KEEP BUANA (Rise of Darkness)

ARC III: Duke of Mount Padang

Baya Manik

“Ah, Bead Teacher.. Welcome to Giri Kencana... Why not tell me, teacher..? at least we prepare a teacher welcome at the gate.” The man with the escort of dozens of soldiers bowed respectfully in front of the great-grandfather. It turns out that Gentayu's allegations are true, this great-grandfather is named Manik Baya.

“Ah, nanda Adipati Girinata need not hesitate. My students and I are planning to face His Majesty tomorrow. Can Nanda arrange my meeting with His Majesty tomorrow?” Manik Baya patted the back of the downed duke Girinata's hand and kissed the old man's hand respectfully.

“Murid teacher? Is this the famous Duke of Mount Padang?” Gentayu slightly frowned when he was recognized by the duke Girinata as a duke. Clearly he did not expect that he was currently being forgotten by Manik Baya's grandfather as the duke of Mount Padang.

the feeling of Gentayu becomes less comfortable. But he immediately covered it up smartly. “Ah, duke Girinata is too complimentary. Is that me?” he said as he advanced and greeted the duke of Girinata.

His previous experience as a retainer of Lamahtang turned out to be very helpful in adjusting in unexpected conditions like this.

Seeing Gentayu's skill, Baya's bead immediately patted Gentayu's shoulder. He then really praised the speed of thinking of the young man before him.

“Nanda duke, it seems like the bases can be delayed. What if you invited us to eat at the diner on the corner of the street? I heard, pickled and gulai horses there very delicious, nanda.” said Manik Baya later.

Thus. Finally since then Gentayu had to follow Manik Baya with his new identity as the Duke of Mount Padang.

There is no information whatsoever as the provision of Gentayu in playing the role of the duke of Mount Padang. All he knew was, Manik Baya would save him when things turned sour or dangerous.

The three of them, escorted by the soldiers ended up eating together in a pretty fancy restaurant around the place. Sure enough, as Manik Baya said, the restaurant did provide anea food and drinks classy typical of the nobles.

This is the first time Gentayu has returned to good food after the war between black and white flow in Lamahtang before. It seems, for a very long time he did not live a civilized human service.

After being filled with delicious food and snacks and drinks served, something annoying is done by Manik baya.

“Nak.” He said while patting Gentayu “Don't forget, this time you pay for this food. Teacher does not bring much stock.”

Gentayu almost choked on the bone of the fish he was eating.

Pay for their meal expenses? Even if he doesn't have money at the moment, how can this goddamn grandpa not stop getting him into trouble?

“Oh, no need to bother, teacher. It is our duty as the host who entertains the teacher and duke of Mount Padang.” Fortunately, Duke Girinata immediately took over the talks.

Enough to calm Gentayu down, at once he hoped that this duke was unaware of the change in his expression just now.

“Ah, it does not matter who the guest is and who the host is. This student of mine, back on the road, destroyed the robber's base and confiscated a considerable amount of their gold. It seems, he also wants to share.” Manik Baya as if he wants to test the limits of Gentayu's patience. But, then Gentayu realized something.

In the pocket of his shirt in the form of a vest it feels heavier. Gentayu bribed him and found many pieces of money in it. Gentayu's face turned red and went awry. Then turned to Manik Baya, as if asking for an explanation. But, of course there will be no expansion of anything that can be obtained.

“Already, pay there.!” the next Manik Baya Order. Not waiting long, Gentayu immediately went to pay their meal bill.

Since then, Gentayu no longer doubted the middle-aged Manik of Grandpa Cempreng. His identity was too mysterious for him.

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The Kingdom of Giri Kencana, a large kingdom in the Greater Sunda tatar.

This kingdom is led by a king who is very capable in leading and mastering various fields of science, King Jayadilaga.

Not a few among the kings in the Greater Sunda tatar who then tried to establish closer relations with Giri Kencana. Either through trade, military cooperation or marriage.

King Jayadilaga has a beautiful daughter named Luh Cendrawani. Her beauty was nothing compared to any noble girl in the entire kingdom. In fact, if it must be compared with the entire area of the big tatar sunda though, not many are able to rival her beauty.

The beauty of the famous king's daughter then attracted the interest of the princes to come to propose the princess. Some are sincere because they fall in love when they see the princess on several occasions. But most of it is clearly politically motivated.

So, at the age of the princess who entered the age of nineteen years, the king opened a matchmaking competition.

This competition itself is entrusted to a saint from Mount Padang. Mount Padang is considered one of the holy places and since hundreds of years ago has stood a temple as a center of worship activities to the gods.

The head of the temple itself is known as Begawan Manik Baya, which is thought to have been hundreds of years old.

Not many people have ever met the Begawan . In fact, even the king's messenger is only accepted by the clone of the sage that is manifested from water.

The Begawan asserted that he himself would come to the kingdom with one of his disciples who was introduced as a duke.

The envoy was the duke of Girinata, who ruled the region of the city and its surroundings.

Duke Girinata finally returned home in a daze, because he understood very well that Mount Padang should be in the duchy of Darmaraja, a subordinate territory of Giri Kencana as well as other duchies. It does not stand alone as a duchy.

The king of Jayadilaga did not dispute the existence of the duchy of Mount Padang claimed by the Begawan. In fact, he fully entrusted the series of organizing the competition to the begawan when the begawan met him at the palace.

The competition has been implemented.

And it should, within two weeks to coincide with today, begawan time to deliver the results of the contest.

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The Great Paseban Hall today is filled with palace dignitaries. There were also messengers and representatives of the kings and nobles of the neighboring countries who followed the contest.

They are waiting for the decision of the implementation of the contest. Among them, a special hall had been provided as a place for the princes who had previously followed the contest.

The faces of the princes of the palace and the emissaries of the friendly country seemed curious waiting for the results of the decision to be delivered by the begawan in front of the king. Meanwhile, the faces of the princes were all grim when they saw the atmosphere of the paseban hall so crowded, with faces full of enthusiasm the officials present.

The sound of the gong was shot three times. The entire audience stood up, while the entire court sat down on their knees.

“Your Majesty, Prabu Jayadilaga and the empress enter the room.!” an announcement then echoed within the room, as the king, empress, and the ladies and gentlemen and bhayangkari guards entered the meeting room.

Shortly after the king greeted the audience and invited them to sit down, Manik Baya and Gentayu dressed as dukes entered the room.

All eyes immediately turned to them.

There were a few looks of disdain and scorn directed at the two. But Manik Baya doesn't seem to care.

Unlike Manik Baya who went directly to the king, Gentayu immediately stopped and turned the direction, then took a seat not far from the ministers. Gathered together the dukes and other vassal kings.

What an oddity in the palace protocol, when the king was present there was someone else who was late. But that is what is happening before the audience in the great paseban hall today.