...
...
Duryodhana's eyes widened slightly at the suggestion. "A part of our territory? You mean to make him a king under our rule?"
Shakuni nodded, his voice was firm mix with subtle pursuation "Yes, a king who owes his crown to you. Imagine, Duryodhana—a loyal ally as skilled as Karna, indebted to you for granting him the honor he has been denied all his life. He will not only stand by your side but will fight your battles with the ferocity."
Duryodhana began pacing, his mind working through Shakuni's words. The idea was bold, yet it resonated deeply. Karna's loyalty could not be secured with fleeting riches—it needs to something which can bind him emotionaly.
"You are right, Mama Shree," he said at last after mulling over his thoughts. "Karna deserves more than just gold or riches. He deserves honor, power, and a kingdom befitting his skills. This will also silence those who mock him for being a Charioteer's Son."
Shakuni's smiled with satisfaction and gleam in his eyes. "Indeed, Yuvaraj. You have the vision of a true leader. Let's summon Warrior Karna and offer him the honor. Let him know that you, Duryodhana, recognize him and consider him your best friend."
While Shakuni was trying to manipulate his arrogant and sly nephew.
Meanwhile, in another part of Hastinapur,
Back at the Kankan Bhawan, the whole place was exuding a Madhur and, at the same time, soothing Dhuns were emanating from one side of the Bhawan. From the other side, a sharpness filled the air, pressing down on everyone present, making them feel as if millions of ants were crawling on their sensitive skin.
"Hmm...this...Asambhav... Who is this person giving off two distinct feelings at the same time?" An unexpected Acharya, passing by, noticed it immediately. With a shocked expression, they quickened their steps toward the Kankan Bhawan.
"Ahh...I apologize, Guruvar. What brings you to this humble abode...?" Kankan, who had been trying to calm down his family and servants, noticed the arrival of the Acharya, who was none other than Guru Dronacharya.
Startled, he quickly ran towards him while showing his respect and he wondered why an Acharya of Guru Dronacharya's stature would ever visit his humble abode.
"What is going on, Shishya Kankan? Why are we feeling as though Devi Saraswati and Bhagwan Parsuram themselves have left their divine imprint in your humble abode?" Guru Dronacharya asked, pointing toward the commotion.
"This... Guruvar. We have no idea what is going on... I have just been trying to calm my family members and sent the guards to look into it!" Kankan replied in a confused manner, as he also had no idea.
"Malik... Malik..., Pranam Guruwar," two guards came running back just then and called out to Kankan, but noticing Guru Dronacharya's presence, they bowed, offering proper respect.
"Kalyanam Astu! Tell us, what did you two find out?" Guru Dronacharya offered the two guards his well wishes before asking.
"We noticed this commotion originated from Chote Malik and Choti Malkin's abode. We didn't dare to enter the area, as it was making us feel as if we were walking on a path filled with the sharpness of millions of swords, and on the other hand, the sweetness of Mathur dhun was melting our heart and soul," the two guards replied while shivering, remembering they almost experienced what it feels like to stay between hell and heaven.
"Alright... take us there!" Seeing the frowning expression on Guru Dronacharya's face, Kankan gestured towards his servants to take them there.
"Guruwar, we don't know what's happening to my grandchildren, so please, could you help us look at my grandchildren's safety?" Kankan asked as he bowed slightly, his hands shivering from worry.
"You don't have to worry about your grandchildren. They shouldn't be in any harm's way. And it should be something good for them." Guru Dronacharya replied, shaking his head, consoling Kankan's worry, but Kankan didn't understand what Guruwar meant by his words.
"What's that supposed to mean, Guruwar?" Kankan voiced out his confusion.
"Nothing. You will understand when you see them yourself." Guru Dronacharya didn't reply further; instead, he gestured for him to follow behind as Guruwar went toward Kankan's grandchildren's abode.
"Hmmn... this is...!" Just as they arrived at Kankan's grandchildren's abode, Guru Dronacharya immediately noticed the intangible presence of two different pressures coming from each side, one giving the feeling of 'Swarg' and the other 'Narak.'
"Alright... that's enough!" Guru Dronacharya also understood that it wasn't what he initially thought; instead, it was something else, like a weapon or Divine Tool. He used his hand and flicked it towards Kankan's grandchildren's abode before the pressure vanished as Guru Dronacharya neutralized it with his energy.
"But it feels semi-divine!" Guru Dronacharya muttered to himself before looking towards the door, as it seemed both Sadhana and Veerendra had come back to their senses and decided to come out, noticing the commotion they had caused.
"Ohhh... Grandfather and Guruwar, Pranam!" Just as Sadhana and Veerendra came out from their abode, they noticed the presence of Kankan and Guru Dronacharya and bowed respectfully, giving their respectful greeting.
"Kalyanam Astu!" Guru Dronacharya wished them good health.
"How are both of you? What happened? Are you alright?" Kankan arrived near them and asked in a worried tone before checking to see if his dear grandchildren were alright or not.
"It's fine... we are alright. Nothing happened to us. Calm down, Grandpa!" Sadhana and Veerendra waved their hands and tried to relieve their grandpa's worry.
"Vatsa, can you explain what exactly caused the commotion earlier?" Guru Dronacharya turned to Veerendra as he asked in a curious tone. Even though he had guessed it, he wanted to know the cause which led to this situation.
Veerendra didn't immediately reply but looked back towards his sister and grandfather as if asking for permission first.
Kankan and Sadhana both nodded back to Veerendra, who then looked straight at Guru Dronacharya before taking out the sword hanging by his waist in the scabbard, as he handed it to Guru Dronacharya's hands.
"This is really a semi-divine Astra. Where did you acquire it, Vatsa?" Guru Dronacharya carefully observed the energy fluctuations of the sword and confirmed his guess that it really is a dangerous semi-divine sword Astra.