Chapter 158

This shows that Spain Missionary essentially destroyed local Faith in less than six years.

In fact, Bartolomé's suggestion was to use enslaved Black people instead of enslaving Indian. In his later years, Bartolomé deeply regretted this decision, believing that "enslaving Black people is just as unjust as enslaving Indian."

Although Bartolomé had some weaknesses in his thinking, these were inseparable from the historical context of the time. Defending the Indian and opposing the atrocities of the colonial rulers was the mainstream of his life's struggle, a stance fully reflected in his later important document, "A Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies," which exposed the various atrocities committed by the Spain colonists.

"Are you trying to stop me, you old man?"

Hernán's face immediately turned cold; given the chance, he really wanted to kill this Priest.

However, this is highly unlikely, because the old Priest's Faith was so unwavering that while some veterans with similar Faith wouldn't obey him, they wouldn't do anything recklessly, even at the risk of being killed... Moreover, Hernán vaguely knew that this guy possessed abilities different from those of a musket, something like Magecraft.

"I only hope that you will refrain from killing and instead spread our Love of God in a more peaceful way."

"Oh."

Hernán didn't say much about this, but when the boat finally touched the shore, he was the first to jump off the boat, staring at the seemingly endless dense forest, while at the same time, strange bird calls and insect chirps could be heard from time to time.

The six hundred men who followed him also jumped off the ship and surrounded Cortés, their faces beaming with excitement and curiosity. They looked around at this unfamiliar land as if they were eager to obtain its riches.

However, before the excitement on their faces could fade, they subconsciously swallowed, because a slight, violent tremor came from not far away.

Hernán's face turned pale, and even Bartolomé's expression became serious.

Such a rapid response clearly indicates that they were discovered by the locals while at sea; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to react so quickly, with such organization and speed. This suggests that this is likely not a place like the Indian, but perhaps some kind of large empire.

In fact, they weren't wrong. Although the Aztec Empire was called an empire, it was essentially more like a union of city-states. Now, under Favia's leadership, it needed to unify the local states and carry out comprehensive reforms, which would take a lot of time. However, given Favia's status, prestige, and personal charisma, it wasn't a major problem.

The reason why the news of Hernán's landing was discovered so quickly was entirely due to Favia's early request to strengthen control over the waters southeast of the Aztec and to station numerous soldiers around them.

"This is troublesome..."

Hernán couldn't help but sigh. His heart sank, and his hopes for the Future vanished instantly.

It wasn't just him; most of the more than six hundred people were like that.

As time went by, Hernán breathed a sigh of relief, even though many locals surrounded him.

Because they had no firearms, nor any equipment comparable to that of the Spain, they only had exquisitely designed scimitars and dressed like the Indian.

Hernán also noticed the group's surprise at them. He followed their gaze and realized they were looking at the horses he had brought.

The quick-witted Hernán naturally noticed their confusion about the horses, and thus immediately guessed that there were no horses present.

Time ticked by, the atmosphere between the two sides was intensely heated. Knowing that the longer the fight dragged on, the worse it would be for morale, Hernán steeled his resolve, picked up his musket, and fired a shot into the sky. The muzzle flash seemed to illuminate everything around them in broad daylight, freezing time in that instant.

The echo of the gunshot reverberated in the vast blue sky, lingering for a long time. The sound, like a heavy hammer, struck the heartstrings of the Aztec, causing them to shudder involuntarily. The gunshot and the flash of light were like a brand, deeply etched into the memories of these Aztec Warrior.

Hernán was actually gambling that these aggressive guys, like the Indian, didn't understand the principles of firearms and regarded them as some kind of divine weapon.

After all, although firearms are not very lethal, they are very intimidating to primitive tribes.

Just as Hernán had predicted, the Aztec soldiers surrounding them were inevitably frightened as they watched this man, whose skin color resembled that of the Divine Envoy Favia, spew forth a ball of blazing fire from a strange weapon, accompanied by a piercing sound.

What is this thing? Could these people also be messengers of Quetzalcoatl, like Lord Favia? Then why are they using such strange objects? Are they here to punish us?

Despite their fear, the Aztec Jaguar Warriors suppressed their terror and stared unblinkingly at the Spaniards.

Because they still remembered what Favia had said: he had already endured the Wrath of the Second Sun would never again inflict Wrath upon them.

Therefore, having already placed their deepest trust in Favia, they would never back down out of fear.

When Hernan saw that his actions had failed to instill fear or trepidation in the Aztec opposite him, Hernán spirits once again plummeted.

He couldn't understand why these beings, who clearly appeared to be of low status, weren't afraid of firearms. Could it be because they'd seen them before? Or perhaps someone had arrived here before him?

In short, Hernán's confusion will not be resolved anytime soon, because the two sides cannot communicate in the same language, and even if he wanted to launch a forced attack, he could not guarantee that he could defeat this group of people who were not only numerous but also afraid of firearms.

The Aztec and the Spain remained locked in a stalemate. Not long after, Hernán saw a silver-haired man with a distinctly different complexion slowly emerging from the Aztec army.

So that's how it is. No wonder these guys weren't afraid; someone had already arrived. In that case, let's see if we can make a deal with him. So many lowly beasts need to be managed by us, the better ones.

Hernán, who regarded the slowly approaching Favia as just like countless other colonists, finally breathed a sigh of relief. After all, even if he didn't gain much wealth, it was better to survive.

"Hello, sir, I am Hernán, Spaniards."

"You used a musket?"

Just as Hernán was about to introduce himself, Favia suddenly spoke up.

This question puzzled Hernán. Was it really so strange to use a musket? Weren't those beasts afraid because you'd used one before?

However, he only thought this to himself and wouldn't say it aloud, since he was currently at a disadvantage, so Hernán nodded.

"Um..."

Hernán, who was about to say something more, noticed that Favia's gaze swept over their group before finally settling on Bartolomé.

"Are you Priest at the Church?"

"Ah..." Bartolomé, who had been somewhat dazed, quickly recovered and nodded. "I am Priest from the Church in Spain. My name is Bartolomé de Las Ras**. And you are?"

Bartolomé had an indescribable feeling about the silver-haired man in front of him. Not only was his gaze somewhat piercing, but his unique demeanor was also evident in his every move. If he hadn't controlled himself, he would have felt as if he had done something irreparable.

I know why you've come.

Click.

The silver-haired man struck the earth with his Obsidian Sacrificial Knife.

"However, you are only the pioneers; the Governor of Cuba's troops will soon follow closely behind."

Click, click.

He returned to the Aztec Warrior.

The lingering smell of gunpowder mingled with the coolness of the dense forest coast, creating a unique atmosphere.

"Let me introduce myself first. My name is Favia, and I am the messenger of the Second Sun of the Aztec."

Click, click, click.

"You know what? I've heard this said by someone before—"

The silver-haired man stood in front of the Aztec, gazing indifferently at them.

These words, like a sudden storm, restored the tension to its initial state, leaving everyone unsure of what would happen next. The Obsidian reflecting the Sun was like the prelude to the discovery of this isolated continent, foreshadowing the brutal battle that was about to unfold.

"You, my friend, can you, from that sorrowful height, rage, rage against the passing of light?"

The atmosphere of harmony vanished, replaced by an atmosphere of slaughter. As Favia's voice faded, the Aztec Jaguar Warriors, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately charged towards the Spaniards and began their carnage.

"..."

Bartolomé looked somewhat bewildered at the battlefield where the battle had broken out.

He felt he should use Magecraft to help, but felt powerless to use his Od.

This group of people, whose origins are unclear, brandished their weapons and began to kill. The soldiers who had come with Indian Spaniards were not particularly professional, so they were quickly routed, and the smell of blood stained the entire coastline.

And there was the silver-haired man who remained standing in the same spot, silently watching all of this unfold.

Bartolomé had a strange illusion at that moment, as if Great God statue holding a sword and scales aloft appeared in his eyes. He recognized it very well because it looked exactly like the Statue of Michael on Mont-Saint-Michel.

Great God Michael, who judged the sins of the dead with scales and repelled the 'serpent' with a sword, is undoubtedly one of the most famous Angel.

"This is..."

The Priest didn't know what to say, but his inner Faith wouldn't allow him to look away.

Could this be considered blasphemy?

Because in his eyes, the Great God raising the Holy Sword high was not a declaration of victory for Faith, but rather seemed to follow the swing of the Obsidian Sacrificial Knife.

What it seeks to penetrate and tear apart is—

Do not go gentle into that good night, for old age should burn and roar at dusk; rebuke, rebuke the passing of the light!

You, my friend, on that sorrowful height, rebuke, rebuke the passing of light.

A gospel stained with blood and darkness.

Demon Cui. jpg

240: The Protection of the Indian (4k5)

"You, my friend, on that sorrowful height, rebuke, rebuke the passing of light."

When Favia's words reached Bartolomé's ears, the old Priest was somewhat dazed.

Over the years, he has defended the rights of the Indian of Island of Cuba as Spaniards, thus he is regarded as a 'traitor' Spaniards the Spain, while some Indian regard him as a 'saint among robbers'.

Bartolomé's father was a merchant, and his family had been Christ for generations. He was intelligent and quick-witted from a young age and often played in Palos de la Roque, a town near his hometown of Seville.

One could say that if things had continued this way, Bartolomé's life would have been quite ordinary. But Fate is unpredictable. At the age of nine, the arrival of a certain person not only changed his Fate but also the Fate of all of Spain—

That day, the entire port of Palos was completely surrounded.

Bartolomé squeezed through the crowd and saw the navigator, with his White-Haired Goddess and weary expression, seemingly unremarkable, until he spoke, word by word:

"I, Columbus, have discovered a new sea route to India!"

People cheered like a volcano, "My God, Columbus has discovered a new sea route!" The news spread like wildfire throughout Spain, and everyone remembered the name Christopher Columbus, including Bartolomé.

Not long after, Bartolomé's father was encouraged and signed up to be a crew member on Columbus's second voyage.

In 1498, his father returned, bringing with him an Indian boy to serve as a servant.

This was Bartolomé's first encounter with Indian —their skin was dark, and their expressions were hesitant and frightened.

However, he thought the Indian weren't the Monster he imagined; they were no different from ordinary Spaniards.

In 1500, Bartolomé, then sixteen years old, came to study at the University of Salamanca, an ancient university that was the center of Spaniards. The teachers spoke freely, discussing the justness of war, questioning the legitimacy of colonialism, and talking about the idea of "equality".

At the time, he couldn't understand these complex concepts, but humanistic thought still permeated his mind.

By the time Bartolomé came of age, people already knew that the land Columbus discovered was not "India," but a land that had never been marked before— the Americas.

However, this land also offers countless opportunities and riches, Bartolomé, like many Spaniards, couldn't resist the temptation to see it for himself.

He signed up to be a member of the Odowan Expedition, and his heart surged like the waves on the vast Atlantic Ocean.

Several months later, they finally arrived at "Hispaniola," 6,000 kilometers away.

It is said that when Columbus arrived, there were 3 million Indian on this island. However, nine years later, everything had changed, and it was no longer as prosperous as it once was.

In any case, the decrease in the Indian meant an increase in unclaimed land, which was a good thing for the Spain colonists.

Thus, Bartolomé, now an adult, became a "guardian lord" on the Hispaniola, possessing a piece of land and some slaves in Cibao, and entered the ranks of the ruling class. Just a few months ago he was a greenhorn in Seville, and in the blink of an eye he became a big shot in Cibao.

Bartolomé was ecstatic. He now had his own "little Kingdom" and could wield the power of life and death. In Spain, Europe, this was a privilege usually reserved for noblemen.

In 1510, he gained the favor of the Bishop of Hispaniola and smoothly became a priest. At this time, he was young, promising, and extremely glorious.

If it weren't for the 'Sermon of Montesinos,' Bartolomé might have, like most believers, disregarded the lives and deaths of the Indian.

In fact, the Dominican Order group of Spain priests were very dissatisfied with the atrocities committed by their own colonialists. So in 1511, they jointly drafted and signed a sermon, deciding to use a sermon to launch a public condemnation. The most eloquent of them all, Anton Montesinos, was chosen as the speaker.

On December 21, 1511, just four days before Christmas, the colonists on the Hispaniola eagerly awaited their confessions, hoping God would forgive their Sin committed throughout the year. But on this day, the colonists, including Diego Columbus, son of Christopher Columbus, were met with a devastating condemnation—

"I am the cry of Christ in the desert on this island."

"Therefore you had better listen carefully, not just carefully, but with all your heart; this is a cry that you have never heard before, never anticipated, the newest, the roughest, the most severe, the most terrifying, and the most dangerous."

Montesinos' sermon began with a famous quote from the Gospels.

"This cry means that you have all committed a capital offense."

"You were born in this sin, and you will die in this sin, because of the cruel tyranny you have inflicted upon these innocent people."

"Answer me, what right or justification do you have to subject the Indian to such cruel and horrific enslavement?"

"What right do you have to wage a catastrophic war against these people who live in their own peaceful land, causing the deaths of so many Indian and unheard-of destruction?"

"How do you oppress and enslave them, denying them food and medical care, plunging them into unbearable labor until they die?"

"Shouldn't we say that you're killing them every day in order to dig for gold?"

"Aren't they human beings? Irrational souls? Aren't you obligated to love them as you love yourself?"

This is the historic "Sermon of Montesinos," whose question, "Aren't they human?" can be seen as a more thorough declaration of human rights, predating and surpassing the England Magna Carta, the United States Declaration of Independence, and the France Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, because it refers to people without any conditions attached, including the Indian were considered savages at the time.

However, unlike the Priest, everyone present was annoyed by these words.

They thought to themselves, "We went through all sorts of hardships to come to the Americas just to rob us of money and territory."