NOVPUBThe faint moonlight illuminated the streets, making the deep night in the Capital City filled with a tense atmosphere. A flickering torch became ever clearer, as a squad of twenty people from Tarasco appeared at the end of the street.
"You wait here and be ready... Old man Qi, take a few people and come with me to check it out."
Puap gritted his teeth and looked at Necali. The veteran Scout squinted and slowly nodded his head.
A few of them, gripping their long spears, walked out from the large house. Puap stood and watched until the familiar figures appeared in front of him; then he licked his lips and stepped forward to greet them.
"Youpil! How’s the patrol tonight? Any unusual situations?"
"Eh, Puap? It’s so late, and you’re still not asleep?"
Under the bright torch, the leading Samurai, young and dressed in the same leather armor as Puap, also had the Hummingbird family emblem engraved on it. He recognized Puap’s distressed look and clapped his old friend on the shoulder.
"Huitu, why do you look like someone in your family died? If something’s bothering you, spill it out and let your brothers have a laugh!"
Watching Youpil approaching, Puap tightened his grip on the spear in his hand; his face stiffened with a forced smile.
"Haha, it’s the Mexica laying siege. I’m a bit nervous and can’t sleep at night..."
"Yeah, my lord, the Mexica are indeed terrifying! Two weeks ago, we went out of the city to assist, and saw tens of thousands fighting, with the dead piling up like weeds. That scene still wakes me up in my sleep! Later, the Mexica chased us for two days, and a leopard almost bit off my rear end; I barely made it back..."
At this moment, the old Militia, patting his chest, added with great trepidation.
Youpil glanced at the panic-stricken expression of the old Militia, scoffed disdainfully, but doubted nothing. He smiled and said to his old friend.
"Puap, you’ve always been fearless. What happened this time that now even the dark scares you! Don’t worry, judging by the situation outside the city, it’s still early before they attack..."
At this point, Youpil sniffed deeply.
"...What’s that smell? Alcohol? You still have booze to drink?! Damn, you’ve really made it big, the chief sure takes good care of you!..."
"Yeah, just having some drinks with a few brothers, keeping an eye on the situation in the city. Not long ago, the chief personally summoned me, telling me to be cautious of the shameless nobility inside the city..."
"That’s right! The chief warns us family warriors like this. The central nobility district is also a key area for nightly patrols; I just came from there."
"How are the nobility doing?"
"Hmm, even at this time, they’re still constantly gathering, the lights burning all night! Outwardly it’s socializing and drinking, reciting poetry, but who knows what they’re discussing behind closed doors! But the chief, with his martial prowess and decisive orders, commands us all to keep a close watch, they won’t be able to turn the skies!"
"Right, the chief is wise... Youpil, do you want to join us for a drink?"
Faced with the proposal, Youpil sniffed again, and his throat made a gulping sound, evidently tempted.
"I’m on night patrol, and still have to make another round... Is that okay?"
"Look, just in the house up ahead."
Puap gestured to the side and scanned the patrolling crowd. The front row of Samurai all wore thin silver necklaces, with bone whistles hanging from them.
"Rewarded by the chief, to placate the barbarians of Tekos with fruit wine. This is a precious reserve from the Royal Family, drink it now or else the barbarians get it all!..."
"Ah, Royal Family’s reserve!...What right do barbarians have to drink these...well, I’ll just try a little."
Youpil rubbed his hands and followed Puap to a large house next door. Just as they were about to reach the door, he suddenly remembered something and called out to the last few newcomers.
"You new ones, stay at the door and wait! We still need to patrol later!" 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝖔𝔪
The newcomers had to suppress their cravings and obediently stayed by the door. Puap signaled to the old Militia, who also holding onto his spear, stayed outside the door.
As soon as they entered the house, Youpil stopped short. He glanced at the twenty or thirty Samurai in the room, surprised and admiring.
"Eh, you’ve done well, lad! You have so many elite warriors under your command?..."
"Oh, this is...this is because the chief values the defense of the South City, and recently assigned these warriors to me. They said these are the Royal Army’s deserters, redeeming themselves through service..."
The last few words, Puap deliberately lowered his voice. Then he chuckled as he poured a bowl of alcohol, offering it to his old friend.
"Come, don’t think too much! Drink with us!"
Youpil’s gaze lingered on Necali’s bronze axe at his waist, and he slowly nodded. His expression was complex as he accepted the drink and downed it all at once.
"Royal Army... Imperial Guards... Hah, delicious! It’s been a long time since I had such good alcohol, come, fill it up again! Brothers, enjoy your drink!"
The patrol members then placed their long spears by the door and crowded around the large clay pot, eagerly starting to drink.
Puap looked at his childhood friend, paused thoughtfully, and then spoke meaningfully.
"Youpil, my old friend! I must tell you, this time leaving the city was like escaping death itself, almost ran my legs off!"
Upon hearing this, Youpil was taken aback, yet still managed to joke.
"Escaping death? Ran your legs off? Hah! Couple of days ago, we went to the logistical camp together, you were drunk as a lord, shouting, ’It’s over, it’s done’, insisting on finding a few pale city girls to cheer... Turns out it was all just drooling from afar!"
At that, Necali’s eyes turned cold. Puap opened his mouth but found it hard to speak. With the chief suppressing the entire city, several Noble families were arrested, and their relatives taken to the logistical camp. The warriors forcibly collected surplus food, and even the common households in the city began to lack food, with many selling their children... Puap liked this kind of thrill, especially at a critical moment of massive undertakings; he couldn’t help but succumb to his impulse once.
