NOVPUBXiulote’s thoughts scattered among the pervasive smoke. His gaze was as elusive as a deity’s. When he collected himself, Jiowar was already covered in blood, kneeling respectfully before His Highness.
"Jiowar, the Otapan Legion fought well! You have shown devotion to the Chief Divine, and also proven your loyalty to the Alliance!"
The Young Commander showed a warm smile, stepped forward, and lifted the "Coyote" Legion Commander. He was very satisfied with the performance of the Otapan Legion; the "Coyote" had been completely tamed.
"I am ready to die for Your Highness!" Jiowar clenched his fist over his heart and bowed his head in a salute.
Xiulote nodded and inquired.
"What are the casualties for the Otapan Legion?"
A redness appeared in Jiowar’s eyes, his voice hoarse and trembling. n𝚘vp𝚞𝚋.com
"A thousand injured, among them six hundred have fallen in battle."
Xiulote fell silent for a moment, then patted the "Coyote" forcefully on the shoulder.
The Otapan Legion was but three thousand Samurai. Previously, four to five hundred had already perished. Today, as the vanguard in the siege, under the pressure of the army’s supervision, another six hundred had died, leaving less than two thousand. Facing such a crippling blow, the Otapan Legion could only turn to recuperation, unfit for use in the short term.
"Jiowar, the siege by the Otapan Legion was arduous, go and rest well now. I will have the High Priest of the Chief Divine hold a grand funeral for the legion!... Today’s battle, under the suppression of crossbows, the enemy’s casualties should be twice ours. The day the city falls is not far off, the Alliance will not forget your merits!"
Afterward, the Young Commander lowered his voice and whispered into Jiowar’s ear.
"I will not forget your loyalty either!"
Hearing His Highness’s acknowledgment, Jiowar was moved; the Otapan Legion had finally proven themselves with their sacrifice. He abruptly knelt down, once again performing a solemn salute.
This time, Xiulote nodded slightly, without further comment. He stood solemnly, accepting the "Coyote" Legion Commander’s homage.
The November autumn wind freely swept through, constantly plucking fresh maple leaves from the fortress walls. The brutal siege came to a halt, but the attrition of feigned attacks continued daily. The warriors from the western City-States became the new troops for the feigned attacks.
The Mexica crossbowmen became more frugal with their arrows. They drew ever closer to the battlements, taking precise shots, daily claiming the lives of dozens of defenders. With the bloodletting gradually worsening, the morale of the riverside fort’s defending army grew more and more weary, plummeting to rock bottom. Enduring became an ordeal, with no hope in sight. The "Crocodile" Marshal’s banner still flew over the battlements, but many different emotions were rising in the hearts of the city’s defenders.
In the blink of an eye, another two weeks passed, and November was already more than half over. The clear, dry season arrived. At last, Mexica’s fleet appeared again on the Lerma River, bringing the last batch of support from the Alliance.
Xiulote returned to the North Coast port, displaying the ceremonial guard, to welcome the arriving reinforcements.
This time, the naval forces’ journey was rather long, taking more than a month. Annatri first went to the Lake Capital City, carrying a large supply of food, conveying the news of the great victory. Then, she sailed north along the Tampen River to the outskirts of Xilotepec City, dropping off some food and picking up the promised reinforcements. Lastly, she led the reinforcements down south, turning from the western City-States into the Lerma River, traveling westward to this place.
Annatri, holding a Long Spear, once again leapt down from the gorgeous large boat. She looked much thinner, but her eyes were filled with vitality.
"Your Highness, two thousand warriors from the western City-States, three thousand from Xilotepec, four thousand Chichimeca Canine Descendants, and enough food for two months for twenty thousand people, all have arrived on schedule!"
Xiulote was momentarily stunned, a look of joy spreading across his face. After more than half a year, the reinforcements from Xilotepec City had finally arrived! To his surprise, there were also two thousand warriors from the western City-States. The Young Commander pondered for a moment, then realized.
"After the news of the great victory in the naval battle spread, the situation for the Northern Route Army greatly improved, and the various City-States finally started to add frosting to the cake, increasing their investments!"
With this thought, Xiulote laughed aloud. He glanced at the new flags on the large boats, and laughed heartily.
"Very well, Chief Divine’s blessing, ’Head of Lerma River’, my Great General of the Naval Forces! Annatri, you have worked hard on your journey; now go and rest!"
The female samurai bowed respectfully and then, without any reluctance, walked away with her head held high. She was headed to the northern wooden fort to check on the Head Warrior’s injuries and martial arts skills.
The reinforcements continued to come ashore. Led by the Great Nobility, two thousand warriors from the western City-States made a noisy entrance as they disembarked first. These City-State Warriors were the private armies of the Great Nobility—well-equipped and with decent morale, but their command left much to be desired, and they were not suitable for battles with massive casualties.
Xiulote had already assessed these legions from the City-State. At this moment, with a sincere ritualistic smile, he chatted briefly with the leaders of the Great Nobility, exchanging greetings about each other’s glorious ancestors and mentioning the friendly relations that had spanned generations. Afterward, the nobles proceeded to the northern wooden fort to attend the welcome banquet hosted by the Deputy Marshal.
Then, three thousand Xilotepec samurai disembarked in silence, with strict formation. Seeing this legion, Xiulote was momentarily stunned. He observed carefully; the once-familiar Otomi Warriors, now acting with concise order, with somber and calm faces emanating a chilling killing aura, quite looked like an elite military force.
Soon, on the riverbank’s sandy headland, squad leaders from the legion and accompanying Priests began to line up. The Legion Commander and Vice Legion Commander then approached together to greet His Highness.
"Poet" Commander-in-Chief Balamo wore a melancholic smile as he looked toward His Highness, whom he hadn’t seen for quite some time. He bowed deeply, expressing his sincere admiration.
"Radiant Highness, you are like the midday sun, providing me with scorching warmth. Your increasingly authoritative demeanor, like the proud Divine Eagle lifting its head, drenches my soul with its black eyes. I prostrate under your wings, praising your triumphant soaring victory!"
Xiulote pondered for a moment and confirmed that the "Poet" was genuinely praising him. He then stepped forward and affectionately patted Balamo’s shoulder.
"The newly ennobled Balamo, long time no see! You are like the sacred cocoa, spreading your graceful branches, becoming increasingly expansive, a delight to behold."
The "Poet’s" slightly plump face paused. Having spent several months idle at the northern stronghold, indulging daily in fine wine and women and dealing with local Nobility, he had unknowingly lost the lean, distinct lines of his once handsome visage, becoming rounder and much broader in figure.
Balamo looked at His Highness’s seemingly smiling expression, thought for a moment, and then suddenly understood. He immediately kneeled down respectfully and offered deep obeisance.
"Your Highness, your loyal Commander-in-Chief Balamo has returned to your command, ready to serve you unto death!"
Xiulote looked calmly for a while. Balamo’s demeanor was solemn as he knelt unmoving on the ground. A moment later, the Young Commander laughed heartily, tousled the "Poet’s" hair, and then helped him to his feet by the hands.
"Well done, Balamo, my ’Desolate Highland’, welcome back! Who is the Legion Commander of the Otomi Legion of Xilotepec?"
Balamo cautiously glanced at His Highness’s expression before replying with a smile.
"The Divine Blessing Legion is led by Natali as the Legion Commander, with me as the Vice Legion Commander! Natali was among the first Otomi Warriors to surrender and was one of the Xilotepec prisoners exchanged during your first negotiation. He was the first to pledge allegiance to the Chief Divine and is the most devout warrior leader, having made great contributions in the northern campaign against the Chichimeca Canine Descendants!"
Hearing this, Xiulote nodded. He looked at the young Legion Commander Natali with a smile.
"The Chief Divine is supreme, omnipotent! He blesses us and watches over our sacred conquest to the west. Legion Commander Natali, under the Chief Divine’s blessing, victory in the west is assured! As long as you fight for the divine, you will gain new honors and establish a glorious family!"
Natali’s face was austere, like a hard sculpture. Upon hearing His Highness’s words, a genuine faint smile surfaced on his face. Then, grasping the Sun Amulet on his neck, he replied with devotion.
"Praise to the Chief Divine Huitzilopochtli! He has saved us, and we shall fight for Him, spreading His glory! The Divine Blessing Legion will throw itself into the great divine battle, offering up our lives to the Divine unto death. His faith shall spread across the land!"
After what almost seemed like a chant, Natali then kneeled on one knee and bowed solemnly to His Highness.
"Sacred ’Divine Revelator’, High Priest of Teotihuacan, Priest Xiulote, I, Natali, on behalf of the Divine Blessing Legion, offer our reverent regards to you! We bask in the light of the Divine Blessing and shall fight for You!"
Watching the unmistakably sincere demeanor of Natali and listening to his heartfelt praise, the young Priest was momentarily dumbfounded, his heart thundering, before he quickly regained composure.
"Praise to the Chief Divine Huitzilopochtli! I pray to the most high, honoring the souls of the converts, this is the loyalty observed by the Chief Divine!"
