The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
The Duchy of Kalingga

Surprised everyone heard Demung Gumbreg say. Everyone immediately looked towards Panji Tejo Laksono who was still sitting cross-legged with his leisure on the grand pendopo floor of the Kalingga Duchy.

"Gus-Gusti Prince Panji Tejo Laksono?

So so he is Gusti Prince Panji Tejo Laksono, eldest son of Prabu Jayengrana?", nervous Duke Aghnibrata put out a word.

"Do you think I lied to you with my talk just now, Gusti Adipati?

He is indeed the eldest son of Gusti Prabu Jayengrana from the consort of Goddess Anggarawati. He was the strongest candidate for crown prince compared to the other two empress sons. You know what the reason is? Gusti Prabu Jayengrana himself has sent down Ajian Tameng Waja and the Fire Dragon Sword on him, is that not proof that Gusti Prabu Jayengrana will appoint him as the next Yuwaraja Panjalu?", Demung Gumbreg really cannot accept the treatment received by Panji Tejo Laksono this time.

Paler immediately the face of Duke Aghnibrata heard word for word coming out of the mouth of the high officer of the thick-bodied Panjalu soldier. Foreign merchants who had previously dragged the Panji Tejo Laksono into their problems immediately pounded their hearts. If the Panji Tejo Laksono is upset with their actions, then their opportunity to trade in the territory of the Kingdom of Panjalu will definitely disappear.

There was still another person who was scared to death hearing the words of Demung Gumbreg. He is Senopati Ranggabuana. His rude attitude to Panji Tejo Laksono earlier made him unable to say anything else. His voice was like it was running out in the throat. Let alone the sound, to swallow his own saliva was no longer able to. Shadows in his mind about the beheading that he will soon receive.

Meanwhile, Ayu Ratna who had rejected the matchmaking plan with Panji Tejo Laksono smiled happily. If he had previously refused desperately to be betrothed to that young prince of Kadiri, then, now he even expects to be married to the man who was accused last night of being a thief by the soldiers of the palace guard of the Duchy of Kalingga.

Duke Aghnibrata immediately rushed to the front of the Panji Tejo Laksono and prostrated himself before the young prince from Kadiri who still had not left his seat.

"Prince Gusti Panji Tejo Laksono,

The blind servant could not see that Gusti Prince was in our midst. Please forgive a thousand years Gusti Pangeran for the disrespectful attitude of the servant to Gusti Pangeran", said Duke Aghnibrata while putting his forehead on the floor of the grand pendopo of the Duchy of Kalingga.

"Gusti Duke of Aghnibrata,

What the hell are you doing? A ruler of the Duchy of Kalinga must not bow his head to a young man. You can only bow your head to Kanjeng Romo Prabu Jitendrakara and to the Gods. Stand up, don't be like this ", Panji Tejo Laksono replied immediately. He was caught off guard by the exaggerated attitude of respect.

"Hamba would not dare to stand if Gusti Pangeran Panji Tejo Laksono still has not forgiven the servant", Duke Aghnibrata still continued to prostrate to Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Hadeh...

All right, well, I forgive your mistakes. Now stand up, don't be like this. I'm not a god. Not worthy of the excessive respect you give" said Panji Tejo Laksono, who made Duke Aghnibrata slowly raise his head.

Seeing the handsome look on Panji Tejo Laksono's thinly smiling face, Duke Aghnibrata breathed a sigh of relief. The ruler of the Duchy of Kalingga stood up after seeing Panji Tejo Laksono move from his seat on the floor of the grand pendopo.

"I came here because I was sent to Kanjeng, the Queen Mother, Dewi Anggarawati, and Kanjeng Romo Prabu Jayengrana to see the future wife who will be betrothed to me.

But it seems my presence was not expected by Gusti Putri Ayu Ratna. So I beg you to leave to go back to Kadiri ", said Panji Tejo Laksono while turning around. There was a ignorant smile engraved on the lips of Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Wait for Gusti Prince..

What did Gusti Prince mean to say that? Gusti Prince has just arrived, where does Gusti Prince Panji Tejo Laksono have such thoughts?", hurried Duke Aghnibrata to hold back the departure of the young prince.

"First of all, Gusti Putri Ayu Ratna had an uncle with a muffled hand to intercept my entourage at the edge of a crossroads leading towards the Duchy of Kalingga. If only I had not realized that the big-handed uncle wanted to prevent me from getting into the city of Kalingga, I might have fought it out with him.

The second, though, last night I quietly went inside Kalingga Palace just to see the face of my future wife but I was almost killed by an officer and Gusti Putri himself put me as a thief.

Is this not strong evidence that I was not expected to be present at this palace, Gusti Adipati?", The banner of Tejo Laksono turned towards Ayu Ratna who was still sitting next to her mother Niken Sulastri.

Everyone's eyes turned to Ayu Ratna. Even Duke Aghnibrata glared at the princess.

"I-it's all just a misunderstanding, Gus-Gusti Prince.

I asked Uncle Pringgalaya to test the ability of Gusti Prince's martial arts because I wanted a husband who could protect me. That'sthat's all.

If last night's problem, I really don't know if the one who came was Gusti Prince. Truly I have no intention to disturb Gusti Prince.

Servant beg Gusti Pangeran to be heartened to forgive the mistakes of the servant", said Ayu Ratna while prostrating towards Panji Tejo Laksono.

Mmmmmm...

There was the sound of a long sigh from the mouth of Panji Tejo Laksono. Prabu Jayengrana's eldest son immediately turned around and stepped closer to Ayu Ratna.

"Is it true that you said that, Princess Gusti? You didn't lie to me did you?", Panji Tejo Laksono said as he crouched down in front of Ayu Ratna who was still prostrating.

"Hamba wouldn't dare to lie to Gusti Prince Panji" Ayu Ratna replied quickly.

"Try saying it again.. But I want to look you in the eye so I know you're lying to me or not", Panji Tejo Laksono smiled faintly.

Slowly Ayu Ratna looked up at the handsome face of Panji Tejo Laksono. Seeing that frightened beautiful face, Panji Tejo Laksono did not have the heart to judge her again.

"That's pretty.. It is indeed worthy to be my future wife", muttered Panji Tejo Laksono with a meaningful smile. Although it was only shrivelled but it could still be heard in Ayu Ratna's ears.

Immediately Panji Tejo Laksono stood up from his crouching spot.

"Yes, because I look upon your service and loyalty to Kanjeng Romo Prabu Jayengrana, I will forgive you all.

Uncle Ludaka, let's go back to the inn", Panji Tejo Laksono turned around to leave Ayu Ratna. But not one step happened, Ayu Ratna's hand immediately blocked the arm of Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Prince Gusti Panji Tejo Laksono please don't go. Please think to rest at Kalingga Palace. Let me make amends for what I did Gusti Prince", Ayu Ratna asked expectantly.

"I want to rest here but Duke Aghnibrata did not offer me how can I stay here?", Panji Tejo Laksono smiled faintly.

"Kanjeng Father.... ", Ayu Ratna turned her head towards Duke Aghnibrata with teary eyes. The beautiful girl did not want Panji Tejo Laksono away from her. Aware of Ayu Ratna's attitude, the Duchy of Kalingga was immediately approached the Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Lusty Prince, what Ayu Ratna said is the same as what I wanted. Please Gusti Prince is willing to stay here", Duke Aghnibrata bowed respectfully.

After Panji Tejo Laksono and his comrades disappeared from sight, Duke Aghnibrata immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"Huffffff.... It was fortunate that Ayu Ratna could persuade Gusti Pangeran Panji Tejo Laksono not to get angry...

It could be bad if he was not happy and reported to Gusti Prabu Jayengrana", Duke of Aghnibrata remove the cold sweat that soaked his forehead.

"True Gusti Duke.. We are safe", said Senopati Ranggabuana who helped feel relieved.

"It's all because of your stupidity, Ranggabuana. Cook you can't tell which Gusti Prince is the thief until you play attack as good as your eel?

Anyway I don't want to know. You must apologize directly to Gusti Pangeran Panji Tejo Laksono. Don't let it be because of your ridiculous act, this matchmaking plan failed. Now take care of these merchants, I want to see my future daughter-in-law first.

Yayi Sulastri, let's go to the guest hall of honor", Duke Aghnibrata immediately rushed following the Panji Tejo Laksono together with Niken Sulastri. After they left, Senopati Ranggabuana nagged himself.

"Night of night who can distinguish where Gusti Prince where the thief. Fate of fate became subordinate. Right is wrong still wrong".

Arriving at the guest hall of honor, Panji Tejo Laksono is escorted by Ayu Ratna to a most magnificent room that is slightly separated from the other guest of honor rooms. Incidentally the bedroom was only limited by a fence wall with the Kalingga Castle Princess.

"The Prince's Gusti will occupy this room. If there is any need, Gusti Prince just call me in Keputren.

Then, I say goodbye to return to Keputren as well as preparing lunch for Gusti Prince. I beg you to resign", Ayu Ratna saluted the Panji Tejo Laksono and immediately turned around to get out of the bedroom room.

"Wait a minute!"

Hearing the words of Panji Tejo Laksono, Ayu Ratna immediately turned her head towards the young prince.

"What else is Gusti Prince? What can I help you with?", Ayu Ratna looked at the handsome face of Panji Tejo Laksono. Somehow every time he looked at the handsome face of the young prince from Kadiri his heart was racing. Hunt him down his face, not strong linger long battle with the handsome prince.

"You said anything? Sure if I want anything you will fulfill?", Panji Tejo Laksono again smiled ignorantly.

"E-eh yes Gusti Prince, whatever wishes Gusti Prince will I fulfill", nervous Ayu Ratna said a word. The banner of Tejo Laksono continued to step closer to Ayu Ratna. The daughter of Duke Aghnibrata naturally retreated slowly. As her body stuck on the bedroom wall, Ayu Ratna was getting stubborn because Panji Tejo Laksono continued to approach her. The beautiful daughter of the Duchy of Kalingga immediately closed her eyes.

Slowly the breath of Panji Tejo Laksono felt more and more touching the skin of Ayu Ratna's neck. Ayu Ratna is increasingly eager to wait for what Panji Tejo Laksono will do next. Time seemed slow to go for Ayu Ratna at that time.

"This is to my room Gusti Prince!"

Demung Gumbreg's voice instantly made Ayu Ratna open her eyes. The Duke of Aghnibrata's daughter immediately sagged from the restraints of Panji Tejo Laksono and ran out of the bedroom with a reddened face holding in shame.

'It seems like my arrival is not on time', Demung Gumbreg's inner self. The tall officer of the tall Panjalu warrior was getting more frightened when he saw Panji Tejo Laksono staring intently at him.

"Please forgive Gusti Prince..

Servant really doesn't know that..."

Not yet had Demung Gumbreg finished talking, Panji Tejo Laksono directly pointed at his bedroom door while shouting loudly.

"Exit Uncle..!!

Otherwise don't blame me for punishing you" Panji Tejo Laksono said as he swung towards Demung Gumbreg.

Hearing those words, Demung Gumbreg immediately saluted to Panji Tejo Laksono and ran away like a rooster in the pursuit of demons leaving the bedroom room Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Basic vandals !"

****

To the south of the city boundary of the Duchy of Kalingga, a group of people dressed in white sky escorted a horse carriage. They drove their horses as fast as they could towards the palace.

A well-built young man with a handsome face appeared to be sitting opposite a man with a long white beard. Beside her was also a beautiful young lady who seemed to be still a brother with the young man earlier.

"Father,

Is Father sure Gusti Adipati Aghnibrata will accept our proposal? I doubt Father", said the thin-moustached young man as he stared at the old man sitting opposite him.

"Aghnibrata would not dare to refuse, Danapati..

He owes me. He once I saved when surrounded by robbers when coming home from the wedding invitation of the Duke of Paguhan's son first. You don't have to worry. As your father, of course I will go to great lengths to grant all your wishes to my son" the old man said with confidence.

Hearing that answer, the young man immediately smiled widely.

"Romo is the best" said the thin-moustached young man immediately. The white-bearded old man immediately nodded happily at the young man's praise.

They are the people of Padepokan Teratai Segara who come from the southern coast of Java Island precisely in the Mataram region. The old man was Resi Danarasa, the leader and professor of Padepokan Teratai Segara, a well-respected swordsman in the martial world, especially in the western region of the Kingdom of Panjalu. While the young one is Danapati, the eldest son of Resi Danarasa who is also the favorite son of the sage. Another one, the beautiful girl who is about 2 years old next to Danapati is her sister, Rara Santi.

Danapati, who claimed to have dreamed of meeting Ayu Ratna, whined to ask Resi Danarasa to propose to Duke Kalingga's daughter as a wife. It just so happened that Resi Danarasa knew Duke Aghnibrata a few decades ago when he was still a poor swordsman across the martial world.

The group continued to move towards the Duchy of Kalingga City.

At the border of the city, Pringgalaya who was upset because he did not find the group of princes from Kadiri immediately confronted the group of people Padepokan Teratai Segara with a loud shout.

"Stop you!

What are you going to Kadipaten Kalingga City for?"