Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 1625 - 1156: De La Cosa, The Proposal to Return

"Merda! Damn it! Bastards! Bastards! A bunch of dog shit pulled out by a native dog! How dare you betray me and seize my power!..."

"Minchia! When I get back to Seville, when I bring the news of the new route to the Holy Queen... I will definitely expose all your shamelessness, meanness, and ugliness! I will hang each and every one of you! Just wait and see! I, the wise, courageous, and powerful Expedition Commander Columbus, will one day cut off your traitorous limbs and heads and feed them to my dogs!… Watch you brought out!…"

The sky was nearing dusk, and gloomy clouds swept in from the sea, obscuring the spiritless sun and bringing the salty smell of the Caribbean Sea. The scattered raindrops fell intermittently, soaking the sailors' clothes. That damp and clinging feeling seemed much like the discouragement after the two recent failures, making everyone lose interest.

On the entire Clark Galleon, only the stubborn "Commander" Columbus continuously shouts out. He walks around the ship, loudly cursing, like an angry, constantly neighing stubborn donkey.

"Merda! What a crappy spare mizzen, as short as that thing of Pinzon brothers!… Pedro, adjust it again, this mizzen is too short, don't hoist it so high!…"

"Minchia! Why has it suddenly started raining again? The weather in this sea area is just like the whimpering Pinzon's mother after being ravaged by natives, sobbing non-stop! So annoying!... Alana, unfold the canvas, collect more rainwater, save it for drinking!…"

"Yes... brother-in-law..."

"Almighty bless! Get to work..."

On the former flagship Santa Maria, the boatswain Alana, weak and exhausted, adjusts the new sail on the stern mast with the navigator Pedro, striving to collect rainwater to replenish the fresh water on the ship. Everyone's morale was very low, and sailors were quite scarce, just barely maintaining the navigation of the Clark Galleon.

After the recently mentioned "coup rebellion" by Columbus, the crew numbers on Santa Maria dropped from 34 to 22. The crew on Pinta and Nina increased from 12 and 17 to 20 and 21, respectively.

In other words, Pinzon brothers now controlled two-thirds of the fleet. As for the remaining third, it could only be divided equally between Columbus and the second captain De La Cosa…

What's more important is that two representatives of Castile moved the kingdom's documentation from Santa Maria to Nina! This means that Nina essentially became the new "flagship." The Pinzon brothers, holding the royal title, no longer need to follow any orders from Columbus!

"Brother-in-law!... Signals from Nina! Let us follow, go to the south, and search for coastal supplies!…"

"Vaffanculo! Dog shit! Bastards!... Damn Pinzon brothers, they dare to turn around and issue orders to me, the Commander!…"

In the rainy dusk, the sea is a deep gray-blue. Under the gloomy sky, Columbus stood at the prow, gazing to the southern horizon. Two swift caravels sail like agile and proud swallows in the storm, ruthlessly leaving the sluggish Santa Maria behind.

At this moment, the Expedition Commander gazed with clenched teeth, forced to accept the merciless fact: he had become an empty "commander" in name only, completely losing control over the exploring fleet. And Pinzon brothers controlled everything, possibly even further, completely replacing him in the Kingdom of Castile!…

"Minchia! I curse you!… Encounter those fierce natives, and have your heads cut off for the Demon!…"

Columbus cursed angrily, his face somewhat twisted. Hearing the curse about "the Demon," Alana beside him was slightly uneasy. He carefully glanced at his brother-in-law and asked in a low voice.

"Brother-in-law… What… should we do? Should we follow Nina's orders and turn south?…"

"Merda! Damn it! That little Pinzon fool, on what basis can he lead me?! Diamine!…"

Upon hearing this, Columbus cursed repeatedly, like being stepped on a sore foot. But after a few words of cursing, he took a deep breath, showing adaptability in a dilemma.

"Turn south, follow the Pinzon brothers!…"

"The supplies onboard are running low! We must return to the southern Great Island, replenish fresh water and food!… It's best to find a welcoming native tribe… or a weak native village!…"

"The Almighty bears witness! This is the order of the Expedition Commander, unrelated to Nina's signals! Pedro, you command the sail sailors. Alana, take weapons and come with me!…"

After saying this, Columbus turned away angrily, leaving the prow deck. Alana quickly called for two trusted men, and chased behind to inquire.

"Brother-in-law! Where are we going?…"

"To the cabin! To find De La Cosa!…"

"Ah? Why find that sly and surly old dog?"

"Shut up! How dare you speak like that?! De La Cosa is the second captain of the ship, use respectful language!…"

"Uh... Brother-in-law, but these were your exact words before..."

"Alana, you fool! How can the current situation be the same as before?! How can I be the same as you?!"

Columbus stopped walking and knocked Alana's head hard. Then, he adjusted his singed noble attire and let out a silent sigh. At this moment, Second Captain De La Cosa, dressed neatly, also led people up from the cabin, coincidentally intending to find Columbus.

The sky was dim, and fine rain drifted down. The two captains of the Santa Maria, who were mutually disgruntled and fighting against each other, suddenly met at the cabin's ladder entrance, exchanging silent glances. They scrutinized each other cautiously for a moment, their expressions gradually changing, finally both raising a smile.

"Greetings to you, honorable Expedition Commander Columbus!"

"Ahem! Greetings to you, Captain De La Cosa..."

"The Almighty bearing witness! The natives on Xipangu Island are fierce and dangerous; the exploration fleet seems to have encountered a crisis... I think, in the current predicament, only the wise and courageous Commander can solve it!"

"Indeed! As the wise and courageous Expedition Commander, it's my responsibility, Columbus!... Of course, I also need the devout and courageous Second Captain, need your assistance..."

The two exchanged courteous words with smiles, one crude and fierce in demeanor, the other humble and calm. Under Alana's surprised gaze, it only took a moment's conversation for the formerly hostile captains to warmly come together. Amidst the scattering raindrops, they stood together, looking ahead towards the two Caravel ships leading south, returning to Xipangu's coast.

"The Almighty protect! Commander Columbus, how about you let me handle the communication with the Pinta and Nina in the future?"

"Hmm? Captain De La Cosa, we're all on the same ship now... What's the idea?"

"Holy Mother bearing witness! The natives on Xipangu's coast are very fierce, and have an inexplicable hostility towards the kingdom's fleet... The Santa Maria's speed is relatively slow, better to follow behind the two Caravel ships and let Brother Pinzon lead the vanguard... That way, we'll be much safer!"

"Hmm? But... if we discover a native tribe suitable for trade, and Brother Pinzon gets ahead... won't all the natives' wealth end up in Pinzon's hands?"

"Honorable Commander! With Brother Pinzon's current power, they could indeed take the lead in wealth... If we compete with them and they ruthlessly decide to act..."

Second Captain De La Cosa smiled slightly and bowed to Columbus. Then, his eyes flickered with meaningful counsel.

"May the Almighty bless! This voyage, we've already discovered land deep in the Atlantic Ocean, found new sea routes, even discovered books from the East!... Such astounding discoveries are enough for you, Commander, to make a name across the entire Catholic World, enough for you to proudly report to the Queen, leaving all the kingdom's nobility in shock!"

"As long as you can return safely, are you worried about not having a second voyage opportunity?... The Kingdom of Castile's naval power, so many ships and armies, will be ecstatic about the news you've brought back!... And on this wealth-flowing eastern route, as the Kingdom's Admiral, you can have the support of the Queen and Kingdom Navy, shouldn't you make a fortune? Why rush into conflict with Brother Pinzon?"

"The Almighty bearing witness! The critical point now is our return! We must return first, return alive!!... We must return to the Kingdom of Castile before Brother Pinzon and report to the Queen! We must also be extra cautious, cautious of the native tribes along the shores of Xipangu, those fierce and warlike tribes..."

"So, honored Columbus, it's time to consider the issue of returning!"

Continuous rain dripped, landing on Columbus's somber face, sliding into his mouth. He licked his cracked lips from the heat, greedily sucking a while, as if the rain from Xipangu's coast carried a subtle sweetness.

"Captain De La Cosa, look, Xipangu Island's coast is appearing again in the South!... Although the natives here are much fiercer than those of the Bahamas Islands, look at these verdant shores, narrow beaches, look at the obscure fish schools, shallow pearl oysters... It's truly a beautiful and bountiful tropical island!"

"And according to the exploration agreement signed by the Queen and me, I will become the undisputed Lord here, holding the power to recommend a Governor and tax collector!... As long as we control the kingdom's fleet, conquer the natives of this great island, conquer these ignorant and fierce barbarians!"

Upon hearing this, Second Captain De La Cosa squinted, looking to the distant horizon. Ahead, the vast and beautiful Cuban coast spread out silently once again. This time, the coast originally stretching east-west quietly changed direction, beginning to turn from northwest to southeast. And the lush rainforest, reddish-brown hills, gray-brown marshes, interacted along the narrow coast like the most captivating vivid oil painting...

The native canoes chasing and killing seem like yesterday's drifting clouds, vanished without a trace. Everything is so quiet and pleasant, like a sleeping mermaid, silently inviting with seductive curves...

"Commander, you're right. This hot coast is truly beautiful!... You have the Queen's agreement, the promise of a lordship... But such vast and fertile island of a thousand miles, so many uncivilized native tribes, is certainly not easy to conquer!... And the current situation of our fleet..."

"Yes, Captain De La Cosa, I understand your meaning! Our first voyage is just to explore the route. Wait for the second voyage, with Kingdom Navy's strength, then the situation... Haha! We share a common goal, we can indeed achieve more! And the cunning, despicable, greedy, shameless Brother Pinzon is unanimously our competitor and enemy... Merda! The Nina has flagged a signal! Damn little Pinzon fool, intending again to command us, command his Commander!!..."

"Hmm? A red flag? Warning?"

The two Santa Maria captains stood side by side, their expressions suddenly changing. They looked at each other in surprise, like startled Grass Snakes, simultaneously hissing uneasily.

"Dear Almighty! In the South, another native tribe has been discovered!"