Conflict did not disappear.
It matured.
That was the first thing Krishna noticed after the dice never rolled.
In Hastinapura, silence no longer meant ignorance—it meant calculation.
Duryodhana did not rage publicly anymore.
That alone was alarming.
The system chimed one morning as Krishna walked the palace corridors with Arjuna.
«Behavioral Shift Detected.
Subject: Duryodhana.
Previous Mode: Impulsive Aggression.
Current Mode: Strategic Resentment.
Threat Level: Improved but Dangerous.»
Arjuna frowned. "That doesn't sound reassuring."
Krishna smiled faintly. "It isn't supposed to be."
Across the court, Duryodhana stood among advisors—not shouting, not mocking. He listened. Asked questions. Took notes.
Shakuni watched him closely, eyes sharp.
"You've changed," Shakuni said later that day.
Duryodhana didn't deny it. "I was losing."
Shakuni smiled thinly. "You still might."
Duryodhana turned. "Not like before."
Krishna observed all of it without interference.
Growth—forced or chosen—was still growth.
The system chimed approvingly.
«Adversary Development: Active.
Narrative Quality: Increased.»
The Pandavas felt the change too.
Training intensified.
No secret traps.
No ambushes.
Only discipline.
Bhima trained harder than ever, pushing his strength without recklessness.
Arjuna refined technique over raw power, every shot cleaner than the last.
Yudhishthira studied governance—not as theory, but as living responsibility.
One evening, he asked Krishna directly, "Is it wrong that I feel relieved?"
Krishna shook his head. "Relief is what follows when danger learns restraint."
"But danger remains."
"Yes," Krishna agreed. "That's life."
Radha joined Krishna later near the Yamuna, sitting beside him as lanterns reflected on the water.
"They're growing," she observed.
"They have to," Krishna replied. "I won't fight children pretending to be kings."
The system chimed dryly.
«Conflict Upgrade Achieved.
No More Cartoon Villains.»
Not everyone welcomed the change.
Some nobles preferred easy cruelty.
One approached Krishna privately.
"If war comes," the man said carefully, "whose side will you choose?"
Krishna looked at him calmly.
"Dharma's."
The man swallowed. "And who decides that?"
Krishna smiled—not warmly.
"Everyone," he said. "That's the burden."
Word spread.
Not fear—
Expectation.
People began correcting themselves before injustice formed.
Judges delayed verdicts to think.
Generals questioned orders that felt hollow.
Merchants adjusted prices without being asked.
The system updated quietly.
«Passive Dharma Enforcement: Expanding.
Resistance Level: Low.»
Duryodhana noticed.
"You're changing the rules," he said to Krishna one evening, voice tight but controlled.
Krishna met his gaze. "No."
"I'm raising them."
Silence stretched between them.
"You don't hate me," Duryodhana said finally.
Krishna shook his head. "Hatred is lazy."
Duryodhana laughed once—short, sharp. "You're unbearable."
"Yes," Krishna agreed cheerfully. "I've been told."
That night, Krishna stood on the palace balcony, looking out over the city.
No fires.
No screams.
No blood.
Just tension.
Healthy tension.
The system chimed one last time.
«Conflict Evolution Complete.
Next Phase: Choice Under Pressure.
Tragedy Probability: Continues to Decline.»
Krishna exhaled slowly.
Enemies didn't disappear.
They learned.
And sometimes—
That was the real victory.
--chapter 28 ended--