In the heart of the Andes, amidst the grandeur of the Inca Empire, I, Vicente de Valverde, a Dominican friar, embarked on a mission with Francisco Pizarro and his band of conquistadors. Our journey was fueled by the noble goal of spreading Christianity and gold.
We arrived at Cajamarca, where the mighty Inca emperor Atahualpa resided. The air was thick with anticipation as we sought an audience with him. Clutching the Holy Bible, I approached Atahualpa, my heart filled with both hope and trepidation. I urged him to embrace Christianity and recognize King Charles V of Spain as his sovereign.
Atahualpa, adorned in his regal attire, gazed upon the Bible with a mix of curiosity and disdain. When he cast it aside, my hope turned to despair. I signaled Pizarro, and the peaceful meeting erupted into chaos. Our men attacked, capturing Atahualpa and massacring his followers. The scene of bloodshed haunted me, but the promise of gold overshadowed my remorse.
Atahualpa, now our prisoner, offered a room filled with gold and silver as ransom for his freedom. The sheer wealth was beyond imagination, and the conquistadors, driven by their insatiable greed, eagerly accepted the ransom. Yet, despite receiving the treasure, Pizarro's men were not satisfied. They feared retribution and desired more power.
Atahualpa was condemned to death, and I, bound by my mission, could do little to save him. The gold that seemed a blessing had become a curse, bringing devastation to both the Incas and ourselves. The once vibrant and prosperous Inca Empire lay in ruins, destroyed by our unrelenting greed.
