NOVPUBUpon hearing this, Annatri hesitated slightly and respectfully bowed her head. She gladly accepted the title bestowed by His Highness and tacitly agreed to a closer affiliation. Then, she stood up and dragged the samurai captive in front of His Highness. Subsequently, the female samurai accurately landed two kicks on the captive’s hind knees, causing him to kneel down with a thud, temporarily unable to stand up.
"Your Highness, this is the enemy’s family Great General and Head Warrior, named something like Green Fish! He is very capable, having led the family samurais to fight to their deaths behind you, allowing the enemy’s Commander-in-Chief to narrowly escape... Right, the arrow that wounded the Head Eagle Warrior was shot by him!"
At these words, the female samurai angrily lifted her foot again, swiftly kicking the captive on his side. This part of the human body is vulnerable, and at once, Green Fish clenched his upper body in pain, bit his lip, and did not utter a sound.
Xiulote nodded slightly; there were intermittent plumes of smoke on the battlefield in front. He had noticed the small boats fleeing from the enemy ships, but the vanguard was blocked by the family samurais fighting desperately behind, and soon lost track of the "Crocodile" nobility. He ordered the small boats on both flanks to pursue and search, but he was actually indifferent to the outcome.
The Chapala fleet fled downstream without engaging in battle, clearly having lost all morale, and was incapable of supporting the rivermouth fortifications for some time. As Oste discarded the flagship and fled alone, it had no impact on the battle situation. Having lost both the Naval Forces and the elite warriors, the "Crocodile" nobility, even if they successfully escaped back to the rivermouth fortifications, could no longer assemble a naval force that posed a threat to the Mexica’s supply routes.
Xiulote didn’t think further, examining the samurai captive before him. Although his face was smudged with soot, one could still see the inherent fierceness and ferocity in him.
The Young Commander looked toward the lake, where a few big Tarasco boats were still fiercely resisting, likely manned by the most loyal family samurais. He pondered for a moment and then spoke unenthusiastically.
"The Alliance highly values brave warriors. Since you are a skilled Head Warrior of the family, would you consider surrendering?"
Upon hearing this, Kulucha raised his head, staring intensely at the Mexica Marshal who had defeated his family head. He was surprised by the opponent’s youth and reminded again of that nearly successful pursuit. His expression changed many times, and finally, he sighed in agony.
"It was you! Had it continued that day... how could it have come to this..."
Xiulote gave a faint smile.
"Green Fish, the Alliance aspires for the world! This western campaign shall completely conquer the Tarasco Kingdom. If you surrender now and distinguish yourself during the campaign, you could establish your own renowned family!"
Upon hearing this, Kulucha felt a chill in his heart, yet his expression grew even more resolute.
"The kingdom has stood for hundreds of years; the Prepetcha people have upheld their lineage for thousands, and we will not perish at the hands of Aztec barbarians! I will never betray the family head I faithfully serve, nor shall I submit to an envoy of a foreign god!"
Xiulote remained calm, gently shaking his head. The Prepetcha people and the Mexica descended from the same line, both are in fact descendants of the northwestern Canine Descendants branch, with very similar languages. He watched the opponent’s expression, and only after a long moment, he asked in a deep voice.
"The Alliance values bravery above all. Before proceeding to the Divine Kingdom, do you have any last words?"
Kulucha nodded affirmatively, speaking gravely.
"Your Highness of a foreign god, please allow me to compose a poem to offer to the deities."
Xiulote nodded slightly, waiting calmly. Annatri also showed admiration. The samurai facing death composedly was in line with the Mexica’s aesthetic.
After some time, Kulucha straightened his back, looking at the sky with a faint smile.
"A warrior’s body is like a tasty whitefish, which should die at its strongest, in the most glorious way. Oh, supreme Sun God, I will offer myself to you, please savor my delicacy!"
Upon hearing this poem, the surrounding warriors all showed admiration.
Xiulote then nodded again and calmly gave the order.
"Grant him an honorable death!"
Immediately, two experienced warriors came forward and dragged Kulucha to another ship. Then, one warrior firmly held him down while the other drew out the sacrificial Obsidian Dagger. Moments later, the executioner respectfully returned, kneeling on one knee before His Highness, holding the calm head in his hands.
Xiulote cast one last glance at that serene face, softly reciting an ancient poem.
"A warrior is like a fading flower, calmly and serenely heading to the Divine Kingdom."
Subsequently, the Young Commander’s expression turned serious, and he exclaimed loudly.
"Place the severed head on the enemy chief’s flag, call on the still-resisting enemy warriors to surrender, and intimidate all the Tarasco captives!"
The executioner respectfully bowed, grabbing the tattered "Crocodile" flag, and hurriedly departed.
Following this, the Young Commander again waved the command flag, issuing loud orders.
"Flank boats sail upstream, pursue the fleeing enemy boats! Frontline boats surround the resisting enemy boats, shoot down those unwilling to surrender with arrows! Rear boats retrieve fallen warriors, extinguish major fires on Tarasco boats, and treat our wounded and lightly injured captives! Remainder of the flagship, follow me to assess the battle situation!"
As Xiulote ordered, the clarion call of horns sounded again, heralding victory. Numerous messenger boats dispersed in all directions. Soon, the Mexica Naval Forces, like a huge Feathered Serpent, spread its wings, roaring upstream to pursue.
Only then did Annatri slightly bow her head, softly asking.
"Your Highness, how is the condition of the Head Eagle Warrior?"
Xiulote pondered for a moment, then smiled slightly.
"Bertade is behind us, with no life-threatening injuries. Annatri, you may go visit him on my behalf."
