Chapter 15: Rival

Chloe and Emil’s competition.

Peggio considered this match a godsend.

“The moment I’ve been eagerly waiting for has arrived! The moment to deflate that Chloe… Synthia’s bubble reputation!”

Yaltarion’s sudden exhibition.

And Chloe’s painting displayed there.

Until he heard that news, Peggio had been in despair.

An influential figure from the Fleurden Empire.

The Archmage Yaltarion.

He thought Yaltarion had snatched away the s*ave he was targeting.

‘But that wasn’t the case.’

Yaltarion deliberately set up a competition.

Why?

“It’s because His Excellency Yaltarion himself wasn’t certain of Synthia’s talent.”

He was interested in Chloe’s talent?

Then why would he set up a competition?

Chloe was already enjoying considerable fame under the pseudonym Synthia.

“Above all, the opponent is too strong.”

“Yes. If he intended to boost Synthia’s reputation, he wouldn’t have pitted her against such a skilled painter.”

Chloe’s unknown opponent.

No matter how you looked at it, she was a first-class painter.

Winning meant breaking even.

Losing meant a loss.

Why would he arrange such a formidable opponent for such a competition?

Was the competition itself the objective?

Did Chloe’s opponent threaten Yaltarion, saying she’d never see her grandfather again unless he mediated the match?

All correct.

Emil would probably avert her eyes if she heard this.

But Peggio couldn’t think that way.

“His Excellency is trying to test Synthia’s talent. That’s why he arranged the match against a first-class painter.”

He grinned ostentatiously.

A smile that didn’t doubt his own (supposedly) correct answer.

“In other words, if Synthia suffers a crushing defeat here.”

“Synthia, having lost His Excellency’s interest, will be devastated.”

“That’s exactly it! And that’s when I step in.”

Peggio rubbed his hands together.

“Let’s guide Synthia down the ‘right’ path so she doesn’t give up her brush.”

From a celebrated genius to a defeated loser.

He would skillfully coax the artist whose pride had been crushed with cunning words.

Originally, this was the scam he had planned for the concours.

But look!

By patiently waiting, hadn’t the same opportunity presented itself, identical to his first plan?

As expected, waiting had paid off.

Chuckling quietly, Peggio clicked his tongue.

“If you understand, what are you waiting for? Move now. The exhibition ends today!”

“Yes!”

Though slightly irritated, he was relaxed.

In other words.

Even though he was in a situation where he could afford to be relaxed, irritation welled up.

Because the situation had changed since a few days ago.

M-Master? What’s going on?

Don’t you know? The lords have taken an interest! If we lose Chloe now, even the Guild Master’s position is at risk!

Recalling the events of a few days prior, Peggio clicked his tongue.

Lords.

Nobles and merchants, akin to kings in this city-state.

They were interested in Synthia’s painting?

It was a bolt from the blue.

He risked being remembered by the lords as ‘the incompetent f*ck-ups who lost track of something that caught my attention’!

It was no longer a matter of mere regret.

Peggio had no choice but to be desperate.

The reason he hadn’t noticed Chloe’s painting competition until today was because he’d been preoccupied with this news.

‘But why the sudden interest from the lords?’

Was it too much to think that it felt like the influence of some higher-up?

‘No, no. It must be an overreaction.’

How virtuously he had lived!

The ruler shouldn’t use a kind citizen like him as a pawn. No way.

Peggio desperately denied his own intuition.

There couldn’t be such a wicked scheme afoot.

However.

“Ugh.”

“What’s wrong?”

“My ear itches. I’ve been doing so many bad things lately that someone must be talking about me.”

At the same time.

If Peggio had heard the conversation between the Spirit King and the Second Princess in the neighboring empire, he probably would have fainted.

“Bad things? What did you do this time?”

“Yaltesance is a city-state, right? So, I sent a letter to the Prince of the Holy Empire that governs it.”

“…What kind of letter?”

“He seems to like me, so I pretended to be interested in paintings. He must be trying to win my favor right now.”

The Second Princess rested her chin in her hand.

She was deceptively innocent.

Indeed, Peggio shouldn’t forget.

This was Luntraval.

A world of altered common sense where a 9-year-old girl threatened an Archmage, and an 11-year-old girl manipulated national affairs with the equivalent of a hydrogen bomb.

In this land, common sense led to ruin.

Just like the Spirit King El, currently experiencing a slight lapse in his conscience.

“…If the Prince gets involved directly, his ulterior motives will be obvious, so he’ll have his subordinates turn the Painter’s Guild upside down?”

“Probably? Such a touching, unrequited love.”

“You should be grateful it only resulted in an itchy ear….”

Fortunately, or unfortunately.

Peggio, unlike the Second Princess, didn’t suffer an itchy ear from gossip and schemes in foreign lands.

This was the difference in bloodline between royalty and commoners.

Rustle!

However, even a commoner’s ears had their uses.

Peggio was startled by the sound behind him.

“What?! Who’s there!”

Eavesdropping?

Did they overhear the previous conversation?

‘D@mn it, if they heard about the vote rigging, it’s dangerous.’

He couldn’t say that speaking aloud was a mistake.

He had to persuade his subordinates to relay the content to their master and gather people.

But the moment the hidden figure revealed themselves.

Peggio dismissed all suspicion.

“…Gasp!”

Reason one.

The other party was a young child, still unaware of the ways of the world.

Reason two.

Despite her young age, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

And reason three.

“Hello! You’re from the Painter’s Guild, right?”

That child.

In other words, honey was practically dripping from Chloe’s eyes.


‘See? Clicker, there are sane people in this world!’

[Hmm… Is that so…?]

Perhaps it was because she’d been spying on Peggio’s scheming for a while.

Chloe wasn’t intimidated even after being discovered.

It was understandable.

What?

He would tarnish my reputation to correct the current situation where Clicker’s painting was being praised?

And he would educate Synthia in art afterward?

So that the young child doesn’t give up her brush in despair?

‘Ah, this is wuxia.’

A righteous warrior teaching a misguided, evil girl the ways of righteousness and morality?

This was classic wuxia.

That’s what it was. I decided that just now.

He was truly the salt and light of Luntraval.

Chloe felt sorry for making fun of it as the “Continent of Romance” before.

‘The problem is that I’m in the “evil girl” position.’

No, wait.

What’s the problem?

‘I just have to keep my identity hidden, right?’

Problem solved!

Chloe walked out without a worry.

Seeing her admiring gaze, Peggio was relieved.

‘She must not have heard anything.’

The plan to deceive Chloe and exploit her as a s*ave.

Would she have that awestruck expression after hearing all of that?

Even a demon wouldn’t do that.

That was why both sides comfortably let down their guard.

“Ahem. Yes, you saw correctly. I’m Peggio Borsina. Master Painter’s Guild Leader’s chief apprentice.”

“Chief apprentice?!”

The direct disciple of the Guild Leader?

A true-blue, righteous warrior of the highest order?

‘Heh.’

A pure reaction followed immediately.

An expression that couldn’t possibly be feigned.

Relieved, Peggio openly revealed his ulterior motives.

“Why? Are you interested in art?”

A charming young lady’s eyes sparkling with admiration after hearing about his profession?

It was only natural for his ego to inflate considerably.

He couldn’t help but want to try flirting.

As long as he ignored Chloe’s age.

Of course, Peggio didn’t ignore it.

Equipping himself with a kind smile like a church oppa.

And with a cheerful gesture, he skillfully made his move.

“If you’re a painter’s apprentice, would you like to visit my atelier? I can show you around if you want to see anything.”

“No, I do music.”

Ah.

Peggio smacked his lips.

He tried to hide his disappointment gracefully.

‘A musician’s apprentice, huh. It suits her.’

Being a painter wasn’t about looks.
But a musician?

A musician was a profession that put you in front of people.

With this beauty, she’d have much more success as a musician.

Anxious at the silence, Chloe quickly asked,

“Um, Master Peggio, who did you vote for?”

“Me? The one that isn’t Synthia.”

“As expected!”

As expected?

Ah, she also disliked Synthia’s painting.

‘Well, seeing a musician’s apprentice here, she must be a child favored by His Excellency.’

She probably knew Chloe’s opponent and was cheering for her.

Or maybe she simply disliked Synthia’s painting.

Personal desire.

A harmonious relationship with Yaltarion.

For both reasons, Peggio puffed out his chest.

A gesture intended to gain Chloe’s favor.

“Just wait and see. The one we’re rooting for will definitely win this match.”

“Really?”

“Of course, really.”

Because that was what he was planning to do.

“If you don’t believe me, how about we make a bet?”

“Oh. A bet might be difficult. I want to bet on the same side as you, hehe.”

Oh my, their hearts were aligned too.

How could she be so lovely?

When she smiled, it felt like the surroundings brightened.

Peggio was certain.

That the goddess of fortune was on his side.

‘Thank you, Groomloc! And Chloe!’

This encounter was all thanks to Chloe, that stpid, ugly brat.

Things had worked out well thanks to their defiance.

Was that why?

“Huh? Master Groomloc?”

“I’ve been looking all over for you. What are you doing here… Peggio?”

When that orc, whom he couldn’t stand the sight of, appeared.

Peggio could even bask in his sense of superiority.

“Oh my! If it isn’t Master Groomloc.”

“…Why are you with her?”

“Do you know her too? She said she was a musician’s apprentice under His Excellency’s care, so we were chatting.”

That pathetic greenskin.

Just look at that dumbfounded expression.

Well, whatever.

Soon, he would take away everything from him: his useful painting s*ave, his connection with the Archmage.

‘And even his relationship with this child.’

The chief apprentice of the Guild Master versus an ordinary individual painter.

A human pretty boy versus an orc.

It was obvious which one would easily win a girl’s favor.

Peggio smiled, looking at the unknown silver-haired girl.

While he believed love transcended age, race was a different matter entirely.

But why?

“Ah… I see. So you don’t know….”

That disgusting orc’s face.

It was turning into an expression of pity.

“What?”

“Is that so…. No, you don’t need to know. It’s not time yet. Let’s stop this conversation….”

What was this pig talking about?

Aware of Chloe’s gaze, Peggio was about to deliver a magnificent, logical speech.

He would have, if Groomloc hadn’t spoken first.

“The number of visitors to the exhibition suddenly increased. Nearly 40 people. I thought it might be your doing, so I was looking for you.”

“Visitors? What does that have to do with me… Wait, what?”

How many people?

40?

Why?

He’d only called about 20 subordinates.

“Yeah, about 20 of them seemed like your friends. The other half were my acquaintances.”

What a coincidence, right?
At Groomloc’s sarcasm, Peggio froze like a stone.

Because he understood what those words meant.

“This should make it a fair competition. Don’t you think?”

“You b@stard…?!”

He noticed my scheme and gathered people?

To counteract the rigged votes by voting the opposite way.

So that only clean votes would determine the outcome?!

‘If this happens… if this happens, rigging the vote becomes impossible…!’

He couldn’t just keep gathering more people.

If things got out of hand, Yaltarion would notice.

If the vote rigging was discovered, Peggio was finished.
And.

If it became a head-to-head match, the scales of victory would tip heavily towards Synthia.

“Copy the Saintess’s painting? Are you insane!”

“But I like it.”

“Let’s do it!”

“D@mn it, Saintess! What is this painting! Inspiration… inspiration keeps overflowing!”

Because of those guys.

Because of those crazy fanatics!!

His breathing quickened at the clearly visible failure.

Peggio was left petrified.

“I hereby declare the voting closed. I sincerely thank all the visitors who came to the exhibition.”

Even as Yaltarion announced the closing, he remained frozen.

When had he ever experienced such humiliation?

He was so miserable he couldn’t even check the results.

But he didn’t need to care about the outcome.

Tap.

Dainty little girl’s shoes.

He could see the tip of the shoe even with his head down.

Peggio hesitantly raised his head.

Then, he saw the disappointed face of the girl he had been trying to win over.

“…You said you would definitely win.”

Liar.

I trusted you.

Her voice was filled with such heartfelt emotion.

Chloe turned her back on Peggio and walked away.

Peggio couldn’t stop her retreating figure.

Thud.

Peggio collapsed weakly on the spot.


As the exhibition closed, chased away by the twilight.

I turned my gaze to the voting results.

“Sigh.”

Although I’d been complaining out of disappointment.

Fortunately, I hadn’t won this painting competition.

‘Though, in a way, the result is even more shocking.’

Noemillica vs. Clicker.

62 votes vs. 62 votes.

In other words, a tie.

I never know what will happen in this world.

How could it be a tie, exactly?

[Isn’t that randomness what makes life interesting?]

As I always say, the biggest variable in my life is you.

No.

Since you always cause trouble, I guess you could be considered a constant.

I was even more annoyed because I had secretly tried spirit magic the other day with a sliver of hope.

How did it turn out, you ask?

Did it work?

If the magic had worked, I’d be busy hugging and kissing Clicker right now, d@mn it.

[Really? Should I try it now? Spirit magic!]

‘You can’t use it! D@mn it!’

[You might not be able to, but I can!]

Should I just kill her?

Ha, calm down. What’s the point of arguing with her?

I’ll only ruin my mood.

I spoke to someone more reasonable.

To Emil, who was looking at the results.

“Unexpected result. For both you and me.”

“Indeed.”

Emil turned to face me.

And then silence.

It wasn’t until I thought, ‘Did she eat something wrong?’ that Emil finally spoke what she seemed to want to say.

“How.”

“Huh?”

“How can you paint so well?”

I made a deal with the devil, Emil.
Once this competition is over, I’m free.

It’s so painful not being able to tell the truth.

“Don’t ask. I think your painting is better. And so will others.”

“Who are these ‘others’?”

Who, she asks?

What a strange thing to say.

“Can’t you see the results? It’s a tie.”

“I see. But that’s meaningless.”

“No, what… If the results are meaningless, then what is meaningful?”

“The two votes you received at first.”

What?

“Who do you think they were?”

What is she suddenly saying?

Ah, she’s asking who the two people who voted for me initially were?

‘Let me see, uh…’

People who, besides the Chloe enthusiasts, would appreciate Clicker’s painting.

Though they seemed unlikely to exist, surprisingly, there were some.

Exactly two people.

Painters whose faces I knew.

‘Huh?’

Wait.

Does that make sense?

“This tie is the result of you increasing the number of voters.”

At least, Emil seemed to think so.

“So, this match is my loss. Grandpa and Painter Groomloc both chose your side, not mine.”

“…Popularity is a big advantage for an artist, though.”

“I don’t agree in the slightest. Art requires discernment and qualification.”

“We have different aesthetics.”

“Indeed. Then let’s do this.”

Emil muttered and grabbed a brush.

“This makes it your victory.”

Swish!

The brush drew a single stroke on the voting sheet with a flourish.

Emil had voted for Clicker’s painting.

Such childish stubbornness.
But she was still a child.

Watch closely, original heroine.
The foundation of art is imitation.

“Oh yeah? Then let’s do this.”

I swiftly pickpocketed the brush from her hand.

Before Emil could react, I swung my arm.

Swish!

The brush drew a single stroke on the voting sheet with a flourish.

Noemillica vs. Clicker.

No.

Emil vs. Chloe.

63 votes vs. 63 votes.

“Now it’s a tie again.”

I smiled triumphantly.

Emil, on the other hand, narrowed her eyes.

“Don’t be absurd.”

With her eyes still narrowed, she smiled faintly.

“It’s okay to be a little absurd. Being stubborn is a child’s prerogative.”

“Indeed. We have different aesthetics.”

“Well, you don’t seem very innocent.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m hungry, let’s get dinner. You’re paying to celebrate the tie!”

“I asked what you meant.”

I didn’t answer and ran away.

Whether it was to get a free meal or to avoid a flick on the forehead, it was better that way.

But, well.

How should this competition ultimately be evaluated?

It wasn’t bad?

I didn’t like that expression very much.

Those words were too passive and self-justifying.

Hiding what you dislike is courtesy, but not expressing what you like is hypocrisy.

Because it means hiding your true feelings based on profit and loss.

So, just for a moment.

Just for a moment, we decided to be honest with our feelings at this moment.

AI, art.

Let’s put those difficult topics aside for now.

“It was fun, wasn’t it? This competition.”

“…Hmph.”

It might not have been a good match, but it was a very enjoyable one.

And so.

The girls walked, bickering, with the twilight at their backs.

The awkward distance they’d maintained until now seemed to have narrowed slightly.

A relationship closer than strangers, yet more distant than friends.

Perhaps that’s why people call this kind of relationship,

A rivalry.

“Oh, right. You know I’m going to the monastery next week, right?”

“……What?”

“Will you send that musician I was supposed to meet as a visitor? I’m thinking of quitting painting and focusing on music.”

“……………………What?”

…Perhaps.


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Somaly
18 days ago

If You Notice any translation issues or inconsistency in names, genders, or POV etc? Let us know here in the comments or on our Discord server, and we’ll fix it in current and future chapters. Thanks for helping us to improve! 🙂