In the Royal Court of Pataliputra
The grand hall of the imperial court was filled with a crowd of angry merchants, whispering anxiously among themselves.
Merchant 1 (whispering):"Today… today we will finally bring Dhanpala down."
Merchant 2:"Yes. He can't escape this time—we are united."
But then…
A sudden, chilling silence spread through the crowd.
The doors of the court opened with a deep creak, and an overwhelming presence walked in.
Every heartbeat froze.
It was none other than… Emperor Ashoka the Great.
The man whose mere name sent shivers across the subcontinent.
As he entered, the once-noisy hall turned into a shrine of fear.
Crowd (bowing, hands folded):"Victory to Emperor Ashoka!""Victory to the Great Samrat!""Hail the Emperor!"
Ashoka walked to his golden throne and raised his hand, gesturing for silence—though silence had already consumed the room.
Ashoka (smiling calmly):"So… my people… what grievance has dragged you all the way to my court?"
No one dared to speak.
The crowd that was roaring with passion moments ago had now become a room full of trembling souls.
Until…
Skand (stepping forward, respectfully):"Victory to Samrat Ashoka.I come to request justice for us all.The Merchant Guild Master you appointed has become corrupt.His actions are harming your empire's economy and reputation alike."
Gasps echoed through the crowd. Even Suvana stared at Skand in disbelief.
Suvana (thinking):Have you lost your mind, Skand? No one speaks like that in front of the Samrat. The last man who did… vanished the next day.
Ashoka (thinking, intrigued):Interesting...Everyone here fears me.But this boy—he's either fearless or a fool… or perhaps… he truly doesn't know who I am.
Ashoka (leaning forward):"Oh? And what exactly has the Guild Master done?"
The crowd was stunned.
He didn't punish Skand.Instead, he asked him to speak further.
Skand (nervously, but firm):"He threatens every rising merchant…steals their trade secrets, manipulates records, and sometimes… even takes lives.We are all merchants who've suffered under his greed."
Ashoka sat back, expression unreadable.
Ashoka:"Hmph. Guards—bring me the Guild Master. Now."
Moments Later
Dhanpala entered the court, his face pale, visibly shaken.
Dhanpala (bowing low):"Victory to Samrat… You summoned me how can this slave help you?"
Ashoka:"These people have accused you of exploiting and oppressing them.That you've made honest trade impossible.Speak."
Dhanpala (looking at the crowd, recognizing faces):These… these are all the ones I've ruined in the past. And leading them—Suvana? So this is his revenge...
Dhanpala (acting innocent):"Great Samrat, I swear—I never meant harm.I only tried to keep the merchants within proper control…so that they may serve the empire better."
Suddenly, the crowd roared in anger.
Merchants (yelling):"Liar! You stole from us!""You tried to destroy our lives and now you pretend to care?!""You don't care for the empire—you care for your own power!"
Ashoka stood up.
Instant silence.
He slowly walked down from his throne toward Dhanpala.
Ashoka (coldly):"I gave you power to protect the merchants.Not to prey on them."
Dhanpala (panicking, falling to his knees):"Mercy, Samrat! Please forgive me!Everything I did—I did for the empire…"
Ashoka smiled.
For a moment… Dhanpala smiled too, thinking he was spared.
Then—
With a flash of steel, Ashoka drew his sword and slit Dhanpala's throat.
Ashoka (muttering):"The empire already has me to care for it.We don't need parasites."
He turned to the stunned audience.
Then, without a trace of bloodlust in his expression, he smiled once again.
Ashoka (calmly):"Your problem is solved.Anyone who harms my people…will be removed from this world."
The crowd was speechless.
Some stood frozen. Some looked away.But one thing was certain—no one would forget this day.
Skand (thinking, deeply disturbed):I always thought Ashoka was great.But this...He's far more terrifying than history ever described.
To Be Continued...