Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 886 - 504 Sacrificial Rite Ceremony, Population Migration

Chapter 886: Chapter 504 Sacrificial Rite Ceremony, Population Migration

The grand sacrificial ceremony was held outside Water Valley City. The War Priests demarcated the sacrificial area and erected the Divine Platform for the Chief Divine. They sang ancient hymns, lit the blazing Sacred Fire, and prayed atop the high sacrificial platform, offering the heads of divine enemy descendants as sacrifices.

The firelight illuminated, and the sacrificial songs echoed. Xiulote, dressed in the ceremonial dress of the Black Wolf, holding the Scepter of the Grim Reaper’s Skull, stood at the highest point of the Divine Platform, several meters high. He looked down, seeing tens of thousands of legion warriors outside the platform cheering in praise, resembling bees swarming in the mountain forests. Thousands of Tlaxcala captives were prostrated at his feet, like an ant swarm covering the plain!

"...I am guided by the Heavenly Divine, ascending the Divine Mountain and discovering the ancient Temple! The Chief Divine blesses me, and the God of Death grants me the Divine Object! ...That is, the skull of the blood-tongued Black Wolf from the myth, possessing the Divine Power, the ’Grim Reaper’s Skull’!"

Xiulote gazed at the crowd below, feeling the direct human heart-touching power within the Divine Authority. He raised his new scepter high, revealing the black skull on top, proclaiming the divinity that rules all beings!

Soon, low exclamations arose from all directions, accompanied by devout prayers. The Tlaxcala people present were all in shock and awe, doubting and uncertain. They had heard the myth of the ’Grim Reaper’s Skull’ and believed in the noble divinity of the Divine Mountain. However, why did such a heritage Divine Object fall into the hands of the Mexica Commander?

"I control a mighty legion, wielding the Divine Power of volcano and death! In the name of the God of Death, I have received His blessing! A few days ago, on the Divine Mountain, the God of Death bestowed upon me the Divine Object of the Tlaxcala people to tell you all!"

Xiulote declared with vigorous confidence, like a divine spirit.

"From now on, you Tlaxcala tribes must heed my guidance! I inherit from the most ancient God of Death, the noblest divine descendant in the world! You must obey me and surpass those weak Serpent Descendants!"

"...Ah..."

The captured Tlaxcala people fell into silence, helpless and bewildered. They looked around but could not find their Tribal Priests’ guidance. The nobles who held the power to speak in their tribes had long been wiped out by the Mexica. Meanwhile, the Mexica Warriors and the God of War Priests around them cheered thunderously in one voice.

"Praise be to the Chief Divine! Praise be to the God of Death, His Highness! ..."

"He is the divine descendant of the God of Death! He is the Sun decreed by the Chief Divine!"

Divine Smoke rose everywhere, bringing the aura of the Divine Kingdom. The sacrificial ceremony site was frantic, with Priests chanting, praying, and stirring the emotions and wills of the masses. This collective frenzy gradually spread, finally affecting the captured Tlaxcala people, leading them to shout in submission.

"Praise...Esteemed...God of Death, Your Highness! ..."

Calls of reverence sounded sporadically from the crowd of tens of thousands of captives. Gradually, these voices grew louder and more enthusiastic, turning into a mixed and loud howling.

"Praise the mighty God of Death, His Highness!"

"He is the divine descendant of the God of Death!"

"Pray and submit to Him! ..."

Xiulote raised the Skull Scepter, spreading his arms wide, welcoming the sun that rose to the sky’s zenith! Using the tone of a Priest, he chanted prayers loudly. Then, hundreds of Chief God Priests sang high chants together!

"Praise the Chief Divine! He blesses humanity! ...Praise His Highness! He rules all beings! ..."

The grand sacrificial ceremony lasted a full day. Not until all Tlaxcala captives were exhausted from shouting, with their minds imprinted with new reverence and submission, did Xiulote, his voice hoarse, announce the ceremony’s end. He wasn’t clear how potent this sacrificial ceremony would impact the captives’ minds nor how long it would last. However, he knew clearly that the seeds of obedience were sown under the name of the divine, and a new assimilation was beginning.

In mid-April, the first batch of young and robust Tlaxcala captives began to be transported from Water Valley City to the rear, numbering tens of thousands.

They were escorted by thousands of Prepecha Warriors, spending four or five days to march over a hundred li southward to reach a series of fortresses at a mountain pass. Then, they would follow a southwest mountain valley path, passing through Cloud Mountain Village controlled by the Southern Army, marching seven or eight days over two hundred li, to reach Eight Hundred Town on the north bank of the Tarsas River.

The kingdom’s Southern Naval Forces had been waiting outside Eight Hundred Town. All Tlaxcala captives would board vessels there, headed west. Thereafter, they would follow the Long Tarsas River downstream for about twenty days, traveling eight hundred li! Passing through Seven Hundred Town, Six Hundred Town, Four Hundred Town, and Two Hundred Town, they would finally enter Atoyac Lake, and disembark on the south shore of Zicao City!

The entire transportation process would take about a month, with rest and supply military towns along the way. The old General Etalik of Zicao County had prepared to receive the continuously transported young and robust captives. Afterwards, the captives arriving at Zicao City would be split into two groups. Half of them would head west to Apa County, establishing village militias and developing the vast Apa Plain. The other half would stay in Zicao County, becoming registered civilians, developing the county’s western lakeshore. In essence, this area was still considered the outskirts of the Apa Plain.

"Now, the main force of the Southern Route, considering trades with each City-State legion commander, is transferring forty thousand young and robust men and women towards the kingdom!"

Xiulote sat cross-legged in the large tent, browsing the latest records. Each day, trusted aides from the logistics camp would report the number of traded captives.

The kingdom originally had twenty thousand captured Militia, who were the first to be transported. Over the past half month, the kingdom had traded gemstones and bronze equipment with the three City-State legions for over twenty thousand women and children.

At this moment, the three City-State legions had scattered within tens of li nearby, continuously capturing and sending back Tlaxcala Tribes captives. The Coiled Python Clan Leader had even sent an Envoy to the nearest highland state, summoning a new batch of three thousand Militia.

"The Southern Shipbuilding Department has only been operating for a year and a half, so the kingdom’s Southern Naval Forces are relatively weak. The transportation route is overly long, and even with segmented transportation, they can only transport over ten thousand captives a month!"

Thinking this, Xiulote frowned slightly, contemplating carefully.

The eastern expedition had reached this point, and the pre-planned strategies were being implemented. The Southern Army was plundering and trading captives, transporting the young and robust population via organized water routes to the kingdom’s interior, strengthening its foundation. However, the number of captured Tlaxcala surpassed the kingdom’s expectations, and the actual efficiency of water transportation was lower than previously estimated. This was mainly due to the two hundred li of treacherous paths, adding additional walking distance.

The combination of these factors resulted in the accumulation of captives within the Southern Army.

"Too many captives, truly a fortunate dilemma! Fortunately, the army seized a significant amount of food at Water Valley City, sustaining forty thousand people for a year. If not for this loot..."

Xiulote smiled, feeling a bit of goodwill towards the escaped Black Serpent.

"Hmm. The legion under the Black Wolf’s command has rested and is about to march one hundred thirty li east to attack Mountain Peak City. There are nearly one hundred thousand Tlaxcala people in the Mountain Peak City area; the number of captives then...

At this, the King finally made a decision, looking at the Head Warrior standing by.

"Bertade!"

"Your Highness."

"Record the Royal Decree."

"Yes!"

"April is already half over, and spring plowing is about to begin. Aside from the twenty thousand currently being transported, the remaining twenty thousand young men and women must be stationed south of Water Valley City for farming! Instruct the Southern Shipbuilding Department to expedite the construction of low-cost, easy-to-transport double-hulled canoes!"

"Simultaneously, have Ezpan and Etalik prepare to include the migrating young and robust captives into village militias quickly, distributing grain seeds and farming tools. They must prioritize planting corn; if too late, they should plant pumpkins to stave off hunger!"

Bertade quickly wrote down the decree and, in a moment, presented it for the seal. Then, several trusted aides entered the tent, carrying the still wet ink orders, and hurried away.

"Your Highness, after August, no crops can be replanted. How should we arrange the population returning to the kingdom after that?"

"Hmm. For those returning after August, arrange them to build huts, clear mountain forests, dry up swamps, and dig canals...In short, instruct the two plenipotentiary County Magistrates to ensure grain production and keep the able-bodied busy!"

The Central American colonization had one climatic advantage; there was no need to prepare thick houses or warm clothes for winter.

"As you command!"

Bertade smiled serenely and began writing again.

Xiulote was deep in thought when a Messenger rushed in, drenched in sweat and red-faced like a shrimp.

"Your Highness! Urgent military report!"

"Speak!"

"The Mistec people are showing renewed unrest! In the small Willow Fort a hundred sixty li to the south, thousands of new warriors have appeared!"