Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

The sunset descended from the horizon, casting the battlefield in a blood-red glow. Corpses were piled upon each other, blood soaking into a pool. The slaughter had ended, and the outcome was decided. Soon, over a thousand of the Kingdom's Warriors were escorting multiple times their number of Totonac captives out of the adobe fortress by the river.

The captives, with dusty faces, exhibited expressions of fear, submission, and numbness. As they exited the fortress gates and saw the Kingdom's army's copper cannons, they showed undisguised fear, as if facing terrifying ghosts and gods. At times, some captive warriors would kneel, praying to the golden 'Copper Beast' for divine mercy.

Black Wolf Torc, with a cold expression, stood before the collapsed fortress wall, examining the head in his hands. The nostrils of the head were adorned with horizontal jade strips, with red and blue tattoos on the face, eyes tightly shut and bleeding... it was the leader of the Eastern Totonac Allied Forces, the great chieftain Kua Snake of the Hidden Serpent Holy City!

"What a head!"

Black Wolf looked at it for a moment, nodding slightly, and voiced his admiration. Then, he handed the head to his trusted aide beside him and instructed calmly.

"Wuta, process this head and add it to my spoils of war!"

"Yes, Leader!"

"May the Chief Divine bless us! Report, have the numbers of the surrendered army been tallied?"

"Black Wolf Leader, the five thousand defending army in the main fortress are all warriors and warriors from Hidden Serpent City. They had a thousand heavily wounded or killed, and over six hundred rowed away, leaving more than three thousand who surrendered!"

In this era, heavily wounded captives could not receive precious medicines, equating to death. The criteria for light or severe wounds typically determined whether they could walk and be transported back to camp.

"Hmm? We've accepted over three thousand more surrendered troops?"

Black Wolf slightly raised his brow, pondered briefly, then issued a calm order.

"Review all these surrendered troops. All noble chiefs and chieftains among them, execute without exception! Then, as per custom, have the accompanying priests convert the captives on the spot. Those unwilling to convert by blood oath should be sacrificed directly!"

"As you command, Leader! The accompanying priests are already prepared!..."

As dusk fell, the Chief God Priests began their hymns of prayer and lit the blazing Sacred Fire. The sacred conversion ritual thus began.

Black Wolf remained expressionless, watching the ritual of blood, fire, and spirits. He watched for a long while and was surprised to find that during this large conversion, none of the captives resisted! Even the renowned Totonac Warriors of the City-State prostrated themselves in awe at the feet of the accompanying priests, lowering their once-defiant heads.

"Praise the Chief Divine! The Totonac people's faith has finally collapsed under the 'Divine Punishment' of the firearms! They bow down and lie on the ground; this submission comes from the depths of their souls!..."

The conversion ritual concluded amidst the wafting blue smoke. Accompanying priest Taisir, with a joyful expression, reported back to Black Wolf Commander-in-Chief. His expression was exhilarated, eyes gleaming with wisdom, as he walked before the massive mortar cannon, proclaiming loudly.

"I must write a letter to His Majesty... This is the Copper Beast of Divine Punishment, a sharp tool for siege and a weapon for spreading religion! Its thunder and stone bullets will breach all fortresses around the world and shatter their beliefs! Therefore, to spread the glory of the Chief Divine, we need more, larger cannons!..."

Two days later, Xiulote received Black Wolf Army's victory report in the camp of Snake Lake Village and read the letter from the accompanying Priesthood. He chuckled softly, walked out of the grand tent, and gazed at the southeastern plains, coasts, and jungle.

He knew there was a ripening 'fruit' forty miles to the southeast. Moreover, after 'consuming' this fruit, there were many more fruits along the coast all the way to the Maya Lands!

"Royal Decree! The main army sets off! March southeast, eradicate the surrounding small fortresses in succession, and completely encircle Golden Bay City!"

The long wind howled, and war drums echoed. When the news of the adobe fortress's fall reached Golden Bay City, the chieftains of Totonac tribes fell into fierce arguments. Such a strong adobe fortress had held out for only three days!

Under the Mexica people's 'Divine Punishment,' the thousands of the Hidden Serpent Holy City's army were utterly destroyed, and even the great chieftain Kua Snake died in the fortress!

Faced with such a terrifying offensive, the chieftains of the Eastern Seaside tribes immediately considered retreating. The great chieftain Qiqini of Golden Bay's tribes tried to persuade several chieftains to stay but nearly got into a fight. Soon, over two hundred Totonac war boats were filled with City-State Warriors heading east.

However, the Mexica people's legions controlled the port and coast at the Adobe River. The Totonac navy had to row fifty miles east along the coast to disembark the retreating warriors. The navy rowed for two days, traveling a hundred miles round trip, to transport a thousand tribal warriors. But just two days later, three thousand Kingdom's Warriors crossed the river heading east, enforcing their sweep along the Eastern Coast, making it difficult for the Totonac navy to dock.

Five days later, several military fortresses around Golden Bay City were breached by the Kingdom's army, capturing another two thousand surrendered troops. Meanwhile, the Mexica's 'Divine Punishment' thunder spread more panic within Golden Bay City. The Kingdom legion had accepted and expanded to 34,000 warriors and warriors, with the proportion of Totonac surrendered troops being nearly half.

"The faith of the Chief Divine is spreading throughout Totonac lands! And the Golden Bay City before us is basking in the light of Divine Might!"

In late February, Xiulote led the army to Golden Bay City and joined forces with Black Wolf's legion. He looked at the surrendered troops from various tribes and at the Chief Divine emblems on their foreheads, nodding with satisfaction.

Subsequently, the Kingdom's legion established fortifications, completely encircling this seaside City-State, leaving only the sea-facing east side. Prepecha Warriors boarded the captured war boats, battling the Totonac navy along the Kingdom-controlled coast. Thus, the last escape route for Golden Bay City was completely blocked by the Kingdom, after three to four thousand warriors escaped!

"In Golden Bay City are the last over twenty thousand Totonac allied forces, including leaders and chieftains of various tribes!..."

The Royal Banner of the God of Death Black Wolf was erected outside Golden Bay City. Xiulote climbed a small hill, gazing at the various defending armies on the city walls, looking at the flags of the seaside City-States, and a smile appeared on his face. It was the smile of a 'fisherman' catching sight of the 'big fish' as he hauled up the net.

"Golden Bay City... the future Veracruz... now, it is mine!"

Xiulote murmured to himself, his eyes burning with battle intent. He surveyed the generals, personally stepping forward to raise Black Wolf's arm, praising his beloved general's feats. Black Wolf also held his head high, chest puffed out, confidence and excitement glowing.

Then Xiulote greeted the generals one by one, looking at their faces eager for battle, and issued the Royal Decree with pride.

"The entire army will rest for five days and prepare siege equipment! In five days, we will attack from three sides and surely take this city! May the Chief Divine bless us, the Kingdom will prevail!"

"May the Chief Divine bless us, the Kingdom will prevail! Bless Your Majesty!..."

The generals prostrated on the ground, accepting their orders with a thunderous response, and went their ways.