Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

The sky was gradually darkening, and the tent was becoming more dim. The flickering campfire in the corner cast shadows of the Canine Warriors, making one feel slightly warm.

Upon hearing Alan's words, the old Militia wiped sweat from his brow. Though he couldn't fully understand the low Guajili language of the other party, he could nevertheless sense the obvious hostility and indifference, which was distinctly different from what his son had described. What happened to the "easygoing Alan sister" as he was told?

"Chieftain of the Red Crow Tribe!…"

Two steps away, Priest Mekate had a serious expression and a sharp gaze. He straightened his chest and was about to step forward to refute. The old Militia beside him shook his arm, hurriedly holding back the Priest Mekate, and stepped forward himself, humbly bowing his head.

"Respected and mighty Red Crow Chieftain!… We are not Warrior Leaders, we are the captain and priest of the Kingdom's exploration fleet. We encountered a storm at sea, which is why we drifted to the northern shores…"

The old Militia put on a smiley face and maintained a humble posture. He had heard from Chipawa and vaguely guessed the source of hostility. Carefully, he explained in imperfect Guajili.

"We are from the Kingdom of the Lake's fleet, not the Mexica Alliance's fleet… Our fleet also has no Mexica people, they are all Purpecha…"

Hearing these words, Chieftain Alan pressed her lips together, her gaze slightly softening. She pondered for a moment, studying the wrinkles on the old Militia's face, and asked in a deep voice.

"You are all Purpecha?… Are you the captain of the ship, Chipawa's father?…"

"Yes! Right! Chipawa being able to follow you is truly the providence of our ancestors!…"

"Hmm… I've seen the tomb Chipawa built for you… the person he painted looks nothing like you…"

"Ah! That… um… that…"

Seeing the old Militia's embarrassment, Alan let out a light laugh. Though her silver mask remained icy, her lips showed a gentler curve. She tilted her head slightly, pondered for a moment, and then asked seriously.

"As Purpecha, why do you serve the Mexica King?"

Upon hearing such a question, Priest Mekate glanced at the old Militia, Quivaco, and at last stepped forward to answer.

"Respected Chieftain of the Red Crow Tribe! We are not serving the Mexica King; we serve the King of the Lake Kingdom!… The respected one is indeed a Mexica Prince, yet he is a king revered by all Purpecha people!"

"Oh? That's rather different from what I've heard before…"

Upon hearing this, under the mask, Alan's eyebrows raised. She fixed her gaze on Priest Mekate's face, unable to see any deceit, only sincerity. She remained silent for a moment, her cold mask concealing all expression. After a while, she coldly asked.

"Purpecha serving the Mexica. Tell me! What exactly are your intentions appearing on the Red Crow Alliance's shores? This is the tribe's territory, and no enemy prying and plotting is allowed. If you cannot prove yourselves, convince me, you will not leave here! The boundless northern grassland will be your final resting place…"

Upon hearing this, the old Militia Quivaco felt a shiver in his heart. Licking his dry lips, he exchanged a nervous glance with Priest Mekate and answered cautiously.

"Respected and mighty northern Chieftain, our fleet's story is very long…"

"Ancestor witness! I will listen to you, watching your faces to discern if you lie! No one can deceive me!"

"Uh… We set out from Vastek's Crow City, following the prophecy of the Chief Divine, to find the long island formed from the body of the Feathered Serpent in the Eastern Great Sea… We bear a divine mission, to establish an outpost for the Kingdom there, to resist the invasion of the white-skinned demons…"

"War God's prophecy? White-skinned demons?"

"Chief Divine's witness! It is prophesied they will appear on the sea, enemies of the whole world!"

Priest Mekate stood upright, eyes shining with conviction. His Guajili was fluent, just like a person from the wilderness of Guajili.

"The white-skinned demons will have roaring giant beasts, thundering thunderbolts, and massive snake boats! They will pretend to be envoys of the divine, yet possess a deep greed for gold and silver. They will raise the evil god's cross, destroying all gods' temples and ancestors' tombs! They may even spread deadly plagues, casting terrifying poison clouds in the air, causing the Jiao People's descendants to rot miserably to death…"

"According to the Chief Divine's prophecy… we traveled a thousand li along the Totonac coast, crossed the Hidden Serpent City… traversed more than two thousand li of the Maya coast, encountering countless Mayans… crossed the fearful deep sea and storms, reaching the distant Cuba Snake Island in the Eastern Sea! Then, we sailed three thousand li along the Snake Island coast, meeting many Taino tribes… Chief Divine's blessing! After enduring so many hardships, we finally found the prophesied outpost location, the astonishing iron mine there!… Uh!…"

Priest Mekate's voice was loud and passionate. He spoke without pause for several moments, detailing numerous unique experiences and coastal customs during the voyage. Until the conclusion of the exploration story, it was then he suddenly realized, abruptly halting his words.

Alan, wearing a mask, displayed no discernible expression. However, her slouched posture, chin resting on her palm, intently listening to the distant shores' exploration, was captivated by the sailing tale, her heart filled with longing. At that moment, she had begun to believe the fleet's origins because of the descriptions, tone, and gestures from them - such steadfast subtle expressions…. No matter how one looked at it, it did not seem like deception…

Then, she suddenly sat upright, sharply capturing Priest Mekate's words.

"The prophesied, iron mine?"

The powerful Chieftain Alan, masked, her gaze sharp as a knife. She stared intensely at Priest Mekate's face, asking in a deep voice.

"What is iron ore? According to your previous description, is it black, stone as hard as copper ore? Its importance compelled you to travel six thousand li to find it on that long Snake Island?"

"Uh…"

Sweat suddenly appeared on Priest Mekate's forehead. He turned his head to glance at the old Militia Quivaco, who too was perspiring, rendered momentarily speechless.

"Do not think of deceiving me! Otherwise, I will separate all of you and interrogate you harshly one by one!"

Alan's gaze was intensely sharp, the distinct gaze of a Divine Archer. Even in the dim tent light, she could clearly see their faces, every subtle expression revealed. She had discovered that the details visible on a face was far greater than expected. This was also one of the reasons she wore a mask.

"Uh… Iron ore is, black, stone as hard as copper ore…"

"So, it can also be forged into weapons and armor like copper? Compared to copper, what is different?"

"Uh… it is similar to copper… but not entirely the same…"

"I see! Your Kingdom of the Lake is proficient in metallurgy, producing a large amount of bronze weapons. You must have exhausted immense effort finding this iron ore, it must be better than copper!"

"Ah! Ah, this…"

Watching them dripping sweat and stuttering, Alan raised her lips in a smile. The subtle tension on their faces had revealed everything. The cold mask was full of authority, concealing the youthful delight beneath. With her lips slightly curled, she sharply observed them for a moment, before waving a hand.

"Purpecha serving the Mexica, you have proven yourselves, and you have not lied. I will not exile you to the distant northern grasslands to accompany the roaming Northern Wild Bulls… I will also allow you to return southwards to report to your king…"

"However, you must! Must leave two people behind! They are to remain here, continuing to tell stories of maritime adventures… and further exploring the iron mines for the Great Red Crow Tribe!…"