Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

The morning sun rose from the edge of the sky, and a faint light floated across the fields. The crisp sound of wooden blades clashing rang outside the royal tent, clear and distinct. This was the dawn training, lasting for a full three quarters until the daylight brightened, announcing its end.

The Guard Commander, Ecatl, appeared calm, with a slight sweat. Xiulote was bare-chested, drenched in sweat. Under Nashu's service, he happily wiped his body with hot water and breathed out a long, comfortable sigh.

"Phew!... Haha! Daily persistent training is the key for strong Samurais to maintain willpower and physique!"

Xiulote said with a laugh, patting his muscular chest. Then, he extended his large hand, affectionately pinching Nashu's cheek.

"Ah? Your Highness..."

"Call me Master! Nashu, my little fox, is your health better now?"

"Ah! Your... Master... I'm better now..."

Nashu's ears turned red, and she lowered her head, nervously stammering. This shy and restless posture appeared on her usually confident and grand demeanor, creating a kind of enticing contrast.

"Hmm? A bit warm, is it a fever?"

Xiulote reached out his hand, touching Nashu's fair neck and then her flushed ears. Nashu immediately stiffened, like a puppet, allowing her master to manipulate her. The master thought for a moment, then embraced the maid's head, placing his forehead on hers, the heat even more evident.

"Oh? Extremely hot!... Forget it, life in the military camp is always tough. Nashu, you'd better stop serving me. Go to Tree Snake City and rest for a few days."

"Ah! Master, I'm fine... I'm just..."

Nashu parted her lips slightly, nervously hesitated to speak. In her heart, there was a warm flame, ignited by His Highness himself. She could feel His Highness's sincere feelings, far surpassing the attitude of the Great Nobility towards servants, completely different from the indifference of the Elder Priests.

In His Highness's eyes, she seemed not to be just a shadow slave without self, not a plaything to please the master, but a truly complete woman. These wonderful feelings were the first she had experienced since birth, and all of this slowly gave her courage over the years, leading to a gradually budding self-awareness. She was slowly struggling within the identity of a shadow slave, developing a desire, a natural desire as a woman.

However, these feelings and desires were like seeds tightly bound by the rigid soil of doctrines ingrained since childhood in the Temple. Yet, last summer, when the corpse of the High Priest's divinity suddenly appeared before her, amidst incredible shock and confusion, sorrows for His Highness followed... she finally broke free from the bonds of her heart, desires sprouting like seeds, uncontrollable.

For the mountain-like High Priest who controlled the Holy City's faction had departed. Her destiny was no longer decided by those ruthless mountains but held in the hands of His Highness like the deep and warm sea... no, the master's hands.

"Your Highness... I'm just..."

"You just have a small cold. You need rest!"

Xiulote shook his head, gently stroking Nashu's smooth cheek. Watching the stubborn little fox open her mouth, he directly extended a finger, pressing against her mouth. Then his expression turned serious, issuing an order.

"Nashu, I command you to go to Tree Snake City and rest well. Remember to drink two cups of healing green tea every day, and rest assured! As for the escort in the tent, I'll temporarily hand it over to Ecatl. Once you're well, come back and take over."

Nashu widened her eyes, gazing at Xiulote's serious face. For some reason, mist gradually covered her eyes, her legs slightly weak. After a moment, she suddenly extended her tongue, took in Xiulote's finger, and gently licked and bit twice like a small kitten.

"Hiss!"

Feeling the moisture and softness at his fingertips, Xiulote shuddered, flames rising in his heart. He immediately withdrew his finger, feigning anger.

"Nashu!"

"Master..."

Nashu licked her lips, lowered her head. She exposed her white, reddened neck, obediently responding, like a silver fox falling into the Hunter's hands, ready for disposal.

"I... will obey you!"

After the tender and brief interlude, Xiulote once again sat in the main tent, reviewing the letters from each department at the Divine Revelation Place.

First was the report from Director Kushinji of the Military Equipment Bureau. The warehouse in the Capital City had accumulated another batch of crossbows, axe and shield, and leather and copper armor over the past two months, enough to equip two Thousand-man Camps.

"The battle against the Totonac people has already erupted, it's time to replenish a batch of equipment..."

Xiulote thought for a moment, ordering this batch of military supplies to be sent to the eastern front as reserves for the army. As the army marches and the battles intensify, the damage and consumption of equipment increase rapidly. Although the accompanying Craftsmen can repair some, the remaining gap must be filled with new equipment, with arrowheads and armor replenishment being the most urgent. Therefore, with the current military production capacity of both the Mexica Alliance and the Kingdom of the Lake, they can only sustain one copper armor legion.

Next was the letter from Director Kundili of the Crossbow Bureau, still discussing the new Bamboo-Wood Composite Bow. The Bamboo-Wood Composite Bow technology of the Crossbow Bureau finally had a breakthrough. A new batch of over a thousand composite bows is in production, possibly taking another year to complete.

The Kingdom's new Bamboo-Wood Bow differs from the traditional Huaxia Bamboo-Wood bows where the upper and lower limbs are joined. It uses a whole Longbow as the bow's core, carefully gluing bamboo strips onto the back with bone glue, further increasing shooting power and efficiency. The ends of the bow have three layers of bamboo planks, creating a recurve, improving arrow initial speed.

Advancement in crossbow craftsmanship isn't achieved overnight. Just making one composite bow requires years, not to mention improving techniques. This bow's improvement is simple but demands tremendous strength, unsuitable for anyone but true warriors in battle.

"Compared to Eurasia's millennia-old bow-making technology, emerging gunpowder weapons are better suited for various American tribes to pursue!"

Xiulote gradually gained insight, quickly scanning other departments' reports.

The Mining and Metallurgy Bureau brought in thousands of mining slaves, expanding in scale, and production capacity is improving. They also started using some iron tools in mines. But compared to Bronze Tools, new ironware hasn't shown its advantages.

The Manufacturing Department produced superior purple pottery, began experimenting with adding bone powder during firing following divine guidance. The Construction Bureau expanded in scale, attempting large-scale continuous firing kilns with simple brick-making tools as per divine guidance.

The Printing Bureau experimented with flexible metal type printing, primarily using lead and tin. This exploration of movable type printing under divine guidance is mainly for technical reserves. The printing bureau's primary task remains tirelessly carving scriptures and illustrations the Chief Divine, transporting them to southern and northern counties and village sacrificial altars.

After years of silence, the Special Trade Bureau's director, the stone mason leader Losano, finally had new developments. Regrettably, despite nearly ten years of research, he still hasn't created transparent glass. However, from the Black Rock Mountain iron mine, he ordered a high-temperature-resistant iron tube. Following His Highness's hint from many years ago, he inserted one end of the iron tube into molten glass, playing at glassblowing.

"Hmm?..."

Xiulote raised his eyebrows, contemplating the small glazed bottle accompanied by the letter, silent. The glazing bottle cost next to nothing to make; however, much effort went into the Sun Hummingbird motif adorning it. Such ornate vessels compared to practical pottery boast the advantage of...

"Good, it can be sold at a high price! We'll call it... Lake Gem Vessel!"

Xiulote nodded slightly, confirming another monopoly high-margin product for the Kingdom. Then, he finally extended his hand, opening the letter from the Bronze and Cannon Casting Bureau head, Master Caster Tilipi. However, after reading for a moment, the King's expression drastically changed, revealing unchecked joy!

"Honored Your Majesty! Following the divine revelation you left, we've spent over a year trialing a type of bronze mortar cannon specifically designed for siege warfare. It has an exceptionally unique design, short and stout, with a wide caliber capable of launching heavy stone projectiles weighing a full 30 pounds!..."

"It's a divine artifact bestowed by the Chief Divine, capable of destroying any fortress! We've test-fired it multiple times, its power so great it can even breach stone walls! May the divine bless Your Majesty! From now on, no castle or fortress can hinder your path!"

"However... the last test firing, we used granular new gunpowder, loaded full fifteen pounds, launching a densely sealed 30-pound stone round... and... the cannon exploded!..."