Their strengths were evenly matched.
Alex knew that what they called strength probably meant overall strength.
Overall strength meant personal abilities, equipment, items, and everything else included together.
If that was the case, then this invader might be even stronger than Martin.
After all, Alex now possessed two divine artifacts and had undergone three rounds of enhancement through the Mind Stone, the Reality Stone, and the Mother Box.
On top of that, he had many items.
The combat power built from all of that was no joke.
If the invader's strength was on par with his, then the other side had at least one divine artifact and other items as well.
Perhaps it was precisely because their strengths were so close that there was an option to join a faction.
Choosing a faction would help him gain more direct support.
Since he had twenty-four hours to think about it, Alex was not in a hurry to make a choice.
He needed to think carefully.
This decision might determine the success or failure of this invasion event.
If this world had not been affected and still followed the movie's storyline, Alex would not even need to think about it. He could join the Justice League without hesitation.
With Superman, who was practically a cheat, plus the other Justice League members, they might not completely crush the invader, but they certainly would not be at a disadvantage.
But now Superman had retired.
No one knew what his current thoughts or position were.
If Alex rashly joined the Justice League, he might end up being dragged down.
That made him even more eager to meet Diana and figure out a few things before deciding which faction to join.
With that thought, Alex put down his wine glass.
"Your Majesty, perhaps we don't have time to celebrate. We should notify your daughter as soon as possible."
Hippolyta nodded and stood up at once.
———
[The Beacon Platform]
Alex floated in the air and watched Hippolyta take a specially made long arrow. She placed its arrowhead into a brazier.
Soon, bright flames covered the arrow.
Hippolyta drew the bowstring and faced the endless distance.
Then she released the arrow.
Whoosh!
The burning arrow shot into the distance, leaving a bright trail behind it as it sped away like a meteor.
There was no doubt that the arrow was extremely fast.
However, Alex, who possessed the First Cosmic Velocity, easily caught up with it.
Following behind it, he left Paradise Island and headed toward the human world.
———
In the blink of an eye, it was daytime.
Diana Prince was restoring a stone statue.
A coworker walked in.
"Diana, what are you doing this weekend?"
Diana smiled as she worked.
"Nothing special. You know me. My hobbies are just listening to music and visiting museums."
"You always say that."
"Can't help it. My life is just that boring."
"The moment you leave work, it's like you disappear."
"Maybe you should find a man, dear."
A trace of sadness passed through Diana's eyes.
Then she forced a smile at her coworker, "We'll see."
"Dear, you can't stay alone forever."
"Having someone by your side makes life much more interesting."
At that moment, another coworker walked in.
"Here we go again."
"I swear, I can't take it anymore."
Diana smiled.
"What is it this time?"
The coworker replied, "What else could it be? Budget cuts, tomb raiders, the same old problems."
"Oh, and now we've got another one added to the list. Arsonists."
At that moment, a news report was playing on the television.
["We now go live to our reporter on Crete."]
["Behind me, a huge bonfire is still burning. The fire has been burning all night."]
["It's morning now, and we're at least eight kilometers away, but we can still see it burning."]
Hearing the report, Diana turned and looked at the television.
On the screen was a temple with flames burning inside it.
["The local residents and government authorities are baffled."]
The reporter continued her coverage.
["The Amazon Temple, a historical site, has somehow caught fire."]
["The local government and residents have no idea what caused the blaze."]
As Diana watched the television, her expression became increasingly serious.
Others did not know what it meant.
But she knew very well.
("The day the beacon burns.")
("The day the enemy invades.")
———
[Crete, Amazon Temple]
Diana, dressed in a white business suit, entered the temple and saw the beacon arrow stuck in the ground.
The flames had already gone out, but wisps of smoke still rose from it.
Diana picked it up and left without a word.
She came to a pile of stored items and found a wooden stick.
After wrapping cloth around it and soaking it in lamp oil, she lit it with a lighter.
It became a torch.
Humans did not know that beneath this Amazon Temple were hidden passages and chambers.
Diana entered alone and found the entrance to one of the chambers.
She raised the beacon arrow, and it began to rotate on its own before jumping into a groove in the door.
The door opened.
A hidden room appeared.
Ancient secrets were recorded on the walls.
Diana's expression grew more serious.
Then suddenly she sensed something.
She turned around sharply and saw a figure leaning against the doorway.
"So this was built by the Amazons?"
"Pretty impressive."
"Seeing it in person really is different."
The firelight shone over.
A blond man with blue eyes appeared in the light. He wore a battle suit and a red cape.
"Hello. We meet again, Miss Prince."
Diana did not seem particularly surprised.
"Conqueror."
Alex walked in and glanced at the mural of Darkseid on the wall.
"You don't seem very surprised."
Diana replied calmly, "There were some words written on that arrow."
"My mother used it to pass along some information."
"So yes, I know you protected the Mother Box and prevented Paradise Island from falling."
Alex spread his hands.
"But you don't look very grateful."
"Aren't you one of Paradise Island's people?"
Diana said seriously, "I will always be an Amazon."
"And I do want to thank you for everything you've done for Paradise Island."
"But from our previous two encounters, I know that you are not the kind of person who represents kindness and justice."
"So I have serious doubts about your reasons for helping Paradise Island."
Alex laughed, "You're right."
"It doesn't matter. I don't really care whether I get a thank-you or not."
"Let's talk about something important."
"Miss Prince, how is Superman doing?"
"You should know that this is exactly the time when the world needs him."
Diana looked at him.
In the firelight, Wonder Woman spoke with a serious expression.
"Superman is gone."
Alex paused, "Gone?"
"Did he leave Earth to travel and clear his mind?"
Diana shook her head, "When I say gone, I mean he left Earth."
"He took his Kryptonian ship."
"No one knows where he went."
Alex froze for a moment.
This was definitely not a development he had expected.
[🎉 Shoutout to Justin for joining p@treon. Thank you very much.🤗]