30 Karna

"Arjun, you can now undo Duryodhan's bindings. "

Dronacharya instructed Arjun calmly while pointing at the still frozen Duryodhan. 

"Of course teacher. "

Arjun reacted immediately and held up his bow to release Duryodhan. 

But someone else was faster than him, and not just one but two people. 

Almost simultaneously, a small fireball and flaming arrow appeared above Duryodhan and collided, instantly melting the ice binding him. 

Seeing this scene, everyone was shocked and looked for the source of these two attacks.

In the stands, everyone saw that King of Udra, Aryan Bahubali, who is a special guest in this tournament has stood up from his seat and slowly walked down the stage, into the arena. 

All the dignitaries on the stage also stood up in surprise. 

While everyone was stunned by Aryan's move including Bheesm, Shakuni and others on the stage, 

Bhanumati instantly understood why Aryan did this and didn't stop him. 

Meanwhile, the second person who took action, the archer who fired the flaming arrow also jumped down into the arena from the top of one of the towers located on the edges and landed in front of Arjun and Dronacharya. 

Aryan Bahubali, the King of Udra, walked with an air of authority into the arena, and the spectators watched in hushed anticipation. His actions had defied convention, and it was clear that he had a purpose. 

Arjun, Guru Dronacharya, and the Pandav brothers watched this unfolding situation with a mix of curiosity and caution. Aryan's actions were unexpected, and his motives remained unclear.

Bheesm, Vidur, and the other dignitaries on the stage exchanged uncertain glances. The presence of Aryan and the unknown warrior had added a new layer of intrigue to the tournament's conclusion.

Guru Dronacharya temporarily ignored the unknown archer and stepped forward, addressing Aryan with respect,

"King Aryan, may I know the reason behind your intervention ? Is something the matter ?"

"Yes Guru Dronacharya, there is a small problem. Just now, you unanimously declared that Arjun is the strongest warrior in whole Aryavrat, then by saying this, you have indirectly challenged every single warrior in Aryavrat. 

And don't forget that I am also included in those warriors. In fact, in terms of age Arjun should be a few years older than me.

So either you take back your words and announce that Arjun is only strongest in the Kuru princes, or order him to accept my challenge and prove it to me. "

Aryan said domineeringly. 

The crowd instantly erupted into hushed discussion. No one had expected that Guru Dronacharya's comment would enrage the Udra king to the point of directly issuing a challenge. 

At this time dignified expression appeared on Bheesm and other people's faces. The challenge coming from Aryan as a king had very different meaning.

After thinking briefly, Bheesm decided to step forward to mediate in the situation. 

"Calm down King Aryan, Guru Dronacharya didn't have the intention to hurt your feelings. He was just trying to praise his student. "

But before Aryan could respond, the unknown archer standing on the side interrupted him. 

"Oh really? But it definitely didn't look that way to me. And still, one should always weigh before they speak. I don't think a renowned scholar like Guru Dronacharya would make this low level mistake."

"And who might you be? "

Bheesm raised his eyebrow in doubt since the opponent definitely didn't look like a prince or royalty from his clothing. 

"I am Karna, Lord Parshuram's third disciple, Radhey Karn. "

The archer declared proudly. 

The revelation that the unknown archer was Karna, Lord Parshuram's third disciple sent shockwaves through the arena.

"What? Lord Parshuram's disciple? But how is this possible. Lord Parshuram had clearly taken the oath to not teach any other disciple after me and Guru Dronacharya over there. "

Bheesm asked in confusion. 

Meanwhile, Aryan just looked at Karna with a curious smile. 

This was one of his favorite characters when he read Mahabharata. But unfortunately his luck wasn't very good and he always got the short end of the stick throughout his life. 

Abandoned by his mother just after he was born, denied the right to learn archery based on his caste status, scorned by the society and his own brothers. In the end , he even died at the hands of those very brothers. 

But still, this man never wavered from his duties as a friend. 

In fact, getting a loyal friend like him was the best thing that ever happened to Duryodhan in the original Mahabharat who stood by his side to the very end, without any hidden motive of his own. 

Aryan suddenly had the idea of soliciting him to his own side. Anyway, since the moment he came to this world, it was destined to never be same again. 

Meanwhile in response to Bheesm and Dronacharya's doubt of his claim to be Lord Parshuram's disciple, instead of saying anything to explain Karna simply raised his bow and with his chanting, a divine arrow slowly appeared in his bow. 

* crackle * * boom *

As if reacting to the appearance of this astra, the whole world itself reacted as thunder and lightning crackled in the sky and the water level in the oceans rose to an all new high. 

"This is.... Bhargavastra! "

Bheesm exclaimed in shock and Dronacharya also got solemn. 

"You really are Lord Parshuram's disciple. "

Bheesm said after he calmed down a little. 

Seeing that he has achieved the desired affect, Karna slowly retracted the powerful astra and the turmoil in the atmosphere receded. 

But the turmoil in the arena was just beginning. 

After all, the appearance of another one of Lord Parshuram's disciple is a very important matter. Don't forget, the other two disciples of Lord Parshuram are considered as some of the most powerful warriors in the world, all powerful Maharathis. 

So Karna also shouldn't be much worse than them. 

But suddenly, Dronacharya seemed to remember having seen this face somewhere before. 

 "Wait a second, I seem to know who you are. You're that Suta Putra Karna who once came to me to study. "

Dronacharya exclaimed as he finally remembered. 

Karna looked at hum silently for a moment before replying with a nod. 

"Yes, I'm a Suta Putra. My father Adhirat is a charioteer serving Mahaamahim Bheesm. "

The moment he said this, everyone turned silent. 

The caste system was too prominent in this era. So even if he was likely a very powerful warrior, but just his identity as a charioteer's son was enough to eclipse all this. 

Aryan smiled secretly as the chance to solicit Karna was about to appear in front of him. 

It was also the reason why he had stayed silent during this time and let this drama unfold. 

Like he expected, on the stage, Prime minister Vidhur silently approached the kulguru / patron of Hastinapur Kripacharya. 

"Kulguru Kripacharya, we have to stop this man Karna. "

"I understand what you're trying to say, prime minister Vidhur. If Prince Arjun fights this charioteer, then no matter whether he wins or looses it will stain Hastinapur's reputation. "

Kripacharya nodded understandingly. 

"Hmm, if Arjun wins then people will say that Hastinapur has fallen to the point where it's princes fight against charioteers to seek satisfaction and conference on their strength. And if he looses, then people will completely drag Hastinapur's name through mud, saying that the strongest Kuru prince was defeated by a mere charioteer. "

Vidur sighed helplessly at the trickiness of the situation.