"Robis?" Linley was unfamiliar with the name.
To Linley, the paintings of this era seemed quite primitive, lacking light and shadow effects, depth, and perspective. Although the Greeks could sculpt lifelike statues, their painting skills were far less advanced.
It wasn't until the Renaissance, over a thousand years later, that painting started to align with modern aesthetic standards, thanks largely to advances in optics rather than just better painting techniques. During that period, artists learned to use projection techniques, casting indoor scenes onto canvases with complex devices, and then painting based on those projections, resulting in highly realistic portraits.
These devices allowed painters to gradually master the use of lines for outlines and pigments for colors, significantly enhancing European painting skills, especially in realism, making them the best in the world.
During the Roman Empire, their painting skills were fairly average. Many so-called exquisite Roman paintings were actually forgeries from modern or Renaissance times.
Naturally, Linley wasn't interested in these paintings, considering them cheap goods. However, on reflection, every era had its limitations, and the Roman Empire was no exception. The works of famous painters of that time were valuable in their own context.
"This is authentic," Empton said. "You can tell it's an original. It's valuable in Rome, but it would be discounted here."
This was true. As the governor, Martini wouldn't hang fake paintings. The discount was due to the Greeks' sense of superiority, believing they were more civilized than the Romans, so Roman masterpieces were devalued in Greece. Crete, being the birthplace of Greek civilization, held itself in even higher esteem.
"Look at all the purple used. The pigment alone costs a lot," Bell added.
In the Roman Empire, purple was the most noble color, extracted from a specific type of sea snail. Because sea snails were rare, purple pigment was very precious, and only the highest-ranking nobles wore purple robes with pride. Using purple in paintings was extraordinary, and only renowned artists dared to use it, as they risked a loss if the painting didn't sell for a high price.
"Lord! I also have a cross here!" Another Roman soldier raised a cross. "This is a cross personally blessed by the Pope!"
Linley took it and looked at it, then shook his head. The wood was indeed very precious, and the carving was good, but he didn't feel any power from it.
"Yours is fake!" other Roman soldiers said. "It's just a showpiece."
"The real one was on the governor's neck, but it disappeared just now."
"Was it broken?"
"No, it wasn't broken. I saw it when the governor died. Later, in the chaos, the cross disappeared."
"Could someone have taken it in the chaos?"
"Probably. That person would be rich. A cross blessed by the Pope is priceless."
"Not necessarily. Without proof that it was blessed by the Pope, it's worthless."
"Maybe the person who took the cross has already been killed."
"Silence!" Linley said.
After everyone quieted down, he continued, "This painting is absolutely awful; it must be sold at a discount. As for this cross, it is worthless in my eyes. Even if the Pope personally blessed it, or even if the Pope himself was made into a cross, I'd just burn it for firewood."
Although the Roman soldiers lowered their heads, they couldn't hide their dissatisfaction. Linley couldn't do anything about this; after all, heads can roll and blood can spill, but the truth cannot be compromised. What's valuable is valuable, and no matter how you decorate worthless things, it won't help. Even if Linley held a blade, he couldn't easily change their views.
"Although this painting is worthless, you did bring it up, which counts for something. This painting is your reward," Linley said to the Roman soldier who discovered the painting by Robis.
"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!" The Roman soldier was overjoyed, already thinking about selling the painting back in Rome, which would be enough for him to live a life of comfort.
Linley continued, "You can have this cross too." He handed the cross to the same soldier.
"Thank you, sir! You're the best, sir!" The soldier was ecstatic.
Seeing this, the other Roman soldiers also rushed to speak up.
"Alright, the rest of you missed your shot," Linley said. "I will tie you up and place you in the governor's mansion. Someone will come to rescue you soon. But you are not allowed to untie yourselves, nor are you allowed to call for help. If anyone moves, I'll cut him down."
All the Roman soldiers were tied up and placed in the hall. When it came to tying up the first treasure finder, he said, "Sir, I can't go back like this, please take me along. I am willing to become your follower."
"Oh? Sure, that works. Let's go together then," Linley said. "What's your name?"
"My name is Marcus," the soldier replied. "Actually, I used to be a centurion, but I was demoted for breaking military law."
"So that's why you know where all the valuable things are stored in the governor's mansion?" Linley asked with a half-smile.
"Yes," Marcus replied. "Actually, I've been planning a big heist for a long time, so I always paid attention to where the valuable things were placed."
He was focused on those easily liquidated hard assets, which suited Linley's taste. The paintings and crosses in the governor's mansion were valuable, but not easy to sell; they required specific buyers.
Where to go next? This battle was not yet settled, meaning the system believed the battle wasn't completely over, and Linley hadn't gained freedom of action. Perhaps the soldiers on the island were regrouping, or the nobles on the island decided to support the Roman Empire.
The cardinal and the Roman elite legion could arrive at any time. If they came, even with the fallen angel feather, Linley might not be their match.
"Where are the priests of the original Olympian gods on Crete?" Linley asked.
"Most of them converted, and those who didn't were sent to Rome," Marcus replied.
"All sent to Rome?" Linley asked.
"I heard the Pope wants to personally persuade them... but I also heard they might be sent to the Colosseum," Marcus said. "The Pope wants them to fight lions and tigers, to be eaten by beasts, so everyone can see that the Olympian gods are false gods."
Linley shook his head and sighed, "That's too cruel. Not a single one left?"
"Crete is commercially prosperous, and people's faith is generally not firm," Marcus explained.
In commercially thriving places, people often go with the flow, as those who don't understand how to adapt to the wind usually remain poor.
"But..." Marcus added.