The clamor of the arena gradually faded behind them.
Diana carried the deep-sleeping Arthas, her pace not particularly fast.
Her arms held the little fellow’s body steadily, for fear that even a slight bump would wake him.
At this moment, Arthas no longer possessed the majestic aura of a god, radiating golden light as he had before.
He curled up in Diana’s arms like a kitten with a drained battery, sleeping soundly and oblivious to the world.
On that small face dusted with a bit of dirt, his brows were relaxed and his breathing even.
Occasionally, he would smack his lips, as if still savoring the taste of victory in his dreams.
Diana looked down at him, her gaze so tender it seemed it could melt.
Truly a little rascal who causes such worry.
He fought so fiercely just now, yet now he’s sleeping so peacefully.
But…
she felt the small, warm body heat radiating from her arms.
And those steady, powerful heartbeats.
The sense of peace and satisfaction in her heart was simply beyond words.
However, wanting to walk the path back to the palace in peace was clearly a luxury.
The news of Arthas defeating General Antiope spread across Paradise Island instantly, as if it had grown wings.
This wasn’t just some rumor; it was a fact witnessed by hundreds of people.
For these Amazon warriors who lived on a secluded island year-round with nothing but training, this was absolutely the most explosive news in hundreds of years.
Bar none.
Consequently, the sides of the main road leading to the palace were already crowded with people at some point.
Some had just rushed over from other training grounds, still wearing their sweat-soaked leather armor.
Others still held hoes or fishing nets, clearly having just dropped their work to come watch the commotion.
Each one craned their neck, their eyes sparkling with undisguised curiosity and eagerness.
Like a pack of hungry wolves surrounding a rare little white rabbit.
“Look, look!
That’s the little prince of Asgard!” “Heavens, he’s way too cute!” “Can such a small person really defeat General Antiope?” “How could it be fake?
Alexia told me herself just now; she was beaten into submission!” “Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Is this what they call a genius?” “And look at that skin, those eyelashes—he’s more delicate than a doll.” The chatter rose and fell, merging into a continuous buzz.
Although the Amazons were martial, they were still women after all.
Facing a creature like Arthas, who combined “immense power” with “extreme cuteness,” the impact was of nuclear proportions.
That admiration for the strong, combined with an overflowing maternal instinct and even a hint of primal curiosity toward the opposite sex, mixed together and transformed into a form of extremely fanatical worship.
Some of the bolder female warriors could no longer restrain themselves.
They began to tentatively edge toward the middle of the road.
“Your Highness…” A hot-bodied female warrior with red hair approached with a cheeky grin.
“Is the little guy asleep?” “Let me have a look, okay?” “I heard Asgardians have different muscle structures than us.
Can I feel him?” As she spoke, she actually reached out, her fingers—dusted with a bit of dirt—aiming straight for Arthas’s smooth little cheek.
Her gaze was quite mischievous.
With this first person leading the way, the surrounding crowd instantly became restless.
“I want to see too!
I want to see too!” “Let me touch him too!
Maybe I’ll awaken some divine power tomorrow by sharing in his good fortune!” “Hey, don’t push!
Let me squeeze that chubby little hand first!” For a moment, it was a scene of mass excitement as several hands reached out from all directions.
It looked as though Arthas was about to suffer a cruel “groping baptism.” Diana’s face instantly darkened.
Her gaze, which had been as gentle as water, switched to absolute zero ice within a second.
The alarm of her territory being invaded rang frantically in her mind.
Are you kidding me?
Is he someone you can just touch?
I picked him up!
He’s mine!
Even I haven’t had my fill of touching him yet.
What do you lot think you’re doing?
Diana stopped abruptly, tilting her body slightly to agilely avoid the dirty hand reaching for Arthas’s face.
Then, she looked up.
An aura of natural authority belonging to the Amazon Princess instantly erupted.
“Impudent!” Diana barked in a low voice.
Though her voice was kept low for fear of waking Arthas, its deterrent power was not diminished in the slightest.
Her blue eyes coldly swept over the surrounding crowd.
Her gaze was as sharp as a knife, making the previously laughing female warriors shudder.
“What do you think you’re doing?” “What do you take this place for?
A petting zoo?” “Prince Arthas is a distinguished guest of Paradise Island!
He is a future God-King!” “Moreover, he is a warrior who just defeated General Antiope in a fair duel!” “Is this how you treat a warrior worthy of respect?” “Touching him casually?
Where are your manners?” “Has Amazonian pride and decorum been thrown to the dogs?!” This string of questions rained down like rapid-fire artillery, leaving the group of enthusiastic fangirls a bit dazed.
The red-haired warrior who led the charge awkwardly withdrew her hand and scratched her head sheepishly.
“Well…
Your Highness, we were just curious…” “After all, we’ve never seen such a powerful little boy before…” “Curiosity?” Diana snorted coldly, pulling Arthas even tighter into her embrace, as if afraid someone would snatch him away the moment she wasn’t looking.
“Curiosity is no excuse for being handsy!” “He is very tired now and needs rest.” “If anyone dares to take another step forward and disturb his sleep,” “don’t blame me for being unkind!” “Don’t say I didn’t give you face then—we’ll settle it in the arena!” Having said that, she gave everyone a demonstrative glare.
Her protective stance was exactly like a lioness with her fur bristling.
Faced with the Princess’s firm attitude, and the highly intimidating threat of “settling it in the arena,” everyone could only resentfully pull back their eager intentions.
“Fine, fine…
we won’t touch him then…” “The Princess is truly too stingy…” “Exactly, she clearly wants him all to herself.” “Tsk, tsk, tsk.
She found a brother and forgot her sisters.” Although they were still grumbling in low voices, the crowd obediently made way.
No one dared to truly cross Diana.
After all, the aura Diana projected was becoming more and more like Her Majesty the Queen.
Diana heard the complaints about “keeping him all to herself.” But she didn’t care at all; in fact, she felt a bit smug.
That’s right, I’m keeping him for myself.
So what?
If you’re so capable, go pick one up from the sky yourselves!
If you can’t find one, don’t be envious.
Head held high, she carried Arthas through the crowd like a victorious general.
Her sense of possessiveness was greatly satisfied.
She even glanced down at Arthas in her arms, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.
You’ll have to be careful when you go out from now on.
These women are looking at you like you’re Tang Sanzang’s flesh.
It seems I’ll have to keep an even closer eye on you in the future.
And while all this was happening, on the high palace terrace, Queen Hippolyta stood leaning against the railing, taking in everything that happened on the street.
She did not intervene.
Whether it was Diana’s protectiveness or her people’s curiosity, it was all within her expectations.
Her gaze bypassed the noisy crowd and landed precisely on the small figure in Diana’s arms.
Even from such a distance, she could still feel the fluctuations of divine power radiating from the child, which had not yet fully subsided.
That aura of golden light remained dazzling even in his sleep.
“Arthas Odinson…” Hippolyta softly murmured the name, her fingers unconsciously stroking the cool marble of the railing.
“What terrifying talent and power he possesses…” Hippolyta marveled silently.
She saw clearly the battle in the arena just now.
It wasn’t just a burst of brute force, but a near-instinctive combat intuition.
That grasp of timing, that decisiveness to instantly adjust and counterattack in a desperate situation.
That was the most terrifying part.
Strength can be cultivated, and divine power can be inherited.
But such combat wisdom is innate; it cannot be taught.
This child will undoubtedly become an existence capable of shaking the Nine Realms in the future.
Even if he is currently just a lion cub, he is still a lion, not anything else.
At this thought, Hippolyta’s gaze deepened.
As a Queen, she had to think more broadly and further ahead.
“Perhaps…” An idea gradually took shape in her mind.
“Diana’s trial…” It was the ultimate test of whether Diana could truly leave Paradise Island and go to the world of men.
Hippolyta had been hesitating, feeling Diana wasn’t ready and that the trial was too dangerous.
But now, what if there was this variable?
“If this little fellow were to assist her,” “with his power, he might actually be able to help Diana pass that hurdle smoothly.” “And…” A meaningful curve appeared at the corner of Hippolyta’s mouth.
“Anyway, these two have been stuck together like glue every day, practically inseparable.” “If Arthas is asked to help, he certainly won’t refuse.” “He might even enjoy it, wouldn’t he?” It was indeed a good idea.
It could train Diana and simultaneously provide an opportunity to observe and win over this Asgardian crown prince.
It was truly killing two birds with one stone.
However, this also brought new problems.
Hippolyta turned and looked at the shimmering sea in the distance.
That was the direction to the outside world, and also the direction to the unknown.
“I just wonder if that old fellow Odin will agree?” “After all, that is his most beloved eldest son.” “If something were to go wrong here, even if it’s just a scratch,” “would that protective God-King come charging over here?” This was a huge diplomatic risk.
Although Paradise Island was protected by the gods, a war with Asgard would be an absolute catastrophe.
“Perhaps…
a marriage alliance is an option?” Once this thought emerged, it took root in Hippolyta’s mind.
Political marriage has been the stablest bond for maintaining peace between two major powers since ancient times.
Diana is the only princess of the Amazons, possessing the bloodline of Zeus.
Arthas is the First Prince of Asgard, possessing the bloodline of Odin and even that of the suspected Goddess of Beauty.
This isn’t just a perfect match; it’s a marriage made in heaven.
If these two children could be together, then Paradise Island and Asgard could form the strongest alliance.
In this turbulent universe, this would be an invincible trump card.
“However…” Hippolyta frowned and shook her head somewhat self-deprecatingly.
“Asgard is currently the hegemon of the Nine Realms.” “Both in strength and status, it is far above the secluded Paradise Island.” “They might not necessarily care for our tiny little place.” “And that old stubborn Odin has always been very arrogant.” This matter cannot be rushed.
It needs careful consideration.
At the very least, I must first figure out what’s going on with that aura of the Goddess of Beauty on the child.
This could be a key breakthrough point.
If I can seize this leverage or utilize this relationship…
A glint flashed in Hippolyta’s eyes.
Her instincts as a politician led her to begin constructing various possible plans and layouts in her mind.
But at that moment, her gaze once again swept over the small figure that Diana had already carried into the palace gate.
In that instant, her mind actually dithered for a moment.
That familiar, heart-pounding pink fluctuation seemed to be transmitted through the air.
It did not weaken with distance; instead, it became clearer because of her gaze.
“Heh…” Hippolyta chuckled softly.
This time, there was no calculation or politics in that smile.
Only a pure, feminine appreciation.
“But I must say…” “This kid truly is quite charming.” “That quality that makes one want to get close and pamper him at a single glance.” “Even an old woman like me, who has lived for thousands of years, finds him pleasing to the eye.” “Goddess of Love, Aphrodite…” “What kind of’scourge’ have you left behind for this world?” Hippolyta reached out and touched her chest.
There, the heart that had been silent for countless years actually skipped a beat, softly and unnoticed, in response to that distant fluctuation.