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Chapter 132: Feeling Kindness

"Steve!"

Diana called out as Steve No. 2 returned to the fence.

"Sorry, Diana." Steve No. 2 had been busy all day, mostly grappling with his impending trial or en route to face it. Leading Diana and Peter back had put a significant target on his back in the eyes of powerful figures affected by the scandal.

If anyone was to take responsibility, it was likely him.

Despite his personal calculations along the way, his character remained intact. Witnessing Peter effortlessly decimate the army had convinced him Peter could be a powerful ally.

"I've done everything I could, but the impact of you killing Sir Morgan is enormous," Steve explained.

"He's Ares, the instigator of wars!"

Steve looked at Diana with a mix of confusion and concern. To him, this Amazon princess, beautiful and powerful as she was, seemed naïve at times.

"Yes... I believe you, but the congressmen and officers find it hard to swallow. Morgan... Ares had actually been pushing both sides to sign an armistice agreement for world peace. If you hadn't seen it yourself..."

"How could this be..." Diana murmured in disbelief.

The Ares she had fought and killed was promoting peace? Why?

Frowning, Diana began to doubt herself.

Peter interjected, "Does signing a contract really change anything?"

Steve No. 2 paused, momentarily perplexed by Peter's question.

He then disclosed the purpose of his visit, "Tomorrow, someone will come to interrogate you. You must cooperate."

"Cooperate?" Diana was puzzled.

"Yes," Steve No. 2 affirmed, looking directly at them both. "Don't provoke conflicts. Cooperate fully. With a good attitude, you might get bail."

"..."

Diana glanced at Peter.

Her education as an Amazon princess was top-notch, despite her occasional naivety from years of living protected on Paradise Island.

She could discern the implication behind "good attitude"—admitting fault and compromising.

Instinctively, she didn't like it. Not because she couldn't admit her mistakes, but because she believed she had done the right thing.

Yet, she held no blame towards Steve. Today had shown him powerless, doing his best.

After Steve No. 2 departed, Diana turned to Peter and asked:

"Why? I was helping them, yet they seem... too..."

She struggled to find the right words until Peter suggested, "Arrogant?"

"Yes!" Diana's eyes lit up, then dimmed slightly. "It all happened so fast. From leaving Paradise Island to arriving here, defeating Ares—I know so little about the human world... I'm not blaming you. Thanks to you, we defeated Ares. I realize I can't do it alone."

She sighed. "I even questioned whether I should have left my mother and the Amazons."

Diana reflected deeply, her thoughts pouring out. This ordeal had clearly shaken her.

"You could have defeated Ares yourself," Peter assured her.

Diana gave a bitter smile. "Don't try to comfort me. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be locked up here, would you?"

"..."

Diana's words stung Peter. He met her glare head-on. "Do you always have to argue?"

Peter sensed relief in her tone and saw her demeanor lighten, a hint of playfulness almost, which defied the Wonder Woman stereotype.

"Disappointed in humanity?" Peter ventured a more profound question.

Diana fell silent again, contemplating his words.

"I don't know, Black Superman," she replied finally. She walked to the fence, gripping it as she gazed outward. "I didn't expect a warm welcome, but... I hoped for some recognition. After all, we helped end the war."

"But all I see in their eyes is arrogance, indifference, and self-interest."

Diana exhaled and turned to face Peter.

The Amazon princess, momentarily lost, regained her resolve.

"I wouldn't say I'm disappointed, just... disheartened. We only see a small part of humanity, a small slice of the world, don't we?"

"Humanity is fortunate to have someone as brave as you," Peter began, about to say 'goddess' before correcting himself, mindful that Diana had yet to ascend.

Diana appreciated the compliment, drawing closer. "And I'm fortunate to have your help, Black Superman—uh, I mean, your support. Thank you for talking with me."

She paused, her expression shifting to a more serious demeanor.

"Tomorrow, I'll handle things myself."

It seemed she intended to shoulder the burden alone.

Peter chuckled at this.

Diana looked at him, puzzled. Was this some kind of joke? His laughter seemed almost mischievous.

"When did I say we have to wait until tomorrow?"

Diana was momentarily stunned. "What do you mean? We can't just escape from prison, can we?"

"Why not?" Peter extended his hand and effortlessly pushed open the cell's gate, slamming it against the wall.

Diana stared in disbelief.

"Wait, wait, Black Superman, are you serious?"

"When have I ever joked with you?"

Diana suddenly understood Steve's earlier advice about recklessness. "Isn't this dangerous? Escalating conflict could lead to more trouble, things could spiral out of control..."

Impulsively, Diana sounded like a concerned mother-in-law, her Amazon heritage influencing her straightforwardness.

"When did you become so timid, Diana?" Peter's remark struck her, both irritating and amusing.

She felt conflicted, unsure how to process Peter's contradictory demeanor.

Outside, guards, alerted by the commotion, rushed in with guns drawn.

"Let's go and show them some kindness," Peter declared, stepping forward.

"Stop! Stop!" the guards shouted, warning them. "You're in serious violation. Surrender now for a lighter sentence!"

Peter ignored their demands, advancing with purpose.

The guards had never encountered such defiance. Was this man truly unafraid of death?

Seeing Peter approach the danger zone, they had no choice but to issue a final warning:

"Fire!"

...