Fourth, this woman cares a lot about how humans perceive her, and she’s rather petty.
Therefore, she often asks about the evaluations and rumors regarding her from Uruk and the surrounding city-states. Then, in the days that follow, Luo En hears different nightly complaints about Babylon.
Fifth, this woman is a bit two-faced.
Once, Luo En got a bit fidgety and crafted a piece of jewelry using available gemstone materials, then gifted it to Ishtar.
Ishtar pretended to be indifferent, saying the item was cheap and rough.
But unfortunately, Luo En noticed that every time she went out, this piece of jewelry was a must-wear item, and she even seemed to not take it off when sleeping.
The trait of acting aloof is out of style now...
Luo En shook his head, then couldn’t help but recall a question he had once asked Ishtar:
"Do you like the Agriculture God Enki Mudo?"
"We’ve never officially met, so there’s no like or dislike."
"Then why did you previously say you wanted to marry him?"
"He’s the Agriculture God, holding the authority of fertility. If we join forces, perhaps we could make the land produce more crops, reduce hunger, and eliminate famine years."
Ishtar flatly denied it, but the loneliness and frustration in her eyes already displayed her true thoughts.
As the Guardian God of the city and the Mother Goddess symbolizing harvest and abundance, even when betrayed, she ultimately still loves her people.
Being able to provide food that fills the bellies of ordinary people or helps them through hard times?
Luo En went to the nursery he set up in the temple’s backyard.
In the fertile soil grew glowing plants that looked like wheat and rice, with densely packed white fruits on top, small and round, with a taste like honeyed pancakes when eaten raw.
Moreover, even after picking them, overnight when the dew disappears, new white fruits grow again, seeming to be endless.
This was a new discovery he made while repairing the Spirit Vein at Abi Mountain.
When the spirituality of an area grows to a certain level, specific spells can be used to cultivate a plant, converting the magic factors in the air and the spirituality of the earth into unique food that humans can eat.
This thing has a strong satiety effect and is very convenient for emergency use during famine years.
Luo En named it "Mana," meaning "divine gift food" or "food of life."
The four Great Gods of Europe, relying on both sea and mountains, under his management, rarely exhibit oppressive or violent actions against humans, making this thing not very useful for the people there.
However, the Babylonian Divine Era finds its footing in agriculture, yet suffers from land salinization and water and drought disasters, easily resulting in lean years.
If they master the "Mana" technology, during famines, the lives of ordinary people will be more stable.
At night, Luo En informed Ishtar of his discovery, making the Agriculture Goddess greatly shocked, looking at him with a palpable heat in her gaze:
"Sell it to me, when Siduri’s money arrives, I’ll give you seventy percent, no, ninety percent!"
"No need, if you want it, I’ll just give it to you. But I haven’t completely figured out the growth environment and origin of this thing yet, so I may need to experiment more in the human city fields to gather enough samples."
"Alright, I’ll go with you!"
Seeing Ishtar agree without hesitation, Luo En secretly smiled in his heart.
Great, she’s taken the bait.
Once the problems at Abi Mountain are resolved, he can use this excuse to fool Ishtar into going to Nineveh.
At this moment, Ishtar, unaware of the plot, was already immersed in the excitement of solving the food issue for her believers, and in her enthusiasm, insisted on drinking with Luo En, the hero of the day.
Unable to refuse her kindness, Luo En had to agree and brought out his treasured brew.
After drinking a few jars, Ishtar’s cheeks immediately flushed.
Beside her, the small but addicted Gugulan couldn’t stand it; after drinking half a jar, he fell on the ground, sound asleep.
"Look at this Gugulan, pathetic, getting drunk after so little."
Ishtar swayed to her feet, laughing aloud to mock her pet who was the first to be knocked out.
Luo En glanced disdainfully at Ishtar, who had already begun to stagger at her feet, secretly slandering her in his heart.
With your level, you dare to laugh at others; the two of you are equally bad, aren’t you?
In order to earn enough favor from Ishtar, Luo En reluctantly praised:
"Yes, yes, you’re amazing! How can Gugulan compare to you?"
"Of course, I’m super brave and super good at drinking!"
Ishtar boasted with a thick tongue.
Soon, the Goddess seemed to make a decision, slightly squinting her ruby-like eyes, grabbing Luo En’s arm, and said mysteriously:
"Come to my room, there’s something nice to see."
"Uruk’s sowing technique, I guarantee you haven’t seen it."
What sowing technique could Uruk have that I haven’t seen?
Luo En couldn’t hold back his curiosity and got up to follow Ishtar into the room.
As soon as he entered, the door behind him shut tight, and a barrier of isolation formed.
Inside, Ishtar curled her lips, officially unveiling her exclusive sowing technique.
Impeditive coverings slipped from her shoulders, revealing the rich and undulating landscape.
Luo En realized what was happening and was suddenly enlightened.
You’re showing me this?
This sowing technique seems a bit unofficial?
His eyelids twitched, instinctively retreating a step toward the door.
"Trying to run after entering my door?"
In the darkness, the Goddess chuckled coldly, pounced on her prey like a mother leopard, formally demonstrating the art of plowing, fertilizing, sowing, and breeding to this foolish lamb she caught.
The long night stretched, and the transmission of liquid knowledge continued tirelessly.
Until dawn, seeds from Greece were sown into the soil of Uruk, waiting to sprout roots of life and budding buds for the coming year.