2025-11-12 20:09:06
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The Rebel Circle
Duke Hanggareksa’s lips curved into a subtle smile — the kind of smile that concealed more than it revealed. He took a step closer to Ratih, who sat quietly beside Aji, her hands resting neatly on her lap.“And what is your name, young lady?” he asked, his tone soft, almost tender, yet his eyes gleamed with unreadable intent.Ratih hesitated. Her eyes flickered upward for only a moment before she lowered them again to the marble floor. “My name is Ratih, my lord,” she replied gently.The Duke nodded slowly, his gaze not leaving her face. “Ratih,” he murmured, as if savoring the sound. “A lovely name indeed.” His voice was low, but it carried easily to Aji and Ratih, filling the chamber with a strange tension.Then his expression hardened into authority once more. “All of you, leave us,” he commanded, his tone directed toward the seven officials standing along the walls.The officials exchanged uncertain glances. None of them dared question his order, though their eyes betrayed confusi
The Duke’s Suspicion
“Don’t worry. I’m not afraid of facing those soldiers,” Bargowo replied confidently, his voice carrying a tone of defiance. His once hardened face now bore the look of a man reborn — proud, fearless, and brimming with newfound conviction.Aji smiled faintly at the sight. He could hardly believe this was the same man who once led a band of ruthless thieves. The transformation was remarkable — the glint in Bargowo’s eyes was no longer that of a man haunted by crime, but of one who had found a purpose worth fighting for.“Please, this way,” said one of the guards, bowing slightly. “The Duke has been expecting you in the main hall.”“Very well,” Aji replied. “Let us not keep him waiting.”Together, Aji, Rangga, and Ratih followed the guard through the narrow corridor of the small palace. Their steps echoed softly against the stone floor, the faint scent of burning incense drifting in the air. Though the interior seemed calm and ordinary — with walls lined by old portraits and bronze lamps
Invitation from Regent Hanggareksa
They could not stand idly by while Aji handed out coins to the beggars and vagrants of Tanjung Rejo. Ratih and Rangga dismounted at once, their boots stirring up the dust as they joined him in the muddy street. Bargowo remained on the wagon, steadying the horses and keeping the load secured — a man still learning to carry the weight of remorse with measured hands.Word of their kindness spread like a sudden spring across parched earth. Whispers of the four strangers who had given food and silver to the poor drifted upward, finally reaching the ears of the palace. Soon a contingent of soldiers received orders: summon the foreigners and bring them to the regent’s hall.The summons found them in an inn near where they had finished their last alms. Four soldiers entered with the brisk authority of men on duty and paused by their table, watching with careful curiosity.“Pardon the interruption, travellers,” one of the soldiers said with unexpected courtesy. His voice carried the weight of
The Plan to Unveil the Deception
“I can tell you’re hiding something from me, Aji,” Ratih said softly, her eyes searching his with quiet insistence. “Twice now, I’ve seen you close your eyes and shake your head the same way. What is it that you’re keeping from us?”Aji’s gaze softened. For a moment, he looked at her — truly looked — before turning away, as though her eyes might pierce deeper than he was ready to allow.“I can’t tell you yet, Ratih,” he said, his tone calm but edged with sorrow. “When the time comes, I promise I’ll share everything — my past, my reasons… all of it.”Ratih’s lips pressed into a faint line, but she nodded. “Very well. But you must promise me you’ll tell me one day.”Aji nodded solemnly, then turned toward one of the wooden chests. With practiced strength, he lifted it effortlessly onto his shoulder.Outside, Bargowo had already prepared a horse-drawn wagon to carry the provisions — sacks of grain and three heavy chests filled with coins. When everything was secured, they set out toward
Bandit’s Hideout
“Not necessarily,” Rangga replied with a quiet, knowing laugh. Then his tone softened, almost reflective. “But I’ll give you a chance — a chance to repent and face the weight of what you’ve done. No man is beyond redemption, not even one who has walked the darkest roads.”The bandit leader blinked in disbelief. “Did I hear you right?” His voice trembled between confusion and a sudden ache that pulled at the corners of his expression. For the first time, his eyes lost the hardness of a marauder; clouds of regret gathered there, dimming their cruel gleam.“But what village would take me in?” he muttered hoarsely. “After everything I’ve done… who would accept a man like me?”While Rangga spoke of repentance, the battle between Aji and Subrata still raged not far away. The former elder of the Black Tiger Sect — once feared across provinces — struck again and again, his sword carving swift, furious arcs meant to tear open Aji’s defense. But rage clouded his mind; he had forgotten the wound
Aji vs Subrata
Subrata felt a hot sting of irritation at finding Aji standing there, but he forced himself to hide it; in his mind this was the perfect moment to finish the matter — to kill Aji outright. The Jayabaya carriage that had been their cover was nowhere in sight now; the road stretched quiet and empty beneath a sky that had gone mercilessly still.“Why are you so confident you can beat me, Subrata?” Aji said, a soft, contemptuous chuckle lifted at the corner of his mouth. “You forget — if I had wanted you dead earlier, you would already be nothing but a memory.”“You bastard… do you think I was mistaken? If that old fool hadn’t saved you, I would have killed you then and there!” Subrata snapped, his voice sharp as flint.“Enough, Subrata. There’s no point in arguing to prove who deserves victory. Words end here — now we’ll see which of us dies on this spot.” Aji’s tone was cool, almost indifferent, as though life and death were a simple measure of skill that could be read in a blade’s flas
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