Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 810 - 442: The Prison

Chapter 810: Chapter 442: The Prison

The morning prayers resonated in the Lake Capital City, singing praises of the Chief Divine’s brilliance. Faint smoke rose into the sky, transforming into mystical shapes that narrated the omens of the divine.

Xiulote conversed briefly, then left his grandfather’s bedroom. He raised his head, standing in the vast High Priest’s Mansion, gazing at the cloudy sky. The fate of mortals is like the drifting smoke, scattering into the grand era’s firmament, henceforth unable to control their destiny...

After a few seconds, the young king smiled calmly. He glanced at Bertade and Nashu standing on either side and instructed in a deep voice.

"Let’s go to the Priesthood’s prison and judge the fate of the rebels!"

"As your will commands!"

Under the escort of dozens of Imperial Guard Warriors, Xiulote stepped forward briskly, leaving the High Priest’s Mansion within two steps. The group headed towards the Great Temple, arriving at the Priesthood’s prison after a quarter of an hour.

The Priesthood’s prison is situated at the center of the Temple District, inside the temple of the God of Sin, close to the Great Temple where sacrifices are held. The prison houses individuals who are destined to be divine sacrifices in the Great Temple’s ceremonies, precious offerings meant for the divine. Therefore, the prison is heavily guarded by over a hundred Temple Warriors inside and out.

Seeing the approaching banners, a middle-aged Priest wearing a Feather Crown hurriedly walked out of the temple. His high cheekbones, gloomy and severe expression, with terrifying facial tattoos, made people shiver involuntarily. Only when he saw Xiulote, did he manage to squeeze out a smile, bowing his head in salute.

"The Chief Divine protects! Greetings, Supreme High Priest!"

"The Chief Divine protects! Greetings, Priest Yao!"

Xiulote smiled back, his manner gentle and words quite courteous.

Although the middle-aged priest in front of him is only a Fourth Level Chief Priest, he comes from an ancient priestly family. The meaning of Yao is combat and hostility; they are an important branch of the War God Priest lineage. Generationally, they manage the prison, overseeing the captives meant for sacrifice, devout in serving the divine, their position relatively independent. With the expanding influence of the High Priesthood, the role of Priest Yao has grown increasingly important, akin to the ancient judicial officials of the Celestial Empire.

After exchanging a few words, they moved to the main topic. Priest Yao’s expression turned solemn as he spoke in a deep voice.

"Respected Supreme High Priest Xiulote, the prison of the God of Sin has always held many war prisoners and rebels sentenced for sacrifices. Recently, the High Priesthood has been rigorously dealing with the rebel nobility from Tlacopan, and numerous divine sacrifices have been transferred here... I wonder, who might you wish to visit?"

"Respected Priest Yao, I have come this time to visit the rebel noble from the Western Kingdom, Clan Leader Guramo of the Zicao Clan."

Xiulote’s expression remained unchanged, but his hand silently tightened.

"Oh, Guramo! The one transferred here not long ago by the kingdom’s Secret Guards. That guy, that guy..."

Saying this, Priest Yao frowned, pausing as though he had more to say. After a few breaths, he shook his head slightly.

"Supreme High Priest, it’s best if I personally take you to see him!"

"Hmm?"

Xiulote raised his eyebrows thoughtfully. He ordered the Imperial Guards to remain outside the temple, taking only Bertade and Nashu with him, following Priest Yao deeper into the prison.

As soon as they entered the prison, the thick scent of blood and sweat assaulted their noses, causing slight dizziness. The prison held many narrow and sturdy stone cells, all tightly packed with male nobles covered in dirt. Some had blank expressions, others showed despair, some whispered in fear, and some screamed in anger. A few remained calm and unfazed.

As Priest Yao entered, the nobles in the stone cells erupted. Many rushed to the front of their cells, pleading loudly, swearing by the Chief Divine, and promising various benefits.

"Supreme High Priest, these are all great nobles from Tlacopan."

Priest Yao slightly turned his head to explain. Then, his expression became cold and stern as he scanned the hopeless sacrifices, leading the way deeper into the prison.

Seeing the indifference of the prison’s Chief Priest, the nobles became even more desperate, some going hysterical. Recognizing Xiulote, they shouted loudly. Soon, frenzied curses erupted from the cells, mixed with venomous insults aimed at the High Priest.

Xiulote listened for a moment, a murderous intent rising in his heart. His face turned pale, clutching the Obsidian Dagger at his waist, his gaze sweeping across the struggling noble sacrifices, before slowly suppressing his killing intent. The warriors guarding the prison shouted harshly, violently poking the nobles with blunt wooden sticks, quieting the nearly crazed nobles slightly.

Priest Yao, accustomed to such scenes, continued steadily. He opened the inner stone cells of the prison, walking down cautiously, finally stopping at a bloodstained stone cell, pointing at the curled-up, thin figure in the corner.

"Supreme High Priest, this is Clan Leader Guramo of the Zicao Clan."

"Thank you, Priest Yao."

Xiulote nodded in acknowledgment. Then, his gaze deepened, observing the figure in the corner through the dim torchlight of the cell. The person hugged his legs, head down, his face unseen.

"Please open the cell. I want to question him personally."

"As you wish."

Priest Yao waved his hand, and two guards approached, untying the sisal rope lock outside the cell. Then, they exerted force together to open the heavy small cell door. Subsequently, Priest Yao solemnly reminded while pointing at the prisoner.

"Supreme High Priest, please be cautious during the interrogation. When the Alliance Secret Guards handed over the prisoner, they informed the prison that the sacrifices possess extraordinary martial arts skills and have consumed excessive Holy Water, resulting in complete insanity... In other words, this is a human-shaped beast, whose soul was destroyed by divine power during the trials."

"Consumed excessive Holy Water? Human-shaped beast..."

Upon hearing this, Xiulote’s heart sank. He expressed gratitude to Priest Yao.

"Respected Priest Yao, Guramo is the mastermind behind the assassination plot against me. I wish to interrogate him alone for a while."

"As you wish."

Priest Yao nodded knowingly. He retreated with the guards a dozen steps away. Xiulote then brought Bertade into the narrow cell, with Nashu standing guard by the door.

Hearing the sound, the figure within the cell suddenly raised its head. He stared fiercely at Xiulote, eyes wild like a maddened beast.

Xiulote tightly gripped the dagger in his hand, his gaze burning silently. He confronted the man on the ground without uttering a word. Despite his pale face, contorted expression, and emaciated figure, that handsome appearance, and the resemblance to Medina’s features, unmistakably confirmed his identity.

"Gu...ra...mo..."

Xiulote enunciated each syllable slowly, releasing the words from his chest. Flames of anger ignited within him, filling his face with murderous intent. He remembered the wilted, captivating rose, and the near-death kiss and farewell...

After a long while, he looked into Guramo’s eyes, speaking coldly with the pleasure of revenge.

"Guramo, do you regret now?"

"Hehe, hehe, hehehe..."

Upon hearing the voice, Guramo stared for a moment, then suddenly grinned, laughing out loud. His voice was hoarse and unpleasant, like a dying duck. Suddenly, he stretched out his hand, widening his eyes, yelling madly at the person in front.

"Holy Water, Holy Water, give me Holy Water! Hehe, hehe, hehehe..."