32 The day before the... (1/2)
”General there is no movement in the city,” Vrom announced, as the scout's reports, but a smile crept on the face of Riyasu.
”It's better that, there is no movement.” A general of the army couldn't be too cautious, ”How much time will it take if they tried to attack us?” General of West asked.
”The river, we crossed yesterday, was a branch river of Gwang river. Jingeon is 52 km south from there. Even if they move the army right now, it will still take more than 10 hours, before they could reach here.”
”What about Na?”
Rather than explaining Vorn took out a piece of cloth and showed it. ”We are here. If we go to the north around 18 km here, we will find another branch river of Gwang river. Now we had gone through Jingeon, then we would have reached Na faster but we would have been on the other side of the river. But by this road, we won't need to cross the river. We would reach Na from behind.”
”But what will happen if they receive the reinforcement from Jingeon?” Riyasu's voice was sharp.
”Are you sure that Kinoya couldn't take down the city?” The calm Vorn was clearly agitated from the attitude of Riyasu.
On the other hand, Riyasu was the one who couldn't understand, why these people were believing in a boy so much. Though he was not under general of West, he knew very well that, if the general fails, he will have to bear the responsibility too. And there is no way he is going to let his future rest on the hand of a child.
”General, wouldn't it be better if we post a legion at the Jingeon? That way we can at least be sure that there won't be an attack from the back?”
”There won't be any need. Kinoya is taking care of it.” Riyasu looked towards Akai who just came in with Vaicus and another boy who was also riding a horse. The general's guard stopped the boy, but the boy spoke first.
”I am Vishnugupta.”
With the single words, the guards moved back. Even Riyasu swallowed the insult. To the country disrespecting a Vishnugupta is like disrespecting the first emperor.
”Kinoya had taken down Jinsan.” Not caring about the surprised looks of the one around him Chanakya dropped the bomb. It just deepened the silence. Nobody spoke, rather they don't know what to say.
”That city didn't have any strong army. It is easy to take it down. That was not even on the list of the city, we are trying to capture.” Riyasu's sarcastic didn't attract the attention of Chanakya, who looked towards the general for the response. Kinoya made his objective to really clear and Chanakya was sure that he could do his part perfectly well.
”How?” The general of West didn't realize that he had stopped the horse. The whole motion of the band had already come to a halt. If it was anybody else then he wouldn't have believed him but a Vishnugupta never lies, but…
”How did he do that?”
”What is so surprising about it? I could take down that city with a legion no a regiment is enough.”
”If you are not listening, then let me tell you again, Kinoya concurred the city alone without an army,” Akai explained to Riyasu, with a face full of disdain.
”You are mistaken about something. Kinoya didn't concur the city.”
Chanakya's words came with another wave of surprised expression. Even Riyasu, who had been happy otherwise, was surprised for a moment but before he could respond Chanakya continued, ”He destroyed Jinsan.”
It was too much to accept. Nobody asked anything, just looked at Chanakya with bulging eyes. 'Destroyed' they could understand the meaning of the term but couldn't understand the meaning of the sentence, rather couldn't believe it.
”Kinoya didn't concur the city, he destroyed it. There is nothing but dust. Everyone, the garrison, civilian, old or child each and every one of them is dead. You might not find the body if you go there and look for it.”
Riyasu could feel a chill ran through his spine, so did others. Akai couldn't believe that a boy could something so devious. Killing a soldier on a battlefield is not a sin, killing a thousand is merit, and killing ten thousand will be fame. But killing a civilian is...
”What are you talking about?” The silent Vaicus was the one to talk first.
”Did you felt a tremor last night?” Chankaya didn't wait for others to answer, ”That was the effect of the blast.”
”How can he do that?”
”By the same way, they tried to kill us at Yeomcheon.”
”How can he do that?”