Ch-33: Disbelief of Ironclad Triumph

In a dimly lit chamber within one of the grand mansions of the Royal Capital, two elderly ministers sat on plush chairs, their faces etched with concern. Between them sat a young boy, his identity veiled in shadows, his presence an enigma.

The clandestine meeting took place in a lavishly decorated room, its opulent furnishings incongruent with the hushed and serious atmosphere. Soft candlelight flickered, casting dancing shadows on the walls adorned with intricate tapestries.

As the discussion unfolded, the room seemed to hold its breath, absorbing the weight of their words. The first minister, his voice a barely audible murmur, spoke, "The war, my friends, was an enigma. There were no witnesses to explain how that boy, Vijay, orchestrated such a miraculous victory. An entire army defeated, and the enemy Mantris captured without any real bloodshed. It defies explanation."

The second minister nodded, his fingers nervously tapping the arm of his chair. "Indeed, the circumstances surrounding that boy are unsettling. We cannot afford to underestimate him. If he gains control over the lands of the defeated Mantris, he will wield tremendous power."

The first minister, with a calculating gleam in his eyes, added to the conversation, "We must devise a plan to stop this boy, Vijay, in his tracks. But we cannot confront him openly; that would be too risky. Instead, let us employ a more subtle approach. We shall approach him under the guise of safeguarding his secrets for the King's protection."

His words hung in the air, the room now thick with intrigue. The young boy, still veiled in shadows, remained an inscrutable presence, his role and loyalties concealed. The ministers were determined, their minds sharpened by years of political maneuvering. As they continued their discussion, their plan took shape, setting in motion a complex web of deception, power, and secrets that would soon entangle Vijay in its grasp.

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"Vijayaraj, son of Mantri Vaishakhnandan," the messenger's voice echoed through the grand court, shattering the silence that had hung heavy in the air. His proclamation rang out with authority, commanding the attention of all those assembled.

Vijay, who had been standing just beyond the threshold of the court, stepped forward. He felt the weight of countless eyes upon him, from the courtiers and nobles to the king himself. It was a moment of both anticipation and apprehension.

He strode confidently towards the center of the court, his every step echoing in the cavernous chamber. With each passing moment, his presence seemed to grow larger, and his youth became all the more apparent. It was an unusual sight in a court filled with older and more experienced individuals.

As he reached the designated spot, Vijay gracefully knelt before the King, displaying a deep respect for the monarch and the courtly traditions. He kept his gaze lowered, yet his youthful determination shone through.

King Rajendra, sat regally upon his ornate throne, his piercing eyes observing this young arrival with curiosity and interest. The courtiers, on the other hand, exchanged furtive glances and hushed whispers, their curiosity piqued by the unexpected presence of the son of Mantri Vaishakhnandan.

In this grand court, where politics, power, and prestige were paramount, Vijay had entered as an enigma, a young hero whose actions had spoken louder than any introduction ever could. His fate in the court of Vidya was about to unfold, and the courtiers waited with bated breath to witness what role this young warrior would play in the kingdom's future.

"Rise, Vijayaraj, son of Mantri Vaishakhnandan," the king declared, his voice resonating with authority.Vijay rose to his feet, his eyes locked with the king's. He felt a sense of pride in having earned the respect of his sovereign and a hint of relief that he had passed this first test of courtly etiquette.

King Rajendra continued, "Your deeds on the battlefield have not gone unnoticed. You have displayed exceptional courage and leadership in the recent Battle of Hampura, bringing honor to your family and our kingdom".

Vijay replied with humility, "Your Highness, I am deeply honored by your words. I only acted in service to our beloved Hampura and its people."

Then King Rajendra finally asked the question everyone was eager to listen, his voice resonated with a mix of curiosity and astonishment. "Vijayaraj, you have achieved an extraordinary feat. I must admit, your revelation is beyond remarkable. Please, share with us the intricate details of how you managed to win the war against the coalition with only 500 army. The court awaits your explanation."

Upon the king's request, Vijay began to reveal the secret behind his victory, his voice carrying across the court as he explained. "Your Majesty," he began, his tone respectful, "the key to our victory lay in the meticulous preparation of our troops. Each of our 500 soldiers was equipped with iron armors, and our arrows were forged from iron."

His words hung in the air, and for a moment, there was a collective gasp of disbelief among the courtiers. The extravagance of such an undertaking was difficult to fathom, especially in a kingdom where the refinement of iron was considered a laborious and time-consuming process.

The king himself was momentarily stunned, a cold breath escaping his lips. The courtiers wasted no time in voicing their skepticism, their disapproving tones filling the chamber. "Nonsense!" one courtier exclaimed. "Do you think we are easy to fool? It is common knowledge that refining such a large amount of iron would take years."

Vijay, however, could feel their disbelief, their doubt hanging heavily in the air. Yet, a subtle, knowing smirk played at the corner of his lips. He was fully aware of the incredulity his revelation had caused. It was, after all, part of his strategy to keep his true methods hidden, to appear as an enigma within the court.

As the courtiers continued to debate and question the feasibility of his claim, Vijay remained composed, his youthful determination unwavering. He had entered the court as a young hero with a secret, and now, as the court buzzed with speculation and disbelief, the intrigue surrounding him deepened.