In the Provincial Assembly, Dipendra was discussing the upcoming decennial swordsmanship convention to be held in Vijay Nagar. This convention traditionally allowed participation only for individuals up to the age of 30. However, this year, the age limit had been raised to 40 to enable more participants and make the event more impactful.
Just then, a messenger informed Dipendra, "Your disciples have returned from Shahpur City."
After discussing the matter, Dipendra proceeded toward a building where he found Kapil, Vishakha, and Prabhas with somber expressions. Noticing Sourabh's absence among them, Dipendra immediately sensed that something unfortunate had occurred.
Breaking the tense silence, Kapil said, "We were returning from the Madhya Kshetra after crossing the Gidhour Hills when we encountered a man. His strength was far greater than ours. In just a few minutes, he overpowered us and took Sourabh with him."
Kapil's voice trembled as he spoke.
After a deep sigh, Dipendra asked, "What did he look like, and why did he do this?"
Kapil took a deep breath and replied, "He looked to be around 50 or 55 years old. Before leaving, he said he would wait for you in the forests of Macedonia."
Unable to make sense of the situation, Dipendra wrote a letter, tied it to a hawk's claw, and sent it off. The hawk quickly flew away.
---
Meanwhile, in Macedonia, King Seleucus II was in his court discussing the annual budget with his ministers. Suddenly, a hawk entered the court and perched on a pillar near the throne.
Minister Niketar said, "This must be a message, Your Majesty."
The letter was read aloud in the court:
"To King Seleucus II of Macedonia, my respects. Someone has kidnapped my student Sourabh and taken refuge in your forests. Either you will personally ensure his release, or I will have to come myself.
Regards,
Dipendra"
The mention of Dipendra's name in the last line left everyone in the court stunned.
General Martin Luther said, "Who would dare to antagonize Dipendra, and that too in the Eastern region?"
King Seleucus II ordered, "Minister Niketar and General Martin Luther, take an army and begin the search for Dipendra's student immediately."
---
A large contingent of 4,000 soldiers set out from Macedonia toward the forests, led by Martin Luther and Niketar.
In the meantime, Karl Morelish, the man who had kidnapped Sourabh, unlocked his chains and said, "I hold no personal grudge against you. I simply want to settle an old score—or perhaps I should call it a matter with an old friend."
Sourabh asked, "What's your name, and why do you have a grudge against my trainer?
He's been alive for 200 years but stopped wielding a sword 150 years ago."
Karl laughed loudly and said, "Is that what your trainer told you?"
Sourabh replied, "No, we heard that in the Provincial Council."
Karl continued laughing and said, "My name is Karl Morelish."
He took a fruit out of his bag, handed one to Sourabh, and began eating another himself. At first, Sourabh hesitated, but seeing Karl eat it, he decided to eat as well.
Suddenly, Karl stood up. Sourabh noticed the faint sound of galloping hooves approaching. Karl gestured for Sourabh to follow him, and they emerged from the forest into an open field.
In the distance, they could see a Macedonian army approaching.
Karl laughed and said, "Dipendra has become impotent, coming here with the Macedonian army."
Hearing such disrespectful words about Dipendra, Sourabh replied, "You know nothing about him!"
Before Sourabh could say more, Karl punched him hard, knocking him to the ground. Sourabh felt a sharp pain in his chest.
As the army approached Karl, Martin Luther said, "You've kidnapped Sourabh!"
Karl responded smugly, "You don't have what it takes to defeat me. Send Dipendra instead; maybe he can last a little while against me."
Minister Niketar countered Karl's arrogance, saying, "If you're so powerful, why don't you go directly to the Provincial Council and challenge him yourself?"
Hearing this, Karl's laughter disappeared, and his expression turned angry. He said, "The destruction of Macedonia has already been written by my hands."
Enraged, Martin Luther shouted, "Soldiers, charge and teach this braggart a lesson!"
The soldiers quickly advanced toward Karl.
Karl, smiling, unsheathed his sword and, using the shadow technique, unleashed his attack: "Advanced Style 2nd Form: Mountain Slash Strike." With this strike, over 500 soldiers, along with their horses, were cut down instantly.
Soldiers fell like carrots being chopped as Karl's sword carved through them effortlessly. He followed up with another attack: "Advanced Style 1st Form: Energy Slash Strike." This move claimed the lives of many more soldiers. The remaining troops, overwhelmed by fear, began retreating slowly.
Sourabh was stunned by Karl's overwhelming power.
Niketas and Martin Luther, though visibly terrified, gathered their courage and stepped forward together to confront Karl.
Martin Luther attacked, shouting, "Ordinary Style 9th Form: Blade Cutting Strike."
Simultaneously, Niketas launched his attack: "Ordinary Style 7th Form: Stone Breaking Cut." The 15-foot-long shadows of their swords collided with Karl's green shield and were instantly obliterated.
In response, Karl counterattacked, sending both Luther and Niketas flying 20 meters away. Niketas sustained a severe injury to his waist.
Despite the injury, Martin Luther launched another attack: "Advanced Style 1st Form: Energy Slash Strike." Karl retaliated immediately with his own: "Advanced Style 1st Form: Energy Slash Strike."
The two energy slashes collided, injuring several soldiers within a 50-meter radius. Karl's slash overpowered Luther's and struck his armor directly.
This entire exchange happened in less than two seconds. Before Martin Luther could comprehend what had occurred, Karl appeared in front of him in the blink of an eye and,
with a single strike, beheaded him. Without wasting a moment, Karl turned to attack Niketas with "Ordinary Style 8th Form: Shadow Strike Assault."
Niketas attempted to defend himself with "Shield Shadow Technique 2nd Form: Shadow Shield Wall." A shadowy wall appeared in front of him,
but Karl's sword sliced through the wall and struck Niketas' arm, severing it completely.
Karl grabbed Niketas by the neck and hurled him 40 meters away. Panic spread among the soldiers, who began fleeing. Some managed to place the severely injured Niketas on a horse and retreated toward the palace.