Author's Note:
Welcome to Volume 2! The zombie survival phase is over, and the true journey begins. From this point onward, you'll witness diplomacy, alliances, betrayals, kingdoms, wars, and the struggle to unite Bharat. Thank you for reading and supporting War of Candidates. I hope you enjoy this new arc!
Thank you for supporting War of Candidates! Every comment, review, and vote motivates me to keep writing. I hope you'll enjoy this new volume as the story expands far beyond survival into the world of kingdoms, strategy, and history.
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CHAPTER 23:-
GAJAPATI EMPIRE OF KALINGA ARC.
[ PART 1]
.
Everything was ready. All chariots moving forward with a unite of soldiers.
Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu spoke in a calm tone:
"So, which kingdom do you want to approach first for an alliance?"
Nikhil :
"I was thinking we should approach the Gajapati Empire first."
Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu's eyes widened in shock. His gaze froze for a moment before he slowly looked at Nikhil
Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu:
"Very well then...We go."
The chariots began moving toward the Gajapati Empire.
---
Flashback — Last night
Nikhil ( frustrated tone) :
"I don't know who reached the killing point before us because the system didn't show any name or location...who Awakened magic ability before us ? ....But I'm even more worried about something else.
Aditya (curious tone):
"And what is it?"
Nikhil:
"The thing is… we are from the year 2025. Countries like Japan, China, America, Russia — they're global powers in the modern era. Their teenagers are stronger, better educated, and often smarter than us in many aspects.. And if they're also here as Candidates then... someday we will face them.
We need to work even harder — and unify the whole of Bharat...
It's exhausting.
There is so much we have to do."
---
Present time
As the chariot moved through the forest, everyone remained silent.
Aditya's thoughts:
(Nikhil was right. We have to work hard to unify Bharat. There are many enemies in this era.)
Damini wore
Deep wine-red silk sari with broad gold border
Dark green fitted blouse
Gold waist belt (kamarband)
Gold bangles
Small earrings
Hair in a long braid decorated with jasmine flowers
Damni and Janvi recalled what they had read about Kalinga in history books. Janvi glaz at pallavi dress. While Pallavi looking around didn't paying attention to anything.
Standing beside Damini.
Janvi wore
Royal blue silk sari
Silver border
Light blue blouse
Thin silver waist chain rested above the folds of her sari.
Small Pearl earrings
Hair partly braided.
Pallavi was dressed in a soft pink silk sari with a graceful cream-colored border. A cream blouse, a simple pearl necklace, and thin gold bangles completed her attire. Her neatly tied bun and calm expression gave her an elegant and gentle presence that reflected quiet nobility.
Hemant's thought:
(If Nikhil has something ability like teleportation...then why are we still using a chariots ?)
Hemant wore
Maroon cotton-silk tunic
Dark brown leather chest belt
Thick cream dhoti
Leather forearm guards
Heavy boots or sandals.
Jenit wore a deep purple silk angarakha embroidered with delicate silver patterns along the collar and sleeves. A spotless white dhoti with a thin silver border, secured by a black silk waist sash, gave him the refined appearance of a noble scholar rather than a soldier.
Harsh's eyes wandered across the forest, admiring its beauty.
After a few minutes:
Hemant (normal tone):
"By the way… Nikhil, don't you have teleportation ability?
So why don't we use it and go there directly?"
Aditya smiled.
Nikhil:
"If we teleport directly inside, King Prataparudra might think we're attacking them. then how would we earn his trust?"
Damini whisper to Janvi while her eyes looking up and down to Nikhil : Is he trying to impress everyone... or is he really thinking politically?"
Janvi's thought:
(Yes… that sounds like political thinking.)
Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu's thought:
(This boy possesses remarkable political sense at such a young age... What a talent.)
Nikhil's thought:
(But still, it will take forty to sixty days to travel. We can't afford that time. I have to use my ability.)
Nikhil:
"Well, Hemant — you're right. We should use my ability.
But not at the Gajapati Castle… we'll teleport near it."
Nikhil activated his ability.
Blue light spread beneath their feet.
The mountain wind vanished.
For a heartbeat, the world turned silent.
Then they all teleport near Gajapati Empire castel.
Top view.
A massive square fortress covering roughly 102 acres. Thick laterite stone defensive walls rising high above the surrounding land . A broad stone-lined moat 10-20 metres wide filled with water on all foure sides . One farme eastern gateway with huge wooden doors reinforced by iron . Watchtowers at important points with soldiers observing the plains. Royal banners bearing the Gajapati emblem flying from the ramparts. Stone paved roads leading to entrance where elephants, cavalry soldiers, merchants , and ambassadors gathered.
Inside the fort
The Royal Palace, probably a large multi-storeyed complex (later records mention a famous nine-storeyed palace within the fort).
A Royal audience hall (Durbar).
A Administrative offices.
A Armouries.
A Elephant stables.
A Horse stables.
Granaries storing food for long sieges.
Barracks for elite guards.
Wells and water reservoirs.
Gardens with flowering trees.
Temples dedicated to Hindu deities, especially associated with the Gajapati rulers' devotion to Jagannath Temple.
Surrounding Geography
To the north side the mighty Mahanadi River flowed close to the city .
To the south side The Kathajodi River formed another natural barrier .
Areas Around the capital.
Within a few kilometres of the fort on south middle side . Royal markets filled with silks , spices , horses, pearls , and metalwork .
To the south-west side near fort Residential quarters of ministers and nobles , Military camps.
On south- east Artisan district of Blacksmiths , sculptors and weavers , Temples and monasteries, River ghats whee boats transported goods and troops , Dense groves of banyan , mango, tamarind and palm trees , Agriculture villages beyond the city walls producing rice , sugarcane , coconuts and betel .
Distance to important place .
Jagannath temple about 80 km southeast, connected by an important Royal road .
The eastern coast of Bengal roughly 60 - 70 km away.
Forested uplands lay farther inland to the west and southwest.
Trade routes connected the capital with Vijayanagar , Bengal and Central Bharat.
Nikhil suddenly dropped to one knee.
His breathing turned ragged, and cold sweat ran down his face. Saliva dripped from his mouth.
For a moment, the world around him seemed to spin
Damini eyes widened and she move towards Nikhil but stop in mid then she continued her motion.
Aditya, Jenit, Harsh, Pallavi, Janvi, Damini, and Hemant rushed toward Nikhil.
Aditya (worried tone):
"Hey, Nikhil — are you okay?"
Jenit (worried tone):
"You shouldn't use your ability now ."
Hemant (worried tone):
"Yeah. Dude, don't take my words so seriously. I'm sorry. ."
Jenit slowly turn his head towards hemant, his eyebrows up and give him a look . Standing beside Hemant.
Hemant shout: what!?
Pallavi place hand on her mouth chuckled by tension between Hemant and Jenit.
Nikhil placed his right hand on his knee and slowly pushed himself to his feet. He slowly stand up
"I'm fine."
Nikhil thoughts (My body feels weak … I guess I'm not ready to use this magic ability yet.)
Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu placed a hand on his shoulder reassuringly.
Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu:
"Take your time. What matters is we reached."
A few minutes later, Nikhil felt better.
They continued toward the entrance of the Gajapati Empire.
At the gate, The guards stopped them and looked at them suspiciously, demanding their identities and purpose.
Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu presented the royal seal of Vijayanagara and the official document letter for political meeting.
Guard Captain:
"A Vijayanagara royal seal letter ? State your purpose clearly. The Gajapati court does not permit armed visitors without approval."
Guard captain gives seal letter to
One of guard. He took it and then mounted his horse and rode toward the castle.
After many minutes confirming the seal and letter the Gajapati guards allowed them to enter.
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Chapter End.