Chapter 278: Art Ranking

Chapter 278: Art Ranking

Gospel time, May 10th at 23:59:59!

The first future Ranking List is announced!

The six people in the living room all flipped to their bookmarked pages, only to see the pages swiftly transform into images and text—no, into a video player!

“Video?”

“The last edition was still in the form of images.” Butler Youth commented, “But with each Weaving Festival, the method of announcement evolves with the era, and recently, video has indeed become the main medium.”

As they spoke, the scenes within the Gospel rapidly changed, featuring young men, Elves, Orcs, and Goblins. Some appeared handsome and dashing, others ancient and stodgy, some fierce and robust, and some elegantly aloof. Without exception, all were painting.

With a stroke of vivid ink, the title of the first Ranking List was grandly announced—

Art Ranking

“No me this time.” Harvey yawned.

“It would be nice if I were included,” Banjeet laughed. “I quite enjoy painting... Maybe Miss Annan is on it.”

“I’m not even as good as you at painting, Banjeet,” Annan smiled.

Igor pondered, “I do like painting quite a bit, but I’m not interested in pursuing it further...”

Con Artist looked at Ashe, who cleared his throat, ready to say something, but Igor’s gaze skipped over him to a young girl with white hair: “Lise, do you like painting?”

“Um—” Lise checked her Little Magic Mirror before answering: “I love it!”

Ashe: “Why not ask me?”

Igor said, “Look, they’re about to release the painting ranked tenth.”

“Don’t dodge my question, hey!”

The scene in the book began to shift, showing a meticulously dressed male Elf bent over his desk. He seemed to be in a basement, his clothing somewhat dirty, and on the Holographic Screen in front of him, a comic was rapidly taking shape with each stroke of his pen.

It’s one thing to have rewards for the artworks, but to have them instantly distributed nationwide, requiring every Family to own a copy; and not just nationwide distribution, but having the royalties drawn from the top ten murderers on the Slaughter Ranking!

When the people of the Gospel unexpectedly receive a deluxe set of the comic book, should they say ‘thanks to the number one on the Slaughter Ranking’?

“Not right,” Annan suddenly said. “While it makes sense to draw from the Slaughter Ranking, typically such cash rewards are deducted from the national treasury. There has never been a precedent for demanding money from the Slaughter Ranking, unless...”

“Unless there is no treasury left,” Igor finished for Annan, voicing what Annan had only hinted at. “It’s even possible that the Gospel Kingdom no longer exists.”

The three migrant workers were naturally indifferent to this. Whether it’s the destruction of the Gospel Kingdom or even the Blood Moon Kingdom, they would simply comment, ‘Isn’t that fortunate.’

However, Banjeet and Annan’s expressions turned quite grim. After all, this was their homeland, and unlike the orphans of the Blood Moon, they still held deep feelings for their nation.

But unnoticed by all, Lise, hiding in the corner, had a slight smile playing at her lips.

At that moment, the video from the Gospel continued. The scene showed the Elves painter Lanbeisi suddenly picking up a photo frame from his desk. The frame contained an image of a diminutive Goblin Sorcerer painting beneath an Obelisk. The scene then transitioned from the basement to the Obelisk Square.

The Goblin Sorcerer painted swiftly and fiercely—each stroke was incredibly bold and forceful. Just watching his painting process, one could feel as if they were witnessing life burning brightly.

As the Goblin Sorcerer made the final brushstroke, the tip of the Spire emitted a brilliant glow. A visible energy shield quickly unfolded, enveloping the entire city. At the city’s edge, one could faintly see rolling waves of darkness...

However, upon completing his work, the body of the Goblin Sorcerer disintegrated into ash—this turned out to be a Ritual Miracle that demanded life as its price!

Art Ranking, 9th Place: “Monument of Guardianship”

“A Sorcerer has inscribed their wisdom, soul, and arcane energy into the Obelisk through painting, leveraging the power of the Virtual Realm to protect the city from calamities.”

“Mantos Cheno”

“That Spire is a landmark of Hemera...” Annan murmured. “Hemera is a plains city, also known as ‘Land Blessed by the Gods.’ It’s the second major urban area in the Gospel Kingdom, and it has never faced any disasters for thousands of years...”

There’s no need for further discussion—If once could be a coincidence, twice confirms that in the future depicted by the Gospel, this Kingdom will face catastrophic changes.

Art is merely a shadow of this heavy history.