Anyone bound by the Lasso of Truth will subconsciously speak the truth. This is uncontrollable, a near-"rule" that even gods cannot guard against. Athena is one of the creators of the Amazonian race. If Badr wasn't lying and was Athena's personal guard, then Badr's status on Themyscira would far exceed that of an ordinary Amazonian warrior.
All the Amazons present were anticipating, eager to see if Badr could withstand the test of the Lasso of Truth. Even Diana held her breath, staring at Badr with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. From childhood, Diana had been constantly indoctrinated by Hippolyta about how great the Father of the Gods was, how noble and elegant the goddesses of Olympus were, and how their warriors were brave in battle, becoming legends!
Coincidentally, Badr appeared, a man, and directly linked to the goddess Athena.
Badr took a deep breath, his expression serene. Feeling the gazes of everyone gathered on him, he finally spoke: "Do you know how many constellations there are in the night sky? The answer is eighty-eight."
"That opening line should be pretty good, what am I even doing?! Stop!!" The little man inside Badr's mind was already squatting on the ground with his hands covering his head, but he still calmly said: "The warriors who protect Athena, the Goddess of War and Wisdom, number only as many as the shining constellations in the sky, which means only eighty-eight people, they are the legendary Saint!"
"To protect the world from evil forces, Saint are often drawn into life-and-death battles. Where their abilities fall short, they are supplemented by divine grace. Each Saint possesses their own unique guardian constellation. When chosen by one of the eighty-eight constellations and granted the Cloth that symbolizes their guardian constellation, that person is recognized as an official Saint."
"I, Badr, am the Phoenix Saint!"
As his words fell, many gasps of disbelief could be heard!
The Lasso of Truth, wrapped around Badr's wrist, emitted a faint golden glow, proving that Badr was speaking the truth. It was even more shocking than before! This man in front of them was a top warrior guarding Athena! Little did they know, Badr was simply selling the Saint concept, reciting the opening narration from every episode of the Saint anime he watched as a child, and successfully bluffing them. The Athena Badr spoke of was not the same Athena they knew at all!
While everyone was in awe, Badr took the opportunity to glance at Diana, finding that she was quite happy, her eyes sparkling, looking at him with a smile, almost ready to become a devoted fan.
"Congratulations, Master, Wonder Woman Diana's favorability towards you has increased by 5 points. Current favorability: 20!"
"Is... is that true?" Hippolyta thought to herself, then became worried about Badr's purpose in coming to Themyscira. Her expression changed rapidly, and a brilliant smile immediately appeared on her face, like a spring breeze and nourishing rain, completely devoid of the previous hostility. She subtly withdrew the Lasso of Truth.
She dismounted her horse, placed her hands on her left shoulder, and slightly bowed. In ancient Greek culture, this was a gesture reserved for welcoming the most honored guests. The Amazonian warriors behind Hippolyta also showed respect and performed the same gesture, with one exception. This Amazonian warrior stood behind Hippolyta, and from her features, she actually resembled Hippolyta.
Noticing the anomaly behind her, Hippolyta couldn't help but frown, turning back to scold, "Antiope, what do you intend to do?" But in Hippolyta's backward glance, there was a hint of deeply hidden appreciation.
The female warrior called Antiope stepped forward. As the strongest warrior of the Amazonian race, she would not bow to a "Saint" whose origins were unknown. Antiope had never known of such a unit. Although Athena was a supreme goddess and the Amazonian race were merely mortals blessed by the gods, they had no right to interfere in divine affairs. But this was Themyscira, Themyscira after the God War.
"I will duel him! I don't believe this man is a warrior!" Antiope scrutinized Badr's somewhat slender physique. She didn't detect any traces of long-term training on him. The only strength Badr had displayed was the crushing of the two swords just now, which, in the eyes of Antiope, the strongest warrior, was no great feat.
Her gaze at Badr held unconcealed doubt and disdain. "Goddess Athena disappeared a hundred years ago, during the God War incited by Ares, the God of War!"
"That God War was so brutal, yet you survived?!"
"If you are not a deserter, then bring out your so-called Cloth to defend your honor!"
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