The Metaverse World
The Unexpected Story of Cooperation
Barui Barito was very upset and said, "What do you really want?"
"Aswatama replied, "Cooperation!"
"Cooperation?" Barui Barito was surprised.
"Yes, cooperation," said Ashwatama firmly.
Barui Barito challenged in a high tone, "Hey, we are the Dayak Tribe, we live here. We will definitely not cooperate with Javanese like you."
Aswatama shook his head with a regretful expression, "You don't want to cooperate? Then the only option I have is to kill all of you. I really want to know how the old and sick people who still live in these mountains will fight us."
Although his words were sharp, his description made them cringe.
Barui Barito remains stubborn, "Kill us if that's what you want. The Dayak tribe never bowed to pressure."
"Good, you have guts" Aswatama said as he nodded. His previously relaxed face now turned cold. "Call the guards!"
Four guards immediately entered the room.
Ashwatama gave a stern command, "Shot them out and display their execution in front of everyone!"
"Yes, general!" The guards immediately dragged Barui Barito and two others out.
Barui Barito. In the past, this young general seemed so relaxed. Now, he appeared extremely cold and cruel. His change of attitude was very unexpected.
He felt deep regret in his heart. But he knew he could not admit his mistake. The Dayak tribe is famous for their bravery.
Suddenly, there was a sound from the side. It was the voice of his son, Batur Barui.
"Stop!" Batur Barui spoke firmly.
As he saw how serious this situation was, Batur Barui started to think with a cold head. If no one spoke, not only would they be affected. The entire tribe could be entangled in this matter.
Batur Barui, who is younger and more open-minded than his father, has been conscripted and that opens his eyes to possibilities in the outside world. Being trapped inside the tribe was like being in a narrow well and could only see the sky through a small hole.
When he was locked up, his mind continued to expand, "How should this tribe continue? Is it really a mistake if we get out of the mountains?"
In addition, the Javanese folk Art of War was of great interest to him, and he wanted to learn more about it.
Ashwatama waved his hand, gesturing for the guards to stop. His intentions only made Barui Barito and his group afraid. He had no intention of killing them. In her bringing sixty thousand lives, Ashwatama was definitely not a cold killer.
However, when Batur Barui heard this comment, he turned around and suggested, "Dad, I think we should listen to what they say before making a decision."
Batur Barui hesitated, but he did not want to violate his father's honor.
Barui Barito nodded, gesturing that he agreed with his son's opinion.
Batur Barui looked at Aswatama with the question, "So, how can we work together?"
"Aswatama explained, "Regarding cooperation specifically, I do not have the power to make decisions. You should talk to our leader."
Ashwatama was only a general and he knew very well the limits of his authority. Even though his superiors gave him a lot of power, he knew that there were limits he could not cross. Doing otherwise would be a wrong move.
Following the rules and limits of power is a basic principle that every great leader and general must follow.
"Alright," said Batur Barui, "General, please take us to the Regent of Gresik."
He felt that in this situation, they had to submit to others. An unknown reason made him recall his previous meeting with the Regent of Gresik. What's gonna happen next?
The next day, accompanied by Ashwatama, Barui Barito and Batur Barui were transferred to Java Dwipa to meet Heru Cokro.
Receiving the news of their arrival, Heru Cokro was already waiting in the main hall. However, as they were still in custody, they entered the room in a bound state.
When Heru Cokro saw this situation, he softly said, "Welcome, guest from afar. Guards, please take off their ropes."
His guards immediately followed his orders and removed the ropes binding Barui Barito and Batur Barui.
Ashwatama, though somewhat worried about the powerful Batur Barui, knew that there was no point in trying to escape in his current state. He knew Heru Cokro had quite a strong protection.
Heru Cokro confidently explained, "Don't worry. There will be no problem. There's a bodyguard outside who'll be watching."
Thus, the guards retreated and let the prisoners sit.
Batur Barui momentarily considered trying to take Heru Cokro hostage, but seeing the posture and authority of the steadfast Regent Gresik, he immediately felt doubtful. He realized that he could not predict the movements of Heru Cokro.
Ashwatama was relieved when he saw Batur Barui did not cause any problems.
Heru Cokro smiled and invited them, "Please sit down."
The two sat down, while Aswatama stood facing Heru Cokro. The four directors who were supposed to be present at Gili Raja Island back then decided to remain there for reasons of convenience.
When the two of them walked into this main hall, they meticulously assessed Heru Cokro. They soon realized that he was no ordinary person. Their experience in fighting and hunting ferocious beasts in the mountains gave them keen senses like predators. Although Heru Cokro did nothing, they could feel the killing power and aura emanating from him. As they faced a king from the wild, they felt completely constrained by his presence.
As the memories and strength of the previous Heru Cokro appeared within him, the killing aura began to rise. The Inner Prabu Pandu cultivation technique helped keep this aura under control.
However, the killing aura stimulated the gigantic bloodline that existed within them. If Heru Cokro was not careful, that killing aura could have gone out without any control.
This situation made them feel like they were losing a huge amount of confidence. They were aware that they could not underestimate this Gresik Regent.
Previously, Heru Cokro did not discuss the Dayak Tribe in his speech. Instead, he introduced the lives of mountain barbarians and prairie tribes in Gresik.
When Batur Barui and Barui Barito heard the description, they were impressed. The mountain barbarians, especially, were considered to be on par with the Dayak Tribe. The fact that Regent Gresik managed to recruit them showed that he was a very strong leader.
Batur Barui felt increasingly convinced by his decision to come down from the mountain. He felt that his decision had been right, given the cooperation opportunities that lay ahead of them.