The Grand Hall of the Royal Palace on Paradise Island is the heart of the entire island and the ultimate symbol of power.
There is no nouveau riche-style splendor here, nor is there a gloomy, oppressive dark tone.
Here, there is only pure white and gold, an aesthetic belonging to the Olympian Pantheon, an ultimate fusion of divinity and majesty.
The massive dome, like an inverted sky, is supported by twelve white marble columns, each several people wide.
Each column is carved with heroic deeds of Amazon ancestors; the bas-reliefs are so lifelike that they seem about to leap from the columns and fight at any moment.
Sunlight streams through the high windows around the dome, casting dappled light and shadow on the marble floor.
However, the atmosphere in this hall, which should have been filled with divine radiance, was not relaxed at all; in fact, it was stiflingly awkward.
In the very center of the hall, atop nine steps, rested a massive lion-headed Throne made of pure gold.
Upon the Throne sat the Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta.
She did not appear as old as one might imagine; in fact, she was excessively young.
Time seemed to be exceptionally kind to her, leaving no traces on her face, only settling into a mature Charm that was impossible to look away from.
She had long hair like flowing gold, cascading softly over her shoulders, adorned with an intricately designed laurel leaf golden crown, in the center of which was set a large sapphire, gleaming with a cold light.
Her skin was so fair it was almost translucent, appearing to emit a lustrous pearl-like glow against the golden Throne.
Her deep-set eyes were not purely blue, but had a hint of violet, a color possessed only by the noblest bloodlines.
At this moment, these eyes were slightly narrowed, revealing a sharp gaze that seemed to penetrate one’s soul, making it impossible to even breathe loudly in her presence.
She wore a pure white Greek-style gown, its fabric light as clouds, draping in layers around the Throne.
But this was not soft silk; it was a divine artifact woven with special techniques, tough and defensive.
The neckline of the gown was low, revealing elegant collarbones and a dazzling expanse of fair skin, while the full curve of her breasts was subtly visible beneath the fabric, exuding the unique plumpness and sensuality of a mature woman.
And over the soft gown, she wore a golden half-armor, protecting her shoulders and vital parts of her chest.
The golden armor was carved with soaring eagles, every feather clearly visible, gleaming with the unique cold light of metal.
A wide golden belt cinched her waist, accentuating her still slender and strong figure.
Her long legs were hidden beneath the skirt, elegantly crossed at this moment, wearing golden strapped sandals, each toe painted with vibrant cinnabar.
This was Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, both a supreme ruler and one of the most dangerous and beautiful women in this world.
And beneath that lofty Throne.
Diana stood ramrod straight, like a javelin.
Although her face still held a hint of stubbornness, her eyes dared not meet her mother’s on the Throne, instead wandering elsewhere.
Beside her stood several Amazonian high-ranking generals, clad in heavy armor and exuding an extraordinary aura.
The most prominent among them was naturally General Antiope, who had just appeared.
At this moment, the great general had her hands clasped behind her back, her head bowed, seemingly engaged in some profound academic research on a small patch of floor in front of her.
And Arthas, the focus of everyone’s attention, now stood where all eyes converged.
His small frame appeared exceptionally thin and helpless in the spacious hall.
Like a lamb that had wandered into a pack of wolves, facing the scrutiny of a group of top predators.
Hippolyta was not in a hurry to speak.
She simply sat there quietly, her violet eyes looking as if at a rare treasure, or perhaps a huge problem.
That invisible pressure was like a great mountain, weighing heavily on everyone’s hearts.
After a long while, that majestic and magnetic voice finally echoed through the hall.
“So…” Hippolyta slowly began, her pace unhurried, but each word was incredibly clear, carrying an undeniable power.
“You are the ‘accident’ that fell from the sky?” “Are you truly the First Your Highness of Asgard?
The eldest son of Odin, the Asgardian God-King?
The legitimate heir to Asgard in the future?” Her gaze locked onto Arthas, an look that seemed to penetrate his very soul.
No lie could survive such scrutiny.
Facing such a grand occasion, any ordinary child would have peed their pants from fright.
But who was Arthas?
He was someone who had seen great spectacles (being lifted high by Odin)!
He immediately straightened his body, patted his chest, and a textbook-perfect brilliant smile bloomed on his small face.
“Yes!” Arthas’s voice was clear and resonant, echoing through the hall.
“Beautiful Big Sister Majesty!” With this address, the air in the hall seemed to freeze for another second.
Diana, standing nearby, almost couldn’t resist rolling her eyes.
Oh my god…
Diana wailed frantically in her heart, wishing she could find a crack in the floor to crawl into.
Hadn’t she taught him eight hundred times on the way here?
Don’t add prefixes!
Don’t add prefixes!
Just call her Majesty!
What is ‘Beautiful Big Sister Majesty’?
Is he flirting with the Queen?
Did this little brat even listen to anything I said?
Although she had complained about Arthas ten thousand times in her mind, as his She took a deep breath, trying to maintain a serious and proper demeanor.
She stepped forward and gave Hippolyta a standard military salute.
“Mother.” Diana said in a low voice.
“Although his address…
is a bit informal.” “What he says should be true.” “I personally checked and felt it.” “He indeed possesses an extremely powerful divine energy within him.” “That power is very special, completely different from the power of the Olympian gods we are familiar with.” “And…” Diana paused, looking at Arthas with a somewhat complex expression.
“That purity is definitely not something ordinary deities or demigods could possess.” “Only true royal bloodlines could have such an aura.” Hippolyta was not angered by the strange address; she didn’t even raise an eyebrow.
At her level, such minor matters could no longer stir her emotions.
On the contrary, she was quite interested in Arthas’s innocent and carefree attitude.
“I know.” Hippolyta said indifferently, her voice still calm and unwavering.
“I sensed that level of Divine Power fluctuation the moment he landed.” At this point, her tone suddenly shifted, becoming somewhat sharp.
Her violet eyes abruptly turned to Diana.
“But.” As these two words were uttered, Diana’s body visibly stiffened.
“Did I give you permission to speak?” Hippolyta’s voice was not loud, but it carried a chilling authority.
“You dared to bring a male, and an outsider male of such sensitive identity, back to your own chambers first?” “Instead of reporting to me immediately?” “What exactly were you thinking?” “Is this your judgment as a princess?” Hippolyta leaned slightly forward from the Throne, and the sense of oppression instantly doubled.
“You truly do not take my words to heart.” “Did I not teach you that the outside world is full of danger and deceit?” “Did I not teach you that any uncontrollable factor must be isolated immediately?” “You still can’t tell right from wrong, yet you thought of hiding him and raising him yourself?” “What if he’s an assassin?
What if he carries some kind of curse?” “Do you think your meager skills are enough to handle everything?” This barrage of rhetorical questions was like heavy hammers, striking Diana’s heart repeatedly.
Every word hit home, leaving Diana unable to retort.
That feeling of always being an overgrown child in front of her mother made her feel incredibly frustrated and wronged.
Hearing these words, Diana’s suppressed little thoughts resurfaced.
She no longer cared about complaining about Arthas; all her attention was focused on maintaining her dignity.
She abruptly raised her head, her equally beautiful blue eyes meeting her mother’s on the Throne.
Two flames named ‘rebellion’ burned in her eyes.
“Mother!” Diana shouted loudly, her voice trembling slightly, but more so with determination.
“I have grown up!” “I am no longer the little girl who only hid behind you and played in the mud!” “I have my own judgment, and I can tell right from wrong!” “I can feel whether this child has malicious intent!” She clenched her fists, her nails digging deeply into her palms.
“I cannot live under your protection forever!” “I am the Princess of the Amazons!
The future guardian!” “I need to face this world, both the good and the bad!” Facing her daughter’s impassioned declaration of independence, Hippolyta showed no sign of emotion or gratification.
Her expression remained indifferent, and a faint, almost imperceptible hint of mockery played at the corners of her mouth.
Her gaze was like that of someone watching a petulant child declare they are running away from home.
“Is that so?” Hippolyta countered lightly.
“Grown up?” “Can tell right from wrong?” “With just your meager abilities?” “Or perhaps…” Her gaze slowly shifted to Antiope, who was standing by, playing dead.
“Is it because of those things Antiope has been secretly teaching you all these years?” “You think your wings are hard enough to fly?” This sentence was like a bolt of lightning, striking Diana’s head instantly.
She was completely stunned.
The momentum she had just gathered instantly dissipated.
“Huh?” Diana’s mouth hung open, her face full of shock.
“Mo…
Mother…” “You…
you knew all along?” She instinctively turned her head to look at Antiope beside her, her eyes filled with signals for help.
Aunt!
Speak up!
This is our secret!
Didn’t you say it would never be discovered?
However, General Antiope was currently deeply engrossed in her great ‘floor research project,’ unable to extricate herself.
She kept her head down, her eyes fixed on the marble tile beneath her feet.
As if every pattern on it contained the truth of the universe.
She completely blocked out Diana’s gaze, even softening her breathing, trying to reduce her presence.
Don’t look at me, don’t look at me, please don’t look at me.
Antiope silently chanted in her heart.
My dear niece, don’t drag me into this now.
You don’t know how terrifying your mother is.
And this whole thing was your mother’s idea anyway; I’m just an employee!
This floor is so white…
so beautiful…
huh?
Why isn’t there even an ant here?
If there was an ant, I could count its legs.
The cleaning crew is so thoughtless, why clean it so thoroughly?
Don’t they know that in situations like this, you need something to distract yourself?
This usually imposing great general was now so timid it was almost heartbreaking.
Seeing her sister’s spineless appearance, Hippolyta let out a soft snort.
Although the snort was quiet, it sounded exceptionally clear in the silent great hall.
Antiope’s shoulders twitched from the fright.
“What did you think?” Hippolyta looked at Diana, her eyes showing a hint of disappointment that she couldn’t meet expectations.
“On this island, is there anything that can be hidden from me?” “Antiope is your aunt, and she is also my General.” “Without my tacit approval and instruction, do you think she would dare to secretly train you behind my back?” “Do you think she has the guts to defy my orders?” Hippolyta’s words struck Diana’s heart, word by word.
“Those’secret training sessions’ and little tricks like ‘evading the guards’ that you thought you were pulling off.” “They were actually just lessons I arranged.” “Your every move, even every time you fell, every time you bled, was under my observation.” The truth is always cruel.
Diana felt like a fool.
It turned out that the rebellion and resistance she thought she was waging had always been within her mother’s grasp.
That sense of frustration made her lower her head, bite her lip, and her eyes welled up.
“Mother…” She whispered the address, her voice full of disappointment.
The atmosphere in the great hall became even more awkward.
This was practically the scene of a major family drama.
Arthas stood to the side.
Although young, his clever little mind understood the current situation.
These two beautiful older sisters were arguing.
And the sister who looked more formidable seemed to have won.
This was definitely not the time to speak; speaking would be courting death.
Thus, Arthas very wisely made his choice.
He quietly shuffled two steps and moved closer to Antiope.
Then, imitating the General, he lowered his head and clasped his hands behind his back.
Two pairs of eyes, one large and one small, began jointly studying the floor beneath their feet.
As if some Peerless Martial Arts Manual was truly written upon it.
However, Arthas wanted to be Little Invisible, but Hippolyta had no intention of letting him off the hook.
Having resolved her daughter’s issue, Her Majesty the Queen’s attention returned to this “outsider.” “Alright.” Hippolyta broke the silence, and also interrupted Arthas’s sacred “floor research.” “We’ll discuss these matters later.” “For now, let us return to the main topic.” Her gaze locked onto Arthas again.
The oppressive aura had slightly receded, becoming much gentler.
“I understand now, Your Highness Arthas.” Hippolyta said slowly.
“Based on the current circumstances, the situation is likely quite clear.” “Your age, your personality.” “Coupled with that unstable Divine Power outburst.” “You must have, out of curiosity or mischief, accidentally triggered the Bifröst Control Center in Asgard, right?” “And then you triggered an Energy Turbulence and were accidentally teleported to our Paradise Island.” I must say, a Queen is a Queen; she guessed it perfectly.
It was as if she had been there to witness it herself.
“However…” Hippolyta changed the subject, her tone carrying genuine admiration.
“To be able to awaken such powerful Divine Power at this age, and even trigger this kind of cross-dimensional teleportation.” “This talent is truly astonishing.” “Indeed, the younger generation is formidable.” “It seems that old man Odin has fathered an extraordinary son.” Hearing this praise, Arthas, who was pretending to be profound while studying the floor, instantly broke character.
He abruptly lifted his head, his eyes curved into crescent moons from smiling.
“Hahahaha!” That string of bell-like laughter rang out in the great hall, sounding particularly jarring.
“Not at all, not at all!
You flatter me, you flatter me!” Arthas waved his little hand.
Although he spoke modestly, the smugness on his face was impossible to hide.
“But Father King and Mom often praise me as a genius!” “They say I’m the smartest child in Asgard in thousands of years!” “Hahahaha…” However, as he laughed, Arthas suddenly felt something was wrong.
It was simply too quiet around him.
Besides his laughter, you could hear a pin drop.
He secretly opened one eye and scanned the surroundings.
He found Hippolyta still sitting upright on the Throne, watching him with a smile, but that smile made him feel uneasy no matter how he looked at it.
Older Sister Diana was looking at him with a “Are you stupid?” look.
And Granny Antiope next to him…
wait, Older Sister Antiope, was desperately winking at him, her eyeballs nearly popping out.
Uh…
Did I get a bit carried away?
Maybe I shouldn’t be laughing so loudly in this setting?
Arthas’s laughter was like an engine running out of fuel, growing softer and drier.
“Haha…
ha…
ha…” Finally, it turned into a few awkward coughs.
“Cough, cough…
well…” He quickly retracted his smile, clasped his hands behind his back again, lowered his head, and reverted to the appearance of a well-behaved, sensible good child.
As long as I change my expression fast enough, awkwardness can’t catch me!
Hippolyta watched the little fellow’s comical performance, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes.
This child is quite interesting.
He doesn’t seem like a spoiled good-for-nothing; this cleverness is rare.
“Don’t worry.” Hippolyta spoke, breaking the awkwardness.
“Since you have come, you should make yourself at home.” “Since you have arrived here, you are our guest.” “Next, I will attempt to use magic to contact Asgard.” “But this is not an easy task.” “Our Paradise Island has been sealed off for too long, and contact with the outside world is virtually cut off.” “It will require significant time to prepare to penetrate the layered Dimensional Barriers and contact that distant Northern Divine Realm.” “Therefore, during this time.” Hippolyta leaned forward slightly, her tone becoming gentler.
“You may need to stay here temporarily for a while.” “Although we Amazons do not favor outsiders, we understand proper etiquette when dealing with true guests.” “We will take good care of you, Your Highness Arthas.” Hearing this, Arthas let out a huge sigh of relief.
In any case, at least his meal ticket was secured.
He didn’t have to worry about being fed to the sharks.
Plus, being able to spend a few extra days in a place full of beautiful older sisters—this was a definite perk!
“Thank you!” Arthas immediately said loudly, bowing again.
“Thank you, beautiful Older Sister Majesty!” “You are truly too benevolent, too generous, and too beautiful!” His flattery was so sweet it was impossible to be angry.
Even Hippolyta’s expression softened slightly upon hearing this string of Excessive Flattery.
Since the settlement plan had been decided, the next step was the specific implementation.
Hippolyta turned her head and looked at Diana, who was still standing there looking a little downcast.
“Diana.” She called her daughter’s name.
“Since you were the one who brought him back.” “And I see the child seems quite attached to you.” “Then, the task of hosting Your Highness Arthas is entirely entrusted to you.” This was both an order and a test.
“You must be responsible for his daily needs and ensure his safety.” “At the same time, keep a close eye on him, don’t let him run around and cause trouble.” “Consider this your first Formal Mission from me.” Hippolyta looked into Diana’s eyes, her tone meaningful.
“Didn’t you say you were grown up?” “Didn’t you say you could distinguish right from wrong?” “Then show me.” “See if you can handle this unexpected Diplomatic Incident well.” Hearing that this was a “mission” and a chance to prove herself.
Diana’s previously dimmed eyes brightened again.
She knew this was a step her mother gave her, and also a trial.
Although the process was a bit convoluted, the result was good.
She could finally do things openly instead of being confined to the Training Ground all day.
“Yes!
Mother!” Diana straightened her back and replied with a resounding voice.
“I guarantee I will complete the mission!” “I will take good care of Your Highness Arthas!” Having finished speaking, she turned around and waved at Arthas.
“Let’s go, little guy.” “Don’t disturb Her Majesty’s rest.” Arthas obediently ran over and took Diana’s hand.
Before leaving, he didn’t forget to turn back and wave at Hippolyta.
“Goodbye, Your Majesty!
Goodbye, Older Sister!” Then the two figures, one large and one small, slowly retreated from the great hall and disappeared into the sunlight.
The great hall doors slowly closed, making a dull thud.
The suffocating silence returned to the great hall.
Antiope was still studying the floor, clearly not having recovered from the shock.
Hippolyta sat alone on the high Throne, watching the closed doors, the smile slowly fading from her face.
It was replaced by a deep, unshakeable sense of doubt and solemnity.
Her fingers lightly tapped the armrest of the Throne, making a “thud, thud” sound.
The Grand Prince of Asgard…
Hippolyta pondered silently in her heart.
That identity must be real; that kind of Divine Power couldn’t be faked.
But…
why…
why does that child feel so strange to me?
Hippolyta closed her eyes, and Arthas’s smiling face appeared in her mind.
Those features, that expression, even the demeanor unintentionally revealed when he spoke…
it was too similar.
It was simply too much like that woman.
Aphrodite.
That name surfaced in Hippolyta’s mind, carrying a trace of complex emotion.
She was the most beautiful, yet also the most willful, Goddess of Olympus.
Hippolyta had seen her a few times, and the Charm that could make even Deities fall for her was fresh in her memory.
The aura on that child was not just Odin’s Thunder.
Beneath that violent Thunder, there was also hidden an extremely faint, yet extremely pure, Goddess of Beauty’s Divine Power.
That was the source of “Charm” and “Love.” But…
how could this be?
Hippolyta frowned.
Odin and Aphrodite?
How could these two Chief Gods of the Pantheon from completely unrelated Pantheons be connected?
And that woman…
hasn’t she always been arrogant, looking down on all men?
How could she possibly have a child?
And give birth to one for that crude old man from the North?
There must be some unknown secret involved.
It might even involve deeper transactions or conspiracies between the two great Pantheons.
Hippolyta felt as if she had grasped the thread of a huge mystery, but couldn’t see the full picture.
Arthas Odinson…
it seems this child’s arrival is more than just a simple accident.
Perhaps, this is Fate’s hint to the Amazon tribe?
Or…
a warning?
Hippolyta opened her eyes, and a sharp glint flashed in her violet pupils.
“Antiope.” She suddenly spoke.
Antiope, who was counting ant legs on the floor, suddenly raised her head.
“Present!
Your Majesty!” “Strengthen the Defenses across the entire island.” Hippolyta’s voice echoed in the great hall.
“I have a premonition that the coming days will not be peaceful.” …