"...It is said that every ti the sun rises and sets, a thunderous prayer rises from the Lake Capital City! The citizens of the capital reverently praise the Chief Divine, also extolling the High Priest! And the High Priest’s legitimate grandson, is your son-in-law, the well-known heir of the Alliance! ... Now, while the immortal Elder still lives, he can suppress all within the xica Alliance, preventing chaos. Yet if the xica Elder passes away, then with the authority of the High Priest, coupled with the army of the Kingdom of the Lake..."
"O Supre Divine King! How can a king ignore threats that lie close at hand? Once the xica Elder departs for the Divine Kingdom, just a single accident, a cup of poison, or a dagger aid at you... then the royal power of the xica will solidly be passed down. And when divine authority and royal power are united, it will fall upon..."
"Silence!"
Aweit’s expression changed dramatically. He lifted his foot and, with a sudden force, kicked Petl to the ground.
"You damned fellow, how dare you sow discord in the Alliance! I shall personally sacrifice you to the Chief Divine!"
"Cough, cough, cough!..."
Petl was kicked two ters away, falling to the ground, unable to rise for quite a while. However, upon seeing the king’s furious display, he instead laughed more respectfully and sincerely.
"Your Majesty, please quell your anger..."
At so unknown ti, Gillim had already put away the dagger. He solemnly saluted, saying nothing. The King, however, raised his eyebrows and fell into deep thought.
Priest Leader Petl got back up, once again kneeling respectfully on the ground, silently facing the pensive King.
"Phew..."
After a long while, Aweit lowered his eyes and cald his anger. He glanced coldly at Petl, then turned around and sat cross-legged.
"Petl, you sly old fox! If you wish to keep your position and preserve the priests of Cholula... a few words are far from enough!"
"Ah, O Supre Divine King! Even with my cloudy old eyes, I can clearly see that you are destined to conquer all tribes and rule the world!"
Petl respectfully offered a few sincere complints, then spoke with a smile, having already gained confidence in his heart.
"In the eyes of the priests of the Holy City Cholula, you are the Divine King, not only ruling the mortal realm but also the Divine Kingdom! The priests of Cholula are willing to proclaim to the world, hold sacred ceremonies, and pledge their allegiance to you, to the Divine King!"
Aweit said nothing, listening calmly. However, he once again grasped the Yellow Gemstone Scepter in his hand, feeling the divine authority passed down among the tribes.
"In the world of the Nava religion, divinity is divided into two. One half resides in the place where the gods departed, the Holy City of Teotihuacan; the other half in the place of the gods’ return, the Holy City of Cholula... The xica Alliance possesses both, thus sheltered by all gods, destined to rule the world! ... But if divine authority is divided, establishing two High Priesthoods, then the one above all is naturally the Supre Divine King!"
"Hmm?..."
Aweit lowered his eyes, gripping the Divine Staff, his face showing no disturbance.
Gillim’s expression flickered. Having followed the King for many years, he saw the King’s interest, but there was still so hesitation. The Chief Intelligence Officer hesitated for a mont, weighing the pros and cons, then solemnly saluted and asked Petl.
"Leader Petl, in your opinion, if there is a conflict between the teachings of the Priesthood and the royal decrees, how should it be interpreted?"
Hearing this, Petl’s spirit invigorated. At this crucial mont, with the support of the King’s confidant, it seems the major affairs are about to be accomplished! He solemnly and respectfully responded.
"Both Holy Cities are under the rule of the Divine King; both Priesthoods should also pledge allegiance to the Divine King! If the teachings of the Priesthood differ from the royal decrees, naturally, the Divine King should be revered, and the Priesthood should reflect and correct! ... The Holy City of Cholula is willing to offer the Supre xica King as the master of all powers!"
For centuries, though the Priesthood of Cholula held a revered status, controlling the Eastern Holy Land, it only controlled a single place. However, if it could be accepted by the xica Alliance, conquer all tribes along with the allied forces, and even share equal status with the High Priesthood...
Just the thought of such a scene filled Petl with imnse excitent! Compared to this bright future, the current servility seed trivial!
"Phew!..."
After a while, Aweit let out a long breath. He gazed at Petl without expression for a mont, then spoke indifferently.
"The Holy City of Cholula, having endured for hundreds of years, possesses the magnificent Great Pyramid of Cholula, the ’artificial mountain’ Tlachihualtepetl!... The remnants of the Chief Divine are there, and I, blessed by divine protection, am unwilling to see its destruction by my own hand."
Upon hearing this, Petl was overjoyed. He removed his Feather Crown, lowered his gray-haired head, and offered a humble grand salute.
"Petl, leader of the Cholula priests, descendant of Toltec, divine descendant, pays homage to the Supre Divine King!"
"Hmm!"
Aweit finally nodded. He looked at the old fox before him and questioned firmly.
"Cholula City, hold a submission ritual, proclaim to all tribes?"
The implication was clear. Petl smiled and nodded emphatically.
"Yes!"
"Surrender all the Tlaxcala divine descendants and nobility, calling the Tlaxcala people to submit?"
"Yes!"
Petl nodded again. The Tlaxcalans were already defeated, so they could be sold.
"Offer the Chief Divine as the main deity?"
"...Yes!"
Petl hesitated for a mont, but still nodded in agreent. The faith of the xica was gradually moving towards monotheism. To join the alliance, Cholula City had to agree to regard the Chief Divine as supre. However, the reform towards monotheism might not be a bad thing. At least it would significantly strengthen the power of the xica priests.
"Hand over half of Cholula’s state lands, half of its village population."
Aweit looked at Petl with stern expression. He did not use an interrogative tone but issued an unyielding Royal Decree.
"Ah? This, this...yes!"
Seeing the king’s emotionless gaze, Petl hesitated twice before nodding bitterly in agreent.
"Supre Divine King, Cholula City agrees to all your demands. Is it...?"
"Hmm, to have the Alliance accept Cholula, there is one final condition."
Aweit smiled slightly and straightened up. Seeing Petl’s secretly pleased expression, murderous intent brewed in his heart.
"Petl, Cholula City has twelve elder priests just like the alliance?"
"Yes! Twelve is a noble and sacred number. The Priesthood of Cholula also consists of twelve elders."
Petl was sowhat puzzled, unsure why the king was asking this.
"Hmm! Cholula City hindered the eastward crusade of the alliance, offending the Chief Divine’s majesty."
Aweit spoke with a calm expression and an unchanging voice, delivering his verdict.
"Then surrender two elder priests as sacrifices to the Chief Divine!"
"Ah!"
A piercing chill surged through Petl’s heart, like a glacier upon the Divine Mountain, filling him with an overwhelming sense of dread for the first ti.
"Sacrifice...the respected elder priests?"
"What, are you unwilling?"
Aweit smiled faintly, the corners of his mouth curling.
"Or do you wish to take the place of other elders to et the Chief Divine?"
"Ah, no...no..."
Petl lay prostrate on the ground, shaking his head repeatedly. Even the most cunning fox must bow down to the rciless Jaguar! After a considerable while, he managed to respond with difficulty.
"Sacrifice the elder priests...yes!!"
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