The spy remained kneeling in the center of the war chamber.
His hands were bound behind his back.
Two guards stood on either side of him.
Yet despite the situation, his expression remained strangely calm.
The torches along the chamber walls flickered softly.
Their shadows danced across the stone floor.
At the center of the room stood Karna, his gaze steady.
Beside him were Duryodhana, Asha, and Vrinda.
The atmosphere had grown heavy.
Because everyone understood something important.
This man was not just a random spy.
He was connected to the people who had destroyed Vaidarbha.
And possibly the same forces now moving against Ang.
Duryodhana stepped forward first.
He studied the man with sharp curiosity.
"You've traveled a long way to reach this palace."
His voice carried a calm confidence.
"But you made one mistake."
The spy raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Oh?"
Duryodhana smiled faintly.
"You got caught."
The man said nothing.
Asha cracked her knuckles impatiently.
"I'll ask nicely once."
She stepped closer.
"Who sent you?"
Silence.
Asha crouched slightly in front of him.
Her eyes were cold.
"Speak."
Still nothing.
Duryodhana sighed dramatically.
"I admire loyalty."
He turned slightly toward Karna.
"But loyalty without intelligence is just stupidity."
The spy's eyes flickered briefly.
Vrinda noticed the reaction.
She stepped closer.
"Your symbol gave you away."
The man finally spoke.
His voice was quiet.
"You're observant."
Vrinda stared directly into his eyes.
"That mark belongs to the warlords who destroyed Vaidarbha."
The spy smirked faintly.
"Destroyed kingdoms tend to create bitter survivors."
Vrinda's expression did not change.
"You still haven't answered the question."
Asha stepped forward again.
"Who sent you?"
The spy leaned back slightly.
"You expect me to betray my masters so easily?"
Asha smiled thinly.
"Yes."
The spy looked unimpressed.
But then Karna stepped forward.
And suddenly the room became quieter.
He stopped directly in front of the prisoner.
His golden eyes reflected the torchlight.
"You entered my kingdom."
His voice was calm.
"You watched my soldiers."
"You listened to my plans."
The spy met his gaze.
"And?"
Karna's voice lowered slightly.
"You will answer."
For a moment nothing happened.
Then something strange filled the chamber.
A subtle warmth spread through the air.
The light from the torches seemed brighter.
The spy blinked.
His expression shifted slightly.
Karna's Solar Presence was not an attack.
But it carried a quiet pressure.
Like standing too close to a blazing fire.
The spy swallowed slowly.
"You're… different from the stories."
Karna said nothing.
The man finally sighed.
"Fine."
He glanced briefly at Vrinda.
"You were correct."
"My masters were involved in the destruction of Vaidarbha."
Vrinda's hands tightened slightly.
"Who are they?"
The spy hesitated.
But the pressure of Karna's presence continued.
Finally he spoke.
"A coalition."
Everyone in the room frowned.
Duryodhana crossed his arms.
"Explain."
The spy continued.
"A group of nobles, warlords, and merchants."
"Powerful men who believe the old kingdoms of Aryavarta are weakening."
His eyes shifted toward Karna.
"They intend to reshape the balance of power."
Asha frowned.
"So they destroy kingdoms to do it?"
The spy shrugged slightly.
"Removing obstacles."
Vrinda's voice turned cold.
"My people were not obstacles."
The spy did not respond.
Karna spoke again.
"Who leads this coalition?"
The man hesitated longer this time.
Then he answered carefully.
"No single king."
"They call themselves…"
He paused briefly.
"The Council of Ashes."
The chamber fell silent.
Even Duryodhana's confident expression faded slightly.
Asha frowned.
"I've never heard of them."
The spy smirked faintly.
"That's the point."
Vrinda's eyes darkened.
"And they're moving again."
The spy nodded.
"Yes."
He looked directly at Karna.
"They've been watching you."
Duryodhana's voice sharpened.
"For how long?"
The spy answered calmly.
"Since the moment you became King of Ang."
Asha muttered quietly.
"So the assassins… the ambush…"
"They were all tests."
The spy nodded once.
"They wanted to measure your strength."
Karna remained completely calm.
"And their conclusion?"
The spy smiled slightly.
"They now consider you a threat."
Duryodhana chuckled quietly.
"Good."
He leaned against the table.
"I'd be disappointed otherwise."
Vrinda stepped closer.
"Where are they?"
The spy shook his head.
"I don't know the main location."
Asha rolled her eyes.
"Convenient."
"But…"
The spy continued.
"I do know their next move."
Everyone focused on him instantly.
"What move?" Karna asked.
The man looked directly at Vrinda.
"They're preparing an attack."
Her voice dropped.
"Against Ang?"
The spy shook his head slowly.
"No."
A heavy silence followed.
Then he finished the sentence.
"They're planning to destroy another kingdom."
Vrinda's stomach tightened.
"Which one?"
The spy smiled faintly.
"The one rebuilding an army under the Sun King."
The realization spread across the chamber.
Duryodhana spoke first.
"They're planning a full war."
Karna's expression remained steady.
"Then they will come."
Asha grinned slightly.
"Good."
Vrinda's eyes burned with determination.
"This time…"
Her voice was quiet but fierce.
"They will not win."
Karna looked toward the large map of Aryavarta on the war table.
The flames from the torches reflected across the kingdoms marked on its surface.
For years, hidden forces had moved in the shadows.
Destroying kingdoms.
Manipulating power.
But now…
They had revealed themselves.
And they had chosen to challenge the Sun King of Ang.
Karna's voice broke the silence.
"Prepare the Solar Guard."
His golden eyes burned with quiet intensity.
"If they want war…"
"Then we will give them the sun."