Luo En replied in a deep voice, maintaining a righteous and stern expression.
Historically, Cyrus the Great is highly regarded among the Jewish people. Not only did he release the imprisoned Jews, but he also issued royal decrees to favor them, helping to rebuild the Holy Temple and Jerusalem.
Thus, the early Jewish community revered Cyrus as a savior, often extolling this Persian emperor. The King Gulei mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Ezra refers to Cyrus.
Moreover, during the time of the Persian Empire, these Jews were loyal allies of the empire’s masters. They even supported Persia later by stationing troops in Egypt.
Therefore, everything he did was merely to continue the trajectory of history.
However, Pandora did not believe her superior was so kind-hearted.
She pondered for a moment, recalling the mention of "Egyptians" earlier, and instantly understood:
"Are you planning to sow discord between Egypt and Persia, driving a wedge to undermine their alliance?"
"Don’t slander good people! We are merely praising this Majesty’s mercy."
Although Luo En’s tone was innocent, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curve upward slightly.
Insidious! Absolutely insidious to the core!
Pandora silently cursed while giving a mental thumbs-up to her superior.
The Canaanites first exploited the Egyptians through usury and gambling, and then the Canaan Gods wreaked havoc during the Egyptian Divine Era, causing several calamities and significant casualties.
In this back-and-forth, considerable enmity was forged between the two sides.
Yet Cyrus expended great effort to shelter the Canaanites, even giving them exceptional favor. How would the Egyptians react upon hearing this news?
The simplest outcome would inevitably invite universal condemnation and hostility from the Egyptians.
In a more severe scenario, some shrewd Pharaohs might worry if the Persians would use the Canaanites against them, seeing it as a potential sign of Persian aggression.
Furthermore, there’s an even darker thought—could the chaos caused by the Canaanites and Canaan Gods in Egypt be orchestrated by the Pantheon of Gods in Persia?
After all, it was the Great Mingzun Zalvan who permitted the entry of the Canaanites and Canaan Gods into Egypt.
But this question is something that the Egyptians are likely never to find an answer for.
Because the true Canaanites have long perished, and the Canaan Gods who should have been in Egypt have vanished without a trace.
Without external evidence, all clues and suspicions converge back onto the Persians.
Thus, whether they admit it or not, this blame will likely fall on them.
Once the seed of doubt is sown, restoring their relationship to its former state may not be so easy.
Pandora turned her head to gaze at her superior:
"So, having the Canaan Gods bring calamities to Egypt, and then having them disappear just as they were about to enter the Persian Empire, were all these steps pre-planned by you?"
"Alright, let’s eat first."
Luo En tapped the table, smiling as he ended the conversation.
But the answer was self-evident.
Seemingly reminded of her superior’s sinister nature, Pandora found her meal tasteless and ate cautiously, fearing a reprisal for her earlier impertinence.
After the meal, without waiting for Luo En to speak, the usually idle and lazy Enchantress voluntarily cleaned up and entered a cave behind the platform to tidy her superior’s bed.
Following the principle of "the more you do, the more you err," after securing land for the Babylonians, Luo En stopped cohabiting with these former subjects, to prevent evoking their past memories through prolonged interaction.
Therefore, under the guise of contemplating the Divine Dao, he ascended Mount Zion alone, leading a reclusive life away from the world.
This cave was now his dwelling.
Usually, only Pandora would manage things for him while delivering meals and messages.
"Sir, the bed is made; you can come in to rest now."
Pandora softly called out from inside, devoid of her previous seductive and indulgent demeanor, like a virtuous and dignified wife.
However, outside the cave, Luo En shook his head:
"The person I’m waiting for has arrived."
Luo En walked to the platform’s edge, gazing towards Jerusalem city to the north of the mountains.
The midday sun scorched Jerusalem’s city gate, with the tax station’s glazed tiles reflecting blinding light.
Two groups of Persian soldiers lounged on either side of the city gate, watching the merchants waiting to enter the city with amusement, as if eyeing a herd of fat sheep destined for the pot.
The caravan leader, Abdul, tightly clutched his faded passage permit, the edges of the parchment soaked with dark brown sweat. Behind him, forty camels were laden with precious copperware and spices, each package stamped with vermillion seals from tax collectors along the way—the twisted Persian script crawling like blood-sucking bats over the tarpaulins.
He squeezed his already emaciated money pouch at his waist and whispered a prayer:
"The last checkpoint, may Mitra protect us."
"The Persian Gods won’t watch over us."
A calm voice came from behind.
The speaker was a young man from Central Asia, dressed in a white robe, of medium stature with a fair complexion that was slightly flushed, a broad and bright forehead, with thick and continuous brows. His eyes were bright and black, with long lashes, a high nose bridge, and a dense but neatly trimmed beard. His jet-black curly hair hung down to his ears.
Along with his steady gait and respectable demeanor, his every word and action inspired involuntary trust.