Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America! Chapter 337 - 173: Luring the Enemy Again3

Facing the demands made by the Chapala Legion, Ospe firmly shook his head in refusal.

"Respected ’Feathers’ Pengguari, I cannot agree to your request for troops."

The Commander of Chapala, Pengguari, was nearly forty. He had a dignified appearance with gracious manners and wore a splendid feathered garnt. His na, aning "Feathers," clearly indicated his highly noble birth. Hearing the words of the northern Marshal, he too shook his head.

"Respected ’Crocodile’ Marshal, the Chapala Legion has traveled hundreds of miles to assist, and our loyalty to the Kingdom is as clear as day and night. We ca here to fight bravely, not to sit idle in a fortress! Now, the nobility from the western Saka region are constantly coming forth with complaints. They and the Legion’s commanders are related, and the samurai are worried about the safety of their hos in the Lake Region. They are infuriated by the enemies’ massacre of the Nobility and can no longer wait!"

Ospe remained silent, feeling the heavy pressure, as defense was never his style. After contemplating for a mont, the rational part prevailed, and the "Crocodile" Commander still shook his head.

"Pengguari, the enemy’s intelligence isn’t clear, and the King has ordered us to hold our position. I am the northern Marshal and bear the responsibility of overseeing the entire situation; now is not the ti for battle."

Upon hearing this, Pengguari slightly bowed his head, speaking coldly.

"Ospe, if the enemy’s intelligence isn’t clear, we should imdiately seek clarification. You are the northern Marshal, but our Chapala Legion is independent, representing the autonomous Lake Region. You bear the overall responsibility, while we have local responsibilities. The Legion ca to support the Kingdom and protect our holand. If even the weaker Otomi can roam the south with impunity, then defending the Kingdom is rely empty talk!"

At this point, Pengguari paused for a mont, then seriously added.

"If you persist in refusing to send troops, our 5,000 Chapala samurai will march out on our own to provide support! I will leave 10,000 Militia at the Rivermouth fortress. Akanbaro State still has 6,000 samurai and 20,000 Militia, enough to keep the defense."

Upon hearing Pengguari’s words, Ospe was greatly troubled.

These regional Great Nobility possessed their own private troops, had prestigious ranks, and were each incredibly headstrong, valuing their ho properties above all else. The last ti the Great Nobility of Akanbaro marched out independently, dispersing xica raiding parties, they ended up ambushed by enemy forces, losing nearly a thousand samurai and over three thousand Militia. This attack by the Otomi was clearly a repetition of the sa strategy.

As the Legion Commander of Chapala, Pengguari had 5,000 samurai and nearly 10,000 Militia under his command, a force not much different from that of the northern legions. In terms of status, the "Feathers" was a long-exalted mber of the Nobility, which he could not strictly suppress with rank. Now, with the northern border still awaiting the next batch of Chapala reinforcents, he was even less able to restrain them.

As the northern Marshal, he couldn’t enforce strict obedience in the troops. If he allowed the Chapala Legion to march by land, their slow progress would fail to intercept the enemy force transported by the Naval Forces. The most likely outco would be an ambush by the main force of xica samurai, resulting in heavy losses.

At this very mont, the Otomi forces raiding downstream were already significantly affecting the fortress’s morale, as well as undoubtedly impacting the arrival of the next batch of reinforcents. He had no choice but to alter the original defense plan and take action to eliminate this enemy force first.

After pondering for a long ti, Ospe finally stared into Pengguari’s eyes and said sternly.

"Feathers of Chapala, if you march out alone and encounter the main force of the xica, your destruction is certain! The fierce xica samurai are drastically different from the Otomi. Wait a few days, let investigate the military situation on the North Coast, and then we can discuss the matter of dispatching troops together!"