After finishing breakfast, Lance immediately went to find the estate’s butler.
The butler was already waiting outside the dining hall, smiling as he watched the young master approach.
“You seem to be in a good mood today, Young Master.”
His voice was deep and calm—like a weary father who had seen it all.
But just hearing the butler’s voice sent a chill down Lance’s spine.
In his predecessor’s memories, the butler was the most dependable person in the estate—the one who took care of him regularly.
But now, Lance realized something his predecessor had never noticed—this smiling tiger of a butler was also the most dangerous person in the household.
Even now, the butler was maintaining a perfectly composed, polite smile while facing a young master feared and disliked by nearly everyone in the mansion.
“It’s alright. I need your help with something.”
Lance spoke calmly.“Please, do tell.”
“It’s about the pigeon I hunted yesterday. I’ve realized that it might have been someone’s familiar. If that person happens to be someone important, it could bring trouble to our family. So, I need you to discreetly take care of anyone who might have witnessed it.”
“Oh?”
The butler’s expression flickered with surprise.
For a brief moment, he scrutinized Lance more closely.
Since when did this young master think so far ahead?
Was it just a passing whim, or had he gotten himself into some other trouble?
But the butler didn’t ask further. Instead, he gave a slight bow and replied,
“At your service.”
“There’s one more thing—I need you to find someone for me.”
“Please describe their appearance.”
“She’s a girl about my age, with gray hair and golden eyes. She’s probably wearing a tattered dark gray cloak, looking like a refugee. Also, make sure she doesn’t realize I’m the one searching for her.”
Lance gestured as he spoke.
But his description made the butler hesitate.
“I will do my best. However, Young Master, you must understand how vast this border city is. I can’t guarantee I’ll find her quickly… That is, unless you can provide a more specific characteristic. That would significantly cut down our search time.”
“Hmm… If I draw a picture of her, how long will it take you to find her?”
“If it’s someone I can visually identify, I guarantee I’ll locate them within a day.”
The butler’s smile returned.
He remembered that Lance used to draw quite well.
But ever since his parents stopped supervising him, he had never seen Lance pick up a brush again.
That was also when the young master’s personality started to take a turn for the worse.
“Then go handle the witnesses first. I’ll have her portrait ready before you return.”
Lance nodded.
“Understood, Young Master. I’ll take my leave now. But do make sure to draw it properly—I should have the first task completed by noon.”
The butler clasped his hands behind his back and walked toward the kitchen, reminding him one last time,
“Don’t worry.”
Lance’s best skill was drawing.
And when it came to drawing Talia, he could do it blindfolded.
He was confident that no one in this world could depict Talia better than him.
Lance let out a relieved sigh.
His predecessor had undoubtedly caused trouble, but at least there was still room to maneuver.
Of course, covering up the evidence would only make it slightly harder for the Demon Princess Talia to uncover the truth.
From what Lance knew, Talia possessed a magic ability that allowed her to see through lies. Given enough patience, there was virtually nothing she couldn’t figure out.
And knowing how insanely vengeful she was—
The moment she discovered that he was the one who killed her familiar, she’d definitely come knocking.
Even if he managed to placate her for now, she’d absolutely take revenge in the future once she gained power.
If he really wanted to resolve this enmity, he’d have to confront her personally.
For now, though, all he needed to do before noon was focus on drawing.
…
As Lance walked up to the second floor, he spotted the maid from this morning—the one who had woken him up yet seemed a little afraid of him.
“I’ll prepare it for you, Young Master.”
The maid, acting out of habit, turned to fetch some fine wine and the latest storybooks for him.
But then she stopped in her tracks.
Because Lance had just said—
“I’m going to the study.”
The words made her visibly anxious.
“…Did you say the study?”
Lance swallowed and said hesitantly,
“Young Master, if you’re feeling particularly unwell, you might be experiencing mana depletion… It seems like you pour your heart, soul, and even your own mana into your artwork. I’ve heard stories of famous painters and Card Crafters throughout history who literally gave their lives for their art…”
“…Not painting anymore.”
The moment Lance heard that, he dropped his pen.
This wasn’t just staying up all night sketching—he felt something inside him draining away as he worked!
“Take this painting to the butler. Tell him to follow my instructions after he sees it. Then, store it safely somewhere in the estate. Do not take it outside.”
Lance gestured toward the first completed portrait.
Now that he had relaxed, exhaustion crashed over him like a tidal wave. His head started nodding forward uncontrollably.
At this rate, with how drained he felt, there was no way he could finish a second portrait detailed enough for the butler to recognize Talia.
“…And no matter what, wake me up before dinner.”
That was his final instruction before he stopped speaking entirely.
“Got it, got it!”
The maid carefully used a magical tool to speed up the drying and preservation of the painting.
Not only was this artwork incredibly valuable, but the young master had already dozed off in his chair.
She was beyond delighted with his transformation today, but even more curious—just how extraordinary was this painting?
Unable to resist, she quietly cast an Appraisal Spell.
Finally, the painting’s true nature was revealed—
【Portrait: The Mysterious Princess】
Type: Artwork
Grade: Epic
Tier: 1
Effect: Any creature that gazes upon this painting will recover a small amount of mental and physical energy. Additionally, their goodwill toward the princess depicted in the portrait will increase, with a slight chance of boosting their mental clarity.
…
When Lance woke up again, the familiar sight outside his window told him it was already late afternoon.
The sun was setting, its golden-red hues staining the clouds, casting rippling light patterns across the room, adding a dreamlike glow to the space.
The butler must have carried me back to my room.
Because now, beside his bed, there was a neatly placed letter.
The handwriting—elegant and precise—belonged to the butler.
It contained information about Talia’s whereabouts.
Lance shook his head, still feeling groggy from sleep.
But as he stretched lazily—
Something in the room caught his eye.
A painting.
A very eye-catching painting.
His room, which had never had any decorations worth mentioning, now had a distinct artistic aura—all thanks to a certain portrait that had been prominently displayed.
Sitting up in bed, Lance frowned at Talia’s painting.
…The maid and the butler definitely misunderstood me.
I didn’t ask you to frame the damn thing and hang it in my room!
I told you to HIDE it!
If Talia ever saw someone had painted her so seriously and with such detail…
How awkward would that be?!
“…Forget it.”
Lance sighed and rolled out of bed.
It wasn’t like Talia would ever have a reason to step foot in his room.
As long as he successfully convinced her to leave this kingdom peacefully, it wouldn’t matter.
Her voice wavered slightly.
Lance frowned in confusion.
“Yes.”
He wanted to check some references and sketch Talia’s portrait to give to the butler.
Until he pinpointed Talia’s exact location, there wasn’t anything more urgent to do.
However, when he opened the study door—
There was no desk.
No paper.
Just shelves full of expensive liquor bottles.
“…I apologize, Young Master.”
The maid’s nervous voice came from behind him.
“What’s wrong?”
Lance turned to look at her.
“I… I haven’t finished cleaning the study this morning.”
She lowered her head, mumbling as if already bracing herself for a scolding.
By his predecessor’s usual behavior, the young master should be slamming the door in anger right about now—only to return at night, completely wasted.
“Is that so? Missing a day or two of cleaning isn’t a big deal. Just prepare some drawing materials for me—I can work in another room.”
Lance sighed.
“No, Young Master, that won’t do!”
The maid’s eyes widened in shock.
She was completely thrown off—by his lack of anger, by his unexpected patience.
Scrambling to recover, she hurriedly said,
“Please give me fifteen minutes! I’ll have the study spotless! And I’ll prepare all the materials you need! I swear on my professional standards!”
“…Alright. I’ll leave it to you, then.”
Lance didn’t mind waiting.
Talia’s looming threat made him nervous—but not completely nervous.
Because he already had a plan.
No one could stop him from living a peaceful, carefree life.
…
Roughly ten minutes later, the maid finished tidying up the study as promised and brought Lance the estate’s finest drawing materials.
Lance glanced at the pens of this world.
Though they were different from the ones he was used to in his previous life, he quickly figured out how to use them.
Then, he sat before the canvas, planned the composition, and, with a relaxed expression, began sketching Talia’s portrait.
The thought of how he once designed the most perfect character—the noble Demon Princess Talia—only for her to be forced into dressing like a beggar now made Lance chuckle.
He didn’t even need to pause and picture her in his mind—his hand moved instinctively.
He had drawn Talia far too many times before.
Lance poured years of refined skill into his work, a faint smile on his lips, his movements calm and practiced.
He didn’t look like some grand artist.
If anything, he resembled a laid-back househusband preparing dinner.
But gradually, he became so engrossed in the painting that he lost track of time entirely.
He didn’t even notice how the maid waiting beside him had grown increasingly astonished—her wide eyes blinking in disbelief, her mouth forming a perfect little "O."
Time slipped away.
And soon, the painting was nearly complete.
On the canvas, the young girl depicted was dressed in a tattered cloak, yet she exuded the beauty of a lone wolf in the snow.
A gentle breeze brushed against her face, making the strands of gray hair under her hood sway slightly.
Her golden eyes, partially hidden in shadow, burned like fire beneath layers of ice.
Despite her solitary figure, no one would mistake her for weak. The dust and grime that covered her only served to highlight the nobility and power flowing through her blood.
“Done.”
Lance smiled as he finished the final strokes.
Only now, upon stepping back to properly examine the painting, did he realize…
He might have gone a little overboard.
“Oh my goodness, Young Master, your skills have become this incredible?!”
A gasp of pure admiration rang out beside him.
“I was just imagining—have you been possessed by the god of art? I’ve never seen such a breathtaking painting in my entire life!”
The maid was completely overwhelmed.
She had seen Lance draw once before—years ago.
Back then, he always wore a warm smile and never lost his temper. The landscapes he painted were as beautiful as his once-gentle heart.
Many of the estate’s servants still held onto hope that one day, their young master would wake up from his downward spiral.
Because if he kept sinking into depravity, they dreaded the day he would inherit this household.
Would they all be driven out?
What kind of master would he become?
The maid desperately wanted to believe that today’s changes weren’t just her imagination.
That the young master had truly become refined and understanding from the bottom of his heart.
“…Really?”
Lance chuckled, a little embarrassed.
He knew he was a damn good artist.
But judging by the maid’s awestruck expression, she was about ready to worship him as a reincarnated Picasso or Van Gogh.
Sure, he got lost in the process, fully immersed in the act of creation… But was it really that impressive?
“I swear, Young Master, you’ll become the most renowned painter in the kingdom! Even His Majesty the King would want to own your work! And even the most esteemed Card Crafters would seek you out to discuss artistic techniques!”
The maid clutched her hands together, gazing at Lance with utmost sincerity.
A brief silence fell over the room.
Then—
“Hiss—”
Lance suddenly came to a shocking realization.
Wait a minute—!
This world runs on a non-turn-based magic card system!
And I’m the lead artist!
Many things in this world—were designed by him!
Including countless rare and powerful magic cards!
According to the game’s mechanics, magic cards served as encapsulated spells, equipment, or summons. They were portable, tradable, and customizable for different battle situations.
Rather than spending years mastering a spell, one could simply buy the corresponding magic card, bind it to themselves, and use it instantly.
Players could also adjust their skills dynamically depending on the enemies they faced.
And in the hardest endgame dungeons, challengers would be transported to random alternate realities, stripped of all external possessions—except for their soul-bound magic cards.
Which meant…
Magic cards were essential for survival, combat, and even robbery in this world!
Beyond dungeon loot, magic cards could also be crafted.
And painting played a crucial role in the card-making process.
“…It seems I’m not only a world-class artist but also have great potential in Card Crafting?”
Lance rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought.
He had always felt the game’s magic card designs were too restrained.
Every time he suggested adding more creative yet balanced cards, the game planners shot him down.
They told him they didn’t have “ten mothers” to shield them from the backlash if they implemented his ideas.
(Which, in developer terms, meant his suggestions were way too OP to be approved.)
“Young Master, is the girl in the painting someone you like?”
A soft, probing question pulled Lance from his thoughts.
The maid, having observed his strangely calm behavior all day, wasn’t the only one in the household feeling uneasy.
But after watching him closely for a while—
She was convinced.
He wasn’t faking it.
And then, seeing him suddenly pour his heart and soul into painting this stunning portrait—
The maid came to a shocking conclusion.
He must be in love!
“…”
Lance’s expression turned odd.
He looked up at the maid, unsure how to respond.
The girl in the painting…
Was someone who might kill him.
But then, as he studied the portrait again, he hesitated.
If everyone in this world was this overwhelmed by his paintings, handing this to the butler for a search might cause unnecessary trouble.
With that thought, Lance pushed aside the canvas.
Skillfully preparing a new one, he got ready to draw a simpler, more ordinary version of Talia as a refugee.
However—
The moment he laid down a few strokes, a wave of intense dizziness struck.
His vision blurred, the canvas growing hazy before him.
The maid watched anxiously but didn’t dare interrupt his work.
Yet after a moment of hesitation—
She finally convinced herself.
Maybe today, the young master really wouldn’t take his frustration out on anyone.