Similarly, at Karim's house, when several young men arrived and announced the good news, cheers rang out, from the children to the elderly. Tears of joy spread across the faces of the women and girls, embracing each other, having suffered for so long and longed for the prosperity they had experienced before Adipati Gopal's reign.
So overjoyed were they that dozens of young men refused to let Dezo walk. Using a makeshift stretcher made from two pieces of bamboo interspersed with layers of sarong, they took turns carrying Dezo's body, cheering with joy.
The cheers grew even louder as Dezo and the dozens of young men arrived at Karim's house. As soon as Dezo was lowered from the stretcher, the crowd rushed to hug and shake hands, congratulating and thanking the warrior. Dezo had truly become a hero for those who had been oppressed and mistreated by Adipati Gopal Kaliang.
It was a bright and beautiful night, though there was no moon in the sky, but hundreds of stars twinkled. In the spacious courtyard, lit by dozens of torches, various dance and other artistic performances were taking place.
The performances took place after a thanksgiving ceremony. The homeowner, Karim, appeared overjoyed. He sat chatting with several people his own age, watching the performances unfold in his courtyard.
On the veranda, a handsome young man stretched out on a bench beside him, and a beautiful young woman held a purple handkerchief. Occasionally, she dabbed the handkerchief, moistened with warm water, across his slightly bruised cheek.
"Thank you, Seruni. The pain from the bruise on my cheek seemed to disappear when the beautiful fingers of a beautiful young woman wiped it," the young man teased with a playful smile.
"Oh, Uncle, don't say that. I'm embarrassed," the girl said, then lowered her head, her cheeks instantly flushing red.
"It's true, you're a beautiful and kind girl. If you don't believe me, try asking everyone here?" The handsome young man smiled again. The young man was none other than Dezo, the Andalas Tiger Warrior.
"You're overpraising me. I'm just a village girl with no skills whatsoever." The girl said, looking down again as her eyes met Dezo's.
"Who says you don't have any skills? The melodious sound of your voice when you recite the Quran amazes anyone who hears it." The girl's face flushed even redder. She hadn't imagined the warrior had heard her melodious voice while she recited the Quran after the Maghrib prayer last night.
Seruni felt so peaceful and joyful when she was close to the warrior. Her feelings for him had deepened since their first glances.
*****
That morning, on the southern slope of the hill, a group of 15 men on horseback appeared, dressed in royal attire. This was likely the entourage of the Commander of the Pagaruyung Kingdom, along with several trusted courtiers and skilled soldiers of the Pagaruyung Kingdom, who had been ordered by the King to resolve the problems in the Agam region and severely punish Adipati Gopal. Also in the group were the seven young men whom Dezo had asked the previous day to go to the King's residence in the Pagaruyung Kingdom.
Shortly after descending the hill, the group arrived in a valley and entered a village.
"Your Excellency, it would be best if we go to Uncle Karim's house first," one of the young men suggested. The Commander of the Kingdom turned to the young man and stopped his horse.
"Why is that?" The Commander looked surprised.
"Excuse me, Your Highness, before we head to the Gopal Kingdom, the seven of us were asked to challenge a young warrior who, the day before yesterday, prevented the Duke's men from forcibly taking Uncle Karim's daughter. We are worried about that warrior, so if I may, we'd like to excuse ourselves and head to Uncle Karim's house first," the young man said.
"Alright, then, let's go there first, and then we'll go to Duke Gopal's residence," the commander said, and they continued their journey to the designated location.
Karim and his household greeted the Commander and his entourage with cordiality and respect. Dezo also joined the front row.
The Commander and his entourage dismounted and walked over, greeting the welcoming crowd. Seven young men, upon seeing Dezo among the welcoming crowd, immediately ran over and embraced the warrior. They immediately guessed that Dezo had defeated Adipati Gopal, and they instinctively did so.
"Come, Lord Commander, let's sit down and have a cup of tea!" Karim invited the Commander and his entourage to sit in the prepared area, a large tent in the courtyard.
"Uncle Karim, earlier, the royal entourage and I received a report from a local youth envoy that Adipati Gopal had committed an act that caused the people of this region to suffer," the Commander said after taking a sip of the warm tea he had been served.
"The King is furious about this and has sent us here to resolve the problem, as well as to arrest and severely punish Adipati Gopal," the Commander continued.
"Yes, Lord Commander, what our seven young envoys reported is true. We have all suffered since the beginning of the Duke's reign in the Agam region, but we all beg your forgiveness if we have acted rashly," Karim explained, bowing before the Commander.
"What do you mean, Uncle?" The Commander looked surprised.
"Well, Sir, yesterday afternoon, Duke Gopal issued a challenge to the young man who saved me and my family from Duke Gopal's envoys. The young man accepted the challenge, and a fight ensued, which he ultimately won, and Duke Gopal was killed. Because of this incident, we all beg your Honor, to spare the young man who killed the Duke." Karim bowed again, while the Commander merely smiled.
"Who is that young man, Uncle?" After Karim gave a signal, the young man in question immediately approached and sat before the Commander.
"Excuse me, Lord Commander, my name is Dezo, and I come from Mount Pasaman." Dezo introduced himself while saluting.
"Hmm, it seems the one before me is no ordinary warrior. We and the Royal entourage express our gratitude for what Brother Dezo has done. Therefore, we will propose you to His Majesty the King of the Pagaruyung Kingdom to become the Duke of Agam, replacing Gopal." Everyone present was both surprised and delighted to hear what the Royal Commander had said...