The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
The Duchy of Rajapura

"What did you say, Waruga??!!

Give up on the Panjalu army? I'd rather starve to death than be a prisoner of the Jayengrana. The damned man will die a terrible death", the anger of Duke Waramukti immediately culminated when he heard the proposal from Waruga. His heart that had been blinded by the grudge of the death of Prince Suryanata, really could not make his mind clear. Immediately he stood up from his seat and instantly pulled out the heirloom keris on his waist. He intends to take the life of Waruga.

Mantri Dharmadyaksa Mpu Supala immediately hit the feet of the Duke of Waramukti to restrain the movement of the ruler of the Duchy of Rajapura.

"What do you mean by this Mpu Supala? Let me finish off the person who sided with this Panjalu right now", Mpu Supala's close approach made the Duke of Waramukti unable to step towards the Waruga who was still sitting cross-legged in his place.

"Please Gusti Adipati express the intention to kill Waruga. He is the only person who can be a fortress for us, Gusti Adipati", Mpu Supala said immediately. Apparently, Mpu Supala's words managed to dampen the emotions that culminated in Duke Waramukti. Slowly his hand that had grasped tightly the handle of the heirloom keris in his hand became loosened.

Hmmmmmm

"This time I listen to Mpu Supala's talk, Waruga. But if in the future you talk about such a thing again, then I will also take your life" said Duke Waramukti while sheathing the heirloom keris back on his waist. Waruga who had been frightened to pale face because of the actions of the Duke of Waramukti was immediately worshiped by the ruler of the Duchy of Rajapura.

"Thank you for Gusti Adipati's generosity to forgive the mistakes of servants" Waruga said, sitting back in his place.

"That's enough..

Waruga, order all Rajapura soldiers to be on full alert. No one should dare to sleep while on guard. Do not let us fail because of the slack guard", said Duke Waramukti while shaking his hand a sign that he wanted the Waruga Minister to leave the Grand Duchy of Rajapura soon.

"Sendiko dawuh Gusti Adipati", after saying so, Waruga immediately saluted the Duke of Dolken then inching back a few steps before walking out of the grand pendopo, leaving the Duke of Waramukti, who was still in the dark, Mantri Dharmadyaksa Mpu Supala and Mantri Pamgat Mpu Warma are still continuing their conversation.

With gontai steps, Waruga walk towards the stairs up to the top of the palace walls Rajapura. The soldiers of Rajapura who passed by him immediately saluted the burly man with a thin mustache and dreadlocks. Once he reached the place he was headed, Waruga immediately climbed the stairs to the top of the palace walls of Rajapura which was as high as almost two spears. Once he got to the top, he walked past the archer soldiers who were on standby above the palace walls to one of the security guard posts that had a shelter like a dangau.

At that place, a low-ranking soldier officer named Bekel Lumadi who saw his arrival immediately saluted.

"Welcome to Gusti Juru..

Why does Gusti Juru look weak like this?", asked Bekel Lumadi politely.

"I'm thinking a lot about Lumadi. You know for yourself my wife's son is in the territory now controlled by the soldiers of Panjalu. I honestly worry about their safety.

In addition, Gusti Adipati Waramukti was very stubborn with his decision", replied Waruga as if he was pouring out his heart.

"What does Gusti Juru say that Gusti Adipati Waramukti was very stubborn with his decision? Sorry, this stupid Lumadi is indeed lacking education", Bekel Lumadi asked.

After sighing heavily, Waruga looked around the place before speaking.

"It's a secret, Lumadi.. You should really keep your mouth shut if you want your life to be saved.

Listen carefully, Lumadi.. Mmmmmm..

Our food supply is only enough for a week and Gusti Adipati Waramukti will not surrender to the Panjalu army. I have proposed that we surrender to Panjalu, but he said that it is better to die of hunger than to be a prisoner of the Prabu Jayengrana people. This is the same as we are asked to commit suicide together with him", whispered Waruga while sighing heavily as soon as he finished talking.

Surprised to hear Bekel Lumadi Waruga reply. He almost screamed but he quickly smothered his mouth so as not to attract the attention of the archer soldiers who were on standby not far from where he was.

"Why does Gusti Adipati Waramukti have such thoughts, Gusti Juru? Does he not have the slightest sympathy for the soldiers of Rajapura?", said Bekel Lumadi after successfully controlling himself.

"I don't know, Lumadi..

What I fear is that the soldiers of Rajapura will rebel themselves against Gusti Adipati Waramukti if they start starving. This is very likely to happen and I cannot imagine what would happen if it happened ", Waruga said, staring at the thousands of Panjalu soldiers who are now besieging the palace of the Duchy of Rajapura.

"And it must have happened, Gusti Juru..

If the empty stomach has spoken, then all the order of society and uploading what is usually done will certainly be lunge. Servants themselves also do not want to die of hunger in this palace" said Bekel Lumadi lirih.

"I agree with you, Lumadi..

But should we betray Gusti Adipati Waramukti just for fear of hunger? All I was thinking about right now was my wife and child" Waruga let out a heavy sigh.

Whether we will follow the haughty decision of Gusti Adipati Waramukti or betray and save the lives of the soldiers of Rajapura in this place", sahut Bekel Lumadi while staring at the soldiers of Rajapura who go back and forth under where they are. Waruga's mouth breathed a heavy sigh.

Time just keeps passing by quickly. Not felt today has been two days and one night siege of the Duchy of Rajapura Palace in done. The Panjalu soldiers still remained on standby in their place while gazing towards the palace of the Duchy of Rajapura as if it was a place they had to destroy.

That night after the twilight move disappeared behind the western sky, the newly changed Waruga Clerk walked over to the security guard post where Bekel Lumadi was located.

Subordinate who became the only place of Waruga's only seemed to be restlessly staring towards the western sky that began to blacken due to the Surya who was back hiding behind the western horizon. He stared westward as if hoping that the dark night would soon cover the entire universe. The strong man was like he was planning something.

"You why Lumadi? Why is your behavior strange like that?", said Waruga Sontak make Bekel Lumadi surprised instead of playing.

"Ti-nothing what Gusti Juru.. Slave ha-just a little stomach ache", stuttered Bekel Lumadi answered Waruga's question. This further added to the suspicions of the high officer of the Rajapura soldier.

"Astomach pain? Don't lie Lumadi. Just tell me the truth. If you dare to lie, I will not hesitate to punish you", said Waruga while staring intently at Bekel Lumadi who misbehaved in front of him. The sturdy man momentarily let out a long sigh before finally speaking.

"Before his servant apologized Gusti Juru. But this is all for the sake of the two servant parents in the city of Rajapura is also a friend of the friends of other Rajapura soldiers.

Servant bored with the attitude of Gusti Adipati Waramukti who too impose his will without thinking about the fate of his subordinates. From that I decided to run away from this palace to tell the leader of the Panjalu army about everything in this palace. Hopefully, the leader of the Panjalu army is willing to forgive the lives of those of us who only carry out orders.

So if Gusti Juru intends to obstruct the intention of the servant, apologize if the servant was forced to be presumptuous against Gusti Juru", Bekel Lumadi stared intently at Juru Waruga.

Hearing that remark, Bekel Waruga actually smiled widely.

"I won't stand in the way of your intentions, Lumadi. Precisely will help you because I am also fed up with the stubborn attitude of Duke Waramukti", relieved Bekel Lumadi to hear Waruga's reply. They then devised an escape plan from the Rajapura palace.

As the night wore on, with the help of a rope, Bekel Lumadi descended the walls of Rajapura's palace under the care of Waruga. Once down, Bekel Lumadi immediately ran towards the Panjalu warrior barracks located one hundred fathoms from the palace walls.

The late Demung Gumbreg warmed his body while burning cassava that was obtained from the house of one of the residents of Rajapura City, directly grabbing the handle of his magic club as soon as he saw a well-built man wearing a body cover of black cloth running quickly towards him. While Tumenggung Ludaka who was sitting next to him immediately pulled out his short sword while darting quickly towards the black-black-clothed figure immediately. The science of lightening his tall body made his body movements so light that within a few breaths he had already arrived before the black-black-clothed man.

"Who are you? What do you want to come here?", asked Tumenggung Ludaka while staring intently at a figure who is none other than Bekel Lumadi. The dim light of the half-night moon in the sky makes the eyes very limited.

"Is Kisanak a Panjalu soldier? If it is true please show me, where is the leader of the Panjalu army? There is something to talk about ", Bekel Lumadi replied immediately.

"Who are you? Want to meet with our leader, are you worthy?", said Demung Gumbreg who had arrived near Tumenggung Ludaka. Panjalu warrior officer was fattened twirling his magic club, preparing to fight.

"I beg Kisanak.. It's very important. And I assure you with my help, the soldiers of Panjalu will be able to penetrate the walls of this Rajapura palace", hearing the answers Bekel Lumadi, Tumenggung Ludaka and Demung Gumbreg looked at each other for a moment. The two soon realized that the person before him must have come from the palace of Rajapura.

The two immediately charged forward towards Bekel Lumadi who was surprised to see the attack of the two high-ranking Panjalu soldiers. But he had no other choice but to survive the attack of Tumenggung Ludaka and Demung Gumbreg who attacked him from different directions.

Tumenggung Ludaka immediately pulled his short sword towards Bekel Lumadi's head.

Shhrreeettthh..

Getting the attack, Bekel Lumadi immediately lowered his head to dodge. But at the same time, Demung Gumbreg who attacked from the opposite direction, thrust the tip of his magic club towards the stomach Bekel Lumadi.

Dhhuug..

Aaauuuggghhhhh !!

Bekel Lumadi immediately curled up to withstand the pain as new in the impact of a large wooden block. But this time before he stood upright, Tumenggung Ludaka swept his right foot that hit the calf of Bekel Lumadi's leg. Rajapura's army officer immediately collapsed. Not yet had he moved, the sword Tumenggung Ludaka had already stuck to his neck.

"Dare to move, break your neck!", threatened Tumenggung Ludaka who made Bekel Lumadi did not dare to move in the slightest.

From behind them, a heavy, authoritative voice that Ludaka and Demung Gumbreg knew was heard.

"What is this storm?"