Chapter 56

Tidal Clan Maiden: "It's not like that. No one could have predicted that things would escalate to this point. Otherwise, Princess Diana would have definitely stayed."

Gordon: "Oh? At the time, you thought the civil war would end quickly and that it wouldn't affect your Tidal Clan's survival?"

Tidal Clan Maiden: "Yes, both sides of the civil war were Amazons. Whoever won would still abide by the pact with the Sea God Poseidon and continue to protect us. For us, it didn't matter whether Hippolyta or Persephone became the queen; we just needed to remain loyal. Who would have thought that the civil war would turn so bloody, with Persephone not only breaking the seal on the War God Ares but also opening the Gate of Doom to control monsters from another world to fight for her. Although she eventually drove Queen Hippolyta from Paradise Island to the mainland, she also turned Paradise Island into a hellish place. That's when things started to go wrong for us."

Gordon: "Things started to go wrong for you? How could they go wrong? Don't you have the protection of the new queen, Persephone? Why not just sit back and enjoy peace?" —— sarcastically

Tidal Clan Maiden: "Enjoy peace? Look at what happened to our village! This is the peace the new queen and the new governor have brought us!" —— shouting angrily

Dale: "That's impossible. With the pact in place, neither the new Amazon queen nor the new governor can persecute you without cause. Did you refuse to swear allegiance or plot a rebellion?"

Tidal Clan Maiden: "Sigh, you left before the civil war started, so you don't know the details. When Queen Hippolyta was driven out of Paradise Island, she took the three clan treasures: the Lasso of Truth, the Bracelet of Submission, and the Tiara of Starlight. The new queen, without these treasures, couldn't control the War God Ares, who had regained his divine powers, nor could she independently control the monsters from the other world. As a result, power on Paradise Island fell into Ares' hands, and she became a puppet. The Sea God Poseidon and the War God Ares have a deep-seated grudge, dating back to the ancient times when they even took their dispute to the highest court in Athens (Ares' Hill). Although Ares was ultimately acquitted, the two gods have been at odds ever since. Now, as Poseidon's favored people living on his territory, how could we possibly be treated well? Various forms of persecution have followed one after another." —— regretfully

I (voiceover): "Sigh, this is what you get for being complacent. When the civil war started, you watched from the sidelines, treating it like a circus. Who would have thought that the fire at the city gate would spread to the fish in the pond, and it would be your turn to suffer? Now you regret it? Too late!"

Gordon: "Since you are being persecuted on Paradise Island, why don't you escape and establish a new home? Didn't you say that the Pacific Ocean isn't covered?"

Tidal Clan Maiden: "Establishing a new home is easier said than done. Our clan has lived on Paradise Island for hundreds of years; this is our homeland on land. The older generation of our clan doesn't agree to leave. Only the younger generation, like my mother, has this idea, but the young people don't have a say. Besides, our clan has accumulated wealth over hundreds of years, and it's not easy to move. We have to endure for now."

Gordon: "Hmph, you're worried about losing your property and plan to endure and survive by any means? Your attitude is exactly what Ares wants. He's boiling you like a frog, gradually forcing you into a corner."

Tidal Clan Maiden: "Of course, we know that. Our entire clan has chosen to endure temporarily because we still have hope."

Dale: "Hope?"

Tidal Clan Maiden: "Yes, those who destroyed our village said that Princess Diana would lead the royal army to retake the island and save us from our suffering. I've been waiting in the ruins of our village for her, as I heard she would land here." —— eyes shining, hands clasped, full of hope

Gordon: "Hahaha, you actually believe this lie, which some fool in your clan made up to indulge in fantasies and self-comfort? You really are a child." —— patting the maiden's head

Tidal Clan Maiden: "This is not a lie! It's a prophecy from the capital of Paradise Island, New Themyscira, divined by the witch Circe. It's highly credible. Otherwise, why would our village have been destroyed?" —— pushing Gordon's hand away

Gordon: "Oh? Is this witch Circe so powerful that her prophecy convinced both Ares and you?"

Tidal Clan Maiden: "Of course. The witch Circe has the power of prophecy granted by the goddess of the Underworld, and her predictions are very accurate. Moreover, as far as I know, it was she who helped Persephone break Ares' seal, restoring his divine powers. She is the second most powerful person on Paradise Island."

I (voiceover): "Second most powerful? What about the new queen, Persephone? Is she not even in the top ranks? No wonder she became a puppet."

Dale: "I found it strange earlier. How did Persephone break Ares' seal? It's said that the seal was placed by the goddess Hera and can only be broken by another god. It seems she had strong external help."

Gordon: "That's not right. She's a witch, a human without a divine status, which is a fundamental difference. Human witchcraft has its limits and cannot break a seal placed by a god. It requires the direct use of divine power, unless she has a special artifact."

Tidal Clan Maiden: "It's possible that the mysterious daughter of Ares and Persephone also helped. Legend has it that she, like Princess Diana, was born with a divine status."

Dale: "It's also possible that the witch Circe has a powerful artifact and is very strong... Let's not talk about that. Let's talk about you. We've been talking for so long, and I still don't know your name. I'm Dale, and he is..."

Gordon: "I'm [Shilin]." —— quickly interjecting

Tidal Clan Maiden: "I'm [Liu Hailan]. Thank you for saving me. But just 'Dale'? This naming style doesn't fit Amazonian customs; it's clearly an alias or a fake name."

Dale: "I abandoned my real name when I left my tribe."

Liu Hailan: "Abandoned? Really? Is there another reason?" —— scrutinizing Dale

Dale: "Another reason? No." —— feigning ignorance

Liu Hailan: "The full prophecy from the witch Circe goes like this: 'Princess Diana, accompanied by a man with seven stripes and a star symbol, will lead the royal army to land at Conch Village, from where they will launch a counterattack to retake the island and restore Paradise Island.' You appeared in Conch Village with a man and are an Amazonian wandering warrior..." —— staring at Dale suspiciously

Dale: "Huh?"

Liu Hailan: "Let me see your face!" —— suddenly lunging forward to remove Dale's helmet

I (voiceover): "The princess is still the same. Even with a helmet covering her face, she can't hide her true feelings. Her acting is so poor; she's bound to be exposed, right?"

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