Drawn Mochi Volume 5 Chapter 15.1: To The Wide, Wide Land*2

Support the translator on lazytranslations.com

　Lila and I were troubled. We were very anxious.

“I don’t know what to do… I can’t believe they remembered our paintings so well.” (Tougo)

“It feels overwhelming… I’m kind of glad, though.” (Lila)

　I never thought that the Royal Art Museum would say, “We would like to have your paintings in our collection.”

　…Apparently, some of the people at the museum remembered our paintings. In other words, the picture of the Stormy Forest that Lila drew under the name “Tougo Uezora,” and the Lila-like picture I drew under the name “Lila Raswald.” They also seemed to remember which nameplate was on which side, and that they had been switched after the Dragon’s mischief.

　Lila, in particular, is a bit of a hot topic because she was kidnapped by a giant bird… She is not well-liked by some of the nobles, but she has become a bit popular among the common people, especially because she is “a girl painter who had been deprived of her honor by the nobles but regained it with the help of god,” so she has become popular among them. I guess that’s why she left an even bigger impression on them.

　…Lila seems conflicted about this. She says that even if the aristocrats have taken all the accolades away, it doesn’t change the fact that her paintings have been seen by many people and have made an impact on those who have seen them from time to time. That’s the best reward for her, so she’s not comfortable with people talkng about her as if she were a victim.

“Due to the circumstances, I’m wondering if I should refuse. Hey, what do you think?” (Lila)

“Hmm… if this wasn’t my painting, I would have been amused.” (Tougo)

　What can I say, we are the parties involved, and it shows that we deliberately switched the nameplate first and painted the picture, so I’m a little… hmmm, I wonder if we should put it up in the museum, mentioning that part.

“I think it’s good. It’s interesting.” (Croix)

“I think it is someone else’s problem…” (Laocles)

　Fay is laughing, but is this okay?

“As for me, I’m happy to see your paintings displayed.” (Fay)

“Hmm…” (Tougo)

　I see. Would you be happy if our pictures were displayed? I see…….

“But we already caused trouble for Fay.” (Tougo)

“Huh? That’s fine. It was just perfect to prevent the Redgarde family from being looked down on. This incident is good.” (Fay)

“Is it because you defeated Mr. Brompa?” (Tougo)

“Okay. We decided to let the outside world know that ‘If the Redgarde family loses face, they will be angry and dragons and birds will appear.’ Well, there’s also the matter of the red dragon and the spirit vein, both helped a lot.” (Fay)

　I see. Fay has a lot going on, too. Yep…

　…Is it okay to say that if you anger the Redgardes, dragons and giant birds will appear out of the blue?

“Well, I think it’s fine. If you want to reflect the will of the people, your paintings are probably the most memorable paintings in the series of events, and the museum chose your paintings. That’s how much they liked it, don’t you think?” (Fay)

“Maybe so, but…” (Tougo)

　I was somewhat puzzled.

“I don’t know if the painting is being evaluated, the incident is being evaluated, or the dragon is being evaluated.” (Tougo)

　I’m not sure if what is being sought after and what I want to be sought after really match up, so I’m troubled.

　Lila and I were worried a lot.

　I’m worried because “I don’t know if my paintings themselves are really appreciated.” Lila is hesitant to “pose as a victim and show off her work” at the museum.

　I don’t have Lila’s worries, but what Lila comments on my worries said, “It’s the same either way, isn’t it? If the paintings are displayed and more people come to see them, there will be people who will think something about them, and there will also be people who will think about the incident.” Lila is nice, because she is so refreshing here…

“… Well, whatever you do, why don’t you go to the Royal Art Museum and talk to them?” (Laocles)

　I was so impressed that Laocles, perhaps noticing my distress, said to me,

“Even if you think about it here, you won’t find out the truth.” (Laocles)

“…Yep. That’s right.” (Tougo)

　There are people who want to hang our paintings, so we should listen to what they have to say. I think we should listen to them. I think it’s important to talk to them, just like we did with Mr. Argent.

　Then we headed to the Royal Capital.

　…For some reason, I’ve been going to the royal capital a lot lately. Even if you fly to the royal capital on a fast creature, it will take about half a day, so it’s a bit inconvenient. I can’t help it though.

“It’s kind of strange. I don’t feel like I’ve come back. It’s like I’ve come to the Royal Capital. But when I go back to the forest, I feel like I’ve come home. That’s true. The amount of time I’ve been living in the forest hasn’t really been that big of a deal.” (Lila)

　Lila said that as she looked at the streets of the Royal Capital with a slightly confused look on her face. …I see. If you can feel like you’ve come home in the forest, I’d be happy.

“But maybe the museum is a place where I can feel like I’ve ‘come home’ just a little bit.” (Lila)

　And Lila goes on to say something like that. …She seems to have been painting in the small park behind the museum all her life, so I guess this place is familiar to her.

“There are also quite a few people I know.” (Lila)

　The woman, who seemed to be a museum employee, waved back at us with a slightly brighter expression on her face. …I see.

“So, I’m not that nervous. What about you?” (Lila)

“…I’m a little nervous.” (Tougo)

　I’m not like Lila. I’m not familiar with this place, and even if I was, the thought that I might hang my paintings here made me nervous.

　Lila giggled at my response and said something like, “You really are an awkward person, aren’t you!” Yep, but I think honesty is a good thing…

　We went inside the museum and told the receptionist what we wanted to see. We were easily ushered into a room at the back of the museum.

The room, which was not an exhibition room, but a parlor, was just an ordinary room, but there were pictures on the wall and a sculpture in the corner of the room. It looks like a museum.

“Oh, pardon me for keeping you waiting!” (Director)

　A well-dressed man came in, smiled happily, and took Lila and me by the hand. His nameplate read “Director of the Royal Art Museum”. I see. So you are the director of the museum.

“I am very honored to have the opportunity to speak with two young and popular painters! Come on, please take a seat!” (Director)

　We sat down on the sofa as suggested. Fay is next to us. Ms. Croix and Laocles are behind me. Behind Lila are the fairies… uh, for the time being. Yeah. Good luck.

“So… are you both agreeable with having your paintings put up in the museum today?” (Director)

　The director immediately said so. He’s a speedy person…

“Well, uh, I’m confused.” (Tougo)

　That’s why I said it properly. However, when I said, “I’m confused,” the director said, “Why?” I’m a little sorry for having him make that face.

“Well, I didn’t know what it was that you liked about it, but I wanted to hear it, so I came here today.” (Tougo)

　When I said that, the director looked at me dumbfounded.

“I don’t want this incident to become a story of its own. I have no interest in being pitied for playing the victim. I don’t want to give you the painting if that’s how you’re going to introduce me.” (Lila)

When Lila continued my words, it seemed easier to understand that way, and the director reacted a little.