The royal court meeting ended slowly.
But the whispers across Hastinapur did not stop.
Every noble.
Every warrior.
Every servant in the palace corridors was speaking about the same thing.
The sudden rise of a new king.
The warrior with golden armor.
Karna.
Outside the palace…
The morning sun shone brightly over the capital city.
Karna stood near the palace gates.
The massive Vijaya Dhanush rested across his back.
The golden Kavach and Kundal reflected the sunlight.
For a moment…
He looked back at the palace.
Inside his mind—
'So this is Hastinapur… the center of the Kuru kingdom.'
Footsteps approached.
Duryodhana walked toward him with a confident smile.
Behind him came Dushasana and a few royal guards.
"You are leaving already?" Duryodhana asked.
Karna nodded calmly.
"A king should first see the land he rules."
"Ang is now my responsibility."
Duryodhana laughed.
"Good."
"Rule it well."
"Because when the time comes…"
His voice lowered slightly.
"I will need strong allies."
Karna looked directly at him.
There was no hesitation in his voice.
"You gave me a kingdom when the world mocked me."
"You will always have my loyalty."
For a moment…
Duryodhana's confident expression softened slightly.
Then he smiled again.
"Good."
Nearby…
Vrinda stood beside a small travel horse.
She had already prepared supplies for the journey.
When Karna approached, she looked up.
"So we're leaving the great city already?"
Karna nodded.
"A king cannot rule from another kingdom."
Vrinda smiled faintly.
"Then I suppose I will finally see this famous kingdom of Ang."
Before Karna could reply—
Another voice spoke.
"Leaving so soon?"
Karna turned.
Krishna stood a short distance away.
His calm smile returned.
The guards instinctively stepped aside.
Even Duryodhana remained silent for a moment.
Krishna slowly walked closer.
His eyes examined Karna again.
"You have gained a kingdom in a single day."
Karna answered calmly.
"A gift from a friend."
Krishna chuckled softly.
"Gifts from destiny are rarely simple."
Karna met his gaze.
"I never expected life to be simple."
For a moment…
Krishna remained silent.
Then he spoke again.
"Tell me something, Karna."
"What do you truly seek?"
The question hung in the air.
Even Duryodhana looked curious.
Karna looked toward the rising sun.
His voice was calm.
But firm.
"Recognition."
Silence followed.
Krishna watched him carefully.
Inside his mind—
'Such honesty…'
Karna continued.
"Not for my birth."
"Not for my name."
"But for my strength."
Krishna's smile slowly widened.
"Then your path will not be easy."
Karna answered without hesitation.
"It never was."
For a moment…
Neither of them spoke.
But something unseen passed between them.
A silent understanding.
Two men who understood destiny.
Krishna finally stepped aside.
"Then go, King of Ang."
"Rule your kingdom."
Karna nodded slightly.
"Until we meet again."
Krishna smiled.
"We will."
Soon after…
Karna mounted his horse.
Vrinda climbed onto hers beside him.
The royal guards prepared the road ahead.
Duryodhana raised his hand.
"Go, Karna."
"Show the world the strength of the King of Ang."
Karna looked forward.
Toward the eastern horizon.
Toward his kingdom.
With a single command—
The horses began moving.
The road stretched far ahead.
Across forests.
Across rivers.
Across kingdoms.
A new king was traveling to claim his land.
But across the world…
More people were beginning to hear a new name.
The warrior with golden armor.
The man who rivaled Arjuna.
The friend of Duryodhana.
Karna.
King of Ang.
The Sun's Chosen.
And far away…
Krishna looked toward the eastern horizon.
His mysterious smile returned.
Inside his mind—
'The wheel of destiny has begun to turn.'