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North of the city at dusk, at the 'Liliel' textile factory.

Mary sat in her studio at the back of the factory, with a newly completed oil painting beside her and concept sketches of various accessories, clothing, shoes and bags scattered on the floor.

Cathy walked into the studio, placed a cup of freshly brewed herbal tea on the worktable, and looked at the woman's thin figure, whispering, "Master, you haven't slept for 22 hours. Take a rest."

After finishing a newly drawn sketch of a long fringed skirt, Mary, sporting dark circles under her eyes, turned to Cathy and shook her head, saying, "Inspiration is like spring rain; if you don't seize it, it will quietly disappear into the air and never be found again."

Cathy glanced furtively at the painting behind Mary and whispered, "Master Terence and Lord Elijah, they've arrived."

Mary didn't turn her head, continuing to wave her paintbrush: "Please let them in."

After escaping the capital of Tyro, Terence recuperated in the city of Twilight for a period of time and had basically recovered his health. His dedication to scholarship and his thirst for truth made the old man's spirits improve day by day.

He brought his prized student, Elijah, to visit Mary today, for one purpose only.

Upon entering the studio, Terence completely ignored Mary's presence, walked straight to the oil painting, and quietly read the name below the painting.

"Sleeping Venus", "Susanna in the Bath", "Danaë"...

Elijah walked up to his teacher and asked in a low voice, "In your opinion..."

“A masterpiece!” Terence turned to Mary and asked, “I heard these are all from His Majesty’s collection?”

Mary put down her paintbrush, took a small sip of her vanilla tea, then spat the tea back into the cup. With a look of disgust, she put the cup down and said to Master Terence, "That's right, but His Majesty doesn't want them to be made public."

Terence's eyes widened: "Why?! Look at these paintings! They not only contain elements of the Renaissance, but are also full of innovative artistic ideas. Wouldn't it be more meaningful for more people to see them than to keep them here?!"

Mary shook her head and said, "His Majesty said that these paintings do not belong to this world."

Terence looked at the room full of design sketches, his tone tinged with anger: "But I've seen people find shortcuts to inspiration from these drawings, yet refuse to share them with others!"

Mary's face darkened, she pursed her lips, and remained silent.

Seeing this, Elijah quickly stepped in as a mediator: "Miss Mary, ever since Master Terence proposed the concept of 'artistic reproduction,' the paintings and sculptures in Twilight City have mostly remained at the stage of imitation from the Taylor period. But these paintings, in terms of composition, color, and line, have pointed out a new path for the progress of art."

Terence turned and walked toward the studio door, saying to the person inside, "Ever since that incident, I've become a skeptic. But if His Majesty can prove that he truly comes from that world, I'd be happy to become a devout believer and have faith re-imprinted on my soul!"