Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

The clouds gathered at the edge of the sky, and the waves surged at the coast's edge. Cuba's unique blackbird, on the approaching storm's horizon, let out its last mating call. When the August hurricane sweeps in, the coastal lowlands will be flooded by unending rain and wind, and the Cuban blackbird's half-year breeding season will abruptly end in August.

The chirping of the birds was loud, circling endlessly. The seven longships of the Kingdom quietly anchored at the palm-covered cape. Here was the eastern end of Cuba Snake Island, while the Great Island of Haiti across the strait silently looked on from afar.

"Chief Divine's blessing! Such thick clouds, such large waves... I reckon, a storm capable of sweeping fish to their deaths is coming soon!"

Old Militia Chiwaco raised his head, gazing into the sky to the east of the coast, deeply furrowing his brows.

After drifting at sea for two or three years, he had become increasingly accustomed to the unpredictable power of the sea, developing a heartfelt awe. This terrifying Caribbean Sea was much more ferocious compared to the tranquil Western Sea coastline! The current situation was clearly a prelude to a great storm, likely to occur in the next two or three days.

"Priest Tomate, the fleet cannot stay here! We must set sail immediately, along the coast, heading to the northwest where the storm hasn't reached!"

"Ah! Chief Divine's blessing! The storm is about to arrive, what a pity..."

Priest Tomate stared at the sea and sky of the east in silence for a long time, letting out a gentle breath.

The prophecies of His Highness have all been verified, and there is no longer any doubt among the fleet. According to His Highness's prophecy, to the east of Cuba Snake Island lies another large, fertile island filled with jungles and rivers, as well as a series of small fertile islands extending to the southeast. Few days ago, from the mouths of the Guata Tribe chieftains, everyone learned that this wealthy great island indeed exists. The name of that large island is "Haiti."

"What a pity! This cape is probably the furthest point the fleet can reach to the east! Exploration and visits to the tribes of Haiti will have to wait for the future... what a pity!"

In Priest Tomate's eyes, there was deep regret. He still had a ship full of illustrated "Book of Ama Colley" that hadn't been delivered. But the terrifying storm encountered crossing Cuba was still vivid in the memories of the fleet. Now, neither the impending storm and waves nor the fatigued and weary morale of the troops allowed him to continue eastward.

"Praise the Chief Divine! His supreme glory will certainly shine brightly in the vast sky and sea under my fervent efforts!"

Priest Tomate clenched the Sun Amulet around his neck, praying loudly, making a sincere vow. Moments later, he no longer hesitated and turned his gaze toward the coast. The gentle Cuban coast was right here, sketched out by a palm tree-studded sandbank curving toward the northwest.

"The east wind rises, raise the sails!"

"The east wind rises, raise the sails!..."

"Turn towards the northwest, full speed ahead!"

"Turn towards the northwest, full speed ahead!..."

The resounding shouts rose from the flagship. Then, this command was transformed into conspicuous flag signals, instructing the surrounding longships.

"Chief Divine's blessing! His Highness's Divine Revelation!"

Priest Tomate straightened up and made an impassioned proclamation.

"After traveling eight thousand miles, the end of this journey is right before our eyes!... Set sail!"

"Praise the Chief Divine! Praise His Highness! Set sail!"

Upon hearing this, the sailors on the flagship raised their heads and shouted in unison. Then, with the strong east wind, the seven longships suddenly accelerated, sailing along Cuba's northern coast, heading towards unknown tribes.

With the aid of the wind, the fleet's speed suddenly increased, accelerating by more than double. In just one day, the exploration fleet sailed over 120 miles, reaching the first Great Tribe on the northern side of Cuba Snake Island, the Baracoa Marine Tribe.

According to convention, the fleet took a two-day break at the Marine Tribe, replenishing food and water, and also took the opportunity to preach the Chief Divine's teachings and prophecies. During the rest, old militia Chiwaco found Priest Tomate, looking somewhat serious.

"Something feels off!... Tomato Priest, the situation at the Marine Tribe seems off. We've visited so many Taino tribes, but it's only in this tribe that the villagers have such wary eyes! Um... the feeling I get, they seem like frightened bucks, bowing their heads, showing their antlers, and making threatening calls!"

"Chief Divine bear witness! Captain Chiwaco, you noticed it too! This Marine Tribe is indeed more vigilant than all previous tribes. Look, they even have over a hundred militia patrolling with Wooden Spears. And the fish ponds around the village are desolate, unkept..."

The two chatted briefly and grew even more convinced of their views. The old militia pondered for a while, then brought out the last two bottles of Tequila he'd cherished for a long time hidden onboard. The sociable Priest Tomate, carrying the fine liquor, went to meet the elder Chieftain of the local tribes. Not until after a simple banquet did Priest Tomate calmly return with new information.

"The Marine Tribe is indeed under threat! A Ciguayo Tribe's hunting tribe migrated to this area this year. According to local tribal descriptions, the Ciguayo are different from the Tai Nuo people, naturally fierce, with vicious expressions! They have dyed long hair, painted black tattoos, adept at rowing and hunting, wielding bows with poison arrows. They dislike farming on land, preferring to paddle in fleets, launching large-scale raids, even hunting enemy tribes for food!..."

"What? What are 'Cigar Oil People'? Sea predators rowing fleets and shooting poison arrows?"

Upon hearing this, a warlike expression appeared on Huitu Puapu's face. He patted the sharp bronze axe at his waist, confidently shouting.

"Where are these raiders? Let me take the samurai of the fleet and hack them all to death, piling their heads into mounds!"

Hearing Puapu's words, Priest Tomate raised an eyebrow. He remained calm and looked toward the old militia Chiwaco.

"Captain Chiwaco, what do you think?"

"Hmm... The Marine Tribe is also a large Tai Nuo tribe with at least two to three thousand tribespeople. Even if they are as weak as grass mice, once in numbers, they can also bite a jungle cat to death! Their situation, though threatened, is not urgent..."

Chiwaco thought for a moment, stroked his chin, and asked carefully.

"How many warriors does this raiding Ciguayo Tribe have?"

"According to the local chieftain, the Ciguayo people have sent out, at most, two to three hundred warriors at a time... It's estimated that the whole tribe has around a thousand people. If there were more, migration wouldn't be so easy."

Priest Tomate recalled for a moment, then smiled confidently and said.

"Blessings of the Chief Divine! With the strength of the fleet, as long as we don't disperse, encountering this Ciguayo people... defeating them should be an easy task! However, these rowing tribes move unpredictably, and catching them is not easy!"

"So, does the Marine Tribe know where the Ciguayo people's lair is?"

"The various Ciguayo tribes are most active on the northern side of Haiti Island, with dozens of large and small tribes. Their ancestors seem to have migrated from smaller islands further east... and this group of Ciguayo people mostly emerge from the northern sea. Their migration camps should be on the 'islands in the shallows', southeast of the 'Bahamas' island group!"

"Islands in the shallows, Bahamas?..."

Chiwaco squinted his eyes, looking towards the northern sea. He chewed over this obscure Taíno word, his expression subtly changing. After a while, he calmly said.

"Since the whereabouts of the Ciguayo people are hard to capture, and they have not actively attacked the fleet... then let's ignore them for now and continue west to find the great iron ore!"

"Ignore them and continue west?"

Priest Tomate was slightly taken aback, pondering. After a while, he spoke thoughtfully.

"With the Tai Nuo people's weak strength, even with several times the number advantage, they might not be able to defeat this group of Ciguayo people. If we ignore it and let this sea raider establish a foothold... perhaps more Ciguayo tribes will find it advantageous to migrate..."

Hearing this, the old militia's expression remained unchanged, and he asked calmly.

"So, has the local Marine Tribe asked our fleet for help?"

"No, they have not. The Tai Nuo people's Marine Tribe has known us for only two days. They still harbor wariness towards the fleet, let alone asking for help..."

"Then, has the local Marine Tribe converted to the Chief Divine?"

"Hmm... not quite. The chieftains all listened to my teachings and offered the Zemi God Card of the Chief Divine. But they only regard the Chief Divine as one of the many gods from a distant west, one among dozens of divine spirits..."

"In that case, then ignore it. Continue west!"

The old militia Chiwaco's expression became serious, making a decision. He looked around at the few leaders on the flagship, speaking meaningfully.

"Earned maize cakes do not smell as sweet; begged-for pumpkin mash does! The great iron ore marked on the map is not far from here... In my view, the emergence of this Ciguayo raider benefits the kingdom's foothold in this area, with no bad outcome!"

"Hmm? Only benefits, no drawbacks?... Chiwaco, you mean..."

Priest Tomate lowered his head, thought for a few moments, then his eyes lit up. Then he turned his head slightly, glanced at the confused Huitu Puapu, and then at the Mayan merchant Tikalo with sparkling eyes, feeling inwardly pleased, and laughed out loud.

"Good! Very good! The more Ciguayo people, the better; the more storms at sea, the better!... Without storms, how can we tell what is truly a sturdy longship, what is truly an immortal divine spirit!..."

"Praise the Chief Divine, let us raise the sails and continue west!"