DC: Rise of the Kryptonian Tyrant

"No, we can no longer get involved in Barmulodi and his enemies."

"That would only make Paradise Island a bombing target once again."

"He's... far too quick to use nuclear weapons against Paradise Island."

Antiope sighed with sorrow. If they took action against Barmulodi again, they would have no chance.

Her words stunned everyone present.

The shadow of the nuclear bomb still loomed over them, making them fearful and terrified.

If the three of them hadn't knelt in time, Paradise Island truly would have been obliterated by a nuclear strike.

Whether in personal combat or technological strength, Paradise Island had no way to compete with Barmulodi. And now, they were being exploited by humans to the extreme.

For the sake of the remaining Amazons, there was no choice but to surrender.

Antiope had already informed Queen Hippolyta of this decision the night she returned.

Hippolyta was her elder sister, and as the queen of the Amazons, she could better understand just how much pride Antiope had to swallow, and what a difficult but clear decision it had been.

For a moment, the hall fell into silence again.

"How can the tribe... abandon their beliefs and follow Barmulodi?" Artemis muttered.

The ordinary Amazons were extremely stubborn and unyielding.

They would not appreciate the Amazon leaders for all the sacrifices they made, the dignity they gave up, or the pride they cast aside just to protect them.

They would only see these leaders as cowards, lacking the resolve to die for their cause, forsaking the gods and living dishonorably.

The Amazons were unafraid of death. They had a warrior's will and were willing to die alongside the enemy.

But that meant nothing now.

Dying under a nuclear blast was completely meaningless. It was a tragedy.

Hippolyta sat on the throne, deep in thought.

She was the wisest ruler among the Amazons, having led them on Paradise Island for thousands of years, even after being abandoned by the gods.

"General Phillipus, prepare to declare war against Atlantis. Inform Barmulodi that we surrender and are willing to serve as his warriors and fight Atlantis on his behalf."

"Frame everything as a conspiracy from Atlantis. Shift public attention. Spread propaganda among the common people. Say that His Majesty Barmulodi is helping us in a crusade against Atlantis."

Phillipus, Antiope, and Artemis lit up with realization.

By redirecting the conflict in this way, they could avoid direct confrontation with Barmulodi. The outrage of the masses would not fall on him. Instead, all anger would be directed at Atlantis.

This would prevent the tribe from turning their hatred toward Barmulodi due to the nuclear bombing, and it would also prevent excessive casualties that could occur from widespread Amazon protests under Barmulodi's rule.

As long as they staged a few dangerous events during the battle against Atlantis and had the Barmulodi Legion save the Amazons a few times, shared experiences in war could build camaraderie. Under imperial rule, resistance would lessen, and sacrifices would be fewer.

Hippolyta looked weary and sighed deeply.

"Antiope, from today onward, begin spreading the message that the gods of Olympus have abandoned us... Let the tribe gradually accept belief in Barmulodi..."

"During the campaign against Atlantis, his statues will be erected gradually."

"My people... this is the only way I can protect them!"

Hippolyta's voice was filled with sorrow, and a tear slipped from her eye.

If the gods had not abandoned them, Hippolyta would have gladly carried the glory of the gods and fought Barmulodi to the death.

But only she knew the truth.

The gods of Olympus had truly forsaken them. The Amazons were merely surviving on Paradise Island.

And she, herself, had only been a plaything of Zeus.

Phillipus, Antiope, and Artemis were shocked, their faces filled with grief.

"Sister... he promised we would still be Amazons. That our culture and history would not change!" Antiope said bitterly.

But nothing would truly stay the same. Even if only their belief changed, their freedom would already be gone. They would become just another legion under Barmulodi's command.

Hippolyta gave a bitter nod.

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy with silent sorrow.

"Diana... will become a hostage," Artemis said quietly.

She had no doubt about Hippolyta's intelligence. The wise and noble Amazon queen was trusted by the entire tribe.

From this perspective, Diana could only be used as a pawn by Barmulodi to control the Amazons.

At the mention of Diana, the bitter expression on Hippolyta's face vanished, replaced by a heavy worry in her eyes.

"Diana will be fine," Hippolyta said softly.

Phillipus, Antiope, and Artemis were all stunned. Diana was in Bardi's hands. Even the wrath and threats of King Zeus had failed to bring her back.

Was there truly a way to retrieve Diana?

The Amazons had already agreed to surrender. They had no leverage to negotiate.

"The position of Amazon Queen, I will pass it to Diana. From now on, Diana will be the Queen of the Amazons."

Artemis was silent. Even if the throne were given to Diana, Barmulodi would likely not release her. He wouldn't allow a rebellious Amazon queen to remain free.

Phillipus and Antiope were also silent. After surrendering, Hippolyta would be seen as a traitor and could no longer remain queen.

But passing the throne to Diana might not help either. Barmulodi could appoint a fake Diana to rule the Amazons, changing nothing.

The real Diana would still be imprisoned, still not free.

Hippolyta's eyes were calm. She looked at the Amazon warriors before her and slowly said, "I will marry Diana to Barmulodi."

Her words struck like thunder, shocking the female warriors who stared at her in disbelief.

"This..."

By making Barmulodi her husband, he would have the military authority to directly intervene in Amazon affairs. Bit by bit, he could absorb them completely, turning them into one of his legions.

Phillipus, Antiope, and Artemis were so stunned they couldn't speak. In essence, this meant presenting the Amazons as a gift to Barmulodi.

At the same time, by binding Diana and Barmulodi together, Diana wouldn't be entirely imprisoned by him. She wouldn't be subject to experiments or bloodletting under confinement.

Antiope opened her mouth to object, but in the end, she only moved her lips without saying anything.

Because Barmulodi, whether through strength or power, had already become unstoppable. He considered the Amazons as already his, and their assimilation was inevitable.

She thought deeply and completely understood her sister's intentions.

Diana, as Barmulodi's wife, might be able to preserve the pure spirit of the Amazons in the future, preventing him from utterly destroying their warriors and cultural legacy.

Antiope looked at her sister, Hippolyta, in pain.

This wise Amazon queen had truly done everything possible to preserve hope for the Amazons and protect her daughter.

(To be continued.)

***

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