Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 627 - Three Hundred and Twenty-Three: Sending Troops

The low longhouse was shrouded in silence, with only a faint stench of blood carried by the wind. Kakalo lay quietly on the ground, as if returning to the embrace of the Earth Mother Goddess. The mysterious words, like prophecy, weighed heavy on the hearts of the three men, leaving them unable to forget for a long time.

Bertade stepped forward two paces and reached out to check the old Priest’s breath, then turned and shook his head.

"Your Highness, he is dead."

Xiulote’s expression was grave as he picked up the wooden plank from the ground. He looked at his own emblem and name, speechless for a long while. It was only after some time that he turned to Keka.

The sourc𝗲 of this content is frёeωebɳovel.com.

"Keka, did you hear the last words of the old Priest clearly?"

"Ah, respected God of Death, Great Chief!"

Keka carefully glanced at the name on the plank and then at Kakalo who lay dead on the ground. Though he did not believe in deities, faced with such mystical phenomena, he still regarded it as a prophecy from a Priest of the wilderness and was filled with awe for Xiulote. The Red Frog Chieftain bowed deeply and answered.

"Great Chief, Kakalo’s last words were, ’Oh Death’s Flower, the soul you have always sought, is where you travel without end, always eluding capture!’"

In the language of the Chichimec people, "Alán" means "Death’s Flower," "far away" also has the meaning of "travel," and "meeting" is akin to "capture."

"Hmm, that’s similar to what I heard."

Xiulote nodded calmly, yet inside, storms of shock and bewilderment raged.

"Knowing my name, knowing my emblem, a prophecy before dying... Death’s Flower cannot capture me? Does this refer to the secret of my reincarnation?... The node of fate is in the East? Is this a prophecy that the colonizers will soon arrive?... Does the shadow of death coming from the south speak of the impending smallpox epidemic?... Does this world truly possess someone who can see through everything, foretelling the future?"

The King was silent for a long time, immersed in thought. Bertade’s demeanor was somber, while Keka respectfully bowed his head. Time in the longhouse seemed to freeze until a trusted aide came forward, bowing.

"Your Highness, an Envoy from the Eastern army is just outside the house, with urgent military dispatches."

At this, Xiulote was jolted from his reverie. After a moment’s thought, he gave his orders in a deep voice.

"Bertade, give this wise Priest of the wilderness a proper burial! Erect a tombstone for him and inscribe his last words upon it. Treat the Priests of the renegade tribes with care. Have them select two persons to compile the wilderness traditions, and bring those to my tent!"

"By your will, Your Highness! I will dispatch men to check on the Priests from the wilderness."

Bertade bowed in salute. As Xiulote had taken two steps, he seemed to recall something and turned back to ask.

"Keka, did you say the Red Crow Tribe was the first to flee?"

"Yes, Great Chief."

"Where did they flee to?"

"Uh... it should be to the north, but I am uncertain if it was to the northwest or northeast."

Keka said, eyes wide, unable to provide a definitive answer.

The King shook his head slightly and instructed the Head Warrior.

"Watch for the traces of the Red Crow Tribe. It would be best to capture their lead figures!"

"As you command, Your Highness!"

Xiulote spoke no further, striding out of the longhouse. There were too many secrets in this world, silently buried in the dust of history. And he was destined to leave his own footprints upon the dust!

Outside the longhouse, an Otomi Envoy was waiting. He was covered in dust, his face weary and his eyes revealing a hint of urgency. Seeing Xiulote emerge, the Envoy abruptly knelt down and cried out.

"Your Highness! Two days ago, the eastern army was attacked by the Canine Descendants! Prince Jiowar sent me to request your support!"

"Who is the leader of the Guajili Canine Descendants? How many tribes have come? How many warriors in total?"

Xiulote’s expression remained unchanged as he asked in a grave tone. He had anticipated the eastern army would be attacked by the Canine Descendants and had already ordered Jiowar to make an encampment for defense. Relying on the camp, even if they could not achieve victory, they would not be utterly defeated.

"Your Highness, the leader of the Canine Descendants should be the Red Dog Chieftain Chichika. The battle has raged for two days, and the banners of five major tribes—Red Dog, Red Crow, Red Deer, Red Monkey, Red Salamander—have all appeared! The enemy facing us is estimated to be between eight to ten thousand. The Red Dog Tribe has sent over two thousand, Red Crow, Red Deer, Red Monkey, Red Salamander each have over a thousand, and the rest, ordinary tribes, also add up to two thousand."

"Eight to ten thousand?"

Xiulote furrowed his brows. In the northeast near Pamus City, more than sixty thousand Canine Descendants were gathered, and if all able-bodied men were armed, they could mobilize up to twenty thousand at most. The number of troops dispatched suggested that the Canine Descendants still had strengths in reserve.

"Prince Jiowar has eight thousand Samurai! His forces are comparable to the Guajili, and he has established a camp in advance. Why is he so quick to seek my aid?"

"Your Highness, the Guajili Canine Descendants split into two groups. One is the main force, with five major tribes forming a united front directly confronting the Prince. The tribes with red-haired individuals are numerous, and they harass the camp day and night, leaving the Samurai no respite."

The Envoy paused to catch his breath, continuing carefully.

"The other group consists of smaller forces that harass and raid. Over two thousand warriors from ordinary tribes split into more than ten squads, circling to the southwest of the camp. These ordinary tribes are agile in their movements, scattering behind the legion’s lines, constantly plundering our supply convoys! When I left, the most recent convoy carrying grain had just been completely looted, with the Militia suffering over two hundred casualties..."

"What is Jiowar doing?"

Hearing this, Xiulote was somewhat dissatisfied.

"He has eight thousand Samurai at his command, and he cannot even protect his own supply route?"

"Your Highness, per your orders, Prince Jiowar has fortified a camp for defense! The Canine Descendants attacked twice and, after losing two hundred of their number, stopped their forcible assaults. There is still half a month’s supply of grain in the camp. As long as there are enough Militia to transport grain, the Canine Descendants cannot truly blockade the supply route."

Then, the Otomi Envoy hesitated, looking at the side where Keka, the Red Frog Chieftain, quietly stepped back a few paces. Only then did the Envoy speak in a low voice.

"Your Highness, the Prince begs for your understanding! He has only recently become the leader of the Mountain City, the Otomi King of Bird Shooting, and his prestige is not yet established, his hold over the legion still uncertain. With the Guajili Canine Descendants coming fiercely, he dares not engage in a major battle right now. A defeat would shake the morale of the troops. Even if they achieved victory and the Guajili scattered without falling apart, they often set up hidden ambushes. The former leader of Mountain City had an initial victory but later suffered defeat, being ambushed by a Divine Archer while pursuing the fleeing enemy..."

Here, the Envoy paused, then suddenly prostrated himself, shouting aloud.

"Your Highness, the Prince holds firm in the camp, invulnerable. He requests that you lead the main force to join him, to defeat the enemy together!"

After a moment of contemplation, Xiulote slowly nodded. He smiled and said.

"Becoming the leader of Mountain City for only a few months, Jiowar has indeed improved quite a lot! You go back and tell him, to hold out for another five days. Once I have stabilized the situation in the Valley, I will lead the main force to march east!"

The following days were full of busyness. Xiulote gathered two legions, pacifying the Valley captives. He drew out one thousand Samurai and three thousand Militia from the western army to defend the Valley, managing nearly twenty thousand Canine Descendant captives. Then, the King led over ten thousand Samurai eastward, in a mighty force!