Capítulo 26: Chapter 26
"Of course, Your Highness," the old man replied, his voice laced with respect. "These are the future of our village, the ones who will carry on our legacy. I have brought them with me to reclaim our lost farmland. We aim to reclaim at least some of it within a month, just enough to sustain ourselves for now."
Karthikeya, his regal demeanor replaced by a friendly smile, inquired, "Are you the village chief, Kanaku? And have the other villages decided to do the same, or is it just yours?"
Kanaku, his face etched with wrinkles and his voice filled with gratitude, responded, "I am the previous village head, Your Highness. And no, it is not just us. The fifteen neighboring villages have also decided to join forces and send their younger generation to the fields, all thanks to Your Highness's benevolent rule."
Karthikeya's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean, elder?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity. "Why thank me?"
Kanaku's eyes twinkled with understanding. "Ah, Your Highness," he began, his voice resonating with gratitude, "it was you who ensured that every soul who sought refuge in the city received enough to fill their stomachs. It was you who allowed these young people to stay away from the perilous forests, where they would have risked their lives to feed themselves and their families."
The elder's words struck a chord within Karthikeya. He realized why the villagers had not begun reclaiming their flooded fields even after the disaster had subsided. It wasn't laziness or indifference; it was a matter of survival. With hunger gnawing at their bellies, the able-bodied men had no choice but to venture into the depths of the forest, seeking sustenance among the wild, untamed plants and animals.
The realization of the villagers' plight weighed heavily on Karthikeya's heart. He had unknowingly prolonged their suffering, leaving the weak, elderly, women, and children to fend for themselves while the strong men ventured into the treacherous forests. If only he had arrived sooner in Anuradhapuram, many lives could have been spared.
With a heavy heart, Karthikeya bowed deeply before the villagers. "I apologize wholeheartedly for the suffering you have endured," he declared, his voice filled with remorse. "It was the negligence of my officers that caused you this hardship, and for that, I take full responsibility."
A stunned silence fell over the gathered crowd, including the two guards. The guards, however, were quick to react, their voices echoing in unison, "Your Highness, you mustn't!"
The villagers, caught off guard by Karthikeya's humility, hastily responded, "Your Highness, there's no need for an apology. We are not worthy of such a gesture."
A robust man emerged from the crowd, as if speaking on behalf of the villagers. "Your Highness," he began, his voice resonating with sincerity, "you should not apologize. We do not hold you accountable for our misfortune. The lords we served for generations abandoned us, yet you, in your own way, extended a helping hand. It is thanks to your benevolence that my wife and mother can now have a full stomach. We, not you, are the ones who should express gratitude."
Karthikeya's heart swelled with admiration for the villagers' resilience and forgiveness. "You don't have to make excuses," he declared, his voice firm yet compassionate. "I am not ashamed to admit when I am wrong. It was my people's negligence that led to the loss of many of your loved ones, and for that, I promise you, justice will be served tomorrow, in plain sight for all to witness."
The villagers and the strong man exchanged puzzled glances, unable to decipher the meaning behind Karthikeya's words. Even if they did understand his intentions, they dismissed them as mere promises, doubting that a king would ever punish his own lords and nobles.
Karthikeya, undeterred by their skepticism, turned to the three men standing before him. "May I have your names?" he requested, his voice carrying a hint of authority.
Kanaku, the elderly man, stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Your Highness," he began, his voice raspy with age, "as you already know, I am Kanaku. This is my brother, Mabalu, and this is his son, Malla, the current head of our village."
Karthikeya's gaze swept across the three men, taking in their appearance and demeanor. Kanaku, the eldest, bore the marks of time, his skin etched with wrinkles and his frame thin and frail. Yet, he stood tall, his posture unwavering. Mabalu, Kanaku's brother, shared similar features, though his hair was thinner and his beard darker. Malla, the youngest of the trio, exuded the strength and resilience of a farmer, his body lean and muscular, his black hair and beard framing his determined brown eyes. Their white garments, though tattered and stained with mud, bore the traces of their hard work and dedication to their land.
Malla, his voice filled with conviction, addressed Karthikeya, "Your Highness, these lands may not belong to us by title, but they are our home, our heritage, and our lifeline. Our ancestors cultivated these fields for generations, and we pledge to restore them to their former glory."
The villagers surrounding them echoed Malla's words, their voices resonating with determination. Karthikeya admired their spirit, their unwavering resolve to reclaim their land despite the daunting task ahead. Though he recognized the challenges they faced – the lack of proper tools, the scarcity of cattle – he chose not to dampen their enthusiasm.
"I have no doubt that you can achieve this," Karthikeya replied, his smile reflecting his belief in their capabilities. "Your determination is a testament to your love for your land, and I am confident that with hard work and perseverance, you will succeed."
Karthikeya's voice rang with authority yet carried a touch of warmth as he addressed Malla and the two elders. "Malla and the esteemed elders, please help me spread the word amongst the people. Tomorrow at noon, I will not only address your grievances but also provide you with the justice you so rightfully deserve. And worry not about food – I shall ensure that everyone has enough to eat, even as we gather in the fields."
With those words of assurance, Karthikeya turned and headed towards the field, two wooden jars cradled in his arms. His focus remained unwavering, for he understood the significance of the samples he was about to collect. The condition of their land depended on the results of these tests, and Karthikeya was determined to find solutions that would restore their beloved fields to their former glory and beyond.
Karthikeya carefully knelt down and began collecting soil samples, his hands becoming stained with the rich, dark earth. Seeing his actions, the two guards stepped forward, eager to assist. "Your Highness," they said, their voices filled with respect, "please instruct us, and we shall carry out your tasks with diligence."
Karthikeya nodded in appreciation, his heart warmed by their willingness to help. He handed one jar to the first guard, instructing him to collect soil samples from different locations in the field. The other jar was entrusted to the second guard, with instructions to gather water samples from the nearby stream.
As the guards diligently followed Karthikeya's instructions, he continued to collect soil samples, his movements precise and methodical. He knew that the quality of these samples would be crucial in determining the cause of the improvement in the task tab, and he was determined to gather the most accurate data possible.
As Karthikeya continued his work, a sudden thought struck him. He turned to the villagers, who were observing him and the guards with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, their expressions suggesting they viewed the soil collection as a childish endeavor.
"Elder Kanaku," Karthikeya called out, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity. "Do you by chance have any seeds with you? If so, could I trouble you to spare me a dozen or so?"
Kanaku, without a moment's hesitation, replied, "Of course, Your Highness. I shall have someone sent to the village to retrieve them for you."
Karthikeya turned back to his task, a grateful smile lingering on his lips. "Thank you, Elder Kanaku," he said, his voice laced with appreciation. "But there's no need to rush. I will collect the seeds when I return, as I still have a few more farmlands to visit."
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder