When Yazdegerd assumed the crown of kingship and gathered the host from the plains, he placed upon his head the royal diadem of his brother. Deep within his heart he rejoiced at the prize of sovereignty, though outwardly he feigned sorrow for his brother's passing. Assembling the magnates and nobles of the realm, he proclaimed a holy covenant of righteousness. He declared that all subjects should first render praise to the Almighty and rejoice in the reign of justice. He pledged that evil-doers would find no sanctuary, while those who walked the path of truth would be elevated in rank, casting out malice and greed from the kingdom. He vowed to take counsel only with the wise and vigilant Mobads, to strip the oppressors of their power, and to shelter the impoverished under the shield of royal grace. Yet beneath these golden promises lay a shadow of terror: he warned that whoever failed to fear his wrath would find their bed in the dust and their neck beneath the Indian blade.
However, once his authority was firmly anchored across the lands, his true nature unveiled itself. Pride expanded within his breast as compassion withered away. The wise were degraded at his court, and the ancient customs of kingship were cast aside. Governors, paladins, and learned Mobads became as mere dust before his sight, while his soul turned dark and ruthless. Love and mercy were erased from his heart, and he left no plea unanswered save with cruel and exaggerated vengeance. A deadly dread fell upon the court; ministers and nobles bound themselves in a silent pact never to speak of the kingdom's plight, paralyzed by terror of the Shahanshah. Whenever envoys and aggrieved petitioners arrived from distant provinces seeking royal justice, the Chief Minister intercepted them. With warm words and soft accents, the deceitful minister turned them away, falsely claiming he had presented their petitions but that the King was occupied and inaccessible—thereby sealing the sovereign off from his people in a web of deceit.