The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
Intrigue Palace

While the pair of Demon Cutting Heads were busy preparing plans to finish off Panji Tejo Laksono's life, the young prince from Kadiri just calmly entered the Katang-katang palace.

The arrival of Panjalu soldiers under the leadership of Panji Tejo Laksono was immediately greeted warmly by the Maharaja of Panjalu Prabu Jitendrakara Parakrama Bhakta with joy. In front of the Katang-katang Palace square, the ruler of Panjalu along with his consorts and concubines as well as the courtiers of the country stood up to welcome their arrival.

Panji Tejo Laksono jumped down from his horse followed by Panji Manggala Seta and Mapanji Jayagiri. His other followers and high-ranking Panjalu soldiers who participated in the entourage rushed to follow the young prince.

In front of Panji Watugunung aka Prabu Jayengrana aka Prabu Jitendrakara Parakrama Bhakta, Panji Tejo Laksono directly crouched on the ground square Katang-katang Palace while worshiping the Maharaja of Panjalu.

"My service is Kanjeng Romo Prabu Jayengrana" Panji Tejo Laksono said with great respect. Everyone who followed him did the same. Prabu Jayengrana smiled wryly looking at it all.

"Arise my sons all and also you honorable war heroes, I accept your worship" Prabu Jayengrana said, raising his right hand.

"Sendiko dawuh Gusti Prabu Jayengrana" said all members of the Panjalu troops who are in the square of Katang-katang Palace. They stood up from their places of worship.

"To appreciate the merits of the war heroes who contributed in driving out the Jenggala soldiers, I will award 100 gold pieces to each soldier. Those killed during the battle will have equal rights and their families will be guaranteed a full year's livelihood.

Furthermore, this prize will increase along with the rank owned. I hope you all can receive and make the most of this little gift" Prabu Jayengrana said.

"Thank you for Gusti Prabu Jayengrana's generosity", everyone immediately respected the Maharaja of Panjalu.

Next, Prabu Jayengrana stepped into the Pendopo Agung Katang-katang Palace followed by high-ranking Panjalu army officers as well as the courtiers of the state.

Prabu Jayengrana sits on his throne. To her right sits First Empress Dewi Anggarawati and Second Empress Ayu Galuh. In a lower place was Ratna Pitaloka. While on the left side of the Maharaja of Panjalu there is Dewi Naganingrum the Third Empress. In the lower place there are Sekar Mayang, Dewi Srimpi and Cempluk Rara Sunti.

The daughters of the Panjalu King were sitting behind their mother. Dewi Sekar Kedaton sits behind Ayu Galuh, Dewi Wulan Sumekar calmly rests behind Ratna Pitaloka, while Dewi Sekar Tanjung and Dewi Kencawangi sit near their mother, Dewi Wulan Sumekar, Sekar Mayang and Cempluk Rara Sunti.

While in the ranks of the courtiers, Mapatih Warigalit sat on his chair. As a royal lord of Panjalu he got the highest place under the empresses and close relatives of the Palace.

A little lower there are the Mahamantri who are the main advisors of the Kingdom of Panjalu. There are Mahamantri I Halu Mpu Sena, Mahamantri I Siri Mpu Kepung and Mahamantri I Rangga Mpu Jayadharma.

Other courtiers such as Mpu Gandasena the Dharmadyaksa ring Kasaiwan, Dharmadyaksa ring Kasogatan Wiku Wikalpa as the religious leader sat not far from their place. High-ranking army officers such as Senopati Tunggul Arga, Senopati Muda Jarasanda, Tumenggung Ludaka, Tumenggung Sindupraja, Demung Gumbreg and others occupy places based on their respective order of rank.

Three sons of Prabu Jayengrana, Panji Tejo Laksono, Mapanji Jayagiri and Panji Manggala Seta, all three sat cross-legged on the floor of the Batang-katang Palace Hall.

"The retainers of Kotaraja Daha Palace..

These are my three sons who have just returned from the battlefield with a great victory against the invading Jenggala soldiers. Although they are young, but have been able to lead the Panjalu army. They are the future of this kingdom" said Prabu Jayengrana, starting their pisowanan that afternoon.

A thunderous applause filled the place. A few cries of support sounded unpretentious from various directions.

"I am proud of the work of the three of them Dhimas Prabu..

In the hands of the three of them will be the fate of the Kingdom of Panjalu" said Mapatih Warigalit while bowing respect to these young princes.

"Hamba agrees with the opinion of Mapatih Warigalit, Gusti Prabu..

The three of them deserve a gift from the Kingdom of Panjalu. It will be an encouragement for our princes to further improve their abilities as future leaders" added Mpu Sena the Mahamantri I Halu soon.

Mmmmmm..

"I agree with you, courtiers.

Well, Tejo Laksono, Jayagiri and Manggala Seta..

What do you want as a reward for the hard work of the three of you?", Prabu Jayengrana looked at the handsome faces of his three sons with a smile.

"Please forgive Kanjeng Romo Prabu..

This war ate too many casualties among the Panjalu soldiers as well as the innocent people. For example, the small town of Kunjang had to be badly damaged and many residents were left homeless.

Untuk para prajurit Panjalu yang berkorban nyawa, seperti mendiang Paman Senopati Agung Narapraja, mohon keluarga yang di tinggalkan mendapatkan santunan.

As for the small town of Kunjang which was severely damaged, please the Katang-katang Palace to provide assistance to them to rebuild the homes destroyed by this war.

That's all the gift I asked for, Kanjeng Romo Prabu" Panji Tejo Laksono said while paying tribute to Prabu Jayengrana.

Hearing that answer everyone was happy. Panji Tejo Laksono has shown himself to be a wise candidate for leadership in the future. Only a few people looked like they did not like the attitude of the eldest prince.

"If you are, what do you ask Jayagiri for?", Prabu Jayengrana turned his eyes to Mapanji Jayagiri who was sitting to the right of Panji Tejo Laksono.

"I want to study again to add to my science, Kanjeng Romo Prabu..

Yesterday, if only Kangmas Tejo Laksono arrived late, of course Jayagiri Mapanji no longer exists in this world. Therefore, I want to study again in order to be able to protect all that I love", Mapanji Jayagiri saluted Prabu Jayengrana after speaking.

"And you, Manggala Seta..

What reward do you want for your hard work during this war, Cah Good? Just tell Father.", Prabu Jayengrana immediately turned to Panji Manggala Seta.

"Please forgive Kanjeng Romo Prabu..

My role in this war is very small. Kangmas Tejo Laksono was the best leader during the lead of the Panjalu army. Without him, not necessarily Panjalu able to repel the invasion of the Jenggala soldiers. Therefore he is the one who deserves all the praise and flattery from this hard work.

If there is anything I want, I just want to create a place that can be used to make medicines that can be used for Panjalu soldiers in case of enemy attacks again", Panji Manggala Seta immediately respected after speaking.

Prabu Jayengrana immediately smiled meaningfully hearing the answers of his three sons.

"I will grant all three of you wishes. This is a form of appreciation from me for your hard work. Representing the Daha court, I thank the three of you and all those who helped to repel the onslaught of the Jenggala army.

Tonight, there will be a massive banquet at Katang-katang Palace to celebrate our victory. The courtiers and officers are obliged to attend to enliven the event", said the Maharaja of Panjalu was soon.

"Sendiko dawuh Gusti Prabu", everyone immediately worshiped at Panji Watugunung aka Prabu Jayengrana upon hearing the order of the ruler of the Kingdom of Panjalu.

After delivering the king to his private room, Dewi Anggarawati, Dewi Srimpi and Dewi Naganingrum immediately rushed to leave the grand palace castle to Keputran Daha. The three of them who long did not meet their son wanted to let go of longing.

Panji Tejo Laksono, Panji Manggala Seta and Mapanji Jayagiri who were talking in the portico Keputran Daha immediately woke up from his seat as soon as he saw the arrival of the three wives of Panji Watugunung.

"Worship us Kanjeng Mother" said the three young princes at the same time while respecting them.

"Euleuh Euleuh Ambu mah's son really makes proud..

Jayagiri mah barudak bageur", said Dewi Naganingrum while stroking the head of her son who was crouching in front of her.

"Ambu Kanjeng.. Jayagiri is not a child anymore. So do not treat Jayagiri like that" said Mapanji Jayagiri while standing. Now the height of Mapanji Jayagiri does make Dewi Naganingrum can no longer touch his head because the beautiful woman from the Land of Pasundan is only as shoulder as the son only puppet.

"You tea forever Ambu think like a little barudak oruh. Even though Jayagiri is married, Ambu still considers as the favorite son of Ambu", said Dewi Naganingrum soon.

"You are outrageous, Naganingrum..

Your height is only your son's shoulder you still call a child", said Dewi Anggarawati while smiling knot.

"The body is big, Kanjeng Ibu..

But still he is Biyung Naganingrum's favorite child. Because of the magnitude of Dhimas Jayagiri only because he ate a lot of hehehe rice", always Panji Tejo Laksono while chuckling.

"Just like Kangmas Tejo Laksono said that.

Eat me a little Kangmas, unlike Uncle Gumbreg", murmured Mapanji Jayagiri immediately.

"Lha who yesterday was in turmoil, eating rice is also finished sebakul right Jayagiri Kangmas?", said Panji Manggala Seta with a smile.

"You are a child, Dhimas Manggala Seta.. Don't interfere" said Mapanji Jayagiri, who was greeted with laughter from everyone in the area.

Meanwhile, at the residence of Mahamantri I Sirkan Mpu Kepung is meeting. There are Mahamantri I Siri Mpu Kepung, Dharmadyaksa ring Kasaiwan Mpu Gandasena and Dharmadyaksa ring Kasogatan Wiku Wikalpa. The three courtiers of this country appear to be talking about serious matters.

"Bagaimana ini, Mpu Kepung?

Panji Tejo Laksono increasingly moncer among the people of Panjalu by bringing victory from the battlefield. If this continues, our plan to seat Mapanji Jayawarsa in the position of Yuwaraja Panjalu will next fail", said Mpu Gandasena the Dharmadyaksa ring Kasaiwan.

Mmmmmm..

"We cannot deny the fact that Panji Tejo Laksono is more worthy to be named as the next Yuwaraja Panjalu. But I also do not want if the throne left by the late Prabu Samarawijaya fell on people who are not direct descendants.

We must find the sense to raise the prestige of Mapanji Jayawarsa to be equivalent to Panji Tejo Laksono or we can find a way to get himself in great danger that could have taken his life", reply Mpu Kepung while stroking his whitened beard.

"I heard that many Jenggala soldiers were prisoners of war. Can this be used?", continued Wiku Wikalpa.

"They will be a burden for the government of Panjalu if left alone. Just finish them off, let it be no trouble for us", Mpu Gandasena immediately.

"Or we can use them to talk to the Emperor of Samarotsaha about the fine they have to pay", Mpu Kepung smiled cunningly.

"Fines? It feels impossible, the King of Jenggala is willing to redeem his soldiers that we captured" said Wiku Wikalpa as he scrunched his forehead.

"You don't want his King Jenggala to redeem the prisoners of war that's not a problem. The important thing is that we can take advantage of this opportunity to make Panji Tejo Laksono away from Kotaraja Daha. We will ask Gusti Prabu Jayengrana to make Panji Tejo Laksono as a messenger to Jenggala.

If there are people on the road, who knows?", a thin grin on the old face of Mpu Kepung is developed perfectly.

Mpu Gandasena and Wiku Wikalpa immediately understood what the old man's words meant. The two immediately smiled and the beards were happy.

The day passed quickly and dusk was present in the western sky as a sign that soon the night would be present to greet the entire earth.

That night the entire Katang-katang Palace became crowded with the presence of palace courtiers and army officers from the rank of bekel to senopati. Massive dinner banquet in the title to celebrate their victory over the Jenggala warriors.

Various types of cuisine are served at the dining table. Various types of drinks are also available, even liquor such as siddhu, twak and arak was not spared from the drinks served.

The court entertainers sang a song that consoled the hearts of all who crowded the place. Gending gending continued to flow melodiously throughout the night.

The night kept crawling up. The moonlight covered by the gray clouds in the sky was unable to illuminate the entire universe with its dim light.

The next morning, Panji Tejo Laksono invited Luh Jingga and Dyah Kirana to visit the outskirts of Kotaraja Daha where last night he heard Demung Gumbreg say about the construction of a small castle on the land owned by Tumenggung Ludaka.

Their arrival immediately made all the workers who were busy working on the construction of the small castle stop. Tumenggung Ludaka and Demung Gumbreg immediately welcomed the arrival of Panji Tejo Laksono and the two beautiful women.

"Wow, what wind brought Gusti Pangeran here?", Demung Gumbreg asked while worshipping at the Banner Tejo Laksono.

"What's definitely not your fart wind, Mbreg..

It's stinking, hard again", said Tumenggung Ludaka while respecting the young prince.

"Eh shucks, I didn't ask you?

Do not disturb my conversation with the next King of Panjalu candidate", Demung Gumbreg said immediately.

"Haven't fuss over trivial matters, Uncle both..

I was just passing by because I wanted to see the crowd of Kotaraja Daha. I don't know if I see you guys..."

Shhhrriegg shhrriegg !!

Panji Tejo Laksono has not had time to finish his talk, two hot airs quickly penetrated his direction. Aware that he was in danger, Panji Tejo Laksono immediately grabbed the bodies of Luh Jingga and Dyah Kirana and bounced high into the air avoiding this attack while shouting loudly.

"Review Uncle!!"