After Link returned, he urged Aesop to direct the residents to step up the construction of the city's defenses and hoard war supplies, while reminding John to seize the time to train the official army. A few days later, Medanzo also rushed to meet with Link and learned of the latest situation. He also felt that the situation was serious and complicated, and immediately took a shuttle to find Amon to ask what to do. This was the series of events that happened after Moses and the others left Eygut.
Amon frowned after listening, some of which he had expected, because in the ancient legends, when the land of Marduc, where the gods had fallen, became fertile again, the god of the gods would be born. Regardless of whether the legends were true or not, this place was bound to become the source of divine power for the gods, and even if some gods themselves may not have the ambition, they had to pay attention to what happened there to prevent other gods from occupying this position and making the legends a reality. Even Seth, who was far away in Eygut's Ennead, tried to intervene.
But one thing was unexpected, where did the highlanders at the foot of the Assyrian Plateau come from? Judging from their organizational ability and material equipment, they were definitely not primitive tribes that had migrated spontaneously from the mountains, and should be trained warriors and craftsmen. Amon himself was once the commander-in-chief of the battlefield and a great general of the Empire, and listening to Medanzo's description, he felt that these people should be the vanguard and logistics personnel of a regular corps.
Not only did they know how to build city defenses and reclaim the wilderness, but they also knew how to mine mines and smelt refined iron. Weapons, tents, farming tools, and tools all seemed to be issued at the same time. The first batch of nearly two thousand people were all highlanders, and after the establishment of the gathering point, many residents of the continent appeared in the camp, dressed like unemployed wanderers from various countries. It was impossible for them to spontaneously appear in such a place at the same time, so it must have been an organized migration.
Although the floods on the Plains of Duc had receded and the terrain had finally stabilized, it was still difficult to see people, and it was not convenient to get there. To the north was the towering Assyrian Plateau, to the west was the wooded Charcoal Marsh, and to the east was the steep Euphrate River Valley.
If the majority of the troops wished to enter, the best route would be through the inland lake in the south. They could either cross the inland lake and pass through a patch of grasslands and swamps, or cross over a mountainous region from the east shore of the inland lake. This was also the path Moses and the others took, and there was already the Marduc City built by Ussir on that path. It was possible for a strong party of explorers to enter the Plains of Duc from various targets, but it was almost impossible for an organized party to reach there at this time.
A few years ago, Amon had guided Link from the Euphrate Valley to the deserted island that had just emerged from the water. That was how Link was able to establish a city-state first. Ussir, who had established a city-state in the southeast corner of the Plains of Duc, had also long planned to gain the dark support of Princess Scarlet and the Kingdom of Bablon in order to gain a foothold at this time. But where did the new cities in the north come from? They were the strongest force on the Plains of Duc, and their numbers were still increasing.
To reach there, the only way was to cross the Assyrian Plateau, which was covered in snow all year round, and carry so many supplies. An organized operation was not something that could be accomplished with the strength of an individual, and it could only be an order from a kingdom. On the other side of the Assyrian Plateau was the Kingdom of Assyr.
There were four countries around the Plains of Duc, and the Kingdom of Assyr had the narrowest territory and relatively barren land, not as rich and prosperous as the other three countries, and its overall national strength was the weakest. But the Assyrian army was brave and good at fighting, and there was also a legion of highlanders known as the Giant Legion. Even the Kingdom of Bablon, which was close to the south, did not dare to provoke them easily. The Kingdom of Assyr had been content to stay in a corner for many years, and there was no news of them.
Due to the obstruction of the Assyrian Plateau and the relative weakness of their national strength, the Kingdom of Assyr was originally in the most unlucky position to compete for the Plains of Duc, but now the situation had changed very subtly. If the Kingdom of Assyr was really willing to cross the Assyrian Plateau and forcibly annex the Plains of Duc, it would instead be the most advantageous strategic position.
The Dubhe continent had just erupted in a chaotic war between the kingdoms. First, the Empire of Eygut fought a major war against the Hittite Kingdom, then the Uruk Legion, the strongest army of the Kingdom of Bablon, fought a major war against the army of Eygut led by Amon, and then Goliath and Prince Asher fought a major war against the army of Bablon. This series of wars had severely weakened the strength of the various kingdoms in a short period of time.
The strongest Empire of Eygut suffered heavy losses, and although Amon turned the tide, the price paid was also extremely high. Later, after the sudden death of the old Lasith Ii, the new and old Merneptah built a new capital in the country and carried out a monotheistic reform. At present, what needed to be resolved was internal affairs, and no more expeditions could be launched.
The Hittite Kingdom was the de facto winner in both wars, and Goliath was not gone, but the wars had also depleted the national strength of the Hittite Kingdom. Although they were freed from the status of vassals of the Ejyptian Empire, the two princes almost caused the kingdom to be divided in order to fight for the throne. The current political situation was actually not stable, and they also needed to recuperate. Unless they were forced to, they would not carry out another large-scale war.
The Kingdom of Bablon was originally a kingdom second only to the Empire of Eygut in terms of strength, but it had suffered the most losses, and was the de facto loser. The Uruk Legion was repelled, Enkidu fell, Gilgamesh retired, and the army was almost wiped out in the war against the Hittite Kingdom. Taking advantage of the civil strife in Hittite, Prince Feng Nu had a chance to reverse the situation.
The Assyrian King, who had been recuperating, suddenly made a move, and according to Amon's judgment, the Assyrian King must have sent the Giant Legion to cross the plateau and suddenly appear, catching everyone off guard.
Based on the current situation in the Plains of Duc, the advance legion of the Assyrian Kingdom was building a city at the foot of the mountains in the north and building a shrine for Enril. And in the southeast corner, on the most convenient road into the Plains of Duc, Ussir was also building a city and a shrine for Marduc.
Enril was naturally unwilling to abandon this divine realm, and he might even have the ambition to become the god of the gods, while Marduc should also want to take back the land that made him famous in one battle. These two gods both belonged to the Anunnaki divine clan, but they were enemies who refused to submit to each other. Now that there were two main gods in the divine realm of the same divine clan, it was a good opportunity to settle the thousand-year feud.
The affairs of the gods were not easy to predict, but the kingdoms on earth also had their own conflicts of interest. Both Bablon and Assyria wanted to take advantage of the instability of the internal affairs of Eygut and Hittite to occupy these thousands of miles of fertile land, especially the Assyrian Kingdom. The entire Plains of Duc was not only equivalent to one-third of the territory of Assyria, but it would also be a fertile land rich in resources, far more than many of the desolate areas of the Assyrian Kingdom.
If nothing unexpected happened, the first round of competition on the Plains of Duc would take place between these two city-states, and the final outcome was unknown. But now there was a variable, and Amon had asked Link to build a city on the site of the former town of Duc, like a nail inserted between the two.
The situation was as confusing as a mess, and it was difficult for the average person to sort out. Seeing that Amon was silent for a long time, Medanzo couldn't help but ask: "Amun, what do you think we should do? Everyone is looking forward to your orders! If you want to drive away the highlanders in the north, John will concentrate all his forces to fight them. "
Amon shook his head and said: "One thing must be clear, we are no match for them, and Link's few thousand men cannot go to war with a kingdom."
Medanzo was slightly stunned. "A kingdom?"
Amon nodded. "Yes, perhaps we have already guessed this possibility. Those people at the foot of the mountain in the north are the advance legion sent by the Assyrian Kingdom. Their goal should be to incorporate the entire Plains of Duc into the territory of the Assyrian Kingdom. With the current strength of Link and the others, they cannot completely destroy the other side, let alone now that they are surrounded by enemies. Ussir, who represents the kingdom of Bablon, is still stuck at the entrance to the Plains of Duc, and we cannot act rashly. Aesop's proposal for cooperation is wise, and we should try to maintain this situation as long as possible. "
Medanzo asked again: "What about the future? Link built the city under your guidance, what kind of place do you want it to be? "
Amon looked up at the sky and replied: "Actually, I didn't think so much at first, I just did it. The town of Duc is my hometown, where my people have lived for generations. At first, I only wanted to fulfill the last wishes of Mayor Dusti and the promise to Mourin to let my people return to their homeland and rebuild it.
It was once so desolate that not even a few thousand people could survive, and they needed to mine minerals in exchange for supplies from the outside world. It was only later that I learned that the land of Marduc was the place where the gods fell, and that my people were sinners who were exiled in ancient times because they believed in the gods of the defeated side. The heavy labor for generations was a kind of reward and punishment, and it was the goddess Mourrin who kept them alive.
Now that all this is over, the Plains of Duc will become a thousand miles of fertile land flowing with milk and honey, the scale of which is far larger than the original town of Duc. My purpose may be very simple, that is, I want the people of Link to have a beautiful home to live in, and to fulfill the wish of my people to live in the rich land of their homeland. All this has nothing to do with the gods, but it is inevitable that it will be involved in the struggle between the kingdoms and even the gods.
I think of the former town of Duc, which was also under the jurisdiction of many kingdoms in history. In addition to the shrine of Mourin, there was also the shrine of Horus, which I have seen with my own eyes, and there are even more that I have not seen. But it has never really been conquered, for the simple reason that the price is not worth it.
Mourin once had a wish that I would build a new city-state there, and whether this wish can be fulfilled or not, I hope that my people can live in peace in their homeland. This is my guidance and promise to Moses and the others in the name of Allaha.
No matter what happens in the future, they must do one thing, and that is to have the strength and faith to protect themselves. If the price of conquering or expelling them exceeds the benefits that can be obtained, they will be able to establish a foothold there, regardless of the name. I am about to go to Syah to fight Celia, and I can talk to Goliath about a cooperation that should have been discussed a long time ago, and continue to provide support to Link and the others. "
Metatro blinked as he listened, and after a while, he said: "So it turns out that God Amon already had a plan. Regardless of how long it has been, you have a plan in mind, so let's do as you say. Link also wants to ask you one more thing, what should the name of the new city-state we build be called, should it still be called Duc? "
Amon shook his head and said: "The town of Duc was named after Marduc, symbolizing the war of the gods and the reward and punishment of the sinners, so naturally we can't use this name anymore. This new city-state will be called the city of Salem, it has been a place of contention for the gods since its birth, and there is no telling when peace and tranquility will come. "
Amon named the city-state "Salem", meaning peace and tranquility, and he knew in his heart that the emergence of this city-state was bound to be accompanied by endless conflict and contention. Medanzo sighed: "It's a good name, like the hope people see when they look at the sky. … Moses and the others are still waiting outside the Plains of Duc, will you let them take a detour, or will you send John to lead the army to meet them? "
Amon thought for a moment and replied with a faint smile: "Ussir received an oracle from Marduc, and the condition was that they should not build statues of other gods except Marduc. This condition doesn't seem like much to me, because I have guided the people of Duc in the name of Allaha, and none of them, including Moses, have ever seen me, and I have asked them to accept the guidance of faith, but I have never asked them to build statues for me, not in the past, not now, and not in the future. "
Medanzo's eyes widened, and he suddenly realized: "Then this problem has been solved, just get Moses to promise Ussir's condition. They will not build statues of any gods, and they can choose not to build statues for Marduc. You are their only god, eternal in their faith. I'll go back and tell Moses and the others! "
Amon waved his hand and said: "There's no need to remind them, Moses is their leader, and he should know how to guide the people. This is their last test before they reach Salem, and it is up to them to decide. They are not only returning home, but also freeing themselves from the old agreement between the gods, and they are no longer the Duc miners of the past. "
Medanzo: "Oh, I see! You want to give them another kind of guidance, so what should I do? "
Amon looked at Medanzo and said: "From today onwards, you will be the head of all my disciples, and you will also be the hardest working one. Right now, there are a few things that I have to tell you to do."
Amon asked Medanzo to return to Salem first and convey his orders to Link, John, Aesop, and the others, telling them to explore a road in the Charcoal Marsh, find various areas where they could stand, fill in the intermittent low-lying areas, and connect them to the southern end of Syah, with the assistance of the four Ironbacks. This would take some time, and even if the road was built, it would not be suitable for large military formations to pass through, but it could allow an endless stream of caravans to come and go.
The second thing Medanzo had to do was to send a message to the Ironback King El Mar, asking El Mar to rush to the designated address to meet up. Amon was going to give this Ironback King many pointers in training, and at the same time, he was going to take El Mar to join the duel with Celia. After El Mar was released, Medanzo also had to control the shuttle to take Aesop back to Montefiore to find the wealthy businessman Sio to talk about a very important business deal.
Amon had invested a large sum of money in Sio's trading firm, but because there was a big business deal to be done in the future, he asked Sio to expand his trading firms everywhere and buy a large number of carriages and horses, and now it was time to use them. Business had its own way of doing business, and Aesop was the most suitable person to do this.
After finishing these three things, Medanzo also had to rush to the city of Marduc where Ussir was, bring a message to Ussir, discuss another kind of cooperation, and at the same time pay attention to Moses and the others in the darkness. He was busy enough, and after listening, he hurriedly accepted the order and left.
After Medanzo left, Amon waved his hand, and the golden-topped tent on the sand dune, the tables and chairs in the tent, and the luxurious utensils on the table were all collected into the bone. He really didn't waste, even taking away the tools left behind by the Lion King. The high sand dune by the sea returned to its original state, as if nothing had happened.
The sun had already set, and the sky was full of twinkling stars. Amon sat quietly on the sand dune all night, and after dawn continued north across the Syah Desert, his destination the place where he and Celia had agreed to duel. No matter how complicated the affairs of the world were, this solitary youth just walked step by step towards his goal.
Amon didn't take the shuttle, all his flying devices had been handed over to his disciples, and he didn't use his magic to fly into the sky, but walked on the sand as he did when he came. The sun gradually rose, the sand began to heat up, and the hot air spiraled up from the surface. Looking from afar, the light was distorted, and Amon's lonely figure gradually became a little dazed.
As he walked, his dazed figure strangely disappeared, and no footprints could be seen on the sand, and no one could be seen under the sun. Amon entered a strange state of meditation, and as he walked, he naturally hid his tracks. The sun rose high and then slowly set in the west, and then the stars appeared, but Amon's shadow was never seen in the desert.
The sand dune seemed quiet at night, but there were still all kinds of slight sounds, and scorpions crawled out of the sand dune, leaving shallow traces of their presence. No one knew where Amon was, only he knew where he was going. He was like a wisp of thought as he walked, thinking on the road, invisible, but present.
Amon was thinking about a question, and after seeing the Amitabha, he, Girtablulla, and Ugallu all realized that there were unknown divine clans in the world, and that there might be different gods. He had learned about the various past events of the Ennead and the Anunnaki, including the cat goddess Bastet, who had accompanied him, and Mourrin, the goddess of youth and love who admired and guided him. Of course, he was happy to get along with them. But if it was purely about the existence of gods, Amon didn't like these divine clans.
Since he left the town of Duc, he had been carrying the mission of unraveling the secrets of the gods and proving the way to become a god, but at the moment he was thinking about another, deeper question.
"If I can become a god, what kind of god will I be? I don't like those gods myself, I even hate them. With this belief, no matter how hard I practice, I can't become such a god. This is determined by the test of the power of the source.
If there comes a day when I will pass the test of fate, the judgment of the end, my wish is not to join or establish such a divine clan, to become such a god. I want to build a home in my belief, which can guide all who yearn for it, and not be deliberately guided by the gods.
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