Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 908 - 523: The Pact of Death

Chapter 908: Chapter 523: The Pact of Death

Darkness extends in the grand hall, bringing a silence akin to death. Shadows creep over the heart and fall upon the face, rendering it hazy. Only a pair of deep, aged eyes remain, meeting in silence.

"Clang, clang..."

Soon, two Elder Guards entered with short weapons. They took out firestones and lit the candles beneath the fresco, bowed respectfully, and silently retreated. The candlelight illuminated their bodies, casting long, profound shadows over the two white-haired elders. The true shadow, Cevali, stood beside them, holding a pottery jar in one hand and pressing down a Bronze Axe with the other.

Silence spread and quietness was soundless. The elder lowered his gaze, his expression unchanging, patiently waiting. There was no killing intent on his face, nor was there any urgency. He simply smiled calmly, as if reminiscing about a long and real dream.

The High Priest closed his eyes; myriad memories surged to his heart. There were ancestors who passed, a deceased wife, children who died prematurely, alongside continuing hope. Timeless moments flowed in his heart, like a serene river, rendering death bland.

He remembered his youth, during the era of predecessor monarch Itzcoatl, when the Three States Alliance was newly established, and the Lake Capital City showed early prominence. He recalled his middle-aged years, during the era of predecessor monarch Montezuma, weathered Teotihuacan, gradually recovering as the ancient Holy City. Then, he thought of his old age, remembered the growing hope, from precocious hatchlings in the Holy City, to young feathers growing in the Capital City, until an eagle with expanded wings in the West!... Gradually, a grin appeared on his lips, brazenly blossoming.

After a long while, the High Priest straightened his spine. For the first time, he faced the elder with equal majesty and slowly nodded.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing, the elder opened his eyes. He gazed at his nephew, observing his tranquility in confronting death, and smiled with satisfaction.

"Good! Xutel, you haven’t disappointed me."

The High Priest remained calm, nodded, and said nothing. He looked toward Cevali beside him, observing the small pottery jar, awaiting death calmly. He had long known what lay within the jar.

The elder’s lips curled into a smile. He looked at the High Priest’s expression and murmured softly.

"Not now, my child, not here."

"Hmm? Elder?..."

At the words, the High Priest hesitated slightly. His calmness was finally broken, revealing a trace of surprise.

"Xutel, I won’t live much longer, but I can hold out for two more days."

The elder smiled serenely, candidly speaking of life and death.

"Your body won’t last two years, but you can still journey far."

"Hmm."

The High Priest silently awaited an answer, an answer about death.

"Before returning to the Divine Tree, don’t you wish to see that child again?"

The elder smiled benevolently, asking peacefully.

The High Priest’s expression changed suddenly, with a glimmer of light igniting in his heart.

"You mean?..."

"It’s just the two of us on the road, and it would be lonely. Too many old fellows reluctant to leave occupy too many positions in the world..."

The elder smiled gently, a serene and peaceful expression. At this moment, he seemed like a kindly elder holding a broom named death, hoping to tidy the dwelling.

"The Holy City Cholula, twelve Priestly Families, have lasted too long... take them along!"

"Take them all?"

Upon hearing, the High Priest suddenly laughed. His laughter was pure and clean, like a diligent child eager to clean the home.

"Indeed. The Holy City Cholula is the heart of the world, without a compelling reason, the children wouldn’t easily act."

The elder nodded with a smile, his lips curling. He thought of familiar old friends in Cholula, indeed with some nostalgia.

"Just right, there’s still a few days to make a pact in death. I will let you leave, go see that child first, and then visit Cholula City to catch up with those old fellows... their Divine Smoke is good, incense is pleasant, potion is worthy of enjoyment... then, you depart from there!"

"Depart from there?"

The High Priest squinted, thought for a while, and nodded in agreement.

"I see... indeed, it’s good!"

"Yes. I’ll let the shadow Cevali depart with you, leaving the Lake Capital City."

The elder calmly instructed. It was a layer of assurance, a contract in form rather than substance.

"...You leave for two days first, when the shadow returns, I will come."

"Ah, a pact of death!..."

The High Priest’s corners of the mouth lifted. He looked at the elder’s face and asked with a smile.

"Elder, you’re letting me go, aren’t you worried?"

"Xutel, my child, I trust you."

The elder’s eyes were profound, with a calm smile.

"After I go, the balance of power within the Alliance will be disrupted. If you don’t wish to see the children make mistakes, you will make a choice."

"Indeed. When the warm sun sets, the cold darkness inevitably descends. Some things cannot be avoided..."

The High Priest pondered for a moment, nodding slowly. With the elder’s foresight, it wouldn’t leave countermeasures unplanned. The Southern Army’s supply lines were all within the control of the Lake Capital City. But if he left this city, the extent of his influence would shrink significantly... it wasn’t time for Xiulote to ascend yet.

"So be it! With the state of my health, there’s really no need to cling to surviving another year or two."

The High Priest smiled relievedly, reaching out to wear the revered Feather Crown, covering his silver hair.

"Elder, then we shall agree, meeting at the Divine Tree!"

"Haha! Good!"

The elder laughed heartily. It was the first time in many years, and it would be his last. He reached out, grasped the High Priest’s arm, similarly frail and aged.

"For the Alliance."

Upon hearing, the High Priest shook his head, replied solemnly.

"No, for my grandson."

"No matter. Your grandson is the future of the Alliance."

The elder promised placidly.

"I’ll leave a will, handing it to his care."

Hearing this, the High Priest paused and nodded earnestly.

"Good! Chief Divine bless!"

At this moment, the face of High Priest Xutel showed rare devotion. He seldom prayed like this, but now was filled with hope.

The elder mildly hesitated. He was silent for a while and responded softly, for the first time sincerely praying to the Divine he personally crafted.

"Chief Divine bless!"

Both elders lowered their eyes, praying for several breaths together. Then, the High Priest stood up, looked deeply at the elder for a moment, posed one last question.

"Elder, after I leave, who will succeed as the High Priest?"

"Uguel."

"Uguel?..."

"Indeed. In recent years, the pace of religious reform has gone too far. The power of the priests has also grown too vast. After we depart, no need for strong changes, nor need to continue forward... take a rest, wait for a generation."

"...Fine!"

The High Priest was silent for a moment, then bowed solemnly.

The elder smiled, nodded slightly as a return gesture.

Then, the High Priest turned to leave, no longer lingering. Behind him, a silent shadow followed, vanishing together into the dark corridor.

The elder watched for a moment, smiled peacefully, and closed his eyes. The deep Dark Sea swept in again, engulfing his soul and bringing the dream he could scarcely escape. Then, a faint light emerged on the Divine Tree within the dream, slowly guiding him into the eternal end.