Antiope led the team of female knights, bringing Vincent with her, through the Paradise Island town and up a mountain peak.
Vincent, riding on the white horse, felt his eyes light up.
The summit of this mountain seemed to have been sliced off by a great force, like a natural training platform with open sides, its ground covered in soft, carpet-like grass, facing the endless sky and sea.
On the purely natural training ground's grass, dozens of tall female warriors, bare-chested and clad in battle skirts, were diligently sparring with each other. Each of them possessed physical capabilities far beyond ordinary humans, and the weapons they wielded were real swords and spears.
The intense clash of sword edges and spear tips, with sparks flying everywhere, produced a continuous ringing of metal!
These were the female warriors of the Amazon tribe; if an equally numbered modern human army were to face them, they would undoubtedly be crushed into mincemeat!
When facing invaders, they would be the first to charge to the front, engaging in fierce combat!
Seeing Antiope arrive here on her black horse, the female warriors on the training ground all stopped their movements and respectfully saluted in unison: "General!"
Immediately after.
Their unconcealed hostile gazes, like sharp sword blades, all fell upon the young man behind Antiope.
Without anyone needing to explain, everyone instantly knew Vincent's identity.
After all, as a human, and a male at that, he was simply too conspicuous on Paradise Island. Moreover, he wore the starfire crown, exclusive to royalty, on his head!
If looks could kill, Vincent would have undoubtedly been killed countless times over by now.
Vincent sighed inwardly, understanding where the Amazon warriors' hostility came from.
These female warriors were even more spirited, far more fiery and volatile than the female guards. To them, who revered strength, he, an underage human, was far from worthy of an Amazon princess.
But, but!
Understanding doesn't mean acceptance!
They could indeed look down on him as a human, but now, he was wearing Aunt Diana's crown!
Vincent, who had previously been somewhat unsteady even on the white horse, now had eyes like torches, and he coldly raised his gaze, meeting the hostile stares of those female warriors one by one!
Under the golden sunlight, the starfire crown radiated circles of majestic, shimmering light, making the young Vincent, seated on the white horse at this moment, truly appear to be a member of royalty. Many Amazon female warriors instinctively averted their gaze, not daring to look directly!
Antiope was somewhat surprised. She had intentionally pitted her most valiant and powerful female warriors against Vincent, wanting to give him a taste of his own medicine, to make him realize he couldn't bear the weight of that magnificent crown.
However.
Antiope's idea was wrong, terribly wrong!
In fact, Vincent also believed he couldn't bear the immense significance of Aunt Diana's magnificent crown, but as long as this crown remained on his head for even a second, he would absolutely not yield or bow to anyone, allowing its radiance to be tarnished!
If he were to bow, it would be Aunt Diana's dignity and honor that would be compromised!
This was Vincent's inverse scale!
Antiope also seemed to suddenly realize, and she shouted to the female warriors: "Why aren't you saluting!"
The female warriors exchanged glances, and no matter how unwilling they were, they still saluted Vincent on the white horse, and the magnificent crown he wore: "Greetings... Your Highness!"
Vincent patted the white horse, and even the white horse became much more obedient at this moment, meekly lowering its body.
Antiope dismounted from her black horse and gave instructions to the female warriors: "Rest here for now; after lunch, we will resume training."
"Yes, General!" The female warriors collected their weapons, and soon after, ordinary civilians brought figs, cheese, bread, and freshly roasted meat.
These female warriors were not reserved; they formed circles and ate their meals on the spot.
The horses were tethered to the side of the grassy area.
Vincent sat alone on the grass, and soon, a generous portion of food was brought before him.
"Your Highness, this is generally how we Amazon warriors have our lunch. If you're not used to it, I can arrange for you to have lunch indoors." Antiope walked over, a roasted lamb leg still in her hand. Perhaps Vincent's earlier handling of the situation had changed her opinion quite a bit, and her expression was far less cold than before.
"Consider it a picnic; it's a good experience." Vincent shrugged, and after washing his hands with water, he ate the bread and roasted meat on the spot.
He was truly hungry.
Antiope looked at Vincent, who was eating with great relish, and suddenly felt a little lost in thought.
She remembered when Diana was little, after being approved to train with them, the warriors, she also refused to have lunch in the palace and instead ate with them on the training ground's grass.
Antiope said: "Thank you."
"What?" Vincent looked at her, puzzled.
"Thank you for upholding the honor of Your Highness Diana just now." Antiope said expressionlessly.
"You don't need to thank me for this." Vincent said directly: "She is my family; this is my duty."
"Family duty, huh..." A flicker of surprise passed through Antiope's eyes... After lunch.
Vincent thought he could go back to rest, but then he saw Antiope suddenly stand up and take two gleaming Greek ancient swords from the weapon rack next to the training ground.
Swoosh!
Antiope held one Greek sword herself, and the other sword was thrust into the grass in front of Vincent: "Come on!"
"What do you want to do?" Vincent looked at the long sword, his brows slightly furrowed.
This scene also attracted the attention of all the female warriors on the field, who all looked over.
"To challenge you to combat, this is my duty." Antiope said coldly: "Now, it's time for you to fulfill your duty—pick up the sword and fight me."
"I don't know how to use a sword..."
Vincent's words had not yet fallen.
Antiope suddenly lunged forward, bringing a strong gust of wind, and swung the Greek long sword in her hand towards Vincent!
Damn, she's serious!
Vincent's brown pupils suddenly constricted. He almost instinctively gripped and drew the long sword that was stuck in the ground with both hands, holding it horizontally in front of his body to block—
Clang!!
One sword spun away, rotating a few times before thrusting into the grass behind Vincent.
Vincent looked at his empty hands, only feeling a sharp pain in the web between his thumb and forefinger.
It was Antiope, who had rushed forward, suddenly changing her chop to a parry, sending the long sword in Vincent's hand flying.
"Duty requires corresponding ability to fulfill." Antiope looked at Vincent coldly: "Too weak! With you like this, do you also want to take the most precious treasure of this island? As the wolf, the scorpion guarding Your Highness Diana, I have the duty to bite off your neck at any time!"
Vincent did not speak, but instead turned, picked up the long sword again, and held it in his hand!
"Again!"
Facing the Amazon tribe's strongest general, the human youth wearing the starfire crown said with conviction.