Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

Royal Palace, Vijayanagara Empire.

Alfonso was walking through the hallways to Harsha's study to meet him. He received a message from Harsha to meet him at his study before leaving for Goa.

"I wonder how the Emperor's life is treating him." He chuckled lightly.

He was pretty impressed by the work ethic of Harsha. He worked and learned everything necessary to manage the empire with the help of the butler Vasudeva and the Patriarch of Nayakas.

His innovative mind also left him in awe. The standard measurement system he had introduced was going to change the Empire's industries. Alfonso could smell the profits rising due to this change as the production increased.

His uncle cut ties with Alfonso after the truth came out that he sold the cannons intended for him to take the throne to Bhairava. He was no longer in contact with the Portuguese.

"It wasn't a bad move, though." He mumbled.

He used his connections well enough to get the cannons in the Empire. He knew it would be useful for the military might of the Empire.

He believed that Harsha would definitely make use of the Portuguese culverins for the gain of the Empire.

Alfonso barged into the study of Harsha with a bright smile.

"Brother, did you miss me??''

Harsha cast a scornful look at him.

"Um… I guess not."

"Sit down," he commanded.

Alfonso sat down, and Viswa served him tea and snacks.

"Oh, you were here. I didn't notice you." He asked, glancing up at Viswa.

Viswa stayed silent at his remarks.

"Man!! You guys are so cold!"

Harsha clicked his tongue.

"Brother!! How dare you click your tongue at your elder brother?" Alfonso rubbed his eyes. "You make your big brother sad."

"Ugh!!" Harsha scratched his head. "Drop the act. I called you to discuss something."

"What do you want to discuss? Little brother."

"So it's about the cannons acquired from the Portuguese."

"Yes! What about it?"

"I want to recreate the culverin."

Harsha leaned back into his chair. "So I need your help for that."

Alfonso was stuffing his face with snacks as Harsha spoke.

"Mfmmfph Hweksl!"

"Talk after eating!"

Harsha slowly got used to this behavior of Alfonso. He was a bit special in his eyes, a tad bit eccentric.

Alfonso swallowed the snacks and took the tea cup and began to sip on tea like nothing had happened, showing off his noble etiquette.

"So what help do you need?"

"I want you to create an industry for the cannons."

"Hmm.. the cannon industry must start from scratch then. It would take some time to complete it." He responded.

"Why would we start from scratch?"

"Huh." Alfonso tilted his head with a confused expression. "We don't have an artillery industry. We have to train everyone from scratch."

"No. We do have an abandoned artillery industry."

Alfonso's expression lit up as it finally dawned upon him.

"Ohhhh!! That one. That makes it easier then."

Harsha referred to the artillery industrial framework that the Bahmani sultanate had used to advance its artillery. The Bahmani sultanate was fully annexed by the Empire, which meant that the artillery industry was taken over as well.

Bahmani had an artillery industry that was heavily funded by their sultan. They had significant progress in the field as they managed to stop Vijayanagara for a while until the former emperor took over the sultanate under his rule.

"Father didn't make use of the artillery industry, so the workers are working different jobs."

"So you want me to find these workers and get them to form an artillery industry under my supervision?"

"Exactly," Harsha admitted.

"What makes you think, I have the knowledge about the cannons." Alfonso asked with a wry look on his face.

"Do you not have it?" Harsha asked with a smirk playing on his lips.

It was true that Alfonso had gotten some documents on the culverines by bribing some Portuguese merchants. He stored it in the hopes of using it later.

"Fine!! I will do it. What do you want me to do other than form the industry?"

"Let me think." Harsha mumbled. "I want you to recreate the Culverins while you are there and use the standard measurements for the cannons."

"Hmm!! Well, that's doable. There is a concern though."

"What is it?."

"Gunpowder, we don't have gunpowder-making capabilities in the Empire. We have to rely on the Europeans for it, which would make it expensive and dependent on them."

"Didn't the Bahmani make gunpowder on their own?" Harsha asked curiously.

Viswa, who stood silent, looked at his report and spoke.

"No, Your Majesty. The Bahmani relied on the Europeans to operate their cannons as well."

Harsha clicked his tongue.

"So we need to find a way to make gunpowder by the time you get the necessary things ready for the industry to begin working again."

"Yes, exactly," Alfonso said with a smirk.

Harsha sighed deeply.

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"For now, we still have so much gunpowder left that we bought from the European merchants." He then turned to Viswa. "Inform Mithun to send the leftover powder once they finish setting up the place."

"Hoo… I guess that would hold out till we figure out the way to make gunpowder."

Alfonso got up to leave. "So, dear Emperor. I shall take my leave to do as you have commanded me."

"Sure… and don't forget to do the tasks properly and spend your time with your mistress."

"Hey…. She is not my mistress. I am not having an affair." Alfonso complained with a hint of embarrassment in his voice.

After the war, Alfonso was relieved from the clutches of Lakshmi, and he even let go of his right to rule.

Alfonso confessed his love to Lekha shortly after that.

He convinced Lekha that he would even let go of his status as royalty to be with her. She also naturally loved Alfonso and accepted his confession, and soon after they became lovers.

It was a big rumor in the Palace that Alfonso and Lekha were like lovebirds, always attached together and flirting with each other openly without a care in the day.

"Sure.. Sure.. Alfonso." Harsha dismissed him with a wave as he left.

"Viswa, tell Karna to arrange some protection for him."

"Understand, Your Majesty."