Chapter 1 – Part 4: Doubt
Man: How much for this painting, young man?
Me: Which painting, sir?
Man: The one with the sister praying, and divine energy flowing toward her.
They don't even understand the meaning.
Man: Did you say something?
Me: No, no. I just said the price is two gold coins, dear sir.
Man: What? Two gold coins? This painting has nothing special.
The most I'll give you Is three silver coins.
Me: Sir, do you think art has a price?
Man: …
Me: You didn't even grasp the meaning of this painting.
And now you're trying to put a price on my art?
Man: Why are you acting like this, young man?
Me: Instead of throwing random prices, if you're not interested, just leave.
Man: Well, I don't think it's worth more than that. It's up to you now, young man…
And he left.
That idiot didn't even understand the meaning and tried to value it.
The painting actually shows how much pressure a nun faces from external forces.
This idea came to me when a man who was begging the goddess for forgiveness insulted Sister Mary and even shoved her.
She could've easily tortured him with her magic, but her duty didn't allow it.
Sisters were chosen only when they were old enough to sense mana and magic.
If they had healing light magic with mana, they were selected by the church and sent to the inner wall (the second wall) for training.
The training was extremely harsh, and some even lost their lives.
The rules were strict, like the old world, but with a twist:
If they mistreated a servant of the goddess, their robes were stripped and they were imprisoned.
And if they had inappropriate relationships—regardless of gender—they were punished.
That's how the Idea came to me.
And about that man—people like him, male or female, show up every morning.
Honestly, I expected that since I live in a story, a kind and wealthy old man would appear.
Someone without children, whose late wife loved art, would come to buy my paintings.
Maybe even support me, take me under his wing.
Yes, I have that kind of creative mind.
But I was wrong on several fronts.
First, this story wasn't that cliché.
Second, even if there was a one-in-a-thousand chance, I already had an old man—I didn't need anotherr guardian.
It was evening when I decided to pack up and return to the church.
Ugh, look at our luck. We came to earn money.
I've had no luck since childhood.
I realized that when I dropped an egg in water and a fish came out Instead.
While I was cursing the world, I noticed a boy with dark eyes and brows staring at me.
Me: What? Got a problem? We're working hard here. You have no idea how tough painting is.
Boy: Um…
Me: Hey, speak up. I've got a thousand things to do.
Boy: I was wondering, If it's possible…
Me: You don't have a tongue? What do you want now?
Boy: I wanted to buy a painting.
Me: Get lost. I'm not in the mood for jokes. Go mess with someone else.
Boy: I didn't mean to offend you, sir.
Me: Still quiet? Should I smack your mouth so you'll talk?
Boy: I just wanted to buy something.
Me: *Tch! Fine, which one?
The boy pointed to a painting of a boy and girl walking hand in hand as the sun set.
That idea came from my previous life—it was about me and someone special.
Me: Alright, it's worth two gold coins.
But the boy hesitated and said nothing.
So I let it go and turned to leave.
Suddenly, someone tugged at my clothes.
I turned back and saw the boy pulling a gold coin from his pocket.
Boy: Sorry, sir. I really want that painting, but I only have one gold coin. Is that okay?
I was stuck.
On one hand, my art was worth more, and selling it for less felt like an Insult.
On the other hand, I could buy good painting supplies with that coin.
Me: Hmm… fine. You look innocent and desperate. I'll sell it to you for that coin.
I didn't care much.
He had a unique face—something about him was captivating.
He pressed the painting to his chest and left, beaming with joy.
I looked at the coin In my hand.
It was evening, so I couldn't shop now, but tomorrow I could.
End of Part 4