American comics farmer: start by adopting the villain savior.

Chapter 244 Locke: Diana, do you believe in gravity?

Paradise Island, early April.

Sunlight streamed into the Heroes' Garden.

The warm breeze, carrying the fragrance of flowers, instilled a sense of languor in everyone.

Locke leaned back in a deckchair in the courtyard, watching Diana conduct her daily combat training with several young female warriors in the distance. Their agile figures moved energetically in the sunlight.

He squinted, savoring the tranquility of being isolated from the world.

It was the increasingly intense sunlight that made him raise his hand to shield his eyes with his palm and slightly turn his head to look at his companion, who seemed to belong to the shadows by nature, in order to avoid the direct sunlight.

"Rong En ah"

Locke's voice carried a hint of languor, as if he had just woken up, and a touch of dazedness, "How long... have we been on this island?"

Observe the cross-section of the Oreo cookie in your hand.

Upon hearing this, Rong En didn't even lift his eyelids, but simply pointed precisely to the notebook that Locke had casually placed on his lap with his free hand.

"The blurring of time perception is a common phenomenon among those who are long-term isolated from their usual social environment," he stated calmly. "Fortunately."

"You wrote in your diary when you had nothing to do."

He stretched his body, making a series of subtle sounds from his joints.

Locke then lowered his head somewhat guiltily and looked at the notebook on his lap.

There was a trace of something on the cover that I couldn't tell if it was barbecue sauce or mud.

He did write a few lines intermittently some time ago, encouraged by Diana.
The Diary of Locke: Fifteen Days on Paradise Island

Day 1:
They landed on the island. Hippolyta hosted a feast. The roasted meat was delicious, and the mead was sweet.

Day 2:
Diana showed me around the whole island. The scenery was absolutely stunning.

During the midday picnic, she grilled the fish herself. Although it was charred black, her heartfelt intention was profound.

I had no choice but to eat it.

Day 4:
I visited the Amazon training grounds. The soldiers were enthusiastic and invited me to practice.

Left with no other choice, I used only a little force to take down a whole group.

Diana clapped her hands, her eyes filled with adoration.

Hmm...it doesn't feel bad.

The dinner continues.

Day Six:
Miracle! A faint signal was detected on the cliffs of the island! This allowed me to make a phone call.

My son's cold voice has been gone for a long time.
The only background noise was Dante's devilish scream.
He said, "I should go back now."

Shen Du nodded in agreement, even stating in a sinister tone that the Dragon Court's spatial coordinates had been calibrated and that if I didn't return, he would bring people to kidnap me.

Alas! Locke, oh Locke!
How could you, as a father, forget the farm?

Day 8:
I got up early and packed my bags.

But Diana brought out some newly brewed fruit wine.
I looked into her blue eyes, and swallowed the words that were on the tip of my tongue.

…tomorrow! Will definitely come back tomorrow!

Day 10:
They decided to return home. Diana and General Phillips came to visit, and the general extended an invitation.

It’s hard to refuse such hospitality.

Break through the ring of victory.

They received countless rounds of applause.

It's clear that Diana was smiling with immense pride.

We'll discuss the return trip later.

Day 11:
After much painful reflection, I must go back!
Just as he was about to leave, Diana dragged him to see the Sunset Cliff, saying it was the most beautiful view on Paradise Island.

As the sun sets, the sea and sky merge into one, a truly magnificent sight.

Day 12:

…Today! Just today! No more delays!
Go directly to Hippolyta to say goodbye.

The Queen smiled: "Locke, tonight is a farewell feast prepared for you and your daughter, featuring a whole roasted cow, made from a calf personally selected by Diana..."

...We can't skip the farewell banquet, can we?

Day 13:

What's the deal with the mead from Paradise Island?

Hangover. Headache.

Grit your teeth!

Even if the sky were to fall today, I would…

But Diana knocked on the door and brought in some hangover soup.

Day 14:

Standing on the cliff, the sea breeze caresses my face.

Can't wait to go home!

But Diana stepped forward and hugged me tightly, her voice choked with emotion.
She actually said
Father, take care.

What else is there to say?
Stay for another five days!

"Snapped--!"

Locke closed his diary, the crisp sound like a clarion call echoing through his heart.

The warm sunlight fell on his face, but it couldn't dispel the fine beads of sweat that quietly seeped from his forehead.

He gazed at the clear blue sky over Paradise Island, but in his heart he seemed to see the dark clouds of resentment that had accumulated among the adopted sons over Kansas.

They're so happy they've forgotten all about home...

This holiday has been so long, it's almost like hibernation.

After returning home, Salafir was alright, except for the cold sneers from Dio and Godot.
It's probably even more biting than the Antarctic winds.

He turned his head and his gaze returned to Rong En beside him.

The Martian hunter was slowly and deliberately savoring an Oreo with an almost meditative focus.

Trying to find a compelling reason to end his long vacation, Locke cleared his throat: "Ahem... Ron, you see, shouldn't we... find a suitable excuse to head back? After all..."

Picking up the last crumb of cookie, Ron gracefully put it into his mouth.

He then clapped his hands, his tone flat:
"No excuses are needed, Locke."

He stated the facts: "Based on the latest meteorological data and satellite cloud image analysis, Kansas' first severe convective storm system of the summer, named 'René,' took shape early this morning on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains."

"It is currently moving southeast at a speed of 25 to 30 kilometers per hour and is expected to begin affecting the Smallville area within 48 to 60 hours."

"?!"

The slight melancholy and guilt he felt earlier were instantly replaced by a more practical anxiety. Locke quickly asked, "What storm? Why didn't you say so sooner?"

“I only confirmed this morning, during my routine global news feed, that the storm had met the naming criteria and was pointing towards Kansas.” Ron remained as steady as ever: “Confirmation and transmission of information takes time, Locke.”

"Alright! Stop analyzing!"

Locke waved his hand, instantly switching back to rancher mode. His reluctance to leave his daughter and his resentment towards his son were all suppressed by his worry for the farm. "Ron! We have to go back now! Immediately! Right now! Damn it, hopefully Jonathan and the others are prepared..."

Rong En nodded in agreement.

However, Locke's thoughts shifted slightly from the taut string.

A long-standing question arose in my mind:

"Speaking of which, Rong En, haven't you been a bit too free lately? It's been almost a month, and all I see you doing is hanging around with me or eating Oreos."

"Your DEO... can give you such a long 'leave' so easily? You don't seem to be in a hurry to go back at all?"

Rong En paused in his eating of the Oreo.

His green face remained expressionless.

He seemed to be organizing his thoughts, and after a moment of hesitation, he finally replied:
“Recently, my primary task priorities were reassessed by Ms. Amanda.”

"Some collaborative projects involving external interfaces are currently in the optimization phase."

"Therefore, I have gained a relatively... flexible time window."

Locke blinked a few times, processing the long string of official jargon, before suddenly realizing what he'd said and quipped:

"So you've been sidelined, hahaha! Rong En, so you're having a midlife crisis too."

Rong En: "..."

After a two-second silence, Rong En slowly spoke, attempting to defend his position with logic:
"Fictionalized? That's not entirely accurate."

"In global workplace culture, this usually carries a negative connotation."

“I prefer the word 'optimization,' since it's just a resource reorganization and task reallocation strategy for a specific period. My security privileges and core functions haven't been affected; they've simply been temporarily handed over to Ms. Waller…”

"Alright, alright, stop explaining, we're all buddies!"

Locke interrupted him with a hearty laugh, his mood inexplicably improving, even the dark cloud of storm in his heart seemed to have dissipated considerably. "So what if Amanda Waller sidelined me? It's not shameful!"

"Maybe this will give you a lot to talk about when you're facing Lex or General Sam Lane in the future?"

"."

Facing Locke's dazzlingly bright smile, Ron silently pulled out a new Oreo from his seemingly endless pocket.

"And what about you, Locke?"

"If you go back, it'll only take one strike with the Yama Blade, right?"

"Come back, that's fine too."

Locke's lips twitched, and his smile froze.

That guy, Rong En.
The aggression is getting stronger and stronger; one sentence directly hit the most troubling spot in his heart.

Somewhat annoyed, Locke rubbed his temples and his gaze involuntarily drifted forward.

There, Diana was training with several Amazon warriors, her agile figure darting in the sunlight, her face beaming with a pure and vibrant smile—a smile that belonged to this island, to her mother's command, and to the eighteen years of her life that he had never been a part of.

Locke's eyes softened, yet held an unyielding melancholy.

"Rong En, you know my personality..."

Locke's voice lowered, losing its usual lightness and gaining a heavy seriousness. "I can't... live a life that constantly swings between two worlds."

“There are still five children waiting on the farm.”

He paused for a moment, as if each word he spoke required all his strength to bear.

"After I go back... perhaps, coming back here will really be just a stone's throw away for me... but I will still rarely come back."

"After all, I made a special effort to come here..."

Locke's gaze seemed to pierce through space, reaching the figures he longed for on Kent Farm.

“...This is not fair to Dio. He has grown up, has his own life and responsibilities, and I cannot let family matters become a burden to him. I need to be there to put his mind at ease.”

"The same applies to both the capital city and Salafir."

"They are still so young, and the power in their bodies is like two unstable flames, requiring someone to guide and care for them at all times."

"And for Virgil and Dante... that's even more unfair. They've only just come into this world and what they need most is companionship."

Locke's gaze returned to Diana. He watched her high-five and laugh with her comrades, looked at the magnificent temple behind her, and further away, at Queen Hippolyta, who was tenderly watching her daughter train.

"...Moreover, Diana is here, with her mother's unconditional maternal love, her warrior's honor and responsibility, and the entire Paradise Island as her backing."

"Her life...is already very complete."

"It's not urgent for me to be present all the time."

He took a deep breath, as if to release all his pent-up emotions, his voice carrying both composure and an unspeakable helplessness:

"My nearly month-long stay here...it's less of a relaxing vacation...and more of a realization that once I leave, the chance to spend this much time with her again will be extremely rare."

"It's more like... compensation out of guilt."

"I want to make up for as much as possible to her during this time."

Locke turned his gaze away from Diana and looked at Ron:

“Do you understand what I mean, Ron? It’s not that I don’t want to come, it’s just… I can’t come often. That’s not fair to the others.”

Every day he spent here filled with laughter and joy, every stroll he took with his daughter, was imbued with this clear understanding.

This wasn't estrangement, but rather that he knew where his position lay and which he had to defend.
After listening quietly to all of Locke's thoughts, Ron did not respond immediately.

He simply handed the Oreo he had taken out to Locke.

Sunset cliffs over Paradise Island at night.

In stark contrast to the magnificence of the sunset, it possessed a more tranquil quality.

Moonlight spilled across the sea.

The two chosen griffins stood quietly a short distance away, occasionally letting out a low, clear cry.

Ron stood beside the griffin, his back to them, seemingly communicating with the two mythical creatures in some way that transcended language.

Locke withdrew his gaze from Ron and looked back at what was in front of him.

Diana is standing right here.

Behind her stood Queen Hippolyta, silent and dignified.

The sea breeze ruffled the girl's long, black hair. Diana had changed into a more practical outfit, and the sharpness in her face from her training days was gone. Her deep blue eyes shone with obvious reluctance in the moonlight.

But she still tried her best to restrain herself, even forcing a bright smile to ease the heaviness of the farewell.

These days of spending every day together...

She understood the man in front of her all too well.

Understand the heart beneath his hard exterior, a heart softer than anyone else's.

If I were to show even the slightest bit of grievance or plead softly at this moment...

This seemingly omnipotent man might actually make a snap decision and postpone his return home once again.

With a sigh, Hippolyta looked at Locke with a complex expression, a mixture of gratitude, understanding, and a lingering sense of loss and reluctance to let go of the past.

However, she remained silent, simply standing there quietly, like a perfect statue, leaving the stage to the father and daughter before her.

And look at Diana's forced cheerful smile.

Locke could only respond with a gentle smile, yet one that was remarkably firm:

"This time, it's really time to leave."

“I know,” Diana nodded vigorously, her smile bright, though her voice was a little strained: “The farm… and the brothers probably need you more.”

"I wish you have a nice trip."

"I"

She paused, as if encouraging herself, and added, "I'll miss you."

"I will miss you too, Diana."

Locke stepped forward, extended his broad palm, and somewhat clumsily rubbed Diana's head. This time, Diana did not flinch as usual, but instead tilted her head slightly to feel the rough warmth.

“Learn from your mother and General Phillips well,” Locke said gently, “but remember… don’t push yourself too hard.”

“I know.” Diana nodded seriously.

"Hmm," Locke nodded slightly, then hesitated for a moment before saying, "If you encounter trouble that you can't solve, real trouble... you know how to find me."

Diana finally couldn't help but laugh, a smile tinged with a hint of smugness:

"Of course! Not only will it involve the 'qi' interaction, but I can also have Mr. Angelo deliver a message to you!"

Locke laughed and shook his head, seemingly unable to do anything about her.

But then, his smile faded and his expression became serious.

He raised his right hand, palm up, letting the azure arc of electricity leap and converge within it, emitting a faint crackling sound, like a small thundercloud.

Immediately afterwards, he lightly traced a line on the pad of his index finger with his left thumb.

A drop of crimson blood seeped from under the skin, floated lightly, and then resolutely merged into the surging thunderous energy.

The blue-white electric light mingled and swirled with that single point of bright red.

Ultimately, it transformed into an ancient mark, quietly floating above Locke's palm.

Diana

Gazing into his daughter's eyes, Locke solemnly said, "You are Diana of Paradise Island, a warrior of the Amazons, the daughter of Hippolyta... and that will never change."

"but"

He paused, his tone becoming more resolute:

"You are also a member of the Kent family."

Before Diana could react, he said this.

Locke then held the energy mark and gently pushed it forward, imprinting it onto Diana's outstretched palm.

The mark disappeared quietly, leaving only a faint outline beneath the delicate skin, barely noticeable unless you get close.

"Thunder energy will help you locate a specific 'anchor point'."

Locke explained softly, "And my blood can transcend the barriers of space and establish connections."

Meeting Diana's curious and inquisitive eyes, he gestured, "Try it, Diana. Concentrate, feel it, and then... activate it."

Diana did not hesitate at all.

She closed her eyes and focused her mind on the mark on her palm that resonated with her.

The next moment, a thought flickered in her mind—

"Wow——!"

A dazzling, azure bolt of lightning suddenly shot into the sky from her palm!

The light did not flash by, but lingered briefly in the air before slowly fading away and dissipating into countless blue dust particles.

Amidst the dust and light, a long sword silently fell, which she caught steadily.

The sword blade is as thick and heavy as a mountain rock, and the hilt is designed with a skull, showcasing its wildness and unruliness.

It lay quietly in Diana's hands, as if it had been asleep since the age of mythology and had just been awakened.

That's right, this is the Kent family's heirloom!

It was still the one that had the least presence!
—Rebellious.

Anyone recognized by Locke and possessing this mark can be summoned.

The hilt of the sword felt heavy yet comfortable to hold, and a powerful yet restrained energy flowed quietly within the blade. Staring blankly at this divine weapon that seemed to have appeared out of thin air, Diana was speechless for a moment.

Locke, observing the barely concealed shock on his daughter's face, remained completely composed, speaking in an extremely natural tone, as if introducing the ancestral plow and harrow tracks of his family farm:

"Hmm, this sword... Rebellion."

“It’s been passed down in our Kent family for many years.”

“I’ve always kept it in the treasure vault that Merlin… uh… the great magic Merlin built for our Kent family.”

"Now, the mark on your palm is the key."

"Whenever you need it, you can use it to connect to that treasure vault and summon this sword for temporary use."

"but."

Locke solemnly instructed, as if explaining the rules for using a family heirloom: "Remember to return it after you're done."

"This may be passed on to your younger brother later. Of course, it is also very likely that it will be a task for him to grow up, so that he can come to Paradise Island to take it away himself as a sign of his maturity."

Holding the rebellion in my hand, I feel the power within it.

Diana was about to nod vigorously in agreement, but the word "brother" made her heart tremble slightly, and she hesitated for a moment as she gripped the sword hilt.

"But if I take this sword, what will happen to my other brothers?"

Diana

Interrupting the girl, Locke said softly, "Do you remember? In the dungeon, you asked me..."

"With more children, will love be divided up like a cake, becoming incomplete?"

Diana paused for a moment, then nodded.

That period of confusion and unease remains vivid in my memory.

"Back then, I used sunshine and rain as metaphors to tell you that love doesn't diminish with sharing." Locke smiled, tilting his head back to gaze at the deep night sky studded with stars, his tone tinged with a distant感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both reflection and reflection).
"But now, after this period of time, I have some new understandings."

He looked away and gazed intently into his daughter's eyes.

"Do you believe in gravity, Diana?"

"Gravity?" The girl's face was full of confusion; the word was completely foreign to her. "What...is that?"

“Love is perhaps more like…gravity,” Locke explained without hesitation. “Look at the stars in the sky. Each star moves quietly in its own orbit. They look so independent and do not interfere with each other.”

"But in reality, there exists a force between them that we cannot see, yet is powerful enough to sustain the entire universe."

That's gravity.

"This force will not weaken its pull on another dim star just because the light of one star is particularly dazzling, nor will it completely disappear just because the distance between them is extremely far."

"It is this ubiquitous gravity that connects countless lonely stars, making them a stable and magnificent galaxy, an inseparable whole."

Locke pointed to the stars in the night sky, then to her, and finally to the distance.

“You, Dio, Salafir, Cinque Teresa, Dante, Virgil, and even Clarke… each of you is a star in your own orbit, radiating a unique light.”

“And I…” He gently placed his hand on his chest, “The ‘love’ I possess is the star that provides ‘gravity’.”

"It's not about how much 'light and heat' you get, but about creating a 'gravitational field' that allows you to operate safely."

“Each of you is affected by this gravitational force, but the trajectory of your movement and the way you shine are entirely up to you.”

"You can get close, or you can drift apart."

"But we will never leave this galaxy, and we will never be alone."

"This gravitational pull, its strength, comes solely from the mass of the core itself."

"The increase in the number of stars will not dilute it; it will only make the gravitational field itself more stable and more magnificent."

"So, there's no need to worry anymore, Diana."

Locke's eyes were incredibly serious: "In this star field, you possess your own unique orbit and radiance."

“You will not take away each other’s ‘gravity’. The existence of each of you makes this ‘galaxy’ more stable and more magnificent.”

Diana looked up at the starry sky, and then at her father's seemingly relaxed but undisguisedly concerned eyes. The last bit of sadness in her heart was dispelled by this warm feeling.

She gripped the sword hilt tightly again, nodded vigorously, and smiled as brightly as the morning sun:

"I understand, Father! Thank you! I will...use it well!"

Seeing his daughter's enlightened expression, Locke smiled with satisfaction.

"Alright, it's really time to go."

"Ron! Stop getting attached to those two big birds!"

"This time, we're going to ride them back to Smallville!"

Locke turned and strode toward Ron and the griffin.

His silhouette shimmered in the moonlight. He didn't turn back, but simply waved slightly to bid farewell to the two people watching him.

(End of this chapter)