Liberi Reader

......

Hey, you're the one who invited me. Say something. I skipped the banquet celebrating the completion of the First Temple for you, you know.

You were a big part of getting the work across the finish line the day before the exchange ceremony. Tradition calls for a full day of celebration. The craftsmen began drinking and reciting poetry in broad daylight.

Not all of them hold their drink well. Guess the peace officers will have their hands full tonight.

Kantia from the moving crew, right? She's really taken to you after you helped her a few times.

Yeah... it's been like a dream, coming to Athenius.

Right you are.

First day in Athenius, you solved the dispute between the fruit farmers and craftsmen. Then you became the supervisor of the final phase of the temple rebuilding project.

And you chased Xanthos over multiple blocks after the harp was stolen.

Way more interesting than just escorting a relic, isn't it?

Yeah.

But my job was to ensure that the exchange ceremony goes smoothly, and promote the friendship between our two nations.

What's the matter, Titi? This isn't like you.

Pallas...

The harp of Kereseira we brought... it's a replica.

What?

I would never have known, if the harp wasn't damaged during my scuffle with Xanthos.

Now, my deputy, Behnui, wants to fulfill the padishah's mission by handing over the fake harp in the exchange ceremony... but I know that's not right.

The ceremony is tomorrow. Do you have a solution?

There's no good way to do this. We'd need a miracle.

I read through every relevant book I could borrow from the Bibliotheka of Athenius. I learned that the harp of Kereseira was lost to war a long time ago, and it hasn't been seen since.

It's likely that the Sargonian craftsmen who made this replica had only seen the blueprints, not the harp itself.

Could the true harp still be in Minos? Or...

Or it was destroyed by the fires of war long ago... I'm sorry.

There's no need for you to apologize.

What do you plan to do, if the true harp is nowhere to be found?

I can't publicly announce in my capacity as Sargonian ambassador that we brought a fake harp. It's more likely to lead to conflict than to reveal the truth.

A very reasonable concern.

And so, I'll have to stop the ceremony in my personal capacity.

What do you mean?

I'm getting rid of the fake harp before the ceremony can start.

You can't go in.

Look, I know a special visitor's permit is required to visit and deliver supplies. I just forgot.

Can you accommodate me this once? My old classmate went in a couple of days ago, all of a sudden. His family asked me to bring him some stuff.

......

Alright, to tell you the truth, he's pretty sick.

The Athenian jail has a doctor and basic medicine, but it's not as effective as the Rhodes Island stuff. He could have an attack while in custody, if he doesn't get proper treatment.

Save your breath, it's no use.

Alright. I didn't want to do this...

Here's my pass. Hekádemos, Grammateús to the Astynomos.

I am authorized to enter detention facilities, even bring in suspects for questioning. Open the door. This is an order. I will file the necessary paperwork later.

......

You want to see the two thieves who came in a few days ago?

Lykeion is not a...

Never mind. Yes.

You can't.

What? Why not?!

You are authorized to see prisoners held at the jail, but the two you're looking for aren't here anymore.

Were they transferred?

That is unusual. Has Kyría Athopoulou's Oripathy treatment system been implemented already?

Where were they transferred?

Don't bother, Hekádemos. I don't know who they are to you, but not even the Grammateús to the Astynomos is authorized to see inmates on death row.

Death row?!

Sorry, Kyría Athopoulou...

Does Lydia... I mean, does the Astynomos really not have the time?

I heard that Xanthos and his apprentice were arrested for theft.

They're my patients, and in a key stage of treatment, as the Rhodes Island clinic already reported.

Xanthos's Blood Originium-Crystal Density is particularly high, which could potentially lead to an acute attack of Oripathy. I would like to deliver medicine to them...

Look, I don't understand any of the medical jargon you're throwing around.

We are all very grateful to you for returning to Athenius, bringing back medical knowledge that you learned abroad and establishing an Oripathy clinic, but...

I shouldn't talk too much, but you're a good doctor, and the Astynomos' sister. You really should keep your distance from her for a few days at least, if only for the sake of your relationship.

Why?

The official line says the crime was theft, but the Sargonian ambassador came here a few days ago and said the thing that was stolen wasn't the ambassador's personal item, but an important relic for the exchange ceremony.

He put a lot of pressure on Lydia. They're probably going to be publicly charged with treason, once the ceremony is over.

Treason?! But according to Minoan law—

Most of the issues the Astynomos faces cannot be solved through legal procedures.

She wants a new, modern Minos, and she is willing to give everything for it. That's why we're willing to work for her.

Perhaps you're not aware, but she gave up her family inheritance, even chasing her other family out of Athenius after taking office...

She gave up her inheritance?

I thought the business failed...

This exchange of relics is an important part of her administration. There must be no mistake, at least not on the surface... even if it means sacrificing two lives. It's not like they're innocent, after all.

......

I'm sorry... I have to get back to work.

What is Lydia...?

Well, she wouldn't meet with me, and I doubt I can convince her, even if we did meet.

But Xanthos and Lykeion need to be tried fairly. I can't let Lydia make a mistake like this. What do I do?

Sorry, I was lost in thought—

Kyría Athopoulou?

You've been staring out the window, Astynomos.

Apologies, Hiéreia Kassandra.

Why not let Kyría Athopoulou in? I have to discuss the establishment of an Oripathy treatment system with her anyway.

Oh? I thought you wanted to get extra help to plead the case of the two Infected who were arrested a few days ago.

You know that ferryman, Xanthos, quite well. I believe you were the one who found him the job at the crossing?

The peace officers will deal with this theft. Neither of us need to worry about it.

I'm afraid I don't have that luxury. If this incident affects the trust between us and Sargon, then this incident will become more than a simple theft...

What?

It's my own business. It has nothing to do with a priestess of Endymion Temple.

Back on topic, Hiéreia Kassandra. The opening play for tomorrow's exchange ceremony has been decided. It is to be King Pertheus, a popular classic across Terra.

All the priests need to do is attend. There will be no need for complicated rituals.

......

A few weeks ago, I came to discuss the priest-directed ceremonial play for the completion of Kereseira's First Temple. I have not seen you at the Astynomos' Office since.

I apologize. My schedule is a busy one. I certainly remember. The exchange ceremony also requires an opening play, and we can kill two fowlbeasts with one stone this way. We need not bother the priests, however.

Excuse me, but the rebuilding of Kereseira's First Temple is a symbol of the people's spirit. Now that it is complete, tradition calls for a proper ceremony to invite the heroes to enter the temple and give Minos their blessings.

The council is not trying to usurp your administrative power, and the exchange ceremony does fall within your responsibility.

However, Minoan drama began as a ritualistic performance.

Every single detail is carefully arranged, from the props to the program to the performers. It's not enough to simply put on a popular play.

'Immortal legend'... 'witness of the oracle'... 'heroic relic'...

Do not think that I am completely ignorant of traditional ceremony, or that I'm one of those radicals who calls for every tradition to be abolished.

But even if you have your choice of the program and control over the troupe, there is still something missing from the traditional ritual that you want, isn't there?

...The Sargonian mission brought Kereseira's harp.

Oh? You do recognize the relic's ritual significance?

...What do you mean?

I'm neither an archaeologist nor a historian. As Astynomos, however, I understand every priest who sits on the council, including you.

You are the head priestess of Endymion Temple, and endowed with the divine gift of speaking on behalf of the heroes. Your knowledge of heroic epics puts most scholars to shame.

Yet you showed no interest about the harp of Kereseira that the Sargonian mission brought with them. You didn't even ask to see it.

I don't know why exactly, but I can tell that the harp the Sargonian mission brought was not the heroic relic that you knew.

The ceremonial play could not have been performed to begin with.

No, I already...

I have nothing against the council, Hiéreia Kassandra. If you present a legitimate heroic relic for the ceremony, I would be more than happy to give the choice of play back to you.

For the past century, however, the temples have mostly used crude replicas in place of true relics for your ceremonies. I don't need to tell you that the link between us and the heroes is weakening.

As a modern state, Minos can no longer rely on ancient legends to unite our people's spirit. No need to worry, however. The temples and priests will continue to exist.

You can continue to contribute to historical research and tourism.

......