Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

"So everyone has gathered." Harsha exclaimed with a smile.

He looked at everyone sitting in the pavilion in the huge garden. Krishna Deva Raya and his wife Luisa were present along with Alfonso and Bhairava. Only Viswa was present outside of the royal family for the meeting, sitting behind Harsha to take notes of the discussion that was going to happen.

"What are you planning right now, Harsha?" Bhairava asked with a skeptical look.

Considering Harsha's personality. He expected something big and insane.

"Brother, you seem quite angry. Is it because you had to leave that young lady and come to visit?" Harsha smiled.

Viswa, with a straight face, chimed in. "Your Majesty, the young Miss Shraddha is in the palace."

"Oh my, brother has brought his future wi—"

Bhairava's face turned red and he cleared his throat.

"Enough."

Alfonso looked back and forth with a sly smirk on his face.

"Huh... Brother..."

Bhairava clicked his tongue at Alfonso.

"Tell me…tell me about this girl. I will help you get married." Alfonso grabbed Bhairava's tunic. "Let this younger brother help yo–"

"Shut up, you freak. Move away." Bhairava pushed Alfonso.

"Come on, brother, don't be shy." Alfonso said.

Krishna Deva Raya looked over at the banter and sighed deeply while his wife smiled and chuckled.

"They are getting along well, dear." She remarked.

Krishna turned to Harsha.

"So, what's the reason for your sudden call to the Palace?" He got to the point.

"Hmm…" Harsha examined Krishna Deva Raya with an amused expression. The man was still in shape after retirement and, by the looks of it, he practiced his sword arts on a daily basis.

"Well... I was planning something." Harsha shrugged.

Bhairava sighed as he pushed Alfonso away. "What is this plan of yours?"

"Wasn't the judicial reform enough of a headache to deal with?" Alfonso asked.

Harsha chuckled. "You mean the dissent from the nobles?"

"Of course, even I heard about it." Alfonso said.

"Dissent?" Krishna raised his brow. "Explain."

"There are many nobles that oppose the faction due to the centralization of power."

"Is that true, Harsha?" Krishna asked. "Nobles are the source of your influence."

"Calm down; I got it under control." Harsha smirked. "The situation of the nobles will be done in the coming months."

"Just wait and watch."

"The nobles shall become much more useful than right now."

"I hope so," Bhairava replied. "Well…considering it's you. You wouldn't have set out without a contingency plan."

"I have sorted that situation out; that's not what I called you all here for."

"Then what is it?" Krishna asked. "Are you planning a war or something?"

"No, no... Why would I?" Harsha shrugged.

"The main discussion point is about the caste system, Father."

"Caste….It is a touchy subject indeed." Krishna frowned.

"I am planning to abolish that system."

"Abolish?" Bhairava's face went into a scowl. "What do you mean?"

"Just like what you heard, brother." Harsha said. "I will remove all the caste barriers of entry in the Empire."

Everyone's eyes widened in shock.

"Preposterous." Krishna exclaimed. "There will be a lot of backlash."

"I have tried it a few times." He sighed. "All of them were failures."

"Father speaks the truth." Bhairava said.

"The backlash will be severe."

"This rotten practice has no place in the Empire." Harsha frowned. "We need talented individuals, not some idiotic morons that get their position through birth and favoritism."

Luisa interrupted.

"Harsha is right, dear. This practice is dividing the faith of the Empire." She put her hand on top of Krishna's. "More importantly, it destroys the sense of unity."

"But... I appreciate all this. What exactly is the plan?"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Father, the plan is simple." Harsha smiled. "We start a revolution."

"Revolution?"

"A movement similar to the one in the past led by the Shankaracharaya." Harsha looked determined. "This time with all the support of the Empire behind it's back."

Krishna sighed. "Still, the discrimination can't end overnight."

"Exactly, there will be discrimination even after the revolution." Alfonso said. "There needs to be much more than the revolution."

"I know that, brother." Harsha sighed. "This is why I plan to reform temples and gurukuls and then give access to the scriptures to everyone through either word of mouth or books."

Krishna looked at the determination in his son's eyes.

'Perhaps he can get this wretched system out that plagued our faith for a long time.'

"I understand, every one of you might be skeptical but we need this reform." Harsha said.

Luisa sighed. "Like Harsha said, this reform is very much needed." She looked serious and different from her usual self.

"I have been silent about the Portuguese generals and merchants." She frowned. "Use this very divide to break apart our society and Empire."

"If this continues, the Empire's fabric can crumble with a few planned moves." Luisa warned. "This is not a reform that can be delayed."

Harsha smiled. "See, Miss Luisa gets it."

"To be honest, Harsha. I don't see a way out nor can I picture it." Luisa remarked. "But I have faith in your ability."

Krishna sighed. "Fine…"

The other two also nodded in agreement.

"I need your help, though."

"What help?" Krishna asked.

"Your voice matters, Father. I need you to control the outburst from the old military leaders and some of the nobles."

The influence of the former emperor still loomed over the Empire.

"I see. I will help you this time." Krishna smiled and agreed.

"Same for you also, Brother Bhairava."

He also nodded in agreement.

"About your mission, Alfonso." Harsha's face turned into a sly smirk. "I want you to go to Portugal and gather some information."

"Viswa will send you the details later."

Alfonso had a face of defeat and his shoulders slumped at the news. He sat there silently lamenting his fate.

"But who is the figurehead of the revolution? Is it that child behind you?" Krishna asked.

"He is one of the figureheads." Continue reading on empire

"One? There are two?"

"Yes, one for the educational, military revolution and one for the Temple."

"who is the other one?" he asked.

"Father, you might like the old man." Harsha said. "He is a blind monk I met."

"Blind monk? Are you sure?"

"Why don't you and Miss Luisa go and visit the old man?" Harsha said.

"I will have Viswa arrange it for you right away." He smiled.

"Don't believe my words. You go and judge him with your own eyes. I guarantee you. It will be fruitful."