Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 685 - 358: The End of 1485, The So-Called Redemption_3

Chapter 685: Chapter 358: The End of 1485, The So-Called Redemption_3

"Matim, I will throw this gold coin to let the Almighty judge you. If the kingdom’s emblem faces up, I will strangle you bloodlessly according to the kingdom’s laws and hang you from the mast at the bow. If the holy cross faces up, I will follow the Almighty’s teachings, forgive your past sins, and give you a chance for redemption. How does that sound, fair enough?"

"...Captain, very, very fair..."

Watching the gold coin in the captain’s hand, Matim had gone pale and shuddered in response.

"Well, I will count to three, and the judgment will officially start."

A smile like that of the Holy Mother spread across Diogo’s face.

"Come, pray sincerely to the Almighty!"

"One,"

"Two,"

"Three!"

Diogo tossed the gold coin high with his left hand. Matim’s gaze followed the coin, spinning up and down, just like his rapidly beating heart. Then, Diogo’s left hand shot out and his right hand covered it — the coin suddenly vanished from mid-air.

Matim’s knees wobbled, and his forehead was covered in sweat. He knelt on the ground, praying devoutly while desperately trying to look at the surface of the coin. However, the coin was tightly covered by the captain’s large hand, and nothing could be seen.

Diogo withdrew his left hand and slightly lifted his obscuring right hand. He glanced at the coin on the back of his hand and revealed a mysterious smile.

"Tchau!"

Matim’s knees faltered sharply, nearly collapsing to the ground. In the Portuguese of that time, "Tchau" carried both the meanings of a greeting and a farewell, akin to the Chinese "hello" combined with "goodbye."

"Haha!"

Diogo rarely laughed so joyfully. Then, he sobered up and said solemnly to Matim.

"Congratulations, Matim! It is the cross facing up, you have survived. The Almighty witnessed, I forgive all your past sins!"

"Ah! Thank you, I sincerely thank you for your mercy! Respected Captain, I am eternally your servant!..."

Matim, tearful and overjoyed, collapsed on the deck, his sailor’s outfit completely soaked. He clutched at the captain’s lower legs, endlessly grateful.

Diogo shook his head gently. He looked sternly at Matim.

"Do not thank me, thank the Almighty! It is the merciful Almighty who heard your prayers and granted you a chance for redemption! From now on, you must devoutly believe in the Almighty and redeem your past sins!"

"Yes, yes! Praise the Almighty, He is the light of the world. I will follow His guidance, I will not walk in darkness, but will attain the light of life..."

Matim, babbling, prayed more devoutly than he ever had before. Diogo listened quietly, a smile appearing on his face. Once the other had finished praying, he calmly commanded.

"Matim, my old friend. Go execute Diego and his confidants, personally redeem your sin."

"Yes, I will follow your will, my master!"

Matim knelt on the ground and bowed deeply. Then he turned around, stood up, and walked fiercely toward Diego.

Seeing Matim stride over, Bruno raised his eyebrows. The quartermaster had only spoken with the captain for a brief moment but seemed completely changed. He stepped back, observing the quartermaster’s behavior.

Matim silently took a sturdy hemp rope from the hands of the surrounding sailors.

"Fuck! Matim, what, what are you doing!"

Sailor Chief Diego, covered in blood, lay on the deck. He stared in horror as Matim, clutching the rope tightly, approached and let out a terrified scream.

"Matim!! I’m screwed!... Uh! Uh! Ha!..."

Bruno’s heart trembled. He watched as Matim coldly knelt down, looped the rope around Diego’s neck, braced his knee against the man’s spine, and then suddenly exerted force with both arms!

Sailor Chief Diego struggled desperately, flailing his legs forcefully. Yet Matim remained unyielding and unmerciful. A serene smile of redemption even fleetingly crossed his face. Within just two or three minutes, Diego’s face turned purple, his eyes bulged out, and he stuck out his long tongue, eventually becoming motionless.

Matim checked Diego’s breath and nodded in satisfaction. Then, continuing to hold the rope, he methodically strangled each of the remaining four loyal followers of Diego. Afterward, his expression lightened as he went to report back to the captain.

The deathly screams resonated over the ship, striking fear into all the sailors’ hearts. Diego looked serene as his gaze swept across those on deck. Everyone respectfully bowed their heads and saluted the revered captain. The lion was out of its cage, once again dominating the ship’s jungle and decreeing life and death over everyone.

Diego’s gaze lingered on Bruno’s face. The Noble Knight bowed respectfully. His gaze then shifted, falling on the chubby face of Head Chef Haroldo, who fell to his knees, followed by Carpenter Ivo...

After glancing around, the ship fell as silent as if no one was aboard. He spoke calmly, his voice reaching everyone’s ears.

"Earlier, in an attempt to persuade me to turn back, a mutiny occurred on the ship."

Upon hearing this, many tightened inside. Bruno held his breath and quietly reached for his dagger.

"The ringleaders were Sailor Chief Diego and his loyalists. The other participants were coerced into involvement. The Almighty grants redemption to everyone; I will forgive all others, including those sailors who plundered without permission!"

"Ah... Praise the Almighty! Praise the captain!"

Heavy sighs arose on the deck, followed by messy prayers. The devout captain swore by the Almighty not to pursue the responsibility for the mutiny, relieving everyone. Because of this, they believed that the respected Captain Diego would never break his sacred oath.

Under everyone’s gaze, Diego extended his left hand, made the sign of the Cross on his forehead and chest, and prayed briefly. Then, he spoke with conviction.

"The Almighty has given me a revelation! The route to the East is not far; it only requires rounding the southern tip of the African continent! There lies the mighty Kingdom of Elder John, the rich India, and Seris, the land of Silk! Should you discover the Eastern route, the generous King will reward each of you! Your names will also reach the ears of the Holy Pope and reserve your places in Heaven! This is your only chance for redemption!"

Upon hearing this, the sailors’ expressions changed, and they vaguely sensed what was coming. Sure enough, the next moment, Captain Diego slowly stood up and issued an irrefutable command.

"Stow the gangplank, raise the sails, hang the rebels’ bodies from the three masts! Adjust the heading, hoist the signal flags, tell the entire fleet! We continue our expedition, turning south! May the Holy Mother protect us!"

"...May the Holy Mother protect us!"

The deck quieted for a few moments. Then, low prayers emerged from among the sailors. Everyone followed the captain’s orders and once again busied themselves. Bruno silently exhaled, lowered his head, and walked to the ship’s side. He looked at the restless sailors on the gangplank and shouted.

"The Almighty bears witness! The captain has forgiven your sins! Bring food and valuables quickly on board. Bring no women!"

The eight or nine sailors on the gangplank looked at each other, nodded in agreement. In the harsh wilderness of the tropical jungle, on the Demon’s land, leaving the fleet meant death! Without hesitation, they drew their curved knives, slit the throats of the native women, and then kicked them into the Congo River. The turbulent Long River, carrying blood-stained waves, merged into the vast ocean, just like the eternal jungle.

After a brief flurry of activity, the three caravel ships slowly turned, driven by the northeast monsoon of winter and against the Benguela Current, made their arduous journey southward.

Everything was under control. Diego slowly turned and entered the dim captain’s cabin, silently closing the door behind him. Finally, a look of sickly weariness appeared on his face. Then, he smiled calmly and relaxed his tightly clenched right hand. A Crusado coin finally revealed itself on the back of his left hand, showing the emblem of the Royal Family.

"Praise the Almighty!... for He has done marvelous things. His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation... Amen."

Diego softly recited, a hymn of praise, the Lord’s salvation, Cantate Domino.