Vought, Front Plaza.
The plaza, capable of holding 5,000 people, was now unbearably crowded, a surging sea of humanity.
Everyone had come spontaneously because of the livestream, because of that photo of a grievously wounded Homelander and a tearful Starlight.
They prayed for the heroes’ safety and hoped to find the truth here.
Countless people raised their arms, their roars shaking the heavens.
“We want the truth!” “We want the truth!” The deafening shouts finally elicited a response.
Starlight, with tear stains not yet dry, slowly walked up to the high platform in the plaza.
Then, she began to muster her emotions and started spinning her tale with a choked voice: “Today was supposed to be a joyous occasion for The Seven, as we welcomed a new member—The Deep…” “Yet, on such a festive day, a terrifying monster suddenly appeared in my office.” “I fought with all my might, but I was no match for it…” “In my moment of despair, Invisible Man heard the commotion and stepped forward without hesitation!
He helped me battle the monster.” “But the monster’s strength exceeded our expectations.
Even with our combined efforts, we could only barely hold our ground against it.” “Soon, we were driven into a corner by the monster.
In that critical moment, Invisible Man sacrificed himself, taking a fatal blow meant for me.
But he himself was also grievously wounded!
In his final moments, he reached out, signaling for me not to go and save him.
He clung desperately to the monster that was mauling him, and with his last ounce of strength, shouted to me: ‘Run!
Get the message out!
Don’t let my sacrifice be in vain!'” On the platform, Morgan secretly pinched herself hard.
Forcing out a single tear.
Down below, Invisible Man’s fans had already begun to cry.
“Barely containing my grief, I rushed downstairs, intending to bring news of the monster”, “to our invincible leader downstairs—Homelander!” “But who could have expected that, despite pushing myself to the limit, I was still a step too late.
I only had time to shout a single warning before the monster, hot on my heels, began slaughtering people in the crowd.” “This sight immediately enraged our leader.
His sense of heroic duty made him charge at the monster, heedless of his own safety!” “He held onto it tightly, not letting it move a single step!” “It was thanks to our leader’s intervention that the innocent people gained precious time to escape.” “And I, after evacuating the crowd, found our leader still locked in a stalemate with the monster.” “Unbelievable!!
How could any creature possibly rival a god-like leader like him?!
This monster was far too powerful!” “And our leader understood deeply that in this world, besides him, no one else could face such a formidable foe!
To protect me, to safeguard this world!
Our leader fought desperately against the enemy, refusing to yield an inch!
But the opponent was simply too powerful.
Even a force as strong as our leader found himself at a disadvantage for a time.
Even with my assistance from the sidelines, we could only manage a draw against the monster.” “They fought inextricably.
Our leader could see I was hesitant to attack for fear of injuring him.
So, to eliminate the monster, our leader, disregarding his own safety, said to me: ‘Fire at me!!
Give it everything you’ve got!
This is a disaster for the world.
To protect this beautiful world, his sacrifice means nothing!
If we don’t defeat this monster here, the world will fall into its hands.’ I felt our leader’s will, an absolute determination that could not be betrayed.
So I unleashed my strongest abilities against the enemy!
During the battle, our leader was severely injured, flesh and blood flying, yet he never forgot to hold the enemy back desperately!
When his hands were crippled, he used his feet.
When his legs were broken, he used his teeth!
Until the very end, even knowing he might die from this, he did not dodge or retreat!
He would rather perish together with the enemy than give this world-destroying monster a single moment’s respite!
The monster finally fell!
Homelander used his own flesh and blood to protect the future of this world, He did not betray the stars and stripes behind him!” “This is the full account of what happened…” “My teammate, Invisible Man, I can still recall to this day…
the kind smile he gave me on my first day joining The Seven.” Morgan pinched herself hard again, crying until her face was streaked with tears.
In truth, that first day meeting Invisible Man, his perverted smile was indeed memorable.
It scared her so much she went straight to Daisy to have an anti-Invisible Man bracelet made.
“My leader, Homelander, burned until his very last moment to protect this world.” A pity her near-fatal attack didn’t let him burn out completely!
“They were like older brothers to me, always protecting me!
Protecting this world!” “They!
They are the true heroes!!!” As Morgan roared hoarsely: ‘They are the true heroes!’ The crowd below had long since broken down in sobs, a river of tears.
Along with tens of millions of netizens watching the livestream, who all began wailing loudly.
With the exposure of this ‘truth’.
“The True Heroes!” “The Fall of Invisible Man…” “Homelander—The World’s Guardian” And other such hashtags instantly flooded screens worldwide, the hype exploding.
And the fan count of Starlight, this participant and witness, skyrocketed in a straight line.
—————————— Vought Executives: “Is this the script we gave her?
Who taught her to say this?
Are there any loopholes?” “With Invisible Man, only the two of them were present.” “Due to camera angles, the events in the broadcast studio also match up.” “The livestream only showed dust and flashes of blue light.
The simultaneous cries of Homelander and the monster were also real.” “The part about the hostages also fits perfectly.” “The sequence of events connects seamlessly.
There are no loopholes!” “As long as Homelander doesn’t speak up, this is ironclad fact.” “But, given the current situation, Homelander is probably overjoyed.
Why would he come out and stir up trouble…” “In that case…
could she actually be a genius!” Vought Medical Department…
After a 10-hour coma, Homelander woke up thanks to his astonishing physique.
“Sss…
What happened to me?” “The Deep’s welcome party, the monster, Starlight, purple electric spheres?” Did Starlight break through my defenses?!
Even though he hadn’t moved, taking the hits head-on, it meant he was no longer ‘invincible.’ Right…
my hand!
Homelander panicked slightly, trying to lift his right arm.
Little Righty, are you okay?
Without you, how will I perform my Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer!
“Don’t worry, Vought’s technology is more than enough to heal you…” “You should rest for a month first.
For you, this might not be a bad thing.” Edgar handed over a tablet.
On it were Homelander’s various metrics.
Both his popularity and approval ratings had seen massive growth.
Immense joy instantly overshadowed the pain in his body.
“H-how…
how is this possible!” At this moment, Homelander was as happy as a child.
This feeling of being noticed, recognized, and needed.
Made him truly feel he had moved past those pathetic memories.
That’s why he cared so much about his metrics, about how others perceived him.
Edgar produced another tablet, playing the current societal evaluations of him.
He saved the clip of Starlight’s speech for last.
“Starlight…” Seeing Homelander wasn’t angry, Edgar couldn’t help but remark: She really knows how to handle a child.
“Starlight has redefined your identity, and Vought is about to enter a new era.” “Rest and recover well.
The position of leader of The Seven is still yours.” After Edgar left, Homelander also began a month-long period of recuperation.
Although Vought was eager to capitalize on the soaring hype and push Homelander out to make money right away, their current technology still didn’t support rapid recovery for a top-tier Superhuman like Homelander.
So…
recover slowly, Homelander.