"Hm, nowadays there are many young people who are highly knowledgeable. Adipati Wukir Kamenda is also young. Even though he doesn't have much experience, he has intelligence and knowledge that is not low. I am getting older and more fragile. I think it's time for me to resign himself. Let the young people take his place "
Thinking about the soldier and his own situation, Tumenggung Kandilangu forgot to read the letter in his hand.
"Hm, what is the content of the letter from the Duke?" The old man quickly unrolled the paper, and immediately read it. It didn't take long for him to roll it back up. For a moment he pensively looked far out the page.
"The Duke ordered me to meet Empu Tanuboyo, to ask about the keris he ordered. It seems he can't wait to see the results of the keris made from the metal he found." said Tumenggung in his heart.
Actually, he was a bit reluctant to carry out the task, because he was still on leave. But as a subordinate he was forced to carry out the order. With slightly unsteady steps, Tumenggung Kandilangu entered his house.
It didn't take long for Tumenggung Kandilangu to appear from the old, rather large house, riding a horse. But wearing ordinary clothes like commoners. He was indeed out of work. The task that is being carried out this time is the personal task of Adipati Wukir Kamenda.
It is not told about the journey of Tumenggung Kandilangu to where Empu Tanuboyo lived. The old man had entered the courtyard of the master's hut. Since earlier, Tumenggung Kandilangu has felt something strange. His nose smelled a rotten smell that sniffed the nose. He suspected the stench emanated from a long-dead animal. But the closer to Empu Tanuboyo's hut, the more intense the stench.
How surprised Tumenggung Kandilangu was when he found a decomposing human body lying in the yard of Adipati Wukir Kamenda's in-laws' cottage. And he was abysmal when he found out that the corpse was none other than the decomposed corpse of Empu Tanuboyo.
"Hah, who killed this old man?" tumenggung Kandilangu snapped with a pale face.
“I must quickly inform the Duke!” said this Tumenggung as he jumped onto the horse's back. Then, by dissecting his horse, the man left the place. This shocking incident shocked him greatly and he felt he had to report it to Adipati Wukir Kamenda.
When Tumenggung Kandilangu was out of breath when he arrived at the Duchy, he was again surprised because the Duchy building was filled with soldiers.
There are even Senopati Rah Butho and Patih Gajah Rono.
"What happen?" thought Tumenggung Kandilangu. When he asked the group of soldiers he approached.
"Kanjeng Adipati and his wife were killed by someone?" he snapped with a shocked face. And immediately the bones all over the old man's body seemed to be escaped.
"Which demon human would have committed such a heinous madness?" he said in a trembling voice. "Oh my God...! What disaster will happen? I just met Empu Tanuboyo on the orders of Kanjeng Adipati and found the old man had become a corpse! Am I dreaming? Or is this all under my consciousness?" said in the heart of the Tumenggung. But he really felt it was a reality.
In front of his eyes he saw the corpses of Adipati Wukir Kamenda and his wife lying motionless. When he removed the cloth covering the two bodies, his eyes widened. He almost couldn't believe it.
The girl who was the daughter of Empu Tanuboyo died with two wounds to the neck and chest, right in the heart. And the condition of Adipati Wukir Kamenda's corpse was even more terrible. Almost his entire body was full of stab wounds from sharp weapons. Even both of his eyes were gouged out, so that the corpse had no eyeballs anymore!
The appearance of Tumenggung Kandilangu immediately received attention. Because he is the closest person to Adipati Wukir Kamenda. In fact, it was he who was being waited for to be questioned.
During the lightning trial, Tumenggung Kandilangu immediately gave a statement. That this morning he had the arrival of a soldier envoy from Adipati Wukir Kamenda who gave him a letter. Namely the Duke's warrant ordering him to go to see Empu Tanuboyo. The letter was immediately shown to Patih Gajah Rono.
Patih Gajah Rono immediately checked the letter. After researching, the Patih immediately ordered Tumenggung Kandilangu to continue his narrative.
Without exaggerating or undercutting, this Tumenggung immediately told all the events from beginning to end and until his arrival to the Duchy to give a report....
Senopati Rah Butho's task was to escort Tumenggung Kandilangu to take Empu Tanuboyo's body to the Duchy.
Still tired, the old Tumenggung was forced to carry out orders. Four soldiers were accompanied on a trip to the mountainside where the Duke-in-law's residence was.
Then the cavalcade of cavalry seemed to leave the duchy building followed by dozens of pairs of eyes from the soldiers, and the gaze of Patih Gajah Rono.
"The corpse must be examined. Whether the killer is the same person. From the wounds on Adipati Wukir Kamenda's body, my niece is also his wife, I can tell the perpetrator used a dagger...!"
Said the Patih in the heart. Suddenly the man's face changed. His heart jolted. "Hm, a keris? Wasn't my nephew going to ask Empu Tanuboyo for the making of the keris?"
Patih Gajah Rono thought hard to solve the complicated problems he faced. Namely knowing who killed Adipati Wukir Kamenda and his wife, as well as the killer of Empu Tanuboyo.
For that he must know the background of the incident. The person on whom he is based is Tumenggung Kandilangu. Because he knew about Empu Tanuboyo who became his best friend. Also the one who brought Adipati, his nephew, to where Empu Tanuboyo lived. Until unexpectedly, Adipati Wukir Kamenda became Empu Tanuboyo's son-in-law because he married his daughter.
"I have to do another re-examination, after finishing burying the bodies. I thought only Tumenggung Kandilangu could know the history of Empu Tanuboyo..." thought Patih Gajah Rono.
At that time a soldier riding a horse came to Patih Gajah Rono who was standing in the front yard of the Duchy building.
Arriving before the patih, the soldier jumped down from his horse.
Then bowed respectfully.
"Gusti Patih..., introduce me, following them to help pick up the body of Empu Tanuboyo!" said the soldier.
Patih Gajah Rono was somewhat surprised to see the soldier's sudden appearance. In fact, he had just experienced that a brave soldier submitting a request usually only waited for orders from his superiors.
"Hm, what's your name, soldier?" asked the Patih with a frown, looking intently at the face and stature of the young soldier.
"My name is Kumbara! Jaka Kumbara...!" said the soldier.
Patih Gajah Rono nodded. Secretly he was a bit suspicious of the young soldier.
"As far as I know every soldier of the Duchy always carries a weapon with him. A spear or a sword at his waist. Where is your weapon?" asked Patih Gajah Rono.
Asked so the soldier was somewhat surprised. But immediately replied.
"Forgive me, Patih! I deliberately did not bring a spear or sword because I would only help pick up the bodies...!"
"What if an unexpected event occurs in the middle of the trip? And isn't that a violation of a discipline or a provision set by your superiors?"
Patih Gajah Rono's question momentarily stunned the young soldier.
"That's right, Your Excellency, Patih! I have made a mistake, I hope the Governor will forgive!" replied the soldier named Jaka Kumbara.
"Hm, rarely do I meet a soldier as brave as you. But that's okay. I forgive you. And I let you join them to help carry the body!" said Patih Gajah Rono.
The soldier thanked him, then jumped on the horse's back and beat him quickly leaving the courtyard of the Duchy building.
Four royal officers jumped in front of Patih Gajah Rono after the man signaled.
"Follow that soldier! I suspect him. If anything happens, you can arrest him and immediately report to me!"
"Ready, Lord Patih!" said the four Hulubalangs of the palace almost simultaneously. Then they quickly approached their respective horses. And a few moments later the four Hulubalangs had dissected their horses following the strange soldier who was behaving suspiciously.
Meanwhile Patih Gajah Rono stepped into the pavilion.
His face looks tense. He was pacing back and forth holding hands.
"The soldier's attitude was indeed strange...! Ah, I just remembered! Isn't he the soldier sent by the Duke to bring a letter to Tumenggung? Yes! his name is Kumbara, full Jaka Kumbara. Has he worked with Tumenggung Kandilangu? And is it possible that he is who committed the murders?" His mind is full of questions that are difficult to answer.
"Hm, I should indeed have waited for their arrival, as well as reports from the four Palace commanders!" hiss Patih made a decision.
Then go to the inner room.
***
Meanwhile, the four commanders who followed the soldier named Jaka Kumbara continued to chase after the horse. There was still a cloud of dust in front of them, meaning the soldier wasn't too far away to catch up with him.
It turned out that Jaka Kumbara knew that the four horsemen were behind him. "Hm, as I thought, I must be under suspicion...! But they are chasing me in vain...!" hissed the soldier with a smile. Suddenly he turned his horse sharply toward the bushes.
There was the neighing of the beast and the crackling sound of twigs and branches snapping. In that second, the soldier's body shot from the horse's back. The movement is very fast. In a few flashes just the shadow of his body disappeared somewhere.
When the four palace commanders crossed the place, one of the officers stopped his horse.
"Stand!" he shouted signaling his three friends.
Broken branches scattered by the side of the road and the neighing of horses in the undergrowth had aroused the officer's suspicions. Of course the three friends immediately restrained their respective horses, then rushed over to the friend.
Their eyes widened when they saw the soldier's horse which had fallen into the bush. But the rider himself is nowhere to be seen. Simultaneously they jumped off the horse. Then spread out to find traces of the soldier.
But so far they have been looking for it is not known where the soldier named Jaka Kumbara disappeared. The place was traced out, but to no avail.
The four immediately conferred, then came to a decision. Apparently they decided to report to Patih Gajah Rono.
Not long after, the four hulubalang immediately jumped onto their respective horses' backs, and immediately dislodged quickly leaving that place, returning to the Duchy...
***
That's right my guess! That soldier must be an enemy sneaking into the Duchy's building! I noticed the way he jumped onto the horse's back and his attitude which could not possibly be done by a soldier, except waiting for his superior's orders! Don't think he's the one who killed my nephew!" said Patih Gajah Rono, his face turning bright red.
"What is the next order of the Gusti Patih?" said one of the officers with a downcast face.
"That's it, get going! We are just waiting for the arrival of Tumenggung Kandilangu, because I have no other plans besides that!"
The four officers nodded, then immediately withdrew.
Just as the four officers were leaving, suddenly they heard the sound of hooves coming towards the Duchy building.
It appears that the two soldiers who accompanied Tumenggung Kandilangu's departure have returned. They immediately turned to face with pale pale faces.
"What else?" Patih Gajah Rono snapped with mounting tension.
"Gusti Patih! We haven't had time to reach our destination. We were stopped by someone wearing soldier's clothes. Then... the soldier asked us to go back. He said that he himself would carry Empu Tanuboyo's body to the Duchy! Then..."
The soldier paused to wipe the sweat off his forehead.
"Then what?" Patih Gajah Rono snapped impatiently.
"Then there was an argument with Gusti Senopati, because he felt that the soldier had acted presumptuously. Because Gusti Senopati's harsh words had made the soldier furious. He insulted Gusti Senopati as a royal servant who was incapable of catching criminals..."
"Then what next?" Patih Gajah Rono snapped impatiently.
"Gusti Senopati got angry, and slapped the soldier. It turned out that he had intelligence, and was able to avoid Gusti Senopati's slap. Two of our friends came forward to arrest the soldier who had caused the commotion. But they even became victims! The soldier was highly knowledgeable. In a number of cases With just a swift move, our two comrades fell over, and... died! Right now, Gusti Adipati is fighting with that crazy soldier..."
"Crazy, I'm curious to know who this soldier really is, my suspicions are getting stronger, he's the killer we're looking for!" said Patih Gajah Rono.
"Ready my horse!" the Patih ordered. The situation in the Duchy building was in an uproar when Patih Gajah Rono stripped the horse out of the yard, followed by dozens of Royal officers. On the front are the two soldiers who were guiding the way.
***
Meanwhile, on the slopes of a mountain, where a rocky riverbank was seen, there was an exciting battle between two royal servants. It turned out that it was the soldier named Jaka Kumbara who was fighting Senopati Rah Butho.
Two soldiers lay lifeless with crushed chests and shriveled skullcaps.
“Rotten human, tell me who you really are!” Senopati Rah Butho snapped by slashing a long klewang, cutting his opponent's waist.
"Haha... A Senopati like you better leave your position immediately if you only have the skill to beat dogs!" mocked the soldier as he dodged. His movements are very agile. Senopati's ferocious strike seemed to go unnoticed.
The more riled up Senopati Rah Butho.
With a loud snap he attacked with deadly moves. His klewang turns into a roll of white light that roars to envelop his opponent.
Seeing his opponent issuing powerful and deadly moves, this soldier was a bit surprised. Since earlier he had prepared himself because his opponent was not an easy opponent.
"Heh, I was hoping to get a tough opponent. Now is the time for me to take out my weapon!" said the soldier in his heart.
With agile movements he made jumps to avoid Senopati's onslaught. On one occasion he drew his weapon.
A bright bluish-black light seemed to crept in his hand. It turned out that a dagger had been grasped. That's the DEVIL'S CURSE keris.
Who the soldier is is none other than Sucitro.
Whuuuut! whuuut!
Trang!
Senopati Rah Butho screamed in surprise, when suddenly his klewang bounced and was released from his grip. He felt a sharp impact that shook his arm and made his blood flow stop. A cold chill crept all over his body. And he saw the soldier standing straight with a grin on his face looking at him. In his hand, he held a dagger that emitted a shuddering aura.
"Haha...haha..ha...your cleverness is meaningless, Senopati! You better hand over your position properly. I'll spare your life. And let me take your place!" said the soldier alias Sucitro with a grin on his face and a pair of eyes radiating horror to those who saw him.
Since then, Tumenggung Kandilangu has only been a spectator, without daring to take any action. He knew that Senopati Rah Butho was someone who would be easily offended if he interfered in his affairs. Moreover, just beat a soldier.
But secretly since earlier his heart had been aghast, because in just a moment two soldiers had been killed at the hands of the young man dressed as a Duchy soldier. Dan was even more surprised when he recognized that he was a soldier who claimed to be named Kumbara.
Seeing Senopati Rah Butho's weapon released, Tumenggung Kandilangu jumped up with a scream while pulling out his heirloom keris.
"Tell me who you really are, young man? Aren't you a soldier who has brought a letter from Adipati Wukir Kamenda, a soldier envoy from the Duchy?"
"Haha...haha... true! I am Jaka Kumbara! It was I who delivered the letter from Adipati Wukir Kamenda to you. I got the letter from the soldier who was sent for the task. But before it reached you, I sent his soul to the Hereafter . Then I'll pass on the task!" said Jaka Kumbara alias Sucitro with a smirk.
"What is your real goal?" tumenggung Kandilangu snapped.
"Hm, I was going to kill you, but I immediately discouraged myself, because I felt you were not the opponent I expected! You are too old, and I thought it was enough for me to take my revenge on the humans I hate. Namely Adipati Wukir Kamenda and... and his wife!"
"Bastard, so you're the one who did that heinous deed?" Senopati Rah Butho snapped with a furious face, as he jumped to his feet and grabbed his klewang which was lying on the ground.
Hardly believed Tumenggung Kandilangu heard the young man's statement. His mind was full of questions. Who is that young man? Suddenly the Tumenggung remembered a few weeks ago when he took Adipati Wukir Kamenda to where Empu Tanuboyo lived. At first glance he saw that there was a young man in dirty clothes beside the gun maker's hut.
"Tell me who you really are, young man? And what grudge did you have for killing the Duke and his wife? I hope you tell the truth!" Tumenggung Kandilangu said again.
"What grudges? Hahaha... who doesn't have grudges when someone sees the girl they love being taken away, I am the adopted daughter of Empu Tanuboyo, who has lived with him for years. But I feel left out, feel unappreciated because I am just an employee, a coolie an iron smith! My love is very great for the daughter of Empu Tanuboyo, my landlady. Even though I can't have Banondari, at least the old man pays attention to me. But... it turns out he is more tempted by wealth and position. useful and no longer need to be ignored. That is what causes resentment and heartache!"
Sucitro stopped for a moment, wiping the sweat from his jaw.
"And... now my heart is satisfied! Because I have killed everyone who hurts me! That girl has earned my love by me sending her to the grave of the Hereafter!"
The words of the self-styled soldier ended with a roar of laughter that shook the air.
"Stop laughing, devil-man! You won't be able to escape!"
A loud snap suddenly sounded through the air.
And a shadow of a human body flashed before Sucitro.
It turned out that there was none other than Patih Gajah Rono, who had followed him to the scene of the battle. His appearance was followed by the leaping of dozens of Royal officers. In a moment, the young man in soldier's clothing was surrounded from all directions.
It seemed that a fight could not be avoided, and bloodshed was imminent, if at that moment a cackling laugh suddenly sounded. And the appearance of a shadow flashed.
Suddenly in that place stood an old man in a white robe. This old man is small and skinny. Big head and hair only a few strands. The crown looks shiny and bald.
"Heheheheh...hehe... what a crazed boy! Don't indulge in bloodshed. Save your keris, my granddaughter! This is not the time for you to cause disaster and cause trouble. Get out of this area!"
As he said this grandfather looked at a pair of eyes that flashed a strange light affecting Jaka Kumbara alias Sucitro.
The youth felt a strong current stabbing into his vision. He recoiled backwards. His heart was full of questions, who was that grandfather, he did not know him at all. But why call him grandson against him?
And strangely he seemed unable to refuse the grandfather's orders. The arm that was holding the Devil's Curse dagger trembled. And unknowingly he had put the object into his waist, behind his clothes.
"Quickly leave this area. And don't come back here again!" The grandfather's words slid back to repeat his orders.
Jaka Kumbara alias Sucitro again took a step back.
"Okay, okay, grandpa! I'll leave this place soon..." said the young man with a pale face.
And before all the royal people could do anything, Jaka Umbara had jumped out of the cage of dozens of officers who had locked him up, then flashed quickly and disappeared from their sight...
When the incident took place, Patih Gajah Rono and Senopati Rah Butho and Tumenggung Kandilangu were astonished. Likewise with dozens of Royal officers who locked up the fake soldier. It was only when they realized that the troublemaking young man left.
"Heh! Who are you, old geezer? Why did you let that human slip through our hands?" snapped Patih Gajah Rono with wide eyes staring at the strange grandfather.
"Heheheh... I'm this old old man just helping you guys. Avoiding even more disaster!" said the grandfather.
"What do you mean? And tell me who exactly are you?" asked Patih Gajah Rono with a surprised look.
"Do you know, old man? That criminal has killed Adipati Wukir Kamenda. We have to catch him to be punished and brought before the King!" Senopati Rah Butho's hymn echoed the Patih's words.
"I know! I know it, raden! But will I let the victims fall again? Even though your strength is really needed by the Kingdom. And, I have a feeling, that you will not be able to face that young man!" said the grandfather in a calm and flat voice.
"All right, dear grandfather. You are certainly wiser and more knowledgeable than us. Now tell me, why do you think so? And you haven't said who you are!" said Patih Gajah Rono. This Royal Patih seemed to be able to understand that the old grandfather in front of him was not just anyone. Evidently he had been able to make the young man obey his orders.
But his heart was still curious before knowing who the old geezer really was. This old man nodded his head with a smile.
"My name is Bimo Gundil. The Green Forest people call me the God Eye Hermit...!" the grandfather introduced himself. Patih Gajah Rono's eyes widened when he heard the strange grandfather's name, he immediately fell to his knees.
"Oh, I'm sorry I don't know who you are, Grandmother...! I, Gajah Rono, bow down before Grandmother...!" said Patih Gajah Rono with his face turning pale. Seeing the Patih's behavior, Senopati Rah Butho and Tumenggung Kandilangu and all the other Royal officers also fell to their knees following their leader. Although each of them does not know who the strange grandfather is.
"Ah, ah...! wake up all of you! what are you doing, why are you kneeling before me, this old fart from the mountains?" said the grandfather Bimo Gundil with his face turning red.
"From Your Majesty, I know that Grandmother Bimo Gundil is an elder of the Whirata Kingdom who has been in seclusion for decades. We, who are blind-eyed, really do not respect Grandmother. Forgive our mistakes..." said Patih Gajah Rono while juggling.
"Hm, well, never mind, don't bring up old history. Right now I'm nothing. Come on, sit down and listen to what I have to say...!" said Bimo Gundil's grandfather in a serious voice. Presumably what will be said is very important to them.
The grandfather's movements were light when he jumped onto a large rock. Suddenly he was sitting on it. Everyone who was there immediately surrounded him by sitting on the grass.
"What are you going to tell me about that young man earlier. Do you know why I forbid you guys from fighting that young man? Because he is not an opponent that will be that easy for you to catch or subdue him. Why do I say that? Because I already know there is a disaster that will be caused by that young man. From the result of my tirakat to God the Creator, I had a premonition that an object would appear that would cause casualties and havoc. That is a keris called the IBLIC CURSE Keris! The keris that brought disaster was in the hands of that young man! So! do you understand? that what I'm doing is just avoiding havoc on all of you, especially on the Whirata Kingdom!"
Of course, Granny Bimo's explanation of baldness made everyone who was there gasp in shock.
“Demon Curse Kris?” Patih Gajah Rono snapped with a tense face. Likewise with Senopati Rah Butho and Tumenggung Kandilangu. Their faces turned pale. The name of the keris alone makes the hair stand on end.
"I can only tell him to leave this area. And even then with the inner strength I have!" said Grandfather Bimo Gundil continuing his words.
"It seems Grandfather has been able to control the young man with the power of inner knowledge that Grandmother has, but why didn't Grandmother order him to give him the keris? Can't we arrest him without the keris?"
Senopati Rah Butho, who had been silent all along, seemed unable to stop himself from opening his mouth. He considered that grandpa's way to be tantamount to shifting the calamity elsewhere. Because of that he objected to the old man's way of only driving the young man away, but disaster would still threaten in other areas. Senopati Rah Butho has felt how great the keris is, which has been able to make the klewang fall off. The most formidable was the cold that grabbed and froze the blood flow in his body."
Hearing Senopati Rah Butho's rebuttal, Grandfather Bimo Gundil chuckled, causing Senopati to look up in astonishment.
"Heheh...heheh...it's not that easy, raden...! My inner strength is unable to do that. Without your knowledge I have tried it. Do you know that this young man has become powerful with the Devil's Curse dagger in his hand? "
"Then would you think that I let that young man spread disaster in other areas? Absolutely not! Precisely that is my job and the duty of the warriors to eradicate anger. So! Please return to the Kingdom or immediately take care of Empu Tanuboyo's body, then return to the Duchy as soon as possible. I already knew about Empu Tanuboyo's death, because I already suspected that it was from the place where you lived that the calamities and disasters came from!"
Finished saying, the strange grandfather chuckled. However, what was the surprise of all who were there, because they saw that Bimo Gundil's grandparents had disappeared somewhere. But his laughter still sounded cackling. But soon the sound was getting farther and farther away...
Patih Gajah Rono immediately ordered Tumenggung Kandilangu to go to Empu Tanuboyo's place accompanied by four royal officers to carry the body of the man who made the weapons.
Now the question of who killed Adipati Wukir Kamenda and his wife is clear.
And it became clearer after finding a letter near the body of Empu Tanuboyo.
Namely a letter addressed to the Duke's wife, namely Dewi Banondari, the daughter of the Empu. The letter mentions Sucitro's name. Of course, what was meant was the young man named Jaka Kumbara. It was clear the young man had used a pseudonym on himself.
After a while, a convoy of Royal troops was seen leaving the lonely mountainside, carrying the body of the unfortunate Empu Tanuboyo. In the distance, a red light rose into the sky. The day is already approaching dusk. And that day was the day of mourning for the Whirata Kingdom. But they could still heave a sigh of relief that the danger had been removed, even though their hearts were still dissatisfied. Because the source of the catastrophe is still entrenched on this earth. And it's still a puzzle whether the warriors and Grandmother Bimo Gundil can defeat him?...