Chapter 42: Prelude to the Storm Part :2
Noticing that all the nobles in the Hall were likely to collaborate with the fakir, Bhupathi Rao, along with some of the priests with the same opinions as Rao and a few zamindars, left the village.
Although they had major disagreements with their King, they wouldn't want to be seen involved with a foreign power and weaken their own empire.
Vimal saw a few people leaving the hall, but he didn't stop them, as he already suspected that not everyone would agree with his plan. Now that the indecisive bunch had left, he explained his plans to the remaining nobles and zamindars in the hall. He didn't even think that the people left would leak the news, because it was too late, as the elders say, "On the Day Of War, You Shouldn't Search For Weapons."
"Alright, my friends," Vimal began, his voice carrying a sense of assurance. "The plan is very simple. Thanks to our new friend here, we were able to recruit a few dozen assassins from the Mughal Empire," he explained, gesturing toward the fakir.
The fakir, seeing everyone's attentive eyes, nodded in acceptance and proudly added, "If luck is on our side, we won't even have to lift a finger. Vijay's head should be rolling within moments."
Filled with joy, he covertly extracted all the gold from the mine and established a training facility on a secluded island near Lakshadweep. However, considering the formidable military strength of the Vijayanagar Empire, he had to bide his time and wait for the right opportunity. Now that he had seized his chance, he was determined not to squander it.
Vimal stated to all the nobles, "I know that I am not the only one with a personal army secretly cultivated, so I request you all to send in your people as well."
The nobles, seeing the 50,000-strong army, calmed down, and some among them sent various signals to their assistants. Soon after, thousands more men joined the group. The nobles without a secret army exchanged surprising glances with each other."These guys hid deep enough," they all thought in horror.
Vimal, seeing his plan working, was overjoyed. Out of sight, he could see an army of around 70,000 members, a force capable of breaking through even the city's defensive walls.
"Gentlemen, thank you for your cooperation. Those contributing nobles will receive corresponding rewards after the battle, and the same goes for those contributing financially," he continued, "As long as I take over the throne of the Vijayanagar Empire, which is rightfully mine, I will reinstate all your privileges to their previous state, just as they were before my uncle, the old king, took it away from you."
Listening to his enticing words, the remaining nobles were tempted. Memories of their luxurious lives before the old king stripped them of their wealth resurfaced. Almost a decade had passed since that incident, and the prospect of regaining their former glory was still irresistible.
Driven by their desires for wealth and power, even the most cautious and greedy among them took up their weapons, ready to join the battle that would determine their fate and the fate of the empire.