Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

Their army was combined with significant numbers to take down mainly Anand Jadhav. One of the powerful noble houses in the Imperial factions. The fact that they had to send in two sizable armies spoke of the power of the Jadhav's.

They were equipped with some cannons also procured from the Portuguese due to a deal with the third prince. The cannon carts were pulled by the oxen and heavily guarded in the backline of the army. There was a special team trained for operating the cannon.

The cannons were Culverins specialized for long-range destruction. This definitely gave them an edge against the numbers of the Jadhav's.

Although destructive. They are very limited in mobility and the pain of setting it up quickly compared to the other light cannons like the Falconets and sakers.

Mangalore was on the horizon of one of the most destructive battles in their history. A vicious bloodbath loomed over the outskirts of the city. Most of the civil war battles took place on most of the outskirts of the cities without harming the citizens.

This was an unspoken rule that all nobles followed.

This era discouraged women from going to war; the sole exception to this was the matriarch, Parvathy Nair. She was a skilled martial artist and a good commander.

Asokan Nair, on the other hand, was a much more talented martial artist and a devout person. The loyalty that he held for the second prince was unmatched. The young Asokan was an exceptional talent. He was adept in management and business as well.

"Sister. Any information about the Imperial faction movements?" He asked Parvathy, riding a horse beside him.

Parvathy was war-ready, clad in armor and a sword hung on her waist.

"Not yet. We will be getting some information soon enough since we are about to reach Mangalore."

"Do you think reinforcements were sent to the Jadhavs?"

"Most likely there would be some reinforcements sent to the Jadhavs. He is an influential figure to lose."

"Hmm!!" mused Asokan, rubbing his chin in contemplation.

"Keshav and Panicker were killed in battle. The prince is headed to Hampi. We have to win and reinforce the prince soon, since the Nayakas have also entered the fray," added Asokan.

"You think the prince would lose if Nayakas intervene?" Parvathy asked with an arched brow.

"You underestimate them a lot, Sister."

"Well!! I have never seen that old man in action. Hoo! Weren't you stationed along with him last war with Bahmani?"

"Yes. He is a very strong commander."

A scout came to report amidst their conversation.

"Miss, we have found the armies on the north of the city. They are prepared for combat."

"Hoooo. So is it Anand alone? Any reinforcements?" asked Asokan to the scout.

"We did notice the army size was much bigger. So we except they have bolstered the army with reinforcements from someone in the Imperial faction."

"It must be Gopala Sastri. Who else is left? Raghav is too far to reinforce Anand. The best choice would be Gopala." Parvathy concluded.

"Hmm!! That sounds plausible."

Meanwhile, a few kilometers from the marching army of Nairs. A huge army was overlooking a field, marching to their destination to take on the Nairs. They were led by the nobles Anand Jadhav and Gopala Sastri.

Anand already had a big army. Gopala bolstered the numbers even further, coming to support him under the prince's command. They were looking over the horizon for the Nair's army to come into view.

Their scouts had already spotted the army a few minutes ago on their way to the fields. They were planning on a head-on battle with them.

'So a head-on battle.' He thought.

"So. What do you say? Lord Gopala," asked Anand.

Gopala responded with a smirk.

"What's there to worry about? The plan is underway. We just have to wait for the battle to start."

"But Lord Gopala. I am not sure if the plan would work."

"Why are you skeptical? This was underway for years now. The climax would happen on Day 2 of the battle. We just have to wait for them to move."

Anand, still not convinced, looked over the horizon.

It was going to be a long, bloody battle, and it was the battle that could potentially decide the outcome of the throne battle in Hampi. Nayakas were an unaccounted factor. But with their support. Nayakas could be easily repelled once they beat the 2nd prince.

The army emerged from the Horizon, marching in neat formations. readying themselves for the battle ahead. Anand smirked, knowing that the plan was underway.

"Soldiers assume positions," commanded Anand.

The soldiers quickly scrambled into positions for the potential battle.

The distinct banners of the Nairs were visible as they marched on the battlefield. The armor gleamed in the morning sun. Anand Jadhav didn't want to give the Nairs the advantage of the forest battle, so he had decided to take them head-on in an open-field battle.

The formalities were being finished. Exchanging messengers if they wanted to surrender without bloodshed.

The war horns bellowed after the exchange of messengers. The banners dropped, and the infantry and cavalry alike charged with vigor. The battlefield was echoing with cries of the wounded and metallic noises of the armor and weapons.

The infantry charged into the front line, trying to break through the thick shield wall of the enemy. The enemy archers rained a barrage of steel arrows onto the charging infantry, picking apart some soldiers through the gaps.

On the backline. The culverin's shell was being prepared. The cannons roared into life.

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

The impact was huge. The artillery blew up several soldiers on the frontline with ease. Their bodies scattered into different pieces from the explosion.

The cannons were a surprise for most soldiers that went into a panic seeing the destruction caused by the explosions and their comrades turning into mush.