Chapter 2278 - 1620: Surrender! Warriors of Cuba!_2
Knight Captain Thomas commanded in a deep voice as the battlefield fell into an unspeakable silence. Observing carefully, he saw the familiar "religious zeal" on the faces of these Barbarian Warriors, similar to the fearless Holy War Crusaders of the past. He also noticed the scars on the four Barbarian Warriors, left by the Holy War Veterans, who were the ones that killed those veterans!
The weapons in the opponent’s hands were golden Bronze Axes, resembling those from the legendary era of Ancient Greece and Rome. As for their armor, it was a peculiar style of Cloth Armor, somewhat like the plate Armor Clothes of Europe, yet more similar to the fabric armor of the Moors.
"Surrender! Warriors of Cuba Cipangu! Your bravery has earned our respect! We will treat you according to the knightly code and allow your Lord to ransom you back!"
Knight Captain Thomas observed quietly for a moment, then suddenly, with a solemn expression, he loudly called for their surrender!
The Castilian Expeditionary Army journeyed thousands of miles, paying the price of storm damages, to arrive at what Columbus called the "East Indies." In the current situation, they are isolated and unable to get logistical support.
Originally, conquering and slaughtering the weak natives could still be seen as a necessary cost for spreading the glory of the Almighty, with no need to worry about resistance from those who didn’t even possess metal weapons...
But now, facing such an apparently organized group, equipped with metal weapons and armor, high morale, skilled at night raids, and capable of taking out half a veteran company of Cipangu Barbarians in one strike, the expeditionary force must show enough respect! For opponents with sufficient force, capable of killing them, European colonizers would always show respect!
"Holy Mother protect us! Our Kingdom of Castile comes to the East with goodwill! We desire to establish trade routes between Europe and the East, benefiting both sides! Warriors of Cuba Cipangu, we wish to communicate peacefully with your leaders! Whether leasing harbors here or engaging in trade along the routes, the Kingdom of Castile carries the spirit of peace and prosperity!"
In the destroyed and occupied farms of the North Bay Tribe, Knight Captain Thomas sincerely spoke these words to the Warriors of the Kingdom. He even summoned two Taino Natives who had converted to the Church to translate his words.
He was clear that behind these Barbarians was a hostile and powerful Native Kingdom, which might even have "Devil’s Apostles" capable of prophecy and divination.
The expeditionary force cannot sustain endless attrition, exchanging lives for lives! Thus, the most crucial task now is not how many natives they can kill or how many battles they can fight... but to establish a channel for communication, striving for peace talks with this powerful Native Kingdom, even a temporary treaty is better than endless warfare!
"Knight Captain Thomas! What are you saying? To surrender and treat these Barbarians?"
"Yes! The merciful Almighty watches over everything, and we need time! We need to negotiate with the Barbarian Kingdom of Cipangu! Do you still wish to face such ambushes? Do you want to end up like Knights Garcia and Inigo...?"
Facing the questioning from other knights, Knight Captain Thomas retorted aloud, causing everyone to fall silent.
Indeed, under the current circumstances, the Kingdom of Castile needs time! They need time to explore this vast and unfamiliar East Indies archipelago, to establish a foothold, to build trade routes to the East with Seris, Khitan, and India. As the expeditionary army, they need time to gather strength, time to acquire wealth, rather than endless losses and casualties!
So, at this moment, Knight Captain Thomas showed sincere eyes, lowered his Knight’s Sword, stepped forward, and with a knightly smile, shouted to the leading Kingdom Warrior Luo Shixi.
"Warriors of Cuba Cipangu, lay down your weapons! We swear in the name of the Almighty that we will heal you and allow you to return home! We will respect your beliefs, respect your lands!... We are willing to trade, form alliances with your leaders, even provide them with better weapons and armor!..."
Hearing the promises of the Evil Demon Leader, Kingdom Warrior Luo Shixi glared with hateful eyes. He did not look at this Evil Demon’s Iron Man, nor did he care about the surrender. He only glared at the two Taino translators and cursed softly.
"Damn it! There are Tainos who joined the Evil Demons... They’ve even donned the Devil’s Cross!..."
"They must be killed!..."
Kingdom Warrior Luo Shixi turned his head, whispered a few words to the other three Warriors, all of whom nodded in agreement. Then, with a change of expression, Luo Shixi shouted in the Taino language.
"I don’t understand your words! Let those translators come closer... Yes! Closer!..."
"Die, you Tainos who joined the Evil Demons!..."
As the two trembling translators approached closer, Luo Shixi with three injured warriors suddenly burst forth! Wielding his Bronze Battle Axe, he struck down the nearest native translator! Another warrior hurled a Bronze Axe, hitting the head of the other one on the spot! After two screams, all that lay before the warriors were two Taino corpses, still wearing their crosses...
"Chief Divine protect us! Kill the Evil Demons, march to the Red Divine Kingdom!!"
"Chief Divine protect us! To the Divine Kingdom!"
Upon succeeding in the strike, Luo Shixi did not hesitate. He and the three injured warriors chanted piously, charging toward the surrounding Evil Demons. The surrounding Church Followers turned pale, shouted "Almighty", and drew their swords to engage! Seeing this, Knight Captain Thomas shouted urgently, personally rushing in covered in plate armor.
"Hold your hand! Everyone hold your hand! Capture them alive!..."
However, by the time the shout came out, it was already too late. Three Kingdom Warriors fell on the Followers’ Longswords, leaving only the last of Luo Shixi. This determined Kingdom Warrior, amidst the spar with the holding intentions of Thomas, quickly perceived the intent, sudden anger on his face!
"Damn you, Evil Demon! You seek to capture me alive? Damn, you are so sinister, wanting to taint my soul!"
"Supreme Chief Divine! I, Luo Shixi, now go to the Divine Kingdom, like a lizard on a stone of the Divine Mountain, dying for the Divine!!"
After shouting loudly, Luo Shixi reversed his axe handle and slashed heavily across his neck!
Bright red instantly spattered, his eyes opened wide, then he slanted and fell to the ground. The deep night sky shimmered with infinite Star Han, as if corresponding to the mortal warrior. He felt the ascension and elation of his spirit, a final smile appeared on his face, and thus he fought and died heroically on the Great Island of Puerto Rico!
"Chief Divine...I...am...coming..."
"..."
Knight Captain Thomas remained silent, looking at the Cipangu Warrior who died by his own hand. Such an act is strictly forbidden by the doctrine of The Cross Religion, yet such courage could earn the knights’ recognition, and even instill a sense of awe.
"This is the enemy of the Kingdom... the Barbarians of Cuba Cipangu..."
The surrounding Church Knights exchanged no words, looking at the battlefield of blood and fire, seeing those dead Holy War Veterans being beheaded one by one. They also watched as the sailors peeled off the Barbarian Warriors’ armor, then shouted in surprise!
"It’s Bronze! It’s Copper! Inside these Barbarians’ armor is a full ten kilograms of Copper!!..."
Copper, of course, is valuable and a joyful spoil of war. However, the Church Knights did not display any happiness, instead, they wore solemn expressions. In Europe, where copper mines were not lacking, indeed producing abundant copper materials, this copper was far less valuable than in East Asia.
At this moment, sailors might go wild with joy over a little wealth, risking death. But knights, with titles to their name, could stand their ground anywhere, had far more to consider.
"The Almighty testifies! This San Juan Island cannot be stayed on any longer!"
"Indeed! With such casualty-scale native raids, we are afraid we cannot bear a few more..."
"Holy Mother! Strong men, sailors, mercenaries, veterans, even our Church Armed Forces, have all suffered heavy casualties! Perhaps we should persuade the Priest... to find another island to spread the glory of the Almighty! May God bless us!"
"May God bless us! Amen..."