DeSaad was one of the important figures of Apokolips. He was highly trusted by the overlord Darkseid and served a role similar to a military adviser.
Darkseid rarely appeared in person, so every time Steppenwolf contacted him, the one he met was DeSaad.
Now, even after being called "incompetent" by DeSaad, Steppenwolf did not dare show his anger despite being full of rage.
He even dropped to one knee and spread his hands, "Please hear me out, DeSaad."
"When I attacked Themyscira this time, victory was already within my grasp."
"But I didn't expect a man to appear on the island."
"He possesses strength equal to a Kryptonian's. With him around, it will be difficult for us to recover the three Mother Boxes from this primitive planet, let alone unite them into one."
Without any courtesy, DeSaad said, "That is your problem, Steppenwolf!"
"You should have gathered all relevant intelligence before launching your attack."
"What is the point of saying this now?"
Steppenwolf raised his head, "When the three Mother Boxes become one, the cleansing fire will turn this planet into his world."
"Right now, I've only run into a small problem, DeSaad. I request your help."
"Please help me obtain the Mother Boxes. Please allow me to return to his side."
DeSaad shouted, "You betrayed him!"
"Steppenwolf, so now you seek redemption. Apokolips will not give you any help!"
"Even if I wanted to help you, you would need to give me a reason."
"You know he despises the weak. Even if I help you now, if he learns what happened afterward, you still won't be able to return to his side."
"You still owe him fifty thousand worlds!"
"So my suggestion is this."
"At least, at least obtain one Mother Box."
"Only then can you demonstrate your value, and I can persuade him to give you some assistance."
Steppenwolf was disappointed, but he still said, "Thank you for your advice. Your wisdom has convinced me. I will obtain a Mother Box as soon as possible."
"Contact me again when that happens."
The metal monument returned to its original state.
Steppenwolf stood up and roared, "Go find clues, you flies! You can smell the Mother Boxes. Go find them now!"
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
A large number of Parademons shot into the sky and spread out in all directions.
———
[Themyscira]
Relying on his memory, Alex returned here.
Themyscira was similar to Wakanda. Both used special methods to hide themselves.
The difference was that Wakanda used technology, while Themyscira was protected by Zeus's blessing and belonged to the realm of magic.
But the difference was not significant. As long as someone knew the location and entered its range, the magic could be broken.
Just like now.
One second, all Alex could see was a furious sea with towering waves.
The next second, the ocean had become calm under clear skies.
The magic of Themyscira kept the island under blue skies, white clouds, and bright sunshine all year round.
He returned to the island.
He met Queen Hippolyta and Wonder Woman Diana.
Alex checked the Mother Box.
The thing had already awakened and was constantly vibrating. Since the temple had been destroyed, it could only remain inside the royal palace.
But for Apokolips, which possessed Boom Tubes, there was little difference no matter where it was placed.
This time, however, Wonder Woman was personally guarding the Mother Box. Combined with the fact that Steppenwolf had suffered a setback on Themyscira, Alex felt that guy would not show up again anytime soon.
What needed attention now was Vera, who had joined the Justice League.
[Inside the Palace]
"That's the situation."
Alex briefly explained Vera's situation to Hippolyta and her daughter.
"So you're saying that besides Steppenwolf and Apokolips, there are others who want to get their hands on the Mother Box?", Diana frowned.
Alex nodded lightly, "I fought her before. One thing I can confirm is that her strength is not below mine."
"Fortunately, she probably can't come to Themyscira."
"So as long as the Mother Box doesn't leave the island, there won't be any danger for now."
Hippolyta said in a deep voice, "We will not take the Mother Box out of here."
Because Alex had chosen the Amazons' faction, Hippolyta's opinion of him had improved greatly.
At the very least, she no longer doubted his intentions.
Alex crossed his arms, but what he was really thinking about was how to get the Mother Box in the Justice League's possession.
As for the one in Atlantis, he was not particularly worried.
Steppenwolf would find Atlantis and seize the Mother Box.
So after some time passed, he could simply take it from Steppenwolf.
As for finding Steppenwolf, that would not be difficult either. Cyborg, a member of the Justice League, could sense Mother Boxes.
Once Steppenwolf obtained the Mother Box from Atlantis, as long as he followed the Justice League, he would be able to find Steppenwolf.
Maybe at that time, he could seize the Mother Boxes from both sides at once and complete the event smoothly.
'However...'
Alex frowned.
'I still feel uneasy about Superman leaving Earth.'
The reason was that Superman's behavior last time did not look like someone planning to go far away.
It looked more like someone intending to change the entire world by himself.
That was why Superman choosing to leave at a time like this kept giving him the feeling that something was wrong.
He looked at Diana.
"Does Bruce still have any Kryptonite?"
Even though her opinion of him had improved, Diana was only at the "Understanding" level. Hearing that, she asked with some caution, "What do you want Kryptonite for?"
"To make some preparations in advance."
Diana's expression changed, "To prepare for Clark?"
"There's no need for that."
"He has already left Earth."
Alex shrugged, "I know. But what if he comes back? What if he becomes interested in the Power of Unity?"
"Diana, you saw him last time too. Don't tell me you don't know what state he's in now."
"Don't you think it's strange that he chose to leave Earth at a time like this?"
"Fine, maybe I'm just being suspicious. But making preparations ahead of time isn't a bad thing, right?"
Diana was persuaded, "Bruce doesn't have any extra Kryptonite left."
"However, Luthor managed to obtain Kryptonite before."
Alex snapped his fingers, "Then I'll go find him."
"You'll have to keep watch here."
"Be careful."
After saying that, Alex left Themyscira.
———
But he did not return to the human world, nor did he go looking for Luthor.
Because there was no need.
After leaving Themyscira, Alex could use the ability of Information Domain to access the internet through satellites.
He then hacked into Luthor's company and found the voyage records of the ship that had transported the Kryptonite, the White Portuguese.
After finding out where it had come from, Alex rushed there at top speed. At the original recovery site of the Kryptonite, there should still be other pieces of the mineral resting on the seabed.
Quietly waiting to be discovered.