Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 946 - 551: The Battle of Tree Snake City, the Divine Oath

Chapter 946: Chapter 551: The Battle of Tree Snake City, the Divine Oath

"Hmm?!"

The raindrops pattered, unsettling the mind. The earlier duel, though it seemed long in the telling, lasted barely a quarter of an hour. Now, dusk arrived amidst the heavy rain, the cries of battle in the city were continuous and disordered. The dim light of day fell on Texiwhit’s suddenly changed face, revealing a hint of shock and depth.

"What did you say?"

The burly Turquoise Great General stepped forward abruptly. He reached out his large hand and fiercely grabbed Tlahtolli’s collar.

"Damn it, speak clearly to me!"

"...Cough, cough!"

Tlahtolli’s chest ached sharply, compelling him to cough. He took a few deep breaths, glanced at his wife behind him, and replied in a low voice.

"The death of your family head has hidden causes... I can tell you everything I know! But, you must swear to the Chief Divine to spare me and Chichipate!"

"Hehe... Spare you?"

Upon hearing the Cloud Serpent Hunter’s words, Texiwhit arched his eyebrows, feeling an extreme agitation, his killing intent nearly boiling over. Regarding the Legion Commander’s death, he had always been uncertain... The burly general let out a cold laugh and, without hesitation, delivered a punch.

"Bang!"

"Ugh!"

The brave Cloud Serpent Hunter groaned, blood flowing from his nose. The steady rain fell on his face, into his mouth, bringing a thick taste of blood. Telavito gritted his teeth, tightened his lips, and refused to utter a word. This violent reaction was vastly different from the composed combat style he displayed earlier, indicating his distraught mind and deep concern.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Texiwhit landed three punches, leaving the Cloud Serpent Hunter bruised and battered, and Chichipate sobbing bitterly, still without receiving a desired response.

"Praise the Chief Divine! Kill them!"

The cries of the Mexica Warriors drew increasingly closer. Large groups of Alliance Warriors spread out across the city, clearing out the remaining enemies. It wouldn’t be long before warriors from the Royal Family or other City-States arrived. By then, these noble captives would all be handed over to the King, to be offered as sacrifices during the great capital ceremony.

"Despicable Archer!"

Texiwhit suppressed the flames within his heart, glaring intently into his opponent’s eyes, and shouted angrily.

"Quick, tell me! Everything about that night’s ambush!"

"Ugh... You must swear to the Chief Divine, to spare us!"

The Cloud Serpent Hunter replied, his lips swollen from the beating, rendering his speech somewhat garbled.

"..."

Texiwhit pressed his lips tightly, raising his left hand for another rock-like punch.

"Bang!"

The Cloud Serpent Hunter’s chin took a heavy blow, causing a concussion in his brain. The intolerable pain was instantaneous, forcing a scream from his mouth.

"Ah!..."

"Are you going to speak or not?"

Texiwhit’s eyes widened, as if a tiger or leopard ready to devour someone.

"Ha!"

The Cloud Serpent Hunter sweated profusely from the pain, his face twitching, yet he forced a smile at the corner of his mouth.

"You... swear first..."

"...Damn it!"

Texiwhit growled, raising his fist once more. He looked at the Cloud Serpent Hunter, who was nearly unconscious from the beating, paused briefly, and then slowly lowered his hand. He glared intensely at the Cloud Serpent Hunter, contemplating for a long moment before promising amidst the rising shouts.

"Huff... despicable Archer! Tell me everything you know! If the Legion Commander’s death really has nothing to do with you, I will spare you!"

"You... swear! Spare me and my wife!"

The Cloud Serpent Hunter demanded stubbornly, gritting his teeth. For traditional warriors who valued honor, an oath was the only trustworthy guarantee.

"...Witnessed by the Chief Divine! I, Texiwhit, swear by the honor of a Samurai! And you, must also swear to the Divine!"

Texiwhit clenched his fists, suppressing his murderous intent, and spoke word by word.

"Tell me everything you know about the nighttime ambush! If the Legion Commander’s death is unrelated to you, I will spare you and your wife!..."

"Alright, it’s a deal!"

With a swollen and bloody face, the Cloud Serpent Hunter managed a difficult smile.

"Witness the Cloud Serpent! I, Tlahtolli, swear by the honor of a Samurai, everything I am about to say is the truth!"

"Speak quickly!"

"Huff, huff... That night, I saw the arrows aimed at your family head coming from the rear flank of the military array."

Tlahtolli gasped for breath, recalling the events of that night. Although it had been over half a month since that hard-won victory, it seemed like an eternity.

"And in that position, I did not see any Tree Snake trusted aides for the assault, nor did I send out any assault squads before!"

"Hmm?"

Upon hearing this, Texiwhit’s expression changed unpredictably, his mind like a torrent crashing against rocks, creating a thundering noise.

"Continue!"

"...After that battle, I led the Samurai back to Snake City. The City Lord wanted to reward warriors who made contributions, and I searched all the remaining Tree Snake trusted aides, but couldn’t find the archer..."

Tlahtolli glanced at the other’s somber face, carefully choosing his words. The heavy rain isolated everything, and only the two close to each other could hear his low voice.

"I’ve thought carefully over these days. That night was very dark, your Family Head was wearing thick armor and also had the Legion’s escort. Even with my archery skills, it would be difficult to wound him..."

"The one who could shoot through his neck with one arrow must have been very close and highly skilled in archery! He shot from an angle that the trusted aides did not guard against... And the timing of that arrow was just as dawn was breaking, the Mexica legion had already stabilized through the night raid. Even if the main general was killed, there was no risk of collapse..."

"...High archery skills, very close range, unguarded, perfect timing? ...Family Head..."

Hearing this, Texiwhit suddenly stood frozen. The suspicion lurking in his heart was confirmed by the Cloud Serpent Hunter’s words, turning the flood into a fierce fire, burning intensely in his chest. His face showed no drastic changes, but his eyes grew increasingly red, filled with ingrained hatred.

"Are you saying?..."

"That’s right! The person who killed your Family Head must be one of your own in the legion! And a ruthless and outstanding Hunter!"

At this moment, Tlahtolli had no complete certainty; it was all speculation and conjecture. But on his face, he intentionally showed a determined and confident expression to let Texiwhit see.

"..."

Texiwhit stepped back two steps, lowering his head and eyes. With a wave of his hand, a dozen trusted aides who had been waiting long enough immediately rushed forward. The Samurai pointed their Long Spears at Tlahtolli’s vital areas and also surrounded Chichipate and a few others.

"You!... You swore an oath!"

Witnessing this scene, Tlahtolli’s expression drastically changed. He was just about to reach for the Bronze Axe on the ground when a sharp Copper Spear pressed against his neck. Tlahtolli trembled, looking at the silent Turquoise Great General and shouted fiercely.

"Damn it! Honorable Mexica Warrior! Surely... surely, you won’t break your oath to the Divine, disregarding honor?"

"..."

Texiwhit remained silent, contemplating, without uttering a word. The heavy rain fell, disheveling his hair, soaking the corners of his eyes, and battering his face. The sky gradually darkened, swallowed by the western mountains, just like his heart... After a while, the burly Turquoise Great General lifted his head, speaking hoarsely.

"Tlahtolli, the sacred duel is not to die. And, in the duel just now, you lost to me."

"Ah?! You!"

Upon hearing this, Tlahtolli was shaken to the core. The sacred duel also being a divine oath... The Cloud Serpent Hunter’s face revealed a bitter smile, with a resolute look for death in his eyes.

"I can die here... But you promised me, you would spare Chichipate!... She might already be carrying my child..."

"Ha ha... a romantic, and still quite the warrior..."

Texiwhit’s gaze flickered, observing the Cloud Serpent Hunter for a moment before slowly nodding, repeating the sentence once more. Then he spoke quietly, with profound meaning.

"Fine! Tlahtolli, today I can let you go. But, the sacred duel is not to die... you lost, you owe me a life!"

"...Texiwhit, I owe you a life. Let me leave, after I leave a descendant of the Divine... I will... repay you."

The wind and rain howled, wailing vaguely. The Cloud Serpent Hunter pursed his lips, biting his lips, speaking the other’s name for the first time.

"Good! The Chief Divine will witness!"

Texiwhit’s expression became solemn, clenching his fist to his chest, praying devoutly to the Divine.

"Cloud Serpent witnesses!"

The Cloud Serpent Hunter looked serious. He glanced at the beautiful Divine Descendant girl, raising his left hand with difficulty, loudly swearing. This was a promise between two noble warriors of an old era. They still maintained traditional conduct, which was an agreement of the Flower Battle.

"Remember your oath, Archer!"

Texiwhit nodded, leaving one last sentence. Then, he took a deep look at the other and turned around, not looking back, heading towards the city. Behind him, a dozen Tzompantli trusted aides exchanged glances, hesitating for a moment before following Texiwhit, leaving together.

"Phew!..."

Seeing the departing enemy, the brave Cloud Serpent Hunter let out a long breath. His entire body relaxed, almost drained of all strength, collapsing into the wet mud.

"Waaah!... Vite!..."

Chichipate, drenched, threw herself into the Cloud Serpent Hunter’s arms, hugging his solid chest, burying her head and crying bitterly.

"...Pate, stop crying. We need to find a way to slide down from the city wall with ropes under the cover of night and rain. The road ahead is tough; we need to conserve our strength..."

Supported by several trusted aides, the Cloud Serpent Hunter embraced his wife, struggling to stand. He stood in the narrow, deserted alley, turning back to look at the familiar yet strange City-State.

The burly Mexica Great General vanished into the cascading rain curtain. The towering Pyramid Temple stood in the fierce rain. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Mexica Warriors were flooding into the city, slaughtering at will, erasing the nobility built over a hundred years. After a moment, he sighed heavily.

"Ah! Mexica... Telascan... farewell, Snake City!..."

The daylight faded in the west, and night slowly fell. Tlaxcala’s capital succumbed before the storm, and awaited doom in the rain. Though the fire of the Temple had not been ignited, the brutal conquest would not cease. The night was filled with incessant slaughter in Snake City, warm crimson splattering in the rain, flowing and dispersing into the soil, until it vanished.

Vibrant life seeped into the earth, noble souls journeyed to the Divine Kingdom, while sacred bloodlines faced extinction amidst merciless carnage. It was the destruction of the Tlaxcalans, yet it marked the beginning of complete assimilation and national cohesion. The seed of unity sprouted in the rain-nourished soil, with flesh and blood as offerings, as if singing myths carried by the wind!