I've Become the King of Villains in the Game

Chen Lun and Floey followed Noah to the entrance of the Gallery, with Walsh closely behind.

"Mr. Noah from the Silver Dragon Trade Association, welcome."

Beckman greeted warmly.

Noah squeezed out an embarrassed smile, clearly uncomfortable with the address.

"Mr. Beckman, I'm delighted to attend this painting exhibit and have been looking forward to it."

Due to his large size, Noah could only slightly bend his waist and extend his hand.

Beckman chuckled softly and shook hands with him.

"Then I can assure you that this exhibit will not disappoint you... Let me tell you a secret, there's one of your own pieces among the paintings.

Please forgive me, I hung it up without your permission, unable to bear seeing such fine work go unnoticed."

Beckman looked apologetic.

"It deserves to be seen by more people."

"Oh! Is that so!"

Noah appeared excited, his cheeks flushed and he became somewhat bashful.

"May I ask which piece of mine it is?"

"I'd like you to find it yourself in the gallery, it might give you a surprise," Beckman said mysteriously.

Noah's face bore a joyful smile, and a fang peeked out.

As the group passed Beckman, his gaze lightly swept over Chen Lun and Floey, but he did not linger on them.

Chen Lun looked back and saw Beckman already greeting the next guest; the countess and Lawson the councilman were standing by his side, exuding their warmth as best they could.

A mist of confusion flashed in Chen Lun's eyes.

"The Oil Paint Knight..."

Turning his head, he muttered the name to himself and walked nonchalantly into the gallery.

After Chen Lun had entered the gallery, Beckman suddenly looked back, his gaze following the slowly disappearing figure of the former.

"What is it, Beckman?" the countess inquired, noticing her lover's movement.

"This exhibition seems to have attracted a number of interesting guests," Beckman hinted.

However, the countess apparently could not detect the implications of his words and thought Beckman was simply moved by the distinguished array of visitors.

Chen Lun entered the interior of the gallery.

The decor was predominantly red, the walls painted with a deep red lacquer, and everything else, including carpets, decorations, chandeliers, and sofas, was uniformly red.

In the midst of the regality, there was a hint of something eerie.

"Daddy, look at this painting, it's so beautiful!"

Chen Lun heard a familiar voice, turned his head, and saw it was an excited Rebecca, pulling Viscount Pompey in front of a painting of a blooming rose.

"Keep your voice down, Rebecca," Viscount Pompey whispered to his daughter, and Rebecca pouted in protest.

Not far from the father-daughter duo, Lady Pompey was admiring other paintings on her own.

Rebecca suddenly turned her head and, spotting a familiar figure in her line of sight, almost exclaimed, "Mr. Jack," but realized she had mistaken the person for someone else.

She felt a bit disheartened, sighed, and her excitement visibly waned.

I hope nothing has happened to Mr. Jack...

He's so capable, he definitely wouldn't have any trouble!

Chen Lun did not approach to greet Pompey's family and turned to follow Noah away instead.

The works on display in the gallery were all first-rate. Noah ahead kept expressing his admiration, occasionally stopping to comment on the paintings he liked.

Chen Lun and Floey, standing aside, listened to his explanations. Many details they had overlooked or completely missed were pointed out incisively by him. Only then did they understand that behind a seemingly simple painting lay the artist's deep thoughts and meaning.

But Floey couldn't see the paintings and had to rely on listening. Chen Lun, concerned she might be bored, used verbal descriptions to give her an idea of the art.

However, this method felt ineffectual because you simply can't articulate with words what you see, much like trying to describe the color red—how would you phrase it?

You can only compare it to other red things; there's no other way.

Red silk, fresh blood, and roses... But if the other party has never seen them, with no impression in their mind, it's like talking to oneself. Or if the things they have seen differ from what you have seen, then the color formed in their mind is not the red you perceive.

Chen Lun felt a pang of emotion and sighed quietly,

"Floey, a person can neither hear what others hear, nor see what others see. Everyone perceives this world differently... Perhaps that is why there's no true understanding between people, why sorrow and joy are never the same."

Floey turned her head and quietly "gazed" at him, contemplative.
Your next chapter is on empire

The surrounding guests were many, yet they all quietly admired and conversed in hushed tones. They were generally of noble status, with hardly anyone speaking loudly, moving with great elegance.

Chen Lun felt it was about time and bid Noah a nod. Using the excuse of going to the washroom, he left midway.

Before leaving, he whispered to Floey beside him:

"Wait here for me, I'll be back soon."

"Mhm."

*

*

*

Inner City District.

The Red Apple Church, two blocks away from Bradley Square.

The imposing Gothic church stood alone to the side, spaced apart from the surrounding buildings. Today wasn't Lady Rose's day of worship, so not many believers were visiting the Red Apple Church.

A mere dozen or so believers were scattered, sitting on the wooden benches inside. The middle-aged monk at the pulpit was preaching with a quiet, deep voice, slowly telling of Rose's love for the world.

Suddenly, he lifted his head.

Five young men and women entered the church.

As the monk was puzzling over this, the man leading them raised his arm, wielding a strangely-shaped firearm, and aimed at him.

"—Guardians!!"

The monk instantly paled, crying out in shock and fear.

Bang!!

A succession of muffled sounds, and a cloud of small steel balls shot out, striking the monk's body.

Blood spattered from him as he collapsed to the ground.

"Ahhhh!!"

The believers screamed in fright, running towards the exit in a panic, all the while crying out for Rose's protection.

The Polaris group wasn't psychopathic and did not wantonly slaughter these ordinary people, allowing them to leave.

"How about that, the next phase should be the high-intensity combat section, right?"

The Horseman also took out a blunderbuss and spoke gravely.

"Definitely, considering it's one of the Empire's largest extraordinary forces... Caution is best, our mission is merely to draw attention."

Polaris glanced at the three firearms in the Horseman's hands and silently berated himself for being silly.

What precious firearm capable of shooting down dragons?

What many years of trusty old partner?

You've even got them wholesale, huh?!

"My firearm is already starving for action! Make it quick!"

Doghead Gold wore an excited expression.

As if the heavens complied with human wishes, the moment his words fell, a torrent of footsteps came rushing in.

The side doors behind the church's pulpit were burst open, and a group of guardians in leather coats surged out.

The two leading monks wore grim expressions.

"Blasphemers! None of you shall escape!"

But the next second, their expressions changed.

Because the five young people didn't flee; instead, they charged forward even more excitedly.

"A true man makes his mark by accomplishing great deeds today! Kill!"

The strange words shouted by Doghead Gold left the monk bewildered.