The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
The Time Has Arrived

Panji Tejo Laksono's handsome face was immediately startled to hear the terms put forward by Prince Arya Tangib. How not, this was the same as he had experienced when dealing with the Maharesi Padmanaba from Mount Mahameru yesterday.

"But Uncle Arya Liabilities, I..."

Not yet had time for Panji Tejo Laksono to finish his talk, Prince Arya Tangib had already turned to Dewi Rara Kinanti who smiled blushed after hearing his father's words.

"Prints,

Do you want Father to match your Kangmas Prince Panji Tejo Laksono?", asked Prince Arya Tangib immediately.

"Kinanti follow what the Prince said Kanjeng Romo. As a dutiful child, Kinanti is obliged to obey all the wills of Kanjeng Romo and Kanjeng Ibu", said Dewi Rara Kinanti while looking down to hide her flowery feelings. The pretty egg round face was a pink tinge, a sign she was trying to harbor her feelings.

"But your Kangmas already has several wives, do you not mind all that?", added Prince Arya Tangib as if he knew what would be said by Panji Tejo Laksono to reject the conditions proposed by him.

"Origin Kangmas Pangeran Panji Tejo Laksono can be fair, Kinanti does not mind if she has to be his wife umpteenth time", Rara Kinanti kept her head down as she occasionally glanced towards Panji Tejo Laksono who was like out of sense to make excuses for rejection.

Prince Arya Tangib immediately smiled widely when he heard Rara Kinanti's reply. The ruler of Lodaya Perdikan Land immediately turned his eyes to Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Have you heard your own answer from your cousin's sister, right, Nakmas Prince Duke??

You agree with my terms. Then in the future, the army of Lodaya will be your subordinate. And in the future, the Land of Lodaya will be your land that you can use to compete in the election of the next Yuwaraja Panjalu.

How about Prince Nakmas?", bargained Prince Arya Liability immediately.

"Have agreed to your Uncle Tejo Laksono's request..

Bibi is sure, Kinanti will be able to become a good life companion for you" added Dewi Anggraeni soon. Hearing the insistence of his two uncles and aunts, plus the confusion of seeking reinforcements to face the Jenggala warriors who were about to arrive, Panji Tejo Laksono sighed heavily.

"But what about my wife's wife Uncle Prince?", Panji Tejo Laksono still has not given his decision.

"A leader must know what to do to face all the challenges faced by his, Nakmas Prince Duke..

You have to think long ahead, attach importance to the interests of your people above all else. Let's just say it's a test for you before you sit on Yuwaraja Panjalu's seat. For the affairs of your women, you know better how to deal with them" advised Prince Arya Tangib.

Panji Tejo Laksono was stunned for a moment to hear the words of the uncle. He seemed to be reminded again of the true meaning of the leader.

'Prince Arya Liab's uncle is clever and cunning as well. Cornered me and took advantage of this opportunity to take me in by making the help of his troops a condition that I would marry Rara Kinanti. I really have no other choice but to accept his terms', Inner Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Alright, Uncle Prince Arya Liabung..

I'm willing to meet the conditions you've applied for. Thank you so much for reminding me of what the real leader means", Panji Tejo Laksono nodded in agreement.

The faces of Prince Arya Tanggaini, Dewi Anggraeni and Dewi Rara Kinanti immediately brightened hearing the answer. A wide smile was engraved on their faces.

"Because you have agreed to the terms that you have to fulfill, then the right of Lodaya's army arrangement is entirely with you. The Palace and the City of Lodaya only need 5 thousand soldiers to stand guard, 20 thousand other soldiers you can bring as your reinforcements, Prince Nakmas", said Prince Arya Tangib immediately.

"Thank you for the help, Uncle Prince Arya Liabung.

Today too, I asked them to leave west of Kali Aksa precisely at the Panjalu fortress in Wanua Panuding. There was waiting for the soldiers of Panjalu led by Senopati Muda Jarasanda.

Then who will lead the soldiers of the Land of Perdikan Lodaya?", Panji Tejo Laksono turned his head back to Prince Arya Tanggai.

"Jaya Laweyan Synopathy will remain within the City of Lodaya as the main pillar of defense. Tumenggung Pandu is the one who will lead this army", replied Prince Arya Tanggung as he directed his hand to Tumenggung Pandu on his right side.

"Hamba is ready to carry out the order, Gusti Prince", Tumenggung Pandu immediately respect the Panji Tejo Laksono and Prince Arya Liang. Panji Tejo Laksono mangosteen understood Tumenggung Pandu's answer.

After that, the young prince immediately resigned from the Grand Pendopo Land Perdikan Lodaya. He had to hunt for time to be able to move quickly to overcome the big problems that are now in front of him. Using Ajian Halimun, the Banner of Tejo Laksono immediately disappeared from the sight of everyone present at the place.

"Truly I was lucky to be able to tie up with Nakmas Prince Panji Tejo Laksono. If the time comes for him to become the King of Panjalu, then it will be the great glory that the Great God has given to our family, Yayi Anggraeni", he said", said Prince Arya Tangib while looking at Dewi Rara Kinanti who is now blooming her heart.

"Yes, Kangmas Prince..

Having a ghost like Panji Tejo Laksono, it is a pride for us. He is the next candidate of the king of Panjalu, the successor of Kakang Prabu Jayengrana.

Kinanti, if you are already married to her, you should immediately give birth to a son who will succeed the throne of Panji Tejo Laksono", the seductress of Dewi Anggraeni who saw her daughter blushed.

"Ah Biyung's.. I have not been married to Kangmas Prince Panji Tejo Laksono, have you thought about grandchildren? Biyung there's just ah", Rara Kinanti clucked in annoyance while blushing her face. A happy atmosphere was felt in the hearts of the three of them.

That same morning, the Lodaya army moved to leave the capital of Tanah Perdikan to the place shown by Panji Tejo Laksono. A total of 20,000 soldiers consisting of 5,000 horsemen, 10,000 foot soldiers, 2 thousand archers and 3 thousand supply soldiers crossed the Kapulungan River or Brantas River at this time. Using the boat boat that was already on the pier crossing, they arrived at the small dock Wanua Ranja which then continued to move towards the North.

By late afternoon, they had arrived at the place intended by Panji Tejo Laksono. Their arrival was immediately welcomed warmly by Senopati Muda Jarasanda. Although confused by the way used by Panji Tejo Laksono to ask for help from the Palace of Lodaya, but for Senopati Muda Jarasanda it is no longer a problem. Most importantly, now they had a number of soldiers balanced with the number of Jenggala warriors.

At the half-finished Panjalu fort, Panji Tejo Laksono was also present after the arrival of the Lodaya soldiers. This time, he was accompanied by Luh Jingga and Dyah Kirana. Gayatri and Song Zhao Meng were assigned to guard the Duchy of Seloageng along with Ayu Ratna during the battle. The incident the other day became one of the reasons Panji Tejo Laksono placed Gayatri and Song Zhao Meng who had high martial skills to guard the Duchy of Seloageng Palace as long as he was not there.

After nightfall, all the officers in the place, gathered by Panji Tejo Laksono to discuss the strategy of war prepared to face the Jenggala forces.

In one of the buildings that still did not have a roof, which seemed to be made the main hall of this defense fortress, they gathered by sitting cross-legged in a circle. This is a tribute from Panji Tejo Laksono who saw everyone present at the place had the same degree.

Senopati Muda Jarasanda, Demung Gumbreg, Tumenggung Ludaka, Tumenggung Raditya from Karang Anom, Tumenggung Manahil from Bracelets and Tumenggung Gilingwesi from Kadipaten Singhapura represent the soldiers of Panjalu. While Tumenggung Pandu and Ki Juru Mpu Krepa represent the soldiers of Land Perdikan Lodaya.

After everything gathered, Panji Tejo Laksono immediately opened the conversation.

"Panjalu and Lodaya army officers, I have heard from the latest password report about the possibility of Jenggala soldiers going through Kali Aksa from Pakuwon Weling. We will confront them in this Kali Aksa.

Do you have any thoughts about what kind of war strategy we should use?", Panji Tejo Laksono circulated his gaze to all the high ranking army officers present in that place.

"Please forgive Gusti Prince..

How about we use the tactics used by Gusti Prabu Jayengrana when destroying the Jenggala soldiers during a big battle first? It seems like this tactic can still be used now" said Tumenggung Ludaka while respecting Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Let's explain Uncle Ludaka.."

Tumenggung Ludaka immediately told about the true story that happened in Kali Aksa with Panji Watugunung aka Prabu Jayengrana when they faced the soldiers of Jenggala. Demung Gumbreg occasionally interrupted the conversation by adding a bit of his story. Senopati Muda Jarasanda who also contributed to the great battle, also added to the insight of Panji Tejo Laksono. After all, the experience of the three of them on the battlefield was a valuable teacher that could be used to deal with the Jenggala warriors.

Mmmmmm..

"Then, we can use the tactics of war used by Kanjeng Romo Prabu Jayengrana, the officers. But we also have to prepare a backup plan if they do not get into the traps we prepare.

What do you think?", asked Panji Tejo Laksono as he circulated his views. One by one, they began to express their opinions. On average they agreed with the strategy of war proposed by Tumenggung Ludaka. Panji Tejo Laksono was appointed as the main leader of the Panjalu Forces by Senopati Muda Jarasanda, because in one team there can only be one leader. The high-ranking soldiers present immediately agreed to the proposal.

That very night, Panji Tejo Laksono directly divided the task between them.

Tumenggung Pandu and Ki Juru Mpu Krepa were assigned to prepare on the south side close to the Brantas River as surprise troops who would attack the last. Tumenggung Ludaka arranged for archer soldiers to create a post of refuge in the tall trees around the edge of Kali Aksa. Demung Gumbreg and Tumenggung Manahil from the Bracelets were assigned to make a trap that was installed along the cliff on the outskirts of Kali Aksa. Tumenggung Raditya from Karang Anom was assigned to build a wooden dam upstream of Kali Aksa. While Tumenggung Gilingwesi from the Duchy of Singhapura was assigned to help Senopati Muda Jarasanda to immediately complete the construction of the Panjalu fortress. They must immediately work because the Jenggala Army has started to move.

Three days they have worked hard to carry out the tasks given by Panji Tejo Laksono. Tumenggung Raditya from Karang Anom managed to make a dam from wood to water level in Kali Aksa was half-sticking. The archer soldiers were also getting ready in their hiding place in the tall trees according to the direction of Tumenggung Ludaka. Demung Gumbreg and Tumenggung Manahil from the Bracelets have also made dozens of traps along the road leading towards Pakuwon Bedander also arranged dozens of large logs and large stones at several important points the Kali Aksa cliff. The construction of the Panjalu fortress has also been completed quickly. The banner of Tejo Laksono who oversaw their work, smiled in satisfaction at the sight of it all.

On the fourth day, when the sun briefly rose into the eastern sky, an archer soldier hiding in one of the large trees on the edge of Kali Aksa saw thousands of Jenggala soldiers moving from the east. Quickly, he snatched a buffalo horn trumpet hanging from where he was hiding.

Thhhuuuuuuuuuuutttthhh..!!

The sound of the buffalo horn trumpet instantly made everyone shocked. The recently finished Panji Tejo Laksono had breakfast together with Luh Jingga and Dyah Kirana, immediately rushed out from inside the building of his resting place. Outside, Senopati Muda Jarasanda and several high-ranking Panjalu army officers were also seen preparing. Sighing a long sigh, Panji Tejo Laksono immediately said to the high-ranking officers of Panjalu soldiers.

"The time has come..."