NOVPUBEven within the Commander-in-Chief’s grand tent, the nobles from various places still felt good. They forcefully patted their exposed chests, competing against each other, quietly boasting of their own bravery.
With a smile, Xiulote surveyed the nobles before him. All faces similarly beamed with smiles as they loudly greeted him, congratulating His Highness on his victory.
"True bravery does not lie in a Samurai who kills the enemy alone but in a heart bestowed by the Heavenly Divine! A brave heart is never blind; it can discern changes on the battlefield and contribute to the grand strategy of the war! Remember, the bravery of one is but a low hill by the lakeside, while the bravery of multitudes is a Divine Mountain towering over the highlands!"
The Young Commander’s smile faded, and his words took on a hint of thunder. His stern gaze swept across the faces of the City-State nobles, his right hand resting on the Long Dagger at his waist. The nobles felt a chill in their hearts and obediently fell silent, bowing their heads, much like wolves facing the Wolf King.
The fierce gaze did not last long. The majestic His Highness merely tapped the City-State nobles lightly, giving a slight warning before laughing aloud again.
"In this great battle, the bravest among the City-State legion was from the Mountain Clan of Tlalocan! Though they numbered only in the hundreds, they mustered the courage to pursue a thousands-strong Feathered Militia! They defeated the nobles of Chapala and captured the noble banners! Come forward, Commander of the Mountain Clan, to accept this valiant honor!"
Finally, hearing His Highness’s reward, the young Izel’s complexion turned reddish, overwhelmed with emotion. He strode forward and knelt before the exalted His Highness.
"Respected His Highness, the Mountain Clan will fight for the Chief Divine, for the Alliance, and die for Your Highness!"
Xiulote scrutinized the stepping forward Izel, slightly puzzled. This did not match the memory he had of the Mountain Clan’s Commander.
&"Courageous Samurai, are you the Commander of the Mountain Clan? Tell me your name!"
"Izel, Izel of the Mountain Clan! I am the succeeding Commander of the Mountain Clan; my elder brother bravely fell in the recent battle, gloriously proceeding to the Divine Kingdom!"
Izel suppressed his emotions, striving to display a look of sadness and longing.
Hearing this, the Young Commander nodded knowingly.
"Izel, ’eyes in the shadows, a face unseen’. That is a beautiful name. Are you the illegitimate child of the Mountain Clan?"
The Mountain Clan, named after the Divine Mountain of the west, claims to be the descendants of the Earth Mother Goddess; they would never give such a name to a direct heir.
Hearing His Highness’s inquiry, Izel suddenly grew nervous. He felt unsettling, responding in a low voice.
"Yes, Your Highness. My mother is a commoner... I will take up the Mountain’s banner, fight courageously, and loyally follow you!"
Xiulote watched the young man kneeling before him. He saw a familiar glow in the other’s eyes, a desire that came from deep within.
Eyes in the shadows, a face unseen... Tlalocan is located in the western Mexican Valley, a strategic location, where the Lerma River first flows... The Mountain Clan is a noble family with nearly a thousand private militia; this time they sent five hundred...
Xiulote’s thoughts raced, and he made his decision within moments! He smiled warmly, kindly patting Izel’s shoulder.
"A true warrior, no matter their lineage, brings glory to the entire family! Izel, like you, my mother was also a commoner. In today’s battle, you have proved yourself! Judging the situation accurately and pursuing effectively, you possess wise eyes and a brave heart!" 𝑛𝘰𝑣𝑝𝑢𝑏.𝘤𝑜𝘮
The Young Commander’s eyes twinkled with mirth. Being the overall Commander-in-Chief, he naturally knew Izel’s "adequately timely" pursuit. This was a family bastard with flexible tactics and not lacking the courage to change his fate.
"Thus, I will give you this opportunity!"
Xiulote made up his mind, laughing out loud. He took the Obsidian Long Dagger from his waist and extended it to the kneeling Izel, as if presenting a tablet of fate.
"The Alliance values military merits the most, and I most favor the warriors! Izel, you possess the bravery of multitudes. I gift you this personal weapon as a proof of your honor!"
Hearing His Highness’s words, Izel incredulously raised his head, looking at the noble arm extended towards him. Trembling, he took the Dagger, clutching it tightly. Then, the young Samurai obediently bowed his head, allowing His Highness’s palm to rest on his head, performing a ritual of loyalty.
"Your Highness, you are the brilliant sun, shining over the skies of Tarasco! I will lead the Mountain Clan’s warriors, vow to follow you to death!"
The Young Commander naturally clasped the young warrior’s head, softly whispering with a smile.
"The sun shines not only in the sky but also on the Divine Mountain of the west. Prove your loyalty and bravery, and you will gain everything you desire!"
Then, Xiulote looked around at his generals, speaking in a deep voice.
"The Chief Divine blesses the brave warriors, and the Alliance places military achievements above all. Anyone who makes their mark in battle can inherit their family estate, even a child born out of wedlock. Anyone who bravely kills the enemy, a Militia can be promoted to Samurai, and a Samurai can be promoted to Nobility! And he who destroys a kingdom can be crowned a king!"
At this point, Xiulote paused briefly. His expression was solemn as he gazed at each commander in the tent, speaking word by word.
"Whether you are Royal Warriors or City-State Warriors; whether you are Spear Militia or Tribal Huntsmen; whether you are part of the Mexica Legion, the Otomi Legion, or the surrendered Tarasco Legion! You are all my warriors, my commanders! The light of the Chief Divine shines upon His citizens, and the foundation of the Alliance is built on military achievements. I will treat everyone equally and give each of you opportunities!"
The young commander’s gaze moved across the commanders, lingered briefly on the faces of Natali and Ezpan, and finally settled on Oorta, who was pretending to sleep.
"Remember, loyalty and piety are the only paths. And your ability and achievements will determine how far you can go! My commanders, unite. March south, conquer the Capital City, and vanquish the Tarasco Kingdom. I shall crown myself king here and share it with you!"
Calm words came from His Highness’s mouth but struck like thunder from the sky. The minds of the commanders inside the tent went blank; even though such rumors had been spreading, everyone was still stunned and disoriented. After a moment, "Monkey" Kuluka and the veteran Etalik exchanged glances and congratulated in unison.
"To destroy a kingdom and to be crowned king, we celebrate for our lord!"
"The sun rises to the middle of the sky, bathing the land of the lake in its light!"
Thereafter, the commanders who regained their senses bowed their heads one after another, declaring their resolve.
"Conquer Qinchongcan City, exterminate the Tarasco Royal Family! The Hummingbird of the Holy City shall establish a nation in the Land of the Hummingbird!"
This was the fierce Jaguar, Olosh.
"The glory of the Chief Divine shall illuminate the land of foreign gods, bringing light to every citizen caught in darkness!"
This was the devout Divine Legion Commander, Natali.
"Following the newly risen sun, let all the people of the Prepetcha bathe in Your Highness’s radiance and walk the vast paths!"
This was the loyal Surrendered General, Ezpan.
...
"I wish to be Your Highness’s eyes, stationed upon the highlands of the west, gazing towards the sunrise in the East!"
This was the young warrior beside him, Izel.
Xiulote slightly turned his head to look at Izel, a satisfied smile appearing on his face. Outside his line of sight, Oorta lay on the mat, his expression complex and changing, murmuring softly.
"As the old sun sets and the kingdom falls... I only wish to preserve my homeland, allowing the sky to return above the lake..."
After the excited cheers, there was hearty drinking. The commanders opened their hearts, shouting loudly, and drank together in clusters. As the wine continued to flow, warriors began to perform lively war dances and chant traditional poems.
"Life in this world is nothing but a song, a dance, a battle! Watch the spring flowers burst into spectacular bloom, watch the autumn leaves rustle as they fall. A warrior’s life and death are but moments, yet the glory of the battlefield lasts forever!..."
In the midst of the noisy commotion, some began to sing praise to the divines, perfectly complementing the poems.
"Only the stars twinkle in the night sky. Only the moon scatters darkness. Only the sun shines over the world!
Qiming, the star of the East, I follow your direction, seeking the trajectory of rebirth.
The moon that envelops the sky, I respect your power, yielding to the fate of death.
And the sun that illuminates the earth, you are everything to me, deciding rebirth, deciding death!
Praise to you, God of rebirth and death, Xiulotel!..."
The commanders deliberated throughout the night, indulging in joyous drinking. Xiulote savored the wine of victory, deep in contentment and half-lucid, leaning back in his seat of honor, gazing up through the tent’s skylight where the starlight and moonlight gradually dimmed and dawn silently rose, slicing through the vast night sky. Outside the tent, as night came to an end, the sky heralded the dawn.
