Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

Chapter 1917 1389: Ship Attack! Natives Launch a Surprise Assault!

"Almighty! Everything that happened today, isn't it a bit too coincidental?... The behavior of the natives, although it seems normal, I always feel something is off...""Haha! Scholar Martin, caution is a wonderful virtue, but being overly cautious is a sign of self-doubt and lack of confidence!... Look! These friendly natives brought us a lot of fruit and some fresh fish and shrimp. Boatswain Haroldo is the best cook on the ship! He has carefully checked and confirmed the safety of the food. So much food, just perfect for a grand feast to celebrate! Unfortunately, the wine is almost gone..."

The slanting sun set the evening in a warm glow, and the aroma of food wafted from the flagship. Bruno was in high spirits, urging Haroldo to personally handle creating a decent dinner. Silvira's vice ship was similarly lively, and seeing this scene, the noble scholar Martin opened his mouth but couldn't say anything.

The enormous wealth brought by native trade had already captivated everyone's attention. And the books of "Eastern Text" are linked to the maritime mission of the two captains, concerning their power and future in the Kingdom of Portugal!

In such circumstances, it was impossible for the fleet to leave overnight. No matter what Martin said, it was just in vain...

"Holy Mother protect! Scholar Martin, why are you still in a daze here? Come over and eat!... Don't worry! After dinner, the fleet will move one league southwest again tonight, just as we did yesterday, extinguishing the torches... Even if the natives have some ideas, they wouldn't find us! Haha!..."

"Hmm... The captain is right! You're more professional with navigation and combat... But the Almighty witnesses! We mustn't delay any longer! No matter how the trade goes tomorrow, we must leave this coast!"

"Okay! I'll listen to you! Haha!..."

This rare feast lasted late into the night. And the distance moved by the fleet was slightly less than planned. Until the moon reached high, the crew hastily dropped anchor and returned to their cabins to rest in exhaustion.

Of course, rotating sentry posts were still set. The flagship remained anchored on the outer side, with the inner vice ships closer to the shore as cover. As for the laborers caught on the ships to prevent escape, they were all locked at the bottom of the cabins. The Portuguese Navy often captured laborers on the Southern Continent and knew the rules and practices well!

The gathering clouds slowly formed, resembling spider-like ropes chaining the moon tightly. The night turned dim, and from two leagues away, it was nearly impossible to see anything. But for the navy, such weather was a sign of security because finding the enemy in the vast sea in the dark was almost impossible! Very soon, the sound of snores rose and fell like a nocturne in the shared bunks...

"Hoo... Hoo!..."

Shushu snored rhythmically with his eyes closed. The night seemed to pause at that moment, stretching out. And after an unknown time, he suddenly opened his eyes.

"Hoo... Hoo?..."

Shushu looked around, pursed his lips, like a silent ghost, carefully climbing off the rack. Then he paused, picked up a filthy sheepskin, and crept toward the cabin door. He climbed quietly from the bottom deck to the deck, catching a glimpse of the moon before it was enveloped by clouds again.

"...It's really dark tonight!..."

Shushu frowned slightly, pausing briefly on the deck, vaguely hearing snores from the lookout post. It seemed the lookout on duty was already fast asleep. Only then did he pick up the extinguished torch on the deck, crisp and light the Fire Igniter.

"Sizzle..."

A small flame danced atop the torch, stretching across the endless night, unsure how far it could be seen over the sea. Shushu did not pause but lifted the torch, treading lightly, slowly walking along the side of the ship. He took quite a while to cover the ten meters distance, until reaching the bow, where two wooden planks hung in midair...

"... Who is it? Who's lighting the torch?!"

A harsh voice suddenly sounded behind Shushu, startling him into a shiver, cold sweat breaking out all over him! Then, a strong hand suddenly grabbed his neck, and another hand snatched away the torch!

"Ah! God bless! ...Cough, cough!..."

"Hmm? It's you? That lucky native guide?..."

The torch moved closer, making Shushu squint against the light. Then a pair of fierce eyes stared intently at his face.

"Damn it! The captain's orders! No torches at night!... Speak! What are you doing?!"

"Cough, cough! ...I overslept... had a stomachache... needed to use the ship deck... but it was too dark! I couldn't see, afraid of falling off the ship... so I lit a torch..."

"Hmm?... You can't see at night? You're night-blind?..."

"Yes..."

The hand around his neck gradually loosened, and Shushu barely opened his eyes, seeing who it was... It was Senior Sailor Big John, a master with a scimitar!

Big John squinted, observing the expression of Guide Shushu closely, finding nothing suspicious. He looked at the filthy sheepskin in Shushu's hand, which sailors used on the ship deck. Big John frowned, pointed at the dangling ship deck!

"Didn't you say you need to use the ship deck? Let's see! Do it now!"

"Pff... Splash..."

"Damn! How much crap did you eat tonight?... Ugh..."

Seeing that Shushu was not lying and indeed had a stomach issue, Big John dismissed suspicion. But he had no patience to accompany this person on the deck... He snatched the torch and threw it into the sea, then turned to leave!

"Almighty! The torch... Light!..."

"Captain prohibited lighting torches as it may expose the fleet's position! If you dare again, I'll throw you into the sea!"

"But... I... I can't see..."

"If you can't see, crawl back! No light allowed!"

Shushu cried quietly until Big John left, and then bowed his head slowly. The endless night, like a deep sea from the sky to the ocean, surged toward him. And in this vast night, he could not see far away, not his future, nor the Evil Demon Fleet's future! Even though the future was surging close!

"Ancestor bless!..."

Shushu did not linger long on the ship deck. He crouched briefly on the deck, and navigated his way back. Big John glanced from afar, without paying any heed, just sneering dismissively.

Such a native, Big John couldn't even remember how many he'd killed on the Southern Continent! It's just that the captain's rules were strict, and this native was a translator useful to the fleet, or he'd be dead by now... Damn cowardly native, getting more pay than I, a seasoned sailor! Sooner or later, I'll rob him!...

"Chief Divine bless!..."

Shushu crawled back to the bottom cabin and climbed onto his bunk. The cabin was still filled with the rise and fall of snores; he disturbed no one. He lay there with eyes wide open, so tense that he could hear his heartbeat, as if hearing the wind of approaching ships...

"It's coming soon... isn't it?..."

"Why isn't it coming yet?..."

"The night is so dark, perhaps they didn't see the torch, and can't find here?..."

"Aren't they... coming yet...?... Hoo... Hoo..."

Shushu thought to himself, half-dazed, slowly closed his eyes. He was unsure how long he slept for, perhaps a few moments, or perhaps just an instant. But soon, he was thrilled and heard Big John's terrified shout! That cry cracked the night like a thunderbolt, suddenly resounding across the ship!...

"Holy Mother! Ships... enemy ships attacking! Alarm! Enemy ships attacking!!..."

"Enemies! It's enemies!... Two large ships! Two fast large ships!..."

"Quick! Cut the anchor ropes! Raise the sails, quickly raise the sails!..."

"Ah! They've approached! The vice ship is almost boarded! And the other is heading straight for us!... Raise the sails fully!..."

"Damn... The ship is full of natives! A whole ship full of natives! A whole ship!!... Ah! And cannons?!"

"Boom! Boom!..."

At this moment, Big John no longer needed to shout. This was not only because all the sailors were now awake, rushing from their cabins grasping scimitars and firearms, leaping to the deck in panic. But because the cannonfire prepared in advance by the natives was now within several hundred meters, two flashes of fire followed, aimed right at him!...