(~˘▾˘)~~(˘▾˘~)
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The war-torn region on this planet is undoubtedly the Middle East.
The internal strife in Kahndaq has lasted for several years. Just when someone gained control of the entire country and brought a phase of chaos to an end, they engaged in a conflict with the neighboring country, Kovick.
The war has been ongoing for a year.
It's like a quagmire where both nations are deeply trapped, engaged in a constant tug-of-war, struggling to break free.
On the streets of Kahndaq's capital.
Residents hurriedly pass by, their eyes sunken and face weary due to living under prolonged stress. Armed soldiers can occasionally be seen patrolling the streets, and a stifling atmosphere fills every corner.
David and Diana stroll through the streets, drawing some attention.
Setting aside their outstanding appearances and temperament, their relaxed and natural demeanor contrasts sharply with the long-standing turmoil of the country, making them stand out.
Furthermore, Diana's attire as an ancient female warrior doesn't go unnoticed in the bustling market.
"So, this is what the attire looks like nowadays?"
Nearly everyone turns to look at her. Diana exuded strong self-confidence, and her face showed no discomfort. Instead, she found modern clothing strange.
"Don't they feel uncomfortable?"
Compared to Diana's perception of ancient Greek style, the modern attire appears far from loose and natural. Sleeves extend down to the legs; collars tightly hug the neck—nothing seems comfortable.
"Goats find donkeys peculiar, and donkeys feel the same about goats."
David responded calmly.
Kahndaq's city appeared relatively backward compared to some modern cities, but it retains a significant amount of original flavor and ancient remnants.
Buildings made of stacked stones are visible everywhere.
If it were a true concrete jungle, Diana would probably feel even more out of place.
"Is Ares in this country?"
Diana picked up on David's subtext that she was dwelling on unnecessary matters and redirected the conversation to more important issues.
After leaving Themyscira, David brought her across the ocean directly to this country, seemingly with a precise goal in mind.
"It's not certain, but it's a strong possibility."
David replied truthfully.
The two walked through the city, heading towards a base outside the city.
David might not be an avid comic reader, but he knows a bit about Ares' methods.
'The Firstborn of the Heavenly Father likes to support one weaker nation against one stronger nation, or two weak countries, like manipulating a card game to control the situation, treating human lives as irrelevant.'
Sustaining a state of equilibrium between the two sides and ensnaring them in an endless war to draw power over the long term.
"If he's not here, he might be in the neighboring Kovick."
"This country resolved its internal turmoil rapidly within a year, with a small warlord rising to power and controlling the entire territory."
"While another country, once poor and backward, now receives significant funding and acquires weapons as if they're free, rapidly increasing their military strength."
What began as minor border clashes between the two countries has turned into an ongoing conflict. Today, I will take your city, tomorrow you will conquer mine, repeating the cycle again and again.
It sounds like child's play, except that over a hundred thousand troops have died as a cost.
"There's an invisible hand manipulating everything from behind."
Learning about the rapid changes in these two countries within a short time from David, Diana looked suspicious.
"You're not stupid."
David nodded.
He had been paying attention to news about these two countries for a while, given that Kahndaq, the familiar name, is the homeland of Black Adam. But he hadn't paid much attention before.
When thinking of Ares, the god of war who enjoys inciting conflict, these two countries immediately came to mind.
"Mother was right. Ares is cruel and bloodthirsty, relishing the cries of suffering in war. Wherever he goes, disaster and war follow."
Diana's face reflected hatred as she unconsciously tightened her fists.
Since her mother spoke about it and Zeus left behind the God-Slayer for the purpose, of having the Amazon's mightiest warrior kill Ares, she is determined to wield the divine sword to its fullest.
"The evil god of war deserves to be ended!"
David glanced at the Sword of Vulcan hanging on Diana's back.
The artifact is incredibly sharp, yet in the movie when Diana confronted Ares, she thrust the sword, and it disintegrated like ashes when in contact with Ares.
'Even shields made by Amazon craftswomen shouldn't be so fragile.'
I wonder how Ares did it.
"What's this?"
The center of Kahndaq's capital is an ancient palace ruin, so Ismael established his military government headquarters outside the city, and just as they were about to leave the city.
An ice cream truck piqued Diana's curiosity.
She saw the children of this war-ravaged nation buying colorful and refreshing cold things from the street. After taking a bite, they actually wore expressions of happiness on their faces.
"Ice cream."
David shook his head. She was indeed a person isolated from the world for thousands of years and had no common sense of modern times.
"Two ice creams, please."
He takes out a banknote and buys two without much thought.
One vanilla and one chocolate, he handed them to Diana.
"It's so sweet."
Diana, the daughter of Zeus, the princess of Amazons, the future Wonder Woman, dressed as a female warrior, enjoyed licking ice cream with one in each hand.
"How could something be so delicious?"
She alternated between the two flavors, her eyes gleaming. She looked at the ice cream vendor, cleared her throat, and like a princess, truly appreciated the culinary skills of the common folk, emphasizing it solemnly.
"You should be proud of this.
Such a delectable treat would be enough for the job of the palace's head chef. I believe even a king would be delighted to eat something this delicious every day."
"Thank you, madam."
The vendor hesitated for a moment, then taking off his straw hat.
He'd heard people praise his ice cream for being cheap, but this was the first time he'd heard it being appreciated in a tone like some kind of reward from a Queen.
David watched Diana, with her sword and shield, enjoying her two ice creams as they walked out of the city, a strange expression on his face.
Indeed, Wonder Woman's fondness for ice cream is confirmed.
Even if she doesn't know what it is, she is immediately attracted to it for the first time.
....
To find out where Ares was, they needed to meet someone from his faction first.
"Stop, don't move!"
Outside the heavily guarded military base, soldiers of Ismael's New Internationalist Front raised their guns, aiming at David and Diana as they approached, stopping them in their tracks.
They eyed the two with caution.
"Why are you approaching here? Haven't you seen the warning signs ahead?"
A man and a woman with a relaxed aura, as if on a vacation. Their features also clearly showed they weren't from this country.
"I suspect you're spies. Come with us."
Approaching a foreign nation's military base without caution, even if the people of any country don't take it seriously, the soldiers in the front intended to take the two away, some even casting lustful glances at Diana.
"I don't like the look in your eyes!"
David was about to raise his hand to send these individuals to meet Anubis.
Diana, who had just finished eating the delicious ice cream, and was in a good mood, had her mood spoiled, and angrily swung the Lasso of Truth, knocking the group of soldiers in front of her away.
"Attack, we're under attack, sound the alarm!"
Inside the fortress built into the mountainside, the frontline soldiers had noticed the commotion at the entrance. Seeing their comrades being thrown inexplicably, they rapidly open fired.
Clang, clang, clang!
Diana swiftly retrieved her divine shield from her back, blocking the barrage of bullets.
David stood behind her, feeling oddly protected for a moment, due to no annoying bullets flying his way.
"Shoot her legs."
In a matter of seconds, the stream of bullets, numbering in the hundreds, arced toward them. Yet, all were diverted by the shield. An officer adjusted his cap and shouted at his subordinates holding submachine guns.
"You idgits, this isn't a training exercise. Are you treating her shield as a target?"
As the officer spoke, he took aim at Diana's legs that were not covered by the shield, and hastily pulled the trigger.
But for some reason, all the bullets he fired were redirected onto the shield and he was left dumbfounded.
"My God, what's going on?"
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(~˘▾˘)~Don't forget to send your power-stones!~(˘▾˘~)