Arya’s glance shifted subtly to the right and left — a silent signal that their next conversation should remain private. King Syailendra understood immediately.“This meeting is over for today. You may all return to your respective homes,” King Syailendra announced.The royal officials, who had just learned that the young man before them was a prince from the Sastrajingga Kingdom, were eager to learn more. Yet, because of the King’s command, they reluctantly held back their curiosity and left the hall one by one.“We should talk in another room, Prince,” King Syailendra said after the last of his officials had exited.“Very well. I’ll also need your explanation about everything that’s been happening,” Arya replied calmly.Meanwhile, Princess Rani couldn’t stop smiling. She was delighted to see her father’s complete change of attitude. Arya’s presence had restored her father’s confidence — that with his help, they might finally overcome the troubles involving Prince Surendralaksa and t

Suwita’s mind lingered on the ruler of the Kingdom of Bahanapura—King Baduralaksa. In his eyes, the old monarch had never shown even the faintest ambition to seize the Kingdom of Pamenang. For many years, their kingdoms had maintained a steady bond of peace and cooperation; trade flourished, borders remained open, and emissaries came and went without fear.Yet, Suwita could not silence the whisper of suspicion forming in his heart. King Baduralaksa was old—so frail that the weight of the crown itself seemed too heavy for him. And where the hand of an aging king weakens, the will of a crown prince often grows bold. What if Prince Surendralaksa harbored different intentions than his father?“Your Highness,” Suwita said carefully after a pause, “perhaps the King should be informed of this. Shouldn’t we tell His Majesty what you’ve deduced?”Arya shook his head slightly, his expression calm but determined. “Not yet, Uncle. For now, it’s only speculation—nothing solid. We can’t alarm the K

Perhaps it was because of the biting cold atop the mountain, or maybe it was sheer terror gripping his heart so tightly that he didn’t even realize—his bladder had given out. The man looked down and saw that his feet were drenched.---“Wait—did you just say bladder, Thor? Isn’t that the thing that happens to pregnant women before giving birth?” a nosy aunt, who happened to be craving young men lately, shouted from somewhere in the background.Oh well, who cares! Let’s just roll with it.---“Now answer my question. Which sect are you from, and what is your connection with Prince Surendralaksa?” Arya asked, twirling a thin twig between his fingers, his eyes locked on the trembling man before him.Despite his foolish expression, the man wasn’t entirely stupid. He knew that even if he stayed silent, death might still claim him. But perhaps—just perhaps—he could negotiate something that would benefit them both.“I’ll answer you, warrior. But will you promise to let me live once I tell yo

The raging fire consuming the trees and leaves slowly spread wider across the forest. Yet Arya paid no attention to it. He had already calculated that even if a blaze erupted, the flames would not be visible from the royal capital of Dahanapura.Tonight was a catastrophe born from the hands of eight men themselves. They had severely miscalculated, underestimating the strength of the opponent they were about to face.“I will not repeat my question twice,” Arya said, his tone deep and deadly calm. “Tell me, what is the relationship between the Sacred Blood Sect and Prince Surendralaksa? Whoever answers may keep their life.”“Don’t answer him! We fight!” shouted the man who stood at the front of the group. His weapon was gone, his sword melted away by the black flames earlier.Arya let out a faint, cold smile. “Even if you stay silent, I already know the truth. The more you try to hide it, the clearer it becomes that your Sacred Blood Sect has formed a pact with Prince Surendralaksa.”As

Without any inspection, Suprana passed through the main gate smoothly. The guards recognized him as one of the Eight Mountain Sentinels — an identity that earned him a measure of respect within the Holy Blood Sect.Inside, the compound was still bustling with movement. Many disciples remained awake, and most of them were from allied sects who didn’t know him personally. Suprana quietly exhaled in relief, believing no one would bother to greet him.The forty-year-old man continued toward the inner section of the sect — his destination was the armory. According to his assigned task, he had to burn the weapon storehouse before Arya launched his main assault.Compared to the other two sects, the Holy Blood Sect possessed a far greater number of members. There were roughly four hundred disciples of various ages training in that black-path sect, most between eighteen and thirty years old.Before starting his mission, Suprana decided to observe first — to see whether disciples from other sec