"The King among the Kings, Ruler of Eight provinces, Bearer of the mythical seal, Overlord of the great Mauryan Empire, his majesty, the emperor, Bindasura Maurya has issued an edict, get onto your knees and receive the privilege, oh honorable Brahman."
The sound of a man screaming at the top of his lungs while standing up on the stage built around a bodhi tree resounded throughout the small remote village in the Champa province.
The villagers stood around the tree looking at the unusual appearance of the Emperor's messenger in their remote village.
As they watched the unfamiliar scene, a middle-aged man stepped out from the crowd and respectfully bowed to the messenger.
"I am honored to receive the Privilege"
He was wearing a pure white dhoti and nothing but a sacred thread across his chest.
Shortly after receiving the nod of approval from the King's messenger, the Brahman kneeled down, indicating that he was ready to receive the Royal edict.
The Messenger looked at the Brahman and with his ever-serious expression, he broke the still intact seal on the Royal edict and started the religious chant accounting for his truthness.
"In the residence of the divine Bhodi tree and in the witness of great Mauryan subjects, henceforth I Shall relay the message of the one true ruler of the Mauryan Empire, Bindusara Maurya himself, may the god of oath examine my words and shall incinerate this body if I were to lie"
Finishing the religious chant, the Messenger opened the Royal Edict.
And as soon as he opened the edict, all the citizens around him kneeled, holding their right hand in front of their chest and their heads held down, showing respect for the Royal edict.
It was a law in the empire to respect the Royal edict with the same respect that the Emperor himself received, any rebuttal or contradiction to this is considered treason against the throne, and the 'culprit' would be judged for immediate execution.
So, even if the people don't like kneeling, the fear of the cold blades hanging around the hips of royal escorts who accompanied the Emperor's messenger made them comply.
"The emperor of the Great Mauryan empire, Bindusara Maurya, otherwise I, the ruler of the eight provinces, have heard a great deal of your deeds and wisdom. Sage Vyasa, you, who is a true Brahman deserve more than just being in a remote province. In recognition of your achievement, I am now summoning you, Sage Vyasa, the chief priest of the Champa province to serve me in the Royal palace as one of the 7 sages of Mauryan, accept the honor and be present before my eyes as soon as possible."
The Messenger finished reading the edict and closed the scroll.
The citizens around him stood up, and so does Sage Vyasa.
Many of them were happy as someone among them was invited to work at the royal palace while there were also some wise ones who were sad because a Sage, who was protecting them till now would have to leave.
But there was nothing that they could do.
Each and every word in the edict would be personally written by Emperor himself, going against the emperor is nothing but asking for Death.
Then again, the only thing that mattered here was the decision of Sage Vyasa, everything else was irrelevant.
Dooth, who had been the Imperial messenger for about 20 years, relayed the emperor's message, looked at Sage Vyasa, and asked politely.
"May I know your decision, Honorable Sage Vyasa?"
Dooth was as polite as possible to the Sage in front of him.
It was because of two reasons.
One was because of his title of 'Sage', which was given to mages that had surpassed the 7th circle.
He was someone who would be considered one of the strongest men in the empire, so he was bound to show respect for greater power.
He clearly didn't want to incur the wrath of such a figure.
And the second thing was that he was the Emperor's Messenger.
Each and every action of the King's messenger would display the actions of the Emperor, if he was to act disrespectfully toward the Sage, it would mean that the Emperor himself would be humiliating the Sage.
If Sage Vyasa misunderstood something, he may become the enemy of the throne, which although wouldn't be a threat to the emperor, would become a hassle.
So, he chose his words carefully so as to not appear disrespectful to Sage Vyasa while also maintaining the dignity of the Emperor's messenger.
The Sage slowly raised his head with a slight smile on his face in response to Dooth.
"If it is the will of the emperor for me to be in the imperial palace, who am I to reject?"
Even though he was given a choice to accept or refuse, Sage Vyasa was aware that refusing the grace of the emperor would mean trouble for himself.
Even if he is a 'Sage' there is only so much he could do against the Emperor, so he decided that accepting the position willingly was far more favorable to him.
Besides, the position as one of the seven sages of Mauryan was very attractive.
Not because he would be able to enjoy the riches of the Royal palace, but because he would be able to meet with 'that' person in the Royal Palace.
The prime minister of the Great Mauryan empire and the Strongest among the Seven Sages, The Sage of Wisdom.
He was called the most intelligent man of all Mauryan and he was also the one who helped the previous emperor rise to glory.
Sage Vyasa was overjoyed that he would be able to meet such a man.
"I will follow you back to the Royal palace, but give me some time to bid farewells to my Child"
Sage Vyasa demanded as he stared at the Messenger.
The Royal palace existed in the province of Patlipautra, which was fifteen days away from the province of Champa by horse, and there was no saying when he will be back, so he was a bit hesitant to leave his family there, but as it is the order from the emperor himself, he had to go.
So, he at least wanted to bid farewells to his family before departing.
"There is no need for farewells, the emperor has ordered your whole family to be escorted to the capital, so be at ease, Sage Vyasa."
The messenger noticed his worry and said so to Sage Vyasa, who was a bit hesitant to leave his daughter and wife.
"All hail the Emperor, then this Old man has no objections, I shall follow you anytime"
Sage Vyasa became ecstatic hearing his words as his only worry was now resolved.
"Then we will depart by tomorrow's sunrise please be prepared by then"
"I shall do so"
Bowing in respect to Sage Vyasa, the Emperor's Messenger, Dooth stepped down from the stage and returned to the temporary tent that was built just outside of the village by the royal escorts for their stay.
Noticing the end of things, the people started congratulating Sage Vyasa.
Sage Vyasa smiled at their affection and humbly replied to them all.
Everyone was in joy as one of their villagers is going to the Royal palace but unlike them, Sage Vyasa looked at the bodhi tree and murmured.
"It seems like fate wants me in the Royal palace this time, I shall follow the will of the Heavens, may the gods look over this humble man"
The gentle murmurs of Sage Vyasa faded as he was seen praying to the bodhi tree.
A new chapter is starting in the life of the brahman, which in the future will become the root for 'THE BIRTH OF CHAKRAVARTHY".
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Volume 1 - THE BIRTH OF CHAKRAVARTHY is officially started from this chapter, It will not be like the generic stories of reincarnation so you can look forward to it.
And don't forget to vote! ;)