Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 776 - 421: New Water Battles, Sacrificial Rite Ceremony, and Nobility Banquet_2

Chapter 776: Chapter 421: New Water Battles, Sacrificial Rite Ceremony, and Nobility Banquet_2

"Praise the Chief Divine! He bestowed upon us His holy creation, granting the authority of the heavens to His most devout Priests!"

Xiulote chanted loudly, followed by the sonorous echo of dozens of priests, as the sacred prayers reverberated around the stronghold.

"Ye must believe in our God! His power is boundless, ruling the skies, the earth, and the oceans! He blesses us with His protection, ensuring bountiful springs and harvests! He commands the souls of all, promising devoted believers an eternal dwelling for their spirits, a blissful afterlife. At this moment, confess to the almighty Chief Divine, repent all your disloyalties. Sing praises of the Chief Divine, extol His mercy and glory! Huitzilopochtli!"

"Praise the Chief Divine! Huitzilopochtli, the supreme, almighty, and omnipotent!"

Guided by the priests, tens of thousands of Rivermouth citizens fell to their knees, crying out in unison. Many from Prepetcha wept profusely, repenting to the miracle above their heads. At that moment, they completely abandoned the faith of the three gods and converted to the infinitely powerful Chief Divine.

Thousands of Guajili warriors fell to the ground in awe, bowing repeatedly and praying earnestly. The Wilderness Tribes have always revered the spirit of earth and sky; faced with the flying Divine Object, they finally let down their defenses and planted the seeds of faith in the Chief Divine. These seeds would grow gradually, like vines that entwine tightly around the heart. As time nurtured them, they evolved from untamed tribal fighters to potent Samurai, like the Otomi legions of Xilotepec City.

Xiulote stood solemnly atop the stronghold, overseeing the tens of thousands of citizens, his heart swelling with pride. The rebellion at Kulamo City during the southern campaign made him realize that the Kingdom’s rapid expansion left vulnerabilities in people’s hearts. And the spread of the Chief Divine’s faith was still far from enough! Therefore, he created these epoch-making artifacts to strengthen the power of the Chief Divine, using this unstoppable belief to unite all, melding together the tribes of Central America!

"Grandfather, you would definitely love these creations!"

Xiulote looked up to the sky, watching the huge "Heart of the Spirit" hot air balloon. The lifelike red heart, wavering in the sky some two hundred meters high, was like a beating heart of divinity. Then he remembered the fireworks from earlier, with three-colored lights intertwined like the Feathered Serpent.

"Alisa, you would like them too, right!"

The King smiled slightly. Soon after, his expression became even more solemn, as he chanted with great respect.

"God has arrived!! He comes from the sky, to lead the souls of the departed! The souls of warriors who die in battle for God, of citizens who believe devoutly. Pray earnestly!! All souls shall ascend into the vast skies, journeying to the red Divine Kingdom! There lies everlasting beauty, and it is also our future!..."

As the King chanted, tens of thousands knelt on the ground, worshiping devoutly. Their deep prayers came together like a stampede on the Wilderness or like rolling thunder in a spring rain. In this sound resided the beliefs of tens of thousands, carrying a limitless Force that could reshape everything!

The lengthy ritual continued till dusk. After the ceremony, the expressions on most people’s faces had noticeably changed. The solemn mass ritual, along with the incomprehensible Divine artifacts, were the perfect means for spreading faith.

Before anyone knew it, the red "Heart of the Spirit" had vanished from the sky. The ascent of the "Heart of the Spirit" could only last a couple of hours before being successfully retracted from the heavens and falling into the hands of the closely guarded Imperial Guard Warriors in the stronghold. After improvements to the internal structure of the balloon, the ascent this time was very smooth, without any mishaps.

Tens of thousands from Rivermouth County reluctantly left. They prayed one last time to the sky above the stronghold, then gradually departed under the guidance of the village priests. Meanwhile, thousands of Guajili warriors returned to nearby barracks to receive instruction from the War Priests. Having just witnessed the Chief Divine’s power, it was an excellent opportunity for proselytizing.

Xiulote descended from the stronghold to where the hot air balloon landed. Dozens of Divine Revelation Priests were busy, packing away the balloon.

"Chimere, how is the second hot air balloon, the Heart of the Spirit?"

"Respectable Supreme High Priest, all went smoothly!"

Chimere smiled confidently, nodding respectfully.

"The ascent didn’t last long, and there is no damage on the surface of the Heart of the Spirit; it can be launched again at any time."

"Excellent!"

Xiulote nodded in satisfaction.

"When we arrive at the Lake Capital City for the grand ceremony, we shall fly again!"

"In obedience to you, Supreme High Priest of Divine Revelation!"

Chimere bowed his head in respect. Then, he looked toward the eastern horizon, where the grand Lake Capital City lay five hundred miles away, awaiting the arrival of a miracle!

After the sacrificial ceremony, Xiulote was to set off on his journey once more. The next day, he bade farewell to Kuluka the monkey and Black Wolf Torc in turn and made some arrangements for the following matters. Then, the King led three thousand Imperial Guards and boarded the Kingdom’s Naval Forces. Escorted by Crocodile forces, they went up the Lerma River in a majestic fleet, heading for the Lake Capital City.

Forty Bronze Cannons were placed on several Galleys. The King himself was on board a large Galley, experiencing the navigation of the new warships. Surrounded by hundreds of canoes, the large Galley stood out like a turkey among wild rabbits, especially prominent. Compared to canoes, Galleys were more stable and comfortable and also faster against the current.

The enormous fleet sailed up the great river for over half a month. In mid-July, Xiulote reached the western City-State of Tlalocan. He stayed there for two days, feasting with the nobility who had been friends of his family for generations.

Compared to a few years ago when Xiulote went on his western campaign, the atmosphere of this feast was quite somber. The nobility of the western City-States praised "His Highness Xiulote," "the Respected Prince," and congratulated him in turn, offering toasts and prayers, and presenting many precious gifts. However, Xiulote could keenly sense that the attitude of most western nobles had grown much colder, and their show of respect was just a formality. Except for the young Clan Leader of the Mountains family, Izel, an old acquaintance from the time of the western campaign.

The guests called for the musicians and singers, drinking and laughing at the banquet, but deliberately avoided any talk of the Alliance. As the wine flowed and they became half-drunk, a hereditary noble who had had a bit too much to drink finally lost control. He viciously smashed his wine cup to the ground with a "bang," shattering the clay cup. Then, he glared at Xiulote and burst out in anger.

"Damn Holy City family! In consideration of the old friendship, we went to such lengths during the western campaign, providing troops and provisions, assisting you! And what did we get in return!..."

"Xonpan! What nonsense are you saying in front of His Highness!"

The room fell silent in an instant. Izel was the first to speak out, angrily rebuking the outburst.

"Even the venerable Spring Rain Priestly Family should not insult the Venerable!"

In the Nava language, ’Xonpan’ means the green of the rainy season in late spring. It is a word with religious connotations, symbolizing the blessing of the Goddess of Spring. A family named after it is naturally a lineage of ancient and divine-related Priestly Families.

Xiulote’s expression turned grave, and he slightly lowered his gaze, saying nothing.

He had heard about his father’s affairs in the western City-States on his return to the East, including the significant event of executing the former Clan Leader of the Mountains family. This was not his father’s way of doing things. However, the rumor spread far and wide, even turned into songs praising the loyalty of Samurai and sung throughout the Alliance. Neither his grandfather nor his father had ever sent a letter to explain, so the story behind it was not difficult to guess.

He was also aware of the Spring Rain Priestly Family. They had been serving the lakes, rivers, and the Goddess of Spring for generations, holding great power in the sacrificial rites in Tlalocan for nearly half a century. However, as the religious reform deepened, the Chief Divine gradually moved toward sole worship. In the past two years, the status of the Goddess of Spring had been continuously diminishing. The High Priesthood in the Capital City also sent a Third Level High Priest directly to Tlalocan, stripping the Spring Rain Family of many privileges.

In other words, this was a traditional nobility whose interests had been affected by the reforms.

"Izel! You cur of the King! Don’t think that everyone doesn’t know how your father... argh, hmph!"

Xonpan’s face turned red with anger, his roar filling the room. The other nobles could finally sit still no more; several of them immediately stepped forward, covering his mouth and limbs and forcefully dragged him away.

"Respected Your Highness! Clan Leader Xonpan of the Spring Rain has had too much to drink; we implore you, please do not punish him!"

"Indeed, indeed! Once he sobers up, we will rebuke him properly!"

"Please do not inform the venerable High Priest! Although the Spring Rain Family has erred, their wrongdoing is not deserving of death!"

Several elder nobles, who had long been friendly with the Holy City lineage, stepped forward one after another to apologize to the King on behalf of the Spring Rain Clan Leader.

Xiulote, with a stern face, suppressed the anger in his chest. After a long moment, he finally nodded.

"Please take your seats, elders."