The setting sun bled into the lake, equally stained with fresh blood, creating a grand tapestry that shook the soul. The warm breeze, like fire, swept across the lake, itself ablaze, composing a passionate melody that stirred a bold spirit within.
At this moment, the battle neared its end, its outcome already sealed! This unprecedented conflict brought together Central America’s two most formidable naval forces. The result of this battle would determine the strategic initiative along the Lerma River and the fate of both sides in their westward conquests!
In preparation for this fight, Xiulote had made his greatest effort. He amassed three hundred large vessels and nearly a thousand smaller boats, bearing twenty thousand warriors. He brought along his loyal trusted aides, the elite troops directly under the Royal Family, and the sharpshooting Militia Longbowmen. He awaited the right moment, chose the battlefield for the grand conflict, and deployed new weapons that had long been kept secret. The Mexica had always favored their land forces, so this was the largest fleet he could gather!
For this battle, the Tarasco people had made their greatest preparations as well. As inhabitants of the Lake Region well-versed in naval warfare, they possessed an even stronger Naval Force. The "Crocodile" Nobility called in every warship from the Cuitzeo Lake Region, the Chapala Lake Region, and along the Lerma River. They gathered a whopping four hundred large vessels and over a thousand smaller boats, filled with twenty-five thousand Samurai and Militia skilled in naval combat. They held the advantage in ships and manpower, descending rapidly from upstream, mobilizing the might of their nation!
As a Naval Commander with decades of battle experience, the Tarasco leader made no strategic errors. He concentrated his most advantageous troops, launched the swiftest assault, and even prepared defenses against the Longbows, achieving his very best. In his calculation, the advantageous Tarasco Naval Forces would secure victory in this decisive battle, which was his primary reason for engaging in the conflict.
"It was only when the new age’s weapons brought raging inferno, and the Tarasco Naval Forces fell into protracted chaos from their fear of myths, that we truly gained our chance at victory!"
Xiulote stood on the high platform, the Black Wolf banner flying fiercely in the wind. As a Young Commander fresh on the scene, he reflected on the entire course of the war, learning from the experience of the enemy Marshal.
"Even against the epochal Gunpowder Arrows, he made the correct response without hesitation, ordering his entire force to charge. He is a foe worthy of respect! This battle, I must admit, I won by luck. If the enemy had been acquainted with the Gunpowder Arrows beforehand, if the Chapala fleet hadn’t fled, if that one arrow had hit me... But in war, there are no ’ifs,’ and in the end, I won!"
As he thought this, the Young Commander laughed heartily, spirits soaring, victory over a formidable opponent echoing joyfully in his heart. Before him lay the toppled "Crocodile" standard, the desperately fighting enemy warriors, and the scattered, fleeing Militia boats. After the grand and cruel struggle, a dazzling victory had finally arrived!
"The strategic goal of this battle has been achieved, the Mexica Naval Forces will henceforth control the Lerma River. The Tarasco’s painstakingly built navy over decades has been destroyed in an instant, its elite forces utterly decimated!"
Xiulote looked all around, of the mighty four hundred Tarasco vessels that once sailed, now less than ninety truly escaped.
These large vessels, which could carry forty fighters, were no mere canoes given their complex craftsmanship. They required large timbers for their keels, careful treatment of durable wood, and the affixing of various wooden components on the exterior. In an era of limited production capabilities, even with bronze tools, the Tarasco people couldn’t rebuild a single large vessel in just two or three months. They also lacked the manpower for shipbuilding. In other words, the Tarasco Navy’s losses were irrevocable during this war.
Moreover, along with their fleet, perished the Samurai and Militia adept at naval combat.
With a cursory glance, the Young Commander mentally tallied. The over three hundred large vessels and numerous small boats Tarasco abandoned on the battlefield signified the loss of more than thirteen thousand Samurai and Militia, along with three to four thousand proficient sailors. Post-battle, the Rivermouth fortress would fall into utter vacancy, an excellent opportunity for conquest!
Hundreds of large vessels blazed fiercely on the lake, countless enemy boats fled south in panic, and the Naval Forces’ smaller boats on both flanks initiated pursuit. The longwind brought facial warmth, and amidst the wind were the faint sounds of battle and cheering.
Xiulote admired the magnificent scene. At this moment, he felt unbounded exhilaration, as if he were drinking strong liquor, galloping across the battlefield, commandeering his troops to crush the enemy. Nothing could be more thrilling for a man!
After a while, the sounds of intense fighting up ahead gradually waned, the warriors’ cheers suddenly grew loud. A bit later, Annatri proudly arrived by boat. Holding a broken half of the enemy standard in one hand and dragging a bound Samurai prisoner with the other, she strode up to the Commander’s platform.
"Your Highness, we’ve won a great victory! I, ’Source of the River,’ Annatri, present you with the enemy Commander’s flag!"
The female warrior saluted with her head held high. Then, stepping forward, she threw the broken "Crocodile" Commander’s Flag onto the Commander’s high platform.
Xiulote looked down slightly, observing the tattered "Crocodile" banner, the withered long feather on the flag’s tip, and the bloodstained dark patterns, clearly the flag from the large ship that had pursued him! He watched for a moment, didn’t pick it up, but instead burst into laughter.
"Excellent! Annatri, my valiant Naval Commander, our forces will henceforth rule the river, unchallenged. Now, you truly are the ’Sole Source of the Lerma River!’"