A month had passed since the forge fires burned day and night and today, at dusk, as the sun slipped behind the imposing walls of Garha Fort, another milestone had been reached.
The clanging of hammers, the hissing of molten metal and the sound of gunpowder being poured into cartridges had all led to an unprecedented result: 500 muskets, completely functional and ready to be fired.
Ayush was standing in a large hall in the fort, with his golden eyes shining as he held a smooth, polished barrel of a newly made gun.
The atmosphere was charged with excitement, anticipation, and hope.
It was not just an accomplishment; it was a step toward much bigger things, a revolution in battlefield combat. Surrounding the large table made of wood were his closest allies.
The oil lamps flickered, the aroma blended with the smokey surface of gunpowder, as Ayush proclaimed himself at the end of the long table.
His eyes were piercing and resolute. Everyone there understood the reason for this meeting. They came for the future.
Beginning the Meeting
Ayush breathed in, putting his palms on the barren table. "We have 500 muskets. That isn't insignificant. This alone can change the tide of battle- but..."
Ayush's voice descended. "We aren't ready yet."
"You're right milord," Gaurav replied as he leaned away from the table and in motion was he also leaning in.
"Muskets do not win the war alone. But it is the tipping point in the battle."
Vikram nodded, "the soldiers are trained. They are getting better, but yes, we are nowhere near perfection. Muskets take a long time to reload and we will not have the time to reload if we delay."
Rajeshwari crossed her arms and said, "This is why we need to perfect our formations. Muskets can kill at distance, but if we are not using caution, they are useless if we need to engage in close combat."
Maan Singh spread a map out onto the table. His eyes were sharp with urgency.
"We don't have much time. The execution of Pashupati Yadav is scheduled for October 15th, putting us just over a month away from the planning, training and entry into Chunar Fort."
Silence fell across the group.
Durgawati was the first to break it. "I know the fortress well. Chunar Fort has high walls, heavily armed guards and is built on a rocky hill, so a frontal assault is nearly impossible."
Ayush clenched his jaw. He already knew that attacking Chunar Fort head-on was suicidal. They would have to find a different way to save his father.
Gaurav cleared his throat. "Relying on sheer power alone is not the solution. We need to split our approach into three distinct plans."
He indicated the map and spoke in a steady but clear tone.
Infiltration & Espionage: "We need to send scouts into Chunar Fort. Find the weak points. Learn the guard rotations. Every fort has a weak point. We have to find theirs."
Diversionary Attack: "A full-on frontal attack would be stupid. But we could draw much of their strength away from the execution grounds if we pull a major distraction somewhere else."
Internal Uprising: "There are prisoners inside Chunar Fort, and there are also local oppressed people in Chunar Fort who hate the Mughals. If we can activate them, their sudden internal uprising will cause chaos just when we need it."
Ayush smirked slightly at Gaurav and said. "You never fail to impress, Gaurav."
Gaurav inclined his head slightly. "As you will, my lord".
Ayush surveyed the surroundings. "Each player has a role to play. We have to move with precision."
Maan Singh, the spy, would pose as a merchant throughout Chunar Fort to collect intelligence.
Vikram, the warrior, would lead the diversionary assault outside the fort.
Rajeshwari, the trainer, would focus on perfecting the musket formations and guerrilla tactics of the soldiers.
Durgawati, using her contacts, would work covertly to instigate rebellion among the prisoner's of the fort and the locals.
Ayush would personally lead the final attack, storming in at the right time.
In the night, Ayuhs was alone and was checking the system store.
He moved toward the store's section with blueprints, looking for something that could help him in combat. As he scanned the selection, his eyes froze on two items.
Grenade Blueprint – 1,500 SP.
A small, throwable explosive that detonates, releasing deadly shrapnel. Ideal for breaking apart enemy formations and creating chaos.
Smoke Grenade Blueprint – 1,000 SP
An apparent non-lethal device that produces thick smoke when activated, allowing for movement or ambush cover.
Ayush's heart raced."These... these could change everything!"
Grenades would enable his soldiers to deliver explosive force to break through enemy lines and disrupt formations. While Smoke grenades would aid in ambushes and retreats, while giving his soldiers the cover to attack Chunar Fort.
Without hesitation, he bought both blueprints.
[Blueprints Purchased!]
[1000 points deducted.]
Grenade Manufacturing Instructions
Smoke Grenade Manufacturing Instructions
nstantly, a flood of knowledge entered his mind; detailed instructions on how to craft the grenades using available resources.
Gunpowder, clay shells, small iron fragments for shrapnel, and a timed fuse…
It was simple but deadly.
A slow smile spread across Ayush's face
The next morning, as the sun was rising over Garha Fort, Ayush was in the armory with his core team, Vikram, Maan Singh, Rajeshwari, Gaurav, and Queen Durgawati.
They surveyed a room lined with rows of newly constructed muskets and barrels of gunpowder.
At some point after they arrived, Ayush was standing there, and holding a small clay sphere.
"What is that?" Rajeshwari asked her arms folded in skepticism.
"I am glad you asked," Ayush replied smugly, "a weapon to make our enemies fear the very air around them."
He held up the clay sphere and explained."This is a grenade, a small explosive device that we can throw at enemy troops and when it explodes it will send shrapnel in all directions killing or maiming anyone in the vicinity."
The room struggled to comprehend this.
Maan Singh stepped forward and looked at the object, "are you seriously saying we can cause controlled explosions?"
Ayush nodded, "there is more."
He picked up another object that was around the same size but wrapped in a thick coat of cloth. "This is a smoke grenade, there will be no explosion, but when lit, it will produce thick choking clouds of smoke that will blind the enemy helping us to move unseen."
Vikram let out a low whistle, "that…. is genius, my lord."
Durgawati, having remained silent until now, moved in and examined Ayush's face with her keen eyes.
"Then, with these weapons we can actually turn the tide of battle."
Ayush nodded. "That is precisely the aim. The Mughals have the numbers, but with muskets, grenades, and smoke cover, we can control the battle space and engage them on our own terms."
Gaurav stroked his chin thoughtfully. "So that means we require elite soldiers with training on the use of grenades. I mean they will have to be fast, aim accurately, and be able to fight at close range."
Rajeshwari smiled. "I will train them. They will understand how to throw these at targets with accuracy before even thinking of going in a battle."
Ayush smiled. "Excellent. Let's start to manufacture them we already have the heed tools."
Maan Singh turn to Ayush. "What about deployment? At the expressing for Chunar Fort?"
Ayush's eyes glimmered like gold. "Not simply Chunar Fort, but each battle forward will be fought using these tactics."
After that, AYush told them how to manufacture it and few day passed when Queen Durgawati summouned Ayush in her court.
As Ayush walked through the hallways, with Vikram and Maan Singh by his side, a messenger rushed to him. The young man bowed deeply before he spoke."Maharani Durgawati has asked for you to come to the royal chamber, my lord."
Ayush frowned. Durgawati had rarely called for him in a manner of such formality.
"Something must be very serious," he thought.
Without hesitation, he pivoted and began to walk toward the queen's chamber.
Upon entering, Ayush's eyes quickly scanned the room.
Queen Durgawati sat elegantly on a raised throne-like cushioned seat. As always, she held an unreadable, yet powerful, gaze.
Rajeshwari stood beside her, arms crossed and clearly slightly uncomfortable.
To his astonishment, his mother, Kalyani was also present next to Durgawati, and her gentle features looked eager and full of expectation.
Ayush's instincts sharpened. This was no longer a war council. This was something different. After a respectful bow, he addressed them. "You called for me, Maharani?"
Durgawati nodded her head and her piercing gaze held a weight which made even the fiercest warrior hesitate."Yes, Ayush."
" Sit. We have something of considerable importance to discuss."
Ayush obliged, and took a seat on the cushioned chair which faced them. His fingers started to absentmindedly drum against his knee as he waited for her words.