The next day, as the sky lightened but was not yet bright, the morning glow was faint.
Dozens of chariots pulled by hounds and golden-horned deer drove majestically along the wide main road, approaching the gates of Knossos City. Loaded high with various game, they piled up like small hills when seen from a distance.
"It's the Chief Scribe! Quick, open the city gates!"
The commanding officer of city defense, upon seeing that familiar figure on one of the chariots, immediately ordered soldiers to turn the winch and open the gateway into the city.
Luo En looked up and couldn't help noticing that today's patrolling officer on the city wall was an acquaintance.
——When Poseidon's waves swept over Crete Island, Knossos City was in chaos. It was this officer and the three priestesses from the temple who had recognized Anna's status as the Divine Envoy in person and, afterwards, had been responsible for coordinating the defense along the coastline.
Luo En waved to the figure on the city wall and smiled as he spoke, "Thank you."
Instantly, the officer seemed flattered and quickly pounded his chest with his right fist, respectfully nodding in salute, "You're too kind, Chief Scribe.
After that, he, holding his bronze helmet in one hand, approached the city gate and looked towards the peculiar caravan, asking solicitously.
"Chief Scribe, is there anything I can assist you with?"
Luo En glanced at the upright figure and his gaze momentarily lingered on the Golden Double-Axed Badge on his chest.
If he remembered correctly, the badge he had worn on his chest before was silver.
Realizing from whence this enthusiasm came, Luo En smiled faintly and did not decline, gesturing toward the side.
"Miss Cynthia went hunting in the mountains yesterday and got some game. She can't finish it all by herself, so she wanted to distribute it to the residents of Knossos City at no cost."
Hearing the guide's introduction, Artemis, who drove the caravan, nodded with a smile, slightly pleased with the subtle satisfaction.
Seeing this, Luo En knew all too well what the Goddess of the Hunt was thinking and immediately waved,
"All right, let's have a look."
"Right away!"
The officer promptly responded with a beaming smile and, after delegating the scene to his deputy officer, took the lead himself, unconcerned about his high-ranking status as a legion commander.
Soon, under the guidance of this native Minosian, they entered the storage room of the sacrificial field through the main gate without obstruction.
Incidentally, the gatekeeper was also an acquaintance— one of the three priestesses who had verified Anna's identity.
And currently, they answered directly to the Priestess Chief, Ariadne.
Watching as several white-robed priestesses set up new jars of grape wine on the table for him and Artemis to taste, Luo En was even more amused.
I mean, does this count as using public office for private gain or abuse of power?
But then, he didn't dwell on the issue too much.
Not to mention having a few bottles of wine intended for the gods, King Minos now would go so far as to gift him the whole island of Crete, along with his precious daughter, just to have him take over and withstand the pressure from the Sea of Okeanos.
Compared to the over thirty thousand pounds of game he brought into the city (over ten thousand pounds from Athena and the more than twenty thousand pounds from Artemis), which was enough to feed the entire city for half a month, his sampling and taking a few offerings was downright incorruptibly virtuous.
So, am I still too upright?
Sigh...
While Luo En shook his head in resignation at his overly high moral standard, he slid the boxes of special pastries from the storage racks into the opened Magic Array.