KEEP BUANA (Rise of Darkness)

Royal Tribute

Thanks to the skill of the pigeon squads in collecting information, then a week later the picking team began to run its first mission. In this first mission, there were three tasks that they had to carry out at almost the same time. To that end, Rambang Dangku divided his squad into three small groups.

The Picker Squad had the most number of members of the entire division within the alliance. There were at least 57 great warriors in the squad. Their average abilities were equivalent to even many that were higher than Rambang Dangku Alone. However, they entrusted themselves to be ruled by the former Mahapatih.

Rambang Dangku assigned ten warriors to intercept the delivery of tributes from three duchies, namely the Duchy of Bone Mesuji, the Duchy of Serelo Pualam, and the Duchy of Ujung Jambe. The three Duchies are known to have a schedule of tribute submission to the kingdom in these two weeks. This mission will be led by Lingkis, a swordsman with the title of Pendekar Pembelah Karang.

The Second Group was tasked with capturing the largest gold mine, which also became the kingdom's largest source of finance. The location of this gold mine happens to be at the foot of Mount Gaba, still in a row of mountains. Administratively included in the duchy of Curup Payang. This region is famous as the largest gold producer in the entire kingdom.

This second mission was run by 32 warriors led by Tok Batun or Pendekar Arm Seribu. The number of warriors who were handed down was very large considering the tightness of guard and it is known that this gold mine is the largest asset of the kingdom. Of course the guards are not just any guards and there are quite a lot.

The third mission is to rob. Yeah, really a robbery mission. They will carry out a robbery of the food barn belonging to the Lamahtang tantara which is the outermost of the castle fortress wall.

Perhaps, at this time only Benduriang and Mahapatih know for sure that Lamahtang has a food barn in the remote area. Indeed, because the food supply is kept secret and functioned as a reserve during the war. They left and were led directly by Rambang Dangku.

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That afternoon was very hot. Fifteen men dressed in heavily armed Lamahtang soldiers were seen entering the fence of the residence of the duke Bayang Keling, the leader of the duchy of Serelo Pualam. The guards understood that it was the day the soldiers took tribute from their leader.

The Lamahtang soldiers who came that day were not the soldiers and retainers who usually came to take royal tributes. However, they still understand it because in the current kingdom the leadership has undergone a change with the rebellion of the third prince, Tulung Selangit.

“Oh, you guys came early apparently. Fortunately we have prepared it in advance.” The Duke of Bayang Keling was stale before the soldiers before handing over five crates of gold, silver and various precious stones inside.

“Shouldn't the duke give you ten crates? Has the order to raise tributes not reached the duke yet?” The leader of the entourage who stood up to inspect the entire coffin questioned the amount of tribute that was less than it should have been.

“Im sorry, sir. But, the order came and we received it just two weeks ago. The Regents certainly need time to collect according to the requested amount.” The duke tried to give an excuse.

“Alaaah!! It's already! Many reasons! If you intend to defect from His Highness Tulung Exorbitant, then we will not hesitate to crush you at this time either! After all, our leader also wants the position of duke you are sitting in!” saying in a threatening tone, The retainer leader of the entourage ordered his subordinates to transport the treasure chests.

“Cube time up to two weeks away. If two more weeks can not give us tribute like the order of His Majesty the king, then forget your position as duke!” Said the retainer while inviting all his colleagues to leave the place.

The Duke of Bayang Keling seemed furious to accept the harsh attitude of the soldiers. During this time, the soldiers who took tribute were always polite because they realized that the kingdom of Lamahtang was supported by a unity of dukes who were willing to submit under the control of Lamahtang. But a different attitude was apparently shown by the new king and his device. They gained power by seizing it from the reigning king. Thus, overthrowing ducal officials is not a difficult matter according to them.

After the disappearance of the troop of soldiers, the duke of Shadow Keling immediately gave a certain code towards the dark shadow in the corner of the room. Instantly a human body emerged from behind the shadow.

“What should I do, sir?” The figure bowed in salute to the duke.

“Clean them! Remember, without a trace!” The Duke of Shadow Rivet gave the order as his hands crossed. A sneaky smile seemed to expand on his lips.

Not waiting for long, the figure returned to the dark shadow in the corner of the room and simply disappeared.

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Horses flew dust on the trail that cut through the forest of the hill of Serelo that afternoon. Fifteen horses accompanied the speed of a horse-drawn carriage that traveled quite quickly through the forest. In the car, the royal courtier with a thick mustache seemed to wrinkle his forehead while watching the right side of the train he was riding. From then on, he felt as if someone was following them. But so far, it seems like it's just his feelings. Until suddenly ...

‘CRACK!’

The two chariot-pulling horses were knocked down because their front legs were hit by something. The train he pulled was no less bad. The train rolled over spilling its contents with wheels smashed to pieces.

The thick-moustached retainer jumped out of the now-burning carriage.

The escorting soldiers were busy rescuing the treasure-filled coffins, and some moved to wield their respective weapons preparing to face the soon-to-be-appearing assailants.

However, the awaited figure never appeared. Instead they were then startled by the sound of explosions around them accompanied by the whirring of weapons that shot through their hearts. Ten soldiers died as a result of a follow-up attack that is not yet known who did it.

The screams of death sounded terrible in the middle of the forest. The lives of ten soldiers were uprooted in a matter of seconds.

“Coward! Show your face! Don't be such a loser!” Shouted the retainer between his anxiety and anger.

Naturally the retainer was anxious. From his former attack and impact, he measured himself that his strength might not be able to face the mysterious assailant.

“Alright.. lest you die of curiosity, I give you a tribute to see my face..” A black-clothed figure suddenly appeared on the carcass of a horse that was just stung away.

His sudden appearance clearly surprised the soldiers who now only numbered five people. However, it seems that the figure does not want to mince words any further. Unexpectedly, the black-clothed figure made a gasing-like swirling motion, and back the shrieking sound of death rang out from the mouths of the five remaining warriors. Their hands held onto the neck area that had now stuck on the dagger without being seen when it was glued.

‘AAAAKKK...!’

Only the thick-moustached retainer managed to dodge the attack. But still his face was scratched thin and raised a red line that drained blood shortly afterwards.

“Less Ajar! How dareaa...!” The retainer was angry, but also filled with despair and fear at the same time.

“Save your curse for the guards of hell later!” The figure said coldly, and somehow the retainer suddenly collapsed on the ground with its head severed.

“Quick! Secure all these crates! Don't forget, share one crate for residents of nearby villages!” The figure said, and soon other figures appeared from the grove of bushes and trees. They moved very quickly and immediately disappeared without a trace from that place along with his entire treasure chest.

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“Pardon my servant, my lord duke! The servant failed to perform the task. Those soldiers have been killed entirely, and the treasure chests have been lost.” The black-robed figure reported to the Duke of Shadow Keling.

“What??!!” Shadow Keling was so angry at the news that it kicked down the table in front of him.

“Don't tell me you don't know who did it either?!” Bentak the duke

The black-robed figure was only silent while looking down. Not answering.