Become Prisoner Again

For the second time, Jagat Wengi had to experience the harshness of an explosion. His body was no longer able to withstand the pain, as his inner energy was not as strong as Arya Mandana's.

The middle-ranking officer of Majapahit slowly struggled to rise, his eyes fixed on Ulagan fleeing.

"Jagat, are you okay? Wake up. We need to chase after that Mongol. How are you?" Arya Mandana turned to Jagat Wengi and gently tapped his cheek.

In his blurred vision, Jagat could still hear Arya Mandana shouting for someone.

"Tantraaaa!"

After that, his entire world turned black. Darkness engulfed him without a sound. Silence imprisoned his consciousness. He lost track of how long he had been unconscious until a deep, firm voice faintly reached his ears.

"Before the arrow signal last night, Arya Mandana was indeed with this young man? Does anyone know where Arya Mandana is?"

It turned out that the one asking was Ranggalawe. He asked the officer who was with him, counting the number of injured and fallen Majapahit soldiers from the night raid.

"Pardon me, Lord Senopati. Lord Arya Mandana tried to chase after a Mongol who escaped the battle after the big explosion," Tantra replied. Tantra was the person Arya Mandana had called out to save Jagat Wengi. After hearing the answer and checking on Jagat Wengi's condition, Ranggalawe became interested.

"Does the one he was chasing hold a high rank in the Mongol army?" Ranggalawe inquired.

"From the armor he wore, it seems so, Lord Senopati," Tantra answered.

"Hmm, quite peculiar," Ranggalawe murmured, furrowing his brow as if contemplating something, then he turned his attention back to Jagat Wengi. "Isn't there a healer who can wake this young man up?"

Tantra and the other attendants exchanged glances and nodded subtly. However, Ranggalawe's request was answered by his own hand pressing on Jagat Wengi's chest.

Jagat Wengi winced slightly. His eyes flickered for a moment, with a small wisp of white smoke emanating from his chest.

Slowly, his eyes opened. Jagat Wengi looked around, bewildered, in a tent.

"This is only temporary, as your external wounds need to be healed. What is your name, young man? Speak up. I need your testimony. What did Arya Mandana do with you?"

"I-I am Jagat Wengi, Lord Senopati."

Upon hearing the name, a Bekel beside Tantra stepped out of the tent. Tantra didn't suspect him, but soon enough the officer brought forward a soldier.

"He's a book thief, Lord Senopati! I believe Arya Mandana intended to steal the treasures on the ship with him."

"Be careful with your words, Panewu. If you don't know, it's better to keep quiet," Tantra replied sternly.

"This is the witness." The Bekel pushed the soldier to face Ranggalawe. His eyes held a mocking gaze towards Tantra.

"That's right, Lord Senopati. This person was actually caught by my fellow disciples at Sawung Bumi School. He was caught red-handed stealing our master's sacred book and killing Brother Sangkih."

"Sawung Bumi? Ki Rapala?"

Jagat Wengi, still not fully conscious, could only listen through a vacant gaze as Ranggalawe's sharp eyes focused on him.

The soldier went on to explain that the book had been successfully retrieved, and they had brought Jagat Wengi to be presented before Ki Rapala, the grandmaster of Sawung Bumi School. However, since Ki Rapala was with Raden Wijaya in Majapahit Village, they couldn't escort him due to the orders to attack the Mongol forces in Tuban.

The situation was chaotic, and the disciples who had become soldiers simply abandoned Jagat Wengi.

"I think Arya Mandana saved him to take the treasures on the ship, Lord Senopati."

Tantra had lost his patience and wanted to silence Panewu's slanderous mouth.

"Tantra! That's enough! Until Arya Mandana is found, keep this young man detained. Ki Rapala has done many services for our future king."

"Sendiko Dawuh (Will comply), Lord Senopati," Tantra replied. He believed it was a fair order since he didn't know Jagat Wengi well. However, he had known Arya Mandana for a long time, having served alongside him as a low-ranking soldier in Singosari.

He accompanied Arya Mandana when the latter was still a Bekel, escorting the Mongol emissaries to meet Prabu Kertanegara. It was from there that Arya Mandana learned the Mongol language for future use.

From what he observed, Arya Mandana seemed to be chasing something, and Tantra was certain it wasn't plundered treasure.

"The coronation of Raden Wijaya as Prabu (King) is about seven days away. I don't want any issues in Tuban. Quickly, resolve the chaos here and have Mandana come to me when he arrives."

All the Bekel declared their readiness, and the soldiers from Sawung Bumi School promptly bound Jagat Wengi. Another Bekel, Tantra's fellow, remained with him.

"Hey, you, what were you actually doing with Brother Mandana?" Tantra asked Jagat Wengi, who was now securely tied in the tent under close guard by several soldiers.

"We were surveilling the Mongol officers on the ship, but only Lord Mandana could understand their language."

"Who was that officer?"

"It seemed to be a high-ranking officer." Jagat Wengi hesitated to mention the name of one of the officers. The question would only prolong the conversation.

"Enough, Tantra! I know, and I'm sure you know too, that people like this are skilled in twisting words and playing with them. It's better to silence him forever."

"Before Brother Mandana arrives and before receiving orders from Lord Senopati, you have no right to decide."

"Have you forgotten that Lord Senopati has already handed over this thief to Ki Rapala?"

Tantra was slightly taken aback by his companion's response. The soldier wouldn't dare to lie to Lord Senopati, and besides, Ki Rapala had a well-maintained and respected reputation.

The grandmaster of Sawung Bumi School would surely punish Jagat Wengi severely, possibly even with his life.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Tantra asked after his companion untied Jagat Wengi's hands and feet.

"Taking him to Ki Rapala."

"It would be better to wait for Brother Mandana."

"You can wait if you want. Do you know what's happening in their school?"

"What do you mean?" Tantra asked, trying to hold onto his beliefs.

"This thief killed Ki Rapala's eldest disciple. And when caught, he had the sacred book in his hands, Tantra. Don't you trust Ki Rapala's disciples?"

Alongside other schools, Ki Rapala's disciples were indeed recruited to serve as additional soldiers, increasing Majapahit's strength to a thousand warriors. The victory was achieved thanks to the contributions of these schools. It was impossible to rely solely on the soldiers from a village named Majapahit.

It was due to the fact that Majapahit's leader was the son-in-law of the previous Singosari king that this influence had a positive impact on the invasion.

In addition to the white school, there were also black school disciples who joined. They demanded payment for their services. Rumor had it that a Patih (minister) from Majapahit was in charge of organizing them.

"Is that true?" Tantra asked Jagat Wengi, who had been forced to stand up by the Bekel. He was taken out of the tent without any resistance.

In his still weakened state, Jagat Wengi simply accepted the blows from the soldiers who escorted him to the prisoner's carriage. He was like a beast being dragged into a wooden cage with iron chains, joining the other Mongol prisoners.

But before that happened, he endured torment in the form of punches and kicks.

Jagat Wengi accepted it as punishment for his wrong actions at Sawung Bumi School. He should have thought further when the two soldiers came to meet Sangkih. He should have just left that place and returned to Kediri.

This situation would surely have an impact on the palace. Panggito and Wirahasa would immediately change their plans and strategies. And it's not impossible for him to be involved in their affairs.

And not just any affair. This is the actual fabrication, as Jagat Wengi described the situation.

Arya did offer him a share of the loot, but he had a different motive when they were on the ship. It was only he who desired that loot. And when he searched below the ship, he caught someone trying to blow it up.

Then...

How could Jagat Wengi speak the truth? How could a book thief willingly put himself in danger on the ship if there wasn't some benefit to be gained from it?

That's why it was better for him to remain silent. The silence was better than refuting the accusations against him.

Two people had died because of it, Panewu Sawito and Sangkih.

"That's enough! You could have killed him before bringing him to Ki Rapala."

Tantra couldn't defend Jagat Wengi because he still had faith in Arya Mandana.

The two soldiers followed the Bekel's orders, but what about the others?

With a sardonic smile and sharp eyes, he positioned himself between the soldiers and Tantra to strike Jagat Wengi again.

"That's enough, I said!"

"Let go of my hand, Tantra! You surely don't want Senopati to see us fighting here."

"I'd be delighted to, esteemed Bekel," Tantra retorted, returning the challenge. And the next shout from behind alerted them to the arrival of an officer.

"Tantra! Gather your best men!"

It turned out Arya Mandana had returned and was giving orders directly to Tantra, but his words hung in the air as he saw Jagat Wengi held back by the spears of two soldiers.

Arya Mandana dismounted from his horse and gazed at his subordinates one by one.

"What happened, Jagat Wengi?"

The Bekel, who had been fervently bringing Jagat Wengi forward, smoothly stated, "Lord Senopati's orders, this man—"

*Slap!

The Bekel immediately knelt in pain after receiving a hard slap from Arya Mandana. The two soldiers restraining Jagat Wengi also quickly withdrew their spears.

"Who do you think you are to bring Senopati's orders to me? Release him!"

"But Lord Mandana, this man is a book thief."

The Bekel refused to give in to what he heard and believed. However, Arya Mandana no longer cared about the truth. He owed his life to Jagat Wengi.

As he raised his hand in the air, that was when Senopati Ranggalawe arrived with a loud shout.

"Arya Mandana! I was the one who gave them the orders!"

Even military ranks were at stake. Arya Mandana fell silent as he looked at Jagat Wengi with a sad expression.

"Is it true that you are a book thief?"

"Yes, Lord..."

Arya Mandana sighed deeply, unsure of what he should do next.