Black Wolf pondered over this perplexing word with curiosity. It seemed that His Highness was very concerned about these Divine Stones.
"Your Highness, the Divine Stone is in the Tekos Divine Mountain, west of Trout Fish Village. There’s a low hill there, but it has a Mountain God, capable of attracting lightning during the rain season... The location is about sixty miles west of Tarsas River’s mouth."
"Magnetic Iron Mine? The Magnetic Iron Mine near the rivermouth and the coast?"
Xiulote’s expression changed, and the joy on his face could no longer be contained.
"Truly the Chief Divine’s blessing!"
The King held the "Divine Stone", whispered a prayer, and fell into thought. After a moment, he made up his mind, looking at the Head Warrior beside him.
"Bertade, I will personally go to the Tarsas Rivermouth, to take a look myself!"
"Ah?! Your Highness, that place is nearly four hundred miles away from Apa City..."
Bertade’s face lost its usual calm. According to the original plan, His Highness was to stay in Apa City for a month. By April, once the south had stabilized, he was to lead the Imperial Guard Legion back to the Capital City to oversee the spring plowing. Thinking of this, the Head Warrior cautiously advised.
"Your Highness, the spring plowing is about to begin. Deploying a large army now, going deep into the southern rivermouth, we might consume too much food..."
"No need for a large army! There are no hostile forces on the southern coast, and there’s also no intention to attack Sea Woman City for now. This matter is of great importance; I will leave the Royal Banner in Apa City, only bringing two thousand loyal Personal Royal Guards. We’ll discreetly travel south by boat to Divine Mountain to see for ourselves. Within a month, we’ll return."
Xiulote’s expression was resolute, as he made his decision.
If this so-called "Divine Mountain" was truly a Magnetic Iron Mine, the strategic planning for the Kingdom’s south needed a complete adjustment. The significance of an iron mine to the Kingdom of the Lake, and indeed the whole world, could not be overstated no matter how much one emphasized. It was the key to the development of civilization in Central America, the leap across the bounds of time, the crucial element in achieving a formidable leap in the development of productive forces!
Since arriving in this era, Xiulote had been searching for iron ore for far too long.
The Colima Mountain Region was too remote and challenging to conquer, and the iron ore buried deep underground was too difficult to access. Within the constraints of reality, Xiulote accepted the submission of the great chief of Colima, maintaining peace with the various tribes. But in his heart, the King always carried some frustration and regret, until now. As word of the southern Magnetic Iron Mine reached him, his inner excitement and anticipation could no longer be suppressed, turning into a determinate force driving him southwards!
"...Very well. I’ll comply with your will, Your Highness. I’ll arrange everything as quickly as possible!"
Seeing His Highness’s expression, Bertade knew that the King’s mind was made up and that no amount of persuasion would work. Though the journey south to the rivermouth was long, it indeed carried not many risks and required careful preparation.
Xiulote nodded in satisfaction and turned once more to the astonished Black Wolf. He smiled gently, placing a hand on Black Wolf’s shoulder.
"Torc, my Black Wolf. I am very satisfied with your gift! The Chief Divine blesses the Kingdom, bringing sacred enlightenment. If that ’Divine Mountain’ is truly as I suspect... you too shall have a great reward!"
Black Wolf paused, blinking his eyes. His Highness always kept his word; a great reward was surely not to be taken lightly. But to be given a great reward just for a few peculiar "Divine Stones"?... He was somewhat baffled but still respectfully prostrated himself on the ground.
"Your Highness, you are the Wolf King blessed by the Chief Divine! I, Black Wolf Torc, will never let the Wolf King be disappointed!"
"Haha, blessed by the Chief Divine! Black Wolf, my beloved commander, fate favors you!"
The King burst into laughter, sounding as carefree as a spring breeze brushing the face, as birds soaring high in the sky.