The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
The Land of Jawadwipa, I'm Back..

This loud shout from Surajaya Tumenggung from Kalingga caused panic for all Panjalu Soldiers, but they were late for a while. The blazing flames burning the Karangwuluh Defense Fortress had closed the exit of the place. This made the soldiers of Panjalu and Rajapura who were inside the Karangwuluh Defense Fortress become busy trying to save themselves rather than fight against their enemies.

The Tumenggung Desertwangi's menace archers continued to rain down the entire Karangwuluh Defense Fortress with their fiery arrows relentlessly. The barrel of castor lamp oil arranged in such a way by Demung Anggasuta apparently makes the fire uncontrollable. Tumenggung Gurunwangi grinned widely and continued to look at the soldiers of Panjalu and Rajapura who one by one began to fall because they were hit by fiery arrows and asphyxiation due to smoke and fire that continued to flare. The face of the young officer from Panjalu was like a demon from hell that incarnated into a human figure. Demung Anggasuta who had seen the face of the leader to shudder in horror.

Screams of pain were heard from inside the Karangwuluh Defense Fortress which is now being devoured by fire. As the fire grew out of control, Tumenggung Desurangwangi who led the Rajapura troops immediately gave a signal to Demung Anggasuta and Ki Juru Kanoman.

"Everyone, we're retreating from this place!"

Once the order of Tumenggung Gurunwangi was given, Demung Anggasuta and Ki Juru Kanoman directly ordered the soldiers of Rajapura who were on the hill next to the Karangwuluh Defense Fort to leave the place. Under the leadership of Tumenggung Gurunwangi, Demung Anggasuta and Ki Juru Kanoman the soldiers of Rajapura numbering about 8 thousand people moved quickly towards their next defense fortress located east of the Duchy of Rajapura precisely in the Pakuwon Region Ghetto.

Meanwhile, Mapanji Jayawarsa just gawked not expecting an event like this. 8 thousand Panjalu soldiers were trapped in a fire trap in Karangwuluh Defense Fort just because of its inability to manage the movement of troops. Although the other Panjalu soldiers tried desperately to help their comrades, but their efforts were in vain because the fire in Karangwuluh Defense Fortress was impossible to extinguish anymore.

Heart-wrenching screams rang out from within the blaze that continued to soar high into space. The smell of burnt human flesh spread throughout the place.

"Uncle Senopati, please,

How could this all happen? Why can there be traps like this in war?", asked Mapanji Jayawarsa who rode the war chariot next to Senopati Agung Narapraja who rode. His face looked pale as if staring at the blazing flames burning the Karangwuluh Defense Fortress. It is almost certain that Tumenggung Surajaya from Kalingga and 8 thousand Panjalu soldiers died in the great fire.

"In war, everything is commonplace to achieve victory, Gusti Prince. Sorry if I was presumptuous, but before our troops were too rash to underestimate the people of the Duchy of Rajapura", senopati Agung Narapraja said without turning to Mapanji Jayawarsa who was out of words after hearing the words of the Senopati. Senopati Agung Narapraja clearly blames him for the carelessness that the Panjalu soldiers have done.

Suddenly lightning struck with the deafening sound of thunder. A cold wind rippled fiercely carrying a black cloud from the south. Shortly thereafter heavy rain poured into the area around the Karangwuluh Defense Fortress. The flames that had originally soared high into space, slowly dimmed due to the pouring rain.

Once the fire was extinguished, in Karangwuluh Defense Fortress there was a heart-wrenching sight. Thousands of Panjalu and Rajapura soldiers were killed with charred bodies burned. It is very difficult to distinguish between the soldiers of Panjalu or Rajapura because of the condition of their bodies are mostly burnt due to the big fire. Smoke is still billowing from the remaining debris of the Karangwuluh Defense Fortress building. In the great fire, almost 13 thousand soldiers Panjalu and Rajapura became victims.

Senopati Agung Narapraja directly ordered the supply soldiers to set up tents as a resting place for the Panjalu soldiers, while others were immediately assigned to dig the tomb for the dead Panjalu soldiers so as not to become a nest of disease.

With mixed feelings, the Panjalu soldiers carried out the task given by Senopati Agung Narapraja. In the pouring rain, they work hand in hand to make mass graves for their comrades-in-arms.

That night, in a large tent that became a gathering place for high-ranking officers of Panjalu soldiers to organize their strength, the, there was no sound other than the silence of the high officers who sat cross-legged in front of Mapanji Jayawarsa and Senopati Agung Narapraja. However, the loss of 8 thousand soldiers in one wrong step is the greatest loss in the history of warfare ever undertaken by high officers, especially senior officers such as Senopati Agung Narapraja. It's really embarrassing for her.

Amidst the silence, Senopati Agung Narapraja spoke up.

"Please forgive Gusti Prince..

Next what steps will we take? As the leader of the main army of Panjalu, please Gusti Prince Mapanji Jayawarsa give orders", said Senopati Agung Narapraja while respecting Mapanji Jayawarsa.

"I-I'm confused what to do, Uncle Senopati.

Honestly speaking, this incident of the Karangwuluh Defense Fortress was right beyond my estimation. Unexpectedly they are so cunning that they could sacrifice their own lives to trap the soldiers of Panjalu", Mapanji Jayawarsa said in stammering.

Mmmmmm..

"In war, all things can be an option for leaders. Everyone will make mistakes in life, but the one who realizes his mistakes before continuing is a wise person.

If from the beginning Gusti Prince was willing to listen to what the servant said, maybe his incident would not be like this. 8 thousand more Panjalu soldiers died in vain. Now is Gusti Prince Mapanji Jayawarsa ready to listen to the words of this old officer?", Senopati Agung Narapraja directly pointed out the words to Mapanji Jayawarsa. Everyone in the big tent also inwardly blamed the carelessness of Jayawarsa Mapanji but they did not dare to make a sound.

"I understand Uncle Senopati..

Next I'll hear all the talk from you. Furthermore Uncle Senopati Narapraja alone who governs the soldiers, I just control them alone", although dongkol in heart, Mapanji Jayawarsa was forced to say so. This could at least reduce the annoyance of the officers and soldiers who saw comrades in arms killed without being able to do anything about it.

"Then, for a while the soldiers of Panjalu dwelt in this place.

Senopati Arya Danaraja, order your men to call the soldiers of the Garuda Panjalu and Lowo Bengi troops based on the banks of Kali Comal. Tonight also, Senopati Muda Jarasanda and Tumenggung Landung must arrive at this place with his troops. We will not move before they arrive and provide news that can be obtained from their reconnaissance" said Senopati Agung Narapraja firmly.

Hearing the order, the high-ranking officers of the Panjalu soldiers nodded in understanding. They all knew that Senopati Agung Narapraja was an experienced person in the great war along with Panji Watugunung or who is now the King of Panjalu. Watugunung Panji is famous as a warlord who is tough and smart to read the situation. One of the stories that became widely circulated among the people of Panjalu is the victory of Panji Watugunung or also known as Prabu Jayengrana when defeating Prabu Maharaja Mapanji Garasakan of Jenggala.

Only two people who look like they are not happy with the leadership of Senopati Agung Narapraja. They are Senopati Wanapati and Prince Mapanji Jayawarsa.

The night is getting late. Everyone had occupied their respective resting tents, lazy to get out. Only a few Panjalu soldiers were seen still on standby in patrol positions around the tent where the soldiers rested.

"Bad !

Uncle Senopati Narapraja really did not give face to me at the meeting this afternoon. I really want to beat up that old man.

Panduwongi,

What do you think we should do? I want to hear your opinion", Mapanji Jayawarsa turned to Demung Randuwangi who stood upright on his right.

"Please forgive Gusti Prince..

According to the servant, for the time being, let Gusti Senopati Agung Narapraja act like that. Because the death of thousands of Panjalu soldiers this afternoon will certainly be a consideration Gusti Prabu Jayengrana for the leadership of Gusti Prince on the battlefield. So to win this war, we also cannot rule out the experience of Gusti Senopati Narapraja. Gusti Pangeran must hold back for a while ", Demung Randuwangi said while respecting the Mapanji Jayawarsa.

"But what during his time we can only resist being underestimated like this, Randuwangi?

I couldn't bear it with all this ", Mapanji Jayawarsa fatally hit the wooden chair of her seat so hard that the handle of the wooden chair broke.

"Of course not, Gusti Prince.

But for a while let Gusti Senopati Narapraja be the leader. If the time comes later, we will repay his actions in the most painful way ", said Demung Randuwangi immediately.

"Yes, you're right Randuwangi..

Uncle Senopati Narapraja, you just wait for my revenge! ", Mapanji Jayawarsa clenched his hands tightly while continuing to stare towards the outside of the heavily-rained tent.

Until the morning, heavy rain continued to pour around the place. Although the rooster crowed loudly signifying that the morning had arrived, but the eastern sky did not clear as well. Drizzles continued to gush from the sky until some low places had been flooded by the rainwater.

As the sun rose in the eastern sky, a group of soldiers came to a large camp of Panjalu soldiers near the Karangwuluh Defense Fortress. They are the soldiers of Garuda Panjalu Squad led by Senopati Muda Jarasanda. Tumenggung Landung himself led Lowo Bengi troops along with Gayatri and Mapanji Jayagiri infiltrated around the area of the Duchy of Rajapura.

Arriving at the large camp of Panjalu soldiers, Senopati Muda Jarasanda soon met Senopati Agung Narapraja who is now the main leader of the Royal Army of Panjalu. Soon Senopati Agung Narapraja called all high-ranking officers of Panjalu soldiers to gather to prepare plans after the arrival of Senopati Muda Jarasanda.

"Dhimas Jarasanda's..

Now tell us, what is the situation around the Duchy of Rajapura City? The news you bring is very important for our next plan" said Senopati Agung Narapraja while inviting Senopati Muda Jarasanda to explain the work of Lowo Bengi troops.

"Begini Senopati Agung..

Rajapura turned out to prepare a layered defense around the Duchy City to stem the onslaught of our troops. In addition to Karangwuluh, they also built a defensive fort in Pakuwon Getas. The place had a good natural defense with the river surrounding half of the place.

These are all tactics of war whose brains are Tumenggung Gurunwangi, one of the high-ranking officers of Rajapura soldiers. Kakang certainly remember with Galungwangi and Prince Suryanata right?", asked Senopati Muda Jarasanda immediately.

"Galungwangi? Wasn't he the personal bodyguard of Prince Suryanata of Rajapura?", apparently Senopati Agung Narapraja still remembers the two rebels in the early reign of Prabu Jayengrana.

"The back of Senopati Agung is right..

Tumenggung Gurunwangi is the son of Galungwangi, the personal bodyguard of Prince Suryanata. He was the brain of Rajapura's rebellion against Panjalu", the speech of Senopati Muda Jarasanda made everyone in the place surprised to hear it.

"That little bastard..!!

It was fortunate Gusti Prabu Jayengrana forgave his life and his mother, but after adulthood even undermined the authority of the central government. I'll kill him with my own hands.

Dhimas Jarasanda,

Immediately describe the situation inside the Getas fortress. Tomorrow morning we fight them!", said Senopati Agung Narapraja fiery. Senopati Muda Jarasanda then explained the work of Lowo Bengi Team. At that time, the plan was to attack the Gotas Defense Fortress which became the last stronghold of Rajapura before entering the city of his Duchy.

While the Panjalu soldiers were busy arranging plans to subdue the Rajapura soldiers, a large jungle boat with a red blue flag bearing the image of a Garuda bird was seen approaching Halong Port. On the deck of the jung ship, dozens of people who were riding on the big ship were staring at the land with faces sumringah. A handsome young man dressed in dark blue appeared standing at the bow of the ship smiling faintly as he said,

"Land of Jawadwipa, I'm back.."