Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 917 - 530: The Flames of Revenge

Chapter 917: Chapter 530: The Flames of Revenge

The deathly silence of the room was shrouded in darkness, dissipating all signs of life. The distant divine smoke swirled around, guiding souls to the Divine Kingdom. Through the ceiling of the room, one could see the lightless night sky, with even the stars hidden.

"Creak..."

The wooden door gently opened, and a shadow silently entered. Using the faint light from the corridor, he quietly observed the sleeping elder. Then, he stepped forward, squatted down, and carefully checked for breathing.

"Sigh..."

Cevali, whose face was always like a sculpture, finally let out a low sigh. He stood up, solemnly bowed to the High Priest’s body, then silently left again, taking a yellow-lidded clay pot with him.

The wooden door closed once more, and time flowed in the darkness. It was not until late into the night, nearing midnight, that a middle-aged trusted aide came quickly to serve the High Priest for rest.

"Family Head..."

The trusted aide Eva stood at the door and respectfully called out. Inside was silent, with no response. Light divine smoke drifted out from the door crack, devoid of light, just like the shadow that crept over his heart.

"Family Head?..."

The trusted aide Eva frowned. Were there no candles lit inside? He was born into the family of warriors attached to the Holy City, similar to Etalik, Elvi, and Esko. Only after proving their loyalty over generations to the Royal Family of the Holy City could they serve close to the High Priest. At this moment, a foreboding sense gripped him, and he decisively pushed the door open.

The faint light from the corridor candle illuminated the small room. The aged High Priest lay slanted on the ground, motionless, his head full of silver hair on display. He seemed to be in a deep sleep, dreaming a long and beautiful dream, with even a smile at the corner of his mouth.

In front of the High Priest lay a small table. On it rested an empty bowl, two burnt-out divine smoke, and an empty pot. Farther on the wall, a burned-out candle silently witnessed everything.

Eva stood in shock for several breaths, followed by a frightened cry!

"Family Head!"

He suddenly fell to the floor, extending his trembling hand towards the High Priest’s nostrils. He waited expectantly for a while, and his face gradually showed despair, finally shouting urgently.

"Someone! Someone come quickly! The High Priest is in trouble! Hurry!!..."

Chaotic footsteps rushed in from all directions. A dozen family warrior guards arrived first, and upon seeing the scene, their faces showed incredulous shock and fear.

"What happened?!"

Guard Commander Ecatl hurried in. He had just been on the mansion’s perimeter, overseeing the sentries and defenses of the warriors. Living in Cholula City, they harbored deep distrust and vigilance against the nearby Telascalan and so-called Toltec people. Seeing the scene before him, Ecatl froze on the spot. Soon, he widened his eyes and shouted fiercely.

"Who? Who harmed the High Priest?!"

"When I found him, it was like this. The High Priest had no wounds, his face was blue with a smile, surely poisoned!... And the divine smoke and potion on the table, all were gifts from the priests of Cholula!"

Clenching his teeth, Eva tightened his fists, with tears in his eyes, angrily accusing.

"The High Priest was poisoned by the priests of Cholula!"

"Ah!"

Upon hearing these words, the eyes of the family warriors instantly welled up. All their honor and disgrace were tied to the Holy City. Murdering the High Priest was tantamount to harming their esteemed elder!

"The priests of Cholula dared to poison the High Priest!..."

With undeniable evidence, there was no need for further thought. The High Priest came to negotiate, to suppress the elders, only to be poisoned by divine smoke and potion... Guard Commander Ecatl immediately pieced everything together, flames igniting in his eyes. From the beginning, he had never trusted anyone in Cholula City!

"Damn it! Damn it! These demons destined for the Abyss!..."

"What now?!"

"Send an envoy to condemn the priests of Cholula, to find the culprit?"

"Damn it! They’re all culprits! Attack, kill all these evil god priests here!"

"We must quickly report to His Highness Xiulote in the South! And also send a message to the Capital City!"

"No! The most important thing right now is to take the High Priest’s body out!..."

The family warriors quickly discussed, soon forming a rough plan, but could not determine the order of action.

"Clang!... Crack!"

Guard Commander Ecatl suddenly drew out his bronze axe and fiercely chopped, slicing off a corner of the table.

"Shut up, all of you! We Mexica only rely on the weapons in our hands, why bother with words!... Now, the High Priest of the Alliance is dead here, at the hands of the Cholulans! Everyone in this city shall be buried with him! Damn those Priestly Families, damn those Elder Priests, kill them all, chop off their heads, and offer them in tribute to the High Priest!"

"Clang! Clang!"

Upon hearing the Guard Commander’s words, the Samurais all drew their bronze axes. They turned their overwhelming grief and indignation into a boiling thirst for blood, shouting fiercely.

"Offer tribute to the High Priest! Kill! Kill! Kill!"

"Chief Divine, protect us!"

Guard Commander Ecatl shouted in a stern voice, his eyes ablaze. He made a decision, issuing orders in his capacity as Guard Commander.

"Eva, take fifty Samurais and send the High Priest’s... sacred body back to the southern camp! Summon His Highness Xiulote to quickly dispatch the legion to attack Cholula City and avenge the High Priest!"

"Yes, Guard Commander! I will risk my life to deliver the High Priest’s sacred body!"

The trusted aide Eva bit his lip, clenched his fist, and swore an oath.

"Good! We also need an envoy to head to the Capital City..."

As he spoke, Guard Commander Ecatl’s gaze shifted. He looked at the shadowy figure in a black cloak, Cevali, who was rumored to be the Elder’s trusted aide and held in high esteem by the High Priest, always present nearby.

"I will immediately return to the Capital City to report back to the Elder and the High Priesthood."

Shadow Cevali slightly bowed his head, saluting respectfully.

Guard Commander Ecatl nodded in return. He never doubted him, for he was someone the High Priest openly trusted.

After coordinating the two envoys, he bit his teeth hard, looking out the window at the moonless night sky. The darkness prevailed except for the candle flames flickering in the Temple near the Great Pyramid, and the majestic man-made mountain stood imposing not far away, though separated by the Inner City.

Ecatl squinted his eyes, gazing at the towering Inner City walls, shaking his head regrettably.

Most of the Elder Priests resided in the Inner City, but with the number of Samurais under his command, breakthrough was unlikely. He turned again, surveying the bustling Outer City. Many bonfires were lit in the noble estates of wood and stone. Amidst these estates lay large tracts of huts and shacks. If he were to start a fire...

"The remaining one hundred and fifty Samurais, come with me!"

Ecatl, filled with resolute killing intent, gripped the battle axe in his hand. He held it so tightly that the veins on his arm stood out.

"Once Eva departs, carry torches! Split into groups of ten, set fires throughout the Outer City, drive the commoners to flee! Engage small groups of enemies whenever possible! Avoid large enemy groups temporarily!.. Chief Divine, protect us! Go all out, and let Cholula City turn into a sea of fire in vengeance for the High Priest!"

"Chief Divine, protect us! Avenge the High Priest!"

The Mexica Warriors present all shouted in unison. Then, without further hesitation, they quickly sprang into action.

The trusted aide Eva, carrying the body of the High Priest, carefully strapped it onto himself. Under the escort of fifty elite Samurais, he immediately set out toward the southern camp, fifty miles away. Subsequently, shadow Cevali bowed, took a deep look at the shadowed Great Pyramid, then vanished into the profound night.

After another quarter of an hour, Guard Commander Ecatl suddenly waved his hand, and more than a dozen teams of Mexica Warriors scattered in all directions. Soon, blazing flames erupted in the Outer City of Cholula, accompanied by furious roars and fierce charging!

"Chief Divine, protect us! Avenge the High Priest! Kill!... "

"...Protect... Avenge!..."

The intense cries of battle echoed from the Outer City, drifting to the Great Pyramid of Cholula. Petl, resting in the side hall, was startled awake by the faint noise.

"Hmm?! What’s happening?"

The priestly leader rubbed his dim eyes and struggled to rise from his bed. He inhaled some exquisite Divine Smoke, communicating with the Divine and drifting into a half-dream half-wake state. In his dream, he sat high atop the pyramid of the Great Temple, below were prostrate Mexica mothfolk. The mothfolk devoutly chanted, praising the name of the new High Priest, and that was...

"Uguel?!"

Petl recalled this, his face momentarily stunned, why was it not his own name? He turned his head, looking out from the high vantage of the pyramid, and saw the rising flames burning in the southern part of the Outer City! He inclined his ear, finally discerning the content of the shouts, causing his soul to quake!

"Chief Divine, protect us! Avenge the High Priest!... Kill!... Kill!... Kill!"