Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 427 - Two Hundred and Thirteen: Duel

Wisps of blue smoke rose, carrying the Priest’s song to the deities above. Xiulote stood silently under the banner of the deities, gazing up at the sky. After a long moment, he responded slowly but firmly.

"Bertade, you’re right. I cannot accept Su’angua’s surrender."

Xiulote’s eyes briefly lowered; when he opened them again, they were ablaze with the flames of war.

"The Tarasco Royal Family cannot be spared! This is not only the will of the elders but also a necessity for ruling over the lands of the lake. The Mexica Alliance does not seek nominal submission from the Tarascans but direct control over each conquered City-State, to truly put down roots in this fertile land."

"My conflict with Su’angua is irreconcilable. The Patzcuaro Lake region must become my foundation to lay the groundwork for future endeavors, and the southwest mountain area offers great opportunities for societal development! Annihilating the Royal Family, relocating the Nobility, reforming the Priesthood, developing iron mines... my plans cannot change. Only a blank slate can yield a magnificent tapestry!"

Listening to the declaration of the young King, Bertade bowed his head in respect, offering his suggestion reverently.

"Your Highness, if this is the case, there is no need for you to meet with Su’angua. The Tarasco Nobility is like the Crocodiles in the Tarsus River, ferocious, barbaric, and cunning. The great Teotihuacan Empire has vanished for a thousand years, and the noble Tula Kingdom has also been reduced to mounds. Ancient courtesies hold no real significance for an emerging Alliance."

The Head Warrior paused, the arrow wound on his back seemingly still causing him dull pain. His face was calm like still water, showing the perseverance characteristic of a commoner Samurai.

"Your Highness, you are the future Sun God, and you should not meet privately with the enemy’s Royal Family, nor can you afford to lose the most important trust of a King! You hope for Su’angua’s genuine surrender to swiftly end the war; yet, you cannot truly accept his surrender and swear allegiance before the entire army."

As he spoke, Bertade’s eyes flashed with the fierceness of a seasoned warrior, treating life and death as commonplace.

"Then let a distinguished member of the Royal Army take your place and meet with the King of Tarasco! If the King of Tarasco truly wishes to lay down his weapons, let this person accept all terms and swear an oath to the deities against Su’angua!"

Xiulote was startled briefly, looking at his trusted Head Warrior.

"A distinguished member of the Royal Family? Who would that be?"

"The honored Nobility from Tlatelolco, ’The Destroyer’ Tepopolo. The Tlatelolco lineage has been intermarrying with the Royal Family for generations; Tepopolo’s mother and grandmother were both princesses of the Mexica Royal Family. And within the Legion, he often claims to represent the Royal Family."

"Anna has mentioned this to me. Rumor has it among the Capital City Nobility that Tepopolo intends to give up his family lands, seeking a suitable fief within the vast expanse of the Tarasco Kingdom. He has deep roots, and is the first honored Nobility to actively offer up his lands. Neither King Aweit nor the immortal elders will treat him unfairly."

"Although he cannot be compared to Your Highness and has no chance at the fertile Patzcuaro Lake region, he will inevitably establish a foothold in the lands of Michoacán. This makes him a potential competitor to Your Highness. Since he is unaware of the elder’s will, let him go to persuade Su’angua to surrender!"

At this point, Bertade stopped speaking. Whether Tepopolo succeeded in inducing surrender, broke his promise and lost credibility, or failed to persuade and was attacked and killed, the outcome would be to the advantage and no harm of Your Highness.

Xiulote’s gaze became profound. After a moment, he nodded slightly.

"Let it be as you say."

Then, the Young Commander ordered loudly.

"Notify Su’angua’s Envoy. Tell him that, following ancient tradition, the Mexica Royal Family will meet with the Tarasco Royal Family in front of both armies!"

"Summon the honored Nobility Tepopolo. I want to instruct him personally!"

The sun climbed atop the sky, sitting majestically upon the clouds, patiently observing humanity. The vast military formations fully spread out across the plains. Two enormous armies, separated by a distance of miles, waited for the decisive battle of fate. Seasoned warriors sat on the ground, placing their weapons before them. Their expressions were calm as they conserved their strength for battle, occasionally chatting and laughing with one another, having long become accustomed to facing death in war. The Militia, though lower in status and under strict discipline, continued to maintain the integrity of their formation, loosening their legs on the spot, silently waiting for the deities’ verdict.

Before long, two groups of nearly a hundred men each slowly emerged from both armies’ formations. The banners of the Mexica and Tarasco Royal Families waved in front of the troops, with elite warriors surrounding their leaders.

"The Destroyer" Tepopolo, adorned in a majestic Nobility’s War Clothes and wearing a battle Feather Crown that hung down his back, strode confidently at the front.

Since leading three thousand warriors in the western expedition, Tepopolo’s journey had been full of setbacks, with most of his anticipated power and glory coming to naught. First, his proposal to the Naval Commander Annatri failed, depriving him of a role in the Alliance’s Naval Forces. Then, he was stationed at the North Coast fortress for months where he endured the dampness of the rainy season, practicing the inglorious art of the Longbow alongside Royal Warriors. Next was a significant battle on Lake Yuriria, where he nearly lost half his men in front-line combat. The memory of the ordeal still made him shudder.

Following a lengthy recuperation, it wasn’t until after the capture of the Rivermouth fortress that his Legion was transferred there, taking control of a critical logistical hub. Just as he was becoming strategically engaged, entertaining Tarasco Nobility who had surrendered, the shrewd Xiuxoke used the opportunity of taking Huayamo to leave his troops at the Rivermouth fortress and send him personally to the front-line Legion to participate in the "glorious campaign to besiege the Capital City."

As reinforcements sent by the King, Tepopolo understood the misgivings of the Holy City lineage. He had neither the chance nor the intent to vie for military command on the northern route. As the western conquest seemed assured, he had already set his sights on the future. Envoys sent last month had returned with definitive promises from the King, communicated through the Intelligence Officer.

"Though not the best, it was acceptable."

Tepopolo smiled as he thought.

"Whether His Highness Xiulote, the Marshal, is being prudent and cautious or avoiding suspicion, the opportunity for a meeting has ultimately fallen upon me! The singing of epics is a thing of the after. If I can persuade the Royal Army of Tarasco to surrender, I can truly establish a foundation in the land of Michoacán and build connections with the Tarasco nobility. As a valiant samurai, how could I be hesitant? For such an honor, what does it matter if I have to risk a little!"

Tepopolo walked proudly, lifting his gaze to the front—the Royal Banner of Tarasco was now less than a hundred steps away. Surrounded by the Copper-axe Guards, a tall King dressed in golden copper armor and wearing a purple copper helmet majestically lifted a godly staff adorned with a blue gemstone, greeting him from afar.

Tepopolo’s expression turned serious. He raised the family scepter in his hand, returning the Tarasco king’s respectful salute with solemnity. At the same time, he called out to the approaching troop with a voice both confident and loud.

"Member of the Mexican Royal Family, the noble of Tlatelolco, ’Destroyer’ Tepopolo, pays his respects to the ancient Tarasco Royal Family! This is the noble greeting of the Divine Descendants, and also a meeting witnessed by the gods above!"

Thereafter, the noble Tepopolo lowered his scepter, nodding slightly towards the opposing side. When he lifted his head again, the king opposite had not yet replied, still holding the Divine Staff aloft. Tepopolo pondered for a moment, thinking this might be an ancient ritual of waiting practiced by the Tula people, and so he once again lifted his scepter, shouting loudly.

"Under the witness of the Chief Divine, the great divine war will soon come to an end! The Sun God has received enough Holy Blood to continue burning and illuminating the world of men! The supreme Alliance takes on the duty of commanding the world, saving all tribes and the masses!"

It took a long while before the answer from the Tarasco people finally came, after both troops had come within sixty steps of each other.

"The King of Tarasco, Cazonci of the Prepecha, the mighty eagle of the lake-lands, His Majesty Su’angua himself is here to pay respects to the emerging Mexican Royal Family!"

"The Sun God watches over us, guiding the fate of all things. The sacred blood flows in the bodies of the Divine Descendants, determining the destiny of the world. Only the future sovereign can converse with the supreme King. May I ask if His Highness Xiulote of Mexico is among the troops ahead?"

Tepopolo’s face darken, and he felt a slight anger in his heart, he gritted his teeth, and shouted loudly.

"According to the traditions of the Alliance, His Highness Xiulote bears the banner of the Commander-in-Chief, carrying the glory of the War God. Once he takes his position in the legion, he will not move a single step until the battle ends! The Tlatelolco line has been passed down for a century and is one of Mexico’s oldest families. As a noble of Tenochtitlan, I will fully represent the Alliance and the Royal Family!"

Again, there was a long wait with no answer. Tepopolo’s heart sunk. With a last hope, he made a promise.

"I swear on my family’s name, in the land of cacti and rock, a place of rest shall surely be provided for the eagle of the lake!"

Across the sixty steps, Su’angua came to a halt. He did not respond to the calls from the other side, but with the last hope of his own, he carefully observed the Mexican leader. Through the feathered helmet, he saw the middle-aged features of the man. Then, he scrutinized the Mexican samurai behind, judging their sizes and statures. After searching for a few moments, he finally sighed in disappointment.

Several steps behind Su’angua, the "Hound" samurai Yuku clutched his longbow tightly, staring intently at the Mexican leader, while also using his peripheral vision to watch the Divine Staff indicated by the King. He understood the importance of his mission, and all along the way, he had been mentally rehearsing, estimating the precise distance. For a seasoned hunter, the chance to hunt flying birds is always fleeting; drawing the bow and shooting rapidly had become his battle instinct. Steady hand, sharp eye, and perfect coordination—half-drawn bow, and the prey would drop at the sound of release.

However, Yuku waited in silence and tension for a long time, but the Divine Staff never descended. He hesitated for a moment, then made a waiting gesture to the Divine Archers behind him. Afterward, he stepped forward a few paces and asked softly.

"Your Majesty, it seems the Marshal of Mexico has not appeared. This member of their Royal Family, do you need me to take action and retain him?"

Su’angua shook his head with a trace of helplessness, finally letting his Divine Staff fall.

"The proud eagle cannot catch the noble Gelchar bird; what use is there grasping a chattering red sparrow?"

Then, Su’angua’s expression turned stern, as he called out authoritatively to the other side.

"The glory of the King is inviolable! If the Black Wolf of Mexico is unwilling to meet, then the Divine Eagle of Tarasco will certainly not land on the ground! If so, let the sacred battle decide our fate!"

Su’angua paused for a moment, turned to his confidant beside him, and asked in a low voice.

"You’ve come all this way for nothing. When can we expect reinforcement from the Capital City?"

The confidant, touched with gratitude, bowed respectfully and replied in a low voice as well.

"The scouts have made contact with the Capital City. The Chief has dispatched three thousand warriors on their way to assist us. These past two days, the reinforcements have maintained stealth, and they are now more than twenty leagues away."

"Three thousand warriors, more than twenty leagues... In that case, let’s challenge the Mexicans to a duel!"

Su’angua nodded, the doubt in his eyes disappearing in a flash. It was then that the thought crossed his mind; how could the Capital City still muster three thousand warriors at this time? After marching tens of leagues, how much fighting strength would they have left? He forced himself to clear his thoughts, putting on a confident smile once again, and called out loud to the opposite side.

"Mexicans value brave warriors, and Tarascans are no different. In accordance with ancient rites, fearless Tarasco warriors challenge the valiant Mexican samurai to a duel! Under the gaze of the War God, let the most courageous samurai clash in combat, offering the highest salute!"