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12.57% Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince / Chapter 38: Change

Chapitre 38: Change

Almost six months had passed since Harsha's visit to the mansion in Thanjavur, and many changes had taken place during that time.

Harsha had immersed himself in intense training, focusing on strengthening his body and skills. Each day was dedicated to rigorous exercise and discipline, reflecting his determination.

At the same time, significant progress was being made with the road networks. Prashant, who had learned much from Harsha about managing projects and organizing documents, had taken full charge of the road construction. 

Under his careful supervision, both major highways and smaller roads were completed. The Emperor had recently praised Harsha for the impressive results, noting the substantial increase in trade with Europeans. The improved roads had made it easier for merchants to move goods, boosting the economy.

The new roadways had a transformative effect. The faster movement of goods led to a surge in trade, spurring the growth of new industries. Small towns and cities began to sprout up as people flocked to these areas in search of jobs and a better life. What had once been empty stretches of land were now vibrant economic activity centres, driven by the new roads that connected and sustained them.

Harsha was taking a rest in the training hall, overseeing the training of three people while reading a book. Varun, Narayana, and Viswa had become a trio in training and they trained daily with him.

Appointing Viswa as his subordinate took some time since he was of a lower caste. However, the Emperor decided to give in to Harsha's request and allowed him to appoint Viswa as his subordinate.

Viswa proved to be a useful asset. He was what you would call a "diamond in the rough." Viswa could grasp information quickly, like a sponge soaking up water. His body and martial capability were exceptional. Due to his rapid recovery and natural talent, he was a formidable warrior with a great sense of battle.

He was able to keep up with Harsha's training after a few months and had now achieved a level in martial arts similar to both Varun and Narayana on the surface.

"Stop training, take a break—sparring starts soon," he called out, closing his book with a soft thud that drew their attention.

"It's been a while since you guys have sparred against each other, so pair up and spar," he said, walking over to the exhausted trio as they drank water.

Viswa, now more muscular and nearly as tall as Harsha, looked noticeably healthier compared to his earlier signs of malnutrition.

"As the newest one here, Viswa will choose his opponent first," Harsha announced.

"Me? Your Highness?" Viswa stammered, his eyes widening as he looked at Harsha.

Harsha raised an eyebrow "Is there any other Viswa here?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

Viswa glanced nervously at Varun and then nodded. "Oh, then I will choose to spar with Varun first," he said.

Varun folded his arms and smirked. "The youngest thinks I'm easy to defeat, huh?" he teased, tilting his head slightly.

"No, brother, I know your strength," Viswa replied earnestly, meeting Varun's gaze.

Varun chuckled and waved a hand dismissively. "I was just teasing," he said, grinning widely.

"Get ready to spar after the break then," Harsha ordered with a yawn, stretching his arms.

"Yes, Your Highness," both Varun and Viswa responded in unison, nodding as they took a moment to rest.

Harsha then gestured for Narayana to come closer. "So, what do you think—who will win the sparring match?"

Narayana approached, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Um, Your Highness, I believe Varun should win by a close margin. Viswa's martial ability and battle sense have certainly surpassed mine. The only thing he still lacks is physicality."

"Physicality?" Harsha raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "I don't see much of a problem there. I could defeat both of you even with a worse physique. Maybe it's just a lack of experience."

Narayana thought 'Of course, monsters like you wouldn't be considered alongside normal humans like us.' He maintained his composure and nodded in agreement with a smile.

Viswa and Varun, both gripping their wooden swords tightly, stepped into the designated sparring area. They assumed their stances, each eyeing the other with determination. Narayana and Harsha watched from the sidelines, their eyes on the spar.

"START!" Harsha shouted, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

With a burst of speed, Varun lunged forward, attacking with a flurry of strikes that caught Viswa off guard. The wooden sword whizzed through the air, each swing aimed precisely. Viswa quickly raised his sword, deflecting and blocking the blows. A powerful strike aimed at his head forced him to retreat, catching his breath as he assessed Varun's aggressive style.

Regaining his composure, Viswa prepared for the next onslaught. Varun charged once more, aiming directly for Viswa's midsection. Anticipating the move, Viswa leapt into the air, using Varun's back as a springboard to push himself away. He landed nimbly a few feet from his opponent.

Without hesitation, Viswa spun around and launched a series of attacks. His wooden sword whirled through the air in rapid swings. Varun, though taken aback by Viswa's swift counterattack, managed to defend himself, his sword went faster as it met each of Viswa's strikes.

Varun, with a swift motion, deflected Viswa's sword to the side. His wrist flicked expertly, redirecting the blade's momentum before delivering a quick swing aimed at Viswa's torso.

Viswa's reflexes were sharp. As the sword approached, he bent backwards with impressive flexibility, avoiding the swing entirely. His movements were fluid, showcasing his honed agility. With a graceful roll, he distanced himself from Varun, landing on his feet a few paces away.

"Hooo, impressive flexibility," Harsha remarked, his lips curling into a light smirk as he watched the duel unfold.

Narayana nodded, shifting his gaze toward Harsha. "Viswa has unnaturally good flexibility, Your Highness."

"Is that so?" Harsha's eyes gleamed with interest.

As Varun lunged forward, aiming a swift swing at Viswa's neck, Viswa stepped back with quick reflexes. In the same motion, Varun executed a precise sidekick toward Viswa's face. Viswa, anticipating the move, barely flinched as he bent his upper body at an unnatural angle to avoid the kick.

Seizing the opportunity, Viswa swung his wooden sword at Varun's shoulder. Varun effortlessly deflected the attack, his movements smooth and controlled. Without hesitation, Viswa backed up, then leapt forward, executing a powerful axe kick aimed directly at Varun's head.

Varun braced himself, raising his sword to block the descending kick. The impact shattered the wooden sword, splintering it into pieces and forcing Varun to stumble backwards.

Seizing the moment, Viswa charged forward, his eyes locked on Varun. With a powerful tackle, he drove Varun to the ground, pinning him beneath his weight. The match was over.

Harsha clapped slowly, "Well done, Viswa. That was good."

Varun, catching his breath, looked up with a grin. "You've really improved, Viswa. I didn't expect you to break my sword like that."

Viswa, still on top of Varun, offered a hand to help him up. "Thanks, Brother. I've been training hard to close the gap."

Narayana approached, nodding in approval. "Looks like you've made significant progress,"

"Thank you, Brother Narayana," 

"Avoid tackling on the battlefield; exposing your back can prove fatal," advised Harsha, looking down at both Varun and Viswa, who were breathing heavily on the ground.

"Understood, Your Highness," replied Viswa.

"Take a break; the next round is Viswa and Narayana," Harsha instructed, his voice carrying a note of finality as he settled back into his chair.

The sun was casting long shadows across the training hall, and the air was thick with the scent of sweat and exertion. The sounds of heavy breathing filled the space as Viswa and Narayana took their positions.

Despite Viswa's impressive progress, he found himself outmatched by Narayana. Narayana had undergone a remarkable transformation since Harsha began training him. Gone was the arrogance that had once clouded his potential. Instead, his massive physique and refined skills now shone brightly.

He moved with a newfound grace, his strength and control making him a formidable opponent. Viswa, despite his natural talent and rapid learning curve, lacked the battlefield experience that Narayana had accumulated. Though Viswa's time would surely come as his skills continued to develop.

As the final match approached, Varun and Narayana stepped into the arena. The tension was palpable, a silent anticipation hanging in the air. Varun, ever the strategist, used his shorter stature to his advantage. His movements were quick, a blur of aggression. He darted in and out of Narayana's range, striking at his opponent's lower body and joints with accuracy.

Narayana, with his broad frame and powerful swings, struggled to keep up with Varun's agility. His strikes, were wide and sweeping, leaving openings that Varun was quick to exploit. Varun's ability to weave through Narayana's defences and his knack for turning his smaller size into a strategic advantage were on full display. 

As the match drew to a close, Varun's clever tactics and nimble footwork proved too much for Narayana. With each precise strike and deft dodge, Varun demonstrated that sometimes, size and strength could be outmatched by skill and strategy.

"That's enough sparring for today, Ensure you learn from your mistakes today," Harsha advised

"Clean up the mess and go rest," Harsha ordered as he left the training field back to his room.


L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS
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Chapitre 39: Next Move

Royal Complex, Harsha's Room

Harsha was seated on the plush sofa, engrossed in a book. A gentle breeze flowed through the open windows, softly brushing against him. A knock at the door broke his peaceful reading.

"Enter," he commanded.

Viswa, who had been appointed as Harsha's exclusive butler, entered the room. He had undergone personalized training under Harsha and had been carefully vetted to ensure he was trustworthy. Harsha needed someone he could rely on completely, someone whose actions he could predict with certainty.

Narayana and Varun were deemed liabilities for such sensitive tasks because their past cannot be traced accurately, making Viswa the ideal choice.

"So, they still don't know. You're quite convincing with your acting," Harsha said, glancing up from his book.

Viswa was stronger than what he had shown to the others. This came as a bit of advice from Harsha, as he didn't want the others to know, about the potential of Viswa and try to perceive him as a threat. Although he showed some strength to maintain his appearance, it was not enough to show him as a threat.

"You flatter me, Your Highness," Viswa replied with a slight bow. 

"Regarding your mission, I've identified and vetted two targets. We can arrange to meet them at any time."

"Did anyone see you?" asked Harsha.

"No. The Nayakas have been using Rama Nayaka to influence matters discreetly for us." replied with a smile.

"Who are the two targets you found?" Harsha asked, his gaze fixed on Viswa.

"Your Highness, here is the report," Viswa said, handing over a neatly written document detailing the two individuals.

He continued, "One is the illegitimate son of Raghav Reddy, who was cast out of the Reddy family two years ago. The other is an enigma known as Karna."

"What makes Karna special?" Harsha inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"His family was executed by the Kasim Sultanate's prince because his fifteen-year-old sister refused the sexual advances of the prince," Viswa explained.

"For such a reason?" Harsha's voice was tinged with disbelief.

Harsha leaned back on his plush sofa, the book resting forgotten in his lap as he focused intently on Viswa. The soft breeze rustling through the open windows created a soothing backdrop to their conversation. 

"How did he survive?" Harsha asked a trace of intrigue in his voice.

Viswa took a moment, his expression growing solemn. "He had gone hunting. By the time he returned, his entire family had been executed."

Harsha clicked his tongue in disapproval, the gravity of the situation evident. "And what does he do now?"

Viswa continued, "He has expressed a strong desire to join the military, driven by vengeance against the Kasim Sultanate. He hopes to find a chance to repay them for what they did to his family."

Harsha let out a hearty laugh, the sound echoing through the room. "What a fool. A man is driven by such simple emotions. It's almost laughable."

Viswa remained composed, his gaze steady. "When would you like to meet them?"

Harsha considered this for a moment. "How soon can you arrange it?"

"As soon as you wish, Your Highness" Viswa replied promptly. "I've arranged for them to operate a shop in the capital as a cover. They're well-integrated into the city's fabric. Don't worry about any potential threats—they've been meticulously vetted. Over the past two months, I've cross-checked every detail of their stories with the assistance of the Nayakas and verified their backgrounds thoroughly before bringing them to the capital."

Harsha nodded appreciatively, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "That's quite thorough. Your attention to detail is commendable."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Viswa said, his voice reflecting his dedication. 

Harsha leaned forward slightly, his interest piqued. "What about the old man Nayaka and the heir?"

Viswa's expression remained calm as he responded, "I have a report on that as well." He began to explain the current situation. "Bhima Nayaka, after the prince's interference, has grown into a significant force within the Nayaka family. He has inherited his father's military skills and has been rigorously trained by the patriarch."

Harsha's lips curled into a smirk. "If only the old man weren't so soft, he wouldn't have to deal with these issues at his age," he chuckled.

Harsha continued, "Indeed. However, I still don't fully trust the old man. Despite the useful information he's provided and the facilities he's made available to us, he's not a true ally. His support comes without conditions, which is quite suspicious and he's not gaining anything substantial from supporting us."

Viswa's gaze sharpened as he considered the implications. "We need to be cautious with him. His support could shift if circumstances change. I will keep a close watch on him and continue to gather information, Your Highness,"

Harsha's gaze shifted to the window and asked. "What about any information regarding Rukmini?"

Viswa's face remained impassive as he answered, "None, Your Highness. I searched everywhere, and it was as if her existence was erased from the world. No one knows anything about her."

Harsha leaned back in his chair, fiddling with his book. "So, we're dealing with a significant threat,"

"Anything else to report?" Harsha asked, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.

"Yes, Your Highness," Viswa responded, maintaining his composure. 

"There have been notable movements of military forces in the Cochin-controlled territories. Large quantities of steel and weapons are being procured. The spies within the Nayaka's network have confirmed these purchases, indicating that preparations for significant conflict are underway."

Harsha, his gaze thoughtful. "So, it seems a civil war may be on the horizon. The question is whether the Emperor will choose to observe from the sidelines or if he will decide to intervene."

Viswa nodded, acknowledging the complexity of the situation. "Unfortunately, we can't predict the Emperor's course of action with certainty. He has a reputation for making impulsive decisions, which makes his future moves hard to anticipate."

Harsha's lips curled into a wry smile. "Impulsiveness can be a double-edged sword. It may work to our advantage or present new challenges. We must prepare for all possibilities."

"Prepare the location and schedule for the meeting with the two individuals you found," Harsha instructed, his voice commanding.

"Understood, Your Highness," Viswa responded, offering a slight bow before turning to leave.

As Viswa exited the room, Harsha remained by the window, lost in thought. But his focus was on the new opportunities and challenges that lay ahead. He began to methodically plan his approach, considering every detail and potential outcome.


L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS
Indian_Painter Indian_Painter

Creation is hard, cheer me up!

Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!

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