Sengkolo gazed at the bland white ceiling. The soft yellow glow of the lamp crystal didn’t make it appear any better. He fished for his tickslate in his satchel. It had been thirty minutes since Kustari said she was getting ready. He repositioned himself on his seat. The wicker chair creaked under his and his armor’s weight.

The thought of decorating the house that he just bought flew over his head. Sooner or later, he would give it away to his Great House. It would be up to them to decide what to do with it.

Kustari soon emerged from where they had settled their belongings, directly connected to the living room. Her olive shirt was a stunning blend of lace and silk, adorned with gold and green embroidery forming delicate floral patterns. Tiny golden buttons lined the front, while scalloped lace cuffs and subtle beadwork added a touch of elegance. A matching chiffon shawl draped over her right shoulder with a golden brooch keeping it in place, completing her look. She spun around in it as if she wasn’t a hundred and sixty years old already. Seeing his wife revel in the gift bought for her birthday made Sengkolo smile.

“How do I look?” she said to Sengkolo.

Sengkolo stood up with his eyes fixed on her. Her black hair was bundled in the back. Her skirt was dark brown with an intricate golden pattern of leaves, flowers, and feathers. The clothing showcased the curve of Kustari’s body, which was just as beautiful as during their wedding. The broad neckline revealed her collarbone and almost exposed her cleavage. Parts of the shirt around her shoulder and upper arm were a little see-through.

“It’s worth the wait,” Sengkolo said, nodding. “Though, I think you would be lovelier without the makeup.”

Kustari laid her right hand on Sengkolo’s chest and her left on Sengkolo’s nape. She thrusted her head forward, letting Sengkolo taste her soft and sweet lips.

“Liar,” Kustari said. “You loved the sensation of that, didn’t you?”

Sengkolo uttered no words as he took his wife by the tongue. The pleasure lasted briefly as Kustari quickly broke away.

“Take off your helmet first next time,” she said.

Sengkolo shrugged. “No.”

Kustari slapped his helmet. The way she did it made her even more adorable, and Sengkolo was struggling to not encase her in his embrace.

Outside, a brown closed carriage and a squad of eight Shield-Riders were waiting for him. The size of the nyambek employed as cavalry was evidently bigger than the ones that pulled the carriage. The soldiers’ shields were decorated with the symbol of Great House Pawon.

Sengkolo waved to the coachman as he helped his wife board the carriage. Once he was inside, the cavalry squad leader attended him, making sure that everything was set.

Kustari laid her head on Sengkolo’s shoulder guard as soon as the convoy departed. They became the main attention of locals living alongside the narrow road. The people moved aside to let the convoy pass. Sengkolo looked at them one by one. The indifference in their faces made him wonder whether his Great House was doing their job properly.

On the street of Dah-Sani, Sengkolo’s mind wandered to his military affairs. The manpower demand had just drastically risen to combat the increasing kun skimmer incursions. He had promised the conscripts that they would be used to boost the number of the legions only in the fight against the giant orange birds. Some might not even need to face a battle depending on the performance of the PNS.

Sengkolo saw the army pool surge by millions, with more than five new reserve legions being raised every day for the past fifteen days to accommodate this growth. It seemed like his people were still eager to fight their ever-present arch-nemesis. Now, he needed a way to convince the conscripts so that they remained for the war once the kun skimmers were driven off.

Sengkolo felt Kustari gently stroking his upper right arm.

“Do you want to do it tonight?” Sengkolo said to her.

“What makes you think so?”

“The last time you did this, you wanted to be caressed for the whole night.”

Kustari turned her head to meet Sengkolo’s face. “Last time,” she said, slapping his chest plate. “I didn’t have twenty report documents consisting of tens of pages each to summarize and give to you.”

“Right…” Sengkolo rubbed his chin. “What if I help you so that you can finish it faster?”

“That’s very kind of you,” Kustari said, kissing the right side of Sengkolo’s helmet.

“Would you…do it then, after that?”

Kustari chuckled. “No. You never get a hold of yourself,” she said, now stroking Sengkolo’s forearm. “I only wanted two kids, but now we ended up with five.”

“But you didn’t have to raise them all at the same time, did you?”

“No, but I can’t forever be your stress relief, darling. That’s a job for the Almighty Three. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy the pleasure. You have always been unbothered by your worldly burden, that is what I have always loved about you. I don’t want to lose that.”

Sengkolo contemplated Kustari’s statement. He’d argue that he was not at all unbothered. He thought he was just great at concealing it.

Near their destination, the convoy was stuck in a traffic jam. Sengkolo looked over the window and saw tens of unmoving carriages and nyambek riders who were trying to slip through the gaps. From where he was, he could also see the venue for the evening’s event. Sengkolo roused Kustari who had gotten too comfortable with resting her head on his shoulder. The two stepped out of their carriage and walked the remaining distance.

The two-story convention hall was bustling with people. The parking lot was filled with carriages as far as the eyes could see. The nyambek pen was packed to the brim. Street vendors dished out food and fried treats all along the premises. The banners of Great House Pawon proudly hung along the exterior wall of the building.

Just as Sengkolo reached the yard, he was swarmed by the crowd. He turned to his wife who had already locked her arms in his. Countless questions and adorations were thrown at him in a way that compromised his comfort. Luckily, they didn't last long until a group of Palace Companion legionaries shouted at the crowd and shoved them away. They then formed a circle around Sengkolo and his wife, maintaining a corridor for them.

Sengkolo heard Kustari gasping. She pointed at the figure standing ahead of them. Sengkolo widened his eyes, it was Tangguh.

“Welcome, general.” Tangguh shook hands with Sengkolo. “We have been waiting for you.”

“The pleasure is mine, colonel,” Sengkolo said. “Please guide us to our seats.”

“This way,” Tangguh said, gesturing.

They negotiated through the crowd to reach the entrance of the convention hall. The crowd inside the hall was just as much as the one outside. The difference was that they were relatively well-dressed when compared to the crowds beyond the entrance.

The interior walls were padded to suppress noises. Arrays of circular tables and chairs draped in exquisite beige cloth were orderly arranged before a stage at one side of the hall. Tangguh led Sengkolo and Kustari to a pair of empty seats at the table in the corner. The other eight guests at the same table — which were either Imperials or Praskovians — stood up and shook Sengkolo's and Kustari's hands.

Kustari exchanged greetings with the other guests. Meanwhile, Sengkolo asked to be directed to a restroom.

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Tangguh escorted Sengkolo. Once they were there, the two went inside a vacant spot and locked themselves.

“No words, father,” Tangguh said with the utmost suppressed tone.

“It has been a month,” Sengkolo said, his face a hand away from Tangguh.

Tangguh sighed. “They probably didn't make it. I have been trying to face that reality, but I still believe they will soon report to us.”

Sengkolo used both hands to wipe his face.

“I can select another batch of–”

“No,” Sengkolo said, pointing at Tangguh's chest plate. “We can't keep losing our best soldiers like this.”

Tangguh crossed his arms. “I'm merely fulfilling your request.”

Sengkolo took a deep breath. “Maybe I should change my request.”

He still wished to know what Great House Thong was planning. Perhaps the opportunity had passed and he failed to seize it.

“Do you consider allocating our champions for the defense of Firdha Ridge instead?” Tangguh said.

“I mean, what options do we have? We must not give up Firdha Ridge, ever.”

Tangguh looked over his shoulder as the commotion in the main hall grew louder.

“Let's give our heroes more time, father. Maybe a couple more weeks. Then, we'll discuss further if they fail to report by then.”

The two emerged from the restroom. They came across another person who looked at them with a mix of confusion and disgust.

Sengkolo was about to bluff him away when Tangguh stopped him. His son talked to the Danker, telling him that he was escorting the ‘old general’. Tangguh then grabbed Sengkolo's right hand and touched his forehead to it. They parted ways once they returned to the main hall.

When Sengkolo was about to sit down, he was attended by a pair of committees. They wanted him to stand by the stage and give an opening speech soon. He looked at the other guests on his table. Kustari gave him a quick and small clapping. Everyone else just nodded at him.

The speaker eventually let Sengkolo on the stage. The general walked with the weight of the whole world. Hundreds of eyes were fixed on him. Sengkolo swept his sight from left to right, studying his audience. He then turned to the banner of Great House Pawon that was hung high on the wall across from him.

Sengkolo recalled the time when he was just a private struggling to make ends meet. He remembered the days he spent in starvation to save money for his own enterprise. He still had memories of the time when he was in despair; despite his effort to save as much as possible, it was never enough.

One day, a Councilor of Great House Pawon loaned him a huge sum for his idea. Thereafter, the An Dolan guild was born. It had its tribulations, but it was mostly successful. The success helped the House Councilor to become the next Grandmaster of Great House Pawon, who then adopted him and his family into the Great House. It had been a long way for him. He sometimes found it outrageous that he was now the Grandmaster of the Great House himself.

All because he wanted to protect his people.

Sengkolo let a smile brighten his face.

“Good evening, my esteemed and beloved family of the Sultanate,” Sengkolo said, his voice full of reverence as he surveyed the crowd. “Praise the Three…the Holy…the Almighty, for allowing us to gather here this evening to celebrate the rich legacy of Great House Pawon. Today, we honor the life and sacrifice of Purnomo Putro Kencono Titisan Bromo, the first Grandmaster of the first Great House — our Great House.”

Sengkolo paused, briefly gazing at the audience who paid attention to him dearly. “It fills my heart with pride to see so many familiar faces once again, faces that reflect hard work, sacrifices, and unwavering dedication. Your commitment was the foundation upon which the present-day Sultanate stood. As the largest Great House in Mananggal, we carry the responsibility of leadership. Every one of you, from hirelings to councilors, plays a crucial role in the grand vision of our House. And it was a privilege for me, your Grandmaster, to guide you toward the greatness that we will achieve.

“We might have come from distinct trials of life, but what unites us is far stronger than our differences. We are not merely a House; we are a family. Although the path we must walk is fraught with challenges, we are bound by a shared conviction: that our House, our Sultanate, and our people must remain strong, and united. Great House Pawon will stand as an example for the other Great Houses to follow. It is not a path of individual glory that we seek, but one of collective good. We will show them what it means to put the needs of the people first, to rise above personal ambition, and to serve with honor, integrity, and love for all.

“Lone-Thong must be destroyed. It’s a matter of justice to protect the very soul of the Sultanate. Let us stand united against his treachery. From the people, for the people. Praise the Three…the Holy…the Almighty.”

The guests stood up and gave Sengkolo a round of applause. Sengkolo acted like he deserved it, but inside, he was unsure.

Sengkolo returned to his seat. The guests who shared the same table with him gave another round of applause sprinkled with compliments. Kustari squeezed Sengkolo's left arm.

The event continued with dance shows, games, annual progress reports, deed appreciations, and business pitching. Sengkolo only watched them unfold from where he was seated. The war had seized his energy so much that he had none to partake in those activities personally. He just looked forward to enjoying the lavish meals that he rarely had.

The middle-aged Praskovian man beside Sengkolo spoke to him.

“It is an honor to meet you in person,” he said in Akk-Soro, which he butchered a little bit by his Praskovian accent.

It was the first time he met him. Sengkolo pitied the Praskovian, for he wasn't in the mood to land a decent personal impression. Sengkolo waited until he finished chewing.

“A pleasure to see you too sir…” Sengkolo gestured his hand at him in a way to demand his name.

“Mikhail.”

“Sir Mikhail, a fascinating name. What brings a Praskovian to Mananggal?”

Mikhail gestured at the blond fair-skinned girl sitting to his right. She had a pair of dark brown eyes and looked ripe for marriage. “My daughter studied here in Dah-Sani.”

“Ge-Tu University?”

The girl nodded, forcing a smile that failed to brighten her relatively downcast expression. It was a fortune that she studied at one of the five best universities in Mananggal. But her face told Sengkolo that it was not what she wanted.

“Have you considered a partner for her?”

Mikhail chuckled as he finished chewing. “With due respect sir, why do you think I'm here? It’s an honor to be a House Cousin of your Great House. I'm looking to do a favor. Nadezhda here is a smart and disciplined girl, rare for her age. I'm certain anyone here would want someone like her.”

Sengkolo nodded. “You know, I have an unmarried son. He's thirty.”

Mikhail's eyes widened. The Praskovian immediately turned to his daughter and spoke in his language. Nadezhda flattened her lips and shook her head gently. A shy smile added to her expression as she talked to her father.

“Oh well, what a shame…” Mikhail said to Sengkolo.

“So?”

“She said she doesn't want to, at least for now.”

Sengkolo half-smiled. “Dankers in their late twenties to early thirties are the most gorgeous. Just saying.”

Mikhail closed in on Sengkolo's right ear. “Don’t worry, I’m still looking,” he said, smiling.

Both then took another piece of their meal into their mouth.

“I rarely see you around during House activities,” Mikhail said as soon as he finished chewing.

“I have military matters to attend to.”

“No offense to you, sir. It makes poor publicity that your enemies could potentially exploit.”

“My scarce presence here shouldn't be up for debate in the first place. Would you rather have Great House Thong razing and sacking the countryside?”

“I know what you're doing. I want you to be aware of what I said. You're doing God’s work and I haven't seen anyone who at least seems capable of doing it. So you have to maintain your position.”

Before Sengkolo could answer, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Tangguh gestured at Sengkolo to follow him. The general excused himself before following Tangguh to the same restroom they had been in moments ago.

“Did they report back?” Sengkolo said with the utmost suppressed tone.

“It's not them, father,” Tangguh said in the same manner. “It's my other unit.”

“I'm listening.”

“We caught a pair of giants.”

“That's not urgent enough to justify–”

“Human giants, Praskovians…”

Sengkolo looked at his son in confusion.