Chapter 270

The latter stared wide-eyed at Arjuna and Kunti: "Do you really want me to marry five men at the same time?!"

Arjuna looked at his new wife, a fawning smile on his face, "Mother, Mother, she was just joking... You agree, Mother!"

Arjuna's voice was almost a roar, while Kunti simply sat down on the ground, pale-faced.

"But this is not a joke, it's a vow."

Kunti murmured to herself, "I don't want to die, I don't want to break my vow..."

Pfft.

Hebe, who had been watching coldly from the doorway, finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Chapter 322 It turns out she was just being conservative with me.

Spells, restrictions, oaths, curses... all of these are categorized under the broad category of "Word Spirit".

They are known to the world because of their capricious nature, which drives the course of fate.

Among these, the Nordic and Bharata notable.

Cú Chulainn, the Child of Light of Ireland, died as sworn to; Sigurd, the great hero who slew the dragon Fafnir, was cursed and died; Hardin, the hero raised by giants, committed suicide in despair, fulfilling a prophecy...

Bharata was even worse.

If the Nordic "oath" is an inescapable fate, it carries a strong tragic tone.

Bharata's vow then takes on a somewhat comical, self-inflicted flavor.

Faith, like human nature, cannot withstand the test, not to mention that from the very beginning, Bharata's asceticism was imbued with a strong sense of utilitarianism.

—Ascetic practice is for receiving blessings, and vows are made to gain power.

But in Hebe's eyes, these "oaths" did not bring people much power; instead, they became the noose that strangled them.

What's even more ridiculous is that there are clearly many living examples right in front of them, but these Bharata just don't believe it and think they can profit from it.

Bharata, whose members possessed astonishing wisdom, was practically a large-scale "Vajrayana community."

The Bharata never consider the consequences; they only feel that they have won big.

That's what Kunti looks like.

She never considered that, within the existing Dharma system, Arjuna's wife was also considered "property."

No, perhaps she knew. Hebe thought.

If the daughter-in-law in front of her wasn't the noble Black Princess, but just any woman—would Kunti care?

But for Hebe at this moment, there was no need to voice his speculations. Just seeing the pale-faced Parvati, the furious Arjuna with his clenched fists, and the pleading Kunti was enough to make his trip worthwhile.

She pulled a can of peach-flavored cola from under her skirt.

Arjuna, caught between his mother and his new wife, twitched the muscles in his face.

Kunti was almost kneeling on the ground, moved his lips, his expression both awkward and comical.

Parvati, looking grief-stricken, hesitated to speak.

Why are you looking at me?

Hebe took a sip of peach cola. "You guys keep arguing."

Before she could finish speaking, Hebe frowned.

Is this peach-flavored cola even fit for human consumption? It tastes awful.

Arjuna's expression twisted.

"Who are you?"

The young man's voice was hoarse. "Get out."

Are you sure?

Hebe raised an eyebrow. "Alright, then you'd better not regret it."

Hebe walked toward the door, chuckling softly as he passed Parvati.

This is the second time.

The second time? What, the second time?

Parvati was struck dumb.

Her deepest secrets were as if they had been precisely dissected with a scalpel and exposed to the sunlight.

Yes, ever since she emerged from the sacrificial fire, this world has become utterly unfamiliar. There are few familiar people, things, or events; the rules called the Dharma hang over all things.

But Parvati has not forgotten that ceremony called marriage, which was in reality a blood sacrifice.

She proudly rejected Kamadiya, thinking she could hold her head high before the invaders and show the noble character of the daughter of the Lord of the Birth... But when she was held down by her hands and feet and lifted up and thrown into the blazing fire, Parvati knew she was wrong.

This wasn't even a marriage alliance; it was murder.

Such murders not only happened to her, but also to millions of Bharata warriors.

Those proud, glorious, and righteous backbones that exemplify equality and justice were long ago broken by the Lord of Life and the immortals themselves!

This was the first betrayal. Krishna told her it was alright, everything would be alright, everything would return to normal. She believed him, but what was the result?

Kunti threatened to kill herself and begged him to marry her five children to fulfill his vow.

Arjuna's expression showed struggle, but what emotional foundation did he have with Gunti? With his mother's death approaching, he would surely agree to Kunti's request.

This is the second betrayal.

Parvati bit her lip, the strong smell of blood filling her mouth, and stared blankly at Arjuna.

"You really want me to marry your brothers, and you don't care at all?"

"Feel sorry..."

Arjuna dared not look her in the eyes, "My mother has suffered so much for me, I don't want her to break her vow for this reason..."

Parvati swayed unsteadily, mechanically turned around, slammed open the door, and ran outside.

Arjuna chased after them, and when he saw the scene outside the door, his expression froze completely.

Yudhishthira, Bhima, and Anapasrita, who is physically disabled but determined, Sahasra, are all waiting at the door.

Hebe stood in the middle of the porch, still holding the can of peach cola in her hand.

Arjuna practically roared, "Did you call all my brothers here?"

"Ha ha."

Hebe laughed out loud. "Why would you have such a strange idea? Arjuna, don't you trust your own brother at all?"

"Arjuna, I understand how you feel."

Yudhishthira spoke in a deep voice, "But you shouldn't have kept this from us when Mother encountered such a thing... Your Highness, please understand, but we had no choice but to do this."

The second half of the sentence was addressed to Parvati.

The Black Princess looked at Arjuna in despair, gritting her teeth as she forced out the word, "Get out!"

Arjuna stared at her in astonishment. "What, what did you say?"

"I told you to get out of here."

Parvati said, "I am not your spoils of war, and I will not marry any of you..."

"That's impossible."

Yudhishthira said, "Your marriage to Arjuna is known throughout the world, and he is destined to be your husband. He has the right to distribute the land and his own possessions."

"Since Mother made such a vow, it is best to follow it."

The Yudhishthira gazed upon Arjuna.

What grand and dignified words, what an upright and awe-inspiring figure!

But he did not seek Parvati's opinion.

As for his brothers—needless to say, they simply stared boldly and brazenly at Parvati's shapely breasts and buttocks, scrutinizing this stunning beauty with extreme blatant lewdness.

"Hehe, hehe..."

The towering giant, devoid of wisdom and acting solely on instinct, let out a low chuckle from his throat.

Arjuna knew that his face must be very gloomy at this moment.

No one can accept all of this calmly.

He took a few deep breaths, looked at his brother, and then turned to look at his mother.

The Black Princess is indeed stunningly beautiful, but she is nothing compared to this land.

Arjuna reached out to grab the Black Princess's wrist—but grasped nothing.

The latter looked at him coldly and stood beside Hebe.

"You are my wife, Dharma has already acknowledged that!"

Arjuna getting impatient. "Don't you know what a terrible price you'll pay for breaking your oath?"

No, I am not.

Parvati looked at Arjuna, "I remember now, I remember everything... I am not from the Kuru Dynasty, nor am I a descendant of the Vedic civilization."

As she spoke, a muffled rumble of thunder echoed in the sky.

"What... what are you saying..."

"Don't you understand, Arjuna?"

Parvati said, "The Dharma cannot bind me."

"I am the princess of Mohenjo-daro, the daughter of the Progenitor Daksha."

At this moment, she finally raised her head, just as proudly as she had been back then.

She reached out her hand to Hebe, her eyes filled with hopeful tears.

"Vyasa, please take me away."

"It seems that Kama has finally made the right choice again."

"Hebe said."

How could she not see it?

—Although Kama said nothing on the surface, she still hoped in her heart that the "World Honored One" could save her former friend.

Of course, Hebe's standard has always been only one. "God helps those who help themselves."

If Parvati accepts her fate, then Hebe will only stand by and watch.

But in any case, Parvati was able to recognize her own identity and thus realize her mistake... which is truly surprising.

Conversely, if Hebe hadn't banned Eris's greatest asset during the Vedic Age, even if Parvati had sincerely offered herself up, Hebe might not have dared to pay her any attention.

After all, who knows whether Parvati at that time was herself or a member of the Eris the Swarm?

"Kama ..."

Parvati's eyes were somewhat vacant.

"Stop!"

Arjuna and his brothers roared as they surrounded Hebe and Parvati, while Kunti stood outside the encirclement, tears still wet on his face.

They stared intently at the somewhat petite figure in the encirclement, as if facing a formidable enemy.

The girl's feet were planted firmly on the ground, her chin slightly raised, and her deep green eyes held an unspeakable arrogance.

"You pathetic wretch who's been used, think it through—do you really want a wife, a piece of land, or are you truly worried about your mother's safety?"

Arjuna loosened his fingers, which were already on the bowstring, and breathed heavily.

He finally understood where that familiar feeling of unease had come from—it was the composure that only Karna possessed.

This magnanimity and composure are both enviable and resented. Arjuna often wondered: Why?