Chapter 246: Promotional Poster

Chapter 246: Chapter 246: Promotional Poster

The ship traveled upstream, its progress slow. Coupled with unfavorable winds, the journey took longer than their last one.

On the morning of the third day, Duane and his party finally arrived at Michaelson Port.

This wasn’t Duane’s first time at the port, so he was already familiar with its bustling prosperity.

This time, however, there were clearly more ships moored in the harbor than usual.

It seemed some of the Nobility, as well as invited wealthy merchants and friends, had already arrived in the Royal Capital several days early.

Since Natalia had notified Lloyd before they left Silent Shore, Sharp knew the group’s approximate arrival time.

The moment the ship entered the harbor, the carriage Sharp had rented in advance to transport the garments was already in place.

"You’ve all had a long journey!"

He greeted them all enthusiastically as they disembarked. After a brief discussion, Derek began directing the servants to move the clothes from the ship’s hold to the carriage.

Duane stepped onto the dock and glanced back at the busy crowd. He gave a wave to Owington, who understood the signal and brought a massive scroll down from the ship.

"Sharp, there’s something I need your help with."

Sharp held Duane in high regard and had no objections to his requests.

"What is it? Go ahead."

Duane took hold of one end of the scroll while Owington held the other, and the two of them slowly unrolled it.

It was an enormous sheet of Parchment, three meters long and over a meter wide, covered in rich content sketched out with multi-colored brushes.

Although most of the figures and outfits in the painting were displayed only as outlines, not fully rendered, their graceful postures and the uniqueness of the clothing were still apparent.

And for people like Sharp and the runway models, who worked with clothing every day, they could identify the styles corresponding to the outlines at a single glance.

Sharp stood before the scroll in astonishment, his gaze lingering on the artwork, momentarily lost in a daze.

In terms of artistic skill alone, this piece was top-tier!

He looked at Duane, somewhat confused. "What do you need me to do?"

Duane answered, "I’ve designed three paintings like this in total. I need you to find three crowded locations to hang them as advertisements for the fashion show."

He looked at the busy port. "The Nobility who travel to the Royal Capital by Water will all disembark here, so I suggest we hang one of them right here."

"However, I’m not sure if that’s allowed."

Upon hearing this, Sharp’s eyes lit up.

"I’ve been handing out notices at several Warrior and Magic Academies these past couple of days, but words alone can’t capture how unique this fashion show is."

He gently stroked the scroll. "This... it’s so direct! Anyone who sees it is bound to be curious and will definitely want to come see for themselves!"

The others wholeheartedly agreed.

Natalia suggested, "As for the other two, I recommend we hang one of them outside the Golden Crown Opera House. After all, that’s where we’re holding the event."

In truth, the people who could afford to attend the opera house for songs and plays were generally those with a certain level of financial means.

Displaying it here was an excellent choice.

"Let’s make the last one a mobile exhibit."

Natalia said thoughtfully, "There are still eight or nine days until the fashion show begins. We can have someone take this painting around to the academies you visited, as well as other densely populated areas, and put it on display."

Duane nodded in approval. "That’s a great idea!"

He looked at Sharp. "Then let’s do as Natalia suggested. If you need my help with anything, please don’t hesitate to ask!"

"There’s no need for you to handle this sort of thing."

Sharp said with a smile as he rolled up the scroll, "You’re suited for the brain work. I can’t help you there. As for this kind of physical, low-skill labor, just leave it to me."

"He’s right about that!"

Zelina chimed in with a laugh, "You’re the soul of our Time Closet. You can leave this kind of thing to us! As it happens, I don’t have much to do for the next couple of days. Sharp, I’ll go with you."

In reality, they only needed to accompany the exhibit and make an appearance when necessary.

Transporting the scroll and explaining it to onlookers—all of that could be handled by their respective assistants.

The group discussed matters for a while by the docks before boarding the carriage and heading for the Golden Crown Opera House.

With Lloyd pulling some strings, Sharp paid a fee to temporarily rent a number of rooms at the opera house, enough for the models’ daily training and living needs.

Over the next few days, the group proceeded according to plan.

Although Sharp and the others had said Duane’s involvement wasn’t necessary, he still went along for two days.

The trip proved to be fruitful.

For instance, some young people, amazed by his artistic skill, asked if he was accepting apprentices.

But after Duane mentioned that Black Forest Island welcomed all settlers, the number of eager applicants dwindled significantly.

’This is probably one of the reasons Black Forest Island has never managed to attract skilled individuals on its own.’

「...」

Michaelson Port.

Several ships flying the Frost Giant Axe banner slowly pulled up to the shore.

Greeted by a receptionist assigned by the Kingdom, a man built like a giant bear disembarked, followed by a woman of sturdy build.

"Welcome, Lord Count. I am here to greet you on behalf of His Majesty the King!"

"Thank you for the trouble."

Count Kudro gave a simple greeting, then surveyed the port with a hint of nostalgia.

"It’s been many years since I was last here. The port doesn’t seem to have changed much."

The receptionist said humbly, "The port’s construction is considered complete, so there haven’t been any major renovation projects in recent years."

Just then, the sturdy woman standing beside him pointed ahead and asked, "Why is there such a large crowd over there?"

She was Count Kudro’s daughter, Tara Hassa—one of the top contenders for the martial arts tournament that Sharp had mentioned.

Her voice was cold and her expression grim, giving her an unfriendly air.

"That’s a promotional poster the Kennedy Family hung for their upcoming fashion show."

He remarked, "Baron Duane’s artistic skill is quite superb. Many people who’ve seen the artwork have become very interested in the fashion show they’re holding at the Golden Crown Opera House."

Tara didn’t quite catch the rest of what he said. The moment she heard the name "Kennedy," an icy glint flashed in her eyes, and she started walking in that direction.

Count Kudro let out a dry laugh and followed her.

At that moment, several young merchants were gathered around the artwork, discussing it.

"Look at this cinched-waist design! It’s absolutely perfect!"

"And this neckline, the hem of the skirt... I’ve never seen styles like these before!"

Of the figures in the painting, only the one in the center was depicted wearing a layered dress; the others were just outlines.

Yet this single figure was enough to captivate the gazes of many.

Just as the crowd was showering it with praise, an ill-timed, mocking voice cut through the air.

"The Kennedy Family has really fallen, to be promoting such crass things!"

Tara grunted coldly. Her gaze was fixed on the text on the left side of the scroll, where the names of the five founders of the Time Closet were written.

Her eyes locked onto the name "Natalia Kennedy."

The crowd heard the remark and turned to look. They were about to retort but were intimidated by Count Kudro’s towering frame.

Realizing something was wrong, the onlookers quickly scattered, clearing a space.

Tara stood before the painting, her eyes glinting with fury.

The next second, she drew her Longsword. With a flash of cold Sword Aura, the painting before her was slashed in two.

A few more blasts of Fighting Qi followed, and the pieces shattered across the ground.

The onlookers were stunned into silence.

It was just a painting, but it represented Silent Shore, and Count Kais’s daughter’s name was written right on it.

Most people wouldn’t even dare touch it, let alone maliciously destroy it.

’Who is this person, to be so brazen?’

Some of them looked toward the docks, where the fluttering banner told them everything.

Hassa—the crude, insane family.

The crowd no longer dared to even watch, and they quickly dispersed.

"Hahaha, well done!"

Far from reprimanding her, Count Kudro praised her with blatant arrogance.

Tara took a deep breath, sheathed her Longsword, and said coldly, "I feel much better now."

Count Kudro clapped her on the shoulder. "The Kennedy Family will pay for their actions sooner or later!"