Ten years after the Flash altered the timeline, he knelt down and saved 50 million people. The island of New Guinea had not been destroyed by Bardi. Diana, in truth, bore no hatred toward Bardi.
She had only been persuaded by members of the Justice League, who, knowing the future, aimed to undermine Bardi's rule, prevent a global war, protect civilians from displacement and death, and stop the tragedies that would unfold under Bardi's reign. They manipulated her into leaving Paradise Island and aiding Hal in obtaining the Green Lantern ring.
Because of this, Antiope held the illusion that the conflict between them and Bardi was not one of life and death. She believed Diana's capture was simply the result of a momentary lapse in judgment.
"Take her back?"
"You attacked me without provocation, triggering over a dozen countries to launch nuclear strikes against me."
"And now you want to come here and simply take her away with a few words?"
Bardi smiled. He turned, walked over to the bar, and selected a bottle of Wine from the cabinet. This was a red wine specially brewed for him—powerful in taste, rich in aroma, and a rare treasure.
He moved gracefully, smiling as he gently swirled the deep crimson wine in his goblet, refracting the light into a brilliant display. Its seductive fragrance filled the air. Bardi looked at the Amazons, smiling, but his tone was sharp.
Antiope smiled as well. She never expected it would be easy to take Diana from Bardi's hands.
"Diana was only deceived and manipulated into standing against you, Your Majesty Barmulodi."
"We have thoroughly investigated the country under Your Majesty's rule. The people live in happiness and prosperity. There is law and discipline. Social order is excellent. It is the most peaceful and satisfying nation on Earth."
"Your Majesty is a great philanthropist, entrepreneur, king, and charitable leader praised around the world. You have saved countless refugees and orphans."
"You are far from the tyrannical ruler others claim you to be."
"This time, Diana was deceived by villains, which led her to act against Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty can forgive her for this unintentional offense."
Antiope's voice was clear. She shifted all blame to the Justice League, claiming Diana was merely manipulated. She hoped Bardi, valuing his reputation, might let Diana go.
In truth, it wasn't just these words. Having seen Diana fight Bardi, Antiope had realized just how terrifying Bardi's power was. She originally thought Bardi was merely a refined ruler. His appearance, composure, and demeanor made a favorable impression. She had even wanted Diana to explore human society and technology and build mutual understanding.
But unexpectedly, Bardi had transformed into a being of overwhelming power—a figure more like a demon than a man. He shattered the skies with his hands, stood upon the stars, fired beams of death from his eyes, breathed freezing breath, and casually tore through a meteor shower. His power was enough to destroy stars. He fought in space, overwhelmed Diana and Hal, and walked away from a nuclear explosion unscathed, looking down upon the Earth.
Such power, even a god might struggle to confront.
But the gods had long since vanished. Paradise Island had been isolated for thousands of years.
Therefore, though Antiope had come armed with the intent of negotiating Diana's release, she dared not speak boldly and was trying her best to tread lightly.
"Haha…"
Bardi laughed. Sunlight slanted across his office as he held the goblet, swirling the red liquid that shone like a ruby.
He took a light sip of the fragrant, mellow wine.
The three Amazons could sense the disrespect behind Bardi's laugh. They believed he was mocking them, and that he thought they were no match for him. But Amazon warriors did not tolerate such contempt. Even if it meant death, they would fight with no fear.
Artemis, in particular, was filled with fury. Had Antiope not told her to stay silent, she would have already punched Bardi in the face.
In modern terms, her mood could be summed up as: Laugh all you want—I'll knock you into next week!
"Don't mistake my kindness for weakness."
"What if Diana had killed me?"
At that, Bardi's smile faded.
Diana was already his. She lay in the research facility, scheduled for dissection. He would extract her blood to study the nature of a demigod's body, the structure of divine energy, the composition of Amazonian flesh and blood, its genome, and its genetic encoding.
The entire research process had already been arranged. And now they had come to take her?
Ridiculous.
Bardi looked at Antiope with amusement.
Death?
To die was to die. It was an honor to fall by the hands of an Amazon.
To die with honor meant being remembered by the Amazons as a mighty foe—etched into their history, a role model for generations to come.
That in itself was a great honor. Many would envy such a death.
But... Antiope dared not say such words.
If she said that now, Bardi might destroy Diana and the rest of them in a single outburst.
The honor of the gods was not something outsiders could understand. The pride of the Amazons could not be simply explained.
For a moment, sunlight pierced the bright office, illuminating the dust motes that floated silently in the air.
The room was still.
The sunlight was warm and gentle, a peaceful drowsiness filling the space.
Yet the atmosphere was as cold as death.
Antiope's expression was calm, yet her face was stiff and tense.
At this moment, the furious Artemis could no longer remain silent.
"Barmulodi! The Amazons do not fear battle!"
Artemis clenched her fists. She was tall and muscular, her frame defined with lean curves and powerful muscles.
She roared in anger. Her lightly tanned, copper-toned skin and sculpted muscles radiated heroic strength. Her face was resolute, her eyes wild, fixed on Bardi with seething hostility.
She had deep bonds with Diana. How could she stand by as a man—one not even native to Earth—dared to provoke the Amazons?
Especially while Antiope spoke so softly. It was disgraceful!
"Shut up!"
Antiope's face turned grim as she scolded her sharply.
She had seen Barmulodi's power clearly. Any confrontation would end in disaster. Not to mention Bardi's scientific weaponry—how many nuclear strikes could Paradise Island endure? Their magical barriers could never withstand such relentless bombardment.
Artemis was too impulsive, too proud to accept insults to Paradise Island, and too rash to tolerate restraint.
"Artemis, you and Phillipus step out. I will speak with His Majesty Barmulodi alone."
Antiope ordered, her face stern.
Artemis was unwilling. In her view, capturing Diana was an act of war. This man clearly wanted to possess Diana's beauty and had no intention of letting her go. What was there to negotiate?
They should be using force, storming in, and taking Diana back by strength.
Artemis left with a red, furious face. Her gaze burned with defiance as she argued with Antiope briefly, then exited the office with Phillipus to stand guard outside.
Bardi glanced at Antiope with a light smile, sipping his fragrant red wine. He raised his glass in a casual, elegant motion and said, "The warriors of Paradise Island certainly have spirit."
"I apologize, Your Majesty."
Antiope's face was grim. After offering an apology for Artemis' behavior, the matter returned to its original focus.
(To be continued.)
***
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