Gather Divine Coins and Gacha! - Chapter 240

 "Could you please sign here?"

The section at the very bottom of the transfer certificate placed in front of me.

Under the watchful eye of the official, I wrote my name there, followed by Liesel and Seriana, the masters of the mansion where it will be kept.

"...Alright. This completes the process. I apologize for keeping you waiting."

After confirming the signatures, the official bowed once and respectfully handed over a board-like object wrapped in cloth.

Is it about 50 centimeters long and 30 centimeters wide? Smaller than I expected.

"Yes. I, Sera, have certainly received it."

I've had similar exchanges recently, but this time there was no attack.

"Well then, we shall take our leave."

They bowed once more and exited.

"It's just one small painting, but they sure made a big deal out of it..."

Watching them leave, I couldn't help but let my true feelings slip out.

A painting as a reward from the queen. It arrived just a day before our departure from the royal capital.

There was only one transfer certificate, but it came with a booklet detailing the artist's profile, the circumstances under which it was given to the royal family, and how it was used. It seems it took some time to prepare those documents.

What I requested on a whim turned out to be a bigger deal than I thought...

"Although it happened a long time ago, there were several incidents where royalty or officials secretly sold off items from the treasury. You said it's just one small painting, right? Smaller items like that are less likely to be noticed when they go missing, so they're managed more strictly."

"I see..."

Liesel's explanation made the troublesome procedures understandable. You can't carry art through forests or mountains, so you have to travel on highways. In such situations, if you want to transport something discreetly, it has to be small.

...I wouldn't do it, but if I were the great thief Sera, I could probably pull it off. Well, let's set that aside.

"Can I open it?"

Throughout this entire exchange, the important painting remained hidden. When something is bestowed by the royal family, it's not customary to inspect the contents. The title was written on the transfer certificate, so I knew that much, but I had no idea what kind of painting it was.

"It's already yours. Do as you like."

With that, Seriana picked up the booklet. It seemed Liesel knew about it, but she probably hadn't seen the painting either.

"Well then..."

The first thing that caught my eye was the frame. It wasn't made of wood, but something milky white and strangely smooth, likely some kind of bone. The painting was set within it, covered by a glass pane.

It already felt different from an ordinary painting.

And the painting itself...

"Isn't it called 'Mira's Rest'?"

A woman in a red dress sitting on a bed, having a pageboy hold a mirror while a maid attends to her hair. Unlike the more formal scenes like "Mira's Judgment," this one depicted a very casual moment.

I couldn't tell what materials were used, but the red of the dress and the black shadows sparkled. Was it the pigment?

"...What meaning does this have?"

Unlike portraits or landscapes, these kinds of paintings often carry some meaning... What could this one be?

"It was painted about 90 years ago. At that time, even royal and noble women participated in battles against monsters. As the country began to settle, this painting was given by a master of the art world to encourage women to stay at home and support cultural activities, like the arts."

"...It sounds a bit preachy."

"Haha! My mother said the same thing. Maybe they want to remind you and Seria not to get too absorbed in pioneering. Well, it shouldn't have any deep meaning."

Liesel laughed, seemingly amused by my reaction. Meanwhile, Seriana silently read the booklet.

"Did you find anything interesting?"

"Interesting, or rather... yes, interesting. Sera, what do you think the red and black in this painting are made of?"

Seriana looked up from the booklet and pointed to the red and black parts of the painting that had caught my eye with their sparkle. If she pointed it out, it must be something special.

"I don't know. Gems, maybe?"

"Not quite. The black is dragon's blood, and the red is ruby dissolved in dragon's stomach acid. It seems gems can melt. The frame is made of finger bones... quite extravagant."

Seriana spoke in a tone that made it unclear whether she was impressed or astonished.

"When you interfere in the lifestyle of royals and nobles, you need to offer something appropriate, or your neck could be on the line. It seems the change started around that time and was successful... Oh, don't worry, it's already served its purpose, so feel free to accept it."

Seeing my somewhat anxious reaction, Liesel reassured me that it was okay.

...It seems to have the status of an important cultural property. Where should I hang it? Maybe in Seriana's room?