Several days passed on the road.
The journey from Hastinapur toward the eastern lands was long, but peaceful.
Dense forests slowly gave way to wide rivers and fertile plains.
Villages appeared along the roads.
Farmers worked in the fields.
Merchants traveled with carts full of goods.
Yet everywhere the travelers passed…
Rumors followed.
"Have you heard?"
"A new king has been crowned in Ang."
"They say he defeated princes in Hastinapur."
"They call him the Golden Archer."
Karna heard the whispers many times during the journey.
But he paid them little attention.
Inside his mind—
'Rumors are meaningless.'
'A king is judged by his actions.'
Vrinda rode beside him quietly.
After days of travel, she finally spoke.
"So…"
"Are you nervous?"
Karna glanced at her.
"About what?"
Vrinda gestured ahead toward the distant horizon.
"Your kingdom."
Far ahead, rising above the plains…
Stone walls could finally be seen.
Tall towers.
Massive gates.
The capital city of Ang.
Karna looked at it silently.
Inside his mind—
'This land… now belongs to me.'
Soon the group approached the main city gate.
But something immediately felt strange.
The guards looked confused.
Some even whispered among themselves.
One guard finally stepped forward.
"State your business."
Duryodhana's royal messenger stepped forward proudly.
"Bow your heads."
"Before your king."
The guards looked shocked.
"King?"
Karna stepped forward calmly.
"I am Karna."
"Crowned King of Ang by Prince Duryodhana of Hastinapur."
The guards looked at each other nervously.
Some quickly bowed.
Others still looked uncertain.
Clearly…
The news had not reached them yet.
But suddenly—
Another voice spoke from behind the gate.
"So… the new king has finally arrived."
The large gates opened.
A group of armored soldiers walked out.
At their center stood a tall man wearing expensive robes and armor.
His expression was arrogant.
Governor Keshava.
The man who had been ruling Ang in the absence of a proper king.
He slowly examined Karna from head to toe.
His eyes paused briefly on the Kavach and Kundal.
Then on the massive Vijaya Dhanush.
But instead of respect…
A smirk appeared on his face.
"Interesting."
He crossed his arms.
"So this is the warrior Prince Duryodhana made king."
The surrounding soldiers watched silently.
The tension in the air grew heavier.
Keshava stepped closer.
His voice carried a hint of mockery.
"Tell me something, Karna."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Do you even know how to rule a kingdom?"
Vrinda frowned immediately.
Duryodhana's messenger looked furious.
But Karna remained calm.
He answered simply.
"I will learn."
Keshava laughed loudly.
"Learn?"
"A kingdom is not a training ground."
Some of the soldiers behind him chuckled quietly.
Keshava leaned slightly closer.
"And forgive me for asking…"
His voice turned cold.
"But weren't you born a charioteer's son?"
The insult was clear.
The guards around the gate shifted nervously.
They knew this could turn dangerous.
For a moment…
The air became completely silent.
Then Karna slowly reached behind his back.
His hand gripped the Vijaya Dhanush.
The moment he lifted the divine bow…
A powerful aura spread across the gate.
Even the air seemed to tremble.
The soldiers immediately stepped back.
Keshava's smirk disappeared.
Karna calmly drew an arrow.
The bowstring pulled back with incredible power.
Golden light began gathering around the arrowhead.
Vrinda watched quietly.
Inside her mind—
'He's not going to…'
Karna turned slightly.
He aimed toward a distant mountain cliff outside the city walls.
Nearly half a kilometer away.
Then—
He released the arrow.
BOOM
The arrow flew like lightning.
A golden streak cut through the sky.
A moment later—
The distant cliff exploded.
Stone shattered.
Dust filled the sky.
The entire ground trembled slightly.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Every soldier stared in shock.
Some even dropped their weapons.
Karna lowered the bow calmly.
Then he looked directly at Keshava.
His voice remained quiet.
But it carried absolute authority.
"I do not need to prove my birth."
He stepped forward slowly.
"Only my strength."
Keshava's face had turned pale.
The arrogance had completely vanished.
A moment later…
He quickly bowed.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty."
The other soldiers immediately followed.
"Long live the King of Ang!"
The city gates slowly opened fully.
The road into the capital stretched before them.
Karna walked forward calmly.
His first step as the true ruler of Ang.
But inside the city…
Thousands of people had already gathered.
Whispers filled the streets.
"That's him…"
"The new king…"
"The Golden Warrior…"
Vrinda rode beside him.
Inside her mind—
'This kingdom… is about to change.'
High above the city…
The sunlight grew brighter.
As if even the heavens were watching.