Chapter 2290 - 1625: Spread the Plague, Destroy Them! (Part 2)

Chapter 2290: Chapter 1625: Spread the Plague, Destroy Them! (Part 2)

"Damn it! A plague has broken out on this island?! I remember there was a village here that rendered tribute to us? Why is everyone dead?!..."

Captain Dracos landed on the eastern shore of Puerto Rico Island for supplies, cautiously and surprised. He gazed at this native village he had visited before, but saw only many collapsed bodies, merging into pools of rotting meat and pus on the ground. Swarms of buzzing flies gathered in masses on the "food!" Dense tropical insects also feasted on the heaps of corpses. Deep in the village, there seemed to be some plague-stricken Taino strong men still alive, emitting unbearable groans of pain. That hoarse voice floated faintly, as if coming from hell, causing sailors to uneasily stay away.

"Boss! This place has been invaded by the corruption of the demon! The food here can’t be eaten either... We better endure a bit longer, return to the base in San Juan Bay, and properly rest and resupply!"

"Hmm. Let’s go! Leave now!"

The nimble caravel quickly left this plague-ridden village of death without hesitation. The few coastal villages discovered along the way were similarly terrifying sights of no smoke, only corpses and flies. Not until Dracos returned to the base in San Juan Bay by exploration ship did he receive two unbelievable news!

"What! After we left, the Cipangu natives raided the base, wiped out half of the Holy War Corps, and killed more Kingdom strong men?!"

"Ah! Deputy Commander Antonio personally led, took a hundred Holy War Veterans, four Clark’s Great Sail Ship Fleet, to spread the demon’s plague?! Has the Commander gone insane, that’s a plague, what if the sailors get infected..."

"Oh! All they took were soldiers and sailors already infected by the plague? They even imprisoned many infected natives below deck, then released them along the coast, and threw the clothes of the plague-dead corpses into the coastal rivers and water sources? This... This... Did Father Ramon say nothing?"

Dracos was shocked and pale, feeling a hysterical ferocity and madness. The merciless slaughter conducted during the Holy War against the Moors had long cultivated unmatched cruelty and ruthlessness in the Castilian Holy War Army! As long as it was in the name of the Almighty, they could do anything!

Ordinary sailors, although also brutal, still thought of enslaving natives and taking native women. But once the Holy War Army made up its mind, they would do only one thing! Kill heathens, kill island natives, like slaughtering sheep that couldn’t produce milk, stomping chickens that couldn’t resist!

"Cough... Father Ramon he... is in the church praying behind closed doors, praying for the Almighty’s glory to expel the Cipangu Devil’s Apostle’s curse..."

Knight Captain Thomas slightly bowed his head, averting his gaze uncomfortably, and replied.

"As for what the Holy War Army did... the Father is unaware and had no time to stop it! He only knows Commander Antonio follows the Lord’s kindness, releasing those captured Taino natives back to their tribes... I believe, when Commander Antonio leads the fleet back, he will surely kneel before the Father, sincerely repent! And the merciful Almighty and Divine Son will forgive his sins..."

"..."

Upon hearing these words, Dracos remained silent, knowing in his heart better than anything. The Church’s dignity must be maintained, and the Queen’s edict to favor the Eastern Indian tribes had to be upheld. Thus, all this was unauthorized actions by Deputy Commander Antonio! It seems, the Cipangu barbarians’ surprise attack on San Juan Island, which killed Holy War Veterans, had utterly enraged this Deputy Commander. Even if it means bearing a reputation of "spreading the Devil’s Curse," with its endless repercussions, Antonio was determined to brutally retaliate against the natives, sending them to hell!

"May the merciful Almighty protect the Kingdom’s expeditionary army!"

After a moment, Dracos bowed his head, sincerely prayed, and then eagerly, with a solemn expression, spoke to Knight Captain Thomas.

"Sir Thomas, please lead me to meet Father Ramon! We’ve mapped a small island in the southeastern sea and found an excellent spot for establishing a new settlement! It’s much smaller and more secure and stable than this San Juan Island! Please have the Father prepare to leave with the Church’s armed forces for the first batch!"

"Once the Church departs, anything else the Holy War Army does on San Juan Island naturally has no connection to the merciful Church! If possible, it’s best to take some Taino natives who have survived the plague and converted to the Lord with us! There are too few natives on that island, and they are extremely wild and restless, unlike the Taino people here who can be converted. We need more Taino people for labor!"

"The Almighty witness! Deputy Commander Antonio’s actions, as a captain, I find hard to evaluate. But I feel the Kingdom needs to convert some natives and establish local friendly allies to gain a foothold in these Eastern Indian archipelagos! Facing dangerous opponents like the Cipangu barbarian kingdom, we must extend some goodwill, at least to serve as our eyes and servants!"

These earnest words deeply moved Knight Captain Thomas. He nodded approvingly, reciting a knight’s motto.

"I will be kind to the weak! I will bravely face strong foes! I will unreservedly confront evil!"

"Come! Captain Dracos, please come inside! Father Ramon will surely be happy to meet you, to listen to your insights and ideas! May the Lord bless!"

The two thus walked towards the wooden church, flanked by ever-watchful knights and chamberlains, surrounded by Shenluo mercenaries used as cannon fodder. Most of the village outposts had been abandoned and set ablaze, clearing safe sightlines. And five sailboats at the shore had sailors on board at any moment, ready to set sail quickly to avert the worst-case scenario.

"Open fire! Kill these natives!"

Meanwhile, on the south shore of Puerto Rico Island, the fleet of Clark’s Great Sail Ship led by Antonio had circled half the island. This fleet carrying the Holy War Army showed no mercy, unleashing relentless shelling on yet another coastal Great Tribe of natives!

"Boom! Boom!"

Black cannons poked out from the ship’s sides. In the next moment, earth-shattering roars tore through the air! The ten-pound cannon stone shot smashed onto the coast, exploding the Great Sun Tribe’s fences and huts. Thousands of Taino tribespeople fled in terror at this terrifying cannon fire they had never seen, or they fell to their knees, crying out in despair and fear in prayer!

"Ancestor! Cassava God! Save us! Save us!..."

After two rounds of intimidating cannon fire followed the Castilians’ ruthless landing; over a hundred fully armed Holy War Army jumped into small boats, successively jumping ashore. Then, they wielded longswords and spears, mercilessly killing any natives who hadn’t escaped, plundering the village!

"Search all valuables! Cotton cloth, tobacco, pearls, feathers! Gather food, burn those evil sacrificial altars of the natives!"

"Go! Chase the plague-stricken native captives off the ship! Let them desperately flee inland!"

"Where are the plague-stricken clothes? Used up? Then kill a few plague-stricken natives, throw them into their ponds!..."

"For the Almighty! Clear out these demon-believing Devil Tribes!..."

Castilian soldiers waded ashore, their gleaming weapons reflecting cold light in the morning mist. The Taino men and women, young and old who hadn’t escaped, fell in the shouting and killing. The sea wind carried the flames into homes, turning large parts into charred ashes. A Taino woman, covered in pox, even if pregnant, was mercilessly cut down by the Holy War Army, emitting an extremely desperate scream! Then, this bleeding corpse was thrown into the village pond, gradually dyeing the precious water source red...

Further away, a dozen "escaped with their lives" Taino captives, with red spots, fled inland in terror. And Castilian veterans simply watched from afar, revealing cruel smiles!

"Go, run! Cowardly insects! Flee into the deep mountains!"

"Bring the plague to the mountain tribes, and let those damned Cipangu barbarians catch the plague and die too!"

"May the Lord bless!"

The pitch-black night descended on the island of Puerto Rico. The brutal bloodshed, slaughter, plague, and death were flowing throughout this Great Island. And amidst such an apocalypse, six caravel fleet of the Kingdom of the Lake finally arrived on the western shore of Puerto Rico Island, bringing the third-time reinforcement personnel, along with Priest Martin and mercenary captives.