Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

Patwardhan Mansion, Vijayanagara Empire.

The mansion was brimming with energy as the preparations to march to the capital were underway. Harsha was to march directly to Hampi as the Patwardhan's set out to Mangalore. The biggest battle of the civil war was yet to happen.

The news of Nayaka's joining the war did take the Empire by storm. The merchant unions and local nobles were now very frustrated, not knowing the truth behind the direct intervention by the Patriarch of Nayakas.

The main reason behind the skepticism was because the Nayakas had destroyed armies belonging to both factions. Rumors of the Nayakas taking over the throne when the Emperor was in coma were spreading like wildfire.

"Are the preparations complete?" asked Harsha.

"Yes, Your Highness," said Viswa, looking at the men adjusting the supplies.

Raj Patwardhan approached Harsha. He looked ready, donning his noble commander armor, and a sword hung on his waist.

"Hooo, Lord Raj. You seem to be ready to fight." He paused for a moment looking ahead and added, "Where is your son?"

"Your Highness. I have given my son the responsibility of the head of the household since it's war," his voice trailed off.

"You won't lose. HAHAH Don't worry"

"We can't predict anything in war."

"That is true, Lord Raj. The reason I say you won't lose is not because of that. I will be sending Viswa with you."

"Huh?" Viswa turned to Harsha in surprise. It was his first time hearing this.

"Yes, you will be going to Mangalore."

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Viswa nodded at the order. He had learned that all the orders the prince had given him brought out the best in him.

"As you wish, Your Highness."

Harsha looked at the men gathering the equipment. His trump card: The fuse grenades were ready to be tested directly on the battlefield. During the past week, a grenadier unit was trained to handle different situations and throw grenades at the enemy.

The training was vigorously hard for the selected grenadiers. Viswa overlooked the training of the grenadiers to ensure there is at least no friendly fire during an intense situation.

All of the seventy bases were empty, and the army had gathered in the region ruled by Patwardhan and was prepared to depart. Most of Harsha's soldiers were inexperienced men gathered from the lower castes of society.

Unlike the soldiers of Patwardhan's household. They were very nervous and trembling at the prospect of their first battle being one of the biggest battles.

Harsha knew that morale played a huge role in battles. He also knew that the rumors of him being an inept leader had been circulating for years.

He changed into his armor, a standard steel armor with chainmail underneath. The sword bought by Alfonso hung on his waist.

Harsha stepped into a stage; before him were thousands of soldiers organized and standing in armor. The tension in the air was palpable. He looked over the soldiers. It brought back memories when he was dispatched for the first mission under a supervisor from the research facility.

War was an everyday thing for Harsha in his past life. All he had seen was war. He was born and raised in a war zone. Abducted and used as war weapon. All of his previous life was spent either suffering in the war or inflicting suffering.

Harsha chuckled slightly, thinking of his past. The agonizing screams of his teammates before eventually meeting their deaths. He couldn't feel anything, even if he wanted.

Despite being reincarnated into this world. He initially thought he would be able to feel some emotions. Alas, that wasn't the case. He was still the same. He couldn't feel sympathy towards anyone. One question always lingered in his mind.

'Can I ever become human?' He dismissed the thought and came back to the present.

He faced the crowd of the soldiers. In a loud voice, his voice cut through the air and bellowed through the fields.

"Soldiers hear me!"

The field fell silent in an instant. The murmurs and chatters seemed like a long-gone past.

"Today we stand on the crossroads of destiny. There lies a greater path for us ahead. The road is perilous, and many dangers lie ahead. The time has come for us to take this chance into our own hands.

Let us not be afraid to take up this burden, for our courage will light the way through the darkness. We may be inexperienced. Our foes may be stronger. What matters in the end is the courage to take up your sword.

We will stand and fight, for we are the shield that guards the realms! Together, we are strong!

My soldiers, my brothers in arms. I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails. When we wish to break our bonds and forsake our friends. But it is not the day.

We shall stand strong as a shield and pierce like a sword. Let our hearts be of steel. Let our minds only think of victory. We shall not face defeat, even in our deaths.

Soldiers, Think of your family. This is the day we shall fight for everything we hold dear.

Warriors, I, Harsha Deva Raya, take an oath. I stand before you, brave soldiers. Should the tides of the battle turn against us. I swear upon the lands of Aryavarta that I shall dedicate my flesh to the grieving mothers of the slain. I shall carry the weight of your sacrifice.

I SHALL OFFER MYSELF AS THE SYMBOL OF SACRIFICE. MAY THIS OATH SERVE AS A REMINDER FOR OUR STRUGGLE.

IN THE FACE OF DESPAIR, WE SHALL RISE!!

MY SOLDIERS, BRAVE WARRIORS SCREAM! LET OUR SCREAMS REACH THE HEAVENS!! HAR HAR MAHADEV !!

HAR HAR MAHADEV !!

HAR HAR MAHADEV !!

HAR HAR MAHADEV !!

HAR HAR MAHADEV !!

The screams of the soldiers bellowed throughout the city. Walls trembled under the might. The nervousness of the soldiers dissipated. It was replaced by pure determination to achieve their goals.

Harsha's path to the throne had finally begun.