Alliances were lies wrapped in silk.
Rudra understood that the moment the first foreign delegation crossed Aryavarta's borders—not with armies, but with smiles.
They arrived in succession.
Malava.
Avanti.
Kosala.
Each brought gifts.
Each brought praise.
Each brought knives hidden behind courtesy.
The system observed without commentary.
—
[Dharma–Karma Chronicle: Diplomatic Phase Detected]
[Threat Probability: High]
—
The grand hall was filled with color and noise. Musicians played softly while envoys exchanged rehearsed pleasantries. Ministers hovered nervously, unsure which misstep might cost them their heads.
Rudra sat upon the throne, unmoving.
Watching.
Princess Devika of Malava stood among her delegation, calm as ever. She did not fawn. Did not flatter. She observed—much like him.
One envoy from Kosala stepped forward, bowing deeply.
"Your Majesty," he said smoothly, "Kosala proposes a pact of mutual non-aggression. We believe peace between strong kingdoms benefits all."
Rudra regarded him in silence.
"How long?" Rudra asked.
The envoy blinked. "Pardon?"
"How long before Kosala violates it?" Rudra continued calmly.
A ripple passed through the hall.
The envoy forced a laugh. "Your Majesty jests."
"I do not," Rudra replied.
The system registered deception.
—
[False Intent Detected]
—
That evening, the delegations retired to their quarters within the palace.
Rudra did not.
He walked the corridors alone, barefoot against cold stone, listening to the palace breathe.
Then—
A ripple.
Subtle.
Sharp.
—
[Assassination Attempt Detected]
[Method: Poison + Soul-Blade]
[Source: External]
—
Rudra stopped walking.
He turned.
The air split.
A blade not meant for flesh but *existence* itself flashed toward his heart—silent, precise, lethal even to kings.
Rudra caught it.
With two fingers.
Reality screamed.
The assassin froze mid-step, eyes wide with disbelief.
"You aimed too shallow," Rudra said calmly.
He released Bhairava for a fraction of a breath.
—
[Bhairava Roop: Precision Manifestation]
[Effect: Soul Compression]
—
The assassin collapsed, screaming as his spirit shattered before his body did.
Rudra turned his gaze outward.
"Bring me every envoy," he said softly.
The guards moved instantly.
Within minutes, the hall filled again—panic replacing silk politeness.
Rudra stood.
"The blade was Kosalan," he said evenly. "The poison Malavan. The silence Avanti."
Shock rippled.
Princess Devika stiffened—not in denial, but realization.
"I will not wage war tonight," Rudra continued. "That is mercy."
He stepped down from the dais.
"But you will leave my kingdom," Rudra said, eyes cold, "knowing that next time, I will not stop at the hand that strikes."
The system sealed the moment.
—
[Diplomatic Supremacy Established]
[Foreign Deterrence: Severe]
—
After the delegations fled, Devika remained.
She approached Rudra slowly.
"You could have killed them," she said.
"Yes."
"And you chose restraint again."
Rudra looked at her.
"Kings who kill every threat rule ashes," he said. "I rule continuity."
Devika exhaled slowly.
"You are not what the world expects."
Rudra met her gaze.
"Neither are you."
The system noted alignment—not romance, not yet.
—
[Bond Thread: Strengthened]
—
Later that night, Rudra sat beside Anaya as she slept, fingers curled around his sleeve.
The system displayed a quiet reminder.
—
[Anchor Integrity: Critical]
—
Rudra understood.
He would not become a monster.
But he would become something worse for his enemies.
A ruler who knew exactly when to stop.
And when not to.
Beyond the palace, kingdoms recalculated.
Assassination had failed.
Fear had succeeded.
And the age of cautious kings had ended.
-- chapter 14 ended --