Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

The lake water ripples, the surface stained red. The originally peaceful surroundings of the lake are now filled with crude tents. Thousands of Totonac warriors are running back and forth in the camp, shouting in celebration. Many people have stains of blood splattered on them.

Led by the Black Wolf, over a thousand red-haired canine descendants suddenly appear at the edge of the jungle. These Totonac tribal defectors initially express surprise, then bow deeply with reverence.

"Ah! It's the fierce Black Wolf Great Chief, the formidable red-haired warriors..."

"Ha, praise the Chief Divine! Looks like the battle has just ended. Tupa has fought well!"

Black Wolf's expression is indifferent, his gaze traversing the Totonac warriors saluting by the lake, directly towards the hills occupying strategic positions. The golden Sun Divine Eagle Cannon is shining on the outskirts of the Brown Forest Fort. The tribal defectors further out are cautiously glancing at the thunderbolt-launching "Copper Beast," their eyes full of fear and awe. Some even kneel on the ground, praying sincerely to the "Copper Beast." It is apparent that the kingdom's copper cannon has had an awe-inspiring effect in the attack on the fort.

In front of the Brown Forest Fort, crude wooden fences have been blown open, fallen bodies covering the inside and outside, while residual flames still burn in the corners.

Hundreds of red-haired hunters and over a thousand artillery camp warriors are busy on the hills, transporting food and possessions from the fort, also moving newly surrendered prisoners. Outside the prisoner camp of the Brown Forest Fort, the accompanying war priests are holding Sun Amulets, loudly preaching among the masses of prisoners. The war priests control the right to judge prisoners; only defectors who surrender to the Chief Divine can survive.

"Ha! All the people inside and out are defectors captured in this battle... there are quite a number!"

"Chief Divine bless! Black Wolf Leader, we took down the Brown Forest Fort yesterday! I personally interrogated the Earth River City chieftain Kuikama and obtained detailed intelligence. Before this battle, there was a large detachment from the Earth River Tribe stationed near the Brown Forest Fort: a thousand warriors and two thousand militia!"

Artillery Camp Commander Tupa, wearing copper armor, walked over from the front of the camp with a broad smile. Then, he lowered his head and respectfully reported to Black Wolf.

"First, I used the Divine Eagle Cannon to bombard for several rounds, breaking through the barricades of the fortress, then let Cempoala's Totonac camp charge fiercely! The army broke through here in just a day, killing over 1,300 and capturing more than 1,600!"

Upon hearing this, Black Wolf raised his eyebrows. He looked at Tupa's expression, rubbed his chin, and asked in a deep voice.

"Tupa, did you use up all the gunpowder in the artillery camp?"

"...Leader, the heavy rains of July are approaching. With so much rain, everything will be soaking wet. The gunpowder in the camp could only have lasted a few days at most."

Tupa grinned, shamelessly edging closer.

"Chief Divine's witness! If we don't use it now, once the heavy rain starts, it will all be wasted!..."

"Hmm... that's indeed reasonable."

Black Wolf thought for a moment, then said no more. He simply looked around, seeing the militia digging a large burial pit, and asked in a deep voice.

"How many casualties did your troops suffer?"

"Fifteen hundred from the main force suffered hardly any casualties, but three thousand from Cempoala's Totonac camp, with eight to nine hundred killed."

"Hmm? A small fort like this, with artillery, and still eight to nine hundred killed?"

"Oh, Leader, the warriors from the Earth River Tribe can still fight. They're mostly mountain people, enduring hard battles when defending. And Cempoala's camp morale was not high, retreating twice during the charge, I executed nearly two hundred deserters."

Tupa extended his hand, pointing to a circle of wooden poles outside the camp, where numerous heads were bound, some still dripping blood.

In the Lake's central army, warriors who survive the charge may receive substantial rewards, but deserters have only one path—death. A commanding general could kill hundreds of deserters without batting an eye. Only with such severe military law can defectors be driven to fight fiercely.

"Hmm. The defectors of Cempoala have only recently surrendered, still like wolf pups. They can't yet be taken to battle with the Totonac allied forces. But after more battles, seeing more blood, they'll be fine!"

Black Wolf glanced lightly, nodded.

"Tupa, these newly surrendered warriors from the Earth River Tribe will be supplied to you! Set up a new Totonac old camp in the defector camp. Those who survive one charge can be promoted to squad officer among the defectors. Survive three charges, and they are absorbed into the Totonac old camp. In the old camp, a warrior who claims the heads of three people will be directly incorporated into the main force, and absorbed as a Kingdom's Warrior, granted land!"

"Yes! I follow you! Black Wolf Leader, you are truly generous!"

The two laughed, casually deciding the defectors' fate together. Then, Black Wolf solemnly inquired in a deep voice.

"The Brown Forest Fort is over thirty li from Golden Bay City, just a day's journey... You attacked the Brown Forest Fort, any changes within the Totonac allied forces in Golden Bay City?"

"Leader, the army has always had scouts watching Golden Bay City. It's been two days, and there's still no reaction within the city. None of the allied forces have left the city for support, probably not reaching a consensus, and no one can make a decision."

Upon hearing this, Black Wolf furrowed his brows. He brought a thousand Guajili warriors quietly, preparing to set ambushes with Tupa for reinforcements from Golden Bay City. But unexpectedly, after losing the outer camps, Golden Bay City remained still as a mountain.

"Damn it! These cowardly seaside turtles, taking refuge without showing heads..."

"Leader, I previously interrogated the chieftain Kuikama from Earth River City. He mentioned disparate thinking between the east and west Totonac allied forces... Those likely to support the Brown Forest Fort are only the east Totonac allied forces, such as the Feather Bird Tribe and parts of Golden Bay. But now the Feather Bird Tribe is weak, and the parts of Golden Bay are firmly defending the fort, unlikely to come."

Tupa paused, organizing his thoughts, then proposed a new idea.

"Chief Divine's witness! Instead of waiting here, why not continue striking southeast! Thirty li southeast is River Bend Fort, where Coyote City's three thousand troops are stationed. If this place is conquered, it could cut off the upstream of the Mud Great River, threatening the east bank of the river. And within a hundred li of River Bend Fort are two tribes of west Totonac allied forces: Cone House City and Coyote City... at that time, send small squads of warriors, crossing the river to raid, and they'll have to react!"

Upon hearing this, Black Wolf turned around and looked towards the deep southeast jungle. If continuing to penetrate southeast, it would reach the Mud Great River. This river is precisely the north-south route for the Totonac allied forces. Further downstream thirty li is the key point for allied logistics, Mud Fort.

"Chief Divine bless! So let's wait two more days and see if the turtles show their heads!"

Black Wolf deliberated for a moment, finally making a decision.

"Let the Woodpecker lead two thousand Mistec vanguards to guard here. I'll bring two thousand main force warriors, concealing in this area, always ready to ambush."

"After two days, Tupa, you will lead five thousand east, attacking River Bend Fort!... I want to see how long they can endure!"