Aswan, the Mogul

The people, long weary of tyranny and now teeming with resentment, began to protest outside the palace for the king’s abdication. Chaturanga considered this to be extremely disgraceful, and in order to dampen their spirits, he had their leader caught and executed as an example. However, this only swelled the numbers of protesters. When they reached a level that was threatening to the king, he mobilized the army, which violently dispersed them. In the process, even harmless children were killed, and this caused the people’s anger to explode. Unable to endure any more, the people began to pick up weapons and farm equipment in sporadic uprisings in which they met the army in combat. Despite the people’s rage spreading like wildfire and the daily worsening of the situation, Chaturanga would consider neither yielding nor negotiating. Those who participated in these uprisings were judged rebel soldiers, and those who took up arms were slaughtered by their king when the royal guard was mobilized against them.

One of the leaders of the militia was named Aswan. He was born into a merchant family and traveled all over the continent, cultivating great wealth by trading not only with Klayan but also with barbarians outside of the kingdom. Furthermore, he also saw the economic value of the pathway to another world discovered by Elam, and he was a pioneer in occupying the fortresses built around the Nox. Among the things he could gather from there were crafts and goods that were difficult for the frontier tribes to attain. And, because his personality suited that of the individualistic royal family, he was a popular figure among Lykeion royalty.

Apart from his talent in business, he led the Merchants Guild with a charisma equal parts smooth and strong, and those who worked with him trusted him more than they trusted their own kin. Even when certain barbarian tribes with whom Aswan sought to trade requested that temporary hostages be sent from among his elite, Aswan’s compatriots did not hesitate to send their very own children. When Aswan raised an army to face Chaturanga’s tyranny, these elite companions did not hesitate to lay down their lives and took on the aspect of death-defying warriors.

Many Lykeion royals, who had been ousted from central authority, actively supported Aswan over Chaturanga. This was the crucial difference that separated Aswan from other militia leaders. Soldiers who had suffered defeat came from all over the kingdom and gathered under Aswan under the auspices of his support among many royals. With time, the army grew, and eventually, Aswan became the supreme leader of the entire militia.

Gradually, the entire civil war became a battle between the forces of Chaturanga and Aswan. However, with no side able to achieve supremacy amid the back-and-forth of siege warfare, the kingdom fell into deadlock.