...
...
"Alright, now off you go." Ekalavya smiled as he put the scarf over his shoulders before gesturing to Shalini to go play somewhere else.
"Hehe... Gurudev, I will go make something for brother too." Shalini laughed happily as she went to the side and started to get busy, imagining what she was going to knit for her brother.
'But I never expected to trigger the System this early from her,' Ekalavya thought with surprise as he looked at the screen in his vision.
[Ding... Thousand-Fold Triggered...
[Congratulations, your kind words and loving care for your Shishya have deeply touched her heart as she has expressed her deep affection for you, activating the reward...
[Congratulations, Host, for getting... A Decade of Mastery in Knitting... applying the thousand-fold trigger...
[Congratulations, Host, for gaining an incredible amount of experience, earning the 'Grandmaster of the Needles' skill.]
'Status,' Ekalavya muttered, looking at this skill and wondering what he was going to do with it.
[Host: Ekalavya
[Age: 16 Years (Lifespan: 10,000 Years)
[Talent: Average
[Skills: Divine Craftsman (Master), Grandmaster of the Needles
[Prana: 100 (Average)
[Inventory: None]
"Ohh... right, since I have the Needle skill, then I can surely make some good clothes for myself." Ekalavya's eyes lit up as he looked at himself, completely bare-chested with only a scarf and a part of the dhoti draped over his shoulders, which he had worn below.
The dhoti was quite good and felt comfortable, but he wasn't used to it, and sometimes it was problematic for him.
Like when wearing it, it took a lot of time just so it wouldn't get undone in the middle of his exercise practice or when he was doing heavy work.
"Alright, let's first make myself a good and comfy dhoti designed to be worn directly without tying it up for hours," he muttered, wondering if he could just sew it after designing it so he could wear it directly like pants, but in a dhoti style.
He didn't want to mess with the fashion style of this era and earn the ire of the Gods who were watching him constantly.
Ekalavya was also preparing to start his journey to attain spiritual knowledge from around the world and nature, as Guru Vyasa had said to him. So, he also needed to take care of his parents and his two Shishyas, who would be coming along with him to understand the essence of the world like him and mature quickly so he could sit back and relax.
....
Meanwhile,
In Hastinapur,
Right after the Rangbhoomi Samaroh (Sparring festival) between Karna and Arjuna, Duryodhana quickly crowned Karna the king of the Anga Kingdom.
Thus, Karna became a close friend and a very capable general under Duryodhana.
After four years, now that the Kuru princes had finished their martial education under Dronacharya, Guru Drona demanded his Guru Dakshina (teacher's fee).
"Gurudev, what do you want us to give you as Guru Dakshina? We will do our utmost to fulfill your request," Duryodhana said, patting his chest in pride as he looked at Guru Drona, who stood with his back straight in front of him.
Duryodhana wasn't alone; his other brothers were also present there alongside the five Pandavas.
"Yes, Gurudev. Whatever you wish for us to do, we will execute it with all our heart," Yudhishthira said as he stood with his hands in a prayer mudra, looking at Guru Drona with respect.
"My only request is that I want you to thoroughly defeat and capture King Drupada of the Panchala Kingdom." Guru Drona turned towards them as he stated his demand with the utmost seriousness.
"Guruvar, as you wish, we will defeat and capture him, then present him in your presence with ease," Duryodhan quickly spoke with arrogance, not putting the King of Panchala in high regard.
Arjun also wanted to participate, but Yudhishthir stopped him with a shake of his head. He was sure the King of Panchala wasn't an easy prey that Duryodhan could defeat so easily. When the Kauravas inevitably failed to fulfill their promise to Guru Drona, the Pandavas would step in to deliver the required Guru Dakshina.
Right after, Duryodhan quickly assembled a large army with his brothers in tow and Karna following behind, his mind filled with pride and overconfidence.
He was certain he could make quick work of the Panchala King, so he immediately departed for the realm of Panchala after receiving permission from his father, King Dhritarashtra.
"Alright, let's follow behind them. It won't be long before our turn comes," Arjun said, nodding at his elder brother, who nodded back. They set off behind the main force in their royal chariots.
Guru Drona, Shakuni Mama, and others followed as well, eager to witness the bravery and martial skills of their Yuvraj, Duryodhan.
Even though Duryodhan rushed his army alongside his brothers and Karna, it still took them four days to reach the outskirts of Kampilya, the capital of Panchala.
"Hahaha... finally, we have arrived! Let us attack immediately and capture the Panchala King!" Seeing the tall walls of Kampilya, Duryodhan shouted in excitement, barking arrogant orders to his forces.
He didn't even bother to look at his troops, who were thoroughly exhausted from continuous travel all the way from Hastinapur to Panchala, having rested only briefly at night.
It was the peak of the day. The soldiers had been marching since dawn and had eaten only once mid-journey. They were in no condition to fight a war in unfamiliar territory.
Standing a short distance behind the Kaurava army, the Pandavas discussed the situation enthusiastically, wondering how long the exhausted force would last against the King of Panchala and his army.
Without waiting for his exhausted troops to rest or reorganize, Duryodhan gave his decisive order to immediate march upon Kampilya. Blinded by arrogance and desperate to claim the glory before the Pandavas could even step onto the battlefield, he commanded the Kaurava army to charge straight into the heart of the Panchala capital.
The assault was a disaster from the start.
...
...