Duryodhana did not abandon ambition.
He refined it.
If brute force failed, then righteousness itself would be bent—carefully, publicly, *legally*.
He summoned scholars, priests, jurists, and elders from across Hastinapura. Scrolls were unrolled. Precedents cited. Ancient verses recited with practiced reverence.
Vidura watched from the side, already weary.
"We will not violate the decree," Duryodhana announced to the assembly. "We will *interpret* it."
The system observed quietly.
—
[Compliance Attempt: Conditional]
[Intent: Circumvention]
—
A proposal emerged.
Neutral territories—kingdoms that had sworn no allegiance—would be "invited" to provide resources. Not coerced. Not attacked. Merely… pressured through law and ritual obligation.
If they refused, they would be declared oath-breakers under ancient codes.
"No blood," Duryodhana said smoothly. "No threats. Only consequence."
The court murmured approval.
Even Bhishma hesitated.
"By scripture," one jurist said carefully, "this is… permissible."
Vidura closed his eyes.
"Permissible," he repeated softly, "is not the same as just."
Duryodhana smiled thinly.
"But it *is* safe."
---
The first envoy rode to Matsya.
Formal.
Respectful.
Unarmed.
The king of Matsya listened, hands clasped tightly.
"You ask us to choose," he said. "Without choosing."
Duryodhana's envoy bowed. "We ask only that you honor tradition."
The system registered the tension.
—
[Decree Stress Test: Active]
—
Before Matsya could answer, the air shifted.
Not heavy.
Not divine.
Clear.
Rudra appeared—not in the hall, but *between* thought and speech.
"You may choose freely," Rudra said calmly.
The envoy stiffened.
"But know this," Rudra continued, eyes steady. "Coerced choice dressed as law remains coercion."
The scroll in the envoy's hands crumbled to dust.
Not burned.
Invalidated.
—
[Legal Manipulation: Nullified]
—
Rudra turned to the king of Matsya.
"Neutrality is permitted," he said. "Submission disguised as tradition is not."
Then he was gone.
---
In Dwarka, Krishna laughed quietly as the report arrived.
"He anticipated the loophole," Krishna said.
A sage beside him frowned. "Is that wise? Even gods respect law."
Krishna's smile softened.
"He respects justice more."
---
Duryodhana received the news in silence.
The chamber felt smaller.
"So even law bends," he said finally.
Shakuni shook his head slowly.
"No," he whispered. "Law has been *corrected*."
Duryodhana's hand trembled.
Then stilled.
"Then we will force a moment where correction becomes impossible."
The system reacted.
—
[Escalation Vector: Concealed]
—
In Aryavarta, Rudra felt it—not danger, but *compression*.
Devika spoke quietly. "He's running out of options."
"Yes," Rudra agreed. "That is when men choose who they truly are."
Anaya looked up from her studies.
"Will he stop?"
Rudra met her eyes gently.
"No," he said. "But he will reveal himself."
The system sealed the chapter.
—
[Legal Warfare Phase: Failed]
[Next Phase: Public Moral Crisis]
—
The war had not begun.
Yet every attempt to avoid accountability had collapsed.
Because the law, stripped of intent, was no longer a shield.
And Duryodhana had just learned—
There was no safe way left to be cruel.
-- chapter 35 ended --