Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 716 - 381 Charm

Chapter 716: Chapter 381 Charm

The night deepened. The moonlight was sparse; the stars hidden, and the earth plunged into shadow, with the mountains and forests succumbing to darkness.

The Imperial Guard Legion’s encampment was austere and heavily fortified, quiet yet deadly. Elite samurais holding torches patrolled outside the camp. They were guarding the king inside the large tent and also keeping watch over the nobles staying in the small town.

Xiulote, dressed in military attire, sat cross-legged in the large tent. He held a scroll in his hands, while beneath him lay a soft Jaguar fur carpet. A fire basin was lit inside the tent, which was open at the top, allowing the night wind to surge in intermittently. The southern November was still warm; there was no need for a blanket to sleep comfortably.

After some time, the king felt inexplicably restless. He tossed away the scroll in his hand, revealing its cover — it was the new tax decree issued by the Alliance, freshly enacted. The decree further cemented King Aweit’s authority, clarified the tribute requirements for the nobility, and was to start with this year’s tribute. In other words, it was an act of centralizing power, increasing the taxes on all levels of the nobility, including the Kingdom of the Lake.

Xiulote took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. Then he looked at the Head Warrior.

"Bertade, what’s the situation with the southern nobles?"

"Your Highness, some nobles left overnight, while others lodged in the city. Most seem resigned to their fate, but a few still appear to be struggling."

"Hmm, send envoys to have the three army troops heading south quicken their pace! Have the western troops take control of Apachigan. The eastern troops station themselves in Kulamo City, and the central troops cut off both areas, ready to advance east or west depending on the situation. As long as the Royal Army swiftly moves south to control key locations, no matter how harsh the land reduction, the local nobles will have to comply!"

"As you command, Your Highness."

The Head Warrior nodded and bowed, then promptly summoned a trusted aide to arrange for the envoy.

Xiulote picked up the scroll once more and began to read, but his restlessness persisted. Suddenly, he spoke.

"Bertade, the Gulamo Family..."

"Your Highness?"

"Never mind."

The king spoke half a sentence and then fell silent. Bertade bowed his head slightly, understanding the unspoken words, and did not ask further. The tent remained quiet until Shield Guard Ters entered to report back.

"Your Highness!"

"Yes."

"An envoy from a southern Great Nobility has arrived."

"Do not admit them."

"It’s the girl who danced last night; she’s right outside the tent."

At these words, Xiulote lifted his head and, through the tent’s curtains, saw a slender and graceful figure standing quietly beside the bonfire at the entrance of the large tent.

The king glanced at the Head Warrior and seeing that Bertade was looking down with no expression, went ahead, as if possessed, and spoke.

"Let her in... let’s hear what the Gulamo Family has to say."

"As you command, Your Highness."

Ters obeyed and left the tent. Soon, the tent door reopened, and a stunningly beautiful girl, barefoot, stepped inside. The breeze from the opened top fluttered the fire basin slightly, and the large tent became suffused with a faint musky scent, as well as an enticing allure.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Medina knelt down to greet him, her posture as graceful as a cat’s. Her voice trembled slightly, melodious as a cry, like a cat’s paw scratching at one’s heart.

"Hmm."

The king watched the beauty on the ground without expression.

"What is it?"

"Your Majesty, the Clan Leader sent me here."

Medina raised her head, revealing a face on the verge of tears.

"He requests that you lessen the punishment on our family."

Xiulote slightly raised his eyebrows, silent and cold.

"Your Majesty, the Zicao Family has guarded the south for generations. Kulamo City and Atoyac Lake, that’s our home."

Tears glistened in Medina’s eyes. She knee-walked two steps closer to the fire basin in the tent. The firelight fully illuminated her body, revealing full curves and a slender waist, impossible to grasp with one hand.

"Your Majesty, the Clan Leader is willing to hand over seventy percent of the land and population, only asking to keep the manor fief on the north coast of the lake. The Zicao Family would become your most loyal servants, at your disposal, offering up... our bodies and spirits."

As she said this, the girl slowly removed her black robe, exposing her perfect body. She brought a jade finger to her lips and gently swayed her waist as she used the strength of her calves to slowly stand up from the ground. Her body was so flexible, like a curled-up cat suddenly stretching out, revealing both length and laziness.

Xiulote caught his breath, and warmth surged in his lower abdomen. But at this moment, he still maintained his reason and said sternly to the girl before him.

"The Zicao Family must leave the Kingdom’s south. The north coast of Atoyac Lake will be taken into direct control by the Kingdom!"

Upon hearing this, Medina dropped her gaze; the king before her intended to seize her beautiful homeland and drive her family to the northern wilderness. When she opened her eyes again, they were full of spring ardor.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to dance for you the Dance of the Cat from Vastec~"

Medina cast a coquettish glance at the King, her eyes brimming as if about to overflow with water. Then, she let down her hair, barefooted, her body swayed, twirling right in front of the King.

Xiulote’s breathing grew heavier, unable to voice his refusal. His gaze followed the girl’s movements, gliding over her voluptuous curves, her cinched waist, and then up again to her pert backside. He watched as her jade-like legs danced, the silver bells on her ankles chiming, her delicate feet stepping in the manner of a cat... The King’s heart, within the rising flames, was fervent, enduring a trial like never before.

Medina changed her dance moves, fully displaying the beauty of a young girl. She was like a boneless wave of water, dancing before the King, attracting the savage and unrestrained fire. Her steps struck like the beat of a drum, accompanied by breaths heavy from exertion that fell into the King’s heart. Then, the intense dance suddenly eased, coming to a gentle halt. She lay on the ground like a tired playful cat, her delicate feet swaying lightly, bringing a crisp sound of bells.

The sound of bells gently swayed, the cat napped and then awoke. She murmured softly, lying on the ground, stretching in a seductive manner. Next, the agile cat crawled a few steps, coming to the feet of the King, wrapping around his legs coquettishly, lifting her head to reveal an incredibly beautiful face.

Medina’s gaze was seductive as she stretched out her tongue, licking her tender lips. Then, she looked up purily at the King, like an innocent cat, and let out a light call.

"Meow~"

Xiulote’s body instantly softened, a rush of heat surged from his lower belly to the top of his head, turning his eyes red in a moment. The King abruptly reached out and grasped the girl’s arm tightly, lifting her from the ground as if an eagle had seized a cat. The scent of orchids assaulted him, as if carrying some aphrodisiac spice, triggering the wildest desires of the heart,

The King, with red eyes, looked at the soft girl, like a beast about to devour its prey. Then, under the last of his rationality and guard, he decisively pushed the girl away.

"Withdraw!!"

"Ah!"

Medina stumbled back two steps, falling askew onto the carpet. She clutched her arm in pain, tears forming in her eyes. She looked up helplessly at the King, once again becoming a pitiable doe.

"Your Majesty..."

"Hmph! Tell Gulamo!"

Xiulote took a couple of deep breaths, his voice stern as he commanded.

"Hand over the fief obediently, and be sealed on the north coast of the Lerma River! Stop playing these little games!"

Hearing this, Bertade glanced at His Highness and gave a serene smile. The tent fell into silence. Only the girl’s low sobs were heard.

Xiulote took a few deep breaths, gradually calming his emotions. Then, he looked at Medina who had fallen to the ground and let out a soft sigh. The King stood up, took a couple of steps forward, and helped the girl to her feet, then draped a concealing black robe over her.

"Medina, tell your father,"

The King’s movements were gentle, his tone indifferent.

"The north coast of the Lerma River has fertile land as well. It is sparsely populated, vast in area, said to be more than twenty thousand acres, but in truth, it holds boundless potential. The Kingdom needs manpower to defend the north, balance the power of the Otomi clans. He can, like his ancestors, open up the frontier, recruit people from the wilderness, and establish a new prosperous territory!"

Then, Xiulote stepped back, looking quietly at the girl.

"Additionally, as long as Gulamo swiftly hands over the lands and sets an example, the Kingdom shall allow him to take away several hundred more people... Have you remembered this, Medina?"

Medina cast her eyes down, not speaking. After a while, she pulled her robe tighter and nodded silently.

"Yes, I have remembered."

"Good, then you may leave!"

Xiulote turned to walk away, but then seemed to remember something.

"Bertade."

"Your Highness, I am here."

The Head Warrior replied respectfully, stirring from his still stance like a sculpture.

"Send a few Samurais to escort Medina back."

A smile crossed the King’s face.

"Also, give her a jug of warm honey tea. She has danced for so long and sweated quite a bit, a hot tea will refresh her."

Bertade nodded. He scooped honeyed Hibiscus Tea from a clay pot over the brazier and poured it into a pottery jug. The jug was rustic with the Royal Family’s emblem, clearly a newly fired purple clay pot.

"Miss Medina, please go this way."

The Head Warrior approached calmly, handing the warm jug to the girl.

Medina nodded silently, hugging the jug closely. She walked a few steps, reaching the front of the tent, then suddenly turned back, blooming with a radiant smile.

"Your Majesty, the Clan Leader has his plans. But as for me, I merely admire you wholeheartedly~"

Xiulote turned at the sound, only to see the girl flashing a coquettish smile. She pressed her finger to her lips, blew a playful kiss, and waved at the King.

"Oh, my King! I simply wanted to offer myself to you!"

The King stood still, watching the girl’s disappearing figure leave the tent. He felt a sense of loss in his heart. At that moment, the King’s hardened heart finally began to melt, defenseless before an utmost beautiful girl.