She stood there with her arms crossed over her chest and her jaw clenched, her silver-gray eyes staring straight back at Himiko like a stubborn statue.
The atmosphere grew delicate.
Yongye spoke at just the right moment, a hint of lazy amusement in his voice:
"Diana, show a little initiative. The Queen of Yamatai paid a huge price, you know."
"She went from knowing nothing about watering and tending potted chrysanthemums to being incredibly proficient in just three days."
Wonder Woman's fingers suddenly tightened, her knuckles turning white. The corner of her mouth twitched, as though words had lodged in her throat. Her silver-gray eyes turned toward Yongye, her gaze impossibly complicated: anger, resentment, and the faintest trace of... an indescribable plea.
She did not want to leave.
She really did not want to leave.
The greater the price Himiko had paid, the more she... wanted a free ride!
But in the next instant, Himiko's gaze changed.
The humble shrine maiden who had bowed to the floor moments ago vanished, replaced by the Queen of Yamatai who had walked out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
An icy blue-green glow rose in her eyes, and the murderous aura surrounding her grew so thick it almost seemed ready to drip, making even the air heavy and cloying.
Only someone who had slaughtered countless lives on the battlefield could possess such an aura.
Wonder Woman's pupils contracted slightly.
This was an ultimatum!
Diana hesitated for a moment, then finally gritted her teeth. Her boot heel struck the marble floor with a dull thud as she turned and strode toward the exit.
Her cape billowed behind her like a flag of defiance.
The doors closed behind her.
Himiko watched her leave before slowly rising to her feet. Hidden inside her sleeve,