Renaissance of Muses for the Maestro Chapter 7

[xuebingcode]

Chapter 7

The inside of the museum was void of both people and sound. We carefully proceeded through the windowless hallways, Snow’s fire lighting our way.

Heathcliff: …It feels kind of special, being inside an empty museum.

Akira: Ditto…I’m scared and excited all the same.

Along the path, ‘it’ had entered our view–the so-called resurrected Pict’s painting of many reds.

Mitile: …

We all looked at it together in silence. It was this painting that might be a forgery.

Yet even so, my eyes couldn’t help being drawn to it. The artwork in front of me was still so captivating.

Mitile: Excuse me, Mister Rustica…

I’ve never seen the real Pict’s art for myself, but are all these paintings of ‘his’ really fakes?

The majority of the gallery visitors were fans of Pict, right? But they didn’t notice anything…

Maybe it could still be that Pict actually did come back from the dead, and painted these works…

He spoke like he was wishing for it to be true, voice full of sincerity. In response, Rustica gave a soft smile.

Upon seeing that, Mitile’s face relaxed, thinking that Rustica was about to kindly assure him so. 

However…

Rustica: This is a fake. It is absolutely not Pict’s work. 

Looking at it once more I can definitively say so. I was one of his fans, after all. 

Mitile: Mister Rustica…

Out of everyone here, it was Rustica who was the most knowledgeable in the arts. If he says so, then it really must be a forgery. 

Mitile: …

Rustica: There is no shame for not realizing. 

This painting’s thick strokes, colour palette, and composition are nearly identical to that of Pict's style.

…Nevertheless, this painting is not his.

Though I too might not have noticed if I had not seen that artwork beforehand.

Akira: (‘That artwork’?)

That’s when I suddenly remembered.

Akira: Hold on, where is the paintbrush…?

I survey the surroundings. Distracted by the painting in front of us we had completely forgotten about our guiding paintbrush.

Rustica: Don’t worry. It’s waiting for us.

Akira: Huh?

Retaining his soft expression he pointed to my feet. 

Below me was the paintbrush, patiently waiting and looking up at us. 

Rustica: My dear little friend, won’t you guide us to your master once more?

Exiting the heart of the display room and entering the back area of the museum, the paintbrush fluttered in the air down another hallway.

After a while, it swiftly stopped. In an odd corner out of ways from the main path of the hallway, stood an enormous painting.

Riquet: What’s wrong with it? It stopped all of a sudden.

Heathcliff: There’s nothing over there apart from that large painting. 

Chloe: Maybe the owner was just here? It could be that he thought we were the thieves instead and ran off.

Riquet: But he’s also inside the museum after hours. For what reason, though…

Mitile: Ermmm…

The young wizards were confused, observing the area closely and even talking to the brush.

Yet all the brush did was hop in one spot, not turning left or right and continuing anywhere. 

Akira: It’s possible that Chloe’s right and he did leave somewhere, confusing the brush too…

Rustica: No…I believe we have reached our destination. 

Snow: Indeed. I sense a presence behind this painting.

Akira: What!? Behind this painting…then…

Chloe peered into the gap between the wall and the painting.

Chloe: Hey, you might be right! I think this painting is covering something.

Snow: Mm. Let us move it.

Mitile: S-Should we really touch a painting for display?

Heathcliff answered his worry.

Heathcliff: I agree. If we are to move it, we should use magic carefully so as to not let our hands touch it. 

And once we return the paintbrush to its owner, we can move it back to where it was. 

Satisfied with that idea, Mitile nodded to the older boy, who took out his magic tool and quietly said his spell.

Heathcliff: Repsevaivulp Sonus.

With his spell the frame becomes engulfed in light, spreading to the painting itself and shining a rainbow sheen. The artwork as tall as a person bobbed upward.

Chloe: ...Ah! So it was a door!

We stood in surprise.

When Heathcliff moved the painting, what appeared behind the wall was a hidden door of wood.

The paintbrush began moving again, dancing and jumping to the door. 

Akira: …So the owner of this paintbrush is behind this door…

Rustica: Mmhmm. Our little paintbrush friend says so too.

Definitely suspicious. Who could our owner of this paintbrush be, hiding behind a secret door?

He probably wasn’t a thief, if he knew of this hidden door.

Akira: (He’s involved with this museum for sure…)

Rustica: Hello, whoever is beyond this door. Oh, or should I say good evening?

We came here to deliver you a forgotten item. Would you please open the door?

He knocked on wood, but no reply. 

Chloe: We, We aren’t weirdos, honest! I mean, we did sneak into the museum, but not to do anything bad…

The door was locked with a clank. 

Riquet: I don’t think we’re welcome. 

Chloe: Uuurgh, I’m sorry I botched it…

Heathcliff: No you didn’t, it can’t be helped considering the situation. But, what should we do now…

Snow: Well we could blast it with magic. However, let’s wait and see a little longer.

Mithra: Hey. You’re still not done yet?

Akira: Mithra!

Turning around I saw Mithra, with Rutile peeking from behind him. 

Rutile: We came to check up on you since it’s been a while. What’s this door…?

Chloe: About that, the owner of this paintbrush is inside. 

Snow: And we have no clue as to why he would be lurking inside there. As of now, we are peacefully trying…

Mithra: Arthim.

Everyone: HUH?!

A blast of destruction echoed through the museum, and smoke enveloped the area.

Mithra: Mission accomplished. Goodness, you guys can’t do anything without me here. 

Snow: …Mithy! Did you not hear what I was saying? PEACEFULLY, you brute!

Mithra: Oh, you said something?

Rustica: Nope. Good job, Mithra. We were able to safely open the door thanks to you!

Chloe: Safely open…you mean busted down! Is the guy in there alright?!

Akira: That was a huge noise just now…

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