Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 777 - 422: Banquet and Prayer, Lakeside Village

Chapter 777: Chapter 422: Banquet and Prayer, Lakeside Village

"Come now, the respected His Highness has spoken, let everyone return to their seats and sit comfortably, continue drinking!"

The Clan Leader of the Mountain Clan, Izel, put on a smile and loudly ordered.

"Bring over the Vastec dancers, something enticing. Let the music play on, let the dance continue!"

Soon, the charming Vastec girls, dressed in barely-covering seashells, came to the center of the banquet. They joyously stretched their waists, lightly tiptoed, and performed the entrancing Dance of the Cat.

The atmosphere in the room became joyous again. The western nobility watched the dance while chatting and drinking as if nothing had happened. From time to time, some approached the king to offer a toast and a few words of congratulations before retreating naturally.

"May the Chief Divine protect the Alliance, the King illuminates all directions! The respected King Aweit has already sent envoys to the states, calling the nobility to the Capital City to witness the celebration. Your Highness, your upcoming wedding will be a shining event for the Alliance!"

Izel raised his cup, bowed, and then drained it in one gulp.

"To Your Highness, cheers!"

Upon hearing this, Xiulote pursed his lips, a smile appeared on his face, his heart filled with anticipation. He raised his cup, nodded with a smile, drained the remains of his drink, but his expression turned solemn.

"Izel, I congratulate you too! Since our parting in the western campaign, your courage has been unforgettable. When I saw you again, your face had become clear, your eyes as sharp as a hawk!"

Hearing these words loaded with deep meaning, Izel paused slightly. The meaning of his name was "the eyes in the darkness, the blurred face". The hardships of being a commoner surfaced in his mind, and he never regretted the choices of that night. Now, a new choice lay before him.

After a silence, Izel made his choice again. He approached Xiulote without drawing attention, coming within two steps of him. Then, under the watchful eyes of Bertade, the young Clan Leader of the Mountains whispered almost inaudibly.

"Your Highness, the Commander Xiuxoke... The death of Tepeiter... are all schemes of the Alliance Intelligence... the Chief Intelligence Officer."

Upon hearing this, Xiulote nodded indifferently. The answer did not surprise him. Seeing Xiulote’s calm demeanor, Izel gritted his teeth and continued to warn him.

"Your Highness, my admiration for you has never changed! The Great Serpent Intelligence Officer... has intentions towards the young prince... please be cautious!"

"Hmm? Intentions towards the young prince?"

Xiulote raised his eyebrows in silence. The one who could bear the title "young prince" was none other than the son of the Predecessor Monarch Asayacatl, thirteen-year-old Montezuma II, and the son of King Aweit, eight-year-old Chimalpahin II. Undoubtedly, the one Gillim was interested in was the latter, the younger brother of Alisa. And the so-called "intentions"...

After pondering for a moment, Xiulote nodded calmly. He reached out and patted Izel on the shoulder.

"Izel, my appreciation for you has also never changed! May the Chief Divine protect you!"

"May the Chief Divine protect you!"

The two drank together, their conversation growing closer. Xiulote recalled his earlier confusion and asked in a soft voice.

"The High Priest is known to be kind and has always been on good terms with the western Nobility, so why do many fear him?"

"..."

When he heard the description of kindness, Izel was at a loss for words. He looked at the puzzled expression of His Highness, bowed respectfully, and replied.

"Your Highness, the High Priest wields religious authority, carries out reforms, and centralizes control of worship rights within the Capital City, which has become quite effective! In the past three years, no less than thirty houses of the Great Nobility and Priestly Families in the territories of the Alliance have been ordered to be eradicated for defying the religious edicts. In the western City-States as well, five families were annihilated... and the High Priest is known in the Alliance as ’Crimson Sunset, the Divine Sacrificer’..."

"Ah? Crimson Sunset, the Divine Sacrificer..."

Xiulote widened his eyes, somewhat unable to accept it. He found it difficult to reconcile the memory of his kindly and benevolent grandfather with the merciless High Priest described by Izel. But he was acutely aware that to achieve any success with religious law and centralization reforms, it was necessary to be soaked in the blood of the old Nobility. And the reaction of the western Nobility at the banquet indeed proved this point...

Xiulote returned to his seat and sat in silent contemplation, no longer speaking. Izel also turned back to his seat, ordering the maids to bring fresh fruits, chatting with the surrounding Nobility, maintaining the atmosphere in the room.

The joyful sound of the bamboo flute resonated, the entrancing music of the dance surrounded them, and unknowingly, night had deepened. When the maids once again brought specially prepared cocoa, it was time for the banquet to end. The numerous Nobility raised their cups in a toast and prayed together toward the Chief Divine’s emblem.

"Praise the Chief Divine, let us finish this cup! He protects the Alliance and promises us, the Mexica people, supremacy over all nations in the world!"

Izel, as the host, smiled and raised his cup in a loud toast.

"Pray to the Chief Divine! May He bless us!"

"Pray to the Chief Divine! May He bless us!"

The many Nobility shouted together. Xiulote smiled as he raised his cup, sweeping his gaze across the room. In the prayers to the Chief Divine, everyone was sincere and respectful.

"Praise the elders, let us finish this cup! They are the immortal sun, shining upon the Mexica Alliance, enduring the next cycle, and igniting the Sacred Fire on the Divine Mountain!"

Izel paused, sincerely praising.

"Pray for the elders! May they be forever healthy!"

"Pray for the elders! May they be forever healthy!"

According to the Alliance calendar, a cycle is 52 years. The beginning of the last cycle was in 1454, and the next cycle will be in 1506. Although rumours of the elders’ illness were vaguely spreading among the Nobility, most stubbornly believed that the elders would recover their health as many times before.