Episode Thirty-Two: Sunset Over the Market
In the Persian Market: The Roar of an Empire
Episode Thirty-Two: Sunset Over the Market — Prelude to Conflagration
1. The Desecrated Sanctuary
The Central Market, once where silk and gold from the entire world were traded.
Now all that remained were shattered stalls, the screams of civilians too slow to flee, and the orderly advance of Macedonia’s “Silver Death”—the phalanx.
“…This is it. Where we began—and where it ends.”
Cyrus stood amid the ashes of the shop where he once kept accounts, tightening the reins of his beloved horse.
Beside him stood Queen Nirfar, wrapped in royal dignity. Her blue mantle was already stained dark red with the blood of friend and foe alike.
2. An ‘Irrational’ Defensive Line
The moment Alexander’s elite forces stepped into the plaza, an unnatural sight greeted them—something no military manual had prepared them for.
Thousands of mirrors were positioned on all sides, and vast Persian carpets soaked in oil were spread across the ground.
“…Gather the light!!”
At Danesh’s signal, the market folk on the rooftops adjusted the mirrors in unison.
The desert sun converged into a single blinding point upon Alexander’s main force.
“My eyes—my eyes!”
“It’s burning! The armor’s melting!”
Heat and blindness—raw, physical violence.
The Great King’s strongest troops lost formation in an instant.
3. Azad’s Roar and the Burning Carpets
“You bastards! The market’s come to collect its debts—and the interest is brutal!”
Azad’s mercenaries charged straight into the disoriented enemy ranks.
At the same time, Inaz’s custom explosives were hurled onto the carpets.
With a thunderous roar, the entire market was swallowed by flames.
“This is no mere battle,” Nirfar cried through the inferno.
“We are burning our memories themselves to reject you!”
4. The King’s ‘Silent Roar’
Amid the firestorm and the chaos, Alexander did not retreat a single step atop his beloved Bucephalus.
Sparks scorched his golden hair, mirrored light seared his vision—yet his will did not waver.
“…Cyrus. Would you burn your homeland itself just to halt my advance?”
Drawing his sword, Alexander cleaved straight through the wall of flame.
“If you choose fire, then I shall turn it into the funeral procession of an empire.
This city will become ash—fuel for my glory!”
From behind him, the long-reserved elite infantry advanced, shields locked overhead, charging fearlessly into the blaze.
The wisdom of the market began to buckle under the Great King’s madness.
5. Prelude to Conflagration
“Cyrus! The market won’t hold! They’re charging straight through the fire!”
At Shahab’s report, Cyrus clenched his teeth.
Wisdom can falter before overwhelming madness.
“…Nirfar, we fall back. Abandon this place—final defensive line at the palace!”
“But the people are still—”
“We protect the people. But this place… this is no longer our market.”
Cyrus glanced back once at his shop, now engulfed in flames.
In his eyes burned despair—foretelling the total incineration of Persepolis in Part IV—
and yet, deeper still, a stubborn resolve: even if all else perished, the seeds of culture would not die.
