NOVPUBThe bonfire burned brightly, the night air was warm, the welcoming feast was simple yet solemn. Simple in the food that was served, solemn in the samurai’s etiquette.
King Aweit sat in the central seat of honor, with Xiulote taking the place nearby. One after another, the military leaders came forward, successively toasting the king and his highness, then presenting the flowers of spring, along with the most precious spoils of war. Aweit watched the assembly with a smile, engaging in cordial conversations, occasionally praising the achievements of various commanders-in-chief, then inquiring about the casualties of the troops. Xiulote, on the other hand, maintained his silence, nodding to the officers while contemplating the next steps in his plan.
When the round of toasts from the generals was complete and the situation of the Northern Army was more or less clear, Aweit stood up from the main seat with a laugh and raised his glass to address the officers magnanimously.
"Excellent! During this Western campaign, the Northern Army was the first to breach the border fortress of the Tarasco Kingdom, successively defeating several Tarascan legions, and even capturing the King of Tarasco! The commander-in-chief is a brilliant strategist, the samurai are loyal unto death, invincible in attack and unbeatable in battle, the Northern Legion has become renowned throughout the world!"
Then, King Aweit patted Xiulote on the shoulder with affectionate admiration.
"Xiulote, you have given me many surprises! You are the youngest marshal in the Alliance and the most skilled in battle, the greatest hero of the Western campaign. This cup is to you! Come, let all the generals fill their cups and drink with me!"
"To his highness!"
Hearing the king’s words, generals from both north and south raised their cups and drank in tribute. Xiulote quickly rose and drank, then poured another cup to reciprocate Aweit. After the two of them had drunk, Aweit waved his hand with a laugh and said to the officers.
"The prey is right beside us, Jaguars cannot afford to doze off and sleep! Let’s end today’s banquet here, everyone return to your camps, get the troops ready, and fully prepare for the siege!"
"Yes, we will follow your decree!"
"Um. Xiulote, you stay!"
The generals accordingly gave their salutes and dispersed, and the tent quickly became quiet. Aweit took off his elaborate royal attire, removed his ornate long crown, and simply draped himself in a comfortable plain robe, sighing with relief. Then, casting his smile aside, he fondled the Divine Staff in his hand, pondered for a while, and then asked seriously.
"Where is Su’angua?"
"He’s in the rear camp."
"Take me to see him!"
"Yes, your majesty."
Xiulote bowed his head in salute and then turned to lead the way. The two walked one after the other under the crescent moon of early month. The moonlight was faint, the stars twinkled, and there was a song of prayer from the tents. The distant singing seemed to tell of the alternating cycles of the four Sun Eras. En route, the two kings walked quietly, listening to the ancient ballad, neither speaking a word.
"This way."
Xiulote stopped in front of an outer tent, where numerous samurai guards saluted in unison. Aweit gestured with his hand and was the first to lift the tent flap, striding in.
The interior of the outer tent was still a humble grass bed. Su’angua’s complexion was much better than the last time. He lay quietly on the bed at an angle, with a strange smile on his face.
"Ah, greetings, most high king..."
The elderly priest hastily bowed in salute.
"Ha ha ha!... Su’angua! Su’angua!"
Seeing the king of Tarasco on the grass bed, Aweit laughed heartily, nearly to the point of tears. Amidst his unrestrained laughter, memories of the past surged: the spirited valor of the first campaign to the west four years ago, the hardship and weariness during the mountain battles, the pain and unwillingness of the army’s defeat, the terror and panic when being pursued by the Copper-axe Guards, the torment and anguish after losing his right of succession... until the thoroughly satisfying revenge of today!
"Ha!" 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝔭𝔲𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
Aweit burst into laughter and approached, grabbing a hold of Su’angua’s hair to examine his face up close. This was the first time he got to see the King of Tarasco from such proximity, although he had imagined this scene countless times before. The king laughed freely as he examined him, as if he were looking at a precious treasure, with an inner sense of gratification; while the other king remained dormant, his lips curled into a smile, as if unwilling to wake in the cruel world.
After laughing for a while, Aweit gradually calmed down. Then he turned to the elderly priest and demanded fiercely.
"How is he?"
"Ah, respected king! The Sacrifice’s life is not in danger, his body is healthy. He woke up once in the afternoon, and cursed his highness for a while. Since we approached the Capital City, his emotions have been quite unstable... so I fed him a little more of the Potion... Respected king, do you want me to wake him up?"
"Good!"
Aweit nodded eagerly. The elderly priest then took out a vial of Potion, pinched Su’angua’s chin, and was about to forcefully administer the medicine. Su’angua kept his lips tightly shut, refusing to open his mouth. Sweat started to form on the priest’s forehead. He glanced surreptitiously at the expressionless king, felt a chill in his heart, and hardened his grip, going straight to choking the other’s neck.
Observing all this, Aweit’s face began to stiffen. He watched the priest clutch Su’angua’s throat, turning his face purple, yet Su’angua still did not open his mouth, seemingly preferring to suffocate in such a manner.
"Stop! Let go, stand back!"
Aweit commanded coldly.
"After all, he is a noble Divine Descendant king!"
At these words, the elderly priest released his hold nervously and stepped aside.
Aweit took a step forward. This time, he simply bent down, staring intently at the man’s face.
"Su’angua, oh Su’angua. My old friend, my old adversary, you indeed are a proper eagle! Because of you, I lost my throne! Because of you, I suffered the greatest setback of my life!... But in the end, I have risen again, and now I stand before you!...
