The forest did not return to normal.
Even after the enemies withdrew—
Something remained.
A tension that had not fully faded.
A presence that lingered just beyond reach.
Karna stood still for a moment, his gaze fixed ahead, not chasing what had left, but understanding what had been revealed.
"They weren't retreating out of fear," he said calmly.
Duryodhana rolled his shoulder slightly, resting the mace against his neck as he exhaled.
"Yeah," he replied. "That didn't feel like losing."
A faint smirk appeared.
"Felt more like… they saw enough."
Karna nodded.
Because that—
Was correct.
This had been observation.
Measurement.
Just like before.
But this time—
Both sides had grown.
And that meant—
The next encounter would not be controlled.
Duryodhana stepped forward slightly.
"So what now? We chase them?"
Karna's gaze shifted.
Slow.
Measured.
"No."
A brief pause.
"They want us to follow."
That alone was enough.
Duryodhana's smirk widened.
"Then we don't."
