Chapter 207.

PART 1.

Wandering through the city, Zeko observes the battle going on. He remembers his younger days when he did something similar to make a name for himself. Many nobles died from his hand, for which they hate him to this day. at least those who survived and remember.

Surprisingly for him, Zeko sees that the invaders are being forced out, and the blockade is being crushed. The forces run outside, only to fall into the hands of the reinforcements who have been waiting for over a year for this exact moment. Judging from some uniforms and logos, the general has gotten some help from Raos, Singhs, and Fernandes.

Grabbing one civilian, Zeko lifts him by his neck and puts him against a wall. “Mind telling me why are you fighting?” he asked, after loosening his grip.

The man recognized him and paled. “Because the general promised to give some food to us from the reserves, we have run out of food, and the invaders won’t let us get any from outside!” said the man quickly.

“Very well. off you go.” Said Zeko, patting him on the back.

The man breathes a sigh of relief, once Zeko leaves. It must be his lucky day, not only he is helping in freeing his city, but he survived the bloody silver fox. Truly, this must be his good karma paying off.

Then, the building on which Zeko planted him by grabbing his neck collapsed, and a metal rod impaled his chest.

Of course, Zeko did not see any of that. he walks to the castle and enters brazenly. The soldiers dared to stop him, but once they looked at his face, they backed off. Walking to the general’s office, he opens the door to see the general with his two apprentices, the Singh twins, Amarnath’s boy, and Hatori’s friends. the absence of his student then hits him hard, and without even invitation, he enters the office and takes a chair.

“Zeko, reporting. I’ve aborted the mission to find and convince Porus to return.” Said Zeko. “In my judgment, we have bigger things to worry about now.”

Though Sundar is not happy with his decision, he accepts it all the same. Besides, the man is not wrong. “Very well. Do you know what is happening here?”

“I do have some idea.” Said Zeko. “You’re driving the enemy forces out with civilian help and using the forces of the noble families on our side.”

“An apt summary.” Said the general. “Although my apprentices were the ones who came up with the idea of involving the civilians directly by offering them food.”

“It is the best strategy.” Said Bajrang. “It lets them know that we care about them.”

“It also exploits their resentment against the enemy, since they did not let them get any food from outside,” said Raven.

“Excellent.” Said Zeko. “What is the next step?”

“Why,” said the Avinash for the first time, “To hold the city of course.”

PART 2.

In the Academy, Corvus is observing how things are going under his successor Dhiraj.

He planned his retirement to be a great event, where he would give some great speeches, and insult some people dead or alive for the last time. unfortunately, it ended up being nothing more than a wheeze from a hospital bed, confirming Dhiraj to be his successor.

He is still stationed in the Academy since Dhiraj feels they need all the strong mages they can get. Corvus may not be as strong as he once was, but his reputation alone is enough to strike some fear in the hearts of the enemy.

He is also staying in the Academy because he can pursue whatever interests him at any given moment. “Headmas—Professor Corvus, how can you take things so lightly in such chaotic times?” Asked Professor Bali one day.

“Well, it is your generation’s problem to solve this chaos. I can give you help when you need it, but do not expect me to be grim all the time,” he said in reply. “Besides, I do think after leading this institute for around 100 years, some lightness is needed in my life, don’t you think?”

After that, no one raised a fuss when he worked with the alchemy researchers. Or when they turned water pink. Or when he brought some animals from the forest where that boy did his magic to study. Though some of them escaped his captivity.

Though if anyone asked, he would say that the females make the most delightful noises when they see a swarm of rats coming their way. and this narrator can confirm, that despite being not female, the author does the same.

PART 3.

How many years it has been? He was a young man of 25 when he was brought here for the first time. he does not even remember his age now properly, having no way to calculate time in his cell.

No sound comes here. there is only his breathing, and his own footsteps to let him know that yes, his hearing is still intact. A small light that comes from the shafts through which his food and water come, also lets him know that yes, his sight is still intact.

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Occasional coughs and attempts to talk with himself also let him know that his throat still works. but none of this is enough to let him know how long he has been trapped here.

Other cells have remained empty ever since he arrived here, there have been no prisoners who have been sent to this hell to suffer along with him. quite sad now that he considers it, he would have liked some company.

But one day (or is it a night,) this changes. He hears footsteps that are not his. He hears voices which is not his. For the first time since he was put here, he hears the gates of this section opening with a squeal, and for the first time, he sees humans ever since he was brought here.

What kind of prisoner this will be? He wonders. Will he be too mad to speak with him? how old will he be? How long would it take for this new sufferer to go mad from this isolation?

He is shocked to see the age of this prisoner. He looks like a child. What crimes did he commit to be thrown here? why is he covered in blood? Why is he unconscious? He shifts, and attracts some attention from the guards, and after their faces pale in fear, they run quickly back where they came from.

‘Heh. Still got it.’ he thought in his head.

Hatori wakes up a few hours later. his back and legs are still on fire, and the pain continues to make him miserable. Still, he did not cry out. he will not give them the satisfaction. Despite his magic being sealed, he can still sense his surrounding area. Surprisingly, he does sense a magical signature, but he is in no condition to speak.

“Ah, the child awakes.” Croaked the voice. “Who are you, child?”

Hatori tries to answer, but the pain won’t let him. “No matter. Rest and you can answer me later. until then, remember my name: Kalicharan.”

Hatori drifts back to unconsciousness. He does not know why that name sounds so familiar, and he does not care to find out right now.

PART 4.

Once Zeko returned, he helped out in the retaking of the city. The invaders are already dealing with the reinforcements, plus the forces of the general, and Zeko continues to cause problems for them.

But it was Raven who delivered the crushing blow to them. leaving the general and Zeko to distract the greater army, he snuck behind the enemy lines with the Singh twins and Bajrang and destroyed their supplies.

They then opened a path from inside, and the camp was overrun by their soldiers quickly, and the generals of the invading side died in the battle. Once Raven takes charge of the prisoners, he reports to General Sundar about his success.

“Sir, the operation was a total success,” he said, with the twins posing behind him.

“Excellent.” Said Sundar. “They have started to surrender. We should secure the borders of the city. Best not let anyone inside if we can help it.”

“Indeed.” Said Josh. “Father would agree with you.”

PART 5.

Praduman is sparring with James. He has not gone home yet, because he has been offered a position as an assistant to Professor Bali, which he decided to take.

Their spar takes a strange turn when James decides to test out his new modifications. his arms twist into metallic-looking blades, which send cutting blades of wind at Praduman. on the top of James’s head, a gun appears which twists around to track the target, and fires explosives at Praduman.

Once their spar is done, Praduman walks to James. “I am very disturbed with the changes you have done to yourself.”

“That is good,” said James with a smile. “It means they are working as they are supposed to.”

PART 6.

The general receives a piece of news. Apparently, the sudden loss of the City of Throne is disturbing for the rebelling families.

Therefore, they decided to send their forces from all sides to “Crush him.” those were the exact words they used.

They are also carrying signs that clearly state, “This time, we come for the throne.”

“Hahahahahahaha!” Raven burst out laughing when he heard this last bit.

“Aren’t you worried?” asked the general. “We face a much bigger number this time.”

“They want the throne; they will never win.” Said Raven. “It is time to apply the lessons Professor Amrita taught us.”

“What?” asked the general. What do the history lessons have to do with this?

“Listen.” Said Raven.

As he finishes his plan, both Bajrang and Sundar are shocked by this. But given how the odds are not exactly with them, they agree to this play.

“Just understand something.” Said Sundar. “If this fails, it will be your head on the chopping block.”

“It always has been.” Said Raven.

The general winced after hearing that. looks like Raven still carries a chip on his shoulder due to his social class.