The night on Paradise Island was as beautiful as a painting.
In the night sky, the stars sparkled, forming a river across the dark blue skies. Beneath it, the various ancient Greek buildings built along the mountainside carried a strong epic feeling, as if myth had stepped into reality.
The Amazons still maintained ancient customs.
At night, they had no internet, no movies, no online games, or other forms of entertainment.
Their entertainment was gathering around campfires, drinking wine, and enjoying food.
Playing the lyre and singing poems passed down from ancient times.
In the lower section of the palace district, inside the warrior camp, Alex was sitting together with Helena and the other warriors. The female warriors he had defeated by the lakeshore during the day were now gathered around him.
They listened with great interest as he told stories about other worlds.
"There is a world very similar to the one you live in."
"In that world, there is a man who is just an ordinary human, yet with an advanced suit of armor, he can fight evenly against a god known as the God of Thunder."
"In that same world, there is another human who turns into a green beast whenever he gets angry."
"That beast is always angry and smashes everything he sees."
"There are also wizards who use magical spells, and one wizard's cloak has a mind of its own."
"And there's a guy with a shield who can go toe-to-toe with anyone."
Alex spoke, smiled, then took a drink of the Amazon-made ale.
"Honored Conqueror, you've traveled through so many worlds. Have you ever seen gods?"
An Amazon warrior asked hopefully.
Alex laughed, "Not only have I seen them, I've even fought a god known as the 'Father of the Gods.'"
"That was the toughest fight I've ever had. Although this 'Father of the Gods' couldn't injure me either, he suffered from old age and declining strength."
"If he had been in his prime, it's hard to say what the result would have been."
An Amazon warrior asked nervously, "Conqueror, is the Darkseid you mentioned really that terrifying?"
"I've only heard about that ancient war, but no one wants to talk about it."
"If his servants arrive, do you think our Amazon people have any chance of winning?"
Alex smiled, "You are brave and strong. That is beyond question."
"But sometimes, even bravery and strength cannot overcome certain enemies."
"Still, you don't need to worry."
A younger warrior who looked about seventeen or eighteen by human standards asked, "Why?"
Alex smiled and continued drinking without answering.
Another voice answered for him.
"Because the Conqueror is here."
Helena had arrived.
She had removed her armor and wore only a simple cloth dress. She seemed less sharp than usual and more gentle.
"Really?"
"Conqueror, will you help us?", the young girl asked expectantly.
The corner of Alex's mouth lifted slightly, "If you trust me, I can help you."
"But I don't think your queen sees it that way."
"Of course not!"
A sharp voice rang out.
Alex looked up and saw a female warrior with very short hair.
She wore a white Greek dress. Beneath the loose garment, the curves of her figure could be vaguely seen.
She had the beautiful face of a classical Greek woman, but there was a faint killing intent between her brows.
When she looked at Alex, it was as if she wanted to kill him on the spot.
'Hostility?'
Alex could tell that her hostility was not because he was a man, nor because of the Amazon queen's attitude toward him.
There was another reason.
The young girl from earlier whispered, "That's Hera. Helena already said she doesn't like her, but she still won't give up."
Alex raised an eyebrow.
'What is that supposed to mean?'
'Does Amazons have feelings for each other that goes beyond friendship?'
'And judging from everyone else's reactions, this doesn't seem to be an isolated case.'
'Then again, there are no men here.'
'It seems they don't have many other choices.'
'Interesting.'
'This is definitely unexpected.'
At that moment, the woman named Hera waved her hand and threw a spear that planted itself in the ground in front of Alex.
"I heard you defeated Helena. She's the best warrior among us."
"The fact that you beat her is hard for me to believe."
Alex put down his cup and shrugged, "So what are you saying?"
"Fight me, stranger."
"If you lose, get out of Paradise Island."
Hera lifted her chin, her gaze sharp.
Alex stood up and smiled.
"And if you lose?"
Without hesitation, Hera said, "I'll leave Paradise Island!"
"No, no, no."
Alex waved his hand.
"That's too serious."
Hera raised an eyebrow.
"Then what do you want?"
"Simple."
"If you lose, come sit in my room tonight. What do you think?", Alex said with a smile.
Hera's eyes immediately went wide.
Then she gritted her teeth.
"Deal!"
Alex lazily curled a finger.
Hera grabbed her spear and charged at him with a roar.
She thrust the spear straight at his face.
The next second, Alex vanished.
Hera froze for a moment and immediately searched for him.
At that moment, a muscular arm reached out, grabbed the back of her collar, and lifted her into the air.
Before she could react, he slammed her hard onto the ground.
Everything went black before Hera's eyes.
By the time she recovered, a shining spear tip was lightly touching her chest.
Alex smiled.
"Remember to come early."
Hera's face instantly turned red.
She snorted, got to her feet, and stormed away.
———
[The Next Day]
Alex woke in the morning light, recalling the events of the previous night.
He glanced at Hera sleeping beside him and smiled.
Then he put on his suit and completed his equipment setup.
At that moment, Alex's expression changed slightly.
"They've arrived."
———
Inside the fortress by the sea where the Amazons guarded the Mother Box, suddenly, an Amazon warrior noticed that the Mother Box, which had sat quietly on its stone platform for thousands of years, had begun to hum and vibrate. Light was shining from within it.
The Mother Box shook continuously, like a creature waking from an ancient slumber.
Now, it had opened its eyes and was looking upon the world before it.
The warrior's expression changed.
She turned and shouted, "Quick!"
"Notify the Queen at once!"
———
A short while later, inside the palace, Hippolyta put on her armor, took up her sword, and strode toward the palace gates.
"Notify the Royal Guard. Have them move out with me immediately!"
After giving the order, Hippolyta mounted her horse.
As she rode out of the palace, she saw the Conqueror standing in the warrior camp below, looking at her with a smile.