As Su Sheng watched Diana, who had been blown away, disappear from sight, he rose from the ruins, stepping down from the throne with measured steps.
Menalippe was filled with despair.
When she saw Diana suddenly unleash her divine power, she thought they might defeat Su Sheng. But she hadn't expected him to be this strong. Even the God of War, Ares, might not be able to stand against him. The atmosphere of hopelessness deepened— the Queen had been defeated, the General had been defeated, and even Diana, who had awakened her power, had been defeated.
Who could possibly save Paradise Island?
Menalippe took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. She knew death was inevitable, but as an Amazon, she would never surrender!
Just as she was about to grab her weapon, someone else moved first.
Artemis!
Her name represented the goddess of the hunt and the moon, one of the twelve Olympian gods, and the most valiant warrior of the Amazon Guard.
Menalippe was about to join her in the fight but stopped when she saw Artemis halt a few steps before Su Sheng.
Then, to everyone's shock, Artemis knelt on one knee.
"Master!"
Her actions left Menalippe, the other Amazon warriors, and even Su Sheng stunned.
Su Sheng paused, looking at the Amazon warrior with interest. She had long black hair and wore Amazon-style silver armor. Though not as tall as Diana, she was just as imposing. Her sharp, heroic features added to her stern, stoic demeanor.
"You want to save them?" Su Sheng asked calmly.
"No!" Artemis denied. "I just want to tell my master that I am from the lost tribe of Amazons and I am not like them."
"A long time ago, my tribe abandoned the worship of the Olympian gods and revered the Egyptian goddess Isis. She protected us with a perpetual sandstorm that shielded us from the outside world," Artemis paused slightly to see Su Sheng's reaction. Seeing no impatience, she continued, "Eventually, we had a misunderstanding and conflict with the Amazons of Paradise Island, which led to the destruction of our home, forcing us to merge with them here."
"So I beseech you, my lord, to grant me the opportunity to pledge my allegiance to you on behalf of the lost Amazons. I will handle everything for you and make all the inhabitants of Paradise Island your most obedient slaves." After speaking, Artemis lowered her head.
Su Sheng, amused, smiled. "Make everyone on Paradise Island my most obedient slaves?"
"Yes, I promise!" Artemis responded firmly.
"That way, they won't die, right?" Su Sheng asked, his eyes narrowing.
Artemis shivered slightly, remaining silent.
"Go, take your queen and general for treatment. If they die, your efforts will have been in vain." After a long pause, Su Sheng suddenly chuckled. "Oh, and make sure someone brings Diana back."
"Yes!"
Artemis stood up and ordered the others, "What are you waiting for? Didn't you hear the master's orders? You, take them down; you, tell the guards outside to find Diana."
"Hurry!"
Her loud command snapped the still-stunned guards into action. Menalippe, after a brief hesitation, followed Artemis's lead.
Hippolyta and Antiope were carried out, while several others chased after the direction Diana had been flung.
With Su Sheng's permission, Artemis summoned the guards who obeyed her commands, gathering all the Amazons together to announce their fate as slaves. Although some refused and resisted, they were quickly and ruthlessly subdued. Artemis hung these dissenters as an example, while the rest were shackled and imprisoned.
"Master, do you have any further orders?" Artemis asked as she returned to Su Sheng.
"What you've done will make it impossible for you to stay on Paradise Island once this is over, right?" Su Sheng mused. Although Artemis did this to save lives, many would rather die than submit. Moreover, in order to gain his trust, she had been utterly ruthless. Even if the Amazons could eventually forgive her, remaining on Paradise Island might not be an option.
"As long as you are satisfied with me, that's all that matters," Artemis whispered.
"You remind me of someone—her name is Helena. Like you, she sacrificed herself for her goals, not caring what others thought of her." Su Sheng patted Artemis on the shoulder. "I'm someone who easily tires of places, so as long as they survive and wait for me to leave, they will be free."
"There are many interesting places and times to visit. If you wish, you can come with me."
"So, I won't use the Lasso of Truth to test your loyalty. Don't disappoint me."
"Yes!" Artemis responded quietly, lost in her thoughts.
Soon, Diana, who had fallen into the sea, was brought back.
She remained unconscious.
"Go fetch the Lasso of Truth, clean her up, and bring her to her room," Su Sheng instructed Artemis.
Artemis complied, returning shortly with the Lasso of Truth.
The Lasso of Truth was one of Diana's main weapons. According to legend, it was forged by Hephaestus, the god of fire, using the golden girdle of Gaia, the earth goddess. It was unbreakable, and few could escape its grasp. Those ensnared by the lasso were compelled to tell the truth. While it was unclear if it affected gods, Diana would become weakened and lose her powers when bound, similar to how kryptonite affects Superman, though not as severely.
Su Sheng took the Lasso of Truth from Artemis and smiled at her. "Do you want to try it? Though your chances of defeating me are zero."
Artemis shook her head without a word.
Su Sheng casually tossed the Lasso back to Artemis. "Come with me to see Diana—she's my greatest source of entertainment."
Artemis was momentarily stunned, not expecting him to return the Lasso to her. After a brief hesitation, she secured it to her waist and led Su Sheng to Diana's room.
…