Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 691 - 362: Three Generals and the Legion

Chapter 691: Chapter 362: Three Generals and the Legion

The setting sun dipped toward the end of the Great River, infusing the red and yellow heavens and earth, casting a lengthy silhouette of the Rivermouth Fortress. The twilight rested on the center of the fortress where a magnificent residence stood. Several hundred samurai in copper armor guarded it closely, with dozens of Guajili chieftains waiting at the entrance.

The residence had spacious front and rear courtyards. In the front yard, bonfires were set up, cooking turkeys, roasting deer legs, steaming red crabs, and boiling fish soup. Dozens of skilled servants were bustling about preparing for the banquet. The scent of spices mixed with the aroma of food, wafting afar, tantalizing the palate.

The fragrance drifted to the back yard, blending with the rich scent of flowers. Within the garden in the back yard, early spring flowers bloomed in full glory. Rare American pouch orchids produced pouch-like lips, radiating exceptionally vivid blossoms that spread a perfume-like delightful fragrance. Beautiful blue-capped hummingbirds were attracted to the scent. They flitted lightly among the flowers, hovering before the pistils, like dazzling streaks of color.

Xiulote, wearing leather armor and bearing a gentle smile, watched the hummingbirds in the garden. Several people stood behind him, accompanying him in flower-viewing. The noise from the front yard occasionally carried over, making the back yard seem all the more serene.

"The hummingbird is symbolic of the War God, and priests have studied them carefully. They possess sharp beaks with saw-like serrations. It is said that the earliest obsidian clubs were modeled after the mouth of a hummingbird."

Xiulote turned around, his smile warm like a priest scholar’s.

"In regard to hummingbirds, the males typically have vibrant head feathers, while the females have more modest head feathers. However, they have another interesting trait. Some females, to avoid the attention of males while feeding on nectar, intentionally grow vibrant head feathers to masquerade as males."

At this point, Xiulote paused, then pointed to a dazzling hummingbird in front of him, asking the Red Frog Chieftain Keka.

"Keka, do you think this hummingbird is a male or a female?"

"Uh..."

Keka, adorned in the attire of the Alliance and wearing an amulet of the Sun God on his neck, stared at the tiny hummingbird for a long time with wide eyes.

"Great Chief, is this a female?"

"Are you sure?"

"Ah, is it a male?"

Xiulote smiled. He extended his hand again, pointing to the flecks of yellow feathers on the hummingbird’s head.

"You see, it has these yellow feathers on its head, not purely blue. So, it is a female."

"Uh... Great Chief, you are wise."

Keka, gazing at the hummingbird, barely larger than a finger, struggled to discern the few yellow spots and then responded hesitantly.

"Keka, these are common knowledge for the Chief God Priest."

Xiulote’s expression turned serious.

"Have you been diligently learning from the priests lately?"

"Great Chief... I learned, only... I forget after I learn it."

Upon hearing about learning from the priests, Keka’s face soured. Holding a spear for half his life and shooting a bow for over a decade, he had just realized that there were things more exhausting than combat: memorizing priestly knowledge and learning pictographic writing.

By Keka’s side, Red Monkey Chieftain Ozoma snickered to himself, while Black Wolf Toltec looked on with approval.

"Oh? How can that be? In these past few months, Ozoma has outdone you by far, even the guiding priests are full of praise."

Xiulote glanced at the two chieftains with a faint smile.

"Keka, how about I send you to the Divine Might university in the capital city for a good five years of study? How does that sound? Ozoma, you are exceptionally talented, you come along and study for just three years. When you both emerge, you will just in time become esteemed Chief God Priests, governing a domain."

"Ah! Great Chief!"

At these words, Ozoma’s smile froze. He quickly fell to his knees, pleading with the King.

"I only wish to don armor and wield a spear for you, to fight valiantly!"

"Indeed! Great Chief, Keka does not wish to be a priest, only to lead your armies into battle!"

Keka also hastily kneeled, his face filled with trepidation.

"Oh? You both wish to lead troops rather than become priests?"

"Only wish to lead troops! Great Chief, you’ve made me a promise before!"

Keka clenched his teeth, boldly raising his head to shout. Ozoma stayed silent but nodded while kneeling.

"Indeed. I did promise you, and it’s not impossible to let you continue leading troops."

Xiulote nodded slightly, a hint of difficulty on his face.

"However, I have great need of the Guajili warriors. They must form a formal legion and come under the directive of the Kingdom. We cannot continue with this disorganized and lax discipline..."

Upon hearing this, Ozoma instantly understood. He pursed his lips, cast a covert glance at the Great Chief’s expression, and then prostrated himself.

"Great Chief, you are my Wolf King! I will obey your commands in how to reform the tribes!"

"Hmm."

Xiulote nodded, then turned to Keka.

"Keka, what do you say?"

Keka hesitated. He looked at Ozoma and then to the nearby Black Wolf General. Toltec scowled fiercely, his hand pressing down on his war club. Keka was startled and promptly threw himself to the ground.

"I will follow your orders in everything, Great Chief!"

"Good!"

The King revealed a smile on his face. He stepped forward, grasped the hair of the two men, and then issued his orders.

"Keka, Ozoma, all your tribal warriors are to be incorporated into the banner troops!... Among the fifteen banner troops, the Red Frog and Red Monkey Tribes can each occupy a four-thousand-man banner troop, with you serving as the leaders of your respective banner troops, while the priests will be dispatched by the Alliance. As for the surplus population, new banner troops must be established!... Each banner troop provides four hundred adult males, forming an army of six thousand, to establish the Guajili Legion, trained and commanded by the officers of the Kingdom. You will serve as two Vice Legion Commanders, each leading three thousand men. As for the Legion Commander..."

Xiulote looked toward Toltec. Toltec shuddered. He was excited and seemed to have some inkling.

"The Legion Commander will be Black Wolf Toltec!"

"Your Highness! Thank you for your forgiveness! I, Toltec, will serve you unto death!"

Black Wolf suddenly knelt down, his forehead thumping to the ground three times, until a red mark formed.

"Black Wolf, my beloved general. Rise!"

Xiulote personally helped Black Wolf to his feet, speaking softly.

"In the northern campaign against the Red Fox Valley, you fought bravely until you were wounded and could fight no more, and there was nothing wrong with that. In my heart, you have always been a peerless warrior! However, Black Wolf, from now on, you must take on more of a Commander-in-Chief’s responsibilities. As the Commander-in-Chief, you must focus on the war’s overall situation, plan for overall gains and losses, and not throw away your life lightly!..."

"These past few months, I did not summon you. On one hand, it was to let you heal in peace, and on the other hand, it was to let you calm your mind and properly reflect on your gains and losses. I heard that you patiently read books in the camp, and I am very pleased. To bear great responsibilities, one must go through this level of tempering... Next, I will convene the generals to collectively review the gains and losses of the northern campaign and summarize war experiences. You must be present, speak up, and patiently learn and reflect!"

After hearing these words, Toltec nodded emphatically, a wetness in his eyes.

"Your Highness, I will listen to you!"

"Good, Black Wolf! Be neither proud nor impatient, neither dispirited nor discouraged. He whose chest harbors thunder, yet whose countenance is like a placid lake, can be a leader of legions! Regarding you, I have always had high hopes."

The King smiled warmly and patted Black Wolf on the shoulder. Then he turned to the two chieftains. Ozoma quickly bowed his head, tucking away the envy on his face.

"Keka, Ozoma, rise as well! From now on, you must lead your troops well and follow the commands of Black Wolf, the Legion Commander!"

"As you command, Great Chief."

"By your command, Great Chief."

Xiulote watched the three men, lost in thought for a while, before slowly speaking.

"Black Wolf, since you are to be the Legion Commander, you must have a direct command over your troops. I grant you permission to take five hundred throwing vanguard from the Imperial Guard Legion, and I allot a quota of one thousand Prepetcha Samurai, selection from the Kingdom’s garrisoned troops."

The majority of the Kingdom’s garrisoned troops were from the surrendered Tarasco army, which included a not insignificant number of samurai.

"As for the rest... Keka, am I right in remembering that it was you who wounded Black Wolf?"

Xiulote gazed at Keka, asking calmly.

"Ah! Great Chief, truth be told, it was actually Ivican from the Red Fox Tribe and Amoxtli from the Red Crow Tribe who really wounded Black Wolf. I just..."

Keka spoke with some bitterness. At the time, to inspire his tribe, he had taken credit for wounding Black Wolf, but now, it backfired on him and he was at a loss for words.

"Keka, I know you have four hundred red-haired hunters. Hmm, give two hundred to the Black Wolf Legion Commander, as compensation."

The King smiled lightly, his words leaving no room for refusal.

"Ozoma, and you as well, hand over a hundred red-haired hunters. Furthermore, conscript two hundred red-haired from among the tribes to form an elite unit of five hundred for Black Wolf’s direct command."

With this, the Guajili Legion would have a full complement of eight thousand men. The Legion Commander Black Wolf had direct command of two thousand elites and led three thousand Canine Descendants from both the Red Frog and Red Monkey, essentially maintaining balance.

Xiulote waited for a moment, until both Keka and Ozoma had nodded in acquiescence, before he again cried out.

"Witnessed by the Chief Divine, the three of you will swear in my presence! You will support each other in the legion, unite in one spirit, and never again harbor any grudges between you!"

At his words, Black Wolf’s eyebrows lifted, Keka’s eyes widened, and Ozoma’s gaze flickered. The three looked at each other, at a loss for words for a moment.

As the sun set in the west, twilight filled the courtyard, and hummingbirds fluttered among the flowers. The King’s gaze brought a heavy pressure, and Bertade looked on with equal gravity.

Black Wolf closed his eyes, taking his time before he opened them again. He exhaled deeply and finally raised his hand to take the oath.

"Witnessed by the Chief Divine! I, Black Wolf Torc!"

Keka’s eyes remained wide, glancing now at the God of Death Great Chief, then at the other two, before speaking haltingly.

"Witnessed by the Chief Divine! I, Red Frog Keka!"

Ozoma lowered his gaze, clenched his fist over his chest, his expression one of sincere and devout piety.

"Witnessed by the Chief Divine! I, Red Monkey Ozoma!"

"I will take on the responsibilities of the legion, obey the orders of Your Highness (Great Chief), support them, unite in one spirit, and never again harbor any grudges between us!"

After a brief pause, all three spoke in unison, pledging their sacred oaths in the presence of the King!

"Excellent! Very well! I entrust the new legion to you three!"

Xiulote laughed with satisfaction. His gaze swept across the assembly of generals, their expressions varied, but he felt immense joy within himself.

"Haha, let’s go to the front court! The banquet has long been prepared. Let the chiefs waiting outside come in and take their seats! Tonight, we feast heartily on meat, drink merrily, sing with abandon, and will not return until we’re all drunk!"

The King’s laughter soared to the sky, and the sun comfortably dipped into the Great Lake. Night fell, the breeze billowed, and the blazing bonfires lit the front courtyard, filling the air with enticing aromas.

The musicians played uplifting tunes on bamboo flutes, and girls danced merrily. Commanders and chieftains sat around the bonfire, saluting the Great Chief. Then, the grand banquet began. Everyone drank deeply, reveled through the night, basking in the joy of the evening, until they were blissfully unconscious!