Morning returned to the Kingdom of Ang.
But the palace atmosphere had changed.
The assassination attempt from the previous night had spread quickly among the guards.
Security had been doubled.
Soldiers patrolled every corridor.
The entire palace had become a fortress.
Inside the royal war chamber…
Karna stood near a large map of the eastern kingdoms.
Several commanders of Ang stood around him.
One of them spoke nervously.
"Your Majesty, five assassins entering the palace means someone powerful is targeting you."
Another commander added.
"We should increase palace guards and restrict movement in the city."
Karna listened quietly.
Then he shook his head slightly.
"Fear weakens a kingdom."
The commanders fell silent.
"Instead…"
Karna pointed toward the training grounds outside the window.
"Strengthen the army."
"If our enemies want war…"
His golden eyes sharpened.
"We will give them war."
The commanders bowed.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After they left…
Only two people remained in the chamber.
Karna.
And Vrinda.
She had been unusually quiet since morning.
Watching him.
Thinking deeply.
Karna noticed.
"You want to say something."
Vrinda hesitated.
For the first time since Karna met her…
She looked uncertain.
"Karna…"
She spoke softly.
"There is something about me you don't know."
Karna turned toward her calmly.
"Then tell me."
Vrinda took a slow breath.
Then she said the words she had hidden for years.
"My real name is not just Vrinda."
Karna raised an eyebrow slightly.
She continued.
"My true identity is Princess Vrinda…"
"Princess of the fallen Kingdom of Vaidarbha."
The room became silent.
Karna's eyes sharpened slightly.
"A destroyed kingdom…"
Vrinda nodded slowly.
"Ten years ago… our kingdom was attacked."
"A secret alliance of nobles and warlords destroyed it."
Her fists clenched slightly.
"My parents were killed."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"I escaped… barely."
Karna remained silent.
Listening.
"Since then…"
She continued.
"I've been searching for the people responsible."
Karna studied her carefully.
"And you came to Ang because…?"
Vrinda looked directly into his eyes.
"Because the same nobles who destroyed my kingdom are moving again."
Karna's expression became serious.
"The same ones who sent assassins last night."
She nodded.
"Yes."
For a moment…
Neither spoke.
Finally Karna said calmly—
"Then our enemies are the same."
Vrinda looked surprised.
"You… believe me?"
Karna smiled slightly.
"Your eyes don't lie."
For the first time since revealing her secret…
Vrinda relaxed.
But suddenly—
A powerful voice echoed outside the palace gates.
"KING OF ANG!"
The shout was loud enough to shake the courtyard.
Karna frowned slightly.
"That voice…"
They both stepped outside onto the palace balcony.
In the palace courtyard below…
Hundreds of soldiers had gathered.
Watching something shocking.
At the center of the courtyard stood a warrior.
A woman.
She wore dark warrior armor.
A long sword rested across her shoulder.
Her long hair moved with the wind.
Her presence radiated confidence.
Strength.
Battle experience.
She pointed her sword toward the palace.
"KARNA!"
Her voice echoed across the entire courtyard.
"I challenge you to a duel!"
The soldiers whispered in shock.
Inside the palace balcony…
Vrinda frowned.
"Who is she?"
Karna looked at the warrior carefully.
His Solar Battle Instinct activated automatically.
He could feel it instantly.
This woman…
Was extremely strong.
Far stronger than normal warriors.
Karna smiled slightly.
"Interesting."
He turned toward the palace stairs.
"Let's see what she wants."
Moments later…
Karna stepped into the courtyard.
The soldiers immediately moved aside.
Creating space.
The mysterious female warrior watched him approach.
Her eyes filled with excitement.
"So you are the famous Sun King."
Karna stopped a few meters away.
"And you are?"
She smirked slightly.
"Someone who came to test if the stories about you are true."
She raised her sword.
"My name is Asha of Kalinga."
The soldiers gasped.
Kalinga warriors were legendary fighters.
Asha pointed her blade toward him.
"Fight me."
Karna calmly removed the Solar Spear from his back.
Golden light shimmered along its surface.
The soldiers stepped back further.
The duel was about to begin.
Above them…
Dark clouds slowly gathered.
A storm.
A battle.
And perhaps…
A new ally.