Chapter 149: Chapter 143 Why did you engrave your name on my pipe?
A moment before, everything had been so beautiful. Emperor Montezuma II of the Aztec Empire wore a tall, corn-shaped, conical hat. He was adorned with turquoise and gold ornaments, his shoulders broad, his figure imposing. After communicating with the Empire and his guardian deity, the God of Tyranny—using the Queen, who served as chief priestess, and the Golden Code as mediums—he seemed to have acquired a divine aura that complemented his already imposing human presence, exuding majesty and radiance! He felt as if he had truly reached the pinnacle of his life.
Next, he only needed to harness the cosmic power of today’s alignment of nine stars. If he could firmly nail the laws and rules woven by the Golden Code into this land and the spiritual world of the Tenor People, his great undertaking would be complete. Even though his own cultivation in Black Sorcery was far from reaching the rank of a Fifth-order Legend capable of the Legendary Condensation of a Kingly Title, it would be sufficient for the Golden Code to simulate a degraded, embryonic form of the Silver Law, thereby enshrouding the entire Aztec Empire he ruled. It was impossible to rival the unique Seventh Order True God, the Creator, of course, but confronting the Royal Iron Law of various nations posed little problem.
The Queen brought back extraordinary knowledge stating that the ultimate sign of a successful ’legislation ceremony’ is the anointing of my Kingly Title by gods, the common people, and the ancestors from beneath the earth. It will be automatically branded onto the title page of the Golden Code, making me the initial Founder of the nation. I wonder what Kingly Title the history of the Empire and the hearts of all my subjects will bestow upon me? And will it be awe-inspiring?
The native emperor’s mind was still racing with such thoughts. He had already learned from the foreign Transcendents that whether one advanced to the rank of a High Sequence Fifth-order Legend on their own and actively condensed a Kingly Title, or was elevated to a king’s position by the Iron Laws of Sovereignty due to noble lineage and legitimate succession rights, the final Kingly Title was not for the King to decide. Otherwise, there would not be infamous historical titles like the two "Mad Kings"—Henry VI and his maternal grandfather Charles VI—the "Bald King," the "Foolish King," the "Lazy King," and so on. He only hoped his Kingly Title would not be too shameful.
However, my most beloved Queen, whatever my Kingly Title may be called, it cannot change my love for you. No matter what Kingly Title I receive, I will immediately grant you the position of ’Queen’ under the imperial law. The Empire does not lack various advanced Black Sorcery techniques; as long as we achieve strong enough Anchoring, one day we will transcend this mortal coil together and achieve immortality!
The native emperor looked up at his beautiful Queen, who was close at hand. Though he did not voice these thoughts, the love in his eyes was so intense that even Byron, observing coolly from the side, could feel its searing heat. It made him sigh inwardly:
Indeed, there’s a reason why a straightforward scheme like the Beauty Trap has endured throughout the long course of history. Especially when it involves a perfect beauty, custom-made to one’s own aesthetic tastes—what hero could resist such a temptation? Even I lack confidence in my ability to resist. Never mind a living person; even a mere paper cutout or a sili—ahem.
However, just as Montezuma II had calculated the precise moment of the nine-star alignment and was preparing to complete the final step—anchoring the law and receiving his Kingly Title—a thunderous boom from afar shook heaven and earth.
"KILL—!"
"Land, gold, silver, spices, women... they’re all ours!"
"Make the vile Aztec people pay for their crimes in blood!"
Immediately, countless outsider soldiers and native warriors, their faces contorted with hatred, swarmed in through a breach in the city walls, which had suddenly collapsed from an explosion at the city’s edge. Guided by the battle standard of the Invincible Fleet—a flag renowned throughout the entire Bantaan Archipelago—they charged. They broke through layer after layer of defenses meticulously constructed by the Aztec, who utilized the island in the lake’s heart with its intricate network of waterways, covered bridges, and rooftop platforms. They charged head-on towards the "Avenue of Death" and the Pyramid of Flaying.
Facing the Tiger Warriors, who had been participating in the Blood Sacrifice ceremony and were unable to organize a defense in time, the invaders—possessing superior numbers—were unstoppable. In contrast, many guards of the Aztec Empire, who should have been merciless killers, trembled so violently they could barely hold their weapons. This was clearly the effect of the Invincible Fleet’s commander activating their legion’s special title ability—Unbeatable Banner!
Witnessing this sudden, disastrous turn of events, the Emperor, who had been moments away from proudly receiving the obeisance of his subjects, was instantly overcome with shock and rage. "Where did these invaders come from?" he roared. "What about the Sentries? Why weren’t they detected until they breached the city gates? Are you all dead? Go and stop them!"
The "Queen" beside him added opportunely, "His Majesty and I are here at the pyramid. All of you, go! Send every last one of them to the flaying altar!"
Montezuma II had no objection, confident in his ability to protect his beloved Queen.
"As you command, Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Majesty the Empress!"
From the various levels below the Great Pyramid, the Empire’s high-ranking officials—Nobility, shamans, elite warriors, and others, each in their designated positions according to rank—responded to the call. In an instant, all these powerful imperial officials, brimming with martial might, leaped from the pyramid, which stood dozens of meters tall, and dove towards the enemy. In mid-air, some sprouted tiger ears and tails, while others transformed into magnificent tigers at least three meters long. Some wielded Obsidian saw-swords enhanced with Black Sorcery; others extended their magically augmented claws. Carrying a reek of blood, they intercepted Castilia’s vanguard.
Simultaneously, the city-state’s elite guards rushed in from all directions.
"No prisoners! Exterminate all invaders!"
Once engaged in close-quarters combat, the outsiders found their Line Tactics and volley fire ineffective; they could no longer leverage the advantages of their firearms. They were completely drawn into melee. The Tiger Warriors of the Aztec Empire were, after all, the most formidable Transcendent military force in the entire Bantaan Archipelago. They were the bedrock ensuring the Empire’s rule and its continuous expansion. Even though the outsiders and other small tribes had united to attack the city-state, their main advantage was the element of surprise; their top-tier combatants did not hold a significant edge.
Severed limbs flew, and entrails spilled across the ground. Harrowing screams filled the entire city.
"AAAAAAH..."
Montezuma II ignored the stalemated battlefield at the city’s edge, not even removing the hand that rested on the Golden Code. Gazing up at the God of Tyranny before him, he continued to speak, "I, Emperor of the Aztec Empire, wielder of the Golden Code, son of the former Emperor Huey Tzilopochtli, Montezuma II, hereby declare Xipe Totec, the God of Tyranny, as our guardian deity, and the Golden Code as the fundamental law governing our nation..."
With each word he uttered, the residents of the city-states below the pyramid knelt once more, and the light emanating from the Golden Code intensified. It was gradually transforming into a powerful Sacred Relic. In Byron’s Spirit Vision, a vast golden net was also slowly spreading out from the Law Code at its center. It pierced the void, covering the Imperial City and Lake Texcoco, continuing to expand, enveloping everything in this land. Simultaneously, a halo of light began to converge above the native emperor’s head, seemingly coalescing into a feathered Crown symbolizing Aztec civilization.
"Son of God, Lord of Men!"
"Son of God, Lord of Men!"
If one listened closely, countless congratulatory voices could be heard.
Seeing that the final ritual was about to be completed, Byron knew the Skinning Cult had not yet played its hand. He silently bided his time, not daring to interfere rashly. And "Hidden: The Blood Sacrifice Mystery of the Aztec Empire, Historical Impact 27"—a Hidden truth capable of altering the entire Empire’s structure—no longer held any secrets for him. Byron had faced no danger; he had merely used the perspective of a Wild Hunt Servant to cleverly push its Decryption Rate to 100%. The Decryption Rate of the related Hidden truth, "Ambitions of Conqueror Cortes, Historical Impact 30," also jumped from 32% to 50%.
As the decryption completed, a boon from the Sailing Logbook immediately followed. Byron’s Spirituality, already at 5.4 after his advancement to the Second Order Professional Rank, surged to 6.0 in just a few breaths. This gradually narrowed the gap between him and other senior Professional Level cultivators. Even the eyes of Alvin the Falcon, a Wild Hunt Servant possessed by Byron’s will, faintly revealed a trace of azure Divine Light. However, at this moment, no one had the leisure to pay him any mind.
The greater gain, however, was the fifth title he acquired, in addition to Historical Reviser, Heartfelt Trouble, Outlaw Madman, and You Are Not the Murderer: "[Why did you carve your name on my pipe?]"
Before Byron could inspect the effects of this new title, Montezuma II had swiftly recited the final words of the nation-founding oath, "I, as Emperor of the Empire, hereby declare that the new Aztec Empire, bathed in the Law Network of the Golden Code—the Sacred Golden Empire—is hereby..."
Just as the Golden Code had transformed into a Sacred Relic, but before his Kingly Title could fully coalesce, the long-awaited mantis finally made its move.
From behind Montezuma II, an icy voice suddenly cut him off, "Native, take your hands off my Golden Code. You are no longer of use. It’s time for you to exit the stage."
In Byron’s perception, a phantasmal figure suddenly stepped within the six-meter effective range of the Sailing Logbook’s ability. Then, just as suddenly, this figure materialized behind the native emperor. It was none other than the Navy Commodore of the Kingdom of Castile, "Conqueror" Cortes! Above his head floated a piece of aged parchment.
—Sacred Relic: The First Overseas Expansion Order of the Great Nautical Age—
Decades ago, an action by Prince Henry, though viewed as unwise by most at the time, led the Kingdom of Castile to pioneer the Great Nautical Age. This was the first expansion order issued by the King, symbolizing the beginning of everything. Great Voyages! Great Expansion! Great Conquest!
Effect: As far as the eye can see, all are enemies of the Kingdom.
1. Wherever one stands becomes territory of the Kingdom. Can construct an invisible, mobile "national border," invoking the Royal Iron Law - Bull City Code of the Kingdom of Castile. Use it to grant various boons to soldiers within this "national territory": concealment, rapid march, unyielding defense...
Previously, Cortes had relied on this artifact to shield his enormous expeditionary force within his "national territory," enabling him to launch a successful surprise attack.
2. Declare War. On behalf of the King, declare war on the ruler of any overseas nation. Victory allows one to seize everything from the opponent, including but not limited to Sacred Relics, Miracles, and witchcraft creations that require special lineage or status to use, thereby successfully expanding the Kingdom’s territory.
Historical Mission: The user must henceforth be an unceasing "Conqueror." This complements Cortes’s own title of "Conqueror" perfectly.
"Hereby, I, ’Conqueror’ Cortes, on behalf of the Kingdom of Castile, declare war upon Emperor Aztec! The winner takes all!"
This Conqueror chose this precise moment to act, his ambition clearly far greater than anyone imagined. He intended not only to destroy the Aztec Empire but also to seize the fully formed Golden Code. He aimed to forge an unrestricted, heaven-reaching path for his own position as Viceroy of Aztec, a path that not even the Church could obstruct!
However, the shriek of the Swift Sword drawn from his waist was even faster than his declaration. Does attacking while declaring war not count as a declaration?
The native emperor’s hackles rose. His body swelled dramatically, his head transforming into a massive tiger’s head as he whirled and threw a punch, roaring, "You’re courting death!"