Second meeting with the Ghaviles kingdom

"King Dadang!" Arjuna called out.

"Huh?" King Dadang turned toward Arjuna. "How did you guys end up in this Fragthesis again?"

"King Dadang, who are they?" a crowned man asked.

"Oh, my apologies. They're from a different Fragthesis that once appeared in one of the villages in my kingdom," King Dadang explained.

"I’m Dion Franklin, a shadow exister who was sent to this world 80 years ago," Dion introduced himself.

"I’m William Harvey, a shadow exister sent here just a week ago," William intruduced himself.

"I’m Arjuna Wisangga, Marquess of the Wisangga region and also a knight of the Aryapanggulu Kingdom,"  Arjuna intruduced himself.

"I’m Arga Bimajati, Duke of the Bimajati region and also a knight of Aryapanggulu Kingdom," Arga introduced himself.

"I’m Sudirja Aryapanggulu, formerly known as William Harvey. A shadow exister who also arrived a week ago, based on the time Nexus I came from. I'm a traveler from another time Nexus and now the king of the Aryapanggulu Kingdom," Sudirja declared.

“Wisangga? Bimajati? Aryapanggulu? I’ve never heard of any places with names like that,” the crowned man said suspiciously.

"I established the Aryapanggulu Kingdom 25 years ago—10 years after I first sealed Sidran Gasra and killed Demon King Somo," Sudirja explained.

The crowned man couldn't believe what Sudirja said. Somo was the oldest of the Demon Kings—though the weakest, killing a demon permanently was still no small feat. It seemed impossible that Somo could be killed permanently. Maybe the man in front of him was lying.

"How did you kill Demon King Somo permanently?" the crowned man demanded.

Sudirja didn’t feel the need for validation. After all, he didn’t come to this time Nexus for recognition. He just wanted to prevent his alternate self from sacrificing his existence.

"I don’t mind if you don’t believe me. But that’s the truth," Sudirja shrugged casually.

"Killing demons permanently is possible—though certainly not easy," Pusmoko added.

The crowned man turned toward the voice, only to see a demon—or rather, a group of demons. One thing now dominated his thoughts: the man before him is allied with demons.

Unforgivable. He raised his sword, ready to strike them all down without mercy.

“Lower your sword. We mean you no harm,” Sudirja pleaded.

"You can't fool me," the crowned man glared sharply at him.

The demon dashed toward Sudirja.

Nothing happened to Sudirja.

Instead, the crowned man’s sword dropped from his hand.

It slipped from his grasp.

Standing between him and Sudirja was a towering demon—2.4 meters tall. Its eyes glowed like embers, its head shaped like a serpent, and it bore horns like a buffalo. This demon had shielded Sudirja.

"Believe me—we’re not your enemies," the demon said calmly, staring him in the eye.

“Your deception won’t work on me,” the crowned man replied with fierce determination.

There was no other choice. Words alone wouldn't change his mind. The only option was to demonstrate the difference in power.

"Pati Wuruh, restrain your strength," Puspo Geni ordered.

Of course, the demon wouldn’t show his full power. He knew that if he did, nature itself would break apart. A new demon core would form. And he didn’t want that. So, he would only use 1/80th of his full strength.

"I'm not planning to go all out or anything," the demon muttered casually.

He glanced around.

Everyone could feel the earth tremble violently.

The crowned man trembled. He wanted to flee—but another voice in his mind stopped him. A king must not be a coward, he thought.

"Now do you understand?" the demon asked.

The crowned man nodded.

His trembling body clearly showed he hadn’t fully overcome his fear. If only he hadn’t attacked the man behind the demon, maybe he wouldn’t have had to feel this terror.

He now realized: the demon before him... no other demon had that kind of power—except for the most loyal servant of Demon King Semar. And he was right.

"If you understand, then don't be afraid anymore," the demon offered his hand.

With hesitation, the man shook it. He no longer wished to fight the demon. He knew no matter how many troops he gathered, none would be a match.

He picked up his fallen sword—not to attack, but to sheathe it.

William noticed something. A gateway shimmering in a color similar to his sword.

"What’s that?" William pointed toward it.

"We’ve successfully developed the exoferite, and we want to test it here," King Dadang explained.

"Are you trying to connect this Fragthesis with the one we came from?" Arga asked.

"Yes, exactly," King Dadang confirmed.

"It would be best to change locations. That place in our Fragthesis is a nest of abnormal demons," Sudirja warned.

Pandi, who saw William, quickly approached. He hadn't had the chance to explain the sword he gave William. Now that they were in the same place and Fragthesis, he could do so.

"William," Pandi called.

"What is it?" William asked.

"The sword you’re holding has a few special traits," Pandi said.

"Could you explain?" William requested.

"The sword can repair itself when broken—as long as it doesn’t turn to dust or tiny fragments," Pandi explained.

After his explanation, Pandi was curious: how did William and the others end up in this Fragthesis again? And why had an abnormal demon also been dragged into it?

"How did you all come back to this Fragthesis?" Pandi asked.

"We were heading to Dahaluk," William replied.

"Why are you going to that demon kingdom?" Pandi asked.

"Invasion," William answered.

Pandi saw this as a golden opportunity. He wanted to request reinforcements from King Dadang—an opportunity like this wouldn’t come twice.

"Your Majesty," Pandi addressed him.

"Is something the matter?" King Dadang asked.

"Please lend them your troops," Pandi pleaded.

"I understand. From what Marquess Arjuna said, you're planning an invasion of Dahaluk, correct?" King Dadang asked.

Pandi nodded.

"Are you certain about this?" Arjuna asked.

"Yes. I will lend them some of my soldiers," King Dadang replied.

"Then I will also assist," said the crowned man.

"Forgive me, we don’t mean to be rude, but could you please state your name first?" Arjuna asked.

"Ah, of course. I am Samhari Tirtawijaya, the 129th King of the Tirtawijaya Kingdom," he introduced himself.

"Thank you. If you were from the same Fragthesis as us, we would gladly establish diplomatic ties with your kingdom," Sudirja bowed respectfully.

"No worries. You say you're the king of Aryapanggulu—why don’t you wear a crown?" King Samhari asked.

"Crowns can cause death in our location before coming here," Sudirja explained.

"Does your region have Termodeflad molecules in the air?" King Samhari asked.

"Yes," Sudirja nodded.

"Very well. I’ll remove my crown too," Samhari said, taking it off.

"Are you going to lend them troops as well, Samhari?" King Dadang asked.

"Yes. I’ll lend them 3,000 of my soldiers," Samhari confirmed.