Night slowly fell over the Royal Palace of Ang.
Torches lit the palace corridors.
Guards patrolled the halls.
Yet despite the calm atmosphere…
Something felt wrong.
Inside the royal hall earlier…
Vrinda had noticed the strange man.
The one pretending to be a servant.
His eyes had been too sharp.
Too observant.
Now she quietly moved through the palace corridors.
Her steps were silent.
Her eyes alert.
Inside her mind—
'He slipped through this hallway.'
The palace was large.
Ancient stone pillars lined the halls.
Many passages connected to hidden stairways and servant corridors.
It would be easy for someone to disappear.
But Vrinda continued searching.
Finally—
She heard voices.
Two men were speaking quietly inside a side chamber.
Vrinda moved closer and listened from behind the wall.
One of the voices belonged to the mysterious servant.
But his tone had changed.
It sounded far more confident.
"So the new king has arrived."
Another man spoke.
His voice sounded nervous.
"He already showed his power at the gate."
"Governor Keshava is terrified."
The spy chuckled quietly.
"Power alone does not secure a throne."
Vrinda's eyes narrowed.
Inside her mind—
'A spy.'
The second man asked carefully.
"Should we report this to Hastinapur?"
The spy paused for a moment.
"Not yet."
Vrinda froze slightly.
Inside her mind—
'Hastinapur…?'
The spy continued speaking.
"First we observe him."
"Prince Duryodhana placed him here for a reason."
The second man asked nervously—
"What if this Karna truly becomes powerful?"
The spy's voice became colder.
"Then some people in the kingdom may become… worried."
Footsteps suddenly echoed in the hallway.
The two men inside immediately stopped talking.
Vrinda quickly stepped away from the wall.
She moved silently behind a nearby pillar.
A moment later…
The door opened.
The mysterious man stepped out.
His eyes scanned the hallway carefully.
For a moment…
It felt like he might have sensed something.
But then he walked away calmly.
Disappearing into the palace shadows.
Vrinda waited several seconds.
Only after the hallway was quiet again did she move.
Inside her mind—
'Someone is spying on Karna.'
Meanwhile…
Inside another part of the palace.
Karna stood alone in the training courtyard.
The night sky above was clear.
The moonlight illuminated the stone ground.
In his hands was the Vijaya Dhanush.
He slowly pulled the bowstring.
Golden energy gathered around the arrow.
But this time…
He did not release it.
Instead…
He focused on the energy flowing through his body.
The power of the sun.
The power of the new ability he gained.
Solar King's Aura.
DING
The system activated again.
ABILITY SYNERGY DETECTED
Solar Aura synchronizing with Royal Authority.
New Skill Available:
Solar King's Command
Effects:
• Can temporarily empower soldiers of Ang
• Increases battlefield coordination
• Enhances Solar Aura during war
Karna lowered the bow slowly.
Inside his mind—
'A king's strength is not only his own power.'
'It is the strength of those who fight beside him.'
Suddenly—
He sensed someone approaching.
Vrinda entered the courtyard.
Her expression was serious.
Karna immediately noticed.
"Something happened."
Vrinda nodded.
"Yes."
She looked around to ensure no one else was nearby.
Then she spoke quietly.
"There is a spy inside the palace."
Karna remained calm.
"From where?"
Vrinda hesitated.
"They mentioned Hastinapur."
For the first time…
Karna's expression changed slightly.
Inside his mind—
'Hastinapur… already watching me?'
But instead of anger…
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Good."
Vrinda looked confused.
"Good?"
Karna placed the Vijaya Dhanush over his shoulder.
"If they are watching…"
His golden armor reflected the moonlight.
"Then they will see what kind of king I become."
Far away…
In the northern lands.
In the powerful kingdom of Panchala.
A messenger arrived at the palace gates.
His message carried news that had begun spreading across the kingdoms.
A new warrior had risen.
A warrior with golden armor.
A king crowned in a single day.
Karna.
King of Ang.
And soon…
The world would begin paying attention.