Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

"What? Totonac fleet?!"

Upon hearing scout Mountain Bird's shout, the old militia Chiwaco was taken aback, his heart racing as if suddenly gripped by the enormous hand of fate. Without hesitation, he immediately issued an order.

"Tawalu, have the warriors don their armor! Sailors, board the longships, prepare to fight! Hurry!"

"Yes! Captain!"

Tawalu promptly picked up the horn, blowing "Didi" as he ran towards the camp. Soon, the tranquil camp became lively, filled with the hurried figures of bustling people.

Next, Chiwaco rushed over to Mountain Bird in two steps. He gazed at the northern rivermouth, where small indistinct dots were gradually approaching, but he couldn't see them clearly.

"Mountain Bird, your eyesight is good. Quick! Count them for me, how many ships are coming?"

"Large canoes... twenty, twenty, twenty, twenty, twenty... and some small boats..."

Scout Mountain Bird squinted, counting one hundred large canoes in one breath. Hearing this, the old militia's heart pounded loudly, a strong sense of crisis overwhelming him.

"One hundred big canoes? Each big canoe can carry six people, that means at least..."

"At least six hundred Totonac warriors! Counting those on merchant ships, there will be even more! They are well-prepared... they must know the details of the fleet!"

Divine Revelation Priest MeKate's expression became solemn, his eyes turning dangerous. The entire fleet amounted to only one hundred sixty people. While those reliable for combat among the kingdom's warriors were just over forty. Six hundred against one hundred sixty, such a staggering disparity, this battle... He suddenly turned around to face the worried and anxious Mayan merchant Tikalo and loudly questioned.

"Tikalo, your merchant ship brought enemies! How dare you betray the kingdom and inform the Totonac?"

"No! I didn't! That's impossible!!"

Mayan merchant Tikalo clenched his fists, his face showing both unmistakable fear and uncontrollable anger.

"The family's descendants are here! How could I, disregarding their safety, invite the Totonac's army?"

"Then that means the merchant fleet's route was leaked, a traitor appeared!"

"This... I... they..."

Mayan merchant Tikalo was at a loss, sweat forming on his forehead in anxiety. His usual cunning failed him when faced with such a crisis, leaving him unable to speak. Only able to mumble, he murmured.

"Impossible... they couldn't betray... how could it be?..."

"Tikalo! The kingdom's warriors are preparing for battle, the sailors are boarding the ships, they need time!"

Divine Revelation Priest MeKate strode forward, grabbing Tikalo by the collar. His eyes were sharp, and he spoke urgently.

"Take two Putun warriors and go ahead in the small boat! I don't care what means you use, delay that fleet for a moment!"

"Ah? Go... to the fleet?... Delay time?"

Upon hearing this, Tikalo began to tremble all over. He knew what this meant. However, the words of refusal stuck in his throat, unable to be spoken.

"Yes! Delay as much as you can, prove your innocence! For the fleet and... them."

As he spoke, Divine Revelation Priest MeKate tilted his head slightly, glancing at the two children of the Maya royal family. Ten-year-old Tilan pressed his lips together, gripping a stone spear taller than himself. Meanwhile, five-year-old Tidan looked confused, clutching his brother's clothes, still unaware of the unfolding events.

"Father? Are bad people coming?..."

"I..."

Mayan merchant Tikalo shook violently, his face turning pale instantly. Just a moment ago, he'd been full of hope, gazing at his merchant ship. But now, the shadow of death loomed over him. That same ship had, in one quarter-hour, transformed into a demon's maw, grinning wickedly as it swallowed its once proud owner.

"No time left!"

"I... will go!"

Tikalo turned around, a bitter smile on his face, and glanced at the two children behind him. In his smile, there was a moment of warmth. Then, he bit his teeth hard, boarded a small boat without saying a word, and headed towards the incoming Totonac fleet.

The old militia Chiwaco stood silently, watching everything unfold. He did not stop Tikalo from leaving; instead, he quickly donned his leather armor, picked up the familiar copper spear, and watched the small boat drift away. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, but he had no time to ponder each one, relying only on his keen instincts to make a swift decision!

A moment later, Chiwaco's voice was low, like a dog ready to pounce, roaring orders from within his chest.

"Everyone! Pick up your weapons! Board the longship, defend on the deck!... Get ready in a quarter of an hour, break through towards the rivermouth!... Remember, do not stop! Once out of the rivermouth, raise the sail and head into the depths of the Northwest sea until you shake off the Totonac people!"

"Yes! Yes, boss!"

The riverside camp was in chaos, all supplies discarded. Sailors dragged the longship from the reeds, set up the long oars. Warriors donned armor and took bows, and boarded along the sides of the longship. The old militia personally took several children, boarding the flagship first. Then, he straightened his spine and shouted to Dark Snake and Didi.

"You two older ones, take those two younger ones, go down into the hold! No matter what happens, without my command, you are not allowed to come out!"

"Father! We are all warriors, we can come out and fight..."

"Get down there! That's an order!"

The Kingdom's people hurried on board, shields were erected along the sides of the longship. At the front, Mayan merchant Tikalo was already in front of the fleet with his small boat. Here, the Totonac boats were clearly visible.

Hundreds of Totonac warriors holding long spears and carrying throwing spear hunting bows stood densely on the small boats. Like a swarm of man-eating fish, they blocked the narrow exit to the sea, their target clear, heading towards the nearby camp.

"Hoo!..."

Mayan merchant Tikalo took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled. Then he looked at the surrounding Totonac war boats, towards the familiar Mayan oar-sail ship, and the unfamiliar warriors on it, and shouted. His voice was loud, slightly trembling, yet extremely clear in Totonac language.

"I am the owner of this merchant ship! I am the leader of the Mayan trading group! I am acquainted with Tezozomoc, Elder Priest of the Holy City! I am under the protection of the great chieftain Quetzal Coatl of Hidden Serpent City!... I want to meet your leader!..."

"City-State protects merchants, this is the will of All Gods, and also the doctrine of the Priesthood!... Devout Totonac warriors, why have you occupied my ship and come to the trading group's camp?"

Hearing Tikalo's shout, hearing the noble names "Tezozomoc" and "Quetzal Coatl," the Totonac warriors paused, and the advancing fleet also stopped. Facing the confident Mayan merchant, the warriors were momentarily indecisive. After all, their orders were to annihilate a hidden Mexica enemy, not to plunder the Mayan trading group.

"Hmm?"

On the Mayan oar-sail ship, Feathered Serpent Priest Papu frowned. He looked at the unarmed Mayan merchant in front of him and spoke deeply.

"The great chieftain Quetzal Coatl has already died at the base of Golden Bay City. Elder Priest Tezozomoc is overseeing the battle at the front lines of Stone Spear City... Sun God witnesses! Daring Mayans, your crew has confessed everything! Which gave you the courage to harbor the evil Mexica fleet?"

"I am the leader of the Maya trading group protected by the City-State! As for the Mexica fleet? I've never heard of it..."

Mayan merchant Tikalo raised his head, still loudly responding. Feathered Serpent Priest Papu already narrowed his eyes, raised his priest's scepter. Because he clearly saw, behind the bustling camp, four Mexica-styled longships vaguely emerging from the reeds.

"In the name of the Sun God! Capture him! He is a pawn of the Mexica people!"

With the command of the priest, the Totonac warriors no longer hesitated. They surged forward, stabbing down the accompanying Putun warriors, directly slitting their throats. Then, a nimble tribal warrior brandished a stone hammer, striking down Mayan merchant Tikalo, who rolled and screamed on the small boat.

"Bind this Mayan man! I want to take him back for solitary interrogation!"

Papu Priest ordered softly, the chieftain Chuchute nodded in understanding. The Feathered Serpent Priest had long advised him to quietly discern the situation in the Maya Lands, to find a way out for everyone. Then, the Feathered Serpent Priest, now back in a high position, waved his scepter, and pointed forcefully at the four longships by the camp.

"The holy Sun God is watching us! Brave warriors of the Hidden Snake tribe! It's time to show your courage in front of the evil and brutal Aztecs!"

"Go! Destroy these hidden enemies that threaten our homes! Seize their longships, and avenge the Aztecs!"

"Praise the Sun God! Avenge the Aztecs!"

The Totonac warriors roared and shouted, fierce murderous intent on their faces. They had occupied the only escape at the rivermouth, using four times the strength to outnumber the enemy. In such a favorable downwind battle, the tribal warriors' courage was maximized.

"Ow! Kill! Kill them!"

More than six hundred tribal warriors howled, like hunting dogs on the sea, ferociously assaulting southward. Meanwhile, four of the Kingdom's longships rowed full speed, rushing towards the rivermouth to the north. In less than a quarter of an hour, the fleets of both sides kept at maximum speed, wildly crashed into each other!