Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 1595 - 1134: The First Time They Thought They Saw Land…

The evening was dim, and clouds loomed over the horizon. From the sea surface tens of leagues northwest, blue and white lightning struck down, appearing like a luminous tree rising from the ocean. The thunderbolt was so bright that even from such a distance and at dusk, it stood out as if it were a tempestuous storm!

However, it did not carry the sound of thunder, merely a silent and piercing radiance. This eerie spectacle inevitably brought to mind the mysterious sea monsters of the deep, silently watching the daring sea ships intrude upon their territory...

"Almighty! We must leave, depart from this perilous realm!... We must return, or perish in the celestial fire!"

"Diamine! Cazzo! This is no celestial fire, nor a sea beast!... This is... this is..."

Upon hearing the sailors' panicked shouts, Columbus' eyes widened, snapping out of his shock from the celestial fire. He bit down fiercely, stubbornly shouting with a donkey-like defiance on his face.

"This is the Almighty's blessing! It's the Almighty's Divine Lamp! It's guiding us, urging us westward!"

"Huh?... This is the Almighty's Divine Lamp?"

Upon hearing Columbus' words, the sailors praying on the deck exchanged skeptical glances. This was the first time everyone had sailed out with Columbus. At this moment, this naval admiral from the City-State and of commoner origins did not yet possess enough prestige to earn the sailors' trust. What truly inspired belief was...

Sailor Chief Bartolome pondered for a moment, then looked at Juan de la Cosa, former captain of the Santa Maria, now the second captain, and nervously asked.

"Chief! Is what Captain Columbus is saying true? This celestial fire, is it the Almighty's guidance?"

"Hmm..."

Second Captain De La Cosa contemplated, looking at the glaring celestial fire afar, then at the fiercely determined Columbus, before speaking in a deep voice.

"Indeed! The northwest celestial fire is probably not any sea monster... this might be the Almighty's guidance!... Esteemed scribe and notary Rodrigo, you're well-versed having studied at the Church academy... what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Scribe Rodrigo de Escovedo raised his head and stroked his chin. He gazed at the distant "celestial fire," pondered for a long time, and suddenly his eyes brightened.

"Almighty! The sky-blue arc flame... I remember now, this is 'Corposants,' it's the 'Sacred Body'!"

"Ah? Corposants? Sacred Body in Latin?"

"Indeed! This is the flame bestowed by the maritime guardian Saint, Saint Elmo (St. Elmo), symbolizing protection and hope! The appearance of this flame truly represents the Almighty's blessing, encouraging us to press onward!... Laudate Dominum! Praise be to the Almighty!"

"Praise be to the Almighty!"

"So that's it!"

"It's truly a sign of good fortune!"

"Captain Columbus indeed said it right..."

Upon hearing Rodrigo's definitive explanation, the sailors on board changed their expressions, showing excited smiles and even began to pray and cheer.

This voyage in search of new passage, facing far too many dangers, lacked any distinguished priests within the crew. Among the 88 individuals on the three ships, only Rodrigo, a royal scribe and fleet notary, had the experience of attending the Church academy and possessed a certain degree of religious interpretative authority. This allowed the crew to believe the celestial fire was indeed a "sign of good fortune"!

"Damn! These fools don't trust me, instead they believe in De La Cosa and Rodrigo..."

Columbus, the outstanding Expedition Commander, pursed his lips tightly, forcing a smile on his face. However, having endured countless setbacks, he never missed an opportunity... Taking advantage of the celestial fire by the sea, Columbus spent some time calming the crew, gradually establishing his authority as the leader of the fleet.

As the sea ship swiftly sailed westward, the blue and white celestial fire gradually disappeared into the northeastern sky. The endless night, like a maiden's thin veil, gently enveloped everyone's dreams, only to enticingly fall away in the hopeful morning light into the sea. Meanwhile, the sea ship sailed tirelessly day and night, and soon another day came.

"September 15th, heading directly west, traversed 27 leagues day and night, recorded as 21 leagues, witnessed the celestial fire..."

"September 16th, wind speed increased, sky darkened with drizzle, climate very mild, somewhat warm..."

Gentle drizzle fell from the soft sky, drenching everyone's clothes, yet it was neither cold nor hot. Deep within the September Atlantic Ocean, it was somewhat reminiscent of the vibrant spring air in Andalusia. The sailors, drenched and soaked, adjusted the triangular foremast sails, letting the sea ship speed westward over what seemed an unchanged sea.

Sailor Chief Qia Chu squatted on the deck, eagerly watching the blue sea, searching for traces of sea fish. On this oceanic ship, the food stock consisted only of hard biscuits capable of chipping teeth, dry, tough, and unpleasantly tasting cheap oatmeal, and foul-smelling, odorous dried fish... However, if a fresh sea fish could be caught, a bowl of fish soup consumed, it would be a rare delight, a culinary gift from the Almighty!...

"Joder! Sailed for so long, yet not one foolish fish spotted... The fishing net trailing behind the ship as empty as my rear pocket, not even a fish hair to be seen!"

Qia Chu watched for a while longer, then reluctantly lifted the fishing net before standing grumbling. From his simple and strange name alone, one could discern his lowly origin, possibly of mixed and jumbled descent.

In reality, his father was a drifting Castilian sailor, while his mother was a native of the Canary Islands, mysteriously bringing about him. At fifteen, he was taken aboard by his father's sailor comrades, aimlessly drifting, and has been at sea for over a decade. His peculiar name is actually related to the island natives' worship of the 'Dog-headed God,' while the Latin meaning of 'Canariae' is 'dog'!

"Joder! In such deep sea, this goddamned goblin captain wants to continue west? ... Further west, encountering a sea dog-headed monster... neither ship nor man would be enough for a single gulp!"

Qia Chu muttered curses softly, carrying a sailor's curved knife, walking from the stern to the bow. Every sailor he encountered greeted him enthusiastically. From a half-native laborer sailor, he slowly climbed to the position of the second boatswain, undoubtedly a true, fierce 'old sea dog.' With the scimitar in his hand, there were no more than two on board who dared to challenge him one-on-one... Just as he reached the bow, a faint yellow-green suddenly flashed past his eyes.

"Huh? That in the water, green and yellow... what is that thing?"

Qia Chu widened his eyes, gazing at the western horizon from the bow. Then, incredulously wiping his eyes, he shouted in surprise.

"Coño! This is... grass?! I see grass? There's a lot of grass in the water! Look quickly!"

Upon hearing Qia Chu's shout, numerous sailors crowded to the bow. Everyone eagerly looked toward the sea surface, and then they burst into cheers of surprise!

"Almighty! So much seagrass! Let me scoop some up to see... it's really grass!"

"Ah! With this much seagrass, land must be near!"

"Indeed, blessed by the Holy Mother! The sacred Queen promised that the first one to spot land would be rewarded with a noble's silk garment and an annual salary of ten thousand Maravedi coins! Ten thousand copper coins annually!"

"Yes! Yes! I must stay at the bow to be the first to see land!"

Seeing the scooped-up seagrass, Captain of the Guard Alana beamed with excitement and quickly departed. Shortly after, Expedition Commander Columbus arrived at the bow. He squeezed the damp, clumped seagrass and contemplated his sea chart, confidently announcing to the crew as if declaring an absolute truth!

"The Almighty's blessing! There must be an island nearby!... It must be Antillia Island Aristotle mentioned!"