"That is why I can only accept the military alliance under the condition that it remains up to us to judge the situation on who is right and wrong. Secondly, acknowledgement comes from karma, not from agreements made beforehand. If the king truly deserves to be an Emperor, then we will no doubt support it. An ineligible king cannot have our support. Thirdly, I cannot promise that either. If I see some adharmic activity going on, neither I nor my bow will sit silently. And lastly, if Kuru is the aggressor but the other party is a small state that desperately asks for my help, then I will have to help them."
Karna looked at them and said,
"I apologise, but I cannot give the things you expect. I would rather miss out on all the good things in life than give a promise and regret it for life."
The chamber fell silent once more.
The atmosphere inside the royal chamber slowly eased after Karna's final words settled into silence. The tension had not disappeared completely. It merely shifted shape—like a sword returning into its sheath while still remaining sharp enough to cut.
Shakuni then spoke.
"Maharaj Karna, you are truly making it impossible for us to form any kind of agreement. It is as if you are doing it on purpose."
Karna shook his head firmly.
"It is the result of ideological differences between Hastinapura and Dakshina Kalinga, Gandhara Naresh. For you, supremacy is important. For me, righteousness is more important. I cannot compromise my values for any benefits."
Upon the throne, Dhritarashtra slowly inhaled and rested both hands upon the carved lion-headed armrests beside him. His expression appeared thoughtful now rather than uncomfortable, as though he had reached some conclusion within himself after hearing Karna's unwavering stance.
Finally the blind king spoke.
"Vidura, Uncle Bhishma… can you find any solutions for these… where both of us can agree? Where his values will not be broken while our ambitions are also protected?"
His voice carried the heaviness of age, but also the authority of a ruler who had spent decades handling difficult men and dangerous politics.
Bhishma then said,
"Yes, Maharaj. There is a way."
He looked at Karna. "For the first clause, we amend it. Should the Kuru Kingdom face aggression from another kingdom, and we seek Dakshina Kalinga's assistance, Dakshina Kalinga will extend its support in the form of supplies—from grain to weapons. As for military support, that shall remain your decision."
"For the second clause, should any future King of Hastinapura seek to become an Emperor through a Rajasuya Yajna or an Ashvamedha Yajna, Dakshina Kalinga shall not oppose it."
"Third, Dakshina Kalinga shall not interfere in the affairs of the Kuru Kingdom. However, if the lives of our people are gravely affected or they are denied justice, you may act only if they, or someone on their behalf, come seeking your help."
"Fourth, Dakshina Kalinga shall not stand with the enemies of Hastinapura in times of war. If they seek your assistance, Dakshina Kalinga may act as a neutral party in peace talks. Only if every effort to make peace fails shall Dakshina Kalinga be free to decide its own course."
The old king nodded, adding in a quieter tone,
"Indeed, I agree with you, Uncle. There is nothing in this world that cannot be solved through words… unless one side no longer desires peace itself."
The chamber became silent again. Karna lowered his eyes thoughtfully for a moment. Then slowly a faint smile appeared upon his face—not mocking, not political, just calm.
"Maharaj," he replied softly, "rest assured. War should always be the final option." He leaned slightly forward afterward. "The greatest victory in war is not when thousands die beneath your banners. The greatest victory is when war itself is avoided… and yet justice is not sacrificed."
Even Bhishma's gaze sharpened faintly at those words. Karna continued.
"A kingdom that avoids war by surrendering righteousness is merely delaying destruction. But a kingdom that seeks peace while protecting justice creates stability that lasts beyond generations."
The room once again became thoughtful and quiet. Duryodhana himself silently observed Karna with growing fascination. Every conversation with this man felt strange to him. Karna spoke like a warrior, thought like a ruler, and yet there was also something of a sage hidden beneath his armour.
Finally, Dhritarashtra nodded.
"Then it is settled, I suppose?"
Karna nodded.
"I accept your new proposal put forth by Mahamahim."
Shakuni immediately regained composure and smoothly continued the discussion.
"In that case, Maharaj Karna, we shall begin drafting the finer details of the agreement. The borders of the enclave, trade responsibilities, military contracts, taxation structures… all these matters require careful discussion." He smiled faintly. "Until then, Hastinapura would be honoured if you remained as our royal guest."
That sentence finally caused visible surprise upon Karna's face. His brows faintly rose.
"For how long?"
Dhritarashtra seemed slightly surprised by the question itself. Before he answered, Bhishma calmly spoke.
"Why? Are you in some hurry, Karna?"
For a moment Karna remained silent. Then he slowly answered honestly, just as always.
"Mahamahim… originally I only came here from Kashi to escort Princess Dushala safely." His tone remained respectful. "Back in Kanipura, most people do not even know I travelled this far west. I left my chief queen, Mrinalini, at her maternal home in Kashi while promising that I would return soon." His eyes moved briefly toward the elders. "So while the treaty preparations continue… may I excuse myself temporarily and return after one or two weeks?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Duryodhana's expression subtly stiffened.
A couple of weeks?
Inside his mind, alarm immediately rose.
By then the incident at Varanavata would already happen. The Pandavas would be gone. And the carefully prepared plans surrounding Karna's prolonged stay would completely collapse.
Beside him, Shakuni's eyes also narrowed faintly. But before either nephew or uncle could respond, Dhritarashtra himself spoke first.
"Karna…" His voice carried gentle firmness now. "It is not considered auspicious for an honoured royal guest to repeatedly travel back and forth after accepting hospitality." He paused slightly. "It may also create unrest within the royal council. Many ministers may misunderstand your actions and feel that Dakshina Kalinga does not truly value this agreement… or worse… that you are slighting Hastinapura itself."
Karna quietly listened. Dhritarashtra then turned his face toward Vidura.
"Vidura. Am I wrong?"
Vidura immediately understood what the king was doing. For a brief second, his thoughtful eyes glanced toward Karna. Then he slowly nodded.
"Maharaj speaks correctly." His calm voice echoed gently through the chamber. "We can easily send letters informing Kanipura and Queen Mrinalini about your extended stay." Vidura folded his hands respectfully. "And if your concern is regarding Queen Mrinalini remaining alone at Kashi, Hastinapura can send a proper royal escort to bring her here safely."
The moment he said that, subtle tension instantly appeared upon Shakuni's face. Vidura continued naturally, unaware or unconcerned about the reaction.
"After all… Queen Mrinalini's grandaunt was Maharaj Dhritarashtra's own mother. In a sense, Hastinapura is also part of her family." Then he added gently, "I hope you will stay for at least one month and oversee the treaty discussions fully."
Duryodhana's eyes briefly widened. Meanwhile, Shakuni internally frowned.
Bringing Mrinalini here?
That complicated matters.
They were here, wanting to marry off Dushala to Karna. With his Chief Queen here present, it wouldn't be possible at all.
The Gandhara king immediately stepped in smoothly before Karna could answer.
"Mahamantri Vidura," he said with a soft chuckle, "why trouble Queen Mrinalini unnecessarily?" Shakuni waved his hand lightly. "She is already at her maternal home. Let her remain there peacefully for some time. What woman dislikes spending a few extra weeks at her maternal palace?"
Duryodhana quickly supported him.
"Yes, exactly. There is no need to trouble the queen with such long travel."
Karna silently observed both uncle and nephew.
Something about their reaction felt slightly strange. But not strange enough to raise direct suspicion.
After all, their reasoning itself was sensible. The treaty truly was enormous—perhaps the biggest agreement Dakshina Kalinga had ever received. The enclave alone could permanently expand Kalinga's northern influence for generations. The Ganga trade route privileges would transform commerce. And the twelve-year military contract… that alone would strengthen Kanipura's economy and military industry tremendously.
Karna slowly thought for several moments. Then finally he nodded.
"Alright."
Duryodhana's face immediately relaxed. Karna continued calmly.
"I will remain."
A faint smile appeared upon Duryodhana's lips almost instantly. Meanwhile, Shakuni also smiled…, but unlike Duryodhana's visible relief, his own smile looked restrained and thoughtful.
Because even now… somewhere inside him… he still could not fully trust the man sitting before them.