Hestia, with a basket on her arm, looked at the sun nearly at its zenith and rolled her eyes, complaining feebly.
Originally, she had planned to go out to buy some vegetables in the morning and try out a new recipe she had come up with.
For this, the somewhat lazy Goddess of the Hearth had even managed to get up nice and early.
However, to her surprise, even in the dim light of dawn, there was a crowd of women from Knossos City squeezed in front of her house, waiting to greet a certain secretary and casually seek advice and strategies.
Thinking about the situation over the past few days, Hestia, somewhat harassed by it, felt a headache coming on, and her gaze toward Luo En became increasingly filled with silent reproach.
It was probably because after complaining and consulting with the secretary about alcohol-related family troubles, his unparalleled wisdom and approachable attitude spread among the women.
Thus, more and more women gathered at Hestia's doorstep, venting to the enlightened and wise secretary.
The secretary, just as approachable as the rumors stated, patiently provided them with satisfactory responses and, he claimed, perfect solutions.
Gradually, the issues ventured beyond alcohol, encompassing life, work, and even emotional troubles, all raised by these bold women.
The secretary's reputation soared, turning him into a veritable friend of women.
Even Hestia's doorstep was crowded every morning with a throng of women drawn by his fame.
Some sought genuine advice, others were there out of curiosity, and some were simply of an age when the springtime of life beckoned...
At that moment, a certain "treasure of women" hearing Hestia's complaints, also couldn't help but roll its eyes.
"Isn't this mess all your doing?"
"I didn't know the matters were all resolved, and these women just don't stop..."
Hestia grumbled resentfully, her face inadvertently revealing a hint of regret.
At the onset of [alcohol], because of uncontrolled excessive drinking, many household conflicts arose, naturally bringing complaints to Hestia's ears.
As the Goddess responsible for protecting the peace of the household, Hestia certainly couldn't ignore this, so she led the group of noisy women to her own external brain, as well as Luo En, who was to blame for the whole mess.
Unsurprisingly, the resourceful secretary easily resolved the issues that [alcohol] brought.
But that sparked a new round of family crises.
Only this time, the victim was none other than the Goddess of the Hearth herself, Hestia.
"Had I known, I never would have let them in!"
Hestia looked at the external brain that should have been for her use alone, hitting her head in vexation, full of regret about her past decisions.
Luo En, too, felt somewhat helpless.
Perhaps because of the divinity associated with joy, indulgence, and pleasure, the original God of Wine was not only popular among men but was also fervently worshiped by women.
Consequently, in history, the priests who followed the God of Wine Dionysus were all women, his most devout followers, driven to madness with each appearance of their God.
According to legend, the talented musician Orpheus, son of the God of Light Apollo, was beaten to death by frenzied female priests and worshippers after accidentally stumbling into a secret rite in honor of the God of Wine...
Thus, the characteristic of this "treasure of women" might have become part of his bloodline, inextricable, ever since he chose this Divine Office.
And sometimes, having too much charisma can also be a headache.
The popular Goddess of the Hearth and the even more popular future God of Wine exchanged a glance, sharing a helpless and frustrated sigh.
Seemingly having nowhere else to vent, Hestia began to complain about Luo En's creation.
"You know, I really can't understand why so many people [wine] you created. This thing that numbs the self only helps one to escape reality; it doesn't solve any problems!"
"On the contrary, though shameful, escaping can be useful."
Luo En shook his head in disagreement, his deep gaze looking out to the bustling streets and at those faces brimming with contentment, speaking with profound meaning.
"Not everyone has to face the harsh reality or become a hero who overcomes all hardships. Taking detours and escaping can also be a choice."
Not everyone has to or wants to become a hero?
Hestia murmured to herself, thinking of her own situation.
Compared to those in Mount Olympus who were eager to chase after power and divine authority, she felt so different.
Perhaps, to them, she, the unambitious eldest sister, was also in her own kind of escape?
Luo En looked at Hestia, lost in thought, and spoke again reflectively.
"Moreover, how people choose has nothing to do with [wine].
The lone brave soul won't become immersed in illusions and weakened because of one extra drink of wine, forever lost.
The coward won't suddenly find the courage to face the dismal reality less one drink of wine, moving forward valiantly.
They are just searching for a temporary haven for their souls, a place where they can rest and then gather more courage to step forward.
Therefore, the appearance of wine didn't collapse the order of Knossos but helped more people walk out of pain and shadows, loving life even more."
With that, Luo En gestured towards the passersby and vendors outside, using reality to illustrate his point.
"If you don't believe me, look, isn't the city of Knossos filled with more smiles than before?"