The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
Seeking the Heart

While Adipati Arya Natakusuma was rejoicing at the opportunity to become a son-in-law of Maharaja Panjalu, Panji Tejo Laksono and his followers left Pakuwon Lawor heading westward where the Duchy of Seloageng was located.

After passing through the border between Lawor and Weling, the group continued to move west without stopping at Pakuwon Weling City. They soon crossed the Kali Aksa which was the boundary of the region of Weling and Bedander.

On the west bank of the river, that, Panji Tejo Laksono and his followers took a short break to let their horse mounts enjoy its green grass that thrives on the banks of the river that is furred at the foot of Mount Kelud.

While horse horses they eat fresh grass, Dyah Kirana appears to open a bundle of black cloth which is a gift from Akuwu Mpu Subali as a provision for their trip to the Duchy of Seloageng under a shady tree near where they herded horses them.

Various dry foods such as smoked buffalo meat and some processed rice neatly arranged in the gift package from Akuwu Lawor. This became their food while waiting for their horses to be full of grass.

After the horses looked full, the journey was immediately resumed. Panji Tejo Laksono's troupe directly drove their horses each towards Pakuwon Bedander City which became the buffer area of Seloageng Duchy in the east.

After noon, when entering the boundary of the Duchy of Seloageng, Panji Tejo Laksono was attracted to the crowd who were crowding something at the guard post. The young prince immediately stopped the footsteps of the horse on his ride.

"What's Kakang?", asked Song Zhao Meng who stopped his horse beside Panji Tejo Laksono. Dyah Kirana, Dyah Sawitri and Anggana also stopped behind him.

"I was curious about this crowd of people.

You wait here for a moment", after saying so, Panji Tejo Laksono jumped down from his horse. Then rushed towards the crowd who were looking at something at the guard post near the boundary of the Seloageng Duchy.

The banner of Tejo Laksono directly broke through the crowd of people. This made some people feel unhappy with the attitude of Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Hey don't push me..

If you want to see the wara-wara sayembara, queue first", said a young man with a thin mustache with a sword on his back. From his makeup he looks like a swordsman.

A thick-bodied middle-aged man with a thick mustache and a thick beard was irritated by the actions of the people who barged into this crowd. He snorted furiously as his feet were stepped on by Panji Tejo Laksono.

"absolutely outrageous..

You can't be heartwarming... Eh Gus-Gusti Pangeran Adipati Panji Tejo Laksono.", he had not had time to finish his talk, the man who was one of the enlisted soldiers of the Duchy of Seloageng was surprised to see who broke through this crowd.

Hearing that, everyone immediately turned to Panji Tejo Laksono except for the young swordsman who was nagging earlier. They all immediately gave way to Panji Tejo Laksono while worshiping the ruler of the Duchy of Seloageng.

"Worship us Gusti Prince Adipati", said everyone compact.

Mmmmmm..

"No need to respect excessively. Why are you all crowding in this place?", asked Panji Tejo Laksono immediately.

The soldier officer of the Duchy of Seloageng who holds the rank of bekel was immediately respected before speaking.

"There was an announcement of the competition held by the Kotaraja Daha Palace. Please Gusti Prince Adipati look.", this officer politely pointed towards the guard post where the goat skin scroll was located. Panji Tejo Laksono rushed towards the designated direction.

Panji Tejo Laksono stares at the inscription on the goat skin tied to the guard post. In the writing it is clear that the Katang-katang Palace announced a competition to repatriate the Goddess Sekar Kedaton who disappeared suddenly.

Mmmmmm..

"This is a big deal. I can't just keep quiet. Nimas Sekar Kedaton must have suffered so much now", muttered Panji Tejo Laksono as he stared at the goat skin sheet containing the contest.

After reading enough of the contents of the competition, the Duke of Seloageng immediately rushed back to the place where his entourage was. Immediately he jumped on his horse and rushed towards the Duchy of Seloageng Palace.

Once in front of the gate of the palace of the Duchy of Seloageng, the soldiers standing guard in front immediately saluted the Panji Tejo Laksono. They immediately opened the gate of the palace and Panji Tejo Laksono immediately entered the palace with his entourage.

The arrival of Panji Tejo Laksono was immediately welcomed by Gayatri, Luh Jingga and Ayu Ratna who received news of their arrival from the soldiers on duty. A wide smile was engraved on the beautiful faces of the three young prince's wives.

"Welcome to the Palace of the Duchy of Seloageng, Kangmas Pangeran Adipati.", said the three of them compact that makes Panji Tejo Laksono smile knotingly at the actions of three wives.

"Thank you for your warm welcome.

Oh yes, Dyah Kirana has officially become your sister. So I ask you to get along well and love each other" Panji Tejo Laksono said with a meaningful smile.

"Kangmas Prince just calm down..

"You are the wisest of all my wives, Dinda Gayatri..

Oh yeah, I'm hungry. Prepare a meal for me now at the boga gym ya.", ordered Panji Tejo Laksono immediately.

"Worthy for these two people Kangmas?", Luh Jingga pointed towards Anggana and Dyah Sawitri who were still standing looking at the warmth of the family Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Please take the two of them to the guesthouse before I give them a place to go.

Do you all understand?", Panji Tejo Laksono spread his gaze to all his wives in that place.

"Sendiko dawuh Kangmas Prince" said Gayatri, Luh Jingga and Ayu Ratna back together. Hearing that answer, Panji Tejo Laksono shook his head as he stepped towards his private place. Meanwhile, Gayatri and Ayu Ratna immediately pulled Song Zhao Meng and Dyah Kirana's hands toward the palace kitchen. While Luh Jingga drove Dyah Sawitri and Anggana to the place designated for them.

After changing clothes, Panji Tejo Laksono went straight to the gym. The five wives of Panji Tejo Laksono have gathered there while preparing various delicious foods typical of the Seloageng Duchy. They also immediately devoured the food presented at the dining table.

After eating, Panji Tejo Laksono washed his hands. For a moment, the eyes of this handsome man looked very heavy and this was realized by Gayatri who continued to pay attention to Panji Tejo Laksono since entering the palace earlier.

"You why Prince Kangmas? Looks like there's something you're thinking about. I saw from earlier, Kangmas Prince was pensive as if he was thinking hard", asked Gayatri as he stretched out a cloth to wipe her husband's wet hands.

"This has everything to do with the disappearance of Nimas Sekar Kedaton, Dinda Gayatri..

I kept thinking about this matter since I saw the wara-wara sayembara that was on the boundary of the Duchy City earlier", honestly Panji Tejo Laksono while sighing heavily.

Gayatri who knew this problem from the newsletter sent by Kotaraja Daha Palace also let out a long sigh.

"Honestly, Prince Kangmas, I have no way at all to deal with the demon race. It wasn't easy Kangmas Prince. Especially if the Demon Kingdom Randugrowong is involved..

They were one of the four strongest demon kingdoms in this Jawadwipa Land if the South Sea Demon Kingdom and the North Sea were not counted. That's all I know" Gayatri said immediately.

"You're right, Kangmbok Gayatri..

Let alone us, Kanjeng Romo Resi Ranukumbolo will also think twice if you want to enter the stealth palace. I've heard that only a few people can get out alive from that place after entering it. Besides to get there, we must be able to Ajian Ngrogoh Sukmo first", continued Dyah Kirana while putting her drinking cup on the table.

"And among all of us, no one has that high level of mysticism that Prince Kangmas. If Kirana just gave up, let alone us who know her just playing hit" said Ayu Ratna with a thin smile.

Mmmmmm...

"Here you go, don't talk about this anymore. Let me think for a second, who knows if I can find the answer.

Dinda Gayatri's,

Please order the bekel warriors to summon all the retainers of the Seloageng Duchy Palace this afternoon. I want to hear reports from them while I am away" Panji Tejo Laksono, who was greeted with a nod of his head from Gayatri, said.

"Good Kangmas Prince.."

****

Endang Patibrata aka Dewi Lembah Wilis dyingukan looking for the existence of the figure of Panji Tejo Laksono in Kotaraja Daha. Since parting ways with Panji Manggala Seta and Dewi Setyawati in the City of Bracelet-Bracelet Regency, this beautiful woman in light green clothes continues her journey to find the prince pujaan his heart.

But Lurah Singo Manggolo's daughter did not directly meet her aunt Cempluk Rara Sunti to ask for help. He wanted to find Panji Tejo Laksono himself. As a result, two more days he was drifting indeterminate direction in Kotaraja Daha.

"Where else should I look for your whereabouts Kakang Tejo Laksono? All corners of this big city I've explored but you still can't find me..

Should I ask Aunt Cempluk Rara Sunti for help? But what reason? Ah confused me.", muttered Endang Patibrata while scratching his head which suddenly felt itchy.

At that time, Endang Patibrata's eyes were immediately fixed on a goat skin that read some Old Javanese letters that were glued to the corner of the soldier post in the big market of Kotaraja Daha. Endang Patibrata was curious and approached the place.

After reading the writing on the skin of this goat, the beautiful face of Endang Patibrata immediately sumringah like he had just received a big gift.

"I know how..."