"In the eyes of the eagle, only the distant peaks exist! Tizoc was the first, and you are the second at my feet! Once the peaks are flown over, everything in the past seems tasteless and even uninteresting to recall... Ah, this world is ultimately vast, and the eagle is destined to conquer it!... It’s just that you will no longer have the chance to see it!..."
Having said this, Aweit reached out and gently patted Su’angua’s cheek. He gazed at his "old friend’s" sleeping face, then his eyes flickered, revealing a faint smile.
"Xiulote, let’s go! Next, we must quickly conquer Qinchongcan City!"
Aweit turned around and walked out of the tent without looking back. Xiulote thought for a moment, gave the sleeping Su’angua another look, and then quickly followed Aweit.
The aged Priest bowed deeply, respectfully sending off the King and his Highness, before he finally took a deep breath. Then, he muttered a curse under his breath and slapped the sleeping Su’angua twice before going off to prepare a potion.
The tent grew quiet again, with King Tarasco still deep in slumber. Unbeknownst to anyone, tears began to trickle from the corners of his eyes.
The starlight was still brilliant, yet the campsite began to quiet down. Aweit stopped in his tracks and found a clear, flat area to sit cross-legged in the grass. He gestured with his hands for his trusted aides to disperse and then signaled for Xiulote to sit beside him.
The two looked up at the night sky, once again in silence. After a long while, Aweit said with a smile,
"Xiulote, do you remember the first time we watched the stars?"
Xiulote pondered for a moment and hesitantly asked,
"That day there were no stars, and you asked me what humanity is?"
Aweit was stunned for a moment before laughing out loud.
"That was the second time! The first time you were drunk and told me many things on your mind. About equality, about life... I’ve always remembered it very clearly!"
"Uh?... I don’t remember that. But it does sound like something I would have said!"
Xiulote thought for a good while, but his mind was blank, so he could only smile wryly and shake his head.
"Haha, actually, I had added some potion to the wine that time... Xiulote, my student, do you still believe in those things now?"
"Hmm... I once firmly believed. Then I didn’t. Now, I somewhat believe again."
"Oh? Why do you somewhat believe again?"
"Because, I can now change this world!"
Xiulote said confidently with a smile.
Aweit was silent for a while, a sincere smile also appearing on his lips.
"So fast! In just three years, you have grown to where you are today! Seeing you, I feel like I am the best teacher in the world!"
"Haha, then I am also the best student in the world!"
Both kings laughed heartily. Their cheerful laughter echoed under the night sky, as if intending to conquer it.
"Alright, Xiulote, my child."
It was a while before Aweit stopped laughing. He turned his head and looked into the young man’s eyes, saying earnestly,
"The young eagle has grown up! It cannot stay in the mother’s nest. It needs to spread its wings and fly, and it needs its own territory and sky!"
Hearing his teacher’s words, Xiulote seemed enlightened. He remained silent for a moment and then nodded.
"The High Priest must have told you about the plan for enfeoffment."
Xiulote nodded again.
Aweit stroked the young man’s head, continuing in a calm tone,
"Now that we have reached the gates of Qinchongcan and our two armies have successfully met, victory in the western campaign is almost certain, and enfeoffment is close at hand. It’s time to personally talk to you about this matter."
"Gillim gave me some advice. Some I agree with, some I do not. This year, having been accustomed to martial prowess and bloodshed, you have grown a lot, and I myself have also changed a lot. Now it seems, many things in the world cannot be kept hidden and should be directly discussed!"
Upon hearing this, Xiulote was taken aback. He sensed something... The young man looked into Aweit’s eyes, listening carefully.
"Xiulote, my ambition is to conquer the world! You are my best assistant. With the enfeoffment imminent, it will be difficult to meet again. We must not harbor any resentment between us!"
You were born into a branch of the Royal Family, and you also have a strong foundation. My youngest child is still small, and my most beloved elder daughter is your fiancée... Today, I have sworn before the gods and generals: you will be the successor of the Alliance, and this will not change! You also have the capability to manage the Alliance and protect the world I am about to conquer!"
Xiulote looked into Aweit’s sincere eyes, memories of the past surged in his mind. He pursed his lips and nodded solemnly.
"Aweit, you can trust me at any time, and I will never betray you!"
Upon hearing this, Aweit threw back his head and laughed. He affectionately wrapped his arm around the young man’s shoulder, speaking gently.
"From the day I was rescued from Totec’s hands, I took an oath to my ancestors: as long as you don’t betray me, I will make you the jade to inherit the world! The ancestors’ position is higher than that of the gods. In my heart, Lisa and you are the only two people I can fully trust!"
Saying this, Aweit reached into his bosom, pulling out a beautifully wrapped cotton cloth and a blue sachet.
"Here, this is a letter from Lisa for you, and this small sachet. Don’t open it now, wait until you get home. Ah, my daughter has grown up, and her thoughts cannot be contained any longer. In her heart, you probably matter more than I do. She has never written such a long letter to me..."