"Save those you can. Kill when you must."
As he comforted Diana, Leon quietly reinforced his Homelander-style philosophy.
If he were ever absent, he did not want her heart burdened by the suffering of "ants."
Queen Hippolyta had not been wrong.
Mankind did not deserve Diana's salvation.
"…Mm."
She nodded obediently.
The once-pristine white canvas of her heart was slowly being colored by Leon—body and soul alike.
…
"Etta, we're in Hazebrouck. Any sign of Ludendorff's movements?" Steve Trevor asked, calling from a functioning telephone booth in the village.
"He's reportedly headed to the German High Command," Etta Candy replied. "Fortunately, it's only a few kilometers from you."
"He's hosting a ball."
"A ball?" Steve frowned. "At a time like this?"
"It's meant to be a formal gathering before the armistice is signed. The German Chancellor and the peace faction will attend."
"And Dr. Maru."
"Wait."
Sir Patrick Morgan took the receiver from Etta.
"Steve, your operation must be delayed—at least until the ball concludes."
"If you interfere, the peace agreement I've worked so hard to secure could collapse."
"Sir, I know Ludendorff," Steve insisted. "The ball could be a cover. He may use it to eliminate his political rivals and seize total authority."
"Regardless, you must not involve yourselves."
Morgan's tone was uncharacteristically firm—almost too invested.
"If Ludendorff deploys his gas and crushes the front, the armistice becomes meaningless. He won't honor it."
"No! I absolutely forbid—"
"…you… must… proceed…"
"Sorry, sir? The signal's bad. Proceed, you say? Understood!"
Steve shamelessly covered the mouthpiece, pretended the line was cutting out, and hung up.
He turned.
"Big brother. Sister-in-law. We move tonight."
"Isn't that insubordination?" Diana asked.
"When you're in the field, orders adapt," Steve replied. "He doesn't understand Ludendorff's ambition."
"German High Command is here," Sameer pointed at the map. "See that carriage heading that way?"
"Let's take it," Charlie said, chambering a round in his suppressed sniper rifle.
The Chief climbed to a rooftop with binoculars.
"No movement within a kilometer. Clear."
Charlie fired.
A suppressed crack.
From 800 meters away, the driver dropped instantly—bullet through the temple.
Diana blinked.
Her opinion of Charlie improved significantly.
A noblewoman in a sea-blue gown tumbled from the carriage.
"Help! Someone—!"
She looked up—and froze at the sight of Leon.
"Oh my God. Have you come to rescue me?"
"…Sorry," Leon replied flatly. "Your wrinkles are denser than a monkey's fur. I'm not interested."
He stepped aside.
Diana knocked the woman unconscious with a clean punch.
Leon absolutely did not believe there was no personal emotion in that strike.
Moments later—
Leon and Diana posed as a noble couple.
Steve served as driver.
Charlie concealed himself outside the castle grounds, watching guard rotations—and perhaps hoping for a miraculous long-range shot.
Sameer and the Chief scouted escape routes.
Not for Leon and Diana.
For themselves.
When gods clash, mortals suffer.
…
"What's the plan?" Steve whispered.
"The plan is simple," Diana replied.
She tapped the hilt of the Godkiller Sword, concealed along her back.
"We kill Ludendorff."
"…Ah."
Steve felt a cold sweat form.
Leon patted his shoulder.
"You'll get used to it."
Inside the grand hall,
Steve wisely separated from the two demigods.
At the center, Ludendorff raised a glass in celebration.
Diana moved directly toward him.
Leon's gaze drifted toward Dr. Maru, studying the murals.
Ludendorff noticed Diana immediately.
Cautious, he bit down on the performance-enhancing compound embedded in his tooth.
Color flushed into his face.
By daylight, no one noticed.
If the "blue rose" carried thorns, he would simply overpower her.
"My dear, enjoying the evening?"
He extended a hand.
Diana ignored it.
"I am Diana of Themyscira," she declared.
"Trained by General Antiope, strongest of the Amazons. Daughter of Queen Hippolyta."
"Ludendorff—no. Ares."
"Your corruption ends here."
"In the name of Zeus and all that is good, I will banish you from this world."
"What?"
For a moment, Ludendorff had no idea how to process this speech.
But one thing was clear.
She was not here for pleasantries.
In a flash—
Diana drew the Godkiller Sword.
Ludendorff barely raised his arm—
"No—!"
Slash—
Empowered by Leon's Active Adamantium reinforcement, the blade cut through Ludendorff effortlessly.
Vertically.
Clean.
A perfect split.
Leon had taught her well.
If you kill—leave no room for retaliation.
For a heartbeat, both halves remained upright.
Then—
They fell apart.
The ballroom erupted in blood.
A maid nearby was drenched crimson.
Silence.
Two and a half seconds later—
A scream shattered it.
Chaos followed.
Officers and nobles fled in panic.
Diana stood still.
Her task was complete.
She gazed toward the gray sky beyond the windows.
"Mother… Antiope… I've done it."
Nearby, a soldier aiming at her was knocked unconscious by Steve.
Contribution secured.
Dr. Maru screamed.
Then she saw Leon approaching.
Realization struck.
She hurled a compact gas canister at his feet and turned to flee.
Leon calmly picked it up.
Inhaled deeply.
Exhaled pale yellow vapor.
"Not bad," he said lightly.
"Tastes like cola."
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