"It's not too late, uncle."
Russell's eyes were serious.
Nolan turned his head, Mark looking at him with an eager expression, undoubtedly hoping he would surrender.
"No… I can't."
Nolan's face showed struggle, and he shook his head in pain.
"Why?"
Mark's heart skipped a beat. Was his father willing to die for the Viltrium Empire rather than return to them?
"I cannot give up. That would be tantamount to surrender. Compared to a Viltrumite being defeated, a Viltrumite who makes the entire galaxy tremble actually surrendering and becoming a prisoner would further ignite the Empire's wrath.
When the Imperial army arrives, Earth might not even leave a speck of dust in the Universe."
Nolan gritted his teeth.
"I must leave.
After I leave, the Empire might give me another chance to prove myself, and I can buy Earth some time."
He looked at the two children.
"Mark, your Viltrumite potential has not yet been unearthed.
And you, Russell, your ability is the strongest I have ever seen. Since you awakened your ability until now, you have become several times stronger.
Perhaps with this time, you two…"
"Russell …" Mark looked to Russell for help. His Cousin had defeated his father, and now his father was leaving after a few words. He didn't know what his Cousin was thinking, or if he could trust his father who had deceived them for years.
"You should go, uncle."
Russell frowned. This was indeed a problem.
He could forcefully capture uncle Nolan now, but it would not benefit him or Earth.
Moreover, an enemy who has left and might return at any time is more frightening than a formidable enemy who has been captured.
And fearful people will naturally fix their gaze on the only person who can protect them.
"I'm sorry… Russell. Mark," Nolan's voice was hoarse as he spoke before leaving, blood flowing from his mouth. "I should have found a better way…"
"Tell your mother and Aunt Debbie that I'm sorry!"
Nolan, dragging his heavily injured body, turned and flew away, disappearing into the sky.
Seeing the live news broadcast of Omni-Man being defeated by Infinite and escaping.
The World's tense nerves instantly relaxed. Countless people collapsed in front of their screens, weeping with joy, and the streets erupted in cheers, wave after wave: "Infinitoid! Infinitoid!" —
"He saved Earth!" "We are saved!"
People hugged each other, the euphoria of surviving a disaster sweeping through major cities.
The news anchor's voice trembled: "Unbelievable… Infinite defeated Omni-Man, once Earth's strongest Superhero, and he saved the World!"
Social media was instantly flooded with "#InfiniteSavesTheWorld." His white cape and figure were made into memes and posters, becoming a symbol of hope.
However, amidst the celebration, global questions surged like a tide—
"Why did Omni-Man betray us?"
Someone dug up old footage: "He was a hero who protected Earth for twenty years! Were all those rescues, all those speeches… all a disguise?"
People on the internet discussed it heatedly.
"The Viltrium Empire is indeed not that good. What help for other backward Planets to develop? I have long said there was something fishy about it."
"Immortal accused Omni-Man before he died… his teammates were killed by Omni-Man himself!"
"We demand the truth about the Global Guardians' tragedy be made public."
Psychologists analyzed the live news footage: "Some of Omni-Man's micro-expressions show he was in great pain… his entire being seemed to be tearing apart."
The internet was divided into two camps: one believed Omni-Man was utterly evil, and the other believed Omni-Man had extenuating circumstances. He had been a Superhero for decades, saving the World multiple times. Could it all be fake? Even if there was no merit, there was hard work. The whole matter should be made public for the public to judge.
Subsequently, Russell had the Global Defense Agency selectively disclose the entire matter, trying to downplay the incident where no one was harmed, leaving a way out for uncle Omni-Man.
This drew people's attention to more important matters—which were also the most pressing issues facing Earth.
"The World is in peril. Omni-Man's action was just the beginning.
It's hard to imagine that Omni-Man, who no one on Earth except Infinite could stop, is merely a soldier in the Viltrium Empire."
"If the Viltrium Empire sends its army, can Infinite still protect us?"
Everyone on Earth was closely following this question, and the young figure with the white cape appeared in their minds.
..............
"I'm sorry, Aunt Debbie."
At the dinner table that evening, Debbie stared blankly at the news program denouncing Omni-Man, looking haggard. Russell apologized softly.
"I couldn't bring uncle back."
"Child, how can you be blamed for this? The pressure on your shoulders must be immense now. Everyone on Earth has placed their hopes on you, hoping that when the Viltrumite arrives, you will be at the forefront, protecting Earth."
Debbie sighed, lovingly stroking Russell's head.
[Conquest Points: 91600]
"It's nothing." Russell shook his head, looking at the soaring tens of thousands of Conquest Points.
"Mark, starting tomorrow, you need to train yourself rigorously."
Aunt Debbie looked at Mark, her face serious as never before, making Mark pause. He quickly nodded, feeling a pang of sadness as he looked at the empty seat at the table.
"Yes… yes, I will train hard,"
His father had left. He and his Cousin were the men of this family now. They couldn't rely on others anymore, couldn't just rely on his Cousin.
Mark gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and secretly made up his mind.
After dinner, Aunt Debbie's lonely figure went upstairs.
Russell sighed softly in his heart.
The current situation was already much better than the original timeline.
Aunt Debbie at least received an apology, but now the family was still separated. A portion of the World viewed Omni-Man as a demon, and the family didn't know when they could reunite, or if they would ever have the chance to reunite?
Beep beep beep.
Russell's phone alarm sounded, the noise attracting Mark.