A trap was most dangerous when it looked like mercy.
Arya understood this long before the first army marched.
The invitation arrived at dawn.
Not from Hastinapura.
Not from Anga.
But from a smaller kingdom wedged between Mahismati and Kuru influence—Chedi.
A neutral land.
A land that claimed peace.
The message was polite. Respectful. Almost humble.
A council to prevent bloodshed.A chance to resolve misunderstandings.A gathering under divine witness.
Arya read it twice.
Then once more.
And finally, he smiled.
Not because it amused him—
But because the lie was beautiful.
[System Analysis – Diplomatic Event]Threat Level: SevereClassification: Smiling Trap
Note:High probability of narrative manipulation.
Arya folded the parchment carefully.
"They want me visible," he said aloud.
The system did not contradict him.
The king of Mahismati was furious.
"Cowards hide behind councils," he said. "This reeks of Kuru influence."
Arya nodded. "It does."
"Then we refuse."
"No," Arya replied calmly. "We attend."
The court erupted.
"Attend? Alone?"
"Unarmed?"
"They could assassinate you!"
Arya raised his hand.
Silence fell.
"If they wanted me dead," he said, "they would not invite witnesses."
[Sovereign Presence – Active]
Effect:Resistance to authority reduced.
The king stared at his son.
"You are certain?"
Arya met his eyes.
"No," he answered honestly. "But certainty is not required."
Only preparation.
Across the land, in Anga, Karna received the same invitation.
Duryodhana laughed.
"A council?" he scoffed. "How noble."
Karna did not laugh.
"Will Arya be there?"
Duryodhana's smile widened.
"Yes."
[Emotional Spike – Karna]Curiosity + Resentment
Karna looked away.
"Then I will attend."
Duryodhana's eyes gleamed.
The council hall of Chedi was grand in appearance and hollow in spirit.
Golden pillars.
White banners.
A thousand eyes watching.
Kings arrived one by one.
So did princes.
So did spies.
Arya entered last.
Unarmored.
Unannounced.
And the room shifted.
He did not bow deeply.
He did not posture.
He simply walked to his seat and waited.
That, more than anything, unsettled them.
Karna entered shortly after.
Radiant.
Armored.
A king crowned by gratitude and bitterness.
Their eyes met again.
Longer this time.
No words passed.
But something heavy did.
[Fate Convergence – Sustained Exposure]Warning:Escalation unavoidable.
The king of Chedi opened the council.
"We gather," he proclaimed, "to prevent war among great realms."
Applause followed.
Arya did not clap.
Karna did not either.
The accusations began gently.
Trade disputes.
Border misunderstandings.
Broken treaties—none signed by Mahismati.
Arya listened.
Patient.
Then came the blade.
"A witness from Anga will speak," announced the herald.
A merchant stepped forward.
Bruised.
Fearful.
"My caravan was attacked by Mahismati soldiers," he claimed. "They wore your colors."
Murmurs rippled.
Eyes turned.
Arya stood.
He did not deny it.
He did not argue.
He asked one question.
"Where?"
The merchant hesitated.
"Near the eastern ford."
Arya nodded.
Then gestured.
"Bring the map."
The map was spread.
Arya pointed.
"That ford has been under Anga's control for six months."
Silence struck.
[Public Narrative Shift – Detected]Advantage: Arya
The merchant paled.
Sweat dripped.
He opened his mouth.
No sound came out.
Duryodhana leaned forward.
"Maps can lie," he said smoothly. "Men cannot."
Arya turned to him.
"Men lie more easily than parchment."
Gasps followed.
The king of Chedi frowned.
"Prince Arya, are you accusing—"
"I am stating," Arya interrupted calmly, "that this council was convened to assign guilt, not find truth."
The room exploded into noise.
Karna watched.
Closely.
This was not fear.
This was command.
[Emotional Dissonance – Karna Intensifying]Why does he speak like someone who already knows the outcome?
Another accusation followed.
Then another.
Each time, Arya dismantled them.
Dates mismatched.
Witnesses contradicted.
Evidence unraveled.
The lie was unraveling.
And that was the problem.
The king of Chedi slammed his staff.
"Enough! This council is descending into chaos."
Arya inclined his head.
"Because chaos was the plan."
That was when the final move came.
Duryodhana stood.
"If Mahismati claims innocence," he said loudly, "then let them swear by arms."
The room froze.
"A martial oath," he continued. "A demonstration of strength. Here. Now."
Eyes turned.
Arya understood instantly.
This is the pivot.
If he refused—coward.
If he accepted—provocation.
[Critical Decision Point]Options Limited
The system remained silent.
This choice was his alone.
Arya looked at Karna.
Then back at the hall.
"We will not fight here," Arya said.
A murmur of relief.
And disappointment.
"But," Arya continued, voice carrying, "Mahismati will not hide either."
He turned.
"Karna of Anga."
Karna stiffened.
"Yes?"
"Choose the field," Arya said. "Choose the time."
Gasps erupted.
Duryodhana's smile faltered—for the first time.
[Public Declaration – Registered]Status:Open Challenge Without War Declaration
Arya met Karna's eyes.
"Not for politics," he said. "Not for kings."
"Then why?" Karna demanded.
"For truth," Arya replied quietly.
Something cracked.
Not in the hall.
But in Karna.
The council dissolved in chaos.
No resolution.
No peace.
But the lie—
The lie had smiled too wide.
That night, Karna could not sleep.
Arya's words echoed.
Choose the field.
Not an insult.
Not arrogance.
An invitation.
Far away, Arya stood alone.
The system finally spoke.
[Irreversible Path Entered]Next Phase:Pre-War Destiny Lock
Arya closed his eyes.
"So be it."
The trap had closed.
But it had closed on everyone.