Shen Fei slowly envisioned a plan in his mind.
Although Ephesus indeed worships Artemis, it is mostly the ranks of [Hunting] and [Fertility].
Later, Artemis’s [Moon] rank was gradually acknowledged by people.
"If her rank can be perfected in advance, it should be possible to receive Artemis’s gift of power..."
In this ’Ancient Greece’, unlike the ’Battle of Zhulu’, Shen Fei could not completely control it.
"Write the divine scripture, enhance the rank; divine authority is nothing but a so-called ’concept’, and strengthening divine authority is also the reinforcement of the concept."
"Actually, Artemis’s moon god authority has already begun to sprout, just not widely acknowledged by the masses yet."
Shen Fei merely needs to offer some motivation, which is indeed the work of the priests. Besides combats among divine spirits, the promotion by priests is one of the most crucial elements within the divine system.
"From fertility to the moon."
"We must have people compile the timing of birth for newborns in Ephesus, to calculate that successful birthing rates often occur at night, and also the survival probability of the mothers..."
Shen Fei took out parchment; after all, drafting canon, using papyrus would be slightly irregular.
In fact, the original self had tried this type of work before, just that in previous works, it was more about consolidating Artemis’s previous divine authority, especially Artemis’s [Hunting] and [Fertility].
After all, hunters are still rather important nowadays, combined with fertility always being a significant affair.
Hence many priests focus more on earthly matters, rather than heavenly ones.
This could be considered a limitation of thinking.
"The name shall be Artemis·Physia Divine Canon..." Shen Fei continuously adds onto the connection between fertility and the moon within.
And simultaneously send people to gather data from Ephesus; the current Ancient Greece is not such an easily fooled place, where faith can be instilled with mere words.
There must be substantial evidence.
...
Two months later.
Inside the largest tavern in Ephesus.
People engaged in discussions about various recent events, including the Macedonian Kingdom probing several city-states and the Persian Empire’s various luring strategies.
Naturally, there was also slight exploration into the existence of divine spirits.
In Ancient Greece, divine spirits are indeed revered, but not entirely inviolable; like God King Zeus, who not only climbs into people’s beds but also loves transforming into other species.
Such numerous romantic tales also serve as material to many minstrels.
"I heard King Philip of Macedonian Kingdom received a prophecy, that soon he would have a firstborn son, and this son would naturally be a King, blessed by divine spirits."
Someone suddenly said mysteriously, causing others who heard to turn their heads.
After all, the Macedonian Kingdom now seems most likely to challenge the long-standing rule of the Persian Empire, leaving them Greeks stuck in between.
Naturally, they paid attention to this matter.
"I know, it’s Artemis’s blessing..." Suddenly someone said, and this sentence drew the attention of everyone present.
In Ephesus, while there are other temples, Artemis has the largest belief.
Since Ephesus has many hunters, combined with a large population base, there are also many births.
Thus, Artemis, who blesses ’childbirth’, naturally receives the most worship.
"But if he is a King, how could he be blessed by Artemis, shouldn’t it be Ares?"
This was everyone’s confusion, as in their view, a King is certainly born out of war, how could it be under the blessing of [Hunting], [Fertility] deity Artemis.
"I am the priest. Do you or I understand?
This is a divine revelation; the entity born in Macedonia will become a true King.
For his mastery of war will incite Ares’ jealousy, leading to difficult birth, amid moonlight."
This person spoke lightly, and the crowd only then noticed that this person was wearing the pure white garb of the temple priest, especially marked with numerous symbols representing Artemis Temple.
"Hmm? Born amid moonlight? Is there any saying about this..." At this time, someone suddenly questioned, as no piece of divine revelation is ever meaningless.
"When Selene’s sigh pierces the columns of Ephesus, Artemis’s silver arrow transforms into the umbilical cord. The phases of the moon are the breaths of the womb—the crescent moon is the virgin’s belt, the full moon the birthing bed." Theseus said.
"The moon phases change precisely synchronized with women’s birthing times, representing the inseparability of fertility and the moon. The moon is the symbol of women."
"My god is among the moon gods, being born under moonlight will significantly increase birthing probabilities..."
Theseus reasonably stated.
This statement left everyone frozen, existing within a world of divine spirits, sensitive to these things.
Just as one mentioning the War God would be Ares, mentioning Artemis would be the Hunting God, but Moon God would be assumed as Selene.
However, this divine spirit almost never reveals itself in the mortal world, almost unknown as Moon God unless deeply informed.
Thinking that not knowing who the Moon God is.
"Moreover, my god is Sun God Apollo’s twin sister, rightfully the Moon God." Theseus further clarified.
Leaving the crowd in thought, after all, discussing matters among divine spirits is far more intriguing than others.
Mainly because what Theseus said makes sense and isn’t fabricated out of thin air, much like previously Artemis’s [Hunting] divine authority, which does hold symbolism.
Like how some hunters, if blessed, often gain plentiful prey, and seldom encounter danger amidst the woods.
And [Fertility], as almost all midwives in Ephesus are temple members, not only are they virgins, their delivery skills are also extremely advanced.
"Indeed, I found that the success rate of night birthing is certainly much higher than morning, like my three sons, all successfully born at night.
While I had another son, born in the morning, faced distressing birth, ultimately couldn’t be saved." Someone shared firsthand experience, met with many echoing.
A moment later.
Everyone seemed to agree on linking fertility with the moon.
Meanwhile, the previously speaking Theseus had already left his seat, heading to the tavern’s back area, where Shen Fei was listening to Telekseia’s investigation on Herodotus.
"Not a craftsman? Who is he?"
"Thrace..." Shen Fei lightly raised an eyebrow, seems not the Fire God, but a follower of Ares.
Is there Ares’s work behind this?
As the fire burning the temple isn’t ordinary fire, but must be that of the Fire God.
"So what kind of hatred is there, enough for the Fire God to lay down his deception to assist Ares?" Shen Fei paused a moment, as during this period, Telekseia already found Herodotus.
At least according to Shen Fei’s description, it can narrow down the range greatly.
Families not worshiping Artemis are relatively few in Ephesus, especially those already with wives.
This greatly reduces the scope, and it’s highly likely an outsider, with slightly peculiar character, and so forth, finally directly pinpointing one person.