As the black cloth covering the painting was lifted, the whole venue was already immersed in a chorus of astonishment.

Because this painting was indeed remarkable.

Constant, as a renowned artist, though his fame doesn't surpass that of Pupol, is still known by anyone with even a basic understanding of painting.

He hails from the Old Continent Westergen Duchy, a devout follower of the Sun God Sect, having attended church schools since childhood, and later devoted his life to painting murals in churches.

His paintings exude a strong religious aura, and he's most skilled and famous for religious-themed artworks.

This particular painting, "The Gaze of the Virgin," belongs to such a theme, depicting the celebrated Saint Lucy of the Sun God Sect.

Legend holds that she was the foster mother of the Sun God during his first incarnation as a mortal, raising him and together spreading the doctrine of illuminating the world, saving countless lives, making her one of the most revered figures in the Sun God Sect, aside from the Sun God.

Amidst the devastation caused by the destruction of Saint Kuanti, with countless people displaced, presenting such a painting is fitting.

The depiction of Saint Lucy indeed emanates warmth and kindness; her gaze gives everyone a sense of healing and warmth.

True to Constant's work.

Soon, people began to raise their paddles to bid.

Not long after, the painting was bid up to a high price of fifty thousand Golden Rye.

To know that previous items sold for no more than thirty thousand, and that was a crystal brooch from the current Governor Oswaldo, reportedly a personal gift from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Once fifty thousand was reached, no one continued bidding.

As it seemed the painting was settled, Ethan's artwork was up next, yet the people below showed signs of dispersing.

No longer were their eyes on the stage.

They were all discussing the exquisiteness of "The Gaze of the Virgin."

The auctioneer on stage hesitated, appearing unsure whether to continue auctioning Ethan's painting.

At that moment, someone among the crowd spoke, "Isn't there another item? Ethan's painting, why isn't it being auctioned? I'm still waiting to buy it!"

The speaker was Ethan's acquaintance, John Hott, with a look of indignation.

Others glanced over and smirked disdainfully, surely, he must be a businessman to stand with someone from the mud.

With John Hott speaking up, the auctioneer couldn't hide it anymore and lifted Ethan's painting onto the stage, then removed the black cloth.

The audience below was ready to unleash ridicule and criticism, utterly refusing to pay even a single penny.

However, upon seeing the painting's content, they fell silent.

A profound silence.

Not from fear of speaking but from being struck by the painting's content.

Though the subject wasn't extraordinary, merely a skinny child standing in the icy snow, looking upward with endless longing.

The shock wasn't due to the child's emaciation or misery, but her eyes.

Her eyes revealed infinite longing, purest yearning—for food, for warmth, for... family.

Those eyes pierced the soul.

No one seeing those eyes remains unaffected; even the hardest-hearted are somewhat moved.

Is this the orphan of Saint Kuanti?

"I bid twenty thousand Gold!"

After a prolonged silence, someone raised a hand.

Then, this price quickly escalated.

"Two hundred thousand!"

Amid the competition, someone shouted an extraordinary bid.

Bear in mind, even for a master like Pupol, the usual prices for artworks are between two hundred thousand and five hundred thousand, and not every painting fetches millions.

Yet Ethan was a mere fledgling newcomer.

But the piece "The Orphan of Saint Kuanti" was simply superb.

Constant's "The Gaze of the Virgin" may be an art piece, but "The Orphan of Saint Kuanti" was an absolute masterpiece.

Art may not have levels, but it has depth.

Those eyes alone can pierce through everything.

"Three hundred thousand."

Then, an even higher bid further stunned the audience.

Even John Hott, who had bid two hundred thousand, was taken aback, thinking he had it secured—where did this new contender come from?

One glance revealed a stranger with impeccable attire, bearing an extraordinary presence, seemingly not from Wenster.

Nearby people observed him and whispered, curious about the mysterious, free-spending stranger.

Eventually, "The Orphan of Saint Kuanti" sold for a high price of three hundred thousand.

The audience remained somewhat subdued.

Though they recognized Ethan's artistic achievement, they felt conflicted; after all, this came from someone in the mud...

At this point, Ethan took the initiative to step onto the auction platform.

Looking at the elites below, he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for recognizing my artwork, and thank you to the gentleman who purchased my painting. I am sincerely delighted for those children."

"I wish to talk about the inspiration behind this work. It was a snowy afternoon not too long ago when I saw a ragged child begging for food on the street. Her gaze struck me with longing and suffering, prompting me to inquire further about her plight. As a result, I resolved to adopt her, along with some of her fellow orphans..."

"My family experienced similar hardships, having emerged from such days, and my father often taught me to extend a hand to those in need."

"But my own strength is too limited. Fortunately, Miss Sofia contacted me, planning a charity auction to raise funds for rebuilding Saint Kuanti, asking me to create a painting. I remembered the child's gaze, hoping more people would learn of their suffering and lend a hand. Thankfully, tonight, we succeeded."

"Lastly, besides the three hundred thousand earned from this painting's sale, I will personally donate another hundred thousand for the reconstruction of Saint Kuanti."

Upon finishing his speech, the audience finally erupted in applause as Ethan took a crucial step forward.

While his words contained partial truths.

Much of it was true.

For instance, he did aid many orphans from Saint Kuanti upon returning from there.

There exists the model for that painting.

After embarking on this path, Ethan no longer saw himself as a good person, but there are things—within his means—that he wouldn't mind doing.

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