The massive gates of Ang's capital city opened completely.
Karna rode forward slowly.
Thousands of citizens lined the streets.
Merchants.
Farmers.
Soldiers.
Common people who had gathered to see their new king.
Whispers spread through the crowd.
"That's him…"
"The Golden Warrior…"
"The King chosen by Hastinapur…"
Karna remained calm as he rode through the city.
But his sharp eyes observed everything.
The streets were crowded.
Yet the buildings looked poorly maintained.
Some houses were broken.
Several shops stood closed.
Even the market looked weak compared to Hastinapur.
Inside his mind—
'This kingdom has been neglected.'
Vrinda also noticed it.
She leaned slightly closer and whispered.
"Something feels wrong here."
Karna nodded slightly.
He had already reached the same conclusion.
Soon they arrived at the Royal Palace of Ang.
The palace stood tall in the center of the city.
Large stone walls surrounded it.
But even here…
Signs of corruption were visible.
The banners were faded.
The guards looked poorly disciplined.
Governor Keshava walked ahead nervously.
The arrogance he showed earlier had completely disappeared.
"Your Majesty… the palace is ready."
Karna dismounted his horse.
He looked up at the palace entrance.
Inside his mind—
'This is where the King of Ang rules.'
The palace doors opened.
Inside was the Royal Hall.
A large throne stood at the far end.
The Throne of Ang.
For a moment…
Karna stood still.
This throne had once belonged to ancient kings.
Warriors who ruled this land long before him.
Now it waited for its new ruler.
Vrinda watched quietly.
Inside her mind—
'He's really a king now.'
Karna walked forward slowly.
Each step echoed across the royal hall.
The guards lined both sides.
Nobles and officials had already gathered.
Many of them looked uneasy.
Some clearly did not approve of the new king.
Keshava stepped aside and bowed.
"Your Majesty… the throne awaits."
Karna stopped in front of it.
For a moment…
He remembered his past.
The insults.
The mockery.
The day he was called a charioteer's son unworthy of battle.
Now…
He stood before a throne.
Without hesitation—
Karna turned and sat down.
The moment he touched the throne…
A strange warmth spread through his body.
DING
The system suddenly activated.
KINGDOM AUTHORITY DETECTED
New Ability Unlocked:
Solar King's Aura
Effects:
• Increases morale of allied soldiers
• Strength increases when protecting subjects
• Authority over the Kingdom of Ang
• Solar energy regeneration increased within Ang
Golden light flickered briefly around Karna.
The nobles gasped quietly.
Even the guards felt the pressure of his presence.
Karna's eyes opened slowly.
Inside his mind—
'So this kingdom recognizes its king.'
One noble suddenly stepped forward.
His voice carried doubt.
"Your Majesty…"
He hesitated.
"Forgive my question, but…"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"How can we trust a king who arrived only today?"
Several nobles murmured in agreement.
Vrinda frowned.
But Karna remained calm.
He stood up slowly from the throne.
His golden armor shone beneath the palace lights.
His voice echoed through the hall.
"Trust is not given."
He looked directly at the nobles.
"It is earned."
Silence filled the hall.
Karna continued.
"Judge me by what I do for this kingdom."
The nobles looked at each other.
Some nodded slightly.
Others remained uncertain.
At the back of the hall…
Vrinda suddenly noticed something strange.
A man dressed like a palace servant was quietly watching everything.
But his eyes were too sharp.
Too focused.
Inside her mind—
'That man…'
'He's not a servant.'
The mysterious man quietly slipped away through a side corridor.
Unseen by most people.
But not by Vrinda.
She frowned slightly.
Inside her mind—
'Someone is watching Karna.'
Back in the royal hall…
Karna sat once again on the throne.
The new king of Ang.
But beyond the palace walls…
Beyond the kingdom…
The wheels of fate were turning.
And many powerful people had begun watching the rise of the Sun's Chosen.