JAYABAYA: The Journey of Being a Legend
Not Human

The anger of the short-bearded old man made the few people who were in that place frightened. Because, if this noble old man was angry, he would look for something that could ease his anger. Sometimes, he looked for an excuse or his loyal servant only to be beaten for no apparent reason.

Yes, the old man was Rakryan Kanuruan Mpu Karnikeswara Matanggalkana, the, a minister in charge of the news from all over the Kingdom of Panjalu was also a liaison between the troops and the palace through a letter sent by a pigeon letter. Therefore, although Tumenggung Setawardana who became the leader of the special forces group Lowo Bengi was not responsible to him, but a few old men knew all the secrets of their own.

Originally, she was named Mpu Cakriya. He can enter the government of the Kingdom of Panjalu because he is still a close relative with one of Prince Mapanji Jayabaya's grandfather concubines, Prabu Jayengrana named Ratna Pitaloka. However, actually Mpu Cakriya who obtained the title Mpu Karnikeswara Matanggaksana is one of the descendants of King Wurawari, King of Lwaram who was defeated by the ancestor of Prince Mapanji Jayabaya, Prabu Airlangga.

Throughout the end of the reign of Prabu Jayengrana to change with the government of Prabu Bameswara, Mpu Cakriya showed good behavior in the eyes of the people of Kotaraja Daha as well as among the state palace. Slowly, step by step, Mpu Cakriya began to increase his position from an attendant of the needs of the palace kitchen to become a Mahamantri Katrini with the rank of Rakryan Kanuruh. Abundant treasures and wealth have been owned by Mpu Cakriya. Even his two sons and a daughter have had a good life.

But after the death of Consort Ratna Pitaloka, I don't know what makes Mpu Cakriya began to act strangely by starting to approach Rara Kinanti, the concubine of King Sri Bameswara of Lodaya after the birth of Prince Mapanji Lodaya. In his calculations, Prince Mapanji Lodaya who would later become the successor to the throne of the Kingdom of Panjalu after the kidnapping of Prince Mapanji Jayabaya at that time. He even began to rally support from various parties, especially the old concubines of the late Prabu Jayengrana.

Upon the return of Prince Mapanji Jayabaya to Kotaraja Daha, of course all the things built by Rakryan Kanuruan Mpu Karnikeswara Matanggudaksana were in vain. This is because it is no longer possible for Prince Mapanji Lodaya to occupy the throne of the Kingdom of Panjalu. All his efforts so far were useless.

Upset that all his efforts were in vain, Mpu Karnikeswara Matanggaksana also began to look for opportunities to finish off Jaka Umbaran's life when he was not in Kotaraja Daha nor in Katang-katang Palace. When Jaka Umbaran offered to deliver a newsletter from Prabu Bameswara to the Duchy of Matahun, the old man had a small grin during the routine pisowanan once a week.

Soon after, two of his personal bodyguard leaders are assigned to search for news of the existence of a hitman who is willing to perform this heinous task. Prapta and Songkali, two soldiers of Mpu Cakriya's personal bodyguard, set off for Jenggala soon after they learned of the existence of the number one assassin in the region, the Five Devil Lifter.

Through the letter sent through the dove letter, Mpu Cakriya aka Mpu Karnikeswara Matanggaksana continues to monitor the development of preparation for the assassination plan against Mapanji Jayabaya. Unexpectedly, the number one assassin in Jenggala Kingdom even failed to carry out the task as given.

"Send word to Songkali and Prapta to find someone else who can do it. It must be as soon as possible before Jayabaya reaches Kotaraja Daha", orders Mpu Karnikeswara Matanggalkana immediately.

"Well Gusti Rakryan Kanuruh" said the soldier pigeon caretaker letter immediately. He immediately rushed to his place to carry out the orders of the superior.

Mpu Karnikeswara Matanggaksana or also referred to as Mpu Cakriya stared intently at the blue sky in the North while clenching his hands tightly.

"Jayabaya, don't be happy just yet. It just started..!!"

*****

After leaving the Kapulungan River crossing pier, the group of Jaka Umbaran and friends entered the area of Pakuwon Watugaluh City which is also one of Kayuwarajan Kadiri. The small city that was once the capital of the Medang Kahuripan Kingdom during the reign of Prabu Airlangga was seen to be crowded. Something important is happening in this small town.

Curious about it, Jaka Umbaran jumped down from his horse and asked a middle-aged man who was pushing a wooden cart with a younger man.

"Kisanak, what is going on in Pakuwon Watugaluh City?

I see from the end there to almost the middle of this city, a lot of penjor and yellow janur" asked Jaka Umbaran politely.

Hearing the question, this skinny yet muscular old man glanced at Jaka Umbaran. Indeed, Jaka Umbaran and his followers wore disguises so as not to attract the attention of many people. This young prince only wore a dark blue sleeveless shirt, a shoulder bracelet of black root and an arm protector made of ordinary cloth. He also only wore a headband, leaving his straight black hair not coiled like most of the nobles of the Panjalu Kingdom. Her dress was exactly like a wandering swordsman from afar.

Convinced that Jaka Umbaran and co were good people, the middle-aged man immediately smiled faintly before speaking.

"Gusti Akuwu Setyaki is carrying out the wedding of her daughter, Kisanak..

He said the ex came from the Duchy of Lasem, the son of a Tumenggung Lasem named Tumenggung Antaka. If not wrongly named is Raden Antakadewa", explained the man clearly.

Mmmmmm..

'If there is a wedding in the Kayuwarajan Kadiri area, surely the invitation has arrived at the Katang-katang Palace.

I'd better stop there to congratulate Akuwu Mpu Setyaki', Inner Jaka Umbaran.

"Thank you for the news, Kisanak. Excuse me first", said Jaka Umbaran before he turned around and stepped towards his entourage. On his horse he immediately turned his head towards his followers.

"We stopped by Pakuwon Watugaluh Palace. I wanted to congratulate Akuwu Mpu Setyaki for her daughter's wedding", hearing that remark, everyone who followed her immediately saluted while saying compactly, "Sendiko dawuh Gusti Prince".

The two people were shocked half dead to see it all. The two looked at each other after the group passed towards Pakuwon Watugaluh Palace.

"How do I know, Ging?

Her makeup is mediocre but indeed her prestige is a noble. I think I saw the face of the person behind it. Hemmmmmmm, if it's not wrong he's a Panjalu warrior officer loh" said the skinny middle-aged man immediately.

"Heh, then it must be true that he is a prince of Kang Jo.

Butcher of Dewa Batara, lest he was Gusti Prince Mapanji Jayabaya, Yuwaraja Panjalu the ruler of Kayuwarajan Kang", hearing the explanation, the skinny middle-aged man was no less surprised.

"If it is true he is Gusti Pangeran Mapanji Jayabaya, then his nature is the same as the late Sinuwun Prabu Jayengrana used to be Ging..

His person was grounded and never looked down on others even though it was only commoners. May Gusti Prince Mapanji Jayabaya be like that.

Come on Ging, let's continue our work. Mumpung not yet noon", the young man named Boging nodded quickly and pushed a wooden cart with the thin middle-aged man who had the name Bejo. The two soon disappeared behind the streets of Pakuwon Watugaluh City.

Arriving in front of the gate of Pakuwon Watugaluh Palace, some soldiers immediately crossed their spears as a sign of being forbidden to continue the journey. Jaka Umbaran and his friends immediately jumped down from their horses.

Besur immediately approached one of the soldiers who looked like the leaders of this group of palace gate guards.

"No entry, Kisanak..

Pakuwon Watugaluh will perform Gusti Putri Arumsari's wedding. Anyone who is not interested in this event please turn around", said the leader of the soldier squad immediately.

"Oh bullshit like you would refuse our arrival heh?

Uh gibberish, open your eyes wide and look at this carefully", said Besur while shoving a silver badge with a skull biting the crescent moon into the face of the head of the guard squad of the gate of Pakuwon Watugaluh palace. At that instant, the head of the gatekeeper of this palace immediately shivered in fear.

"Ampuni servant Gusti Officer..

I had no idea that I was dealing with people from Kotaraja Daha Palace. Let's go in, I'll take you to meet Gusti Akuwu Mpu Setyaki", said the head of the squad of soldiers politely.

Guided by the head of the warrior squad, Jaka Umbaran and his followers entered the palace of Pakuwon Watugaluh. They were immediately escorted to the place where the wedding of Dewi Arumsari and son Tumenggung Lasem was held.

Visible invited guests and courtiers of Pakuwon Watugaluh City Palace seen crowded the courtyard in front of the pamujan sanggar which became the venue for this wedding process. The arrival of Jaka Umbaran and his friends made everyone's attention to him.

Akuwu Mpu Setyaki also immediately approached Sang Yuwaraja Panjalu and immediately squatted worshiping him.

"Worship of Gusti Pangeran's servant..

Sorry if the welcoming of Gusti Pangeran Mapanji Jayabaya is not appropriate for a crown prince" Akuwu Mpu Setyaki said immediately.

"I'm here to congratulate you as well as the bride and groom, not to ask for an over-reception. So you don't have to be shy.

Oh yes, has the marriage been completed?", asked Jaka Umbaran while looking around him.

"Not yet Gusti Prince, any minute..

There she was her bride just entering this place", Akuwu Mpu Setyaki's hand led to the hallway of the palace side door where a pair of brides-to-be were walking towards the wedding procession.

Jaka Umbaran's eyes narrowed slightly when he saw the figure of a man who walked beside the bride-to-be who was none other than Akuwu Mpu Setyaki's daughter. There was something strange about the figure of that handsome, sturdy man. Resi Simharaja who was standing behind Jaka Umbaran immediately poked the young prince's waist while saying,

"He's not human, Gusti Prince.."