Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 574 - 280: Kingdom Banquet, Xiulote Sword Dance!

The Stone Hall of the Palace of Wind was rustic and solemn, its four walls adorned with ritual vessels passed down through the ages, the ceiling carved with ancient murals, and the Chief Divine’s banners fluttering. The candles within the hall shone brightly, together with the central bonfire, reflecting off the joyous faces of all present, dispelling the deep darkness of the night outside.

Xiulote sat at the head of the banquet, surrounded by the bright light of the flames, just as he was by the people around him. According to the tradition of the Tribal Alliance, based on their different statuses, everyone took their seats in a roughly circular arrangement.

At the very center of the head was the supreme young king, to his left was his trusted teacher Olosh, to his right stood the loyal Guard Commander Bertade. Below the king to the left, were the esteemed spiritual priests. Ugus and Mawilo, the two High Priests, in front, followed by Bravo and other mid-level priests. To the right below the king, were the valiant Legion Commanders of the various armies. In keeping with the established customs of the Alliance, they were led by the veteran Etalik, Naval Commander Annatri, the monkey Kuluka, Black Wolf Torc, quartermaster Begire, miner Ezpan... Crocodile Ospai, sky dynasty Family Head Oorta, and at the end, Huitu Puapu. And opposite the king, were the locally born civil officials, headed by Chief Minister Jatili, with Chalape from the Bronze Workshop among them.

"This is the team I’ve assembled to manage my fief!"

Xiulote smiled, lifting the Divine Staff in his hand. Soon, bamboo flutes in the band played high, prayerful songs began to resonate, and the hall fell into a respectful silence.

"Praise the Chief Divine! He is omnipotent, bestowing upon us food, victory, and light!"

The king was the first to speak.

"Praise the Chief Divine!"

The people bowed their heads in prayer, chanting in unison. The deep echo resonated within the great hall, symbolizing the will of the entire fief.

Then, a group of maids came forward, bringing freshly prepared cocoa. Xiulote once again raised his cup.

"Let’s drink this cup to the highest Chief Divine, to celebrate, to the king of the Alliance, to celebrate!"

"To the Chief Divine, to the king, cheers!"

"Another cup, to celebrate the new year!"

"To the new year, to His Majesty, cheers!"

After drinking the holy cocoa, the banquet officially began. The main dishes included fragrant roasted corn cakes, sweetened boiled black bean paste, soft roasted pumpkin, and mildly sweet sweet potatoes. The vegetables were refreshing cold zucchini salad, tender boiled cactus, spicy stewed green beans, and crispy roasted sweet potato.

Tired from a day’s work, Xiulote was genuinely hungry. He took a piece of the well-roasted cornbread, smeared it with sweet black bean paste, sandwiched a few slices of sweet potato and zucchini, and added some chili sauce, relishing the hearty bites. Only after devouring two soft cakes did the king begin to leisurely savor the variety of fresh fruits.

Because the climate was tropical, the fruit selection at the banquet was extremely rich, a feast for the palate. There were tangy pineapples, soft and fragrant guavas, sweet and sticky rambutans, ice cream-like mammee apples, slightly intoxicating cactus fruits, soft and sticky purple figs, Jamaica roses resembling hawthorn in texture, and delicious juicy tomatoes.

Of course, the king’s favorite was the rare black-fleshed persimmon, locally known as chocolate persimmon, which was rarely seen in later times and only grown in Mexico. This black persimmon had a very thin skin, which made it difficult to transport long distances, and the inside was soft like jelly. Once you took a bite, you would be instantly conquered by its stunning taste!

"The flesh is soft and sweet, like a blend of cream and chocolate, meticulously crafted into a premium soft pudding!"

R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freewebnovёl.ƈom Only.

Xiulote savored the delicious black persimmon, a sincere look of appreciation on his face. To enjoy such exquisite flavors in the wilderness of the Middle Ancient Times was indeed a rare privilege for an American transmigrator.

The most popular among the guests was the variety of tasty roasted meats. Large chunks of herb-roasted venison, skewered pineapple-roasted turkey meat, complete barbecued sapote fish... The various meats, aromatic, were accompanied by a selection of seasonings such as chili powder, annatto powder, garlic vine, American parsley, and Mexican caraway. These spices, so prized by Europeans as gold, were common in the lush Central America and widely used in the diet of the nobility.

Xiulote simply ate two pieces of roasted venison. The meat was tender; one piece glazed with fresh honey, another with chili salt. The sweetness, the spicy salt, two distinct flavors in turn mixed together, making for an endless aftertaste.

Feeling a bit thirsty by now, the king picked up a cup of tequila from the table and drank freely.

The banquet offered three types of alcoholic beverages. Tequila was light and formal. Mead was rich, sweet, and the most expensive. Fruit wine varied in flavor depending on the fruit but was less formal and not suitable for toasting others.

Xiulote raised his cup, and several trustful individuals came forward to toast the king. The young king laughed heartily, not turning anyone down. He sipped gently while merrily watching everyone.

After a few cups of rice wine, the atmosphere of the banquet began to liven up. People started clinking cups, making loud noises, and toasting each other. The priests, military leaders, and civil officials started by drinking among themselves, followed by individually crossing toasts. Townsfolk, relatives, friends, comrades-in-arms—they drank in a jumbled group according to all kinds of connections, subtly reducing many barriers among them.

Xiulote smiled contentedly. For the sake of long-term rule, he encouraged extensive intermarriage between the Mexica and the Prepetcha tribes. He had personally arranged some weddings over the past few months. Bonds of matrimony were gradually established between Mexica warriors and Prepetcha civil officials. The integration of the ethnicities was progressing, the consolidation of the kingdom’s upper layer was underway; it just needed time to complete.