The Swordsman

CH2.8 Meeting of five village heads

After meeting with Ki Lurah Sumitro, Raden Sanjaya ordered Pandu Bergolo's men and Jarot's men to gather information about the Blood Axe Force. They were sent to several places according to the black and red marks present on the map.

Meanwhile at one of the underground headquarters of the Blood Axe forces, the leaders of each headquarters were gathering to discuss about the destruction of the blood axe headquarters which was on the slopes of Mount Maskumambang.

"Who is the one who was able to destroy Pragoto headquarters..? It is impossible for Pragoto to be defeated so easily. Pragoto is a swordsman of choice, not just anyone who can deal with him." said one of the headquarters leaders named Gentho.

"From the news that I heard, Pragoto was defeated by a young man and girl who are not yet known where they came from." replied a person known as Jarwoko.

"Whoever they are I don't care. The destruction of Pragoto headquarters was an insult to the blood axe. We must avenge their deeds." said the man named Bakoh and justified by others.

"That's right... Find them, just finish them off.." said the others and made a rowdy atmosphere of the meeting.

A middle-aged man of medium height, thin stature, long haired disheveled entered the meeting room.

"Shut up all of you...!! snapped at the man and everyone fell silent.

The man walked towards the very end of the meeting participant, the chair of leadership. Singoharjo was the leader of the blood axe army, the former senopati and the head of the royal guard of Dananjaya. Only the head of the headquarters knew that Singoharjo was the head of the blood axe. His identity was deliberately hidden in order for him to freely move.

"I killed Pragoto. It seems like the young man has known a lot about our troops and our relationship with the palace. From now on we need to be more careful in our actions. Not to rule out the possibility, the young man had found out about our headquarters. It's just that it took a little while to find all our bases." Singoharjo said.

"Then what about the auction event that we will hold the chairman..? Should we change the auction schedule..?" ask Gentho.

"No.. no. the auction event must still be held. We cannot disappoint our clients. And I'm sure the young man must have known about this auction. He would definitely come to that auction event. There we will finish him off." said Singoharjo.

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Meanwhile at the royal palace of Banon Sewu, the health condition of King Danayaksa deteriorated. His body was getting thinner and in an unconscious state. His life force was running out due to the dark energy that shaded the royal palace. In contrast to Empress Mai who increasingly looks young and beautiful, her magic is increasing. Such conditions made Empress Mai take over the position of king Danayaksa to rule the kingdom of Banon Sewu.

"It's all in my hands now. Just one step away from welcoming His Majesty the Durga who has now been released from his sentence." Inner Empress Mai.

"Hamba came to report to the Empress.." Senopati Karyomarno came to see the empress.

Senopati Karyomarno was the right-hand man of Empress Mai of Champa, whose real name was Yueying, and also a devotee of Sang Durga.

"How is senopati, what news do you bring this time..?" ask empress Mai.

"The blood axe headquarters has been burned by someone. It seems like that person knows a lot about us. What should we do empress.?" ask Karyomarno.

"Hhhmmmm.. Do you know who did it..?" ask empress.

"I forgive the queen's servant. Servants do not know the identity of the person." replied Karyomarno.

"Quick contact Singomarto. He must keep virgins and virgins on Suro's night to welcome His Holiness Durga." said Empress Mai.

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The meeting between the village heads arrived. Each of the village heads had been present at Ki Lurah Sumitro's house. Raden Sanjaya, Sekar Wulan and Pandu Bergolo were seen participating in the meeting accompanying Ki Lurah Sumitro. While Jarot helped Nyai Lurah prepare everything needed in the meeting.

"My brothers welcome to Polosan Village. Before starting this meeting, let me introduce you to someone who will help us. She is the master and mistress of Jaka Pengalasan." said Ki Lurah, Raden Sanjaya and Sekar Wulan stood in homage.

"Help us..? What do you mean Ki..?" tanya Samadi Balungan village head.

"Where did you get this young man Sumitro..? It seemed like he was an ordinary young man, then what could he do..?" said Darto the village head of Genengan.

"It seems you don't know the greatness of Mr. Jaka Ki Lurah. Just so you know, Mr. Jaka who has destroyed the blood axe headquarters on the slopes of Mount Mascumambang." said Pandu Bergolo emotion.

"Hold your emotions Pandu.. It is only natural that they look into the eyes of Mr. Jaka and his wife. They had just met Mr. Jaka for the first time." said Ki Lurah Sumitro slowly.

"Is what you're saying true..?" sahut Darto did not believe.

Someone suddenly entered the meeting room. A middle-aged man with a well-built body.

"It's true or not, but I've seen for myself the blood axe base that I've been intai has become charcoal. Who did it I don't know either. May what he said be true, that the young man named Jakalah did it. So it will help us a lot." said the man as he entered the room and sat next to Ki Lurah Sumitro.

"Welcome, brother. Mr. Jaka this is what I will introduce to you. She is Tejomantri, she is the younger sister of the empress Gayatri." said Ki Lurah Sumitro

Hearing the True Wiji college made Sekar Wulan a little surprised, in contrast to Raden Sanjaya who remained calm.

"Greetings to Mr. Tejo. I'm Jaka Pengasal. May I ask Mr. Tejo..?" said Raden Sanjaya.

"Don't call me sir. You call me uncle just so we're more familiar. After all, the one here is a brother.. Haha.. Please, what the young brother wants to ask, but before that I saw your wife was shocked when she heard the name of the True Wiji college. Did Madame Jaka ever go there..?" ask Tejomantri.

"Eehhmmmm. aahhh. I'm just surprised uncle ever studied in a distant place." said Sekar Wulan lying.

"If uncle is the younger sister of empress Gayatri, then king Danayaksa is uncle's nephew..? Then why is uncle not in the Palace..?" ask raden Sanjaya.

"This young brother is quite careful apparently. Alright, I will tell you a little, after I finished studying kanuragan at the True Wiji college, I did not directly return to the palace. I want to test my knowledge. I traveled around in this kingdom to challenge the warriors that existed. For a long time I traveled around the kingdom, until I did not know anything had happened to the kingdom until I heard that king Dananjaya had died and was replaced by my nephew. When I returned to the palace, the blood axe was already a conversation among the Banon Sewu people. They claim to be palace troops, but commit robbery. Until I finally came back out of the palace and chased the blood axe army. Until now I have not managed to catch them, but their actions are increasingly becoming.." Tejomantri story

"Then how can uncle get acquainted with Ki Lurah Sumitro..? did you guys know each other before..?" ask raden Sanjaya.

"When I left for Kawi, I passed through this village and I ran out of supplies. Ki Lurah generously gave me provisions for my trip to the land of Kawi. That's why me and Ki Lurah Sumitro are like brothers." Tejomantri replied.

Meeting continues. They discussed about everything that would be done to deal with the blood axe. Some of Pandu Bergolo and Jarot's men who had returned from their duties, gave a report to Sanjaya and then became material for them to face the blood axe troops.