Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

"Indeed! The Almighty bears witness! That Demon Apostle’s prophecy is quite detailed. ’He’ foretold of our large ships with sails, the thunderous firearms, the four-legged riding beasts—hmm, which must refer to horses. And what were those tiny grains that spread death... sounds like a plague? Father Ramon, is this plague really spread by tiny grains?..."

"...Nonsense! This is purely the Demon’s drivel! The plague is certainly the Demon’s corruption, and only devout faith can conquer it!"

Father Ramon’s expression grew stern as he immediately rebuked such "demonic heresy." Quickly, he gripped the Silver Cross around his neck, and began praying devoutly for the Almighty’s protection.

"Oh, Lord of infinite light! Please bestow Your holy radiance, and cleanse us devout believers of the Demon’s corruption! We have arrived on a land full of wickedness in the East! And the Demon’s forces on this land are launching an attack against us..."

"Only You, great and merciful Almighty! Only Your supreme power, only the flames and thunderbolts of Your judgment, can destroy these mighty demons! Only You, grant us Your holy blessings, that we may raise the sharp sword and fight for the glory of the Almighty!... Praise the Lord!"

"Praise the Lord!!"

Upon hearing Father Ramon’s prayers, the leaders in the Cross Church also began to pray along. Even Columbus showed unusual devotion at this moment. After everyone finished praying, Father Ramon applied the evil-repelling ointment on everyone, and only then did they calm down slightly. Father Ramon then glanced sternly at Bartolomeo and De La Cosa and chastised them.

"Regarding this Demon Apostle and the ’Evil Demon Prophecy,’ I will personally write to report to all the Archbishops of Castile. You must restrain the sailors in the know! They are not allowed to spread rumors throughout the camp! This will greatly shake the morale of the Expeditionary Army, and their faith in the Almighty... Understand?!"

Upon hearing these words, Bartolomeo and Captain Dracos opened their mouths but, faced with the imposing priest, could not utter objections. After a few breaths, they could only nod together and say.

"Yes! Father! We’ll follow your guidance!..."

Within the church, the leaders of the Castilian Expeditionary Army fell silent again, all contemplating something unknown. After a few breaths, it was Veteran Camp Commander Pedro, who had experienced the Holy War and was the most devout and courageous, who squinted his eyes and spoke first.

"The Lord protect us! Even the mightiest Demon Apostle can be slain with sword and struck dead with firearms! We have a massive fleet of firearms, and the most elite veteran battalion... Why not find the stronghold of the Cipangu Native Kingdom, locate that powerful Demon Apostle! Then directly attack their core and destroy their evil altar and temple..."

"For the Almighty and the Queen! I, Pedro, am willing to personally lead the team! We have two hundred Holy War veterans, all of whom will go up! I will lead the veterans to find the location of that Cipangu Demon Apostle, and personally slay him!"

"Otherwise, leaving such a Demon Apostle capable of divination is too dangerous! Just like the recent outpost raid, surely orchestrated by this Apostle, sending Cipangu Natives! They even seized the moment our fleet was out to ambush, causing such heavy casualties... Another two raids like this! Our Expeditionary Army might not stand again, unable even to gather sailors for a return voyage to Castile!"

"Oh Lord! The main fleet should launch a massive operation, taking all Holy War veterans, directly attacking the core of the Cipangu Natives, slaying the Demon Apostle?... Hmm, not bad! The Demon Apostle is a great threat to the Almighty! Even abandoning this outpost should prioritize ’him’ as the number one target!"

"I can issue orders for all remaining Church Knights and chamberlains to armor up and join the fleet for a raid on the Cipangu Native Kingdom! As long as the Demon Apostle is slain... No matter the sacrifice, the Church can accept!"

Upon hearing the veteran camp commander’s suggestion, Father Ramon seemed visibly moved. Despite sternly condemning any "Evil Demon Prophecy" from being spoken, deep down, he was already highly alert and deeply fearful of the likely real "Demon Apostle."

For such a devout priest, abandoning this newly established colonial outpost was of little consequence. Most of the newly converted Natives had already died, and even if the rest perished, it was no big deal. They could later convert slowly. But a truly existing "Demon Apostle"? This immediately crossed the warning line of his devout faith!

To eliminate this terrifying threat to faith in the Almighty, even if the entire Expeditionary Fleet perished, even if he himself died in the East Indies, it would be a necessary sacrifice for the Lord!

"No! For the Queen’s orders, we cannot act recklessly! We are entirely unaware of where or even if the Demon Apostle exists in Cipangu... How can we deploy the entire army hastily into the Natives’ stronghold?"

Upon hearing Deputy Commander Antonio’s words, Bartolomeo and De La Cosa exchanged glances, their eyes flickering.

In truth, from interrogating native prisoners, the two had already learned the approximate location of Cuba Iron Bay Town. They also heard that many strong native warriors and longships were stationed there. To raid the place would be a reckless, suicidal move! Even if successful, survival seemed unlikely! Therefore, the two lowered their heads pretending to know nothing.

"Under the Almighty’s witness! If the entire army deploys, what will happen to Queen Isabella’s Castle here on San Juan Island? Know that there still lurk unknown numbers of Cipangu Native warriors on this large island, possibly watching us. The Queen instructed us to establish a forward outpost and fortify the Queen’s Castle!..."

Deputy Commander Antonio sternly rejected veteran commander Pedro’s proposal. This guy seemed overly obsessed with fighting the Holy War, forgetting who between the Queen and the Almighty was truly greater!

Bear in mind, now with the fleet returning, the total number of the Expeditionary Army adds up to just over 700. Of these, there are 208 Holy War veterans, 77 Shenluo mercenaries, 45 Church Armed Forces—only 330 elite fighters in total! And of the remaining, more than 270 sailors, under 100 strong men, continuously succumbing to the plague...

This remaining force is sufficient to defend the Queen’s Castle. But if the Holy War veterans and Church Armed Forces deploy to raid the Cipangu core... What will happen if the lurking Cipangu Natives raid, do these commanding officers wish to sacrifice themselves? It cannot really be as the priest says, sacrificing everything, even if it means dying here...

"The Queen’s orders are above all! I, Columbus, as Commander-in-Chief, also agree with Deputy Commander Antonio’s view! We came to this East Indies to establish a formal route to the East, to bring Wealth and honor back to the Kingdom of Castile and the Queen!... We didn’t come here to engage in mortal combat with the Demon’s Native Kingdom, ending up with nothing!"

Upon Deputy Commander Antonio’s remarks, Columbus, the Commander-in-Chief, also spoke. The two commanders, usually playing cat-and-mouse games, unexpectedly reached a consensus, eliciting bittersweet laughter. Upon hearing the commanders’ words, Bartolomeo and De La Cosa also came forward to agree, followed quickly by the other captains after exchanging glances.

"Right! We must follow the Queen’s orders! Defend this Queen’s territory and the Queen’s Castle!"

"Exactly! If there’s the Cipangu Native Kingdom to the west, then we shall not go west! We can navigate north or south, seeking other routes connecting to the East!"

"Well said! No need to be at odds with the Cipangu Natives to the end! Even the island itself isn’t... cough!"

A group of Castilian captains expressed their stance, while Father Ramon was burning with rage, yet hesitated to scold. Amidst the ongoing debate, suddenly a sailor came to report.

"Oh, Almighty! Cipangu Natives! Red-haired Natives! They have shown up again!"