Sabara sat under the large banyan tree, his eyes focused on the worn-out pages of a scroll. The sun filtered through the thick leaves above, casting soft golden light onto the ground where Rudura sat nearby, pretending to be absorbed in whittling a small wooden stick. He wasn't.
Rudura's mind was buzzing. The seed of manipulation had already been planted, and his actions had begun to grow around it like vines — quietly and strategically. The connection with Sabara had deepened in the past days, but something inside Rudura remained coldly aware: Sabara was still a gatekeeper. If Rudura wanted the key to understanding the political climate of the world he'd been reborn into — and if he wanted to truly plan his next move — he needed to know more.
Today, it was time to test the waters further.
He spoke casually, almost like a child asking out of curiosity, "Sabara, do you know about the Roman Empire?"
Sabara looked up, slightly surprised. "The Roman Empire? Of course. Why do you ask?"
Rudura shrugged, still carving. "I heard a few people whisper about it in the market last week. Something about them sending weapons to our empire. Is that true?"
Sabara folded the scroll and sat upright, suddenly looking serious. "You're young, Rudura, but curious. That's a good thing." He took a deep breath. "The Roman Empire… yes, they're one of our strongest allies. They're a mighty force from the West. Wealthy, powerful, and ruthless when needed. Their soldiers are unmatched, and their engineers are brilliant. Many of the weapons our soldiers use — steel-tipped spears, forged swords, even siege tools — come from their forges. In return, we provide them with gold. Pure Gupta gold."
Rudura's eyes widened, but inwardly, his thoughts sharpened. So, the Roman Empire wasn't just a memory of history. In this world, it was alive, dominant, and intricately tied with the Gupta Empire.
Rudura nodded. "Are they… good people?"
Sabara paused for a long moment. "Good? That depends on who you ask. They honor alliances, but they don't believe in mercy. They are practical, not emotional. If they need to burn a village to ensure ten more remain loyal, they will. But they never break a treaty. At least not yet."
Rudura let that sit. A calculating empire. An empire of weapons and gold. Exactly the kind of force he might need to influence — or counter — in the long game.
Sabara continued, now sounding like a storyteller. "Their empire stretches beyond the great sea. Cities of marble and stone, roads that shine under the sun, and temples taller than our palaces. Their generals command respect, and their senators rule with intellect and ambition. But they are not invincible. There are whispers of rebellion in the far West. Minor tribes refusing Roman control. Still, nothing serious yet."
Inside Rudura's mind, calculations began. If the Romans were as powerful as Sabara described, and if they had dealings with Gupta royalty, then Rudura had to find a way to tap into that connection someday. Not now — he was still just a boy in the eyes of everyone. But one day soon.
Suddenly, Sabara leaned forward, lowering his voice. "I'll tell you something most people don't know."
Rudura's ears perked.
"There's a Roman general here. In India. Disguised, of course. He's been visiting the Samrat privately. They say he's here to finalize a new weapons treaty. And not just swords — things more… dangerous."
"What kind of dangerous?" Rudura asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
"No one knows," Sabara said. "But I heard one of the guards whisper about fire. Fire that doesn't stop burning. A weapon that melts armor."
Rudura stiffened. Greek fire? Or something even deadlier?
Sabara leaned back. "But it's just a rumor. Still, if it's true… it changes the game."
Rudura nodded, silent.
Sabara's face softened. "I see."
Rudura looked up, eyes glistening just enough. "I just want to know how the world works. So next time… I can stop it."
Sabara reached over and gently patted Rudura's shoulder. "You will. You're sharp. And your heart… I can see it's strong."
Rudura nodded. Internally, he noted how quickly sympathy could disarm suspicion.
For the next hour, they sat in silence — Sabara reading, Rudura pretending to nap. But Rudura's mind never rested.
If a Roman general was here, then his mission would be twofold now: find out who the general was, and understand what kind of weapons he was offering. Information was power. And Rudura knew better than anyone: power meant freedom — and control.
As the day ended and the orange sun dipped low behind the trees, Sabara packed his scrolls and stood. "Let's go, Rudura."
Rudura followed him, walking quietly. But inside, every step was a step closer to his next move.
Because if the Roman Empire was part of this world… then Rudura would not just learn about it.
He would master it.
(Continued in Chapter 14)