The ground everywhere had become muddy due to the rain. It had been a long time since the rain had stopped. The clouds were clearing and the sun was visible. Sunset was about to happen soon. Before sunset, the sun was giving light to the world. The sunlight was falling on the capital. The scene was so beautiful that it felt like a painting by a great artist.
Raghuveer had left the market and entered the upper-caste area, where large wooden houses appeared before his eyes. He stopped. The lifestyle of the people in that area was different. The people passing by were looking at Raghuveer, as if he were a black spot on a white face. That's what they must have felt seeing him.
Raghuveer's attention was on those large houses. He hadn't seen such houses in a long time. In front of every house were flowers — some red, some yellow. The houses were wooden, tall, and elegant. For a moment, Raghuveer felt like he was in another world. The muddy roads of Bhagyavati had been replaced by smooth stone pavements.
The clothing of the people in that area was different. The women walking ahead were wrapped in silk gowns — their waists tightly bound with corsets, pearl necklaces around their necks, and flower-decorated bonnets on their heads. The men wore frock coats, vests inside, and tall hats on their heads. Even the Navratnas (ministers) lived in this area. They wore boots. It felt like the Victorian era.
"What a beautiful place this is," Raghuveer said to himself, smiling.
He was lost in the scene. But his happiness wouldn't last long. Because entry of Shudras into this area was strictly prohibited. Even Shudra soldiers were not allowed here. Only upper-caste people — "Brahmin" and "Kshatriya" castes. The protection of this area was handled by upper-caste soldiers. They were called "Knights."
The people passing by were looking at him with anger. His clothes were still wet. Some people were whispering about him. Raghuveer could hear their whispers.
"Let them look at me, let them whisper about me. I haven't come here to stay," Raghuveer told himself.
He was happy seeing the scene. After many days, there was a smile on his face. But just then, someone placed a hand on his shoulder from behind. Raghuveer turned around. Five knights were standing there.
"Hey Manas, he's a Shudra," one knight said.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" Manas asked politely.
Raghuveer didn't say anything.
"You can speak, we won't do anything to you," Manas said.
"I stopped here to see the scene," Raghuveer replied.
"I'm sorry, but Shudras are not allowed here. Please leave," Manas said. He didn't want to say this, but humanity is greater than caste.
Manas had a very fair face. There was a mole near his nose. His thick black hair. His kind nature. These things made him different from others.
Raghuveer looked at him.
"I'm not a Shudra," he said, looking into Manas's eyes.
"If you're not a Shudra, then are you a Brahmin?" one knight said, laughing. The other knights joined him and laughed at Raghuveer. Manas remained silent.
Raghuveer looked at that knight. The knight stopped laughing.
"What are you looking at?" the knight said.
Raghuveer didn't say anything. He just kept looking at the knight.
"What are you staring at?" the knight said.
"Hey, he's the one who attacked the soldiers," another knight said.
People nearby began looking at them. Manas couldn't believe it. His face showed surprise.
"Good that we found you here. Come to the royal court. The king is looking for you," one knight said.
Raghuveer started walking without saying anything. But the knights drew their swords and stopped him.
Only Manas's sword remained in its sheath.
"Come quietly, or we'll cut off your hands and take you," the third knight said.
Raghuveer slowly turned his head back.
"I'm fine with that," Raghuveer said, turning around. He now drew his sword. Raghuveer was ready to fight.
"You all step back. I'll kill him," one knight said. The other four knights stepped back.
Even the people there stopped and began watching.
"Your pieces will be sent to the king," the knight said. The other knights and the crowd began cheering him.
The knight attacked Raghuveer. But his sword stopped at Raghuveer's neck. Blood began to fall on the ground. The people and knights looked at Raghuveer in fear. Because no one saw when he moved his sword and separated the knight's head from his body.
Raghuveer wiped his sword.
The second knight's heartbeat increased. He stepped forward in fear.
"You demon…" he said, and Raghuveer attacked. Without moving from his place, Raghuveer split his body from the stomach.
He killed them as if they were cake. Just like slicing a cake makes pieces, Raghuveer sliced them. Because his life had been spent fighting.
Now only three knights remained. Two ran away. Manas stood there, watching everything. But he didn't do anything.
The people present also began running away.
Manas stood there like a stone. Raghuveer sheathed his sword and began walking away.
"The king is after me. I feel, Raghuveer, you should meet the king once. Listen to what he says. If he has done anything wrong to you, then destroying a kingdom is not a big thing for you," Raghuveer told himself.
Just then, someone placed a hand on Raghuveer's shoulder. He turned around.
"Hooh... exhaling, you've finally been found," the man said.