Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

It was a rather cozy day in the sun-kissed port city of Goa. The salty breeze made the air tingle with excitement. The city was vibrant and colorful like usual, filled to the brim with merchants from all over the world. It was a hub of commerce after all. The European and Arab merchants filled the streets to buy spices and wares from the Empire.

They haggled with the merchants to get a favourable deal for the goods to sell in their own country.

Merchant vessels were docked in the port and a line of workers were loading up wares from the Empire. Hundreds of labourers were brought in to load and unload goods by the merchants.

General Barnabas stood near the dock, feeling the salty and gentle breeze. He looked into the distance of the vast sea. There wasn't anything in sight. He was patiently waiting for the Portuguese refugees from Daman to arrive in Goa.

They were given access to use Goa to settle the refugees for the time; the condition was that the military vessel would stay far from the port city after a brief restocking procedure under the watchful eyes of the Empire. Barnabas had to accept the deal.

Their supplies were low and sailing to Malacca would take more time and with such a huge number of people. It would be strenuous and dangerous for the ships.

Barnabas turned to David. "When are they supposed to reach?"

"It should be soon. We have already sent a confirmation as soon as we arrived. So we can expect them to reach soon."

The Portuguese ships were stationed well out of the range of the Port of Goa, waiting for the confirmation from Barnabas.

"Both of them lost miserably to the Maratha. Those dumbasses, I told them not to be overconfident."

"According to the report, both of them were caught off guard."

"How did the Marathas manage to sink a second-rate ship?" Barnabas asked with a curious glint in his eyes.

"No idea, the ship crew were all killed and the only few that survived were from Diogo's group that were caught off-guard by a Maratha commander."

David also explained that the man who survived heard explosions in the distance in Surat.

"Explosions! Eh."

Barnabas grimaced. "At this rate. The war will be ending soon."

"End? The Mughals are fighting, right?" David asked, tilting his head in confusion.

"Qutbs lost; our mercenary group lost. The Mughals wouldn't stretch their resources too thin either. The war will end in a temporary ceasefire agreement."

David nodded, understanding the gravity of the war.

'That young Emperor interfered in this war as well. There is no substantial evidence but I am sure.'

Barnabas clenched his fist.

This was the second time he had to reluctantly agree to an unfavourable deal with him.

'You expect me to believe that the invasion of the Qutb Sultanate at this time was a coincidence?'

"David, did you send a message to Malacca?"

"Yes, General."

Barnabas saw their ships emerge from the horizon. It was packed to the brim with the refugees from Daman. The Empire provided them with temporary staying places in the form of camps on the outskirts of the city.

The inn prices would skyrocket soon due to their arrivals. There were a handful of upper nobles in Daman. They would likely buy out the inns for themselves, while the others stayed in the temporary tents till the ships from Malacca arrived to transfer them.

The Empire's soldiers were also present with them; they were instructed to help them. But in reality, they were here to keep an eye on them during their time in Goa.

'Look at them, so alert.'

Barnabas thought. His attention was on the butler of the Emperor that accompanied them. He was a skilled warrior and a ruthless one at that. Barnabas could see that from the way he carried himself.

'To send such a man with us. He is really thorough.'

Not to mention that there were eyes all over the port. He could feel it; one wrong move could just end his life in this place.

The ship arrived safely and docked at the port. Hundreds of Portuguese nationals got down from the ships and were guided safely to their temporary residences under the watchful gaze of the Empire.

Barnabas also assured their safety within the Empire for the next 3 months due to a deal struck with the Empire.

Some of the upper nobles were not satisfied with their temporary residence and decided to buy the luxurious inns present in the Empire. The prices of the inns had skyrocketed as the new of the refugees got out.

It was almost 5 times the usual price and the upper nobles were willing to pay that to stay for 3 months. They were rich and there was a clear distinction between upper nobles and lower nobles in terms of generational wealth.

The ones that couldn't afford the inns stayed in the temporary location assigned by the Empire.

Barnabas slapped the captain.

"You bastard! Didn't I tell you to keep everything under control?"

The captain stayed silent, looking at the ground in dismay. The slap still ringing in his head.

Barnabas sighed deeply at him.

"Get the supplies onto the ship and all of you shall leave the port."

"Leave?" asked a soldier. "Aren't we staying here as well?"

"Huh? You guys? You expect to stay here after running away with your tail between your legs."

The soldiers wanted to protest but were looking at Barnabas's cold and angry gaze. They decided not to incur his wrath.

"Load up and goods; stay in range of the port till further notice. This is an order." He roared.

Barnabas, after giving orders, was walking back to his quarters.

He met Viswa on his way.

"Thanks for the help." He said to the butler and shook his hand.

Viswa just nodded and gave a simple word of thanks.

Barnabas had different thoughts in his mind.

'Those pesky Marathas, I will take back Daman.'

He cursed.

'Once I get this situation sorted out.'

'Just you wait,'