The palace of Malimongan buzzed with joy as La Galigo returned, hailed as a hero from Ale Cina. Cheers echoed, celebrating his courage. Seventy loyal guards now accompanied his every step, symbolizing his newfound power and the kingdom's pride.
Yet, beneath the adulation, a seed of arrogance began to sprout within La Galigo. During a hunt in the royal forests, he declared, "I shall demonstrate to all the immense strength I wield in Ale Cina! Anyone who dared to trouble us will face the dire consequences of their folly!" His voice resonated with chilling certainty.
Salah, one of his most trusted guards, approached with a troubled expression. "My Prince, your bravery is undeniable, yet your actions seem driven by a consuming rage," Salah ventured cautiously. "Surely, the slaying of a simple shepherd was not a wise decision, nor one befitting a leader."
La Galigo merely laughed, a sharp, dismissive sound. "You fail to comprehend, Salah! This is not about justice; it is about absolute power! Those who challenge us will learn what it means to provoke La Galigo!"
Meanwhile, within the palace, We Cudai and Sawerigading received unsettling reports of La Galigo’s reckless deeds. "What has become of La Galigo?" We Cudai lamented, her voice laced with worry. "Such behavior is unsuitable for one destined to lead, betraying the principles of kingship."
Sawerigading nodded gravely, a heavy burden settling upon his shoulders. "He must learn to discern true courage from folly," he conceded. "We cannot allow him to lose his way, for he embodies our future."
As they approached the main hall, boisterous celebration reached them. La Galigo, surrounded by his cheering guards, proclaimed, "We will show them who truly holds dominion in Ale Cina!" His 'victory' felt hollow, an echo of his swelling pride.
We Cudai turned to Sawerigading, her eyes pleading. "We must act swiftly, before it is too late." Sawerigading, however, paused. "He might resist. He must find his own path to wisdom, even if it proves painful."
Later, as night enveloped the palace, La Galigo stood alone on his balcony, gazing at the silent moon. "What truly do I seek?" he murmured, the question echoing. A profound internal conflict stirred within him, a battle between ambition and the weighty mantle of responsibility.