News about the incident spread almost immediately. Various reactions emerged. The Magada soldiers escorting Dewi Citrawati expressed their joy. They backed up Sumantri's stance. After all, he was the one who won the war to claim the princess, Dewi Citrawati, so why should he hand her over to someone no one knows yet?
The soldiers of Widarba and Jonggarba already know who Sumantri is, and are amazed by the supernatural powers he wielded to kill Prabu Darmawasesa. They imagine he will be a good and wise knight during his rule. They are thus willing to serve him and crown him a king in Widarba to replace Prabu Darmawasesa, the giant who was frequently wrathful. The kings under the kingdom of Maespati, the kings of Kalinggaprana, Kalinggapati, Suryakestu, and Candrakestu, choose to remain silent, and take the stance that they must obey Sumantri as their warlord. They are waiting for what will happen next. Even though in their hearts they also agree that it is reasonable for Sumantri to challenge the King of Maespati.
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Meanwhile, the domas girls are happy to hear the news, and they hope that Sumantri will win the next fight. Because this way, they will not be handed over to be the concubines of the King of Maespati, and can return to their homelands.
As he waits, Sumantri cannot deny the fact that he feels truly heartsick. He seems unaware that he has made a decision he never thought of in the beginning. He does not know where that decision came from. But that decision has been taken. Like it or not, he will simply have to suffer the consequences. Will he be able to defeat the King of Maespati, who is said to be very powerful? Didn’t he nearly die at the hands of Prabu Darmawasesa, if Sukrosono had not helped him? Nature seems to have an answer to Sumantri's question. In front of him, the wungu (purple) flowers appear wilted, their violet-red hue faded. The tendrils of the gadung plants hang limply down, unable to reach the top of the flowers they want to reach. The kepodang (orioles) take flight because of the heat, as if they are expecting the overcast sky to rain soon.
Without knowing why, seeing that Darmawati has arrived, the clouds in his heart seem to have dispersed.
Amidst the gloom, Sumantri hears a soft voice greeting him. He does not know that voice. He looks up and sees Darmawati standing in front of him. Sumantri is relieved. Without knowing why, seeing that Darmawati has arrived, the clouds in his heart seem to have dispersed.
"Raden, I have heard about what will come to pass."
Sumantri is silent. With just those words, Darmawati is able to see the trace of regret on his face. Maybe this is because Darmawati is best at reading his heart.
"Raden, why do you still want to challenge the power of Prabu Arjunasasrabahu?"
"No, Darmawati. I don't want to challenge him, I merely want to challenge myself," Sumantri answers half-heartedly.
"You have defeated my elder brother, the powerful King of Widarba. Do you still doubt your magical powers? Is it true that a knight must always test his magical powers?”
He cannot possibly say that, but he feels that Darmawati knows what his heart wants, no matter how much he hides his desire.
Darmawati's words only worsen the heartsickness Sumantri feels. Those words remind him of the message of his father, Begawan Swandagni, that the magical powers of a knight is not for boasting, but for devoting to others. This message has always stuck in Sumantri's heart. And he understands it deeply. He realizes that he does not want to be insincere in his service. He has other desires that have nothing to do with devotion. He cannot possibly say that, but he feels that Darmawati knows what his heart wants, no matter how much he hides his desire. Then he must find an excuse, so that his desire is cannot be read.
"Darmawati, I just want to see whether the King of Maespati is a lord worthy of my service. Only by doing so will I feel that I have fully carried out my chivalrous duty,” Sumantri explains. He realizes that this is not an honest answer that comes from his heart.
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"Is that true, Raden? Haven't you, by handing over Dewi Citrawati to the King of Maespati, completed your duty of chivalry?" asks Darmawati.
Her question is really a reprimand that hides a hope. And that hope reveals what is truly inside Sumantri. Sumantri cannot deny that Darmawati knows that he is challenging the King of Maespati because he does not want to hand over Dewi Citrawati.
Sumantri lowers his head, hiding his embarrassment. He does not dare to look at Darmawati. He realizes that all his words and behavior have hurt Darmawati's heart. Darmawati has sacrificed herself for him. With difficulty, Darmawati found 800 domas girls to fulfill Dewi Citrawati's demand. Sumantri knows Darmawati did that only for his sake. How sorrowful Darmawati heart is, because he does not reward her sincere sacrifice. Darmawati does not want to reveal the sadness in her heart, but Sumantri can feel it. For Sumantri, that sadness speaks the truth of the words, “Why do you lie to me, as if I don't know that behind your intention to challenge the King of Maespati is actually your desire to have Dewi Citrawati?
Sumantri continues to remain silent as the sky opens the clouds and the rain starts falling. The call of a cucur (frogmouth, a type of nightfowl) sounds in the distance. The call sounds like it is crying, and it is in that call that Darmawati buries her sorrow.
(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo).
