Rangga or the Sacred Eagle Warrior had not gone far, when suddenly six men with drawn machetes surrounded him. Rangga's blood flowed quickly, his eyes immediately swept over the faces of his besiegers one by one, he saw faces that were hard and frightening staring at him intently. Rangga's face stiffened for a moment, then turned calm again. A thin smile tugged at his lips.
"I'm going to Malayasati Village, what business do you have to block my steps?" asked Rangga calmly, even though his instincts told him that they were Banulaga people, which of course his meaning was to be expected.
"Hmmm... are you the Sacred Eagle Warrior?" asked the besieger who was right in front of Rangga. The man didn't seem to need an answer, he immediately continued his own question, "You know, my master doesn't want anyone else, especially you who are definitely not from this village, to interfere in his personal affairs."
Ranga smiled mockingly. "You're smart and stupid, apparently. People who have personal affairs certainly won't order other people. And I don't care about your master's business, but cruelty and injustice I won't let run rampant in front of me,... Get out of the way, so that my hands won't be left behind." taking the lives of imbeciles who can only obey their master's orders."
"Impudent! Apparently you can't be spoken to nicely, now accept your death!" shouted the man loudly, while his right hand was raised giving orders to the other five people to attack.
With alacrity, both of Rangga's legs jumped, his body floated for a moment avoiding the flashing swing of the machete - quickly, then flipped twice before his feet landed right behind his opponents' backs. With the pedestal of his right foot, Rangga turned his body slightly, then as fast as lightning his feet jumped to hit the backs of two people at once. The fate of the two people who were kicked in the back was so tragic, their bodies that were pushed forward were slashed by their own friend's machetes. One of them had his face crushed by a machete slash that slashed his mouth and temple, while another groaned for a moment when his neck was almost severed, then collapsed and didn't move anymore.
The other four people gasped in shock, horror was visible on their faces, especially two of them whose sabers were covered in blood. Two of their friends were killed in just one strike. Then, as if they were burning with revenge, they attacked Rangga again. As fast as lightning, Rangga lowered his body, his hand moved to grab the right wrist of the person at the front, then with a bend of the hand accompanied by an egotism of his leg, he threw his opponent's body right into the chest of a friend. The bodies of the two people immediately collapsed onto the ground. And at that moment, Rangga bent his body avoiding another man's machete flick from behind, while his left foot brushed against the opponent's knee, and that person fell down with his head hitting the ground first.
"Hmmm...," Rangga stared intently at the remaining one, "you seem to be a knight... willing to face me in a manly manner without a mob..."
“Wait,” the person standing frozen opened his mouth. "I stand on the side of truth and justice, even though I'm just a fool for Banulaga," said that person - returned to his voice without paying attention to Rangga who was still silent.
"Who are you?" asked Rangga politely.
"Take care, Ganga." The man didn't even answer, "four powerful figures are now behind Banulaga... carry on with your intention, let me do it my own way." A moment later the man stared fixedly at Rangga.
Rangga gasped for a moment, as his brain began to find bright spots. This person must be the Man in the Black Mask who was now in his true form.
"And remember!" Again the man said, "... Banulaga's death is mine!" The man then flashed quickly leaving Rangga and five other bodies that lay lifeless.
For a few moments, Rangga was stunned. He knew for a fact that it was the Man in the Black Mask that Banulaga and his people had been hunting after Badaraka's death.
"Rangga...!"
A warning startled him, then Rangga turned his head, he saw Santika and Mega Lembayung running towards him.
Santika and Mega Lembayung were stunned to see the corpses strewn horribly. Then slowly their faces lifted to look at Rangga. They understood what had happened. Because not long after Rangga's feet stepped out of the bamboo room, they saw several figures shadowing the departure of the Sacred Eagle Warrior, but they couldn't do much to realize the condition of Pak Karta's weak old body.
"Mega and Santika, please take care of their corpses," Rangga said quietly, then his body moved quickly to leave the place. Mega and Santika only had time to stare at the back of the Sacred Eagle Warrior.
If Rangga was willing to explain everything that had happened, Santika would no longer be curious if she knew who the real Black Masked Man was, because as the man himself said, he is now Banulaga's little brother, Santika's older brother.
Santika was then shocked when her eyes fell on a body she knew very well, the body of Tarsa, her loyal maid who was now lying lifeless. His blood then rippled, he knew for sure, Tarsa definitely could not refuse Banulaga's order, which led him to meet an unlucky fate.
The sun was starting to set on the western horizon. The cold wind started blowing to accompany the two people who were taking care of the corpses.
*
That morning the air felt so cool touching the pores of the skin, the sunlight was blocked by thin clouds and a gentle breeze, making it seem as if the people in Malayasati Village were enjoying peace and quiet.
A well-built and handsome figure was seen swinging his steps lightly and calmly. The white vest that he always wore attracted the attention of the people on the street he passed. Every step left a question mark, the Sacred Eagle Warrior, who owned that body, quickly realized. Her condition made people in this village want to wear clothes that were as good as hers. Rangga took a step faster, then his feet turned and stepped into a tavern that looked beautiful. In front of a large building as if standing arrogantly challenging. The large building was a large courtyard house with high thick walls resembling a fortress.
From where he sat, Rangga glanced at the gate of the house, then his eyes returned to the tavern attendant, a young woman with lines on her face that still implied her beauty. Rangga then ordered a jar of wine.
"Wait a minute, could you accompany me to sit here?" asked Rangga as soon as he saw the woman was about to leave.
The woman did not answer. He sat directly in front of Ganga. Only a small wooden table that separates them. For a moment Rangga watched the woman in front of him who was now bowed.
"What's your name?" asked Ranga.
"Kanti," he said slowly. His lips curved into a small forced smile.
"You are from this village?" Ranga asked again.
Slowly Kanti's head lifted. His eyes met Rangga's eyeballs. Then he shook his head slowly, fear and worry clearly visible on his face.
"You're not from here either?" asked Kanti softly, after a while he was silent.
"Yes, it's just a coincidence that I passed by here," said Rangga, inviting Kanti to smile.
"Then you better get going." Rangga was surprised, he saw Kanti's face, who was looking to and fro as if he was afraid someone would catch him.
"Why?"
"Master Besar has ordered that any newcomers who have no family here must be expelled. If not, they will be killed," Kanti explained in a half whisper.
"Master Big! Who is he?"
'Mr. Banulaga, the ruler of this Malayasati Village. He owns all the taverns and inns here, as well as some - large village land. He is like a little king whose orders must be obeyed."
Ranga nodded her head. Then out of the corner of his eye he saw the gate of the mansion open. Then five horsemen appeared, followed by no less than ten other horsemen. They immediately headed east.
"The one in front is Mr. Banulaga," Kanti said, as if she knew Rangga's train of thought, who was still looking at the equestrian group with the corner of his eye.
"Hmmm... still young and handsome," muttered Rangga. "Yes, indeed handsome, but cruel," Kanti's voice was depressed. "Then the others?" Rangga became interested to know. "Which four person, invitation special Sir Big.
They are all highly knowledgeable and powerful. While the others are just Banulaga's accomplices, whom he uses to extort people and find beautiful women who he likes. They are very sadistic and cruel."
"It seems you know exactly," muttered Rangga. His eyes stared straight at the young female in front of him.
Kanti, who was stared at like that, lowered her face deeply. It was as if there was sadness and sorrow hanging in his chest. Then slowly he lifted his face, stared at Rangga for a moment, then....
"Two years I was held there. During that time I had to serve their satanic desires. Well..., after I was no longer needed, I was dumped and dumped here. I should be relieved to get out of hell, but here is no less terrible. I'm like their cash cow, I don't know how many men have slept with me."
"You didn't struggle? Escape, for example?"
"For what? It's useless, it's like Banulaga has a thousand eyes and nets that you can't just pass by, once they escape. A gallows awaits, or becomes food for venomous snakes."
Rangga's blood rippled hearing how far Banulaga and his people had treated the helpless people.
"Kanti...!" suddenly there was a loud scream.
Rangga and Kanti quickly turned towards the sound. A tall, full, bearded man with his hands on his waist stared intently at Rangga and Kanti.
"Woe,..," Kanti sighed with a pale face
pass.
"Who he?" ask Ranga who saw Kanti like that
frightened, then his eyes shifted to a tall figure that big.
"He..., Suro Bledek. He is Mr. Banulaga's confidant who manages all the inns and taverns, as well as the gambling houses in this village."
The tall, rugged-looking man stepped closer. With a rough jerk he grabbed Kanti's hand, causing the woman to stagger, then with one strong thrust of his hand he slammed Kanti's body to the ground. And before he could get up, he was about to kick the poor woman, but suddenly...
"Aaah. !" Suro Bledek screamed loudly.
When his feet almost landed on Kanti's body, Rangga quickly grabbed the jar of wine on his table, then threw it right at Suro Bledek's shin. Of course this gorilla-like man howled from the pain in his leg from being hit by the pitcher that was so hard.
"Baby Monkey!" Suro Bledek cursed fiercely. Drag!
Suro Bledek drew his big, shiny machete. With a loud scream he flicked his machete at Rangga's neck. Only by pulling his body back a little, Rangga dodged the machete slash.
His lips smiled mockingly, which provoked Suro Bledek's anger again.
Failing to slash Rangga's neck, Suro Bledek let out a long groan, then with quick movements, he flicked his machete back at several parts of the Sacred Eagle Warrior's body. Rangga only dodged without changing his body position to avoid Suro Bledek's onslaught. On one occasion, with the open hilt of his right hand, he hit his opponent's right hand so hard that his machete came loose.
Not to mention that Suro Bledek had realized the situation, suddenly Rangga's right hand blocked his hand with a single pull forward, his body that was pushed forward was met with a powerful knee strike that hit his solar plexus, then fell with a thump to the ground.
"Bastard!" growled Suro Bledek as he got up, his endurance was extraordinary.
His anger could no longer be controlled, he could no longer see who he was facing, with a loud snort he jumped to pounce on the Sacred Eagle Warrior. His sluggish body movements and lunges can easily be broken by Rangga. Suro Bledek's body again fell backwards into the table until it fell apart, when Rangga's right hand hit his chest again. His strength, which only relied on external force, was unable to match the Sacred Eagle Warrior.
"Dare!" Rangga snorted when he saw Suro Bledek about to attack again.
This time, Rangga no longer gave a heart. As soon as Suro Bledek's attack came, he quickly bent his body past his opponent's armpit, and quickly hit his left hand on the nape of the neck, followed by his left knee hitting his stomach. Before Suro Bledek could do anything, Rangga already stabbed his head with the 'Raw Claw'.
Bless!
"Aaahh...!" Suro Bledek let out a long groan. After a few moments, the tall, big man spun around holding his leaky and cracked head. Blood trickled out seeping through his fingers, then his body collapsed to the ground. Only for a while did Suro Bledek squirm, then he didn't move anymore.
Rangga looked around him, it seemed that people were crowding watching the unequal fight. While Kanti stood in a corner with her body shivering with fear
"Sir..." Kanti's voice trembled as soon as Rangga stepped outside.
Ranga stopped walking and turned around. Kanti rushed over with her tears streaming down her rosy white cheeks. His eyes seemed to be begging for protection.
"Help me sir. They will definitely kill me. please sir..." Kanti pleaded pitifully.
Ranga took a deep breath. He could understand this woman's position now, especially since pairs of eyes had seen her battle with Suro Bledek. The Sacred Eagle Warrior then nodded slowly.
Without saying a word, he took Kanti's hand leaving the tavern and the silent crowd watched him. Rangga walked fast, so Kanti had to jog to keep up with him.
The people around the tavern soon dispersed. No one wanted to take the risk of being beaten up by Banulaga and his people to tell about the incident and show them where Kanti and the Sacred EagleWarrior were.
*
Banulaga held back his anger and found it difficult to accept the fact that Suro Bledek, one of his confidants had died miserably. His enemies had begun to openly undermine his authority in public. Because after all this incident will make the villagers of Malayasati's guts rise, and that means it will destroy their power slowly but surely. Only stupid people want their power to disappear just like that.
When Banulaga was filled with rage, Japra suddenly appeared, one of the people he ordered to track down Santika, Mega Lembayung, and the Sacred EagleWarrior. Japra immediately bowed his body, then with trembling he said.
"Excuse me, my lord, the Sacred Eagle Warrior... he... he is at Mr. Karta's house."
Banulaga's eyes reddened instantly, his face stiffened. He thought back to the face of Badrun who had been killed.... Then he himself couldn't do much to face the warrior. Banulaga's mouth then closed with his teeth chattering loudly.
"Where are the other five people?" asked the One-Eyed Demon breaking the tense atmosphere.
"They all died, sir.... I myself didn't have time to carry Mega, because I was blocked by Santika and the Black Masked Man. Meanwhile, Tarsa and the others couldn't catch the Sacred Eagle Warrior, instead the five people then fell down one by one with daggers. stuck in his neck."
There was a moment of silence, Banulaga and Resi Maespati as well as three other powerful figures looked at each other.
"He must die. Many of my people have died at his hands," growled Banulaga.
"Santika, Mega and Pak Karta then took separate paths, sir..., only the Sacred EagleWarrior and... well, Kanti, sir... is at Pak Karta's house," Japra explained again with shaking knees.
"Then let me catch the monkey myself!" snorted the One-Eyed Demon.
"Go, bring the head here!" The One-Eyed Demon didn't say much anymore. He immediately walked away accompanied by Banulaga's eyes. Soon Banulaga looked at Japra.
"Follow the One-Eyed Devil, and quickly tell the result!" Banulaga's orders.
"Yes, Master," Japra immediately followed the One-Eyed Demon's steps from a distance.
Banulaga then returned to staring blankly ahead. His mind wandered far away, imagining what would happen. He did not doubt the power of the One-Eyed Demon. But he was also worried, because what he would face was a pick-match warrior whose level of intelligence was difficult to measure. And because of that he also ordered Japra to watch over him from a distance. He doesn't want the number of victims on his side to increase, then his opponents are free to roam freely to humiliate and belittle his power in the eyes of the people without him being able to arrest him directly.
Banulaga's eyes then looked at the Snake King who was standing leaning against a pillar on the front porch. Banulaga approached the One-Eyed Demon's older brother, while Resi Maespati and Demon Selaksa Poison just watched from their seats. Resi Maespati's face looked so calm, as if nothing had happened. And no one knows, if his conversation with Santika more or less influenced the rishi himself.
"You're not coming with the One-Eyed Devil, Snake King?" Banulaga asked. His tone hoped that the Snake King would join in facing the Sacred Eagle Warrior, so he wouldn't be so worried about other possibilities.
"Don't doubt my brother. Just wait, he will definitely come with the head of your order," said the Snake King calmly.
"I have absolutely no doubts, it's just...." Banulaga did not continue his words.
The Snake King stared intently. His brow creased slightly. "He almost lost when he fought against Santika!"
Banulaga expressed his concern. "Impossible!" snorted the Snake King.
"You can ask yourself later if the One-Eyed Demon is safe."
The Snake King didn't say anything more, except his eyes stared at Banulaga who immediately left him and entered the house. He really couldn't believe that the One-Eye Devil almost lost to Santika, who didn't have much experience in the martial arts jungle. Ah, maybe the One-Eyed Demon gave in because what he was facing was still his own master, the Snake King consoled himself.
The Snake King calmed down again. Instead, he thought that Banulaga himself was afraid, then distorted the true situation.
"Hhh..." The Snake King gave a long sigh, then his feet stepped across the large courtyard towards the gate guarded by six men armed with machetes and spears. Two people immediately opened the door to see the Snake King approaching. The others bowed.
"You two come with me," said the Snake King pointing at the two people who opened the door.
"Where, sir?" asked one. "Search for entertainment."
The two people looked at each other, then nodded as they followed the Snake King's steps.
"Hey, where are you going?" asked one of the survivors.
"Don't ask too many questions, just take care of it!" snapped the Snake King without turning his head.
The two people following him smiled happily.
"Where is the best place?" asked the Snake King still without turning his head.
"I know, sir," said one of the men who looked young and with spiky hair.
"You go first." "Yes sir."
The two people preceded to walk in front, but the Snake King pulled him instead. And they walked hand in hand with the Snake King in the middle like kings. Everyone who passed by immediately stepped aside while bowing their bodies to salute.
"He he he..." the Snake King chuckled inwardly.
*