NOVPUBThe sleepless night waned as the morning star appeared in the distant sky, the sky brightened, and the morning sun emerged at the end of the East. Soon, a splendid red sun rose slowly through the clouds, illuminating the boundless fields, shining upon the majestic Capital City, and bringing new light.
Xiulote smiled, admiring the beauty of sunrise, as well as the Capital City beneath his feet.
The flames in the four cities gradually subsided, only the Great Temple in the center still emitted thick smoke. The palace and Temple area were firmly under control, with thousands of Samurai gripping their weapons tightly, carrying out a meticulous search. At the top of the imposing Palace of Wind, two flags of the Mexica Royal Family fluttered high, a blood-colored Sun beside the upturned head of a Black Wolf. Not far off, the flag of the Chief Divine of the Sun Hummingbird flew.
The majority of resistance in the Capital City had been quelled. The civilian and Craftsman districts had entirely returned to order. Along the narrow streets, there were streams of marching Samurai, patrolling Spear Militia, and squads escorting spoils and captives. Only in the Nobility district, there remained the last few sturdy mansions. Dozens, even hundreds of the Nobility’s private armies, leveraged the terrain, making a desperate and futile struggle.
The young King whispered a few commands, and a trusted aide left with the Jade Talisman in hand.
Soon, a group of tall Samurai hurried off, carefully cradling a sealed wooden box. Then, a series of "boom, boom" explosions rang out among the Nobility mansions, followed by piercing screams, and the last resistance finally crumbled.
Xiulote laughed loudly, lifting his head. The Sun God had ascended to the central throne, and Tarasco’s Capital City, Qinchongcan City, had finally been completely pacified in his hands!
"Your Highness, congratulations on your glorious victory! You are the invincible Wolf King!"
Toltec had been there for a while now. He frowned and hid behind Bertade until he saw the Highness in good spirits, only then daring to come forward and kneel on the ground.
"Black Wolf begs for your forgiveness!"
Xiulote watched his beloved general with a smile tinged with amusement.
"Ah, beg for forgiveness? Toltec, did you capture the Head Warrior and the Prince?"
"I... did not."
The Black Wolf warrior looked ashamed and glared bitterly at Chiwaco.
"Your Highness, I fought desperately at the front, personally killing more than a dozen Samurai! Yet, to think, a despicable rat stole the fruit of victory!"
"Oh? Chiwaco, do you have anything to say?"
Facing the fierce gaze of the Black Wolf warrior, the old Militia shivered. His mind racing, he squeezed out a smile on his face.
"Mighty Black Wolf warrior, you are the jungle’s leopard, wounding the running rabbit. The rabbit hid in a hole, only to be eaten by a rat, it doesn’t really mean anything. Indeed, we did pick up the leftovers, we are willing to cede the credit to you, please do not take it to heart."
After hearing Chiwaco’s words, Toltec’s expression softened slightly. He calmed his anger, considering the old Militia’s suggestion, but then deflated. He answered proudly. 𝚗𝚘v𝚙𝚞b.𝚌𝚘m
"Forget it, how could I, Black Wolf, take credit from others! What is yours is yours, I, Toltec, must capture the prey with my own hands! With His Highness here, I am destined to dominate the world!"
Xiulote watched Chiwaco’s response, listened to Black Wolf’s reply, and smiled as he nodded. Then, setting his face sternly, he instructed Toltec.
"Toltec, you are a fierce warrior unmatched by hundreds, with thousands of elite under your command. Chiwaco is but an ordinary Militia, with barely a dozen men. Yet, he managed to take away the most important spoil before you, even without your notice!... Toltec, my Black Wolf, you need to reflect on the lessons here!"
"War is like hunting! In this battle, you had at least three issues. First, you did not lower your head to consult your guide, to understand the situation of the Palace of Wind; second, you did not pay attention to your surroundings, to keep an eye on your guide; lastly, you did not completely surround the prey, finding another passage."
"My Black Wolf, your bravery is exceptional, that is your strength! But those skilled in bravery often rely on it exclusively, thus neglecting the wisdom of the mind, and flexible tactics. People good at swimming can drown in water, those good at fighting must not rely solely on fighting!"
"My Black Wolf, last time, you went alone to hunt the hounds, and if it weren’t for the Head Warrior’s rescue, you would have been dead in the wild. This failure is a good lesson. I have high expectations for you... Toltec, when you can set aside your one-sided bravery, consider the whole situation before you, and make rational use of everything at your disposal, you’ll become a true Commander-in-Chief! Then, I will entrust an army to you without any worries!"
"Yes, Your Highness, I was wrong."
After hearing the Highness’s admonishment, Toltec hung his head dejectedly, kneeling as he acknowledged his fault. Not far away, Ezpan watched all this with eyes full of envy.
"Hmm, Black Wolf, I’m giving you another task! Take your thousand elites and continue the search for the whereabouts of the Tarasco Prince! Chiwaco and Puap are locals, they will be your deputies. Remember, consult with them often!"
Upon hearing His Highness’s command, the old Militia and the Huitu warrior grimaced, bowed their heads in acknowledgment, and the group quickly departed. Xiulote turned his head to look at Bertade, his most trusted Head Warrior.
"Bertade, you take charge of pacifying the city and handling the aftermath, tally the population and the spoils. Ezpan will be your deputy and Translator. The Samurai should sheath their weapons now. Organize people to extinguish the burning Temples with sand and soil. Five days later, hold a conversion ceremony and a feudal grant ceremony in front of the Temple Square in the city center!"
