NOVPUBThe setting sun fell upon the high-rise, casting golden silhouettes, outlining the tragic end of a hero. A strong wind whipped the flags, causing a rustling sound, like the footsteps of approaching death.
The "Crocodile" Nobility Ospe stood atop the building, cold in hands and feet, his heart tumultuous. He stared westward, watching as one divine and noble flag after another fell, listening to the fierce fighting rapidly closing in, yet he could no longer dispatch any forces to block them. At this moment, the fall of the fortress had become inevitable!
Though prepared, the Marshal from the north still felt a surge of despair, painfully crying out.
"Such a strong fortress, in my hands, held just for two months! There is no longer such a stronghold in the south, the Capital City’s military force is utterly scarce, is the Kingdom really doomed to destruction?!..."
"Family Head! The west gate has fallen, the situation is dire, please let us escort you to retreat first!"
A Samurai from the family, covered in blood, rushed back from the frontline in the west, and collapsed at Ospe’s feet, anxiously yelling.
"Escape? Where to escape?! The ’Crocodile’ fief’s legacy is here, there is no place left in the Capital City. The spirits and ancestors are watching me! I have long vowed to share the fate of this fortress!"
As he spoke, the "Crocodile" Nobility suddenly became agitated. He couldn’t help but draw his bronze axe from his belt, stared toward the south outside the city, and to the Mexica’s "Black Wolf" Commander’s Flag, he swung his axe in the air several times, cursing loudly.
"Die! Go die! That day on the river, the chase should have persisted until death, cutting you into pieces!..."
Ospe’s face morphed into a ferocious snarl as he cursed, but shortly after, another family Samurai quickly approached, shedding a trail of blood.
"Family Head! The Mexica have surrounded this place, they will attack soon!"
Through the attic, the "Crocodile" Nobility looked down, seeing that the frenzied enemy samurai had surrounded the high-rise layer by layer. A young samurai leader drew his bow and shot, precisely killing his own trusted aide, and the air was filled with the stench of blood.
"Die!" Ospe took out his longbow, drew an arrow, and shot. His hands trembled violently and unsteadily, and his arrow only killed a bow-carrying Militia. The young samurai below, hearing the wind, instinctively dodged quickly, displaying remarkable martial arts. He then looked up, his eyebrows stern and eyes confident.
"Ah, why do the Mexica have so many brave warriors! It’s decided, I am ready to die, why should I harm the lives of brave men!"
The "Crocodile" Nobility suddenly felt powerless, dispirited. He threw down his longbow and once again grasped the bronze axe, touching the bronze surface of the axe, feeling its icy touch.
"Family Head, the enemy forces are attacking! Please prepare yourself, go fearlessly to the Divine Kingdom! We will follow and travel with you!"
The newly appointed Head Warrior bowed to the ground, earnestly spoke.
Ospe nodded. He crossed his bronze axe in front of his throat, feeling the sharp point, a slight prickling on his skin. Then, he closed his eyes and cried out loudly.
"For the glory of the spirits!"
After a while, the sounds of battle drew nearer, mixed with the continuous sounds of arrows tearing through the air, and continuous screams. The Head Warrior lifted his head, looking at the "Crocodile" Family Head, looking as if he were asleep, paused for a moment, then again bowed to the ground and persuaded.
"Family Head, the enemy has reached the upstairs! Please go peacefully to the Divine Kingdom! I will arrange your corpse!"
In this tranquil moment, Ospe opened his eyes, the past scenes surged through his mind. His youthful ascension filled with high spirits, middle-aged and invincible in battle... Conquering the Tecos Tribe, achieving a great victory. Sweeping away the Chichimeca Canine Descendants, the limitless glory... Also resisting the Mexica Alliance, the grand defeat on the lake... His eyes held changing reluctance, and his face showed boundless tragedy.
"For the glory of the Kingdom!"
The "Crocodile" Nobility once again called out somberly. His right arm still ached subtly, he seemed a bit weak just now, so he changed the bronze axe to his left arm. Then, he changed the angle of the axe point, bringing it closer to his throat.
Moments later, the fierce battle noise arrived at the doorstep, the wild cries of the Mexica clearly audible.
"Capture the Divine Descendant Marshal, sacrifice to the Chief Divine!"
Then, it was the crisp sound of a flagpole snapping.
Looking at the still, statue-like Family Head, the Head Warrior showed a look of despair. He bowed deeply to the ground several times.
"Family Head, the Commander’s Flag is broken, the enemy is right in front of us! Please go dignifiedly to the Divine Kingdom! I will go first, to die for the family!"
After speaking, the Head Warrior stood up from the ground, resolutely turned around, and charged out the door. Soon, a dying howl was heard.
Ospe opened his eyes, let out a long sigh, then closed his eyes again.
"For the glory of the family!"
This time, he made up his mind, clenched his teeth hard, only waiting to recite a final poem, then the "Crocodile" Family would end from thereafter!
Outside the attic, "Black Wolf" Toltec smashed the charging Head Warrior to death with his two clubs. Then, he looked inside, the enemy Marshal in splendid attire was still holding his battle axe, about to commit suicide.
Out of respect for the samurai heading to his death, Toltec, holding his battle club, halted his pace, solemnly standing at the doorway. He anticipated the brilliant blooming of a crimson flower, waiting for the exquisite withering of life. After a moment, the enemy Marshal still maintained the suicide pose, only slightly cutting some skin with the axe point, leaving a faint blood trace on his neck.
Toltec hesitated for a moment, then cursed angrily! He charged forward, and with the blunt side of his club, violently struck Ospe’s left shoulder. The "Crocodile" Nobility cried out in pain, knocked down on the floor, and let go of the bronze axe in his left hand, waiting for fate’s judgement.
