Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 904 - 520: Tasting Fragrance and Giving Guidance

Chapter 904: Chapter 520: Tasting Fragrance and Giving Guidance

The great hall is wide, with curtains fluttering. Expensive candlelight burns in the corners, and the ancient murals tell tales of times long past. Beneath the murals at the upper end is a dark-colored ancient clay incense burner, already filled with spices.

Acap bowed his eyes and slowly stood up. He approached the incense burner and carefully drew fire from a rough clay fire jar to light the incense. Soon, a gentle and delicate fragrance rose from the incense burner, akin to the sweet smell of rosewood. Upon closer inspection, there seemed to be something hidden within this gentle aroma.

The young Elder Priest raised his head and gazed at the divine mural above the incense burner amidst the gentle fragrance. This mural was quite old; at its center stood the Chief Divine holding a javelin, while below were the led Mexica people. At the forefront of the people was an elderly, white-haired priest holding a Yellow Gemstone Scepter.

"Chief Divine Faction... Chief Priest..."

Acap closed his eyes, savoring the fragrance that blended into his lungs, while a multitude of thoughts rushed forth like a flood. This was his residence, and it once was the Chief Priest’s residence too. Everything in the house was etched with the glory and power that once belonged to the Chief Divine Faction.

"Seven years have passed..."

The young priest murmured softly. He had lived in the Chief Priest’s residence for seven years. These murals were all too familiar to his eyes. He was familiar with every detail of the paintings, every meaning of the characters; he often admired them alone, indulging in his thoughts... What changes would seven years bring to a person?

The incense rose, and it was time to savor the fragrance. The elder sitting below also stopped talking. He inhaled the aroma gently, held his breath, and carefully experienced and tasted it, with a smile gradually appearing on his face. When he opened his eyes again, the young priest, with a jade-like complexion, was already sitting before him.

"Queo, my friend, how is this fragrance?"

Acap smiled slightly and asked calmly.

"Acap, my friend."

Elder Queo gave him a deep look, with a smile at the corner of his mouth.

Five years ago, during the Alliance’s westward expedition, Acap served as an envoy of the High Priesthood to the Holy City of Cholula. There, the two met and became friends. In the art of fragrance savoring, Queo was considered Acap’s mentor.

"This fragrance is considered gentle and beautiful, lightly lingering, initially smelling like well-processed agarwood. This type of incense is affordable and most friendly to the commoners... But if you taste it carefully, seeking even fainter scents within the light aroma, you then realize..."

"Oh? Realize what?"

The smile on Acap’s face gradually spread, like meeting a true confidant.

"...The innermost ingredient is ground sandalwood, a premium wood, the king among trees."

Elder Queo finished with a smile. Then his smile vanished, and he gazed sharply into Acap’s eyes.

"Friend, your intentions cannot be hidden from me!"

"Queo, you truly are a master of the art of fragrance. Back in those days, my initial inspiration was at the Holy City of Cholula, together with all the elders, sharing the world’s marvels."

Acap looked toward the west, his demeanor becoming serene. Then, he reached out to pour Queo a cup of flower tea.

"How is the situation in Cholula now?"

"The situation in the Holy City... You in the High Priesthood can see the frontline intelligence, certainly clearer than I do."

Elder Queo looked serious and sighed.

"His Highness Xiulote raids around Cholula, the City-State army appears outside the Holy City. The urgency of the situation can no longer be delayed... Acap, the fate of the Holy City is in your hands!"

"Queo, though I am an Elder Priest, my position is humble. In the High Priesthood, I have little to say."

Acap smiled bitterly, shaking his head.

"Now, in the High Priesthood, it’s the High Priest who decides, determining the alliance’s church affairs! The other Elder Priests are no more than wooden statues, carrying out ordinary duties. And as for the High Priest’s attitude toward Cholula City, you are not unaware. Before the eastward expedition, when I went to Cholula, the harsh conditions proposed were personally set by the High Priest!"

"...Honor the Mexica King, surrender land and population; honor the High Priesthood, with the War God as the Chief Divine; Cholula City demoted to General Parish, Priest Leader Petl as the Fifth Level Supreme High Priest, other elders demoted to Fourth Level Chief Priests..."

Queo recited in a low voice. These terms had been debated between him and Acap numerous times, deeply etched in his memory and resurfacing from time to time.

"...Ah! These conditions are not truly harsh. It was just that Cholula was then encircled within the Four States Alliance by the Tlaxcalans, making it difficult to lean towards the Mexica Alliance..."

"Queo, you don’t need to explain to me."

Acap raised his hand. He spoke with profound meaning, quoting a saying from the Alliance, seemingly hinting at something.

"...There is only one fork leading to the Holy Mountain Temple. If you miss it, it’s gone. To reach there again, you have to take a detour."

Upon hearing this, Queo lowered his eyes and sighed. After a while, he pursed his lips and asked in a low voice.

"In the High Priesthood, there are twelve elders. Isn’t there anyone who can stand up to oppose the High Priest?"

"Haha. The High Priest is determined to reform, caring not about immediate safety, nor his reputation afterward. Dozens of Great Nobility in Tlacopan were executed without hesitation. Up to twenty thousand were uprooted, deemed as rebels, and exiled to the Kingdom of the Lake!"

Acap chuckled briefly, raising his clay cup to sip the flower tea.

"Under such circumstances, who dares to stand up? Who would be willing to stand up? Moreover..."

"Moreover, what?"

Elder Queo’s expression was solemn as he listened to the Mexica Alliance’s top-secret inner circle situation.

"Above the High Priest is him, and below the High Priest is His Highness Xiulote."

Acap extends his finger, pointing above, then below.

"A sun of the past, a sun of the future... Especially at this juncture, no one will speak for you! ...If you don’t believe me, go find other elder priests; it’s the same."

"Alas!"

Elder Queo helplessly sighs again.

"Acap, to be frank with you. Before coming here, I tried to find Elder Priest Uguel... But alas, I couldn’t even see his face!"

"Elder Uguel... He’s indeed been very busy recently. Even for the matters of the High Priesthood, he hasn’t had time to attend to them..."

At this, Acap’s eyes flicker, nodding meaningfully with a touch of envy.

"To be near the sun and not be dazzled by its light... that’s truly rare indeed..."

"Hmm? The sun, dazzling?"

Elder Queo feels somewhat puzzled. His eyebrows rise, yet the other’s enigmatic nature hasn’t changed a bit. However, with the situation in the Holy City so pressing, he doesn’t have the heart to deal with roundabout matters.

"Acap, my friend. The elder priests of Cholula have always enjoyed conversing with you, they hold you in high regard!"

Elder Queo straightens up and speaks candidly.

"Without butterflies, how can flowers bloom?... If the Holy City could join the Alliance, then all the elder priests could become your allies! With your foundation in the Alliance, if you wish to advance further... you would indeed need the assistance of Cholula City!"

Hearing such words, Acap purses his lips, his eyes flickering, not speaking for a long time. The incense in the burner gradually burns out, and the scent of sandalwood becomes even more pronounced. Until the last wisp of blue smoke disperses, Acap finally nods slowly, responding in a deep voice.

"My friend, you speak correctly... Given that, I have some advice for you and for all the elders of Cholula City."

"I am eager to hear!"

Upon hearing this, Elder Queo’s spirit is greatly refreshed. He straightens up, gazing at the other’s handsome face.

"Friend, Cholula is the Eastern Holy City, entrusted with the hopes of the world. Without an immense reason, the Alliance would not attack or destroy Cholula... And the marshal of the Southern Army is His Highness Xiulote. I grew up with him and know his character... As long as Cholula lowers its stance respectfully, he will naturally be moved with sympathy."

"Hmm? Lowering one’s stance, speaking of ordinary people?"

Elder Queo pauses, thinking for a while, and silently notes it down.

"The real path for Cholula lies in watching King Aweit on the northern road! His ambition reaches the world; he seeks not only to pacify all factions but also to subdue all city-states, sitting high on the Throne of the Gods..."

Acap muses for a moment, not saying much. In reality, his foothold in the High Priesthood was heavily reliant on the King’s support.

"Hmm..."

Elder Queo nods. The northern road has the priest leader, Petl, personally sent. He has enough confidence in this old fox.

"Cholula Holy City holds a special status; the King would not overlook it. Of course, the city’s previous offenses will inevitably be punished. The terms of submission will also become harsher. But I urge all the elder priests not to act hastily and oppose the King!... The grand momentum of the Alliance has formed, growing like a Divine Wood. Yield and follow, endure through this period, and integrate into the Alliance..."

At this, Aweit extends his hand, pointing to the priest in the divine mural guiding the masses.

"...By then, you and I could be part of the painting!"

"Indeed! Indeed!"

Elder Queo nods heavily. He glances at Acap with a smile. Yet, after a moment, he becomes somewhat uneasy.

"Acap, then should I do nothing at the Lake Capital City? I have brought some divine objects... some elders of the royal family..."

"Divine objects?!"

Hearing this, Acap’s eye twitches. Cholula City has been passed down for five hundred years, holding quite a few treasures. He suppresses the desire within him, shaking his head firmly.

"Do nothing. In my opinion, you shouldn’t have come to the Capital City at all! In this perilous eyewall of the storm, at this critical juncture, at this sensitive moment!..."

"Hmm? Perilous, critical, sensitive?"

Elder Queo is shocked upon hearing this. He suddenly stretches out his arm, grabbing Acap’s hand.

"What great event is going to happen in the Lake Capital City?!"

"...What kind of great event?... A heaven-like event."

Acap remains silent for a while before speaking in a low voice, almost inaudible.

"The immortal sun is about to set..."

"Ah!!!"

A sharp exclamation echoes from the ancient hall, even bringing the sound of wind. The flame in the corner flickers and then extinguishes, completely burning out.