Not even a year after the Duke took office, it turned out that he had already arranged for girls to be his wife three times. The Duke's own life seemed more luxurious. Besides the way the government was imposed on him by the Kingdom, he was not perfect, aka chaotic, he was also willing to collect taxes without wanting to know the people's troubles.
In his view, perhaps the tax imposed on the population is sufficient. But behind the Adipati was not a few additional taxes imposed on the people, which were collected by his subordinates, including Ki Demang Sunggoro.
The anger of the people who felt constantly under pressure spilled over to Ki Demang Sunggoro. A growing vulnerability arose, so that several villagers in that area had planned a robbery against their Ki Demang.
Who is Warok Sobrah? He is a master robber who works alone, and for his own sake. Before committing a robbery or robbery, he will usually track down who will be the victim first. Actually, the target this time was Adipati Kuncoro Setho Dening Projo. Of course he could know the wealth of the Duke's property, because it was often heard everywhere that the residents were talking about the Duke.
His wealth and behavior and deeds are not a fairy tale anymore.
Complaints of the people that the harvest is not enough to support the children and wife until waiting for the next harvest, because of taxes and regulations, this and that. Donations for the construction of buildings and warehouses that were strangling and required, and so on, were buzzing in Warok Sobrah's ears. Meanwhile, the Duke was still secretly proposing to a girl to become his fifth wife. Namely the son of Ki Demang Sunggoro.
It seemed that Ki Demang wanted to strengthen his position by giving his daughter who seemed to be a bridge for the continuity and longevity of his position.
As said earlier, Warok Sobrah's target was Duke Kuncoro Setho Dening Projo. But hearing the news, Warok Sobrah's target now shifted to Ki Demang. Secretly he also wanted to know about Ki Demang Sunggoro's daughter. How beautiful was Ki Demang's daughter so that the Duke wanted her?
It turns out that Warok Sobrah's appearance almost coincided with Sumanti's disappearance from Demang's house. She ran away because she didn't want to be made the Duke's fifth wife. Warok Sobrah ran into Ki Demang's men who were looking for traces of the girl who ran away at dawn this morning.
This is according to the explanation of one of the girl's tracers who was questioned.
The intention to see the situation at Ki Demang's residence before carrying out the robbery was immediately abandoned. He involved himself in searching for the girl's trail.
That's when a robbery occurred at Ki Demang Sunggoro's residence. Dozens of masked people had broken into the government's building. There was a commotion in the building. Ki Demang was shocked to see dozens of figures of people wearing veils rushing into the room with machetes and weapons drawn.
Of course he snapped angrily, and a fight ensued.
In a state of panic because of the disappearance of the girl that had been proposed to by the Duke, Ki Demang became confused when he saw the appearance of the robbers who entered his building. But the resistance was in vain. The robbers managed to kill him. Even killed his wife too. Then they robbed whatever they could take with them. Not to mention food, and so on. In fact, because they were furious, the robbers set fire to the building.
Seeing smoke billowing in the distance, made Warok Sobrah surprised.
He immediately ran over to take a look. What a surprise this bearded man saw when Ki Demang's house was on fire. Fortunately the fire has not spread. With the help of some of Ki Demang's people, the fire was extinguished. However, they found Ki Demang and his wife had become corpses....
From the statement of one of the residents, it was immediately discovered that recently there had been a robbery carried out by masked people. After draining property and setting fire to the building, the masked robbers fled, and disappeared who knows where they went.
For a moment Warok Sobrah was stunned. But he had no business with that matter. Warok decides to look for the girl, Ki Demang's daughter, who ran away. Until finally he found traces of Sumanti...
***
THIS GIRL was stunned when she heard Warok Sobrah's story. A pair of teary eyes appeared. He did not expect that his departure would coincide with this disaster. Despite how bad Ki Demang's behavior was, it was his parents who had taken care of him since he was little.
And Ki Demang's wife was very kind to him. The half-old woman was unable to do anything about her husband Ki Demang's decision to accept the Duke's proposal.
Sumanti held back her sobs, while her tears couldn't stop rolling down her cheeks.
"Never mind, Sumanti...! I know your heart's sadness. "But don't be too sad, because everything is the will of the Almighty..." consoled Warok Sobrah.
The night was getting deeper... the silence was getting tense in the ancient building. However, the bonfire was still burning in the courtyard in the middle of the building.
Warok Sobrah was still sitting in front of the bonfire. From time to time he supplemented it with dry wood which was quite abundantly available in the building. Where is the girl named Sumanti? It turned out that the girl had fallen asleep on the floor on the old rags.
Occasionally Warok looked at the girl who was asleep in the embrace of the quiet and cold night.
I don't know how many times this bearded man took a breath. Lost in solitude. It was as if he was reflecting on the past, and what he had done so far. In the recesses of his heart as someone said.
“Warok Sobrah...! You are a human being no more cruel than the robbers who killed Ki Demang and his wife. Dozens of lives have flown on the edge of your keris. You have raped dozens of girls, and you have stolen many treasures from their owners...! What is the real purpose of your life?
"Yes! what is my true purpose in life?” Warok Sobrah hissed.
Again he was lost in the silence of the night. In the sigh of the poor girl who slept in confusion. He doesn't know what fate he will face in the future. The sound of the crackling of burning wood, and the occasional splash of fire, and the heat of the bonfire, which seemed to slap his cheeks. It was as if the campfire was speaking to him mockingly.
“Warok Sobrah! Look at me! Right now I'm useful for driving away the cold, for illuminating the darkness! I have a service for humans.
But I can also make people miserable because of my anger! I can make people cry because they lost their homes and possessions. Perhaps even losing a beloved child who was drowned in the flames of my anger! But I'm just a mindless creature! Creatures that are under the power of nature and humans. I can be used for good deeds, but I can also create havoc!
Now I want to ask... Am I the same as you? And are you the same as me?"
Warok Sobrah stared at the bonfire greedily devouring the dry wood that was thrust into his mouth. Suddenly he seemed to hear as if the bonfire that was getting bigger was continuing to speak.
“Look at Warok Sobrah! How greedy I am. How greedily I devoured the soft, dry wood that was my favorite! But my greed is because of your intercession! Human intercession, who knows my character and character! I'm just like a speck of lust in your heart! If you let me flare up, it will burn your body. But if you can use it, then you will get wisdom from me that can calm your soul...! Now! Am I the same as you, and are you the same as me?” Warok Sobrah's body shook. His face felt hot as coals.
This fat man suddenly stood up. His eyes stared wildly at the burning bonfire in front of him. His breath became labored. Suddenly he screamed at the top of his lungs.
“Noooooooo...!”
Of course, his scream made the girl who was fast asleep wake up and jump in surprise.
"What's wrong Uncle Warok...?" Sumanti asked, widening her eyes at the fat man. Warok Sobrah seemed to have just awakened from the influence that was roiling in his soul. He turned to Sumanti with a smile.
"There isn't anything....! You go back to sleep, sweet child..." he said as he approached. His arm stretched out to touch the girl's chin.
“You call me uncle...? Oh, I'm so glad to hear that. Yes! You can call me Uncle Warok!" he continued with a wider smile. His pair of eyes looked at the beautiful girl with a look full of affection and deep feelings of pity. Sumanti smiled and blushed slightly. He himself felt strange, why suddenly call him uncle?
"Uncle Warok is delirious...?" Sumanti asked slowly.
“Yya…yes…I was delirious. I dreamed that I saw a snake about to bite you. The snake was very big. Of course I won't let the animal bother you. In my dream I picked up a piece of wood. While shouting, I hit the snake's head until it shattered!
And... I... I jumped up...!” Warok Sobrah said lying.
"But... but the snake isn't there, right, Uncle Warok?" said Sumanti.
“Haha... ha... ha... of course not, sweet child. It's only in my dreams. Well, now sleep again. It was still late at night. Tomorrow we will check this old house..." Warok winked with a smile.
Sumanti stared at him for a moment. He saw that there was a bead of clear water in the corner of the bearded man's eye. But he didn't dare ask anything.
Warok Sobrah returned to sit by the fire. He secretly wiped his tears with his sleeve. His lips seemed to be smiling, and he could hear his sigh breaking through the silence.
***
TWO DAYS LATER Three horsemen
appeared in the front yard of the ancient building. It turned out that these three were three Royal officers. One of the three officers jumped down from the horse's back. Then jump into the old building. For a moment he watched the front door of the building which was destroyed.
This male Royal officer could be heard exhaling through his nose. Drag! He had pulled out his klewang. Then jump into the inner room. One of the horsemen waiting outside also jumped down. It seemed he was interested in the dirt-filled footprints on the stone steps. This officer immediately followed his friend, jumping into the inner room after drawing his weapon.
The other rider did not get off the horse. He looked around the building. Suddenly he moved his horse to step towards the left side of the ancient building. His eyes stared at a piece of worn cloth scattered on the ground.
He jumped down from the horse. Then pick up the old cloth. And watched for a while. Suddenly his wild eyes stared at the footprints which, after following them with his eyes, turned out to lead to the forest to the right of the ancient building. His heart jolted.
Just at that moment two of his fellow officers jumped out of the front door of the ancient building. One of them said cursingly.
“Fuck! That bearded man has run away from this place with that girl!”
"We're late!" shouted the other officer. “Eh!? what did you find?” he asked suddenly when he saw his friend waiting outside holding a piece of worn cloth.
The two officers immediately jumped over.
"They're not far! Look at those footprints!
Even though this old cloth is worn out, it's still clean, and it hasn't been thrown away for a long time!” said the male officer who found the cloth.
"Good! Let's go after them! By bringing that girl that bearded man won't be able to run fast!” said the other officer.
These three Royal officers immediately jumped onto their respective horses' backs. And soon it immediately wandered into the grove where the traces of the footprints disappeared...
One of the Royal officers slashed his klewang on a banana tree... Cras! Cras! Twice hit the banana stem collapsed and damaged.
It seemed that this first officer was very angry because his prey had already escaped. Until he spilled his anger on the banana stem that his horse passed.
***
Warok Sobrah grabbed the girl's arm to walk quickly along the river bank. Sumanti, who had given up her fate to the bearded man, just obeyed where he was taken. She chose this decision because she did not want to become the Duke's fifth wife. It was clear that his departure would be sought after by the Duke's people. That suspicion was indeed not wrong, because at that time three Royal officers were indeed looking for traces of the girl. Even knowing that the girl who would be the young wife of the Duke was rushed by Si
bearded man.
"Where are we going, Uncle Warok?" Sumanti asked breathlessly.
"We crossed this river. There's a raft over there that I hid..." but suddenly the man stood up. His steps stopped. His eyes stared at the brownish, flowing river water.
“Woe...! I forgot that heavy rains have made this river water rise and flood. The raft was definitely washed away by the swift water...!”
"Then what do we do?" asked Sumanti worriedly.
For a moment Warok Sobrah did not answer. It seemed he was contemplating the best way to escape from the territory.
"Hmm, we better head back up. Then along the eastern hillside. At the foot of the hill there is a village I know. We buy horses, and leave this territory...!”
"You have money to buy a horse?" asked Sumanti. Hearing the girl's question Warok Sobrah smiled. His arm pulled out a cloth bundle the size of two heads from under his oversized shirt.
“This gold money is enough to buy twenty horses! There's even enough left to build a house with its contents...!”
Cringng..! This bearded man slapped the cloth bundle with his left hand.
"Ahh.. where did you get that much money?" Sumanti snapped with wide eyes. Warok Sobrah put the bundle under his shirt again, then answered.
“I found it in a room in that ancient building. Don't know whose...! I had to take it because I needed it. It may and certainly will be of much use in our journey.”
Sumanti said nothing but smiled.
But in his heart he said.
"Strange! Who put that kind of money inside that hidden ancient building?”
"Hurry, Samantha! I have a hunch we're in pursuit of the Kingdom's people. At least the people sent by the Duke.
Because last night I saw two people sneaking away from behind the bushes. I suspect they are Ki Demang Sunggoro's people who are tracking your trail. The incident at your adoptive father's house must have been known by the Duke...!”
Sumanti stretched out her arm. Warok Sobrah quickly caught the girl's wrist. Then pulled it to climb the road uphill and above the slippery. With great difficulty they crept up. Turns out to get back up is not as easy as going down.
Up above the altitude, Sumanti's breath was short of breath.
“Ooh...h...h...I'm so tired...” this girl complained.
Warok Sobrah was momentarily stunned, then said. "Would you let me carry you?"
Sumanti was silent for a moment, but then nodded slowly. Indeed, there was no other way besides that, because he felt extremely tired and unable to continue on his feet. Without a doubt, Warok Sobrah immediately picked up the girl. At the same time, this bearded man's ears perked up hearing the sound of hoofs in the distance.
His heart jolted, and did not wait any longer he stepped quickly into the small forest....
***
A YOUTH in a white shirt flashed into an old window that was thrown open. That is the window of one of the rooms of the ancient building which Warok Sobrah and Sumanti have just left.
This young man hid in the corner of the room. Soon his ears heard a woman's voice calling out in the distance.
“Nanjar...! Nanjar...! Where are you?" A girl in a red dress was seen running through the bushes. But this girl shrank when her eyes saw an old building in front of her.
"Hm, whose ancient building is this hidden place?" said this virgin in the heart. He jumped into the front yard of the building. After watching for a while, this girl confirmed that the old building was uninhabited.
“Humph! He must be hiding in this ancient building…” thought the girl. But just as he was about to jump in, suddenly there was a loud bang accompanied by a figure flashing.
"Wait...!" Of course he restrained his movements, and turned around quickly. The red-shirted girl was surprised to see a white man with a small mustache over forty years old suddenly in front of her.
"Hmm, who are you, sweet boy? What do you mean enter this building?” asked the man who was dressed in dark color. A pair of eyes flashed and looked wild staring at this girl in red.
"I..."
However, just as this girl was about to answer, the sudden movement of the man's hand struck her body.
Because people's movements were so unpredictable, this girl mercilessly let out a small scream, and collapsed with a stiff body that couldn't be moved.
Just as the girl was lying on the freshly dried ground, this man pounced on her. His hands were even squeezing his chest.
“Fuck! Hell!? Let me go!" shouted this virgin with a pale face. He tried to move his arm, but his strength disappeared somewhere.
"Haha... tell me what you mean by this place!" said this man with wild eyes crawling all over the virgin's body. In his heart this man said. "Hm, a girl as beautiful as this dares to roam in this quiet place if not a girl who has intelligence, it's impossible...!"
“Get off me, bastard! You will regret bothering me!” the girl snapped angrily, because she felt the man's arm squeeze her chest again.
“Hey! You dare to curse me! You'll regret it too, sweet child, if you find out who I am!” said this man coldly. "I am the Duke of Kuncoro Sheto Dening Projo who has full power in this region!"
Of course, the man's explanation in introducing himself made the girl gasp in surprise.
“Ah... pardon my words, Gusti Adipati. But..."
Before the girl had finished continuing her words, a continuous voice was heard coming from the room in the ancient building.
“But should a Duke behave so scandalously?” As if stung by time, this man jumped to his feet and turned around. His eyes immediately fell on a figure standing at the front door of an ancient building that no longer had a door.
"God damn it! Apparently you're the brat who was beaten up by my subordinates the other day. Ki Demang Renggono...?” Even though he said that, he was secretly surprised because he didn't know that the long-haired young man was in the building. A few days ago, one of his men reported that a long haired young man had the same features he had seen at that time. This long-haired young man had the courage to openly defend a resident who had been repeatedly charged for paying taxes, but had not yet paid.
Suddenly, a long-haired young man appears who looks like a crazy person and wants to defend the stubborn people. Of course, Ki Demang's three men beat him to the breech. This was the report received from one of Ki Demang's men when he visited Ki Demang Sunggoro's residence to visit his future wife.
Hearing the Duke's words, Nanjar frowned in astonishment. But soon he said with a smile, and scratched the nape of his neck.
“It seems the story is reversed, Duke friend! I think Ki Demang's men made a mistake in reporting...!”
"What's wrong, little brat?" shouted at the Duke. It turned out that his shout was followed by sending a hard punch towards Nanjar's skull. Of course it surprised the Dazed God, because he didn't expect that he would be attacked in such a way.
Whoa!
The blow passed an inch above his head when the long-haired young man quickly lowered his head.
Brassssh!
The wind that passed behind him hit the wall of the old building which immediately peeled off. Nanjar flinched because the blow was very dangerous. Realize that the Duke wants to destroy his soul.
"Good! It turns out you have intelligence too, little brat!" shouted at the Duke. But in his heart he was very surprised because the fatal blow he had thrown to silence the long-haired young man's mouth had been missed forever. The Duke said in his heart.
“Heh! This rancid boy must have his soul destroyed, because he already knows what I did...! "Hmm, maybe he's been bluffing around in this building..." Suddenly the Duke remembered his purpose in that place.
“I have to take care of it immediately! The sooner the better!"
Thinking so, Duke Kuncoro immediately pulled out a short, blue-pointed spear from behind his back. Without wasting time, this man immediately attacked. The short spear in his hand shot towards Dazed God's neck with lightning speed...
"Ouch! Your attack is really fierce, Duke!” said Nanjar. Suddenly his body swayed as if he was going to fall. However, this movement actually missed the Duke's deadly attack.
Seeing that his attacks had escaped twice, Duke Kuncoro became angry.
With a loud snarl, this man rained successive attacks on the young man. The tip of the spear grabbed like a pecking snake. The Dazed God gasped secretly when he saw the opponent's fierce attack.
He was forced to change the Drunken God's Steps to the Magical Monkey's moves. The Dazed God's body was seen flashing and jumping to avoid Duke Kuncoro's deadly attacks. However, the Duke immediately changed his attacks to punches and kicks. This appears to be a tactic to bait opponents. Sure enough, Dazed God was provoked, with those punches and kicks. He doesn't need to jump around like a monkey.
However, it is enough to use the original moves, namely the Drunken God Steps.
Even though in his heart this man was quite amazed by the staggering movements of a drunk person, he had set a death trap.