Otherwise, you can find another savior.

Page 486

The original intention was to take a short rest before heading to the temple in Mexico City, but unexpectedly, Shiomi went to browse the stalls halfway through, just like a tourist shopping.

Because of the language barrier, Shiomi, in her attempt to communicate, subtly convinced Oselot that she was the priest Debit, and then casually traded the supplies she obtained from Chichen Itza for more valuable ornaments.

In essence, it is fraud.

They were still deceiving people in the enemy's stronghold.

As she counted the Aztec-style headdresses adorned with different gemstones, since there were no identical designs, Shiomi could only consider what styles to give to Morgan and the others, and what styles she could keep for herself.

They noticed that after Shio-mi finished shopping, they were waiting for him to return to their side with slightly expectant expressions.

These few steps alone attracted the attention of a strange voice.

"Ah—! That's the jade headdress I came here specifically to find, and it actually—!"

A woman in a tight-fitting outfit, wearing a leopard mask and with long, jewel-like green hair, stared at the haul in Shio's hands, her voice filled with surprise and regret.

"Ok?"

tide Jian paused, stopped, and looked at the other person.

Although she is dressed like Ocelote, she doesn't have the aura of Ocelote.

Like them, they were outsiders who entered Mexico City in plain clothes and disguised themselves.

It looks more like Ocelote, who lives in a village outside Mexico City.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, did I scare you?" The woman with turquoise hair walked over.

As the opponent approached, Shiomi almost momentarily had the urge to engage.

Unfortunately, the other party showed no hostility, which is why he refrained from making a move.

It is neither Osellot nor human nor god.

Chapter 54 Mexico City (2)

They are not gods, yet they possess an invisible sense of oppression comparable to that of gods.

The woman had no intention of displaying any power or intimidation; it was simply a natural expression of her divine status towards other beings.

Because it was well concealed, Oselotte did not notice it, but it could not escape Shiomi's divine eye.

“No, it’s just a tiny bit… a conditioned reflex.” Shiomi regained her composure. “You’re not Ocelote from Mexico City, are you?”

"Yes, that's right. I'm not a warrior because I'm not good at fighting; land reclamation and cultivation are my forte," the woman introduced herself.

Although Shiomi had a moment of doubt, she immediately became certain that the other party was not lying.

For beings of this level, even without any combat training, their instincts alone would likely be enough to surpass all life in Miktland.

As living beings, they exist in a completely different dimension, and therefore cannot be understood using human language.

“I see.” Xi nodded in understanding. He glanced at Morgan and the others who were about to come over, signaling with his eyes that they shouldn’t worry and that he could handle it. Then he continued to ask the woman, “You just said that you came to Mexico City specifically to search for the jade headdress?”

As he spoke, he picked up a jade ornament from the jewelry he was holding in his arms.

“Yes, that’s right—” the woman looked very envious, “but you beat him to it. Although it’s a bit like fraud, it’s also a skill. He couldn’t resist your gaze, so he’s not good enough.”

Clearly, the woman realized that Shiomi's purchasing behavior was rigged.

Being able to see through his hints at a glance proves that the other party is at least on the same level as oneself.

“Then, as hush money, I’ll give you this.” Shiomi held it in her hand and slowly handed it over. “If you expose my trick here, the nearby Oselot will notice, and that will expose our operation.”

The result was that they couldn't catch Tescatlipoca and his team off guard.

In war, seizing the initiative is crucial.

Whether Tescatlipoca predicted it is another matter entirely.

After all, Mexico City has not made any response so far.

"Hey—, hush money?" The woman smiled happily. "Although I'm happy to get something for free, why? Even without considering my needs, this thing is quite valuable."

“It’s nothing, it’s just that the jade ornaments don’t quite suit them. I originally wanted to keep them for myself,” tide Jian said. “Then giving them to someone who wants them more is not out of the question.”

"So, you mean this jade headdress suits me better?" the woman asked, somewhat surprised. "Then I'll accept it without hesitation! This is the first time I've received a gift from a foreign god!"

After the jewelry was taken, tide Jian raised her eyebrows slightly: "It seems you've already recognized who I am."

"So you are the so-called god of Chaldea. Although you haven't returned to your full form, you are already more powerful than before." The woman's smile took on a sly glint. "Since you've come here to cause trouble for the god of Mexico City, I'll just cheer you on from afar."

"That's really too much to accept." tide Jian shook her head.

"Besides, since I received such a great benefit for free, I should give something in return."

As she spoke, the woman reached into her hair, which resembled a crystal woven curtain, and casually plucked a strand, which transformed in her hand into a crystal skull of the same color as her hair.

"A crystal skull?" tide Jian was surprised.

"Actually, it's something made from my hair. It's very precious to Oselot here, and to Dinos of Chichen Itza." The woman playfully stuck out her tongue. "It's not something you can just get anywhere."

"Since it's so valuable, why give it to me? It's worth more than the jade headdress, isn't it?" tide Jian didn't reach out to take it, but instead asked this question.

"This is a symbol of friendship, and also... well, an apology~, for my mistaken belief that you were enemies."

The woman explained somewhat apologetically, placing the crystal skull on top of the other ornaments that Shiomi was holding in her arms.

Then, she took the jade headdress and quickly left, disappearing from the riverside market in the blink of an eye like a gust of wind, leaving no trace.

"You're not letting us get close just so you can chat up women of unknown origin?" Morgan approached stealthily and whispered in his ear.

As Shio handed the light blue diamond-encrusted ornament to Morgan, she shook her head and said, "I just don't want to argue."

"A dispute?" Scáthach played with the ornament that Shiomi had bought and pressed for an answer.

Finally, Artoria accepted the ornament and saw him pick up the crystal skull left behind by the other party.

"Is this a return gift left by that woman?"

“She said it was an apology.” tide Jian examined the crystal skull.

"Why?" Morgan asked, slightly puzzled.

tide Jian handed the skull to Morgan: "You'll understand once you touch it."

With a hint of doubt, Morgan reached out and touched the crystal skull, then instantly showed a look of astonishment.

Neither plant nor mineral, hard yet soft, hot yet cold...

Such contradictory concepts converge on this crystal skull, giving Morgan such a feeling.

"Do you remember now?" tide Jian shook her head.

He handed the skull to his master and Artoria for examination, and continued speaking.

"This is something made from their hair, but once you actually touch it, you'll find that it has almost the same texture as the giant of light that attacked us when we first entered the Lostbelt."

"That giant, is it her?" Artoria exclaimed in surprise.

“That’s the only possibility,” Shiomi said in a low voice. “They gave this to me, saying it was a symbol of friendship and also an apology for mistaking us for enemies.”

"Why do this now?" Morgan was very suspicious of the motives.

tide Jian shook her head: "That's hard to say, after all, the other party ran away very quickly. Obviously, she has no intention of revealing her identity or fighting with us. Moreover... she also showed that she is not on Tescatlipoca's side."

"Is the plan to let us attack the temple without worrying about anyone attacking from behind?" Scáthach pondered this possibility.

"Who knows. Anyway, I've had enough rest. Now it's time to give that Smoke Mirror sitting high above the temple in Mexico City a proper greeting."

As Shiojian spoke, she turned around and looked at the temple located in the center of the city.

Chapter Fifty-Five: The Sudden Attack

Although Mexico City was founded by Tescatlipoca through his power, Debit, as the Master and also an accomplice, does not always stay in the city.

He and Tescatlipoca mostly acted alone.

Even the previous mission to attack Storm Border was decided solely by Tescatlipoca.

Or rather, only this Smoke Mirror, also known as the Unpredictable Wind, can decide.

“Brother, the Second Underworld is now at peace, and Oserot can travel back and forth smoothly. There is no need for you to make further arrangements. Should Iscari resume his attacks on Chichen Itza and Dinos?”

Traloc walked up to the altar on the top floor of the temple and asked Tescatlipoca, who was standing there looking at the view.

"Don't worry about it. Iskali knows what to do." Tescatlipoca remained unmoved, glancing at his sister. "But what about you? How's your injury from before?"

Tralock knew this wasn't about caring about her, but rather assessing her combat effectiveness to see if it had been affected.

"The injury has healed, but the healed area still aches slightly." Tralock was annoyed. "This was my lapse in composure; please punish me, brother."

"Losing composure? What a joke. That's no enemy you can handle." Tescatlipoca laughed merrily. "If you're not convinced, try whatever you want."

Tralock sensed the hidden meaning in Tescatlipoca's words: "Brother, are you saying that Chaldea will attack this place?"

“If I were Chaldea, and I wanted to reach the ninth level to find that, I couldn’t possibly ignore Mexico City along the way,” Tescatlipoca said.

"...Then I'll have Iskali reinforce the city's defenses now—"

“Like now.” Tescatlipoca turned around, his expression gradually turning serious, a hint of displeasure in his eyes behind his sunglasses. “He infiltrated Mexico before everything was fully prepared, clearly eyeing this place. He dares to disregard what I said; he’s got some nerve.”

"what?!"

Tralock was taken aback when a sharp killing intent emanated from behind her, the chilling aura so intense that even she, a goddess, dared not be careless.

Suddenly, something blocked out a corner of the sun.

A huge shadow was cast over Mexico City, and over the top altar of the temple where Tescatlipoca and Traroque were located.

ax.

A massive axe, so enormous that even Tralock wasn't sure he could handle it, was aimed at the temple.

It's too late.

Undoubtedly a divine treasure, poised to be unleashed.

Oselot, who witnessed this scene in the city, did not know what had happened and thought that the god Tescatlipoca had performed a miracle and was about to destroy the city in a fit of rage.

They could only kneel on the ground, raising their hands in supplication for forgiveness.

Knowing he couldn't stop it, Tralock could only move to the side a moment before the huge axe fell, avoiding its trajectory.

The temple, which was 60 meters high, was split in two by a huge axe.

The massive impact continued to extend backward, spreading to the city walls on the Mexico City side.

With a single blow, the entire temple began to disintegrate and collapse uncontrollably, with massive bricks and stones falling back onto the city's ground, raising thick dust and creating a deafening roar.

Standing atop the collapsing temple, Tescatlipoca wore an expression of ecstatic joy.

"Not bad! So that's the axe of Marduk, the Sumerian god of war and gods?" He paid no attention to the collapse of the temple, but instead stared at the axe blade that was still close at hand and had not yet been retracted. "Even just once, I want to fight that guy!"

“Brother!” Tralock landed near Tescatlipoca to check on his safety.

But Tescatlipoca remained unmoved and even reached out to touch the axe.

"Even with my protection, the temple couldn't withstand a single blow from this thing! It's really impressive, full of retro charm! Compared to weapons from the 19th and 20th centuries, this kind of thing truly embodies the primitiveness of warfare!"

"..."

Knowing that Tescatlipoca was alright, Tralock felt a deep sense of frustration.

If she were to charge forward with dignity to meet the attack, it would undoubtedly cause her irreparable damage. Even if she managed to avoid damage to her spiritual foundation and prevent her from being completely eliminated, she would no longer be able to engage in combat.

The strike of the One God has such power.

The temples continued to collapse with a deafening roar, plunging Oselot into a brief period of chaos.

Fortunately, the Oserots in the city were all warriors, and they did not panic. Instead, they dropped what they were doing, picked up their weapons, and moved toward the temple.

Since the temple was a symbol of the grace of the god Tescatlipoca, its destruction by the god's attack signifies that something significant is about to happen.

Either Mexico City is no longer favored by its gods, or there are enemies attacking the great god Tescatlipoca.

Regardless of the outcome, Oselotte must rush to the temple immediately to await the result.

Knowing this, Iskali took the lead and rushed to the front, becoming the first to arrive near the still-collapsed temple.

“Tescarli Poca! Traloc!” Iscarli cried out.

"The noise is too loud, Iscari. How could this possibly kill your brother? Quickly get Oselot ready for battle."

Tralock's calm voice echoed from the ruins.

Before the smoke and dust had cleared, rain began to fall, swallowing up the thick dust and making the surroundings clearer.