Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

"Ah... Pala!..."

The proclamation of the Mexica Priest echoed within the tent, conveying a will of fire and blood, narrating the inevitable coming of martial prowess! Then, a filled clay pot fell from trembling hands, accompanied by a suppressed gasp, landing heavily on the soil. The rich scent of cocoa spread instantly, filling the tent with fragrance.

"Hmm?"

The Chief God Priest Tomate squinted his eyes, looking towards the corner at the bewildered and trembling Dark Snake. He carefully observed the boy's sun-tanned skin and the calloused fingers but said nothing.

"Someone, clean this up!"

Papata of the Silver Raven put down the clay pot in his hand and called out. Two Vastec maidens lowered their heads and came bustling. Then, the Silver Raven Chieftain gave a few more instructions, summoning a robust young Silver Raven warrior. The young warrior also wore a Sun Hummingbird amulet around his neck.

"Respected War God Priest, the Kingdom Fleet, blessed by Divine Revelation, is destined for the Eastern Snake Island, to subdue the Feathered Serpent Divine... Thus, as a loyal vassal of the Alliance, the Silver Raven Tribe will certainly not stand by!"

At this point, Papata smiled slightly and patted the young warrior on the shoulder.

"This is the youngest warrior of the tribe, a Fish Hawk who can fight in the water! Fish Hawk once piloted a small boat to the lands of the Totonac people, familiar with the city-states along hundreds of miles... From today, he will lead thirty Silver Raven warriors and twenty shipwrights to join the Kingdom's naval expedition!... Please, do not refuse."

"Oh? Warrior Fish Hawk, skilled in naval warfare?"

The Priest Tomate pondered briefly, glancing at the silently fierce Warrior Fish Hawk, examining his streamlined muscles and smiling.

The Silver Raven Tribe sent fifty men, a small number but one that further clarified Chieftain Papata's stance. The Kingdom of the Lake lacked secure footholds along the Eastern Sea coast. The Silver Raven Tribe, with tens of thousands of young and strong warriors, controlled Crow City along the coast, and aligning with the kingdom would bring great convenience.

Thinking of this, Priest Tomate nodded with a smile and expressed his gratitude aloud.

"Thank you, respected Chieftain Papata! I will write to His Highness, praising your support for the kingdom!"

"Haha! I have long admired His Highness Xiulote, blessed by Divine Revelation. At this moment, His Highness is leading a great army to besiege the ancestral land of the Telascallan. How I wish to lead tribal warriors to join the Alliance's army and fight for the Chief Divine!... "

Hearing Papata quietly change the term "Chief Divine," Priest Tomate nodded in satisfaction. He stood up, drew a symbol of the Sun Hummingbird before the Silver Raven Chieftain, and then, smiling, he made a bold promise.

"Your devotion is truly astounding! The light of the Chief Divine must be protecting you from the lower reaches of Cat Owl River to the Eastern Sea! And if His Highness knows, he will be extremely gratified and surely supportive..."

"Oh? From the lower reaches of Cat Owl River to the Eastern Sea?! This territory..."

Upon hearing this, Papata's face showed joy. This was akin to a secret agreement between the kingdom and the Silver Raven Tribe, to achieve a certain potential cooperation. Both parties understood without involving the Alliance... The Silver Raven Chieftain's mind whirled as he reached out to stroke the Book of Ama Colley on the ground, showing sincerity.

"Respected Chief God Priest, please bestow this sacred scripture upon the Silver Raven Tribe! I want to invite the priests and elders of the tribe to contemplate day and night, comprehending the teachings of the Chief Divine!"

"Good! Very good!"

The Priest Tomate, invigorated, said with a smile.

"However, one copy isn't enough? Another purpose of this naval expedition is to spread the Chief God's glory and to educate the Taino people on Snake Island... Our Kingdom Fleet has dozens of chests of scriptures! Each priest and elder in the Silver Raven Tribe may have a copy!"

"Haha, that is excellent! May the Chief Divine bless!"

"May the Chief Divine bless us!"

Both parties reached an understanding, and everyone was delighted. However, to further confirm the cooperative relationship or even establish a secret alliance, it still awaited His Highness's consent. Next would be a sumptuous and exquisite banquet and a night of joyful singing and revelry.

The next day, the weather was clear and cloudless, perfect for a long journey. As the sun rose to the zenith, seven newly repaired and strengthened Kingdom longships raised their sails together, prepared for the voyage.

The silent Warrior Fish Hawk, with the Vastec warriors, joined under the command of Puap. The Mayan merchant Tikalo returned from the nearby market, bringing with him a few elder Mayan guides. Meanwhile, the Silver Raven Chieftain Papata led hundreds of tribal warriors and personally bid farewell outside the city.

The Long River stretched on, flowing into the Eastern Sea. The longships set sail, embarking on their journey. Two days later, the vast Caribbean Sea unfolded before everyone's eyes!

"Such a vast Great Lake! Where on earth does it lead? From east to west, as far as the eye can see, it's all water!"

"Ah! A Great Lake larger than the Rain Divine! This must be the creation of the Chief Divine!... Praise be to you, almighty!"

At the bow of the flagship, the young Dark Snake was dumbstruck, while the sailor Didi prayed devoutly. At this moment, two crew members from different backgrounds and classes stood side by side, their spirits stirred. It was their first time seeing the boundless sea!

"Praise the Chief Divine, for safe voyages!"

Hundreds of sailors and warriors stood at the bow, praying to the sun in the sky. This was also the first time the Kingdom of the Lake and even the Mexica Alliance's fleet reached the vast Caribbean Sea! And a brand new five-thousand-mile route was unfolding, leading to a never-before-reached distant place!

"Aiyo hey, setting out to sea!... "

The endless sea and sky, departure with no known return. The old militiaman turned the ship's rudder, watching the swift-flying swallows, looking towards the endless sea and sky in the east. He tilted his head, his mouth wide in song, singing a hometown tune from Patzcuaro. Singing with joy, in the unique dialect of the Lake Region, he didn't worry that the Mexica would understand. Soon, he sang faster and happier, even laughing to tears!

"The sea, it's all water! Journeying, no end in sight!... Your Majesty, with one word! Poor old farmer me, gonna break my legs running!... "

"Break my legs, travel the world! Travel the world, sun burns! ...The great sea surges like boiling soup, His Majesty waves a fan in the tent! ...Wave the fan, set sail!"

"Set sail eastwards, five thousand miles to go! Five thousand miles away, looking home! Vision blurred and vast!... Home is far, I can't see! Your Majesty, you're a real rascal!... Aiyo, a real rascal!"

"..."

Listening to the familiar hometown tune, hearing the lyrics made up by the old militiaman, Puap was drenched in sweat, momentarily speechless.

Beside him, the Chief God Priest Tomate showed curiosity. He listened intently for a while, hearing only a genuine sense of freedom and fearless determination. The devoted Chief God Priest nodded, softly inquiring.

"Praise the Chief Divine! Truly a hearty sea shanty!... Hmm, what's the song about?"

"Uh, it's about... setting sail today, determined to spread glory! If I don't reach Snake Island, I'll never return home in this life!... Ah, praise the Chief Divine, praise His Majesty! His Majesty is truly great!... Aiyo truly great!"

Puap stammered, struggling to respond. Then he forced a smile, changed the subject, patted the shoulder of Priest Tomate, and pointed southeast.

"Aha! With the Chief Divine's blessing, the fleet sails eastward! Calm seas, perfect for a long journey... Our next target is three hundred miles southeast, Feathered Serpent City of the Totonac people!"