Back at Gota Village, the tension from the royal council meeting was still fresh. Rudra turned to Princess Maya, his jaw set with unyielding determination. "You said I don't have a kingdom, Maya. Tell me exactly how a true Sovereign carves his empire from nothing."
Maya straightened her royal posture, her eyes serious. "If you want the world to recognize your absolute sovereignty, Rudra, you must perform the ancient, legendary Ashwamedha Yagam (The Sacred Horse Ritual). Through this process, you will force neighboring kings to either swear their absolute loyalty to you or face complete annihilation. But first, you must design a royal flag symbol for your empire. Once the symbol is ready, we will tie it to a sacred warhorse and release it. Wherever that horse roams, that land legally belongs to you—unless a rival king stops it, which means war."
Rudra nodded, turning to his wives. "Design the symbol of our destiny."
An energetic flurry began as Isha, Shanthi, Manasa, Ananya, and the rest of the wives drafted beautiful, intricate designs showcasing elemental beasts and shadow sigils. But as Rudra reviewed them, he shook his head, feeling like something vital was missing.
Suddenly, Pushkal stepped forward, unrolling a heavy fabric he had crafted himself.
The moment the cloth unrolled, a dead silence fell over the room. It was a striking, vibrant saffron cloth. Embroidered perfectly onto the center was the divine silhouette of Lord Shree Ram, his celestial arrow notched on his bow, pointing straight up toward the heavens in a declaration of ultimate righteousness and cosmic victory.
Rudra's crimson eyes flashed with profound awe. He slammed his hand on the table. "Yes! This is it! This is the flag that will fly over our graves or our empire!"
Maya smiled, deeply impressed by the choice. "It is a magnificent symbol, Rudra. But an empire needs a name, and a King needs a throne. What is your kingdom's name, and where is its heart?"
Rudra stood tall, his voice vibrating with absolute, foundational authority. "The kingdom shall be named Sushmitha Kanda. And the capital of this empire will be right here—Gota Village."
"A brave choice," Maya replied, setting the ritual in motion. "Let the sacrifice begin. If any ruler stops our horse, your soldiers—or you yourself—must fight them to the death."
The grand ritual fire was ignited in the center of Gota Village. Rudra sat before the sacred altar, his aura radiating pure Sovereign energy. With a steady hand, Rudra began to pour the sacred ghee into the roaring Yagnam flames, chanting ancient mantras that shook the atmospheric pressure of the entire region.
As the flames leaped toward the sky, the sacred warhorse—bearing Pushkal's saffron Lord Ram flag—was unleashed, tearing across the landscape like a bolt of white lightning.
Rudra's voice boomed across the spiritual plane, setting his boundaries: "From Ichchapuram to Vizianagaram, every mountain, every river, and every blade of grass now belongs to Rudra!"
The proclamation sent shockwaves across the northern boundaries. Six arrogant neighboring kings mobilized their armies, attempting to block the path of the sacred horse and rip down the saffron flag.
But they didn't even get past the vanguard.
Pushkal, completely mastering his physical prowess, intercepted the coalition alone. Moving like a god of war, Pushkal brutally defeated all 6 rival kings single-handedly, forcing them to their knees, shattering their royal pride, and dragging them back to Gota Village as chained slaves to bow before Rudra's throne. The entire territory from Ichchapuram to Vizianagaram was secured under the banner of Sushmitha Kanda!
RUMBLE!!!
Suddenly, a terrifying, deafening crack echoed from the heavens. The literal fabric of the sky began to splinter and break apart, revealing a dark, cosmic void bleeding through the clouds. The supreme demonic forces were breaking reality to halt his ascension.
Rudra slowly stood up from the Yagnam fire, drawing his blade as the saffron flag whipped violently in the cosmic wind. He looked up at the breaking sky, a cold, legendary smirk spreading across his face.
"The foundation of Sushmitha Kanda is written in stone," Rudra whispered, his energy flaring to its absolute maximum. "Ready yourselves... let'
s see what's next."