In the Persian Market: The Roar of an Empire

Episode Twenty-Two: The Reverse Spy, the False Ledger

1. The Ledger of Shadows

“…This is him. The rat who’s been dealing with Macedon.”

From the darkness, Shahab shoved a man forward—an old merchant, once trusted by Cyrus since the days of the market.

From the man’s robes spilled a meticulously drafted Contract of Betrayal, prepared by Alexander’s strategists, along with heavy gold coins.

“Why, Anwar?” Cyrus asked quietly, fury simmering beneath his calm.

“We survived the flames of the market together.”

“…Cyrus, face reality!” Anwar cried.

“The Great King is a god. Resisting him is suicide! I only wanted to protect my family and my shop!”

2. Cyrus’s Daring Bargain

“Kill him?” Azad asked, hand on his sword.

“No,” Cyrus said, stopping him.

“He still has value. …Anwar, if you want to live, keep sending information to Macedon—

but only what’s written in my false ledger.”

He turned to Danesh.

“Write this for them: The Market Army is short on water, internal conflict is erupting, and they will retreat to the eastern valley by dawn.

Give them every ‘weakness’ they’re desperate to believe.”

3. Nirfar’s Cold Performance

To seal the deception, Nirfar played her role.

She staged fierce public arguments with the tribal chiefs, a deliberate spectacle of discord.

“I will not tolerate this any longer! This army is disbanded!”

Her anguished cries—pure theater—reached the ears of Macedonian spies hidden in the camp, turning doubt into certainty.

That night, the false intelligence was delivered to Alexander’s headquarters through Anwar’s hands.

4. Setting the Trap: The Desert Labyrinth

“They’ve swallowed it. …All units, move not east—but west, to the Singing Dunes.”

At Cyrus’s command, ten thousand soldiers moved in silence.

The dunes wailed beneath each step, a natural prison where direction vanished and men were lost forever.

Kabir and Shahab’s units prepared to sever the enemy’s retreat the moment the Macedonians entered the “valley.”

“…If this fails, we’re finished,” Shahab muttered, twirling his flute.

“Business always means betting everything,” Cyrus replied coolly.

“Watch closely—I’ll make the Great King pay for an overpriced purchase.”

5. The Ominous Calm Before the Storm

By morning, Macedonian scouts appeared on the horizon.

Just as Anwar’s report claimed, they advanced carefully—but confidently—into the empty eastern valley.

From afar, Cyrus and Nirfar watched.

“…Your Majesty, are you ready? This is the climax.”

“Yes. I believe the sandstorm will fight for us.”

The sky began to stain itself yellow.

The legendary Sandstorm Ambush was about to begin.