Capítulo 13: Chapter 13
"Mahinda, do you think he will complete the task?" Agnathan asked, his gaze searching Mahinda's eyes.
"Yes, my lord. If everything goes as intended, this man can surely assassinate the Chola prince," Mahinda replied confidently.
"What makes you so sure of his success and his loyalty to our cause? You must consider the consequences," Agnathan stressed, the seriousness of his words evident on his face.
"My lord, although the man may seem ordinary at first, I know about his background. He was once an experienced hunter, skilled enough that with proper training or if born into a notable family, he could have been a valuable asset to our cause.
Despite an injury restricting his abilities, he has enough skill to eliminate that ignorant prince," Mahinda declared with certainty. "And have I ever let you down, my lord?"
Agnathan rose from his seat and swiftly approached Mahinda, grabbing his neck and lifting him into the air.
"Don't dare to let me down. His Highness personally sought my help, and if his plans are endangered because of you, I will ensure you face a fate worse than death. I will also have the heads of your family, before I meet my end," Agnathan warned sternly, causing Mahinda to tremble.
Agnathan let go of Mahinda and walked past the fallen man, exiting the chamber.
"Cough!... Cough!... My lord, there's no need to worry. I have also arranged for more backup if Ragu fails the mission," Mahinda said hastily, watching his master leave the chamber.
Agnathan didn't turn around or respond as he walked completely out of Mahinda's sight.
~
By the time Karthikeya arrived at the city gate, the sun was beginning to set, casting a brilliant golden-red glow over the city and the sky. Having recently surveyed the neighboring lands and picked up whispers of unrest, Karthikeya led his loyal ten-man group through the eastern gates. As they neared, the Chola soldiers, aware of his undercover status, subtly nodded, ensuring their acknowledgment wouldn't attract unwanted attention.
Winding through the streets, lined with groups of residents, Karthikeya's gaze fell upon a gathering of kind individuals distributing meager rations, a desperate effort to prevent starvation. While the supply was minimal, it was enough to delay the worst, yet it was evident that their resources were severely strained.
Eager to uncover the origins of this charitable effort, Karthikeya instructed one of his men to discreetly investigate before moving forward. However, as they proceeded, a sudden sense of foreboding gripped Karthikeya. It was more than the usual resistance or fear he had sensed earlier; this was an unmistakable, tangible threat lingering in the air. Strangely, he didn't feel any animosity directed toward him.
At a distance from Karthikeya's location, Ragu, armed with a poisoned arrow, took advantage of the commotion among the refugees during the distribution of food relief, targeting Karthikeya.
"I'm doing this for my daughter,... my daughter," the man muttered to himself, gathering his courage and dispelling all his hesitation.
Meanwhile, Karthikeya instinctively slowed his horse, preparing himself, and then it happened—a sudden movement and a lethal projectile hurtling towards him. Time seemed to slow as adrenaline surged through his veins, and with a quick, smooth motion, he skillfully dodged, his arms rising to effortlessly intercept the flying arrow.
"Buzz!" The arrow in Karthikeya's arm vibrated, catching the guards' attention.
In an instant, his guards surrounded him, but Karthikeya's focus was on the perpetrator. His gaze locked onto a hapless figure, not emanating hostility, but rather exuding a desperate sense of helplessness. "Don't worry about me, apprehend him, and do not harm him," Karthikeya ordered, pointing towards the fleeing figure.
Seeing the commotion and the fleeing figure, the guards were inclined to follow the man but hesitated.
Sensing the guards' indecision, he reiterated, "That's an order. I can protect myself if necessary."
Observing Karthikeya's stern expression, the guards went after the man without any delay. Seven of them sprinted after the fleeing man, who had already started running upon realizing Karthikeya had singled him out.
As five of his men dashed to capture the elusive assassin, Karthikeya dismounted his horse with a composed and unruffled demeanor. His gaze swept over the resolute faces of his comrades before he gave a firm instruction, "Step back." Then, he focused on the surrounding crowd, their frightened expressions revealing their reluctance to be involved in the unfolding confrontation.
He wasn't merely observing the stunned crowd around him but also some concealed figures within them, as Karthikeya sensed the murderous intent the moment the assassination attempt failed.
Recognizing the innocence of the majority, he spoke to them with a calculated indifference, "I don't plan to harm any innocent bystanders. Those who aim to take my life, come forward. The rest of you, move back. Let them showcase their abilities."
The spectators, torn between fear and curiosity, paused briefly, their eyes shifting between the young leader and one another. Gradually, a few brave individuals started to step back, creating a large, open area.
While the vigilant guards behind Karthikeya also drew their weapons, prepared to defend their King, Karthikeya firmly commanded, "Step back."
First and foremost, Karthikeya was not in a good mood and truly wanted to release his anger. Soon, within this improvised arena, more than ten figures appeared, their faces hidden, their hands clutching lethal blades.
"I don't know who sent you, but you chose the wrong day and time as I really need to take out some frustration," Karthikeya stated as he unsheathed his sword.
"I have little time to spare for you. Make it quick," Karthikeya proclaimed, unaffected by the menacing presence in front of him.
The metallic clang echoed through the narrow street as Karthikeya, showcasing his swordsmanship with skilled finesse, confronted ten adversaries wielding an assortment of blades. He glanced at the three guards behind him, swiftly assessing the situation with a calculated gaze.
Onlookers, sensing the imminent confrontation, gathered at the edges, their eyes wide with a blend of fear and fascination.
Setting aside any hesitation, the enemies made their move, prompting Karthikeya to quickly flick his wrist and deflect the initial strike, the clash resonating through the tense silence of the street. Emboldened by their numbers, his adversaries surged forward with coordinated ferocity, their blades cutting through the air in an onslaught of aggression. Unfazed, Karthikeya maneuvered between their strikes with a smooth grace, each motion a carefully calculated fusion of lethal accuracy and adept defense.
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