A strong female warrior pushed through the crowd and came before Diana, looking at her with pleasant surprise.
"Antiope, long time no see."
Antiope, Queen Hippolyta's sister, was also Diana's mentor.
She taught Diana combat skills and trained her into an outstanding female warrior.
Seeing Diana reveal her face, the surrounding female warriors put away their weapons, but they still kept their curious gazes fixed on Dane, scrutinizing him.
For these young, new warriors, Dane was the first living man they had ever seen on Themyscira.
Dane also openly admired these unique women; compared to women in the outside World, they possessed a wilder charm.
They had figures like Victoria's Secret supermodels, but their muscle lines were even more defined, exuding a sense of fitness.
"A man?"
At this moment, Antiope, whose mood had calmed, shifted her gaze to Dane beside Diana.
She was an elder who had lived through the Amazons' persecution by humans, so her eyebrows immediately furrowed, and she didn't seem to welcome Dane.
Diana intercepted her before she could say anything harsh.
"Antiope, I have something very important to discuss with the Queen; I must see her immediately!"
Hearing Diana refer to her mother as "Queen," Antiope immediately realized the seriousness of the situation, and she guessed that this matter must be related to the mother box.
So she said, "She is already waiting for you in the temple. You can go straight up, but this man…"
Antiope pointed her short sword at Dane, her tone switching extremely naturally, the hidden hostility impossible to conceal.
Diana could only continue, "He is Dane, the Guardian of the magic World. He is greatly involved in what I am about to say, so he must meet the Queen with me."
Dane remained silent throughout, letting Diana handle the situation. He felt it was best not to say anything at this moment, lest he inadvertently offend the Amazons.
However, he noticed that not all of the young female warriors around him shared Antiope's deep distrust of men.
He even saw some staring at his lower body without blinking, as if curious whether it was different from theirs.
Others focused their gaze on his secondary sexual characteristics, as if they were very interested in a "spot the difference" game.
Dane felt like a rare Beast in a zoo, subjected to their curious scrutiny.
These young women had no concept of gender segregation or propriety; some even had eager expressions, as if wanting to reach out and touch him.
Perhaps sensing the thoughts of these young warriors, Antiope finally considered it and did not refuse Diana's request, agreeing to let her bring Dane before the Queen.
"But I must personally watch him!"
Saying this, Antiope glared at the surrounding female warriors: "Don't you all have anything to do? Hurry back to your duties!"
The surrounding warriors heard her reprimand and seemed somewhat reluctant, but they still obeyed Antiope's command and withdrew.
It was then that Antiope led Diana and Dane up to the temple.
In the great hall, Hippolyta sat on her throne, rubbing her temples with one hand.
To her right stood her second-in-command, Menalippe, almost fully armored, her eyes fixed on Dane.
It seemed as if she could charge forward at any moment.
From her demeanor, Dane could almost tell which generation she belonged to.
Hippolyta opened her eyes, first scrutinizing Dane, then glancing at Diana.
"Diana, you should have already received my message."
Diana said seriously, "Yes, that signal… Not only that, but we also met the one who took the mother box."
Hippolyta sat up straight, emphasizing her tone: "You?"
Diana glanced at Dane beside her before saying, "We formed a team called the Justice League, and it has solved many problems for this World."
Hippolyta was skeptical: "So, your purpose in returning this time is?"
"Mother, do you remember the story you once told me? The story of the Age of Heroes. I think, perhaps, we have a chance to recreate the glory of the past."
Hippolyta frowned instantly: "You hope we will join forces with humans?"
"Not just humans, but also Atlantis." At this moment, Dane could not remain silent; he had to express his stance.
Hippolyta retorted, "Can you speak for the Atlanteans?"
Dane nodded with certainty: "I can."
Hippolyta then turned to Diana, wanting her to confirm the truth.
Diana, of course, unhesitatingly stood by Dane: "What Dane says is all true. He has the ability to rally the Atlanteans to fight alongside us."
Hippolyta sneered, "And humans? Although I haven't been to the Human world in a long time, I know they are not a peaceful bunch.
The gunfire from the war decades ago, even we on Themyscira heard it."
"Don't tell me those humans have now put aside their differences and become united? Don't forget, if you lie, I will know!"
Diana was speechless. Hippolyta was likely referring to World War II; that war was indeed massive and widespread.
And just as Hippolyta's words implied, the Human world remains divided to this day.
Diana herself didn't know how to unite humanity again, but ordinary humans were the most numerous of all races, which destined them to be the main force in this war.
With just the populations of Atlanteans and Amazons, Steppenwolf's army would likely swallow them in one encounter, leaving not even a trace.
And the Amazons had the smallest population of all races, and it was extremely difficult to replenish.
Due to the Amazons' extremely negative impression of humans, they hadn't had any newborns for many years; their youngest female warriors were already over a hundred years old.
So Hippolyta already had a preference. She said to Diana, "Diana, our people lost many excellent warriors when they faced Steppenwolf before. We cannot involve them in another war with an uncertain future."
Diana looked at her in disbelief: "Hippolyta, do you know what you're saying? Protecting the mother box is the Amazons' responsibility, and now that the mother box is lost, do you intend to ignore it? Where is your honor?"
Please give flowers.
At this moment, Diana disregarded her mother-daughter relationship with Hippolyta and directly reprimanded her.
Years ago, she had also insisted on going to the Human world against Hippolyta's objections, and she had never changed.
She had thought Hippolyta wouldn't change either, but had the passage of time ultimately made her timid?
This enraged her; Amazons had always been brave!
Menalippe, standing by the throne, heard Diana's words and shouted, "Watch your words, Diana! You are facing the Queen of the Amazons!"
Diana ripped off her cloak and threw it to the ground, revealing the exquisite champion armor underneath.
"A coward is not fit to be Queen of the Amazons!"
When these words came out, Hippolyta also became furious. She slammed her fist heavily on the throne, smashing the armrest, and stood up.
"How can you, who abandoned Themyscira, speak such arrogant words? You do not understand the weight of the throne!"
"If the Amazons participate in the war, how many sisters will be lost? Do you dare to look into their eyes and tell them you will lead them to their deaths? All for a vague honor?
The last person to die for honor was Asteria, and she died at the hands of humans!"
"But she lives on in our hearts, and even in human legends!
But if the Amazons choose to retreat this time, you will destroy the good name it has spread throughout the World for thousands of years, and even the gods will scorn you for your retreat!"
Diana's words were forceful and struck Hippolyta right in the heart.
And Hippolyta, pointing a finger at Diana, trembled with rage!
She only hoped her people could survive. Was that wrong?
Don't tell her grand principles like 'when the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact.' In fact, Zeus had long intended for her and her people to move into the New God Realm. If it weren't for Hippolyta's lingering concern for Diana, she would have already led her people to the New God Realm, letting the humans outside do whatever they pleased.
But Diana's thought was, Amazons train themselves every day, honing tactics and skills—is it all just for competitions?
They are warriors! Not athletes!
A warrior who shrinks from battle is a disgrace!
But Hippolyta then sneered at Diana:
"No matter what you say, I have already decided this matter. I am the Queen of the Amazons!
The Amazons will absolutely not participate in this war. Take the man next to you and get out of Themyscira!"
Dane, who had been silent for a long time, looked left and right. Good heavens, they truly were mother and daughter; their tempers were cut from the same cloth!
Dane was about to say that it was actually fine if the Amazons didn't send troops, as their small numbers wouldn't contribute much to the battlefield anyway.
They could just provide artifacts!
But Diana was faster than him. Before Dane could even open his mouth, she quickly drew the godfire sword from her waist, flung it, and it embedded itself in the floor in front of Hippolyta.
"Now, as the daughter of Zeus and heir to the throne, I challenge you for the throne!
Since you dare not face the external enemy, then let a true Amazon be the King!"
"And let them all know that the valiant Amazons are still alive!"
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