Three

A horse thundered toward the pavilion at a full gallop.

Several servants who were lighting lanterns around the sprawling estate looked up in alarm. Whoever was arriving wasn't an ordinary guest.

He leaped from the saddle before the horse had even come to a complete stop—and somehow managed not to land face-first in the dirt.

The sun had just vanished beyond the horizon, leaving streaks of gray-blue twilight overhead, when the broad-shouldered man strode hurriedly toward the pavilion. Behind him, several house guards chased after the runaway horse.

The newcomer had barely reached the steps when a large figure emerged from the main house.

Bajul.

"Is it about the dead body they burned earlier?" Bajul asked immediately.

"Yes. Where's Wisnumurti?"

"Inside. Come on."

The two men entered the main residence.

In the front room, several men seated on a bamboo platform immediately rose to greet the newcomer. He wore a long-sleeved jacket, a knee-length cloth wrap, and a finely crafted kris tucked into his belt. Everything about his appearance suggested a man of rank.

"This is Senopati Bantala," Bajul said, introducing him to Wisnumurti. "Chief of security for Lord Adipati Jayapati."

The officer offered a formal greeting, which everyone returned.

Ki Somanagara invited him onto the platform beside himself, Wisnumurti, and Jaladri. Bajul remained standing nearby with his arms folded across his chest.

"Have you identified the victim yet?" Wisnumurti asked.

Senopati Bantala shook his head.

"Not yet. I ordered the burial immediately before panic could spread through the city."

The afternoon's events had thrown Karang Bendan into chaos. Not only had a murder occurred in the heart of town, but the victim's corpse had then been publicly burned on Wisnumurti's orders. Afterward, he and Jaladri had assisted the city guards in cleaning up the aftermath before returning to the Somanagara estate.

Everyone had expected the authorities to come asking questions. Now they had.

"So what exactly is this Lambang Merah Clan?" Senopati Bantala asked. "My men reported hearing you mention that name."

Wisnumurti leaned back slightly.

"It's a mystical cult."

The room fell quiet.

"Their headquarters are in Corpse Forest, about twenty miles northeast of Pasir City. Unlike most spiritual orders, they don't seek unity with the One Creator—Allah, as we call Him in Islam," his eyes darkened. "They seek the opposite."

Ki Soma straightened.

"You mean..."

"They worship the Devil. They recruited people—persuading them if possible, forcing them if necessary. Those who willingly join eventually commit suicide so they can supposedly unite with the Devil in Hell."

"And those who refuse?" Jaladri asked.

"They're murdered. As sacrifices. And all of it takes place during elaborate ceremonies attended by large crowds."

"They kill themselves together?" asked Bajul.

"Sometimes. And sometimes they kill others together. From what I've heard, more than ten people can die during a single ritual. The volunteers die first. Then the unwilling victims are slaughtered. Some members are so far gone that they collect the victims' blood afterward and drink it together."

Nobody spoke for several moments. Finally Senopati Bantala broke the silence.

"Then why did you order that corpse burned immediately? The fire was enormous. We were lucky it didn't spread to Tumenggung Bahusasra's residence next door."

Wisnumurti's face became serious.

"The most terrifying weapon Lambang Merah possesses is an exploding corpse. They kill their victims using a specialized poison. After a certain amount of time—roughly the time it takes to cook rice—the poison destabilizes inside the body."

His gaze swept across the room.

"Then the corpse explodes."

Nobody even breathed.

"The poison disperses through the air afterward. A single body can kill everyone in an entire district."

Senopati Bantala stared. Ki Soma slowly lowered his teacup.

"A corpse killed that way must be burned before detonation occurs," Wisnumurti continued. "Lambang Merah has used the technique repeatedly in remote villages around Corpse Forest. Wiping out an entire village is considered a highly valuable offering to the Devil."

Ki Soma stroked his graying beard.

"And now one of them has reached Karang Bendan..." he sighed. "That's a bad sign."

"It is. I've heard several reports of similar incidents over the past few weeks. They're becoming increasingly bold and operating far outside their territory."

Senopati Bantala grimaced.

"I've also heard rumors of a series of killings in the martial world. Are they true?"

"Yes. Two victims so far."

Wisnumurti then recounted the murders of Ki Saradipa and Kiai Sangkrah, both allegedly committed by the mysterious man calling himself Pangeran Langit.

"These aren't ordinary killings," he concluded. "Both men were murdered in front of their own disciples and followers. And the killer openly announced who he was."

Senopati Bantala frowned.

"Most murderers spend their lives hiding their identities."

"Exactly. This one advertises his."

A troubled silence followed.

Ki Soma muttered, "What's happening to this world? Murders everywhere. Human life seems to have lost all value."

"Don't worry," Jaladri said. "That doesn't mean it'll happen here."

"And despite all this," Wisnumurti said dryly, turning toward him, "you still want to go wandering across the countryside looking for adventure?"

The reaction was immediate.

"What?" Ki Soma's voice boomed through the room. "You absolutely are not doing anything foolish!"

Jaladri rounded on Wisnumurti.

"What kind of friend are you? I tell you something in confidence and you throw me straight into a pit."

He kicked Wisnumurti's crossed leg. Wisnumurti burst out laughing.

"Didn’t you told me to discuss your brilliant plan with Uncle Soma?"

"Not like that, idiot!"

Ki Soma looked at Wisnumurti. "So he asked you to convince me to let him accompany you in your adventure?"

Wisnumurti gave a small nod.

"More or less."

Fortunately for Jaladri, inspiration struck quickly.

"But Mother wanted to send clothes and food to Uncle Gede in Kenipir anyway."

Everyone looked at him.

"If we're only going there, what could possibly happen? Assign Bajul and me to deliver everything. Wisnumurti can stop by before continuing his hunt for Pangeran Langit. After that, he can go wherever he want to go, while Bajul and I come straight home. A week at most."

Wisnumurti raised an eyebrow.

"Is that actually true, or is this just a clever excuse?"

"It's true,” Jaladri pointed at his father. "Ask him."

Ki Soma fell silent.

"There is such a plan," he admitted. "And frankly, I don't trust the younger servants with it."

Wisnumurti smiled.

"In that case, we'll take it. It's been a long time since I've seen Ki Gede and his family. Pratiwi must be growing up now."

Ki Soma chuckled.

"A little older than Pramesti. And her parents had already begun looking for a suitable husband for her."

"Good luck with that. That girl's stubborn as hell."

"So are you. She's got that same free spirit as yours. She'll probably make every prospective husband pass a test before she agrees to marry him."

"Can we stay focused here?" Jaladri interrupted before anyone redirected the conversation toward his own marriage prospects. "Am I allowed to go or not? It's only Kenipir. One day's ride. Leave at dawn, arrive by sunset. The road is good now. Most of it can even be traveled on horseback."

"When are you leaving?" Ki Soma asked.

"Tomorrow," Wisnumurti replied. "I want to attend the gathering at Mount Wijil."

Ki Soma thought for a long moment. Then he exhaled.

"Fine."

Jaladri sat upright.

"You may go. As long as Bajul accompanies you."

Jaladri nodded vigorously.

"Done."

"And if there is any sign of Lambang Merah or Pangeran Langit on the road..." Ki Soma pointed at both young men. "You stay out of it."

"Agreed."

"Good."

Ki Soma took a sip of tea.

"Then after you return, you'll meet your future wife."

The smile vanished from Jaladri's face. Instantly.

"What?"

Everyone laughed.

"What do you mean? My future wife?"

"You heard me."

"But I'm not ready to get married!"

Ki Soma snorted.

"No man is ever ready for that. If men waited until they felt ready, nobody would marry until Judgment Day. There are too many beautiful women in the world."

Wisnumurti nodded solemnly.

"I agree."

"Hey, shut up! Mind your own business! Are you even ready to get married?"

“Maybe, but you’re still the one getting married first.”

The room erupted with laughter.