Ashvapati stood with his arms crossed, observing Arya with a calm yet calculating gaze. "Which Mandala do you come from, Arya?" he asked.
"Prithvi Mandala," Arya answered without hesitation.
"And where are you right now?"
"Bhuva Mandala."
"Good. What other Mandalas do you know of?"
Arya thought for a moment. "Jangala Mandala, Vayu Mandala, Nakta Mandala, and Yaksha Mandala. I think there are more, but many believe them to be legends. Who knows if they actually exist?"
Ashvapati let out a small, knowing smile. "They do exist. I come from Vayu Mandala myself. Each Mandala consists of multiple cities under its dominion. Our Bhuva Mandala has five cities: Vajrapur, Tapovan, Karunagadh, Sharvanagar, and Lohitpuri. You reign over Lohitpuri."
"Yes, I know that. And I also know that other warlords control the remaining cities. Some of them hail from Prithvi Mandala as well. But I don't know much about Jangala Mandala."
Ashvapati's expression darkened slightly. "Not much is known about Jangala Mandala because its inhabitants do not want you to know much. I have been to three different Mandalas, yet even I know little about it. What I do know, however, is that there are beings in Jangala Mandala—and in other Mandalas—who are far beyond what mere humans can handle."
Raghav, who had been listening intently, finally spoke up. "Are you one of them?"
A hint of amusement flickered in Ashvapati's eyes. "Yes, I am an Ashvarath. Our race is strong and durable, feared by many. But that fear is built on stories spun by humans. An Ashvarath is not the strongest race, nor the most dangerous. There exist beings with abilities beyond what you can comprehend. Some of them are human, but they have knowledge that has been buried in whispers and darkness. Similarly, there are races and species with supernatural gifts. Some claim to have seen them; others believe they are merely myths."
Arya processed this information carefully. "Are you saying that some warlords might have access to these beings and their powers?"
Ashvapati nodded. "That is very likely."
Rudra grinned, leaning back. "But we have you! You are the strongest!"
"That is where you are mistaken," Ashvapati said gravely. "Strength alone is not enough. We need knowledge. We need understanding. Our enemies are not just wielders of swords but of powers we do not yet comprehend. If we do not learn, we will be crushed before we even step onto the battlefield."
Arya's mind raced. "You think Eknandini has access to these beings? And what about the higher-ups? Who exactly are they?"
Ashvapati took a measured breath. "You rule Lohitpuri, just as other warlords rule their respective cities. Together, these warlords form the council known as Yamsabha. But Yamsabha itself is not the highest authority. It reports to a higher power—the state heads of the Ashtaraj Council. These state heads were once warlords, but they ascended through power, politics, and sheer force of will. They command more than just armies; they command influence."
Raghav furrowed his brows. "So the state heads are the ones who truly hold power?"
Ashvapati shook his head. "If only it were that simple. Even they are not at the top. The state heads report to the King of the Ashtaraj Triad."
Rudra exhaled sharply. "This is too much. There's a whole world of power above us that we've never even seen."
"And you must understand it if you wish to survive," Ashvapati said firmly. "Sharvas and his allies are dangerous not just because of their armies but because of who they can reach. If they manage to get the Ashtaraj Council or our state head to intervene on their behalf, this war will be over before it even begins."
He turned to one of his officers, a seasoned man named Raman. "Bring the documents related to the power hierarchy and reporting structure."
Raman disappeared for a moment and returned with stacks of scrolls and papers. Arya and the twins looked over them, their eyes widening at the sheer complexity of the system they had been unknowingly thrown into.
Arya turned to Ashvapati, frustration creeping into his voice. "Why wasn't this brought to me sooner? I have been here for months, trying to understand my position, and you tell me now that I am part of an empire far greater than I imagined? This information is crucial."
Raman hesitated before answering. "My lord… we did not think you would last this long. It is a surprise to many that you are still here."
Arya's gaze sharpened, and Raman quickly lowered his eyes. "I did not mean disrespect. It's just that… considering the circumstances, many believed you wouldn't survive long enough for this knowledge to be relevant."
Arya's grip on the parchment tightened. He had been underestimated, dismissed as another pawn to be sacrificed. But he was still here. And he would make sure they all knew he wasn't going anywhere.
"I am here," Arya said, his voice steady. "And now, I want to learn everything."