Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

Chapter 1408 - 963: The Royal Banner Heads East, the Black Wolf Welcomes

In mid-May, after being stationed for half a year, the royal banner of Xiulote set off once again from Golden Bay City. Four thousand from the Imperial Guard Legion escorted the King, heading east, inspecting the city-states and villages along the way. This time, the King’s journey was officially in the name of inspecting the spring plowing in various places, and the itinerary was largely in accordance with this.Xiulote traveled in intervals, inspecting Cone House City, Coyote City, and Ke Shi City, checking over twenty villages and tribal camps along the way. He even toured the ruins of the Third Ancient City, held a sacred ceremony, and offered sacrifices to the Divine Stele that has been passed down for over two thousand years. After detouring nearly seven hundred miles, Xiulote finally arrived at the ancient Lake Sacrifice City in mid-June.

Beside the boundless Sacrificial Lake (Laguna Catemaco), the Black Wolf’s royal banner stood tall, fluttering in the wind. The Imperial Guard Legion arrived solemnly, carrying tall long spears, tidily like a forest. The Black Wolf Torc personally led a group of army generals with hundreds of red-haired trusted aides to meet them thirty miles outside the city.

"With the Chief Divine’s blessing! Black Wolf, how is the battle going on the front line?"

After formal rituals and greetings, Xiulote called Black Wolf close to him. Under the escort of generals and samurai, the two walked towards Lake Sacrifice City while discussing the latest frontline battle situation.

"Has the sacrificial site of the Fourth Ancient City been seized? Has the Southern Grass Altar City been captured? What’s the situation in Hidden Serpent City to the southeast?"

"Your Highness, the sacrificial site of the Hill City in the Fourth Ancient City was occupied by the legion half a month ago! I arranged for a tribal camp to guard the ancient altar of the city. As for the original priests of the old gods, half were sacrificed and executed, and half converted to the Chief Divine..."

"As for the resisting Woodland City, Grass Altar City, it was just conquered by the Eastern Expedition Legion seven days ago! The army has slain four thousand resisting tribal warriors and able-bodied men, converting nearly fifty thousand Totonac tribe members in the woods! Henceforth, within two hundred miles around Hidden Serpent City, there’s no large city-state of the Totornak Alliance left, nor any possible support. At this moment, this so-called Sacred City by the Seaside stands as an isolated city!..."

The Black Wolf Torc followed steadily behind Xiulote, respectful and intimate. Upon receiving news of the royal banner’s eastern advance, he strictly supervised the legion’s units, personally overseeing the battle below Grass Altar City, even deploying the fervent throwing vanguard platoons to hurl explosive Divine Power Globes...It was only seven days ago that the woodland great city three hundred miles to the south was breached, and the Grass Altar City of the Eastern Totornak Alliance was taken.

"Your Highness, now that Grass Altar City is conquered, the Oaxaca Valley and the Zapotec tribes along the southern coast have lost all contact with Hidden Serpent City. Additionally, the main passage for the Totonac priests and Divine Descendants of Hidden Serpent City to escape into the southwestern inland jungle has also been cut off!..."

"Currently, the army’s eastern vanguard has already breached the Great Divine Mountain of Fire area, with all stone fortresses and wooden forts advancing to the outskirts of Hidden Serpent Holy City!... As long as your Royal Decree is issued, the main force of the army can press up for the final siege anytime!"

"Hmm. With the Chief Divine’s blessing, we must eradicate the roots completely! We cannot allow those influential Coastal Priests and Divine Descendants to flee with the tribe core into the deep jungle!... Looking at the situation, they either defend the city till their end, or flee to the Maya Lands in the East... As for the formal siege on Hidden Serpent City..."

On this topic of warfare, Xiulote finally stopped in his tracks. He turned serious and watched the expression on Black Wolf Torc’s face, earnestly inquiring.

"Black Wolf, the Naval Commander of Hidden Serpent Holy City, that Feathered Serpent Priest Papu, wishes to surrender to the Kingdom... With the Chief Divine as witness! As the Commander-in-Chief on the front lines, I need to know, what is your take on this? Do you agree or disagree?"

"Uh... My view..."

For the unity between king and ministers, Xiulote could not directly accept such a major surrender without consulting the opinion of the front line commander-in-chief. Upon hearing the King’s inquiry, a touch of hesitation appeared on Black Wolf Torc’s face immediately.

In his mind, he naturally wanted to capture that damned Papu Priest, along with the priests and Divine Descendants of Hidden Serpent City, and sacrifice them all! But when he thought of the recent persuasion of the Mayan merchant Tikalo, and observed the increasingly authoritative demeanor of His Highness...

Hesitating for a moment, Black Wolf Torc bowed his head in salute, and solemnly responded in a deep voice.

"Your Highness, if the Naval Commander of Hidden Serpent City can lead the fleet and craftsmen to surrender, cut off the eastern escape route for Hidden Serpent City’s priests and Divine Descendants... It would benefit the Kingdom’s eastward expedition significantly!... If the army continues to campaign along the Maya coast, the Kingdom will indeed need larger ships, more shipwrights, and more sailors and naval warriors!..."

"Therefore, my opinion is to agree to accept the Naval Commander of Hidden Serpent City’s surrender! As for whether he continues to lead troops, that decision is yours!"

Upon hearing this response, Xiulote raised an eyebrow. He looked at the sincere Black Wolf Torc, gradually revealing an appreciative smile.

"Good! Black Wolf, you can consider the overall kingdom strategy and planning beyond battlefield slaughter, from the Kingdom’s grand perspective... I am very pleased!..."

"As you just said, the Kingdom’s eastern campaign will not stop with the Totonac people’s surrender, nor will it end with my return to the Lake Capital City. The route to Cuba must be thoroughly opened within these two years and firmly controlled in our hands!..."

"With the Chief Divine’s blessing! Your Highness, are you really going to return to the Lake Capital City? Please, you must... think, think and think again! Other than you, there is no second person who can lead the mighty Kingdom, command the legions to advance!"

Black Wolf Torc pursed his lips, unable to hide his concern in his eyes. Looking at Xiulote’s decisive expression, he gritted his teeth and knelt to pledge.

"With the Chief Divine as witness! Your Highness, if you are truly determined to return to the Lake Capital City... I, Black Wolf Torc, would be willing to guard you closely, even at the cost of my life to protect your safety!..."

"Haha! Black Wolf, your loyalty to me, I’m naturally aware of it! And the decision I made has been long since pondered... Avit God King has made up his mind. He sent envoys four times to summon me back, even sent three Royal Family Legions to garrison in the Southern Three States of the Alliance... Given the circumstances, I can’t not return! But you shall remain by the seaside, strongly controlling the formidable Black Wolf Army for me, exploring further east... This is far more helpful for me, the Kingdom, and even the whole world than being a samurai guarding by my side!" Newest update provıded by novel•fire.net

Xiulote extended his hand, smiling as he helped Black Wolf up. His smile was gentle, and his expression was filled with calm. At this moment, he patiently instructed his beloved general, much like he did a decade ago when he first guided the young aides.

"Black Wolf, always remember! The grand Lake Capital City is the capital of the Alliance and our Mexica people’s true foundation! Our journey relies on the power of the Alliance and the Mexica people, starting from the Lake Capital City... There lies our greatest city, never a lair of dangerous beasts. The prosperous Mexica Alliance will never be our enemy, but our belonging and home!..."

"Ah! What... Your Highness? Given the current situation... the Alliance and the Kingdom?..."

"Yes. The Alliance and the Kingdom may slightly contend, but can never be adversarial! Because, between Avit God King and me, we prosper together and suffer losses together!... Only through continuous expansion can we alleviate and resolve the internal contradictions within the Alliance and the Kingdom. If civil war erupts and accumulated contradictions from expansion explode, our great undertaking as Mexica people will be destroyed in an instant!..."

"Avit is my wise teacher, my intimate father-in-law, and my dignified King! He actually deeply understands this and has always conveyed it explicitly. It’s just that... some who consider themselves loyal subjects and some with ill intentions keep provoking between us, making contradictions more pronounced... The current contradictions that have emerged, as long as I return to the Lake Capital City, I’m fully confident they can be bridged!..."

With a lingering gaze, Xiulote looked toward the vast Sacrificial Lake, seeing the naval fleet moored in the water. He pondered for a while and then changed the subject, smiling as he instructed Black Wolf.

"Black Wolf, this ancient and expansive Sacrificial Lake has continued sacred sacrifices for thousands of years, burying countless ancient divine natures and sacrifices, transmitted from the Olmec Era to today! When I was in the Lake Capital City, I had heard of it and also saw the transmitted mural illustrations. When the Kingdom compiles the epic history of the world, this Olmec sacrificial rite here must be revised and incorporated as well..."

"Come, you shall navigate me! Let me take a good look at the scenery by the lake, at this newly conquered ancient land!..."