Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 789 - 428: Palace Night Talk, Temple Prayer

Chapter 789: Chapter 428: Palace Night Talk, Temple Prayer

The night was deep, and a veil of darkness enveloped Lake Texcoco, large bonfires were lit all around the capital city. The royal palace was bright with firelight, and servants bustled about. Joyous singing and laughter floated through the rose garden, while inside the King’s Great Hall, there was still an atmosphere of quiet and solemnity.

Aweit sat on the throne with paper and pen in hand, attending to the affairs of the Alliance. His expression was indifferent, and with each stroke of the pen, he decided the fate of others. After a while, he set down his feather pen and glanced at the dim sky outside the hall.

"It’s so late already..."

Aweit’s brow furrowed slightly, busy until now and indeed feeling a bit hungry. He instructed a guard in the hall.

"Go check what Alisa is doing, whether she has eaten or not."

"As you command, Your Majesty!"

The guard hurried off. Aweit stretched out his hand and rubbed his brow. In a few months, the Alliance was to embark on a major eastern campaign, and it was necessary to start transporting large amounts of food and military supplies now, while nobles and samurais from various regions were also beginning to mobilize. An eastern campaign was a significant military affair, years in the making, demanding careful planning.

A moment later, the guard quickly returned, respectfully reporting.

"Your Majesty, the princess and His Highness are in the garden, eating grilled fish and singing. Both the princess and His Highness are in high spirits, there are musicians playing bamboo flutes and clay ocarinas, and the servants have prepared many fruits and snacks..."

Upon hearing this, Aweit’s eyebrows raised. He asked in a deep voice.

"Didn’t Alisa invite me to join them for dinner?"

"Your...Your Majesty."

The guard bowed deeply, slightly nervous.

"The princess is in good spirits, having fun and probably, maybe... forgot. I’ll go ask..."

Aweit thought for a moment with a stern face, then waved his hand.

"Never mind! Prepare some rice wine and a meal for me, right here in the hall!"

"As you command!"

The guard quickly left. Aweit remained seated on the throne, looking in the direction of the garden. After a long moment, he sighed softly, shaking his head.

"My daughter is grown, truly beyond my grasp now..."

Thereafter, the king of the Alliance continued to review the documents, feeling somewhat irritable and helpless. He stood up and paced around the splendid hall, resembling a deity in a mural. Supreme and commanding all, yet solitary and without companionship.

Before long, a refined meal was brought into the hall, arrayed in a row on a low table. Grilled fish, fragrant deer meat, stuffed turkey eggs, honeyed black bean paste, and thin corn cakes.

Aweit looked at the food, suddenly feeling even less of an appetite. He pondered for a moment and commanded in a deep voice to the guard.

"Prepare the same food for Alisa and send it to the garden. Also, tell her the night air is cool, not to stay out too late..."

"...As you command!"

The guard respectfully saluted and exited the hall. He ran back and forth, breaking out in a fine sweat. A late breeze blew, and he let out a comfortable long breath. The early summer wind was warm, hardly cool at all.

The king of the hall sat alone, gazing up at the mural on the ceiling, until the wooden doors of the hall suddenly burst open, and a figure in a black robe silently walked in.

"My king!"

"Gillim, you’ve returned."

Aweit looked up faintly and nodded slightly. He gestured toward the food on the table, saying calmly.

"I don’t have much of an appetite alone, join me for some food and drink."

"Yes, my king."

Gillim nodded solemnly. He approached the lower end of the table and sat down with dignity. Aweit then returned to the head of the table and sat relaxed.

"Here, have a drink!"

Aweit casually sipped some tequila and asked in a deep voice.

"How is it?"

"My king, I personally reviewed the tributes for His Highness Xiulote and talked to certain individuals among the Imperial Guards, inquiring about some public information."

Gillim responded calmly. A significant portion of the Imperial Guard were samurais from the Mexica Alliance, closely linked with the central Royal Family, entwined in myriad ways.

"His Highness Xiulote’s tributes are quite valuable, totaling hundreds of thousands of boxes... among them, there are 36 Rain God Tiger Squat Cannons and 4 Sun Divine Eagle Cannons. It’s roughly half the current number of cannons in the kingdom."

"Half of the cannons. Hmm, good!"

Aweit nodded in satisfaction. Then, intrigued, he asked in a deep voice.

"Rain God Tiger Squat Cannons, Sun Divine Eagle Cannons?"

"Yes. Rain God Tiger Squat Cannons are small bronze cannons for field battles, while Sun Divine Eagle Cannons are large bronze cannons for sieging. Both are much more powerful than wooden cannons."

Gillim recalled the cannons he had touched, his expression slightly moved, emotions fluctuating.

"My king, I asked the Foundry Bureau craftsmen, and these two types of bronze weapons are quite large, making them very difficult to produce. Especially the Sun Divine Eagle Cannons; the alliance’s master craftsmen aren’t sure... it might be necessary to summon master craftsmen from the Kingdom of the Lake or request them as part of the tribute..."

"Hmm?"

Aweit frowned, displeased.

"This is Alisa’s wedding!"

Gillim instantly understood. He respectfully bowed his head, immediately changing his wording.

"Cannon casting technology is of great importance, which could significantly benefit the Alliance in warfare. Perhaps it can be requested during the autumn tribute, letting the High Priest and Vice Legion Commander convey it."

"Hmm."

Aweit pondered briefly, nodding in agreement.

"Xiulote is in need of labor. Let’s exchange five thousand robust men and women for a few cannon craftsmen from the kingdom!"

"Yes. As per your command."

Gillim saluted solemnly. Then, after pondering for a few breaths, he made another suggestion.

"My king, the kingdom’s Naval Forces have recently launched a new type of massive galley, significantly superior in naval combat to canoes. The alliance’s naval forces likewise need the technology to build these warships..."