Chapter 248: A Work of Satire

Chapter 248: Chapter 248: A Work of Satire

Outside the Golden Crown Opera House, the promotional posters for the fashion show, which had been up for the past two days, had been taken down.

In their place was a massive painting—larger, more detailed, and showcasing even more novel clothing styles.

It had it all: a runway, lights, models, an audience—everything.

Of course, the most important part was the content of the painting itself.

The painting was divided into an upper and a lower section, distinguished by color.

The upper section depicted a massive stage set against the backdrop of the Golden Crown Opera House. Bathed in spotlights, several models at the center of the stage showed off their individual styles, dressed in the latest fashions from the Time Closet.

The centermost model held a mirror emblazoned with the Brian Clan crest, which reflected a brilliant light, symbolizing the creativity of art and civilization.

Below the stage, a crowd of magnificently dressed spectators was painted, including elegant ladies and dapper gentlemen.

They gazed upward with looks of amazement, some of them clapping with excitement.

These four layers highlighted the novelty, avant-garde style, and lively atmosphere of the fashion show.

The lower half of the painting, however, which depicted the edge of the stage, was rendered in dim and somber colors.

In the shadows at the edge of the stage, an upright Black Bear radiating an icy aura was roaring. It gripped a giant axe in one paw and tore at a tattered piece of canvas with the other, baring its fangs. Its expression was fierce, yet also faintly ridiculous.

Beside the Black Bear stood a she-wolf in armor. It swiped its claws, tearing at the air, but there was no enemy to be seen.

Under its paws, it trampled an open book. The title was blurry, but the cover bore the crest of the Kennedy Clan.

Though its pages were shredded, the book still emanated a glow, making it especially conspicuous against the gloomy backdrop.

This was Duane’s way of implying that barbarism could not destroy the civilization brought forth by knowledge.

In addition to all this, Duane had also written two small lines of text in the bottom-right corner of the painting:

Civilization and beauty are never swayed by coarseness and brutality.

My thanks to all the gentlemen and ladies of taste for attending the fashion show. —Duane Brian.

Although the painting did not directly name Kudro and Tara, nor did it explicitly mention the Hassa Clan, anyone who saw it could connect it to the recent events.

"That Black Bear, the one radiating a cold aura and holding an axe, represents the Hassa Clan."

"Why?"

"You really can’t figure it out?"

In the large crowd of onlookers, someone quietly explained to those who didn’t understand.

"Think about it, what is the Hassa Clan’s crest? If you still don’t know, just go to the docks and see what flag the Hassa Clan’s ships are flying!"

With that, the people nearby had a sudden realization.

The Hassa Clan’s banner was the Frost Giant Axe. The painting had simply separated "frost" and "giant axe" into two different concepts.

"This painting is brilliant!"

Some who knew about art didn’t get bogged down in the conflict between the two clans, focusing instead on the painting itself.

"The upper half uses warm tones, while the lower half uses cool grays and dark reds, highlighting the conflict between civilization and barbarity."

"What’s more crucial is that a work like this can simultaneously serve as satire and as an advertisement for the fashion show!"

They shifted their gazes to the bottom-right corner of the painting and couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration, "Duane Brian is a master-class painter!"

All sorts of praise-filled exclamations echoed through the Golden Crown Opera House, and the word-of-mouth publicity about the painting’s contents grew increasingly exaggerated.

As word spread, waves of onlookers—nobles, wealthy merchants, and commoners alike—all flocked to the Golden Crown Opera House to see the spectacle for themselves.

To maintain order, the opera house’s management even began charging an admission fee.

Yet even so, people continued to arrive in a steady stream.

And in the process, not only did Duane gain the title of "master painter," but he was also praised for his courage and audacity.

After all, not everyone had the courage to paint a picture satirizing Kudro and his daughter.

On a high floor inside the opera house, Count Kais and Duane stood side-by-side, looking out at the crowd through a glass window.

"Duane, you’ve made too big a scene this time!"

Count Kais said gravely.

Inwardly, however, he was ecstatic. Years of pent-up resentment toward the Hassa Clan were finally finding release.

He couldn’t describe how cathartic it felt!

"I’ve been waiting here for Kudro and his daughter to show up, but a whole day has passed and they haven’t appeared. It looks like they aren’t coming."

"He’s definitely not coming!"

Count Kais couldn’t help but laugh, his tone full of certainty.

’Knowing that fellow’s usual style, he would’ve definitely stormed the opera house to destroy the painting.’

But this time, there were simply too many nobles and dignitaries who had come to see it, even including envoys and guests from the Kasa Kingdom and the Akutas Kingdom.

Under these circumstances, if Kudro were to destroy the painting, he would undoubtedly be confirming in front of everyone that the Hassa Clan is, in fact, coarse and barbaric.

"Although I’m quite pleased with what you’ve done, I must remind you that as a Lord, sometimes you have to know when to hold back. A moment of impulsiveness can invite endless trouble."

Kais brought the topic back to practical matters. "Kudro is as petty as they come. You’ve offended him, so he certainly won’t let this go."

Duane nodded slightly. "Thank you for the warning. I will be careful."

Count Kais said, "You don’t need to worry too much. He won’t cause any major disturbances during the Founding Day celebration. When it’s over, leave with me to avoid any other problems."

"Okay!"

At that moment, below the painting, a burly woman dressed in sackcloth and wearing a black mask tilted her head back to look at the giant artwork hanging high above.

An icy chill radiated from her eyes, and she gripped her sword sheath so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

"Duane Brian!"

Tara spat out the two words through clenched teeth, as if she and he shared a blood feud.

"Just pray I don’t run into you at the martial arts tournament!"

「Cyan Snake Fortress.」

King Eric held a crystal in his hands. He channeled his Fighting Qi, and the crystal projected a beam of light, recreating Duane’s painting in the air.

He watched with an expression of surprise.

He was surprised by both Duane’s artistic skill and the overall impression of the painting.

"Duane truly deserves the title of master!"

Eric couldn’t help but give a wry smile. "I just never expected the fellow to have become so audacious. He even dares to provoke Kudro."

He extinguished the projection from the crystal and looked at the Clerk standing beside him.

"Lloyd, you’ve had more contact with Duane than I have. When did he become so daring?"

Lloyd had no idea how to answer that question, so he just offered a plausible starting point.

"Perhaps it was that incident with Viscount Freddy?"

Eric found this answer somewhat believable.

After all, for a mere Baron to cause a Foreign Viscount to suffer a great loss, and to make such a significant contribution to the Kingdom—such an accomplishment could indeed make a man bolder.

Just then, Lloyd added, "Your Majesty, Duane entrusted me to ask for your opinion on a certain matter."

"Oh? What is it?" Eric asked, surprised.

"He wishes to purchase four hundred pounds of Fertile Soil to take back to Black Forest Island and improve the quality of his farmland. He just hasn’t been able to find a supplier."

Fertile Soil is a rare resource that increases crop yields, so the nobility tends to keep it for their own use rather than selling it.

On the rare occasion that some is offered for sale, it’s snatched up in an instant.

Eric considered this for a moment before speaking. "Four hundred pounds of Fertile Soil won’t accomplish much, but since he wants it, I’ll make an exception and sell him a portion of the Fertile Soil produced in the Lakefront Secret Realm."

"At the standard price of thirty Silver Coins per pound."

Lloyd nodded. "I will relay Your Majesty’s words to him."

Duane was buying the Fertile Soil primarily to cultivate the Starlight Mulberry Trees.

Four hundred pounds was enough to fertilize a single plot of the Sang Field for ten years.

As they were speaking, a Guard Officer entered from outside, knelt on one knee, and announced, "Your Majesty, Count Kudro has arrived."

"Show him in!"

This was the second time Eric had summoned Kudro, and for no other reason than to make sure the Count didn’t do anything impulsive and stir up trouble.

’If the Founding Day celebration weren’t so close, he couldn’t be bothered to deal with this sort of thing.’

’After all, it was more in his interest to have the nobles beneath him fighting amongst themselves.’