The coronation hall of Raigad was filled.
Ministers.
Sardars.
Generals.
But behind respectful bows…
lived dangerous doubts.
Some whispered—
"He is too fierce."
"He is too emotional."
"He is not like Shivaji Maharaj."
Sambhaji heard them.
The System heard them too.
🔔 SYSTEM ALERT
Political Stability: 61%
Internal Threat Level: Moderate
A thin chill passed through his chest.
Enemies were easier to face on battlefields.
But inside a court…
every smile could be a blade.
He remembered his father.
Not only as a king—
but as a man who read hearts better than maps.
🧠 System Skill Unlocked
Court Perception – Level 1
→ Highlights emotional hostility
→ Detects false loyalty patterns
As Sambhaji walked forward, golden pulses flickered briefly across certain faces.
Not names.
Not accusations.
Only probability.
The crown was brought forward.
Heavy.
Golden.
But sharper than any weapon.
The moment it touched his head—
The System trembled.
Royal Authority detected.
Domain Node linked: Raigad Fort.
🏰 Territory Bond Activated
Fort Domain – Raigad
→ Defensive coordination bonus +20%
→ Supply efficiency +15%
→ Command clarity +10%
But power never comes without a price.
A sudden vision tore into his mind.
Flames.
Fallen forts.
Captured soldiers.
Chains.
And a dark silhouette on a distant throne.
Not named.
But unmistakable.
Aurangzeb.
Sambhaji's jaw tightened.
"Not this time," he whispered.
After the ceremony, he stood alone on the highest bastion of Raigad.
The Western Ghats stretched endlessly beneath him.
Green.
Wild.
Free.
Freedom.
That single word carried the weight of millions.
📜 Secret Quest Appears
Main Story Quest – Shield of Swarajya
Objectives:
Stabilize internal politics
Strengthen coastal and hill forts
Protect intelligence routes
Prevent Mughal deep-penetration operations
Reward:
→ Divine Armament Fragment (Unknown)
→ Goddess Affinity +5
Failure:
→ Large-scale civilian loss events
Sambhaji closed the interface.
He did not smile.
He did not boast.
He simply looked at the land.
And spoke quietly.
"I will not become a legend…"
"I will become your shield."
Behind him, the wind rose.
The Maratha banners snapped sharply.
As if the land itself answered.
🌙 Final Scene – Chapter 2
Far north.
Inside a massive imperial tent.
A court astrologer knelt.
And whispered a single line:
"A lion has awakened in the Deccan."
Aurangzeb slowly opened his eyes.
The war for Swarajya…
had already begun.