In the Persian Market: The Roar of an Empire

Episode Fifteen: Scorching Pincer Strike, the Desert’s Poison Fang

1. Four Thousand Shadows Bare Their Fangs

Dawn over the desert was blood-red.

“The Bahar cavalry takes the left wing. Cyrus, your market soldiers hold the center. Anyone who turns tail—I’ll cut down myself,” Azad growled, his newly gained armor clanking.

Before them lay Harma, the massive Macedonian supply base—holding eighty percent of the provisions for Alexander’s eastern advance.

“We don’t need to seize it,” Cyrus said coldly. “We burn it all, and hurl hunger itself at Alexander.”

Killing intent from four thousand warriors shimmered like heat haze.

2. Shahab, Harbinger of Death

The attack began in silence. Shahab’s unit emerged from the shadows.

“Sleep… watchdogs of the king.”

By the time the guards noticed, their throats were already cut. Shahab spread the highly flammable spice oil Inaz had smuggled from the market vaults.

“Light it. This is the market’s funeral rite.”

The torch became an invitation to hell.

BOOOOM!

The granaries exploded into towering pillars of fire.

3. The Pincer: Merchant Cunning and Desert Might

“Enemy attack! Persian remnants!”

From beyond the dunes, Gassan’s three thousand Bahar riders charged like thunder.

“Show them who rules this desert!”

Cavalry from the right—Cyrus’s troops head-on. A perfect pincer.

Gripping Hossein’s dagger in reverse, Cyrus leapt in.

“Tell Alexander—market debts are paid in blood!”

Smoke screens devised by Danesh shattered the Macedonian phalanx into helpless flesh.

4. Nirfar’s Resolve: A Crimson Bloom on the Battlefield

At the center, Nirfar did not chase the fleeing. Mounted on a white horse, she raised her sword before the burning stores.

“People of Persia! What was stolen, we reclaim with our own hands! Cast off fear—turn rage into strength!”

No longer a princess—this was the roar of a true queen.

Veteran Macedonians, seeing her, dropped their weapons in terror, whispering of a reborn war goddess.

5. The Price of Victory—and the Approaching Monster

The base was annihilated. Alexander’s advance would halt for at least a month.

“We did it! A great victory!” Azad shouted.

Yet Cyrus stared at the smoke-darkened sky.

“Too soon to celebrate. He won’t ignore this.”

A lone messenger appeared on the horizon. Seeing the emblem, Gassan paled.

“Alexander’s personal pursuit unit… and behind them—the king himself.”

Midpoint climax of Part Two.

At last, the monster of history, Alexander, recognized the nameless merchant Cyrus as a foe worthy of his gaze.