Night fell slowly over Ardhanusa.
The coastal breeze carried the scent of salt, mixed with the sound of iron hammers that had now ceased pounding—the workers had gone home, leaving the giant furnace breathing like a sleeping dragon.
Ardhana stood on his balcony, gazing out at the black sea glistening in the moonlight. He had just finished recording the iron logistics complaint when soft footsteps sounded behind him.
A guard appeared.
"Sir… is there something at the palace gate?"
Ardhana turned.
"Another Majapahit envoy?"
The guard shook his head.
"No one saw who placed it. Just a lontar scroll… embedded with a black dagger."
Ardhana raised an eyebrow. The black dagger was more than just a weapon.
It was the unofficial signature of a world hiding behind the veil of Nusantara's power.
Shadows.
He took the scroll and slowly unwrapped it.
The writing on the palm leaf was hurried, but clear:
> "Ardhana Wiratmaja.
Majapahit sees the light you have built.
But if the light is too strong…
then it will invite fear."
> "Be careful. There are other eyes darker than Mahesa Lodra's."
> "—From someone who wants the archipelago to survive."
Ardhana stared at the writing for a long time.
It wasn't a threat. Not an empty warning.
More like…
a message from someone protecting from afar.
He clutched the palm leaf.
"So… Majapahit isn't the only one watching."
---
Meanwhile—At the Waringin Hall, Majapahit
The great hall of Majapahit was lit by hundreds of oil lamps. Naga-carved pillars lined the rows, the stone floor polished, and the smell of incense filled the air. On high chairs, the royal officials sat in a circle, their faces solemn.
In the center of the circle, Mahesa Lodra knelt.
An elderly official, dressed in red and gold, spoke loudly:
"Rakai Mahesa, you've returned earlier than expected. Tell me—what did you see in Ardhanusa?"
Mahesa bowed slightly.
"I saw a kingdom that was no longer small."
"Explain!"
Mahesa looked up.
"I saw technology that shouldn't have existed yet.
Pure iron.
Precisionly constructed roads.
High furnaces that even major port cities couldn't build."
Whispers filled the room.
"Ardhana Wiratmaja… who exactly is he?"
Mahesa looked at the circle of officials one by one.
"He's not a threat.
Not yet."
"Not yet?" snapped a portly nobleman.
"What do you mean not yet? A small prince can make iron stronger than major kingdoms!"
Mahesa replied calmly.
"Ardhana has shown no ambition to oppose Majapahit.
However… he has a determination that is difficult to stop."
A rarely spoken advisor to the king finally spoke. His voice was soft, yet sharp.
"If Ardhanusa learns to stand on his own two feet…
they might also learn to walk away from Majapahit."
The atmosphere in the hall tightened.
---
Pressure from Above
The highest official in the room—Rakai Jayengkara, the man responsible for the kingdom's stability—stood.
His face was as cold as a moonstone.
"Majapahit must not allow new powers to grow unchecked."
"Give the order," said one of the officials.
Jayengkara looked at Mahesa.
"Rakai Mahesa Lodra. Return to Ardhanusa."
"Your new task is not to judge."
"But to control."
Mahesa felt a heavy weight pressing on his chest.
"Control what kind, Rakai?"
Jayengkara approached.
"If Ardhanusa develops iron further… we must know every step."
"If they want to expand their territory… we must be the first to hear."
Mahesa fell silent.
"And if Ardhana Wiratmaja becomes more than just a prince…"
The officials held their breath.
"…then you will stop him."
Mahesa clenched his fists.
"Rakai Jayengkara… is that an order to—"
Jayengkara glared at him.
"No blood need be spilled… if the boy knows his place."
---
Back to Ardhanusa — Two Letters, Two Threats
In Ardhanusa, Ardhana sat in his study, two palm-leaf scrolls on the table:
1. A mysterious message from the shadows:
A cryptic warning and protection.
2. Ardhanusa's intelligence report:
States that the Majapahit contingent is growing in number in the north.
Ardhana stroked his chin.
"Majapahit is moving faster than I expected."
He stared at a small map of Ardhanusa and its surroundings.
"It's not time for disagreements yet... but I can't give in."
Then, he looked at the ironworks, whose smoke was slowly rising.
"If they want to see the strength of iron...
then I'll show them something that will make them think twice."