Arslan Senki

Book 3: Chapter 4 (2)

After Gadhevis execution, his head, which was missing both an eye and its body, was hung by the city gate. Although he was a prince of this country, he still ended up in such a miserable state.

"Ahhh! It's finally over. But, after struggling so desperately, this ending is rather more sad than I anticipated. For the sake of his own reputation, he should have died bravely!"

Rajendra felt this way, and Arslan also had an uneasy feeling. He didn't disagree, but there was still a feeling of deep displeasure, which he had no control over. He could still not forget seeing Gadhevis blood-covered face.

"By the way, Prince Arslan, thanks to you, the country of Sindhura seems to have calmed down for the time being. What are your plans for the future?"

"To go back to Pars, of course."

Gadhevi was dead, and Rajendra seemed to have gotten the means to rule Sindhura. If they could get Rajendra to agree to a non-aggression pact, then the situation would go according to Narsus' plan, and their defences would be stabilized. With this done, the work of retaking the capital could be slowly begun.

"Go back to Pars to drive out the Lusitanians?"

"Yes."

Rajendra narrowed both eyes and looked at Arslan's face.

"Honestly, what is the situation in Pars? What are the chances of winning the battle to drive out the invaders?"

"Narsus knows better than I do. Shall I call him in to explain?"

"Ah, no, there's no need for that."

Rajendra shook his head in a panic. He felt that Narsus was a tricky person, and Daryun was just not an easy man to deal with. In his heart, Rajendra always thought that both of them were mere subordinates of Arslan.

Rajendra was convinced that without them, it would be much easier to deal with Arslan alone. In their next conversation, Rajendra even took advantage of the situation to make this observation.

"If I were the military advisor of Lusitania, I would send emissaries to the two countries of Turk and Turan, instigate them to invade the eastern borders of Pars, and then attack your troops from behind."

"Narsus also said this."

"Oh! Then, perhaps I can be your military advisor as well."

"But, Narsus has seven ways to counter such an invasion. So, he also asked me not to worry."

"Seven ways? Which seven?"

Rajendra couldn't help but be curious enough to ask, however, Arslan only smiled slightly.

"It's top secret, so he didn't tell me either."

This was the truth. Because if Rajendra asked, it was still unsure if Arslan could talk around the question.

Rajendra originally wanted to inquire some more information, but he was getting nowhere, so he had to change the subject, and the topic of conversation was the gift to the Parsian army. All in all, without Arslan and his men, it would have been impossible for Rajendra to eliminate Gadhevi in such a short time. In addition to that, he did not want the Parsian army to stay in Sindhura much longer. It would be best for them to take their gifts and go back to their country immediately.

"The only thing that cannot be ceded is the territory, anything else will be yours. Treasures or food are fine. Even if you want some of Sindhura's beautiful women."

"Then, I'll be bold enough to make a request. Prince Rajendra, can you lend me five hundred cavalry? This is all I ask."

"What? Five hundred cavalry?"

For a moment, an inexplicable ominous light seemed to flash in Rajendra's pupils. However, he quickly forced a smile to cover up this weird light.

"Prince Arslan, you are too kind. Although we are not blood brothers, we are allies in life and death! I can't justify lending you only five hundred cavalry to help you retake your lost land. How about this, I'll give you three thousand cavalry."

"Thank you for your kindness, but Prince Rajendra will have to devote himself to the unification of the country in the future, right? You should treasure every single soldier."

Arslan politely excused himself, however, Rajendra ordered that three thousand cavalry be lent to Arslan.

After Arslan led his army on the way back to Pars, Rajendra hummed happily, however, an old minister came to him as if he had something important to say.

"Your Highness Rajendra, I have something to report."

"Ah ah, is it an admonition?"

Rajendra rubbed his chin and looked at his subordinate with contempt.

"Forget it, just tell me!"

"Prince Arslan's help to our country has indeed been kind to us. However, in the future, we need to devote ourselves to protecting the country of Sindhura. Lending them three thousand cavalry is tantamount to weakening ourselves. Since Prince Arslan said that only five hundred cavalry would be enough, don't we just need to give him that number?"

"I know."

"Then "

Rajendra grasped the papaya in his hand and laughed.

"Ah, don't you understand my intentions? I am concealing fire in the army of Pars!"

"Ah, in that case "

"Yes. Three thousand cavalry will suddenly set fire in Parsian camp in the middle of the night. At the same time, I myself will personally lead the troops to besiege from the outside. No matter how strong Pars' army is, it cannot be stronger than this kind of attack."

The old minister stared dumbly at his young lord.

"Your Highness Rajendra, isn't this too much? They helped Your Highness defeat Prince Gadhevi!"

"Do you really think they did it for me? They did it to help themselves!"

Rajendra wiped his lips, which were sticky from the papaya. He got up from his chair and asked his close attendant to bring his armor. He smiled faintly at the dumbfounded old minister.

"Now, I will lead the whole army to sneak close behind the Parsians. At least I will get the land of the old Batavia duchy."

" So you are planning to kill Prince Arslan?"

"Don't be ridiculous! I'm not a person who is entirely devoid of compassion."

Rajendra said in a serious tone.

"I'm going to take Arslan as a hostage, and after I get the territory of the old Batavia duchy, I'll set him free. To say the least, I quite like that boy. I am also using this ploy to let that child finally grow up, which is beneficial for him to be the king of a country in the future."

    This was a flimsy excuse, but Rajendra himself believed in his own words from the bottom of his heart. While putting on his armor and putting the jeweled saddle on his white horse, Rajendra thought about how to comfort the poor Arslan.