WHEN MAJAPAHIT MOVED & THE PRICE OF A NEW CIVILIZATION
The west monsoon brought the scent of rain to Ardhanusa.
But it wasn't just rain that came—it also brought news.
That morning, a courier horse from the northern route arrived at the palace gate.
Sweat dripped from the animal's body, as if it had traveled non-stop.
Rakai Darma immediately escorted the courier to the main hall.
Ardhana, who was inspecting the second batch of iron production, immediately stopped what he was doing.
> "What happened?"
The courier knelt down, his face pale.
> "Sir… Majapahit is moving."
The entire room froze.
Empu Wangsita, who had been monitoring the workers, nearly dropped his tools.
---
Majapahit — King of Southern Java
Majapahit was a giant whose sleep was rarely disturbed.
A small kingdom like Ardhanusa usually fell off their radar…
Unless something too conspicuous happened.
And the construction of the giant furnace?
High smoke every night?
Increased iron trade activity?
That was enough to make Majapahit's ears prickle.
The courier continued:
> "The prime minister of Majapahit sent a message. They want to know what Ardhanusa is building."
"And… they sent two official envoys and a small force of bodyguards."
Ardhana sighed.
He had expected this day to come.
> "When will they arrive?"
> "In three days, sir."
---
Ardhanusa Palace – Emergency Meeting
The atmosphere was tense.
Rakai Darma, Empu Wangsita, the village elders, and the merchant chiefs gathered.
Rakai Darma spoke first.
> "Prince… if Majapahit finds out we're building an ironworks, they might think we're planning a rebellion."
One of the elders trembled.
> "If they feel threatened… we're finished."
Empu Wangsita looked at Ardhana anxiously.
> "Prince, are we really going to show this new iron to Majapahit?"
Ardhana paused for a moment.
He knew Majapahit was not an enemy…
but not an absolute ally either.
They were a great power that maintained stability, but they also hated innovation that could change the balance.
> "There's no turning back," Ardhana finally replied.
"Majapahit must see that Ardhanusa is not a threat… but an asset."
Rakai Darma frowned.
> "With this iron, they might want to dominate us."
Ardhana stared at him sharply.
> "Or… they might want to cooperate."
"If we play it right."
---
That Night — The Price of a New Civilization
Ardhana stood alone in front of a giant furnace.
The fire reflected light on his young, 15-year-old face, but his mind was far older than that.
In his hand, he held a new sword forged from high-grade iron.
Light… strong… almost perfect for this era.
> "Innovation always has a price," Ardhana muttered.
"And the first price… is the attention of a great power."
He looked toward Ardhanusa's small palace.
> "If Majapahit considers us a threat, this kingdom will disappear before it matures."
"But if they see us as a new light…"
He gripped the sword tighter.
> "…then Ardhanusa can stand on equal footing with the giants of the archipelago."
---
Three Days Later – Majapahit Envoys Arrive
The morning was bright, but the atmosphere was as tense as a fully drawn bowstring.
Two Majapahit envoys entered Ardhanusa's square with fully armed guards.
Their armor gleamed, better than Ardhanusa's, but still far from what Ardhana's iron could produce.
In the center of the square, Ardhana was waiting.
A small prince—but with an aura that made the Majapahit guards exchange confused glances.
One of the envoys, a man around forty, stepped forward.
> "Prince Ardhana Wiratmaja."
"We come bearing questions from the Majapahit palace."
Ardhana smiled faintly.
> "And I am ready to answer."
The envoy stared at the giant furnace behind the palace.
A thin plume of smoke rose into the blue sky, as if announcing something unprecedented in Java.
> "Majapahit heard that Ardhanusa was building something… that smaller kingdoms had never been allowed to do."
"A giant furnace. New iron. And improved weaponry."
Rakai Darma tensed behind Ardhana.
But Ardhana stepped forward confidently.
> "That's right."
"Ardhanusa is building the future."
The envoy frowned.
> "The question is… a future for whom?"
Ardhana looked the envoy straight in the eye.
> "For the entire archipelago."
"To welcome a new era… that even Majapahit didn't see coming."
The envoy fell silent. Even the wind seemed to stop.
Ardhana continued:
> "If Majapahit is willing… Ardhanusa wants to cooperate."
"Not as a new vassal, or a rebel."
"But as a brother who brings the light of technology."
The envoy stared at Ardhana for a long time… a very long time.
And his lips lifted slightly.
> "A bold answer… for a prince as small as you."
"Majapahit will consider it."
But as the envoy turned towards the special lodging…
Ardhana spoke softly, but loud enough to be heard:
> "Consider quickly." "Because traders from distant seas have begun to pay attention to Java."
The envoy froze.
He stared at Ardhana with shocked eyes.
> "What do you mean… which distant sea?"
Ardhana only gave a faint smile.
> "I will explain… tomorrow."
"When I show you Ardhanusa's new iron."
Rakai Darma whispered frantically:
> "Sir… you want to show them the iron?!"
Ardhana nodded.
> "If Majapahit doesn't see Ardhanusa's value… they will destroy us."
"But if they see this new power…"
He stared at the pure iron sword in his hand.
> "…they won't dare touch us."
---
Behind Majapahit's smile…
As night fell, the two Majapahit envoys spoke to each other in their tent.
> "That child is dangerous."
"He is too intelligent."
> "Or too important to let go…"
"We report that Ardhanusa may be the key to the future of technology in the archipelago."
Outside, Ardhanusa's bonfire blazed.
Inside the palace, Ardhana gazed at the Majapahit envoy from a distance.
> "Two giants are beginning to move…"
"And Ardhanusa is right in the middle of their path."
The price of a new civilization has begun to be exacted.