Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Chapter 1012: Chapter 58 White Eagle Mansion_3

However, as a seasoned victim of regional discrimination, Winters harbored no particular animosity towards the people of Flora. This was because when he attended school in Guidao City, United Provincials would often lump all Venetians together, indiscriminately branding them as living debauched lives and leading extravagant lifestyles.

Winters decided to say a word of justice: “[In the old language] It’s just a few portraits.”

“[In the old language] It’s not just a few portraits, my lord.” Anna corrected with a smile: “[In the old language] Judging from the technique, the earlier ones can hardly be made out as colored paintings of people, at least two hundred years old…probably the work of some slave artist.”

“[In the old language] So?”

“[In the old language] Two hundred years and hardly any fading of the pigments apart from the accumulation of dust—what might that be?”

A sudden unease surged in Winters’ heart. Lady Navarre would not casually raise questions beyond his scope—if she asked, it meant that Winters knew the answer…or rather, should remember it.

Winters racked his brains and finally found the answer in a corner of his memory: “[In the old language] Lapis Lazuli.”

“[In the old language] Correct, having awkward painters use precious lapis lazuli for their art, isn’t that generous enough for the people of Flora?” Anna praised with a twinkling smile: “[In the old language] I only mentioned it to you once, and you still remember.”

Winters coughed lightly: “[In the old language] It was twice. Once was in Sea Blue, after the celebration parade when I bought you the painting; the other was at Mitchell’s estate in Wolf Town.”