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Diana's eyes flashed with astonishment as she looked towards her mother.
When had their Amazonian tribe been conquered? Why had she never heard of this?
Hippolyta's expression carried a hint of anger, as if a secret had been exposed.
"That was a shame of the Amazonian tribe from thousands of years ago. How could you know about it?"
She stared at David, feeling that he was shrouded in mystery, possessing not only formidable godlike power but also knowledge of many lost secrets.
"There was a tale in the past. Once, the renowned Greek hero, the son of Zeus, Hercules, was ridiculed by others, that despite his strength being able to shake the earth and move mountains, he will never be able to conquer the women on Paradise Island."
Seated on the throne, David slowly narrated the humiliating history that the Amazon warriors desperately tried their best to hide.
"He led his warriors to this land, aiming to conquer the island. However, the valiant and fearless Amazon queen possessed a magical girdle bestowed by the goddess of love, Aphrodite."
"He was defeated by the Queen of the Amazons..."
"Enough. Those were all manipulations by the evil god of war, Ares."
David spoke of her victory over the world-renowned hero, Hercules, but Hippolyta's face revealed a mixture of shame and anger, attempting to stop David's continuation.
However, David paid her no mind. Not only Diana, but many of the Amazon's later generations also looked puzzled, evidently unaware of this ancient history.
He wanted to show them that the Amazonian claim of being unconquerable was just a joke and a facade.
"Unfortunately, the Amazon queen who defeated Hercules... was later deceived by him and lost her girdle, her power, and the entire Amazon tribe became captives under the rule of the mighty god."
David paused, a touch of sarcasm apparent in his tone when he mentioned 'deceit', seeing her royal highness Hippolyta's expression become uncertain.
In fact, by claiming the Amazon tribe had been conquered, he had left them some dignity intact. The truth was that they had been enslaved, and that too slaves of the lower ranks.
"Your Amazon tribe was conquered long ago, so don't pretend to be invincible and act like you would die than submit."
"If the goddess's girdle is still in my possession."
Hippolyta clenched her teeth, her fist tightening as she glared at David. "Outsider, there is no way you'll be sitting on my throne today!"
With the magical girdle granted by the main goddess, she wielded power rivaling even that of gods. Even the famous Hercules had suffered a defeat under her before becoming a god.
A mere outsider!
"Losers always find reasons for their failures."
David shook his head lightly.
"Let's not discuss whether the girdle could grant you the power to defeat me. Your girdle doesn't seem to be here."
He chuckled softly.
"Let me guess, because you were 'captured' by a man, the goddess of love took it back?"
In truth, a man obtaining a woman's girdle was far more complicated than a mere deception, even though nothing had happened physically.
Because of this incident, the goddess of love, Aphrodite, had grown disappointed in Hippolyta. Initially, she had intended to remain neutral regarding Themyscira. However, seeing the suffering of Hippolyta and her tribe, she relented after Hippolyta prayed for aid.
Ultimately, Aphrodite was soft-hearted and assisted Hippolyta in driving away Hercules, Zeus's son. Following this, the Amazons adopted the practice of wearing bracelets, which became a custom.
"People within the Amazon tribe who are in the know understand that this serves as a constant reminder not to forget the days they were enslaved, and to be forever vigilant against outsiders and men."
"You want the Amazonians to kneel again, it's impossible."
For Hippolyta, this historical episode was undoubtedly a source of humiliation. She didn't understand why David seemed to know the intricate details yet didn't speak of them openly.
Obviously, It was a perfect opportunity to attack her authority as a queen and the dignity of her people.
However, faced with an outsider who sought to enslave Themyscira once again after a long time, she couldn't express any gratitude.
"It's precisely because of the painful lessons of history that we know the taste of losing our freedom, and we'd prefer losing our lives!"
Facing the Amazonians who had just learned about their tribe's enslavement and whose self-confidence was shaken, Hippolyta shouted passionately, her voice echoing in the ancient halls that belonged to the Amazons.
"The gods watch over us, and we fearlessly return to their embrace!"
At the mention of the gods, the Amazon warriors, with their battle scars, regained their confidence. Their eyes gleamed with unyielding determination as they shouted,
"Outsider, you might be able to extinguish us, but you can never strip away our dignity!"
They are a race created by the gods, a fusion of women's souls who died at the hands of men, mixed with mud and divine power.
Perhaps for them dying means returning to the embrace of the gods. What is there to fear?
Clap Clap Clap!
"I admire your willingness to die rather than submit."
David applauded, knowing that this group of Amazons was not just talk.
In the comics, this island has fallen multiple times, even been slaughtered, yet it has never surrendered to irrelevant outsiders.
"In that case, it seems I can only have an uninhabited paradise island as my personal collection!"
He stood up slowly, lifted his sword, his expression cold with a hint of regret. He wiped the blade with his fingers as if preparing for a bloodbath.
A simple movement, and the Amazons backed away in fear, as if facing a formidable foe, their hearts racing.
"Outsider, you are not allowed to harm my people."
Diana tried her best to stand and stop David, but the Lasso of Truth had her almost tied up into a caterpillar, coupled with the fact that the Lasso of Truth was like Kryptonite for her, it was almost a weakness for Wonder Woman.
"Otherwise, I will make you pay with your life."
Once ensnared by the Lasso of Truth, her divine power was greatly reduced. She was left struggling to jump and stand up.
"You don't have the slightest bit of deterrent effect with that appearance."
David flicked his sword, causing Diana, who had just managed to stand, to lose her balance and stumble back onto the throne as if she was a clumsy idiot.
"Maybe in the end, I will keep you, the Amazon princess, as my trophy to prove that I've destroyed the legendary Amazons!"
He finished speaking and turned his gaze once again to the crowd of determined and afraid warriors.
"Wait!"
The Amazon queen's face tightened, as if facing a terrifying mythological creature. She hurriedly shouted to stop him.
"Do you have any final words?"
David leaned on his sword, adopting a relaxed stance, acting as if killing the Amazons was no trouble for him. Behind her, the female warriors' hearts pounded like drums, their nervous gazes directed at their Queen.
"Outsider, Heracles, the son of Zeus, completed twelve labors and became a world-renowned hero, attracting countless warriors to follow him and willingly sacrifice their lives for him."
Hippolyta stared at David, a bead of sweat forming on her palm. The pressure was immense; she and her people had already experienced the terrifying power of this man.
"If you can achieve a greater feat than Hercules, we Amazons will submit to you."
Now is not the age of the gods. The Old Gods are no longer on this planet, and she was unsure whether her and her tribe's souls could return to the embrace of the gods after death.
Moreover, they had lived on Paradise Island since birth, carefree and unrestrained. They were unfamiliar with the "Realm of the Gods" where the gods resided.
'Going there might not guarantee the same freedom as now. It might lead to a subservient existence.'
"What kind of achievement surpassing the twelve labors are you referring to?"
Watching the fear in the faces of this crowd, David sneered.
His original goal wasn't to destroy the Amazons – that would be of no benefit to him. Making enemies and leaving wasn't a wise option either. The Amazon's fierce nature might lead them to come out of the island to take revenge.
He couldn't just resort to killing, it would only lead to endless complications.
'Conquering the Amazon tribe, despite their unwilling hearts, resentment, and fear, and forever ruling over them, is the best choice.'
A glint passed through his eyes.
David's sneer felt like a scalding slap on Hippolyta's face. She had just been ready to die defiantly, yet in an instant, she was considering submission. This kind of wavering was humiliating.
But for the sake of her daughter and her tribe, as the Queen, she had no choice but to do this.
"Twelve labors? Achievements surpassing Hercules?"
Diana frowned, her voice revealing surprise and doubt.
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(~˘▾˘)~Don't forget to send your power-stones!~(˘▾˘~)