Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 842 - 466 The End of the Year 1487, Successor Dias

Chapter 842: Chapter 466 The End of the Year 1487, Successor Dias

November 1487, 22 degrees south latitude, Namibian coast, Cape Cross.

The summer sea breeze of the southern hemisphere blew in from the Western Ocean, carrying a moist salty scent, surging towards the sandy sea of the East. Under the clear sky and sea, flocks of seabirds soared. Albatrosses spread their long wings, red-breasted herons sang loudly, white pelicans flew to the sea and back to the sky, while flamingos hovered high.

The sea sparkled with waves, dolphins circled the anchored sailboats, curiously observing many people they had never seen before. A few miles away, humpback whales, over ten meters long, leaped out of the water, splashing several meters high. These massive creatures moved leisurely, waving their wing-like pectoral fins, and emitting complex and prolonged low chants!

"Tenho saudades!... This is the deep sea’s confession, as if from a departed friend. He grew weary of life on earth, and found eternal rest in Heaven... leaving me, a lonely pathfinder, to suffer the passage of time in this world!..."

Dias stood by the shore, gazing at the wooden tombstone before him, murmuring his low chant with a sense of longing. He wore the noble captain’s uniform symbolizing his rank, his hair meticulously groomed, with the captain’s hat held in his hand. His weathered face exuded the deep melancholy unique to the Portuguese people. After a moment, he closed his eyes and prayed devoutly to the Almighty.

At this moment, his soul was immersed in nostalgic memories, and the hundreds of sailors and crew behind him became insignificant background.

Bruno, dressed in his captain’s uniform, stood silently behind Dias, head bowed. He pursed his lips and drew a cross on his forehead with force, as indescribable emotions surged within him but he could not find the words to speak.

"Merciful Holy Mother, please grant me sacred protection to discover the route to the East and find the Kingdom of Prester John!..."

After a while, Dias drew a cross and recited the final prayer. Then, his expression grew cold as he glanced at Bruno behind him, and a killing intent emerged in his heart.

"Bruno, I heard you attended the last rites of the Royal Knight Diogo?"

"Yes! Esteemed Royal Knight, when the honorable captain passed away, I was by his side, preparing olive oil for him... The captain suffered from the demon’s curse, coughing blood for months, and he was as thin as a twig when he went to Heaven, even lighter than a child..."

Bruno replied respectfully, albeit with trepidation. As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes, a mix of genuine and false emotions, even he could not distinguish them.

"Hmm."

Seeing the tearful Bruno, Dias remained silent for a moment before nodding slightly. He turned his head again, looking at his old friend’s tombstone, finally suppressing his killing intent, which turned into a long sigh.

"Alas, I understand your feelings... You let him attend the final rites and handed the flagship to him, which meant you chose to forgive... In that case, let him return alive!... Rest in peace, my old friend, Diogo!"

During the exploration of the Congo River’s depths, there was a mutiny on Diogo’s ship. Though the mutiny was eventually quelled and the ringleader hanged, the intrigue could be hidden from Lisbon’s court but not from the experienced Great Navigator. Dias was convinced that the Noble Knight Bruno was undoubtedly guilty...

Thinking of this, Dias shook his head slightly. How many Navigators persist in their maritime paths are truly innocent? Whose hands have not been stained with blood?... Even he, at Elmina Castle, having massacred the indigenous tribes to occupy the surrounding gold mines... With a brief recollection, Dias bowed his head again, praying softly.

"Praise to my Father in Heaven!... The Almighty shows His grace through redemption, from ages to eternity... He granted me the Holy Sword to cut through all evil and bestows the light to redeem my blood!..."

Hearing Dias’s chant, Bruno quickly bowed his head and adopted a devout praying posture, not daring to make a sound.

Having followed the captain for many years, he had roughly understood the Royal navigational nobility’s conduct principles. Even if being ruthless, killing in the sea of blood, like demons, one must have unwavering faith, believing in the light of their soul and the Almighty’s redemption... Don’t be fooled by Dias’s benevolent praying demeanor now; if he raised a killing intention, he could chop heads without blinking an eye...

Though Bruno harbored resentment in his heart, he dared not show it on his face. He patiently waited for Dias to finish his prayer before softly speaking.

"Esteemed Royal Knight! The tombstone of Captain Diogo was temporarily carved from wood. Nearly two years have passed, and it’s already somewhat decayed... How about letting the fleet rest here for two days to carve a stone monument for the captain?"

"Rest for two days, carve a stone monument..."

Upon hearing this, Dias pondered for a moment, apparently a bit tempted; but in the end, he shook his head.

"Let it be. The Kingdom will remember Diogo Knight’s name, remember his piety and dedication. As for his burial site, let him rest peacefully without being disturbed by anyone! This place is, after all, far from the Kingdom..."

"Yes, yes... You are right! Praise the Holy Mother, may the captain rest in peace!..."

"Hmm."

Dias nodded, looking at the respectful and devout Bruno, finding him slightly more agreeable.

Last summer, the fleet exploring south returned, bringing the news of the Navigator Diogo’s death and a sea chart extending to the southern latitude of 20 degrees along the African coast.

After Pope Sixtus IV went to Heaven, his nephew, Giuliano della Rovere, through various struggles, still firmly grasped the Holy See’s power, sidelining the new Pope, Innocent VIII. The Holy See’s policies still continued the tradition of the previous Pope, remaining zealous about finding the Kingdom of Prester John in the East.

King João was ambitious, desiring new route openings. The gold mines of Elmina greatly improved Portugal’s finances. The discovery of the Congo Kingdom further motivated and inspired the kingdom. Last October, King João summoned his highly trusted Royal descendant, Royal Knight Dias, appointing him the head of the expedition fleet, commanding him to continue exploring southward to find the route to the East.

After nearly a year of preparation, Dias set sail from Lisbon this year in August, leading three oceanic exploratory ships, searching for the unknown boundaries of the Southern Continent. He learned from Diogo’s fleet’s mutiny experience, selecting two Caravel sailboats and one square-rigged supply ship.

The flagship Caravel, personally led by him, was the "São Cristóvão," carrying the most sailors. The square-rigged supply ship, loaded with food and water, was under the charge of his brother, Pero Dias. The brothers, one controlling the sailors and the other managing the supplies, echoing each other, minimized the risk of crew mutiny. As for the last Caravel sailboat...

Dias turned back, casting another indifferent glance at Bruno.

The Royal Family originally favored the Noble Knight Joao Infante, but surprisingly, the court advisor, Scholar Martin Behaim, who had returned from the sea, highly praised Noble Knight Bruno, vigorously recommending him to the Royal Family. Joao Infante’s temper was indeed somewhat irritable... After much deliberation, Dias, harboring killing intent, finally entrusted this risky opportunity to the experienced Bruno.

"Bruno, you are now an honorable Kingdom Captain! Regardless of your past, from today, you must devoutly serve the Almighty, loyally serve the Kingdom!... Remember, the Almighty shows His grace through redemption, from ages to eternity... Do well, and grace will be bestowed upon this world!"

"...Yes, yes! Esteemed Royal Knight, I will devoutly serve the Almighty, practice His words, and embrace His ways... And I will dedicate my life to the Kingdom! During this voyage, I will follow your every command!"

Bruno immediately knelt on the ground, raising his left hand, devoutly crying. He heard the forgiveness in Dias’s words, and the trepidation of many days was suddenly swept away, even feeling a surge of joy. The Royal Knight before him was a significant figure, deeply trusted by the King. As long as he clung to this powerful connection...

"Hmm. Stand up!"

Dias, with a calm expression, instructed in a deep voice. Then, he scanned the sailors and crew, all with bowed heads, sternly commanded.

"Sailing Master Pero de Alenquer!"

"Here! Captain."

A savvy senior crew member, with a sharp scimitar, stepped forward and saluted.

"Report latitude!"

"Yes!"

Sailing Master Pero reached into his bosom and pulled out a volume. He unrolled it and, after scanning a few lines, loud reported.

"Captain, based on last night’s Southern Cross measurements, we are between 20-22 degrees south latitude!"

"Very good!"

Dias nodded, his expression solemn, looking around at everyone, loudly announcing.

"The purpose of this voyage is to bypass the boundary of the Southern Continent, head to the East, and seek the powerful Kingdom of Prester John! The honorable Royal Knight Diogo sacrificed his life, extending the Kingdom’s navigational exploration boundary from the Equator to 20 degrees south latitude! And our voyage will truly begin from here, extending to 40 degrees south latitude!..."

"40 degrees south?!"

Hearing this, Bruno was startled, many sailors also showed fear, raising their heads as if to speak.

Dias’s eagle-like gaze, filled with undeniable killing intent, coldly swept over the crowd. The sailors immediately fell silent, not daring to complain at all.

"Very good! The Almighty witnesses, you all agree with me! Since there are no objections, now, board the ships and head south!... Holy Mother be with us!"

"Holy Mother be with us!"

The sailors responded softly, quickly dividing into three teams and boarded the three ships. Soon, the anchors were drawn up, sails raised, the flag of the Kingdom of Portugal flying high, as the Caravel sailboats slowly picked up speed.

On the vast South Atlantic, beyond the long Namibian sands, whales played, seabirds sang. This deserted sea was so pure at this moment. Between the sea and sky, only the three small exploratory sailboats, against the Benguela Current, sailed arduously towards the unknown south!

Ahead of them lay the endlessly extending Southern Continent and unknown mysterious seas. Behind them, a lone cape, a decaying tombstone, and a buried Kingdom pioneer.