Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 925 - 536 The Elder’s Arrangement, The High Priesthood’s Checks and Balances

Chapter 925: Chapter 536 The Elder’s Arrangement, The High Priesthood’s Checks and Balances

The skies hung low and heavy, and the grand hall was solemn and expansive. The light of the sun was swallowed, leaving only a faint halo. The slightly chubby Uguel’s face was flushed, he raised one hand high, looked at the saluting crowd, and a wide grin spread across his lips. Then, with a flicker of expression, he looked towards the calm Elder, praying devoutly.

"May the Chief Divine protect us! May the Elder stay healthy and forever shield the Alliance!"

In the Chief Great Hall, praising the immortal elder is a duty. All the Elders bowed their heads and prayed together to the long-lived man who was like a divine spirit.

"May the Chief Divine protect us! May the Elder stay healthy and forever shield the Alliance!"

The Elder nodded lightly, a slight smile appearing on his exceedingly rosy face. His gaze was calm and profound, witnessing the vicissitudes of the world and countless rises and falls.

At this moment, he gazed at the many Elders with diverse thoughts, pausing on each face as if he could completely see through every person. This elderly man who had held the Alliance for more than half a century was quietly contemplating the situation after his death. After pondering for a moment, recalling a story he had heard from someone, he spoke again, deciding the new power structure of the Alliance.

"Uguel will be the High Priest, with an additional title as Elder Priest. Three additional Deputy Elder Priests will be appointed, together with the High Priest, forming the Elder Priest Council to cast votes and decide the major affairs of the Alliance! The Elder Priest will have two votes, and the three Deputy Elder Priests will each have one vote, requiring three votes to carry forth a matter!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of many Elders suddenly changed. To add Deputy Elder Priests on top of the Elder Priest and cast votes to decide the major affairs of the Alliance? Such a method is common in the tribal elders’ council but unprecedented in the Alliance’s High Priesthood.

To achieve three votes means a united front of the three Deputy Elder Priests, or the High Priest plus one Deputy Elder Priest. These pivotal positions of the three Deputy Elder Priests...

"The three Deputy Elder Priests are..."

The Elder pondered for a while, casting his gaze over the breathless crowd. His arrangement left a plan for the ambitious Elders to share the power of the High Priest, assist in handling religious affairs, and try to resolve conflicts openly.

"...Elder Tonaltiliu of the Sun God, Elder Azar of the War God, Elder Acap of the Chief Divine!"

Upon hearing this, Elder Tonaltiliu of the Sun God raised his brow, glanced at everyone, and then saluted the Elder. Elder Azar of the War God showed joy on his face, straightened his back, and loudly responded affirmatively.

Meanwhile, Elder Acap of the Chief Divine pressed his lips together, suppressing the excitement in his heart, bowed deeply, and respectfully lowered his head in greeting. Getting this position was completely unexpected for him, a critical step ahead!

In this round of power allocation, Tonaltiliu had a prestigious status, Azar was always known for his bravery in battle, and both were as expected and accepted by everyone. Only Acap was young with a shallow background, managing to find a foothold in the High Priesthood purely due to the Chief Divine heritage brought by his wife and support from King Aweit. This arrangement by the Elder was indeed an exceptional promotion!

After paying their respects to the Elder, the three Deputy Elder Priests each stepped forward to stand behind the new Elder Priest. Among the Twelve Elder Priests, three distinct levels were noticeably established. The upper two tiers concentrated the most critical decision-making power, while the remaining eight Elder Priests...

The Elder thought for a while, and everyone bowed their heads waiting. Until the aged voice was heard again, weak yet bland in deciding the realm.

"Regarding the Alliance’s major affairs, if there are two Deputy Elder Priests adamantly opposing, a High Priesthood meeting can be convened, where the Twelve Elder Priests will vote together. The Elder Priest will have three votes, while the other Elders will have one vote each. If the number of opposing votes reaches seven, which is half, the matter will be dismissed and reconsidered."

Uguel blinked, squeezing his fingers. According to the new system, if seven Elder Priests oppose, the High Priesthood would not be able to implement any new decisions. This way, it would be difficult for the High Priest to suppress the other Elders and forcefully push major reforms, unlike before. To him, such an arrangement truly was...

"Good! Excellent!"

Uguel nodded with satisfaction, a smile appearing on his plump face. After being nominated as High Priest, he was somewhat uneasy and nervous. After all, the previous two Priest leaders were busy and personally involved, but their endings were not good! Now, with the Elder’s arrangements, he could finally relax and shift the responsibilities to others.

"When major issues arise, Elders will deliberate together. If issues occur, it’s the collective fault, not just mine!..."

The Elder’s instructions entered everyone’s ears like a light breeze yet carried the weight of mountains, which was the true power. The three Deputy Elder Priests exchanged glances, each lost in thought. Meanwhile, the other eight Elder Priests finally smiled, pondering how to unite and genuinely participate in decision-making for the major affairs.

In the solemn Chief Great Hall, silence reigned once more, save for the weak breaths. Amid the deepening sky, a sudden wind stirred the Divine’s curtains. A spring rain, long anticipated, seemed imminent.

After speaking for so long, the Elder gasped a bit, feeling somewhat fatigued. His arrangement ensured mutual restraint within the High Priesthood, preventing major issues and avoiding a singular controlling leader, likely maintaining stability for several years. He knew that no matter how power is arranged, it can only restrain temporarily, and ultimately, supreme power distribution still depends on people.

"...So, which one among you will it be?"

The Elder squinted his eyes and glanced at the assembled Elders one last time. Everyone kept their heads bowed, revealing a loyal and sincere demeanor. After a moment, he chuckled with relief, lowered his eyes, and waved his hand gently.

"All of you may leave!... Hmm, Cacamatzin, stay and chat with me for a while... May the Chief Divine protect us!"

"May the Chief Divine protect us!"

The Alliance’s Elder Priests bowed in unison, nurturing different thoughts, and gradually turned to leave. Uguel glanced anxiously at the Elder, paused for a moment, and then departed slowly. He traversed the dark corridors, descended the towering stairs, passed through the slanted passage, and bypassed the axe-wielding guards, finally leaving the Chief Palace.

The dim sky greeted him, appearing filled with brightness to Uguel’s eyes. A slight breeze brushed his face like a lover’s caress, making him feel entirely at ease. The slightly plump Elder Priest felt victorious and buoyant, as if treading on clouds. He looked at the towering Great Pyramid Temple and laughed in exclamation.

"Haha! Human destiny, truly unpredictable! Even I, Uguel, have the day to sit high atop the Great Temple and become the High Priest!... Thinking back, Quetzal was incredibly clever, always overshadowing me, yet he died at the Elder’s hands, taking with him Texcoco’s nobility, and hundreds of esteemed Divine Descendants perished... And Xutel, ruthless and decisive, destroyed tribes and families countless times, but met his end in the Holy City of Cholula, dragging the priestly family with hundreds of years of heritage into the grave... Hmm?!"

Thinking of this, Uguel suddenly froze, having a realization. He murmured to himself, a chilling coldness enveloped his heart, causing a shiver down his spine, his hairs stood upright, and his body trembled.

"Quetzal... Xutel... Elder..."

It took a while for the new High Priest to recover, wiping cold sweat from his forehead. He turned back fearfully, looking at the dim Chief Palace, akin to gazing at a beast’s lair, staring into the silent and devouring Abyss. His face full of suspicion and chaotic thoughts, he speculated how many times he brushed past death.

"Phew!... Frog God Sochipili once said, a mortal must learn humility, must have self-awareness. I am but a rotten log and a pile of fruit remnants, how could I be material for a High Priest?"

Uguel watched for a moment, sighed, shook his head. His heart surged with emotions, rolling over and over, surprisingly composing a couplet of poetry.

"The egret rests atop the Holy Mountain, the eagle gazes from the Great Temple, they both dwell high above, yearning to spread their wings and fly! They both loudly cry, wishing to make their sound resonate across the fields!... The thunderbolt of the rainy season arrives with the storm, they soar and call in the storm, then they all disappear!..."

Pausing slightly after the chant, Uguel spoke again, yet now with a hint of self-mockery, narrating a story.

"After the rain, a plump turkey comes from the mountain base, swaying its hips, ascends to the pyramid top... Then, it looks at the sunlight in the sky, flaps its wings twice, clucks loud, and lies down! ... Simply perfect, simply perfect! This place is high and flat, perfect for sleeping under the gods’ statues!"

"Uh... a plump turkey..."

Standing ten or so steps away, Acap stood outside the palace, in the corner shadows, secretly listening to the new High Priest’s recitation. He stood here for a long time, hoping to have a private conversation with High Priest Uguel. But at this moment, after listening to Uguel’s poetry, he pursed his lips, held his breath, put away his former disdain, and quietly retreated.

It wasn’t until Acap departed that Uguel slightly turned to glance at the recent spot, shaking his head gently.

"Young bobcat, truly energetic, always thinking of climbing higher! ... Enough, enough, letting them jockey back and forth with worldly affairs. After all, I am merely a rotten log, having enjoyed a lifetime, no need to rush to learn more, let’s enjoy again!... Chief Divine protect us!"

Having said that, Uguel once more extended his hand, drawing the Sun Hummingbird’s "lun" in the air, leisurely returning home.