Chapter : 97
The Bachelor Collides with a Passerby
“Hmm, today I managed to take some good photos.”
Having successfully photographed the Kedzul in the forest, I had returned to the royal capital.
Although there had been the unexpected incident of running into Eight’s party, I had gotten the photos I wanted, and even some other great shots besides.
It could be said that it had been an extremely fruitful day.
As I basked in the sense of accomplishment while looking over the photos, I suddenly bumped into someone.
The stack of photos in my hands scattered across the ground.
“Sorry about that.”
“No, no, it’s my fault for daydreaming. My apologies.”
We both apologized immediately. It seemed that it wasn’t just me who wasn’t paying attention—he hadn’t been either.
I must have been too elated from taking such good photos.
It’s definitely better to slowly head home and look through the photos.
As I bent down to pick up the fallen photos, the man helped me gather them.
“…Beautiful.”
The man muttered softly as he picked up the photos.
“It’s as if I were actually there seeing it with my own eyes! Can someone really draw something this detailed?! No, wait—is this even a painting? What is this, exactly?!”
He shouted passionately to himself and then stepped closer.
Suddenly, it seemed a mysterious switch had flipped, and he was extremely excited.
“Before that, may I know who you are?”
“My apologies. I got carried away because this is just so wonderful. My name is Narcis Photner.”
Soft gray hair and a gentle face.
I initially thought he might be a merchant because of his fine clothing, but it turned out he was a noble.
“I’m Zirk Luren.”
“Luren… as in that famous mage craftsman?”
“Yes, that’s right. And you must be the head of the Photner family.”
“It’s an honor to be remembered by such a renowned mage craftsman.”
“You don’t need to be so formal.”
“No, creating magical tools is an art in itself. It’s natural to express my respect for someone who produces such innovative magical tools.”
The Photner family highly values art and has deep knowledge of it.
Anyone born into this family masters some form of art at a high level, whether it be painting, music, theater, dance, sculpture, or architecture.
Although their rank is the same as the Luren family—they are viscounts—they are highly respected among nobles due to their long history and deep education.
I had never met him before, but he lived up to the noble reputation I had heard of.
“We also have someone trying to learn magical tool creation, but they’re not quite at your level, Zirk-sama.”
“Creating magical tools requires broad knowledge and training. It’s faster to apprentice under someone than to start from scratch.”
“Yes, that’s why I had my son join the Luren family’s workshop.”
“I see… that’s quick.”
Though I had said it casually, it seemed my advice had already been put into action.
He acts fast. I suppose when it comes to mastering an art, he doesn’t hesitate.
He might have even already been in the Luren workshop when I visited previously.
“By the way, what exactly is this? It doesn’t seem like a painting.”
“These are photos taken with a magical tool. You can imagine it as capturing the scenery seen through this tool and projecting it onto an image.”
“What! Such a wonderful magical tool…! If you don’t mind, may I see the other photos as well?”
“Of course.”
Overpowered by his sparkling gaze, I handed him the rest of the photos I had collected.
Narcis wore his own white gloves, and unlike Tristan, he respected art, so he wouldn’t damage them.
“Is this a forest near the royal capital?”
“Yes, it’s a forest east of the royal capital.”
“How lush and beautiful a scene.”
The first photos he looked at were of the eastern forest.
They were ordinary trees, sun-dappled forest floors, things like that. I tried to capture the image of the forest as I saw it in my mind.
As he flipped through the landscape photos, the next set were of animals and monsters in the forest.
“Those feathers… could it be the Kedzul?”
“Yes, I just managed to photograph it.”
“Feathers symbolizing prosperity that only royalty may wear. Such a beautiful bird.”
Narcis gazed in awe at the photos of the Kedzul.
Unlike the blurry photos from before, this time the Kedzul rested on a branch with its wings at ease.
Thanks to the Cloak of Camouflage, I was able to take satisfying photos without alerting it.
“Is this a black boar?”
“Yes. I photographed a parent and child wandering through the forest.”
“Magnificent. I’ve never seen a magical creature so close.”
Technically, it wasn’t that close, but to someone like Narcis, seeing it in a photo for the first time felt very immediate.
“For someone like me, with no combat ability, the forest is an unknown place. To experience it like this…”
Sensing my puzzled expression, Narcis explained.
Unless you’re an adventurer like me, ordinary people can’t venture outside.
Or rather, they could, but it would be extremely dangerous.
A noble wouldn’t wander alone into a forest like that.
For someone with no combat ability, the outside world is too dangerous and unknown.
For someone like Narcis, being able to see the scenery outside like this must be incredibly exciting.
After carefully looking at all the photos, he let out a breath of awe.
“Thank you for letting me see such precious things.”
I put the photos Narcis returned into my case.
“Zirk-sama, I have a proposal.”
“What is it?”
Was he going to ask me to take photos like Eight and the others or to sell them?
“Why not hold an exhibition?”
“Huh?”
The suggestion was far beyond what I had expected, and I accidentally let out a dumbfounded sound.
“An exhibition showcasing the photos you’ve taken, Zirk-sama!”
“I understand what you mean, but will these photos really attract visitors?”
“They will! These photos are that amazing! We’ll start small, perhaps in a rented gallery, but gradually step up, and eventually hold it at the Royal Art Museum and fill it to capacity!”
Ignoring my hesitation, Narcis enthusiastically outlined his vision for the exhibition.
“But what about securing a venue and funding…”
“Leave all that to us! The Photner family will handle everything responsibly.”
I tried to use logistics and money as an excuse to decline, but Narcis anticipated it.
Right—his family held exhibitions almost every month.
They had the know-how, connections, and funds to make an exhibition happen.
“You don’t need to worry. Zirk-sama, all you have to do is provide the photos.”
“…Why go to such lengths?”
“I see great artistic potential in photography. For someone with a narrow world like mine, photography shows a new world. I wanted to share that experience with everyone.”
Even in the previous world, no matter how advanced civilization became, photography remained alive in people’s lives.
No matter how rich life became, photography remained invaluable.
People, like Eight and Mariela, are healed and encouraged by a single photo.
From it, they can derive joy and memories.
It is an important record that remains in the human heart.
Whether an amateur like me can inspire such emotion is uncertain, but it might be interesting to try.
“I see. Then, let’s give it a shot.”
“Yes, let’s make it a wonderful exhibition.”
Smiling warmly, he extended his hand, and I shook it in return.
