Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 947 - 553: Post-War Arrangements, The King’s Conquest

Chapter 947: Chapter 553: Post-War Arrangements, The King’s Conquest

For three days, the drizzling rain fell, and the ruthless siege lasted equally long. The rain descended upon the Temple of the God of the Hunt, upon the palaces of the Divine Descendants of Tree Snake, and between the residences of the hereditary nobles. Fresh bloodstains were washed away by the heavy rain, and the dying wails dispersed in the wind. The sturdy ancient Tree Snake City was left only with splendid yet decayed ruins.

Until three days later, when the rain slightly subsided, did a new order arrive with the sunlight. King Aweit issued a royal decree to restrain the warriors of the states and to delineate the garrison positions of various divisions. Afterwards, clad in copper armor and holding the gemstone-adorned Divine Staff, he entered the cleaned-up Tree Snake City among a thousand loyal Tonsured Guards serving as escorts.

"A hundred years ago, the second Snake City built by the Telascallan people, the de facto capital of the Four States Alliance, a persistent Tree Snake City, now bows at my feet! Haha!..."

King Aweit climbed the stone walls, eight or nine meters high, and in the company of his generals, surveyed the compact and fortified city-state reminiscent of a fortress. He looked down upon the city, reveling in a hearty laugh! His laughter was full of the pride of conquering an old adversary and the ambition to unify the world!

"...Your Majesty! In this siege, the Telascallan people resisted fiercely, with thousands of casualties among the warriors! Even in my legion, three of the Thousand-man Camp Commanders were killed on the city walls... Truly, they avenged the elders, dedicated themselves to the Chief Divine, and fought fearlessly for Your Majesty!"

Chichimiqui stood proudly beside him, his copper armor still stained with blood that couldn’t be washed away. Hearing the king’s triumphant declaration, he gritted his teeth, slightly bowed his head, and cautiously and tactfully offered advice.

"Tree Snake City is so solid, the time so pressing, and the royal decree for the siege so urgent... It was thanks to the rock-solid copper helmet, the awe-inspiring new weapons, and the delayed rain by the Chief Divine, that we barely managed to win this difficult victory before the rain fell!"

"Hmm?"

Upon hearing this, Aweit slightly frowned, recognizing the implicit meaning in Chichimiqui’s words. He turned his head, looking at his close general who had been cleaning the city for days without removing armor, his expression softened. The king pondered for a while before nodding slightly.

"Chichimiqui, you led the royal warriors bravely to battle, living up to my expectations! The Royal Legion was the first to break into the city, capturing the City Lord of Tree Snake City, and also seized two fleeing Telascallan princes, earning the top honors of this battle!... My loyal general, I will grant you great rewards! As for the Vanguard Warriors who rushed into the city, and the fallen royal warriors in the siege, all will receive considerable rewards and consolation!"

"Uh... Your Majesty...I wasn’t trying to..."

Upon hearing the king’s words, Chichimiqui slightly opened his mouth, wanting to continue speaking, but saw the Chief Intelligence Officer Gillim indicating with a shook head. He pursed his lips, had no choice but to bow respectfully.

"...Thank you, Your Majesty! May the Chief Divine bless you! You are invincible, my highest sun!"

"Haha! Good, keep it up! There will be many more opportunities to gain merit next!"

Aweit’s mouth raised in a smile, he nodded. He reached out his hand, patted Chichimiqui’s shoulder, and whispered an instruction.

"Chichimiqui, tonight I want to hold a grand banquet for the generals to celebrate the great victory of the eastern expedition! You go back and organize, and tomorrow report the specific casualty figures of the Royal Legion separately to me."

"As you command, Your Majesty!"

Chichimiqui kneeled on one knee, saluting respectfully. Aweit smiled and descended from the high wall, continuing to inspect the city.

"Your Majesty, such a mighty city, in just one month’s time was conquered by the Alliance’s grand army! It shows that the Chief Divine blesses the Alliance, and the War God favors the king... You are the supreme divine-blessed son!"

Huitzilihuitl wore war clothes with Yun Shan stripes, holding the Tzompantli Legion Commander’s Scepter, slightly bent, respectfully standing aside with a smiling expression. His cheeks were a bit chubby, although his physique was burly, his smile seemed harmless to humans and animals, even his eyes squinted into slits.

This siege, the Tzompantli Legion was the second to break into the city, occupying several noble residences, with plundered goods overly abundant. According to alliance customs, plundered spoils are usually shared with 2-3 tenths given to the Supreme Commander, 2-3 tenths to the Direct Legion Commander, and the remaining half to be shared among the participating nobles and warriors.

In the Tzompantli Legion, Huitzilihuitl as the successor commander, his share of the spoils, theoretically equates the king. Practically though, it’s even greater, which is the benefit of being a legion commander!

"Haha!"

Upon hearing Huitzilihuitl’s compliment, Aweit burst into laughter. Then, he glanced deeply at him, quickened his pace a bit, creating distance from the generals behind him.

Huitzilihuitl understood, also picking up the pace, catching up to the agile king, to individually receive instructions.

"How is the clearing of the remaining enemies in the city by the Tzompantli Legion?"

Aweit paused slightly, asking in a deep voice. His mouth carried a faint smile, his gaze profound and somewhat meaningful.

"Your Majesty! The Personal Guard Warriors of Tree Snake City involved in the night raid have been hunted down by me, all executed, avenging former Legion Commander Xochitl!"

Huitzilihuitl paused, glanced around seeing no one, spoke low and reservedly.

"Hmm..."

Upon hearing this, Aweit’s eyes shined. He pondered slightly, then laughed and said.

"Legion Commander Xochitl dedicated to the alliance, now receiving commemoration can certainly rest in the Divine Kingdom! The nobles of the Tzompantli Legion can surely set their minds at ease to serve the alliance."

Upon hearing this, Huitzilihuitl understood. He respectfully reported, informing about the situation of the City-State Army.

"Indeed! Your Majesty, since Tree Snake City has fallen, Legion Commander Xochitl’s death was worthwhile! Yesterday I gathered many nobles from the army to hold a commemoration ceremony for the Legion Commander. Everyone praised it vocally, with not a bit of doubt, all admiring the king’s illustrious martial achievements, willing to die for the king!..."

"And the Personal Guard avenged their family head, fought bravely, now their great revenge is fulfilled, surely they feel deeply grateful to Your Majesty..."

"Very well! Huitzilihuitl, you’re doing well! The Tzompantli Legion in your hands will be able to achieve even greater accomplishments for the alliance."

Aweit nodded with satisfaction. He scrutinized the slightly plump Huitzilihuitl and couldn’t tell that Yunshan Clan Chief carried out tasks so meticulously and thoughtfully.

"Legion Commander Xochitl died honorably for the alliance. Now that Tree Snake City has fallen, as the king, I will personally hold a ceremony to commemorate him!"

"Praise the King of the United States! You are majestic and benevolent, like an eagle in the sky!"

Huitzilihuitl nodded repeatedly, his smile respectful yet amiable. Then, he thought of something and hesitated slightly, but with an air of determination, he spoke.

"Your Majesty, the Head Warrior of Xochitl, Turquoise Texiwhit, as fierce as a mountain lion, was the first to enter the city!... Such a brave warrior might be favored by the divine and worthy of the most sacred honor..."

"Hmm? The most sacred honor?"

Aweit paused, savoring Huitzilihuitl’s words. The most sacred honor has many meanings, but the most common is to offer oneself to the Chief Divine, meeting a glorious death...

The king’s expression was calm, pondering for a while. He glanced at the towering walls of South City, reminiscing about the previous siege.

On the day of the siege, Texiwhit was fearlessly brave, wielding his shield and war club, climbing onto the city wall to fight. His tall and sturdy figure left a lasting impression in the king’s eyes.

"Such a brave general can serve as the vanguard for me, to slay generals and capture banners!..."

Aweit pondered for a while, a faint murderous intent brewing in his heart, though not intense. He thought, and solemnly asked.

"Huitzilihuitl, in this siege, that Texiwhit achieved great merit... Do you have anything to say?"

"Hmm..."

Huitzilihuitl thought briefly, hesitating over his words. He understood the king’s implication, asking if Texiwhit had any suspicions or other thoughts regarding the legion commander’s death.

"Texiwhit is as his name suggests, as steadfast as a rock... He deemed Tree Snake warriors as the enemies who killed the clan leader and fought recklessly during the siege. Now, with his great vengeance achieved, after honoring the family head, he practices martial arts and trains warriors daily, without wandering around. In my view, he likely has no particular thoughts..."

"Hmm, not bad. A pure warrior, who can serve the alliance loyally!"

Aweit contemplated for a while, murderous intent gradually receding, a confident smile appeared on his lips.

The Tree Snake’s trusted aides were all slain, Tzompantli’s trusted aides mostly perished. The previous plans, like the night raid before the storm, erased all traces. Such brave warriors, having achieved vanguard merit, are models of loyalty for the city-state warriors towards the alliance, inspiring the hearts of the warriors! He is ignorant of the previous events, hence there is no need to execute him...

Furthermore, the alliance nobles slain by the Female Snake have already exceeded a hundred. The warriors under them are all equally incorporated into the royal legion, favored by the royal family, fighting fiercely for the king.

"Haha! Such valiant warriors deserve a glorious reward!"

The king pondered briefly, confidently making the decision. He laughed aloud, declaring the long-planned royal decree. After coercing the city-state army into a siege, it’s time to incorporate warriors from various factions, further weakening the strength of the alliance’s states.

"...I promised all armies! The brave city-state warriors will be selected into the Tonsured Guard, awarded the Chinampa fief, to fight for the supreme King!"

Aweit announced loudly, his eyes bright as if they were burning. That is the blazing ambition, and the determination of a king, tolerating no opposition. His eyes were radiant as he looked at Huitzilihuitl. The newly promoted city-state Legion Commander narrowed his pupils, then bowed his head, not daring to meet the king’s gaze.

"Huitzilihuitl, the Tonsured Guard must continue to expand. Every city-state army must hand over capable warriors to fight for the royal family!... You have ten days to surrender two hundred elite warriors, at least of the third-level elite Fire Warrior standard! Hmm, and that Texiwhit, brave and competent, he should be included too!"

Even the most valiant warriors cannot control their fate. In the king’s casual words, everything about mortals is decided: whether life or death, or nobility.

"Ah?! Your Majesty, Tzompantli Army suffered heavy casualties..."

Upon hearing this, Huitzilihuitl trembled internally, his face showing difficulty. Two hundred third-level elite Fire Warriors! Tzompantli Army was already greatly diminished, with only over two thousand warriors left. If two hundred elites were further extracted, the true damage would be significant!

"After the eastern expedition, the Tonsured Guard must expand by two thousand men! The seven armies of the north and south, including the Kingdom of the Lake, must each submit hundreds of warriors! Tzompantli Army suffered heavy losses, hence I’m lenient, asking for only two hundred men."

Aweit glanced lightly, with a slight warning and murderous intent. Huitzilihuitl shivered all over, recalling the death of Xochitl, and fell silent, not daring to speak.

"Alright, that’s it!... Let’s go, the pyramid is right ahead. We should go to the temple at the top of the tower and take a good look at the esteemed Tree Snake City Lord!"

The supreme king smiled, leaving behind a proclamation of victory. His heart was filled with the thrill of conquest, to conquer all resistant factions, and furthermore, to conquer the defiant alliance nobles.

"Uniting all factions and seizing power from the states, shining as bright as the sun, is the true supreme king!"

Aweit raised his head, gazing afar at the scorching sun overlooking the city-state, atop the dozens of meters high pyramid. It was the Chief Divine on the Throne of the Gods, rising after the obliterating storm, illuminating everything anew, deciding the flourishing or withering of all things.

"...And I, am the sun!"

The king’s whisper scattered in the wind. His figure gradually moved away, ascending higher, not particularly tall, yet his steps were exceptionally steady. Step by step, towards the high pyramid, he proceeded.