Crackle... Crackle...
The fire blazed, lighting up the surrounding buildings.
Deep into the night, there were few signs of activity within the city walls.
Although some time had passed, the impact of the natural disaster had not yet faded. The loss of life, particularly after counting the reduced numbers, was a horrifying sight to all.
"Dark clouds over the city."
Climbing up to a tower on the city walls, Aaron gazed into the distance.
The Egyptian camp had withdrawn quite a bit, as the previous disaster had claimed the lives of thousands, and now they had learned to be more cautious.
The Pharaoh even sent people to rebuke them, and if it were up to Aaron, they should have executed the envoys on the spot and then taken the opportunity to break through Memphis, looting it before leaving.
However, obviously, all these ideas rested on the powers possessed by Messe. If he disagreed, then Aaron was helpless.
As expected, Messe once again rejected Aaron's request, and his reason remained just as naive.
"According to God's promise, those who have brought down calamities have already been punished. Without the incessant rain, I can completely help everyone rebuild this city in a very short time,"
"Looting others is not what I want, nor what a benevolent person should do. Since the violent have paid the price, if we continue to retaliate against other Egyptians, what difference would there be between our misdeeds and theirs?"
"I don't want my people to become slaves, but I also don't want them to enslave others. Therefore, I will not agree to your idea. Moreover, Aaron—"
With a hint of incomprehensibility in his eyes, Messe looked at his brother.
"Why did you order the sacrifice of those who have not yet understood the greatness of the divine? What you have done to them and to those who share your blood, how is it any different from what we decry the Egyptians for?"
"Damn it... such a pointless bottom line."
He struck the stone brick on the city wall, remembering the direct conversation, and Aaron still felt somewhat helpless.
With Messe's help, in just three days, countless stones had been transformed into sturdy walls.
The harsh task set by Pharaoh seemed to be close to completion, but the arguments between Aaron and Messe over ideological differences continued to weigh on his mind.
"Is there a difference? Of course, there is!"
"Without those deaths, what would have held back the subsequent disasters... If so many had to die, then why not let those who only cause trouble die first!"
"I made that decision for the overall benefit of all Hebrews, not for myself. With you by my side, I would never die no matter what, so why would I do such things just to save my life?"
"Besides, can't you see? Everyone else supports my actions; what does it matter if they are not accepted by outsiders? You are the Great Prophet of the Hebrews, not of all humans!"
Taking a deep breath, he vented his emotions where no one else was around.
Under the profound night sky, Aaron quickly composed himself again.
Although the term 'idealism' did not exist in this era, he could somewhat understand it. However, Aaron did not consider it a good thing unless one's desires could be manifested. Otherwise, ideals could not be separated from reality.
In the distant horizon, towards Memphis, faint lights could be seen. Aaron knew that had he been closer, he would likely have seen the lights shining brightly there.
Ever since the persistent heavy rain had ceased, an indiscriminate epidemic had descended upon the Mortal Realm.
"I remember that they abhor filth and revere frogs and beetles, holding them as sacred."
"I wonder what those Egyptians are thinking in the face of such a situation?"
The Hebrew camp had similar occurrences, but they had the final Fountain and Messe's Scepter.
By comparison, although he had no chance to understand the current situation in Memphis, Aaron could guess some of it.
"[God's hand was upon the livestock in the fields of Egypt, bringing a severe plague upon the horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, and sheep, almost wiping them out. Yet the livestock of the Hebrews was spared, not a single one died. This clearly shows that the life and death of cattle are in God's hands, and are not the lives of humans also under His grasp? Yet the Pharaoh remained unconscious of this, such is the folly and ignorance of the barbarous nations!]"
He carefully penned these words on the Papyrus, and by the light of the fire, one could see other contents above on the sheet.
Others did not understand what he was doing or its significance, but Aaron knew clearly—he was recording history.
Although the true history contained inaccuracies and contradictions with his records, this did not affect him from continuing to write as such.
Having finished writing, he looked up at the sky again.
Hailstones fell occasionally, though not yet intensely. However, the traces of locusts could be seen, prompting him to pick up the pen again.
[As the Egyptians still refused to let God's people go, God commanded Messe to stretch out his scepter over Egypt.]
[The Divine Envoy brought an East Wind across the land, bringing locusts that landed in all the territories of Egypt, in an unprecedented and terrible infestation, the locusts covered the ground and darkened the land, consuming every vegetable and remaining fruit on the trees.]
This was just a preliminary record; it needed further additions, revisions, and resequencing... Aaron stored away the Papyrus, secretly deciding that if one day they could leave Egypt and return to the birthplace of the Hebrews, he would compile the contents into a book.