He hadn't touched the newly brewed wine at the sacrificial site at all.
There was no helping it, even if one learned quickly, catching up to or surpassing his craftsmanship in winemaking was no small feat.
True to predictions, Artemis had barely lifted the cup to her lips and taken a few sips before she couldn't help but spit the wine out.
"So sour!"
"There's no way around it. The storage containers aren't very air-tight, so to prevent spoilage, we had to use some under-ripe grapes for the new wine."
As the future God of Wine, Luo En, with just a glance, could identify the cause by virtue of his innate divinity.
Then, to save face for the busy priestesses around him in front of the deities, he comforted Artemis with a light laugh.
"However, after it has been exposed to air for a while and oxidized, it will improve a bit. It might even develop hints of nutty aroma and a sweetness akin to honey."
"Really?"
The Goddess of the Hunt was skeptical but, seeing Luo En nod in assurance, she curiously tasted another one.
However, just as before, it was only one sip that made Artemis involuntarily spit it out.
"Why does it taste like herbs?"
Hearing Artemis's complaint, Luo En was somewhat speechless but helpless nonetheless.
In history, the wines of ancient Greece were not subjected to fermentation or refinement in oak barrels.
And to enhance the flavor of the wine, vintners would use various herbs or plant juices to increase the wine's complexity.
Thus, the ancient Greeks considered such wine a healthful drink, often combining it with medicinal herbs, tree saps, olive oil, or plant roots into concoctions to treat ailments like menstrual pain or depression.
However, clearly, the Huntress, free of diseases and calamities, couldn't get used to these artificially added strange flavors.
Still, the path to invention is bound to take many detours.
After all, wine was a new creation right now, and even if he offered his winemaking knowledge without asking anything in return, it couldn't curb the general populace's curiosity to boldly try.
As the future God of Wine, Luo En was consoling himself while excusing the unrewarded toils of the priestesses.
Faced with the eager looks around her, the Goddess of the Hunt forced herself to be spirited and tried a few more new brews before she finally couldn't bear it anymore, flung down the cup, and, grabbing Luo En, fled through the door.
"Their new product is simply undrinkable!"
Outside, Artemis, standing in a corner, criticized without reservation and then rinsed her mouth with honey water, sighing as she turned to her guide.
"Forget it, I'll just drink what you brew from now on."
Luo En glanced at the delicate hand on his shoulder, a sign of approval, his gaze flickering subtly.
Are you sure? Not afraid of waking up with a sore back?
"The fur is perfect for keeping warm through the winter!"
"Quick, quick, quick!"
Instantly, upon hearing the news, the crowd, as if injected with adrenaline, turned around and rushed to the sacrificial grounds.
The people around Artemis quickly dispersed, creating a peaceful environment once again.
After successfully diverting this group of enthusiastic uncles, aunties, and neighbors, Luo En approached and asked with concern.
"Are you alright, Lady Goddess? How do you feel?"
Artemis looked up at the newly risen fiery red sunrise in the sky, and at the smiling faces at the sacrificial grounds, her lips inadvertently curling into a slight smile.
"Not bad..."
Luo En, seeing the subtle changes on the Goddess of the Hunt's face, revealed a faint smile.
"Alright, the goods are nearly distributed, we should also be going, or else, I'm afraid I'll have to fish you out again."
Hearing this, Artemis thought of the overwhelming enthusiasm of the residents just now, and her expression changed, and she quickly followed the guide, asking subconsciously, "Where to?"
Luo En replied as if it were obvious: "Back home, of course."
Then, he looked back at the Huntress with a warm smile, "After being busy all day, you haven't eaten yet, have you? I made sure the city guards kept some decent ingredients, delivered to Lady Hestia's house..."
After a brief pause, Luo En stretched lazily, his smile growing even larger.
"In a moment, I'll cook personally, using these rare ingredients, to prepare a lavish meal to reward you for the hard work of this hunt."
"Good!"
Artemis's heart leaped with joy upon hearing this thoughtful and comfortable post-hunt arrangement, and she nodded gladly. Then licking her lips, she asked subconsciously.
"Is there wine?"
"Yes! There should be a few bottles of the grape wine we made before, down in the lower level of the cellar, guaranteed to give you a good drink!"
Now, the Goddess of the Hunt was even more delighted, her footsteps light as she followed along.
However, after walking only a few steps, Artemis vaguely remembered something, and the pleasant expression on her face paused for a moment.
At the storage room of the sacrificial grounds, among those who were first invited to taste the wine, someone, besides urging her to drink more, seemed to have not touched a drop from beginning to end?
...That guy!
Staring at the silhouette ahead that had walked quite far, Artemis, who realized the situation belatedly, frowned in annoyance.
But in the end, she ground her teeth and chose to catch up quickly.
—After all, it was time to eat first.