Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 856 - 477 Exploration of the Kingdom of the Lake, Bird Mountain Island and Guano Rock

Chapter 856: Chapter 477 Exploration of the Kingdom of the Lake, Bird Mountain Island and Guano Rock

"Chief Divine, it’s truly a mountain-sized great island!"

The vast expanse of water and sky, the giant island looming on the horizon. Chiwaco, the old militia, stood at the bow of the oar-sail ship, speechless and wide-eyed, staring at the suddenly appearing great island. As the expedition fleet approached, the gray-white giant island grew larger until it filled everyone’s vision completely, blocking the wave-sprayed coasts on both sides!

"Priest Mekate, can you estimate its size?"

Priest Mekate, aboard the ship, closed one eye, extended his arm, and estimated horizontally with his thumb. Quickly, he reported the number in surprise.

"Captain, it’s at least a hundred li in length and several dozen li in width! The high peaks on the island are probably over a thousand meters tall!"

"Indeed, indeed, a miraculous great island! We’ve traveled this far, hardly encountering any islands along the way, how could such a huge island suddenly appear?... Could it be, actually transformed from a divine giant tortoise?"

Chiwaco murmured to himself, the shock on his face yet to fade, now with more contemplation.

"No wonder the people of Guayma tribe said we would definitely see this great island... Mountain Bird, what’s the name of this island?"

"Leader, the Guayma tribe calls it ’Tahejöc.’

"What, Ta-what? What does it mean?"

"Uh..."

Mountain Bird Cavado scratched his head, not really knowing the meaning, just having a vague impression. He took a good look at the island ahead and improvised based on his knowledge of the Seri language.

"Tahejöc! It roughly means ’a holy, towering island with many birds’!"

Tahejöc Island is what later became known as Tiburon Island along the northwest coast of Mexico! It is the largest island in the Gulf of California and all of Mexico, spanning 1,200 square kilometers, about half the size of Shanghai. Due to the multitude of seabirds inhabiting the island, it was later established as a bird sanctuary.

"Ah! Indeed there are many birds, many large birds!"

As the fleet reached the edge of Tahejöc Island, a deafening chorus of bird calls emanated from all around, drifting leisurely into the distance. Chiwaco looked up to see tens of thousands of seabirds circling over the island. They soared and descended in flight, perched on the gray-white and yellowish-brown mountain ranges in the island’s center, like spirits guarding the mysterious island.

"Hmm... Ta-whatever island is too hard to remember! Such high mountains and so many birds..."

Chiwaco glanced at the towering, continuous mountain ranges and the sky-crossing flocks of birds and quickly made a decision. He patted Cavado on the shoulder beside him, smiling as he spoke.

"Cavado, let’s name it after you, Mountain Bird Island! Haha, we found Mountain Bird Island with Mountain Bird, so people will remember you in the future!"

"This... I... Mountain Bird Island..."

Cavado’s eyes widened, looking at the laughing leader, not knowing whether to be grateful or grateful.

The old militia paid no mind. He swiftly gathered his smile and gazed at the strange great island, contemplation showing in his expression.

"This suddenly appearing great island should be the bird sanctuary His Majesty instructed us to find. An island full of seabirds, guano-stained rocks..."

"Splat!"

As everyone observed from the ship, birds circled overhead. After a short while of staying still, sparse bird droppings, carrying a sense of freedom, rained down like droplets from the sky.

"Splat, splat, splat!"

"Ah, damn it!"

Huitu Puap suddenly covered his eyes and lowered his head. He wiped his face desperately but only smeared the wet substance everywhere. Fortunately, the stuff looked disgusting but wasn’t too smelly, with a faint salty taste. That was the taste of phosphates in the guano, which fixed the stinky ammonia.

"Huh? Faint salty taste?... Damn it!"

Puap froze momentarily, then spat furiously.

"Ptooey, ptooey ptooey! Damn birds, damn bird poop!"

"Countless birds, year after year of bird poop... stone..."

Chiwaco extended his hand, shielding his forehead. Moments later, he flipped his hand and back, looking at the green and white mush on his hand, then glanced at the many gray-white mountain rocks beneath the nesting birds.

"The color of these rocks, different from those we’ve seen along the voyage!"

The old militia pondered in silence, a realization dawning on his face. Then, he glanced at the choking Puap and a smile appeared on his wrinkled face.

"Old Puap, bird poop in the mouth, a blessing from the Heavenly Divine, is a good omen!"

"Ptooey ptooey!... A good omen? Crap! Why don’t you try this so-called good omen!"

"Haha, of course, it’s a good omen! An omen for our return! So many birds on the island, so much bird poop, and so little rain..."

Chiwaco looked at the island, where green vegetation was scarce.

Recalling the journey, as they sailed further northwest, rain decreased significantly, the surroundings grew desolate, and even large villages couldn’t be sustained. When they neared this great island, the surrounding tribes were no longer the settled Yaji people but the semi-nomadic Seri people. Naturally, it was known that the rainfall here was scarce, probably none or just one or two showers a year.

"His Majesty ordered us to find an island with many birds, a lot of bird poop, and no rain... This must be the bird sanctuary, the Guano Island we’re looking for!"

"Ah? Old Chi, are you certain this is the place His Majesty instructed us to find?"

"Yes, I think it is! You see, it fits His Majesty’s words, and the surrounding tribes are aware of it. At least... it should suffice to report back!"

Chiwaco stroked his wrinkled face, pondering aloud. Within him, a yearning for home stirred. After this long trek of probably thousands of li, it was immensely arduous. He yearned to see his simple-minded daughter, Luwei, and give a good scolding to his son-in-law, Weizti. But His Majesty’s command, though lightly spoken, weighed heavily on his not-so-broad shoulders...