Chapter 62: Volume 3 - CH 1.5

And so, the covenant had been formed via one side forcing the other.

However, at this time, Narsus felt a bit conflicted. He debated whether he should bring the veteran Bahman along to the battle in Sindhura. 

Among the two generals Kishward and Bahman, one had to stay behind to guard the fortress of Peshawar, which would not have been a problem. The young and tough Kishward could be allowed to accompany him, and then the veteran Bahman could defend the rear. According to common sense, everything should have been settled.

However, Bahman’s attitude cast an unstable variable into Narsus’ plan. To what extent could the old man’s loyalty and ability be trusted?

Originally, Narsus did not think that after arriving at Peshawar, all affairs had been stabilized. In fact, most things were about to begin from here.

After putting Rajendra on the throne of Sindhura and assuaging his worries, he would then set his sights on the royal capital, Ecbatana, and advance westward to start the battle to recapture it. It’s easy to say, but it is only through Narsus of Pars that the plan is made, put into practice, and the operation successful.

Of course, Narsus was not alone. He required the help of various talented companions to do so. For example, the one who had shot Rajendra’s mount and caught Rajendra was Alfreed, who had decided to marry Narsus when she turns 18. Her achievement was certainly remarkable, however, when thinking about the future, Narsus could not help but feel like he had a hangover.

Farangis, who had no idea what hangovers were, had the opportunity to talk to Bahman, who was standing in the cloister on this particular night. At first, Bahman’s reaction was extremely unfriendly.

“I see it’s true that His Highness Arslan does not trust me. Has he sent you to spy on me?”

He even had this thought.

“Truly speaking, Lord Bahman, His Highness Arslan trusts you a lot. That’s why he took a great risk to reach Peshawar citadel. It was you who did not respond appropriately to His Highness Arslan’s trust, was it not?” Farangis’s voice was extremely harsh. Bahman looked at this young and beautiful warrior priestess, who was forty years younger than himself, with a dissatisfied and suspicious look.

Bahman did not have much affection for Prince Arslan’s retainers. Daryun was the nephew of Vaphreze, Bahman’s comrade of forty-five years, yet he often looked at Bahman’s indecisive attitude with a reproachful expression, and he was a close friend of Narsus. And Narsus was a figure who openly spoke against the politics of King Andragoras and was driven out from the court. In spite of all this, at least the origins of these two people are transparent, yet it is not known what exactly Gieve and Farangis are. Faced with this woman of unknown origin, why did he, as a Marzban, have to bear the other side’s harsh accusations?

Bahman took a breath and asked.

“You are a warrior priestess who believes in the god Mithra, right?”

“Yes, general.”

“Then, you’d better go back to the temple and carry out the will of your God! Why should a woman like you come to this mundane world with weapons and intend to stir up trouble?”

“It is because I serve the god Mithra. Mithra is a god of justice, so I must do what I can to rid the world of injustice.”

Bahman quickly rolled his eyes.

“Is it also the will of Mithra to follow His Highness Arslan?”

“I should say it is the will of Mithra, as well as my own thoughts!”

Bahman originally wanted to say something, but closed his mouth again. Farangis combed her fair fingers through her hair, which contrasted like black silk, and gazed at the expression of the aged general.

“His Highness Arslan bravely took up his responsibility and met the challenge of fate. In contrast, the battle-hardened old general appears to have too many worries, making one wonder what it’s like to have long horse teeth?”

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(TN: She uses the phrase “马齿徒长”, horse teeth are long, which Google says is a Chinese idiom that means you’ve wasted your life without accomplishing anything meaningful (?) Ouch. )

“Are you done? A strong personality on this woman.”

Bahman stroked his gray beard as he asked, but didn’t seem to be genuinely hostile.

Bahman’s life was originally simple and straightforward. Given the opportunity, he should be able to recover from his hesitations and find his strength.

“If I am being scandalous, I would be ashamed to face Vaphreze when we meet in the afterlife. I will show you the temperament that I should show as a general of Pars.”

After finishing his speech, Bahman turned his back on Farangis, and walked out of the corridor with his regained strength.

After parting with the old general, Farangis explained to Narsus what had transpired, and added her own opinion as well.

“It seems to me that Bahman still has the intention of seeking death. What we have to worry about seems to be whatever it is he’s avoiding.”

“So Lady Farangis think so too?”

Narsus frowned slightly. It was a good thing that Bahman could be ignored, however, as Farangis said, there was another thing to worry about now. Regardless of the veteran Bahman’s personal virtues, Pars could not easily lose a talent that would be of great help to Arslan. Moreover, the most important thing is to ignore the existence of the enigmatic letter written by the late Vaphreze to Bahman.

“Even more brain power is still not enough.”

Narsus kept thinking as he scratched his hair.

At present, he still had to deal with the trouble that he had taken on since the young lord had arrived at Peshawar. That was the issue of freeing the slaves in the citadel.

“First, we have to make an agreement with the slaves that we will free them after the battle with Sindhura is over and make them free people.”

“Is that possible?”

Arslan’s eyes shone like a clear night sky. He was still intent on completely freeing the slaves within Pars.

“Of course it’s possible. That is the reason why Your Highness should become the king!”

“But, Narsus, what should be done after the slaves are freed? Can they live by their own power?”

“Don’t worry about that, Your Highness.”

Narsus’ proposal was the so-called cantonment system. Since ancient times, the west bank of the Kaveri River had been left vacant because it was a national border area, but with the strengthening of water conservation projects, the area was no longer barren. The land could be distributed to the freed slaves for them to explore. Let them develop waterways together, and the state will lend them seeds and seedlings. For the first five years, no rent or tax will be collected, and then tax will be collected after the agricultural production is settled, so that the revenue of the state treasury can be increased in the future.

“If Sindhura’s army comes, they will surely also actively take up arms to defend themselves against foreign invasion, because they want to keep their land. And with the city of Peshawar behind them, they will not feel uneasy as long as Kishward is there.”

As a result, Narsus decided to let Bahman participate in the expedition against the country of Sindhura, leaving the guarding of Peshawar to Kishward. For the old hero Bahman, there seemed to be no other choice but to give him the best occasion to die. After his death, Daryun would take over his army. Isn’t that the only way things can go?

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