause discomfort to the princess.
But according to the rules set in advance, the Epic-level work dictacted that the princess could not openly choose a lesser, Holy-level piece.
Fallen Lord Calila’s expression did not change, but the veins on the back of her hand began to tremble lightly.
The reason she did not use her will to influence the princess’s choice was partly to avoid conflict, knowing that even the most innocuous combat could result in a Blood Clan victory, partly in consideration of her old friend’s honor, the last dignity of the royal family, and also in trust of Destiny, with the Demon Race wagering their nation’s fate in their attempt to challenge a stronger Blood Clan.
In the end, as if possessed, the princess chose the painting.
The Blood Clan had brought along a Marquis, the tenth Ancestor.
An Epic-level painting, unmatched by any artist in the present Demon World.
In completion, speed of creation, and standard, it completely crushed Mist Sir and True Night Sir, whom Calila had believed could win.
His work had reached a realm not of this era, rightfully earning him the title of the strongest artist in the world.
Indeed, even Destiny seemed to stand on the side of the Blood Clan.
A sense of powerlessness inexplicably diffused within her heart.
This situation only led Lord Calila to feel that in this blood moon era blessed by the deities, the Demon Race’s victory over the mighty Blood Clan was but a fleeting illusion, hopelessly out of reach.
"Why is it so quiet here? Is this a library?"
The accompanying Bloodline Viscount could not help but tremble slightly in the shoulders.
"Do you have no thoughts on Lord Ulysses’s painting?"
He looked around the hall, as if mocking the prior arrogance of the Demon Race, who had exhausted their efforts to appreciate the mere Holy-level paintings without realizing they had already lost terribly.
"..."
Many notable members of the Demon Race could not contain their anger upon hearing this, glaring towards the Blood Clan’s central fan-shaped seating area, yet rendered speechless.
Over the years, the Demon Race had learned to show deference and patience to the Blood Clan.
This was the chip they had traded for peace.
"Do none of you dare to comment on Marquis Ulysses’s work, or is it that you simply lack the capability to appreciate art of such caliber?"
The silence from the fourth Ancestor Eduado, the Duke, who had long been quiet under his gray robes, finally broke.
His voice, low and husky like that of an ancient stone mill, demanded respect from the Demon Race.
All the time, the Demon Race must never forget their place.
"You old..."
Mist Sir Orion could no longer bear the humiliation, and though the opponent was a ninth-order Blood Clan Duke, he stood up wanting to shout for the other to be more restrained but was caught by the hand of True Night Sir Esmod, sitting beside him.
His pale blue eyes seemed to dim a little, as if they had lost some confidence, yet he remained rational.
To lash out now would only bring greater disgrace to the Demon Race.
After thinking for a moment, Mist Sir Orion’s anger seemed to be quelled by True Night Sir and he eventually sat down again.
The Regency Hall fell silent for a long while.
The fourth Ancestor Eduado slowly turned his turbid bloodshot eyes towards the princess seated opposite on the throne, lifting his cane and pointing at her.
The gesture implied that if no one from the Demon Race answered, the princess would then be requested to provide some comments on Ulysses’s painting.
This brazen coercion finally made many Demon Race members feel chilled to the bone.
Without a sound from Lord Calila, they dared not speak.
Without the protection of Fallen Lord Calila, they were as frail as ants before the fourth Ancestor Eduado, a ninth-order Blood Clan, and had no life to risk offending this Duke.
