Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 564 - 275: Throne in the Shadows_2

Xiuxoke remained silent. He stared at the blood-soaked severed head of an old friend as if it still possessed some semblance of lifelike vibrancy. Scenes from days past flashed before his eyes, finally freezing on the image of Izel, with his head bowed and a smile on his face as he poured wine.

"The herbs in the wine... fallen petals in front of the flowers... so that’s how it is!"

Xiuxoke muttered to himself. After a while, he lowered his head and bowed deeply again.

"Your Majesty, I follow your will."

"Good, very good!"

Aweit watched with a smile, speaking gently for the first time to the Deputy Head who had just shown his submission.

"Xiuxoke, you have once waged war against Tizoc for me and achieved great merits. During this western campaign, you also handled the logistics of the Northern Army well.

You are a distant relative of the royal line, and Xiulote is your son. By that account, our relationship is fairly close. If you have any needs while you’re in the Capital City, feel free to bring them to me or to Gillim."

"The Eagle Warrior Battalion is the most prestigious guard of the Sun God and a powerful battle group protecting the King. I feel reassured assigning the position of Deputy Head to you. The current Eagle Battalion Head is my family’s trusted Great General, Stanley. You must cooperate like loyal wolves. The numbers of the Eagle Warriors will be expanding soon, with many offspring of the Nobility joining. Perform well, and any promising noble scions you deem worthy can be nominated!"

"...Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Xiuxoke clenched his fist and bowed once more in gratitude. His hand relaxed and then clenched again, and after a while, he quietly asked,

"Your Majesty, about Tepeiter’s head..."

"Oh, Gillim, what is your opinion?"

"Tepeiter harbored insidious thoughts and planned a rebellion. This end is a punishment from the Chief Divine! His severed head will be displayed to the Great Nobility from all City-States of the Alliance during the victory festival three days from now. At that time, as the Deputy Head who has earned great merits, you, Xiuxoke, will also stand atop the Great Temple to receive everyone’s homage!"

Gillim gave a formal bow, smiling at Xiuxoke.

"Lord Xiuxoke, please calmly accept this honor! Without you, it would not have been so easy to punish the heavily-guarded Tepeiter!"

Hearing this, Xiuxoke once again glanced at the severed head of his old friend and then silently bowed his head, saying nothing.

"Well then, that’s settled!"

Aweit tapped his Divine Staff again, and its clear thud resonated within the heart.

"The hundreds of warriors from the Holy City Legion will all join the direct command of the Royal Legion. The courageous Jaguar Warriors who beheaded Tepeiter from the Holy City have had their names noted; they will be promoted into the Royal Jaguar Warrior Brigade as centurions. Hmm, Xiuxoke, the Royal Jaguar Warrior Brigade is also expanding. You may nominate any outstanding commoner warriors from the Holy City Legion as well!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Hmm, you may leave now. Rest well for a couple of days in preparation for the sacrificial ceremony."

"I will obey Your Majesty’s will."

Xiuxoke’s expression had returned to calm. He bowed respectfully, then turned and strode towards the bright exit of the hall. Soon, he walked out of the Stone Hall, and the warm sunlight fell on his face as the noise of the crowd reached his ears again. It was then that the resolute warrior finally lifted his head and squinted at the sun, taking a deep sigh.

"A reunion with an old friend, truly a bright and good day!"

Xiuxoke murmured to himself. Before he left, he turned his head for one final, deep look at the King’s Great Hall. The heavy stone doors had closed, fluttering curtains blocked the sunlight. And within those shadows, the throne stood aloof, like the lair of the most dangerous beast.

The Stone Hall lay quiet. Aweit looked upon the painting of the Almighty on the curtain, with eyes as deep as the bottom of a lake. After a while, he finally asked deeply.

"What does the High Priest say?"

"The High Priest only learned of it this morning. Faced with the King’s Envoy and in front of many Elder Priests, he loudly declared, ’Well killed! Such is how Eagle Warriors ought to be.’"

"Ha, that old fox."

Aweit chuckled lightly, his expression a mixture of amusement and contemplation.

"The High Priest has deep and calculated plans, Xiulote has the wisdom of Divine Revelation. Even Xiuxoke can be praised for bravery and loyalty. A single family with three generations of heroes, I must admit I’m a bit envious!"

"Your Majesty, after the new year, Prince Chimalpahin will be five years old. With his innate wit, he can already recite the poems of the former kings with skill and wield a small war club with dexterity. The future prince is sure to be a brilliant example of wisdom and valor!"

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The words of the Intelligence Officer came from the shadows around the throne, a rare hint of mirth in his tone.

"Hmm, little Chimalpahin, that little tiger cub, haha!"

Aweit chuckled and shook his head, then returned to the matter at hand.

"Has the new policy been enacted without disturbances in the city-states?"

"Your Highness, with the Alliance having pacified the Tarasco Kingdom and defeated the Tlaxcalans, your prestige is at its zenith! As for centralization reforms, the city-states in the northeast have not raised much objection, and Commander-in-Chief Osellor from the north has expressed submission. The city-states of the southwest participated in the Southern Army’s campaign. In the fierce battles between the two armies, the most defiant of the Great Nobility were arranged to die in combat. City-states in the southeast suffered from the invasion of the Tlaxcalans, and many of the Great Nobility met with misfortune. Now, Tepeiter, the leader of the northwestern city-states from the Mountains family, has also been executed. Coupled with the redistribution of nobles in the central region of the Lake District, the Royal Family’s centralization reforms over the Texcoco Lake District will no longer face much resistance!"

"Very good!"

Aweit nodded in satisfaction. Then, he pondered before asking,

"Is the new Family Head of the Mountains family Izel? He is young, can he consolidate the hearts of the city-state people?"

"Your Majesty, as long as Izel relies closely on the Royal Family’s core, he will be able to control the situation in the city-state. The new High Priest of the Tlalocan city-state will also lend him support. Furthermore, although he is young, he is already a qualified warrior. On the night three days ago when action was taken, he personally led the Jaguar Warriors into his father’s dwelling..."

"Oh? He is indeed a qualified warrior! If he also possesses courage in battle, he can indeed be deployed to significant use."

Aweit praised with appreciation. The succession laws among the Mexica were like the jungle, always cruel and bloody—only the victor is admired.

"Gillim, the sacrificial ceremony is about to begin. Ensure that the offerings’ segment is grand and solemn! Have the important Divine Descendant sacrifices been taken care of?"

"Your Majesty, everything has been properly arranged. Starting tonight, the dosage of anesthetics for the members of the Tarasco Royal Family will be reduced. On the day of the Sacrificial Rite, a suitable amount of hallucinogenic potion will be added to ensure their calm demeanor as they go to their deaths willingly."

When it came to the Divine Descendant sacrifices, the Intelligence Officer’s expression remained calm, showing not a ripple of emotion. In his eyes, there was no such thing as noble blood.

"Excellent. As per tradition, Su’angua is the most prized sacrifices, a gift to the Chief Divine. Let him live comfortably these days and arrange for a few beautiful female Priestesses!"

Speaking thusly, Aweit’s eyes showed the pride of a victor and then, that pride turned to pity, a gift to the fallen king at his feet.

"I will follow Your Highness’s command."

The Intelligence Officer smiled and bowed. After a moment, he asked softly,

"Your Majesty, Su’angua is willing to prostrate himself before you during the festival, in the presence of envoys from all nations and tribes. First to humbly bow as a gesture of submission, then to present his neck for execution!"

"Oh, indeed? What are his conditions?"

Upon hearing this, Aweit was quite moved. An old adversary willing to kneel in submission before his death was more satisfying than fine wine.

"He requests that you spare those of the Divine Eagle Bloodline."

Gillim bowed his head solemnly. He knew his king’s preferences.

"Your Majesty, there is a young prince of the Tarasco Royal Family named Shatini. He has the blood of the Noble Chiefs, not of the legitimate line of succession. As a fledgling of the Divine Eagle and with the Alliance’s exquisite potions, he can also be tamed to some extent."

"Hmm... the Elders..."

"The Elder grows ever more aged. He has been in seclusion lately, conserving energy for the New Year’s grand Sacrificial Rite. The immortal Sun God high above does not shine upon such hidden corners... Moreover, there are still plenty of bloodlines of the Tarasco Royal Family who have escaped."

"Hmm..."

After pondering for a long while, Aweit slowly nodded, his cold smile emerging.

"So be it. The Great Sacrifice is about to commence, and the anticipation is truly thrilling!"

The king’s word echoed in the great hall, encircling the towering throne within the shadows. Then, a clear chime rang out, praising the supreme, sublime power and the icy heart of a monarch.