Chapter 432: The True Princess and The False Princess!
The Grand Plan
Inside a hidden cave, a bonfire burned brightly, illuminating three young faces.
Mera asked, her face full of curiosity,
"How do you plan to get the Amazon Metal? Those women don't seem very willing to talk."
The three had been attacked the moment they arrived on the island. The local residents had no intention of communicating, treating them entirely as enemies.
Luke Shaw glanced at her. "I'll have to rely on you."
"Me?"
Mera pointed to herself, a little unsure.
"How can I help?"
"The Princess of Xebel, you can, in certain situations, represent Atlantis. Just tell them you are an Atlantean envoy here for peace, for peace between our races."
Mera looked at him strangely. "You want me to lie!"
Luke Shaw shrugged. "We need an identity, regardless. We can't just say we were touring the world and accidentally stumbled upon this place!"
Mera thought about it. It makes some sense, yet something still feels wrong.
"What if they don't believe me?"
"Just demonstrate your ability to control water flow. They'll definitely believe you."
"I mean, what if they don't."
"Then we'll have to take it by force."
Luke Shaw stated this matter-of-factly, without a hint of embarrassment. The two girls were speechless, both feeling like they had boarded a pirate ship.
Just then, a murmuring sound came to their ears. The unconscious female warrior opened her eyes and, upon seeing the three of them, roared like a wild beast.
The woman was physically strong and fiercely aggressive. That angry roar truly gave the illusion of a ferocious warrior reborn.
Carol frowned. "What is she shouting?"
Luke Shaw sneered. "A variation of ancient Greek. It means for us to get out; outsiders are not welcome here."
Mera was surprised. "You even know the Amazon language?"
"Just learned it a few days ago."
Mera: "..."
Luke Shaw walked up to the female warrior and rattled off a stream of gibberish (ancient Greek). No one knew what he said, but the warrior's expression gradually softened, and she periodically cast astonished glances at Mera.
Mera quickly put on airs, restoring the necessary dignity of a princess. Surprisingly, it actually worked.
After the conversation, Luke Shaw released the ropes, signaling her to leave with her companion.
This action dispelled the suspicion in the warrior's heart. Since they let her go, it meant the red-haired woman truly might be a Princess of Atlantis.
Thinking this, she quickly hoisted her companion onto her shoulder and hurried away.
Carol hesitated. "Just let them go?"
"To cast a long line, you have to let the bait go. If we don't release them, how will we meet the ruler here?"
He then turned to Mera, his tone growing serious. "From now on, I am your Court Secretary and Guard Knight. Carol is the mysterious Lady Officer practicing sorcery. As for you, my Princess, maintain the airs of royalty. You must be haughty, overbearing, and arrogant."
Mera found it slightly amusing and couldn't help but ask,
"Is all this really necessary?"
"Atlantis is a proud race. It's difficult for a Princess to develop a down-to-earth personality. The more arrogant you act, the less they will suspect you. Also, there are likely Amazons here who are fluent in the Atlantean language. In your conversations with us, you must constantly exhibit a critical and caustic demeanor. It's best if you make them so angry they want to swear."
Carol just shook her head upon hearing all this, but Mera showed immense interest. She had grown up in the palace, living a stable and prosperous life, and had never had such a stimulating experience.
A true princess playing a false princess!
It sounded good.
The Queen and The Secretary
Paradise Island (Themyscira) is lush with vegetation and enjoys perpetual spring. The world here is different from the outside, possessing an independent and miraculous ecosystem.
The island is surrounded by sea, with mountains to the south, dense forests to the east, and grasslands to the west and north. The Amazonian capital city is located on a plateau in the northern region.
The current Amazon Queen, Hippolyta, was a strong and beautiful woman. She had long blonde hair and wore the royal circlet. Her eyes were steady and resolute, exuding an imposing, fearless authority.
The Queen was conducting her daily required horseback archery training. Clad in a golden robe, she stood on her galloping warhorse. Every time the bowstring vibrated, an arrow shot through the air and hit the center of the target.
After a hundred shots, Hippolyta leaped off her horse and spoke to her sister, Antiope, who had rushed over.
"It's rare to see you so urgent. Did outsiders break in again?"
Paradise Island is isolated from the world, and the residents are immortal due to Zeus's magic. Thousands of years of repetitive life had made them somewhat numb. The only things that piqued their interest were the quadrennial Olympics and the occasional arrival of outsiders.
Unfortunately, due to the terrible weather, even stowaways rarely survived the storms and lightning.
"Your Majesty, the situation is different this time. It's Atlantis."
Antiope said gravely, "Atlantis has discovered Paradise Island and sent a Princess as a representative to negotiate."
"Oh!"
Hippolyta frowned, her expression becoming serious.
"Are you sure it's an Atlantean princess?"
"We are not yet certain. Necraland brought back their news: two women and one man, all very young. The man, wearing strange armor, claims to be the Court Secretary and Guard Knight. He is fluent in Ancient Greek and demanded that we provide the best food, lodging, and an honor guard."
"Where are they now?"
"In a cave near the west coast beach. I've already sent people over."
Just then, an Amazonian warrior walked in.
"Your Majesty, those three outsiders refuse to leave the cave."
Hippolyta paused. "Why?"
"They... they..."
The warrior's face was strained, her eyes burning with anger. "They called us crude and rude barbarians, saying that diplomatic relations between two nations should be based on equal dialogue, and demanded that Your Majesty personally welcome them, complete with a welcoming ceremony."
"Damn Atlantis, as arrogant as ever."
Hippolyta and Antiope exchanged glances. Antiope frowned.
"Who said these things?"
"The man who claims to be the Court Secretary."
"And the Atlantean Princess?"
The warrior grew even more incensed when the Princess was mentioned. "That woman never even looked at us straight. She's as arrogant as a peacock."
Antiope suddenly fell silent. If she had any doubts before, three-tenths of them were now gone. A normal person wouldn't impersonate a princess, and even if they did, they wouldn't be so arrogant and ill-mannered. After thinking it over, she said solemnly,
"I will go meet them."
As the Queen's sister, her status was sufficient to meet with an Atlantean Princess.
Hippolyta nodded slightly.
"Take Sether with you. She is familiar with Atlantean culture. If it is confirmed to be the Princess, bring them to the palace."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
Antiope mounted her warhorse and, leading two squads of soldiers, left the capital. Meanwhile, outside the cave, Luke Shaw, acting as the "butler," was loudly scolding the surrounding female warriors.
"Is this how Amazons treat guests?"
"We followed the King's orders, crossed lightning and tsunamis to find this hidden island, all for the purpose of easing tensions between our two races! And yet, you rude Amazons demand that the noble Princess His Highness walk to the capital! Historical records are correct: you are nothing but a group of savage, vulgar, and traditionless barbarians!"
"When I return, I will report today's treatment to His Majesty exactly as it happened and have him send troops to surround this island to seek justice for Princess His Highness!"
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