"Honorable Priest Tomate, I understand His Highness’s ambitions! He will undoubtedly care greatly about the intelligence on this route. Once our fleet returns to the kingdom, I will bring the sea charts inherited by the Kekum Royal Family and personally explain them to His Highness!"
Upon hearing this, Priest Tomate pondered in silence. The Cuban sea chart in his hand was highly abstract, and the recorded writings were in the Mayan script of the Kokom Family. Without soone knowledgeable of the heritage to explain, it would be as blank as a whiteboard. The sea chart going south is likely the sa.
"Very good! Tikalo, you have proven your worth and changed your destiny... Anything else?"
"..."
Tikalo remained silent again. This ti, he truly felt like a gambler, betting everything and leaving his fate to the kingdom.
"Yes! We have a few old shipwrights from the kingdom era who are familiar with sail-making and hull reinforcent. The kingdom’s longships use almost the best materials, but still have many shortcomings in the hulls. Sea ships, after all, are different from inland river boats; they must withstand wind and waves. And the shape and angle of the sails should also affect the ship’s speed... I don’t understand the specifics, but the Mayan rchant ships are much cheaper than the kingdom’s ships and even faster."
As he ntioned this, Tikalo’s eyes flickered. He had arranged for the Mayan rchant ships to follow the kingdom fleet closely and relied on local acquaintances to send ssages to the rear fleet along the way...
"Good! Very good!"
Priest Tomate was very pleased. He glared with reddened eyes, leaning his body forward like a greedy giant tomato, pressing down on the pitiful bald caterpillar, squeezing everything out.
"What else? Bring it out!"
"...All the Mayan tribes master the art of beekeeping and produce honey. However, the bees in each tribe are of varying quality, resulting in honey of different qualities... I have heard that His Highness loves honey..."
Tikalo was drenched in sweat, barely managing a smile as he looked at the Tomato Priest, who was almost pressing against him.
"The Kokom Royal Family has the best breed of bees, along with unique beekeeping techniques. The tribe can offer the best bee breeds and bee slaves to His Highness! You know, the Kapul Family has asked for them several tis, but we have never given them..."
"Oh? Beekeeping techniques, the best bee breeds, and bee slaves!"
Upon hearing this, Priest Tomate stroked his chin, deep in thought.
The Mayan beekeeping techniques have always been controlled by the Divine Descendant nobility of each tribe, never shared externally. They have slaves who serve generations, passed down to breed bees. These slaves have no personal freedom and are sacrificed when they grow old and can no longer work. If these techniques were brought back to the kingdom, ensuring stable production of fresh, high-quality honey... Perhaps this could win His Highness’s favor.
"Not bad! And..."
"No more! No more!"
Mayan rchant Tikalo shook his head vigorously, forcefully pushing Priest Tomate away. He took a deep breath, sweating profusely, imdiately regretting it in his heart.
"No! How could I hand over the last foundation of the Kokom Family to the kingdom all at once..."
"No! You must have more!"
Priest Tomate narrowed his eyes, coercively commanding.
"The Kokom Family must bear an indispensable cost to ensure the kingdom’s trust!"
"Ah? What?"
"Hand over the direct descendants of the Divine Lineage to the Kingdom of the Lake to receive the kingdom’s nurturing!"
Priest Tomate’s lips curled up as he pointed at the young divine descendant Ti’aj Kin.
"Not yours, but his!"
"Ah! Ah, this..."
Tikalo was deeply anxious, not knowing how to argue. He knew this was asking for hostages, but there were only a dozen or so mbers left in the Kokom Family. As for the direct divine descendants, there were even fewer...
"...Well...The Little Prince is still very young, and the Little Princess is only two or three years old... Can we wait a few more years..."
"Uncle, what else does Priest Tomate want?"
Seeing this, the young divine descendant Ti’aj Kin couldn’t hold back anymore and asked aloud.
"He wants..."
Tikalo’s face was full of bitterness as he replied in a low voice.
"He wants the future of the Kokom Family...the direct descendants of the Serpent Divine..."
"..."
The young divine descendant lowered his head, biting his lip until it bled, tasting the tallic tang of blood. He slled his blood, thought of the blood of his ancestors, considered the vengeance of today, and many other thoughts...
Under everyone’s silent gaze, Ti’aj Kin reached out and grasped the sun talisman Priest Tomate had placed around his neck. He then closed his eyes, feeling the majesty of the Chief Divine on his forehead. Monts later, he finally looked up and spoke resolutely.
"Alright! I will give! ...When the kingdom’s fleet returns, I will send both my eldest son and young daughter to the kingdom!"
The night grew deeper, the Milky Way shimring overhead. The sea breeze blew through the jungle, carrying the mournful cries of the leaves. As the sea breeze swept across Tikalo, it brought both a chill and a hint of warmth. He felt dazed as he boarded the longship, looking at Ti’aj Kin standing under the ship, seeing only the resolute and mature face of his nephew.
"I am old... but he... has grown up... the last sun of Mayapan..."
"Quick! Quick! Put on the Nava Kingdom’s long spears we have, wear the captured Xi Wu Wooden Armor, we need to leave quickly!..."
Ti’aj Kin had no ti for sentint. His eyes shone with ambition, and his face was full of high spirits. He urged repeatedly, commanding over three hundred tribe warriors to carry the six hundred copper spears, one hundred bronze axes, and twenty sets of leather armor supported by Priest Tomate.
"This battle was won with great spoils! Not only did we kill the prince of the Xiu Family, but also over three hundred of the most elite Xi Wu samurai. More importantly, the tribe gained the support of the western Nava Kingdom! Upon returning to the tribe, my authority and reputation will..."
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