Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

Harsha weaved through the capital city streets, his face covered with a cloak. He was on his weekly time off.

This practice began a few months ago as he found that interacting with nature greatly alleviates his mood and productivity. His mind relaxes and allows for a much more optimistic outlook on the problems that grieved the Empire.

He wandered off to some rocky places and lush forests without the supervision of his guards or Viswa.

It was dangerous for an emperor to be running around like this yet this didn't stop him from this pastime. Last time he helped a lower-caste kid with his life.

The kid reminded him of Viswa. He also had the same look on his face. The hopeless look that killed the hearts and souls of many children like him. The Empire had lots of talents but it was heavily underutilized.

Even in his previous world. It was during World War III that the true power of India came out. It became a meritocratic society. The innovations poured in and the government leveraged its highly underutilized talent for the first time in centuries.

The same was the disease of the current Empire. Even if it unites the subcontinent. If the society was divided and there was no cohesion, it would be immensely useless. Harsha was inching day by day towards the long-awaited reform.

The caste reform.

It would be a hard reform.

Harsha sighed and looked up at the clear sky. He still didn't know the impact it would cause in the societal dynamics. The small, subtle changes for the army were manageable but for the next one. It would be vehemently opposed by everyone.

But it was necessary to shape the Empire's future.

'Let's get out of the capital first.'

Harsha had been eyeing a place for a while now. The place was a bit far from the capital, and it overlooked the large forest.

His instincts said it would look beautiful during the sunset. Harsha set out to cool his mind towards that place.

He didn't take the major road as the patrols would be there during this time. It would be a hassle for him since they would suspect him due to his cloak. He took the forest route towards the location.

Walking through the dense forest. Harsha enjoyed the subtle noises of rustling leaves and creatures. The air was fresh to breathe. The best part was his mind wasn't feeling suffocating like back in the Palace.

Harsha kept his sword by his side. He was also wearing leather armor that allowed him to move quickly and also give him some form of protection against any potential harm. The forests near the capital were safe from most predators as they were close to the city and the wild animals moved deeper into the forest.

After walking a while, he noticed a small creek with fresh water to drink. He hummed as he filled his waterskin.

He drank some water. 'This is cool and refreshing.'

Harsha turned around. He was startled. It almost sent him stumbling but he composed himself.

It was a man, wearing saffron robes, sitting on a rock near the creek. The man had his eyes closed and his breath blending with nature. It was as if the man was a rock.

Unlike Rakhtasura, fading presence. This was different. Rakhtasura kills his presence but this man was blending himself with nature. He was a part of nature itself.

Sparrows sat on his thigh and head, chirping.

Harsha saw this for the first time in his life. A man with such intense concentration in meditation that he blends himself with nature.

'Who is this man? Why was he here?' Explore more stories at empire

"A monk?" He mutters and steps back.

Harsha tilts his head and inspects the man. He notices a large wooden stick beside the monk.

Curiosity took the better of Harsha as he sat down on the hard stone earth and waited for the man to open his eyes.

'How long can he concentrate?'

"Would it break if I tried to kill him?" He muttered.

Harsha stood up. He unsheathed his sword and pointed it at the meditating man. "Open your eyes." He said.

No response.

"I shall cut you down, then."

Harsha swung his sword in an arc towards the man's neck. He hoped to see the man open his eyes.

He stopped his blade right before it sliced the man's neck. The man remained with his eyes closed in deep meditation.

'He didn't?'

Harsha sat back down, waiting for the man to open his eyes.

Hours pass by and the man doesn't open his eyes. Harsha waits and slowly gets impatient as the time passes. The man didn't even budge or make a single movement during this time.

"What do you want, my child?" a soothing voice suddenly interrupted Harsha.

Harsha quickly turned to the man.

"I was just waiting for you to open your eyes."

The monk had opened his eyes but his eyes weren't on him. In fact, it seemed milky and focused on nothing.

He was a blind monk.

"Do you have any questions?"

"Why are you here, old monk?" Harsha asked. A wild animal could maul him, especially since he couldn't see.

"I have been mediating here; it seems to be a fine place, child." He smiled. "You, child, seem to have a lot of worries inside you."

"You can tell?" Harsha raised his brow.

"Of course," the monk replied. "You seem to have suffered a lot in life."

Harsha stayed silent.

"Something big is plaguing your mind right now."

"How did you know?"

The man smiled and didn't answer his question. Harsha looked at him.

"Are you a monk?"

"A monk? I am merely a man trying to find the meaning of life."

"The meaning of life?"

"Yes, child."

"Just like how the world is vast. Our mind and soul are vast."

Harsha nodded reluctantly.

"But is this really what you want to do? Mediate all your life?"

"I have given my life to Lord Shiva." He said.

"I see."

Harsha respected the monk's wishes. The man wanted this path and he chose it out of his own will. He got up to leave.

"Child, why not tell me what's plaguing your mind?"

"Huh? Can you solve it?"

"Maybe but sharing it with this weak and powerless monk would certainly reduce the burden you are carrying on your young shoulders."

Harsha sort of felt compelled to share it. The man's voice soothed his mind. His way of talking calmed him. He sighed and took a seat on the ground.

He explained his dilemma with the current Empire's system and the need for abolishing the caste system was necessary for the Empire to grow.

The blind monk hummed and listened to him intently.

"I don't understand how to approach this problem."

"Is that so?" The monk asked. "I think you have an idea but you are reluctant because you can't predict the outcome."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

'Exactly.' He thought. 'How did he figure it out?'

"Life is unpredictable, child. It would be boring if everyone could predict the course of life." The monk smiled. "Life is beautiful because it is unpredictable."

"Maybe but unpredictability creates uncertainty, eventually leading to fear."

"That's right." The monk said. "But it's not about the fear. It's how you face the fear, child."

The monk advised him a lot. Harsha felt calm and motivated talking to him. The man was clearly learned and enlightened.

"So, were you a scholar before?" He asked. "You seem to be well-versed in philosophy! A priest perhaps?"

The monk chuckled softly. "I don't know how to read or write, child."

"And as for the priest. I am not allowed to enter them by certain people."

Harsha's eyes widened. "What? You were of lower caste?"

"Lower caste? Do you mean was I born a shudra? If so, then yes."

He couldn't believe it. A man of such stature didn't know how to read or write and wasn't a priest. The man was clearly enlightened. Gears turned in Harsha's mind.

"Do you know the Vedas?" He asked.

The old monk tilted his head. "Yes, a young Brahmin child used to recite them to me while I was meditating."

"And you remember those?"

He nodded.

'This is….'

Harsha hit the jackpot.

"Old monk?"

"Yes, my child." He smiled. "Did something happen? You seem to be happy."

Harsha had a wry smile on his face.

"Something certainly happened."

He began to explain it to the old monk. Harsha needed the old monk because he was the best candidate to solve all his worries.

"Oh…you require my help in that regard."

"Yes," he said confidently.

Harsha stood up and bowed deeply. "Please lend me your help."

The old monk smiled at him. "Come close, child."

Harsha stepped forward. The old monk put his palm on his head. "Bless you, my child."

"You might bring about change." The monk said. "This old man shall lend his help for this task."

"Thank you." Harsha bowed again.

"I shall be here. You may come to visit when you need my help," he said.

"Yes."

Harsha smiled and turned to leave.

"Before you depart. I shall advise you to be careful, my child." He said. "Just like you will bring great changes. You will face a huge adversary in your path. It will bring harm to your loved ones."

"So beware, my child."