The young king took the Jade Talisman, glanced over it, and confirmed it was the Token he had issued not long before. He nodded slightly and said with a gentle smile,
&"Very well! By offering up the southern gate and sparing the army from a siege, you preserved many lives within the city. Your contribution is significant! I promised you a hereditary nobility title, and I won’t go back on my word. The due rewards and riches will also be granted... Hmm, where is the Prince of Tarasco now?"
&"Thank you, Your Highness, for your generosity!"
Puap’s face was bright with joy as he knelt on the ground. He kowtowed several times before speaking indignantly,
&"Your Highness, we snuck into the Palace of Wind and went through considerable trouble to take Prince Shatini of the Royal Family. But when we reached the eastern gate, a city-guarding commander intercepted us... The prince and the riches were taken, and we nearly lost our lives!"
Upon hearing this, Ezpan’s face stiffened, and he translated Puap’s words. Xiulote frowned slightly before he spoke, his face calm,
&"I see... The prince captured at the eastern gate is called Shatini. Hmm, I’ve never heard the name; it seems he is not high in the line of succession."
Chiwaco looked up, carefully observing His Highness’s expression. Seeing him unaffected, he understood there would be no commendation for this military achievement. The old Militia clenched his teeth, set down the bamboo basket behind him, and after rummaging through the soft, beautiful Feathers, he finally produced, under Bertade’s wary gaze, an Emerald Gemstone as big as a fist!
&"For you, oh Great Master of the Heavens! This is the Emerald Gemstone inherited by the Tarasco Royal Family, as large as the moon!"
The lustrous Emerald shined under the firelight, casting a captivating light. In that instant, the surrounding Samurai all held their breaths, fixated on the enchanting, shifting radiance. In Central American culture, a gleaming and dazzling Emerald symbolizes supreme wisdom, able to see through everything and foresee the future like the Feathered Serpent Divine!
Xiulote straightened his back and reached out his hand. Chiwaco carefully handed the gemstone to the trusted aide, who briefly inspected it before giving it to His Highness. Xiulote caressed the bright, smooth, gigantic gemstone, his eyes showing delight.
&"Such a massive Emerald Gemstone! It perfectly matches my title of Divine Revelation!"
&"Your Highness, this gemstone is passed down from the Royal Family of Tarasco. It witnesses your majestic feat of destroying a kingdom and aligns with your Divine wisdom... It is a gift from the Chief Divine! Promising you the power to rule the lands around the lake,
if it were to be crafted into a Divine Staff and declared before the masses... and if the Priests were to write praises and the Poets to compose songs in its honor... not only would the army’s generals be in awe, but the people of Prepetcha, upon hearing of it, would prostrate and accept your rule!"
Ezpan’s eyes gleamed. His thoughts flashed rapidly, and he knelt again, congratulating. As a Prepetcha, he knew well that the lake-dwelling people shared a devout faith in the divine, a fascination with Divine Objects, and a reverence for fate and omens. If properly utilized, this gemstone could be more powerful than tens of thousands of Samurai!
Hearing Ezpan’s suggestion, Xiulote pondered for a moment before bursting into hearty laughter.
&"Commanded by heaven, may the longevity and prosperity... Good, very good! Ezpan, you indeed came up with an excellent idea! After this western conquest, you too should be promoted to hereditary Nobility. And with this idea alone, your future is assured of glory!"
Upon hearing His Highness’s promise, Ezpan shook with excitement, joyfully bowing deeply.
&"Thank you for this grace, Your Highness! Please take hold of my hair, for you are my only sun!"
Xiulote extended his hand with a smile, and the trusted aides’ faces instantly showed envy. Chiwaco and Puap might not fully understand, but they could roughly grasp the meaning. The old Militia’s eyes slightly reddened. He bit his lip and once more, from the bamboo basket, produced a bloodstained cloth bundle!
&"Generous Great Master, contained within here, is the head of Tarasco’s foremost chief!"