Arslan Senki

Book 2: Chapter 5: The Two Princes (5)

Keshvad's room was engulfed in pale orange from the light of a bronze lamp. On the carpet sat six people, Arslan, Dariun, Narses, Giv, Farangis, and Keshvad, who were holding a conference over a spread out map of the eastern border region. If they were going to march on the royal capital, how were they to handle the nuisance that was the Sindhuran army? That was what they were discussing. From this discussion they had excluded Bahman, who was as intractable as an old and wounded water buffalo.

Currently, the Kingdom of Sindhura had been split into the two opposing factions of the princes Gadhavi and Rajendra. The ripples of their conflict had reached even the eastern border, just like how Keshvad had clashed against the Sindhuran army the other day.

In the end, between the two princes, if neither one reached a conclusive victory, Sindhura would not be able to stabilize domestically, and for Pars, the threat against the eastern border would remain. Which of the princes should they help out to have him incur a debt, so they could remove one future source of trouble? According to Keshvad's investigations, it seemed to be Prince Rajendra's side who were at the disadvantage, but Arslan requested Narses's opinion.

Narses gave a clear and definite reply.

"There is no point in aiding the strong. It is only in helping the weak to overthrow the strong that we will be able to create a cause for gratitude."

"Then, Narses, you are saying we should aid Prince Rajendra."

"Basically, yes. However, if possible, I would like to know a little more about Prince Rajendra's character."

Narses looked over at Keshvad.

If Rajendra were the kind of man to feel indebted for such favors, there was naught to be said. But if he were the kind of man who felt it burdensome to be done a favor, he might choose to invade Pars anyway, trampling upon both promises and good faith. Furthermore, if he were the type who could be considered an ambitious schemer, a crooked man of immense greed, then when the Parsian troops that had come to his aid turned their backs in a sense of security, he might very well turn on them from behind.

Regarding this point, Keshvad should have more detailed information than anyone else.

What he'd heard from the Sindhuran soldier the other day was that Prince Rajendra was a man with both ambition and greed, whose personality did not seem trustworthy. That was a testimony from someone of the faction opposing Rajendra, so they should probably more or less consider it with a grain of salt. However, Rajendra originally ranked below Gadhavi in the order of succession. That he was nonetheless contesting for the throne could be seen as proof that he was an ambitious man after all.

"Then there is no point in aiding Prince Rajendra either."

"No, even so, I believe supporting Prince Rajendra is still better," said Narses, looking around at his company as he explained his reasoning. "As soon as our troops withdraw, Rajendra will fall upon us. At that time, Rajendra, assuming that our troops have been lulled to complacency, will believe that victory is his for the taking. In letting his guard down that way, our troops can take advantage."

"Hm"

"Regardless, even if Prince Gadhavi is the victor, he must have his own ambitions for the borderlands and will likely come invading as well. That being the case, Rajendra's victory is preferable. Even if Rajendra is victorious, he shan't be able to unify his nation immediately. Should he ambush us from behind, only to find defeat, he'll no doubt shift his attentions afterward to domestic unity."

"I see, during that time we'll be able to advance our troops to the capital without worrying about our backs." Dariun assented, and the other three also approved.

Keshvad, however, was uneasy. In the worst case scenario, if Bahman continued to be as unreliable as he was, they wouldn't be able to move with anything but Keshvad's own command of ten thousand riders. With only this much military strength, could they really fend off their powerful enemies to the east and west, the armies of Sindhura and Lusitania?

Arslan glanced at Narses, and Narses, without even a smile, tapped his head with a finger.

"Please worry not. There are about ten thousand more soldiers right in here."

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