The novel before you falls into the second category of the kingdom-building genre, namely "Alternate History." For a long time, I have nurtured the dream of writing a web-novel in my heart. The reason for this passion is the scarcity of high-quality novels in this genre, which often face challenges such as a lack of diversity or historical depth. In particular, novels that deal with the history and culture of Iran, a land with a rich civilization, are very few in number.
Recently, I noticed that a web-novel titled "The Lion and the Sun" has been written by a Chinese author and is still being expanded. There is also another novel called "Hegemony of Ancient Greece" in which a person is reincarnated as a Greek mercenary in Achaemenid Iran but ultimately establishes a kingdom in Italy. These examples, although fascinating, show the gap that still remains for authentic Iranian narratives in this genre.
I love following the advancements in artificial intelligence. In the past, authors who wanted to create works in this field had to have a deep mastery of politics, economics, military strategy, and especially history; an effort that was not only time-consuming but also seemed impossible for many people with busy schedules.
But today, with the advent of artificial intelligence, new doors have opened. This technology has given people like me, who were previously only readers of novels, the opportunity to enter the realm of writing. Especially for those who, like me, work in demanding jobs such as healthcare and have little free time, these tools are a valuable blessing. In creating this novel, I have utilized the various capabilities of artificial intelligence, particularly models like Gemini 2.5 Flash or Grok 3, to be able to create a rich and detailed story.
The reason for starting this project, however, is tied to my current life circumstances. In the days that I am writing, namely June 2025, Iran is facing great challenges. Following an attack by Israel, the internet in this land has been restricted for national reasons, and access to the global network has been cut off.
In this difficult situation, as an Iranian, I witness that the voice of my country's people is silenced in the international media. Foreign journalists, due to restrictions, only publish one-sided narratives that often end up supporting Israel, while the people of Iran are under pressure from two sides: both from these conflicts and from the neglect of their own government. This bitter reality, that even the country's rulers do not think about the comfort and security of their own people, has pained my heart.
In the midst of this, the idea of writing this novel came to my mind. Why not, in these difficult conditions, take up my pen and write a story that is both a reflection of my feelings and a source of hope? Therefore, I decided to start my novel with a focus on the current war, but with a look at the past and a future that could have been.
This story is an attempt to keep the glorious history of Iran alive and, at the same time, a wish for peace and solidarity. I know that as a novice writer, there may be flaws in my work, but I hope you will forgive them with an open heart. This is my first work, and I have created it with all my being for you, my dear readers.
Hoping for a day when peace and prosperity are brought to all nations—be they Jewish, Muslim, Christian, or of any religion or creed. My wish is to see a peaceful and prosperous Middle East, a place where the history and culture of every land, including my beloved Iran, are narrated with pride and respect. With you, I begin this literary journey.