Welcome To London

Hearing this, Diana frowned and looked at Steve with displeasure. She wasn't naïve—there was clearly something suspicious about what had just been said.

"What's wrong?!" Steve instinctively took a step back. Although he couldn't understand what Ryuji said in another language, he knew for certain it wasn't something good for him.

Doutzen Carlos, sword in hand, stood up as well, staring at Steve with suspicion.

The situation wasn't looking good.

Steve didn't know how to respond; the language barrier left him helpless.

Ryuji smiled and turned back to address Diana: "Don't be angry, Diana. So far, even though he just wants to use you to leave Paradise Island, that notebook is important. It contains a formula for a poisonous gas. Once released on the battlefield, it could kill tens of thousands—no, hundreds of thousands of people in an instant."

Doutzen Carlos pursed her lips, stunned. Tens of thousands? There weren't even that many people on Paradise Island.

Diana's expression grew serious as she extended her hand. "Let me see the notebook."

Steve hesitated. "How do you know about the notebook?"

He then turned to glare at Ryuji suspiciously.

"You?"

Ryuji simply shrugged and spread his hands innocently.

"Be careful. This notebook is dangerous." Reluctantly, Steve retrieved the notebook and handed it to Diana.

She flipped it open to find formulas written in Turkish and ancient Sumerian.

"This... it's a formula for a new type of gas—mustard gas—but hydrogen replaces sulfur," Diana observed.

Of course, she didn't fully understand the chemical implications.

"Exactly. Based on World War I technology, gas masks wouldn't stop hydrogen-based gas. Once released, it'll be a slaughter for both sides," Ryuji added casually. "Don't blame him too much, Diana. He's just an ordinary man. He doesn't believe in Ares. To him, it's ridiculous that you're trying to kill a god."

Diana clenched her fist and threw the notebook back at Steve, clearly frustrated.

So, all her sincerity was treated as a joke?

Steve stood awkwardly, lost in translation, while Doutzen Carlos summarized only the first half of the conversation for him.

"World War I? What's that supposed to mean?" Steve muttered under his breath. There was no such name yet. It wouldn't exist until after a second war made this one the first.

Diana turned her back, furious and dejected, leaning on the bow of the boat.

"Don't be mad," Ryuji said as he leaned closer to her. "To be fair, even if I hadn't seen the 'Notebook,' Even I wouldn't have believed in a world of gods either."

Diana didn't reply.

"The frog in the well cannot talk about the sea; the summer insect cannot speak of winter. How can a sparrow understand the ambitions of an eagle?" Ryuji shook his head. "His perspective is limited by his education, his knowledge, his very reality. Don't blame him. You two are not on the same level."

Steve blinked, knowing Ryuji was trash-talking him again, but clueless about the details.

Doutzen Carlos frowned. "How do you know he has no intention of helping us find Ares?"

"Do you believe World War II will happen?"

"World War II? Another war?" Doutzen Carlos asked, stunned. "How could that happen again?"

Diana turned slightly, curious. Ryuji had mentioned it before—World War I and World War II. Could this mean she would fail to stop Ares?

"You see? Even you don't believe it. He's a mortal; how could he comprehend a god like Ares? From the start, he never planned to help Diana fight Ares. He probably thinks she's delusional. All he wants is to hitch a ride out of here."

Diana wrinkled her nose in anger. Did he have to be so blunt?

Steve picked up on her name again and sighed, feeling more isolated than ever.

Ryuji smirked. "But to be fair, he's still fundamentally a good guy. He's just... limited."

Finished, Ryuji stood up and walked to the boat's edge. He began tracing something into the wood with his index finger.

"What are you doing?" Doutzen Carlos asked curiously.

"It's freezing. I'm writing a spell to warm us up."

"...What?"

"Is this magic?" Diana asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Something like that."

Symbols appeared across the boat's edge, glowing faintly for a moment. Suddenly, the bitter cold wind disappeared, replaced by calm air.

The temperature immediately felt warmer.

Steve stared at the sails flapping in the wind but felt... nothing.

"...???"

Ryuji grinned. "A little something to make the ride more comfortable. Don't say I never did anything for you."

Doutzen Carlos relayed the message to Steve, who looked even more annoyed.

Ryuji leaned closer to Diana. "It's dark—let's get some sleep. I'll stay by your side."

Diana stared at him blankly.

Doutzen Carlos laughed, draping her cloak over herself. "So you're aiming for Diana, not me? Well, good luck—she's not an ordinary woman."

Ryuji suddenly found himself sandwiched between the two Amazons.

For the first time in his life, he felt like he'd truly made it.

Steve grumbled in envy and stomped off to the other end of the boat, embracing his lonely existence.

---

The next morning, Diana and Doutzen Carlos woke up, blinking groggily.

"Good morning," Ryuji greeted cheerfully. "We're in luck—someone gave us a lift. Welcome to London."

Diana looked around and wrinkled her nose. "It's so ugly."

Black smoke hung thick in the air. Factory whistles screamed in the distance, and the city reeked of filth and decay.

"Yeah, not everyone likes it," Ryuji said nonchalantly.

"I think it's fascinating," Carlos said, her eyes bright with excitement.

Diana glanced around, frowning. "Where's Ryuji?"

Steve silently pointed upward.

Diana followed his gaze and froze.

Ryuji stood atop the mast with one hand on his hip and the other gripping the mast for balance. As the boat swayed, so did he, his long coat fluttering dramatically in the breeze.

For a moment, she could almost hear a BGM—The Medallion Calls.

It was as though Captain Jack Sparrow himself had stepped onto the stage.

Forgive the man for being a little playful.

###

T/N: Hmph! Fine, fine... (pouts dramatically)

I see you tried, but 138 power stones? Really? I thought you could do better! (crosses arms and glares playfully)

But... I'm not too mad! You guys worked hard, and I did see some effort, so I'll still show you some love. But just know... you're on thin ice!

Next time, let's hit that goal for real, okay?! Otherwise, I might have to come up with even more evil challenges! Ganbatte ne!

(Still, you all are great, and I'm proud of you for getting that far! Stay tuned for more drama, I won't disappoint! 💖)

And remember, if you want to catch all the juicy, exclusive updates (and maybe help me hit the next goal), join my Patreon!

👉 Patreon.com/TLLina