บท 65: Act before the enemy!

The next day, Aryan decided to act as he planned and sent Karna himself to the Pragjyotish kingdom to propose a peace treaty between Udra kingdom and Pragjyotish kingdom.

As for the reason why he sent Karna himself instead of a random messenger, it's because sending Karna also has another purpose of indirectly telling King Bhagadatta that this peace proposal doesn't mean Udra kingdom is afraid of him.

Aryan intended to convey a message to King Bhagadatta of Pragjyotish kingdom: the peace proposal was not a sign of weakness or fear, but rather a strategic move to ensure stability and harmony in the region.

If Bhagadatta tries to do anything funny then Karna should be able to show him a demonstration of Udra kingdom's strength.

In the meantime, he himself led the army towards the Cumbha kingdom with the intention to end the war as soon as possible, lest any other complications arise.

As they approached the borders of the Cumbha kingdom, Udra kingdom's forces displayed remarkable discipline and coordination. The soldiers moved with a synchronized precision that reflected the rigorous training and leadership fostered within the Udra army. If nothing else, one of the purpose of this war, that is, to increase the coordination and cohesion of the army after the addition of Magadh's, Anga's and Vanga's soldiers has been achieved.

Aryan himself rode at the forefront, his gaze fixed on the horizon, determined to bring a swift and decisive end to the conflict with Cumbha.

Upon reaching the outskirts of the Cumbha kingdom, Aryan's forces encountered the first line of defense. The Cumbha army, though formidable, paled in comparison to the sheer might and strategic prowess of the Udra forces.

The troops swiftly overcame the initial resistance, showcasing their superior tactics and unwavering determination on the battlefield.

Subsequently Aryan himself took lead and unleashed a volley of miniature suns on the Cumbha army. Within half an hour, the Cumbha army was reduced to half of it's original number.

The onslaught of miniature suns decimated the Cumbha army, leaving their forces in disarray.

As the remaining Cumbha soldiers retreated in disarray, Aryan's forces pursued them relentlessly, pressing the advantage and further diminishing the enemy's numbers. The Cumbha kingdom, reeling from the devastating assault, struggled to regroup and mount a defense against the relentless onslaught of the Udra forces.

At this time, Dushala approached Aryan on her horse.

"What happened Dushala, is there a problem? "

Aryan asked curiously.

"It's not really a problem but through my spies I just got information that Cumbha's king has actually fled the Royal Palace along with his family.

Aryan listened to Dushala's revelation with curiosity . The news of the Cumbha king's sudden departure raised several questions in his mind, prompting him to assess the situation with a discerning eye.

"Have you been able to ascertain the reason behind the sudden flight of the Cumbha king?" Aryan inquired, his expression a mask of contemplation.

Dushala nodded, her demeanor composed as she shared the intelligence gathered by her sources. "It appears that the Cumbha king received word of our advancing forces, and fearing the overwhelming might of the Udra army, he chose to abandon the palace and seek refuge elsewhere. He didn't have the courage to face Udra kingdom without Pragjyotish kingdom's support and he didn't expect you to strike so quickly before he even got a response from the Pragjyotish kingdom."

Aryan processed the information, recognizing the significance of the Cumbha king's hasty retreat. "This could be an opportunity for us to swiftly secure control over the Cumbha kingdom without further bloodshed. We must act quickly and decisively to ensure a smooth transition of power.".

Dushala nodded in agreement, her gaze reflecting unwavering determination. "I have already instructed our scouts to locate the whereabouts of the Cumbha king and his family. With your permission, we can pursue them and bring this situation to a swift resolution."

"Very well. "

With a nod of assent, Dushala swiftly relayed the orders to the scouts, dispatching them to track the whereabouts of the fleeing Cumbha king.

After the prime minister of Cumbha kingdom found out that their own king has already deserted them, he immediately contacted the General/ Senapati and after a brief discussion, they surrendered to the Udra kingdom.

He ordered his troops to maintain order and ensure a seamless transition of power, emphasizing the importance of fostering a sense of unity and stability within the newly acquired territory. The soldiers, with their unwavering discipline and commitment, upheld Aryan's directives, establishing a peaceful atmosphere throughout the Cumbha kingdom.

Aryan, accompanied by Buanumati, Dushala and a select group of advisors, entered the heart of the Cumbha kingdom, greeted by the local citizens who cautiously watched the arrival of their new rulers.

Aryan addressed the populace with a message of unity and prosperity, assuring them that under the Udra kingdom's rule, their rights and welfare would be safeguarded.

With the guidance of his advisors, Aryan initiated the process of integrating the Cumbha kingdom into the larger Udra domain. He appointed trusted administrators to oversee the day-to-day governance of the region, instilling a sense of confidence and trust among the local populace.

With the successful acquisition of the Cumbha kingdom and the ongoing charge, Aryan decided to take a little break.

It's not only because he was afraid of the backlash from the neighbouring kingdoms but also because the territory and influence of Udra kingdom has increased too much in a very short period of time and a certain amount of buffer period is needed.

So considering all these aspects, Aryan decided to return back to the capital and wait for the right opportunity to make the next move.

And just a few days later, Karna also returned back from the Pragjyotish kingdom.

Upon Karna's return from the Pragjyotish kingdom, Aryan welcomed him back to the capital with a sense of relief and anticipation. Karna's presence reassured Aryan, who was eager to hear the details of his diplomatic mission and the response from King Bhagadatta.

As Karna entered the throne room, Aryan's keen gaze was fixed on him, awaiting his report on the outcome of the peace treaty proposal.

"Karna, I trust your journey was fruitful. What news do you bring from the Pragjyotish kingdom?" Aryan inquired, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and cautious optimism.

Karna met Aryan's gaze, his countenance composed and resolute. "My lord, King Bhagadatta received the peace proposal with a mixture of surprise and consideration. He expressed a willingness to engage in diplomatic discussions and is open to the idea of fostering amicable relations between our kingdoms."

Aryan nodded, absorbing the information with measured contemplation. "And what of his response to our proposal? Did he indicate any specific terms or conditions for the peace treaty?"

Karna's expression softened into an arrogant demeanor as he recounted the details of the discussions with King Bhagadatta.

"Well, he said that he wanted a proof whether Udra kingdom is worthy. So I gave him a little demo and he was very satisfied with the proof I gave him. "

"Hahaha! "

Hearing his sarcastic reply, everyone couldn't control their laughter and ended up laughing out loud.

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