"Goddess Haratana, receive my spirit!"
A piercing cry echoed at the forefront between the two armies, as the last dueling Tarasco samurai violently hurled his shield forward. Then, surrounded by more than ten xica samurai, he swung his bronze axe desperately with both hands at the nearest foe.
"Bang!"
The xica samurai in front quickly ducked and raised his shield. The sharp axe harshly chopped into the shield, embedding itself a full quarter into the wood.
"Pfft!" Before the Tarasco samurai could pull out his bronze axe, Necali on the side stepped forward, crouched, and chopped at the opponent’s thigh, slicing through a vital artery, as warm liquid suddenly spurted out. The Tarasco samurai imdiately lost strength and beca unsteady. The surrounding xica samurai then rushed forward, violently swinging their war clubs, and instantly killed the opponent.
Necali let his blood-dripping bronze axe hang down and stood up proudly. He looked around; the vast battlefield was blood-red, with corpses scattered across the fields. A gentle breeze caressed his face, like the War God’s benevolent hands, carrying a rich scent of blood. The veteran scout closed his eyes, took a deep breath of the faintly sweet and bloody air. The glory of battle, the joy of victory, resonated in his chest. Then, he and the other samurai spread their arms and shouted towards the sky.
"War God Huitzilopochtli protects us! The sacred victory belongs to the Alliance! Glorious xica samurai, invincible in battle!"
"Invincible in battle!!"
Having witnessed the victory in the first duel, the xica ranks erupted in earth-shattering cheers. The samurai shouted in unison, praying to the heavenly deities, praising the glory of the warriors! The priests once again began their ritual dance, chanting poems praising the War God. anwhile, the Tarasco ranks were silent; the Royal Army’s samurai appeared somber, their morale visibly dropping.
"What an exceptionally splendid duel! I will richly reward the victorious samurai, elevating them to combat nobility!"
Atop a small hill, Xiulote smiled, unable to resist clapping in admiration. His gaze swept over the survivors, quietly counting the number of people to be honored, then his heart sank.
Of the hundred xica samurai who participated in the duel, fewer than twenty could now stand on the battlefield. This was an attrition rate of over eighty percent, a blood-soaked offering to the deities! And for the Tarasco samurai, the attrition rate was even one hundred percent. The surviving xica samurai showed no rcy. They pulled out their obsidian daggers and checked each body on the ground. If they found an enemy still alive, they delivered a final stab to a vital spot; if they found a wounded comrade who could still be treated, they carefully carried him to the rear.
The Royal Army of Tarasco silently watched all this and no one stepped out to intervene. The sacred duel was just like this: witnessed by the deities, contending at the forefront, fighting to the death!
"Skilled in battle techniques, fiercely experienced, devout believers in the deities, regarding death as life itself. So many veteran xica samurai indeed!"
Su’angua’s eyes sparkled as he pondered the details of the duel. In this duel bound to mutually exhaust both sides, he had not used his most elite Copper-axe Guards, nor had the opposing commander used his Personal Army; all those who participated were regular experienced samurai. And from the details, one could see the bigger picture; the elite xica samurai, promoted based on military rit, clearly excelled in martial arts.
"So, in the decisive battle, we must avoid close combat as much as possible. Rely more on the Royal Army’s discipline, depend on the sharpness of the copper troops, form spear formations to support each other... If group fighting at the front is disadvantageous, proceed with single combats of the warriors!"
The young King nodded slightly, then waved the Divine Staff. Once again, war drums sounded in the Tarasco ranks. A strong Copper Axe Warrior then stepped out from the Imperial Guards and approached the front lines between the two armies.
"Sun God Curicaveri bless! I, a warrior from Apachigan, ’Crocodile Catcher’ Xitlalama, challenge the bravest xica samurai!"
Having returned, the Toltec stood just behind His Highness in the guard squad. Hearing the Tarasco challenge, the battle-hungry Black Wolf imdiately stepped forward, his eyes glowing, he exclaid.
"Your Highness, I, the Toltec, wish to enter the battle!"
Upon hearing this, Xiulote paused to think for a mont, then smiled and nodded.
"Good! My Black Wolf, go and capture so prey for , showcasing your skills in front of the two army formations!"
The Toltec excitedly bowed in salute. Javelins or arrows, deed dishonorable, were not allowed in front-line duels. Black Wolf thus set down his longbow and copper arrows, carrying only his handy war club and shield, and boldly stepped out from the ranks.
"War God Huitzilopochtli protects! I, a warrior from Tepanecapan, ’Black Wolf’ Toltec, challenge the Tarasco samurai!"
Toltec flashed a brilliant smile, his face brimming with trendous confidence. The opposing warrior nodded slightly in acknowledgnt, then drew the copper axe from his waist. The two stood on the blood-stained battlefield, positioned about a dozen paces from each other.
Black Wolf’s smile faded as he gripped his war club and shield tightly. His eyes intently focused on his opponent’s figure, his gaze sharp as a blade sweeping over the fatal spots—head, neck, side waist, and groin.
Montarily silent, the sound of the war drums suddenly erupted. Both warriors half-raised their shields, moved forward a few steps, and quickly closed the distance to where their weapons could clash. Then, their footsteps began to rapidly shift, both trying to move to the opponent’s difficult-to-guard side, like circling wild wolves. Their weapons also lightly swayed, making it hard to predict who would launch the attack first.
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