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Chapter 47: Public Trial
In the Mughal Empire, Agra:
Within the royal palace, the monarch, Muhammad the Fifth, was in a conversation with a middle-aged man. This individual was none other than the fakir who had been dispatched to the Vijayanagara Empire on a mission to support the rebels.
"How did it go?" the king inquired with anticipation in his eyes. If, by Allah's blessing, the Vijayanagara Empire was weakened in this civil war, it would pave the way for his conquest of the non-believers after he had finished consolidating his rule.
Hearing the king's question, the fakir felt a sense of humiliation thinking about the experiences he had in the Vijayanagara empire, as he responded, sweat trickling down his forehead. "Your Highness, unfortunately, the rebellious forces led by Vimal couldn't maintain the advantage they had at the beginning of the conflict. Ultimately, the blasphemers ended up failing you, despite the resources they had been so graciously granted. They couldn't even secure a victory which they had in their grasp. I deeply regret this failure and implore you to punish me, Your Highness. I am just a humble servant who couldn't fulfil the mission you entrusted to me."
However, there was another group of people who weren't as content. The upper-caste community found themselves in a state of confusion after the recent events. Although they hadn't actively engaged in the rebellion, a small ember of hope had flickered within their hearts, wishing for the rebellion's success and the preservation of their privileges. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, those aspirations were left unfulfilled.
In any case, with the foundation of Emperor Vijay Deva Raya's reign firmly established, who would dare provoke the Chakravarthy Vijay Devaraya at this juncture of his rule?
Inside a designated building meant to house the prisoners, i.e., a jail, a group of rebels found themselves confined in the celler. They were swiftly brought out into the open air, where they were exposed to the public eye, and met with a barrage of stones from the crowd. The assault caused their skin to break, leaving their bodies bruised and bleeding. Amidst this grim spectacle, Vijay made his entrance.
As the people paid their respects by bowing their heads to the monarch, Vijay's gaze fell upon his cousin, who was now in chains. Seeing him in this state, Vijay did not harbour even a hint of pity in his eyes. Perhaps, if these same circumstances were placed in front of him before the battle, he might have hesitated. However, Mina's death had made it clear to him that this was a dog-eat-dog world, and the only way to survive was to be the bigger dog. Without any hesitation, he unceremoniously kicked the chair that was propping Vimal up.
"Caw caw", A murder of crows was looming in the air, smelling Death.
As the chair was pushed, Vimal struggled to take one more breath before he couldn't anymore.
As he took his last breath, the raven welcomed his departing soul to the Naraka Loka.