Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

"Give me one of your arms and forfeit your right to the throne."

The atmosphere became heavy.

The choice was hard one to make. It was either a loss from Chandra or taking up this offer for his revenge.

Bhairava fell into a deep thought, thinking about his choice.

Vikrama stood beside Bhairava, gulping nervously.

"But can you win against Chandra?" Bhairava asked, glancing up.

"That's up to you to believe, Brother."

Bhairava was left with an offer with no guarantee of success.

Just like Harsha had said. It was up to him to believe and take up the offer. The decision was left to him.

He had to pry out some information from Harsha to make a decision.

"Harsha, I need some information before I can make the decision."

"Hooo, Well." Harsha pondered. "I will solve your current problem instantly!"

"Problem?"

"You Know! The reason you keep losing soldiers in the battle!"

Vikrama gasped at the information.

"You know about that? Prince Harsha!!" He asked.

"Of course I do. I wasn't sitting idle for the past few days."

"What do you mean?" Bhairava asked.

"Let's skip the small talk and get to the deal. I want the throne and your arm as the price. I will help you win the battle." Harsha declared

Bhairava didn't want the throne anymore, but he wanted revenge on Chandra. The way to achieve that was the victory in Hampi.

He saw Harsha after a long time. It was very evident that he had changed. The timid boy was no more. He saw a man in him, a powerful one.

Bhairava realized that he was right all along not to underestimate Harsha. Harsha had built up his force within a span of a year that was an unprecedented achievement. Now he had the upper hand to deal with him.

The victory needed a sacrifice, and Bhairava was prepared to give his life for his revenge. It was a closure for him to move from his past. He wanted to die without regrets.

It was a tempting deal for Bhairava. The aura of Harsha drew him to accept the deal.

Finally, after a while of thinking, Bhairava looked at Harsha, seated nonchalantly, speaking to his bodyguard.

"I accept the deal." Bhairava declared.

He unsheated his sword and swung at his own arm. It takes a lot of mental strength to cut yourself knowingly under no influence of drugs.

*CLANG*

His sword clashed against a sheathed sword, sending it clattering away behind him.

Harsha looked at him with an annoyed expression.

"What are you trying to do?" He asked.

"I am cutting my arm to show that I will honor the offer!"

"Are you dumb? Why would I want your arm now? You will do that after I make you win."

Vikrama put his hands on Bhairava's shoulder.

"Your Highness, Calm down. Talk it out." He whispered

Bhairava was even more surprised by Harsha's reflex to react to his swing with such speed and precision. He had to acknowledge the skill of Harsha.

"I need you with two arms for now. I will use you to win."

"What if I betray you, Harsha? Aren't you worried about that?" Bhairava asked with a thoughtful expression.

"Betray? You think! I wouldn't account for that. Betrayal is natural in these scenarios. If you betray me! Prepare for the worst." Harsha gave a stern warning.

"I will not betray you, Harsha." Bhairava paused and looked at the crackling fire. "I don't have any more drive left to take the throne."

"I just wish to take revenge for my mother."

"Your Mother?" Harsha replied with puzzled expression.

"Chandra assassinated my mother."

Harsha let out a hearty laugh as everyone around him, including his own bodyguard's expression, hardened.

"You are naive if you thought he wouldn't target your mother."

Bhairava clenched his fist in anger, but he couldn't refute him since he was brutally honest and right about it.

"I will let you know some of my plans." Harsha said with a wry grin.

"Plans?"

"Plans to defeat Chandra."

He listened to the plan. Harsha had used his men to create a passage to the inner walls of the capital months in advance. The passage can be used to transport medium-sized units to the other side of the army.

Meanwhile, Harsha wanted him to push Chandra's army to the eastern side, close to the forest, to make it easier for him to enter the battle and cause havoc.

"This is good, but there are new commanders in Chandra's army and a good special unit. I don't know who is supporting him."

"Oh, you don't? I guess Alfonso didn't tell you that!"

"Alfonso?" he asked.

Harsha turned to his bodyguard and nodded.

The bodyguard reached for his pouch and pulled out a letter and handed it to Bhairava.

"Read it and you will understand."

The letter detailed how the war started and who was the mastermind behind the instigation of the war.

Bhairava found the details of the letter very surprising and gasped aloud as he skimmed through the contents.

"Oh my god! Lakshmi was the one behind this all along."

He handed the letter to Vikrama standing behind him to read.

"So she was the real threat." He sighed, leaning back and relaxing his posture.

"She is using Chandra now! That fool doesn't realize it." Harsha stated with a grin.

"Since this is the case, defeating Chandra won't be enough."

"I will take care of that. No need to pry for details." Harsha stated sternly, getting up.

"So I guess we have a deal." He put his hand forward as a friendly gesture.

Bhairava shook his hands in response to seal the agreement.

"I look forward to it, Harsha."

Harsha nodded and turned back to leave. But he suddenly remembered.

"Oh!! As a gift, I will solve an issue of yours."

"Issue with the insider?"

"Yes!"

Harsha nonchalantly walked to Bhairava. He quickly changed his pace, unsheated his sword, and stabbed Arjun, who was standing behind Bhairava right in the chest.

Harsha looked at Bhairava with a wide grin.

"There you go. The issue is solved."