The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

Chapter 1077 - 327: Wise Man's Court

Seeing the esteemed Prince Colin, Harvey hastily stood up, nearly knocking over a paint bucket. Fortunately, his assistant, quick-witted and agile, sprang forward to steady it, preventing a disaster.

"Apologies, ahem! What I mean is welcome... welcome, Your Highness, to my private studio. I didn't expect you to have time to visit so soon. I've been tidying up all afternoon, but it's still a bit rushed. I hope it's not too disappointing for you."

Watching the flustered and ceremonious Harvey, Luo Yan politely smiled and returned the gesture gracefully.

"No need to be so formal. If anything, I'm the one disturbing... You must be Baron Harvey Mitiya, right? I've heard Mr. Casite mention your achievements. He told me you are one of the few painters in the Holy City who even His Holiness the Pope finds astonishing. Especially with your mastery of color, even combined, the professors at the Royal Art Academy can't match half of your skill."

Hearing this, Harvey let out a wry smile, scratching his head shyly, his gaze evasive as he spoke.

"Mr. Casite flatters me too much... He always speaks so exaggeratedly."

"Is that so? I don't quite think so."

Luo Yan casually pulled a chair from the side and sat across from the canvas, smiling as he said.

"Shall we begin then?"

...

To perfectly blend into the circles of nobles in the Holy City without revealing a flaw, one must align with them in the tiniest details.

This can't be achieved by relying on Ticky's opinions alone, not to mention this guy was a pirate for ten years, and before that, he wasn't anyone of note. Fooling General Hamoldon might work, but pulling off a five-hundred-year heritage is definitely out of the question.

Fortunately, the Colin family has been absent from the country for five hundred years, so the nobles in the Holy City have set their expectations low enough for Prince Colin, as long as Luo Yan doesn't seem too outlandish, it's unlikely to arouse their suspicion.

However, to be safe, Luo Yan planned a rehearsal before the welcome banquet prepared by the Regent King.

And Baron Harvey Mitiya serves as an excellent rehearsal subject.

Ordinary people don't scrutinize every detail of themselves, but a painter is different. To make a general like a general, a noble like a noble, he must offer his insights from a professional's perspective—which is precisely what Luo Yan needs.

During the creation of the "Prince" painting, he will meticulously observe his own deficiencies in appearance and manner and make corrections with a professional eye.

Although a baron is not a high title in the Holy City, in terms of personal taste and proximity to the upper echelons of society, he is at least an entire Vast Ocean ahead of Ticky.

Once Harvey picked up the brush, he quickly entered a state as if he became a different person, even his demeanor changed. His sharp gaze, akin to a sculptor's carving knife, no longer showed a hint of gloom, only a meticulous edge.

This was also the first time he looked directly into Prince Colin's eyes without flinching.

While he was carefully observing Prince Colin, Luo Yan, wearing the face of Prince Colin, was closely watching his expressions change.

As time passed second by second, the glow of the sunset deepened until it slid beneath the eaves.

The assistant brought in a candelabrum and lit candles in the room, substituting the fading sunlight with candlelight.

Initially, Harvey did indeed offer many very useful suggestions, but as time went on, the number decreased. More of his attention was on painting rather than observation.

Luo Yan's comprehension was high and he had received professional training, often needing just a single remark to infer much more.

"...Do I need to stay in one position without moving?" He casually asked, looking at the focused Harvey engrossed in the canvas.

"No, it's not necessary. In fact, I'd rather chat with you... It helps me make the character more three-dimensional." Harvey spoke rapidly, though his eyes never left the canvas.

Seeing that he seemed not to need intense concentration on him anymore, Luo Yan relaxed his tense shoulders, letting his gaze wander along the studio walls.

Truly worthy of admiration, this Mr. Harvey, highly recommended by the Imperial Royal Art Academy's principal, really was remarkable. With just the use of colors, he could create traditional oil paintings with lifelike magic photo-like effects.

If painting had divisions of Extraordinary Power, he might indeed reach Demigod Level.

Luo Yan couldn't help but think plainly that perhaps centuries later, one of these paintings might sell for more money than Mr. Harvey could earn in several lifetimes.

At that moment, his gaze fell on a painting that was different from the rest, his face revealing a hint of surprise.

Unlike those lifelike portraits, this painting played boldly with colors and lines, seemingly chaotic, almost like graffiti drawn by a child.

"Unbelievable... Is this abstract?"

Harvey's hand paused, glancing side-long with a subtle shift in gaze at his "casually smeared" unpolished work.

In that instant, his expression transformed into surprise, followed by a sudden epiphany and amazement.

By the time he looked back at Luo Yan, his expression was one of utter incredulity, and the fervor in his eyes startled Luo Yan.

It was just something he said off-hand—

How did he get so serious?

"Abstract? Your Highness, can you tell me more about it!"