Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 924 - 535 Imperial Decree

Chapter 924: Chapter 535 Imperial Decree

The sky hung low, heavy clouds of the rainy season shrouded the heavens, obscuring the midday sun. Lake Texcoco lacked its usual shimmering waves, only small boats hurriedly departing, evading the possible downpour. In the expansive Lake Capital City, there was neither wind nor rain, as if frozen in the deep, silent earth. The magnificent Great Temple cast its shadow over the Heavenly River, standing still like the mountains, silently floating like the Dark Sea.

The towering Chief Palace was located next to the magnificent Great Temple. The divine drapes hung low without wind, twisting the figure of the Chief Divine, leaning against the wall. The divine murals were dull and dim, blurring the visage of the Chief Divine, sinking deeply into the corners... Everything today seemed to carry a dark omen.

"Has the sky...darkened?"

No one knew how much time had passed when the Elder, sleeping in the Dark Sea, slowly opened his cloudy eyes and gazed at the dim, stagnant sky. Although he lay on the soft, warm cotton bed, he felt no comfort, no temperature. This body was too old, almost departing from his soul; it was only barely held together by his last breath.

Shadow Cevali stood silently beside the Elder, holding a ceramic pot, rare worry etched on his face. The Great Hall was silent, only the breath of impending death and the whispers of decay lingered. Only after a long while did clarity return to the Elder’s eyes, and he noticed the shadow beside him.

"You...are back?"

"Yes, Elder."

The shadow bowed his head, saluting his master, hiding all expressions.

"How is it?"

"The High Priest in Cholula City drank the potion...some trusted aides escorted his body southward to His Highness Xiulote’s camp. The remaining trusted aides raised troops in Cholula, setting fires for revenge."

The shadow replied solemnly, without any emotion. This was the last news he received before leaving.

"The High Priest...has left, huh..."

The Elder nodded slowly, his expression changing slightly. With the shadow’s service, he sat up slowly, gazing at the ominous and majestic Great Temple. This marvel, barely a century old, the center of Alliance divine authority, once again lost its ruler sitting high on the Throne of the Gods, and was about to lose its master who was nearly of the same age.

"Hmm, not bad...Little Xutel, according to agreement, you left a few days before...now, you should have arrived, right? Did you greet everyone for me? I’ll be coming soon too..."

The Elder lowered his eyes and muttered softly for a while. Then, he looked at the shadow and extended his hand.

"Cevali, give me a bottle of Vitality Potion."

"..."

Cevali was silent for a while, then took out a potion with a red ceramic cover, tremblingly handing it to the Elder. This kind of potion, using potent herbs, overdrew vitality to maintain a period of wakefulness and acuity. But with the Elder’s body, drinking such a potion...

"Shadow, send some envoys to summon the Elder Priests of the High Priesthood, as well as my son Cacamatzin. Hmm, notify Elder Uguel first."

The Elder held the potion without drinking it, a faint smile appearing on his face. He calmly gave a few orders, then lowered his old eyelids, closing his eyes to gather his spirit.

Soon, the envoys left the palace hastily with the most urgent decree, scattered far and wide. In about three or four quarters, Elder Priest Uguel was the first to arrive, panting heavily, with a bamboo basket on his back. His bamboo basket contained towels, fans, and some attendant items.

"Elder, Uguel greets you!"

Uguel prostrated on the ground, respectfully kowtowing several times to the Elder. His heart was pounding, and sweat adorned his brow.

The Elder’s expression was calm, quietly watching the slightly chubby Elder Priest for a while. Only when the other cautiously raised his eyes to sneak a peek did he smile faintly.

"Uguel, stand up! Put the bamboo basket aside. You are to become the leader of the High Priesthood; carrying these things doesn’t quite fit the image."

"What...Elder? I am to...lead the High Priesthood?"

Upon hearing the second half, Uguel was shocked, his mouth opening wide. He looked up dazedly at the smiling Elder, his words stuttering entirely.

"This...I...You...High Priest?...This, ah?!"

"High Priest Xutel has already been murdered by the Elder Priests in Cholula City."

The Elder lowered his eyes, calmly narrating the facts.

"The affairs of the Capital City High Priesthood will be entrusted to you from now on."

"Ah! I, no, I, that, I..."

Uguel stammered, completely unaware of what to say, but the Elder seemed to understand. He shook his head expressionlessly, speaking blandly.

"This is my decree. Soon, when all the Elder Priests arrive, I will formally announce it. You should prepare yourself..."

"...Understood, Elder."

Uguel prostrated himself on the ground, kowtowing several more times before standing up, putting down the bamboo basket, and standing confusedly aside. High Priest Xutel suddenly died, and he was chosen by the Elder to be the next High Priest?

"...Uh, am I not dreaming?..."

Uguel was detached, dazedly thinking for a while, increasingly doubtful. He reached out with his chubby hand and pinched his large thigh hard. Then, his face suddenly twitched, letting out a low, painful cry.

"Ah..."

Ten-some pairs of eyes simultaneously turned over. Uguel looked at everyone, blinked, and promptly closed his mouth without speaking.

The spacious Chief Great Hall, where everyone originally bore sorrowful expressions and held tears in their eyes, was now disrupted by Uguel’s cry. The Sun God faction’s Elder Priest Tonaltiliu raised his eyebrows, the Fire God faction’s Elder Priest Tekuis widened his eyes, the War God faction’s Elder Priest Azar gritted his teeth, the Chief God faction’s Elder Priest Acap lowered his eyes, the Royal Family branch’s Elder Priest Como’s lips curled, and the elder Cacamatzin looked at him before worryingly looking at the Elder...Apparently, at some point, all the dignitaries wielding actual power in the Lake Capital City had arrived.

"...Yes, that is it. The High Priest has already gone to the Divine Kingdom."

The Elder’s expression remained unchanged, but his face was unusually flushed, his eyes gleamed with vigor. He gazed around at everyone, his weary yet heavy gaze lowering, pressing all the Elder Priests into respectful bows. And beside him, there lay an unnoticed empty ceramic pot with a red cover.

"Elder Priest Uguel has presided over clerical affairs for many years, experienced, and meticulous, never having any blunders. He achieved great feats in pacifying the Texcoco City-State rebellion. Subsequently, he went north to spearhead the conversion ceremonies at Xilotepec with notable success...I feel assured entrusting the High Priesthood of the Alliance to him."

The Elder spoke many words indifferently and then glanced at the slightly trembling Uguel, nodding calmly and affirmatively to issue the decree.

"Starting today, Elder Priest Uguel will assume the position of High Priest!"

The Chief Great Hall fell into silence, a pin could be heard. The Elder Priests looked at one another, with shifts in their expressions.

The esteemed Sun God Elder Tonaltiliu deeply furrowed his brows, almost knitted into a single line. The straightforward War God Elder Azar turned red, wanting to speak but fell silent under the Elder’s gaze. Meanwhile, the young Chief God Elder Acap lowered his head, concealing all desires behind a gentle face.

Sun God, War God, Chief God, these are the three most important divine offices. The three Elders were also the strongest contenders for High Priest. At this moment, none dared to voice objections, and the position of High Priest was thus ordained!

"Very well."

Moments later, the Elder faintly smiled and ordered solemnly.

"Since this is the case, you all, here, should pay grand tribute to the new High Priest!"

The Great Hall fell silent again. The slightly chubby Uguel stood before everyone, expressionless. The Elder Priests glanced at one another and finally knelt down in succession, bowing their heads in salute to the new High Priest.

"Chief God bless! Greetings to you, High Priest Uguel!"

Seeing the many Elder Priests kneeling before him, Uguel’s entire being was shaken, as an unprecedented feeling enveloped his heart, making all his pores relax and open. At that moment, he gazed at the somber sky, feeling that the low-hanging clouds were gifts from the Chief God, adding confection to the black pudding!

In mere breaths, Uguel’s face showed a joyful blush. He wanted to raise the Divine Staff to respond, but hadn’t brought it. Thinking quickly, he slowly raised his chubby hand, drawing the ’Round’ character of the Sun Hummingbird, and shouted loudly.

"Chief God bless!!"