Night lay vast and dim, and Tree Snake City was steeped in killing chill. Torches burned on all four walls, each patrolled and guarded by over a thousand warriors. In the corners of the city, four thousand Alliance warriors and Militia were scattered about, keeping watch over tens of thousands of Tlaxcalan captives. Gloomy firelight, armed warriors, faint traces of blood, the deathly stillness—this was the tone set after the conquest of this serpent city.
Yet when the patrolling warrior squads reached the area near Tree Snake Palace at the center of the city, the stretches of lamplight suddenly grew bright, and beautiful music rang out everywhere. And with it came stirring vitality!
Several hundred military nobles sat in the open air on the ground, lighting bonfires for their gathering in the splendid palace garden. They still did not have the status to enter the great hall at the very center, where the king's banquet was being held, and could only drink and eat outside the hall. The aroma of food drifted through the garden and palace, mingling with the fragrance of summer flowers until it made one's fingers itch for a taste.
Dozens of servants shuttled back and forth, presenting the noisy, joyous noble warriors with freshly roasted turkey and wild rabbit, while also replenishing the rapidly consumed liquor. At the center of the garden, two drummers beat out a rhythm, and several bamboo flute players played cheerfully. Amid the drums and flutes were the warriors' bold laughter and talk, boasting of battle, slaughter, and victory.
"...I'm telling you, that Tlaxcalan warrior I slew before was truly skilled in battle, with formidable martial prowess!"
The warrior Moqihui drank a cup of tequila and let out a long breath. A tipsy flush colored his face, and his expression was full