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"Whoosh!" A shrill arrow whistled past Xiulote’s head, awakening his long-buried memories. Another "whoosh" followed, as an arrow flew towards him, then the "rip" as it tore through the Leather Armor, and the "thud" as it buried itself in flesh. Hurried footsteps mounted the commander’s platform, several trusted aides quickly shielding the front, and then the sound of arrows sinking into shields with two "thwacks."
Watching the enemy’s shield wall that completely blocked his view, Osprey regretfully lowered his Longbow. He and Kulucha shot one after another. These four unexpected sneak-attack arrows only managed to wound the tall Samurai who threw himself in the line of fire to protect his master.
Then, he remembered the tall Samurai’s appearance and physique, feeling an inexplicable familiarity. Wasn’t that the very commander he had been chasing for half a day, determined to recruit as a fierce archer under his command? Next, his thoughts went to the enemy commander: that vaguely familiar average stature, the delicate young face beneath the Feather Crown... Was the Mexica Marshal himself scouting in person?!
A flash of realization struck him, and the "Crocodile" nobility twitched with surprise. He clasped his arm in frustration, stamped his foot with force, filled with regret.
"It’s you! It was actually you! It was you that day!!!"
Protected by his trusted aides, Xiulote struggled to get up from the ground. Smelling blood in the air, he anxiously checked Bertade’s breathing. The Head Warrior lay on his side in severe pain, unable to move. His eyes widened as he saw the young commander’s look of concern and managed a painful smile.
"Your Highness, continue commanding the rear! I am not going to die!"
Xiulote acted as if he hadn’t heard. He carefully searched the Head Warrior’s body and finally found the arrow wound on his back, just two inches from his neck. The Young Commander finally breathed a sigh of relief, nodded to his loyal Head Warrior, then turned to his trusted aides.
"Take the esteemed Eagle Warrior to the stern, treat him well! Be careful, gently!"
Xiulote then stood up again, peered through the gaps in the shield, and observed the nearby battle. Nearly a hundred enemy ships charged fiercely and were already within forty paces of the flagship, clashing with the frontline Mexica large ships. Many Tarasco big boats approached on fire, burning as they collided.
The "bang bang" of huge impacts continued as dozens of boats crashed into one mass. The Tarasco Samurai didn’t wait to stop, leaping onto the enemy ship amidst flames. They swung their Copper Spears and Wooden Shields at the Mexica Samurai wielding War Clubs and vine shields, and a bloody melee ensued.
The lighting of Fire Arrows took time. Facing the enemy’s resolute assault, they couldn’t manage more than three volleys before they lost the chance to shoot again. The Young Commander looked out to see more and more boats colliding on the lake’s surface, both sides’ warriors becoming completely entangled in battle!
A loud "boom" resounded as two large ships collided violently, tilting at steep angles. Several warriors from both sides couldn’t keep their balance and "plopped" into the water. The captains of both ships then roared loudly in different languages, rushing to engage in personal combat.
A Mexica Samurai just discarded his Longbow and grabbed a War Club when a Long Spear stabbed at him. With no time to pick up a shield, he dodged to the side and raised his club to block, quickly losing his balance. At that moment, another Long Spear came slashing in at an angle. Hearing the sound, the Mexica Samurai glanced out of the corner of his eye but couldn’t move in time. His side chilled sharply, and he immediately lost strength.
The Tarasco Samurai, successful with his strike, showed excitement. He vigorously stirred the Copper Spear, rupturing the soft innards, then forcefully yanked it out, bringing forth a spray of hot blood. Looking at the fallen enemy, he laughed triumphantly, only to be stealthily struck from behind by a War Club. In the blink of an eye, with no time to react, the club mercilessly chopped at his neck, the sharp Obsidian edged slicing through skin and severing the left carotid artery.
"Sshhh," blood sprayed wildly, splattering more than a meter away, covering the face and head of the veteran Samurai Necali standing behind. Necali immediately squatted down, raised his shield in defense with his left hand, and quickly wiped his face with his sleeve. Then, he stood up, alert, spitting out the warm liquid that had splashed into his mouth.
"Pah, damned followers of the false gods, their blood is even choking!"
Necali looked around angrily, his pupils constricting sharply. The Tarasco Samurai had already fallen, but three coordinated Militia Long Spears were already stabbing towards him. With little room to dodge on the narrow boat, he barely managed to fend them off several times with his shield before being forced back to the stern of the ship. Then, furious, he threw his War Club and "bang," struck down a young Militia, before reluctantly jumping into the lake.
The young Militia Wei Zi had bloodshot eyes, ready to continue pressing forward, intent on spearing the struggling Mexica warrior swimming away in the lake. But behind him, a pair of calloused hands suddenly yanked him backwards.
"Wei Zi, you blockhead! What time do you think it is, and you’re still mindlessly fighting!"
The aged Militia Chiwaco scolded him, his wrinkled face quivering. Then, the old Militia crouched down quickly to check on the young Militia who had been knocked down.
The whistling War Club struck the young Militia who had neither a shield nor Cotton Armor and didn’t know to block with the less vital parts of his body. The club hit him square in the chest, its edged pieces cutting through his chest and neck. Unstoppable blood flowed freely, soon covering the old Militia’s hands.
Chiwaco shuddered, hurriedly pulled out his bag of Herbs, and took a deep breath. He then stood up, barely regaining his composure, and looked around the troubled lake.
Fire Arrows still rained terrifyingly from the sky, turning into several-meter-long Fire Demons on the water’s surface, successively igniting the rear ships. Beyond the burning rear, the Kingdom’s Naval Forces were still in chaos. Small boats ran around headlessly, haphazardly fighting with the Mexica small boats. Some large boats were spinning in place, some crashed into each other, and a portion seemed to be turning around?
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