Chapter 7: Fallen Angle
Just when Hippolyta was about to lose her composure, a doubt crossed her mind, causing her to calm down quickly.
"???"
Something wasn't right.
That's not how the Lasso of Truth works.
It compels the person bound by it to speak only the truth; it doesn't sanction or punish someone for lying. If the person tries to resist, it causes pain—yes—but it doesn't burn someone for telling lies because it outright prevents them from lying.
Could the Lasso of Truth be malfunctioning?
Unlikely.
---
Ryuji was still playing with it, clearly enjoying himself.
"My name is Ryuji... Hey, it's fine... I'm 20 years old... Damn, it's hot!"
The rope started smoking again.
Although it was faint, the rope itself seemed to release smoke rather than burning his hand.
"What's going on? Rope, you're unreliable!" Ryuji grumbled, shooting the glowing lasso a suspicious glance.
The Amazon warrior holding the Lasso rolled her eyes. It had been a long time since she'd seen anyone this peculiar.
---
Suddenly, Ryuji paused as if something clicked. He lowered his voice, murmuring, "What if I say... I'm 80 years old? Eh… Crap!"
The Lasso of Truth remained completely unresponsive.
The corner of Ryuji's mouth twitched. So the rope uses math? It actually counts years?!
1918. If you subtracted 80 years from that…
Meanwhile, the Amazons around him exchanged confused looks.
"80 years old? What does that even mean?"
Hippolyta frowned slightly. Something wasn't adding up.
"Enough of this nonsense. Take him somewhere to rest!" Hippolyta ordered, regaining her composure.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
---
Ryuji glanced back as a tall Amazon warrior approached to escort him. Her face was stoic, but her posture exuded confidence.
"Sir, this way, please," she said, her voice steady.
Ryuji followed, his eyes wandering momentarily. Jeez, her legs are... long.
"Hey, I didn't catch your name."
"Venelia."
"V... Venelia?" Ryuji muttered, stumbling over the unfamiliar name. "How about I call you Doutzen instead? Feels like we've known each other in another life."
Venelia stopped abruptly and shot him a look. "Are you trying to flirt with me?"
"Ahem. No! Of course not." Ryuji coughed, his face turning slightly red.
The confident demeanor that came with his "system" and transmigration perks seemed to falter under her calm, amused gaze.
---
Moments later, they reached his assigned quarters.
"This is your room. Use the shell communicator if you need anything."
Ryuji raised a brow as he spotted the object—a polished snail shell sitting on a small pedestal. A sound transmitter? Retro tech, but impressive.
"Got it," he said, nodding as Venelia turned and left.
---
Meanwhile, in the central hall, tension hung in the air.
"Are we just going to let him leave, Your Majesty?" one Amazon warrior asked.
"And risk him bringing others back here?" Hippolyta countered sharply.
"We cannot detain him forever, Queen Hippolyta," another argued.
Before Hippolyta could respond, Diana stepped forward, determination burning in her eyes.
"Mother, listen to me! That man said something... something about a great war. Millions have died. Only Ares could be behind such horrors!"
Hippolyta's expression hardened. "This isn't our war, Diana. I will not send Amazons to fight battles that are not ours, leaving Themyscira unprotected."
"This isn't their war! This is about humanity itself. Zeus created humans to be righteous, wise, and full of passion. It is our duty—"
"Duty?" Hippolyta snapped. "That's just a story, Diana. Humanity falls so easily."
"Because of Ares!" Diana shot back. "The Germans have been corrupted by him. We must stop the God of War!"
Hippolyta's gaze grew colder. "I will not allow it. And you are not like the rest of us Amazons. You will do nothing."
---
The room fell silent. Then Hippolyta spoke again, her voice grim.
"But there is something else. That man… Ryuji. I suspect he might be a fallen angel."
Her words sent a wave of shock through the assembled Amazons.
"Fallen angel?" one warrior whispered in disbelief.
"How could that be? How could a fallen angel even find Themyscira?"
Hippolyta held up the Lasso of Truth.
"He resisted this," she said, her voice heavy with caution. "The Lasso was forged by Hephaestus from Gaia's golden girdle and blessed by Artemis herself. If he can resist its power…"
The implications sent chills through the room.
One Amazon senator stepped forward, her face pale. "If he truly resisted the Lasso of Truth, then before his fall…"
---
The Amazons stared at Hippolyta in silence, the gravity of her words sinking in.
A fallen angel on Themyscira?
The very thought was enough to send a ripple of unease through even the most steadfast warriors.
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