Chapter 176: You Think You Can Leave After Offending His Majesty?
A green tail flame streaked across the sky. Escaping from a rift in the crumbling Fallen Realm, Lex Luthor flew as his thrusters crackled and sputtered with sparks. They would erupt every few moments, making it seem like his entire battlesuit was on the verge of crashing.
Luthor stared at the "Total Damage" report and the incessantly flashing alarms on his display, gritting his teeth.
Just a little longer, just a little more flight time...
Unfortunately, things did not go as he wished.
After another series of crackles and pops, the thrusters finally gave out completely. Having abruptly lost all power, Lex Luthor maintained his speed and began to plummet.
Shouting a series of "No, no, no!", Lex Luthor crossed his arms to protect his bald head. He slid head-first, plowing a long fissure into the ground.
The black technology of his force field shield and shock absorption allowed him to escape unscathed. Lex Luthor sat up, shaking his dizzy head, and frowned. "Damage report."
A holographic projection of the battlesuit appeared before him, red from head to toe.
"Extremely comprehensive," Lex Luthor sighed softly, then gritted his teeth in frustration.
Those detestable aliens had exceeded his expectations. This operation was another complete failure. The Eye of Argo had been stolen, his ally had fled, and those aliens were even tougher to deal with than he had previously thought.
But he, Lex Luthor, would not be defeated by this, nor would he ever retreat.
He prided himself on being the representative of Humanity on this planet, the most outstanding individual among them, and this world should rightfully be his. This was his battle, representing Humanity against those invading species, and he knew he would always be the ultimate victor.
All he needed to do now was go back, adjust his strategy, and regroup...
An intense light suddenly shone down, landing on him like a searchlight. Lex Luthor instinctively narrowed his eyes, raising an arm to block the light. "Who's there?" he barked.
Then, his pupils contracted. He was stunned when he saw the source of the light.
It was a spaceship.
Luthor was confident he possessed all the knowledge and technology on Earth; if it was made on Earth, he would recognize it at a glance. But the ship before him, which seemed to have materialized out of stealth mode, had bizarre lines, an anti-aerodynamic design, and numerous components whose function and purpose he couldn't discern even with his expertise. It could not possibly be of Earthly origin.
Just great. Was it the solar system's tourist season or something? Suddenly, these aliens were popping up everywhere like rain.
The next moment, the spaceship cast down a pillar of light. Three figures descended along the beam.
The leader was a woman, tall and curvaceous, exuding a regal and noble aura. The man and woman following her were clearly her subordinates.
"Are you sure this is the place?" the leading woman asked.
"Of course, Your Highness. Although it was only for a brief moment, the spaceship did detect the unique energy signature of 'Ultraman,' and it was very strong. He must have just fought someone here."
"Damn it, does that mean we're a step too late again?"
"There's nothing to be done, he's just too fast," the Strong Man beside them said in a booming voice.
Then he was promptly kicked to the ground by the princess.
"Who did you say was fast?"
"Ouch, I'm sorry, Your Highness, that's not what I meant..."
The three were, of course, Maxima, her maid Sazu, and her attendant Sas.
The trio quickly surrounded the crashed Lex Luthor.
"A human?" Sazu said, looking thoughtful. "I feel like I've seen this face somewhere before."
"And a human with no hair on his head," Maxima said with a look of disgust. "So ugly. I don't like it."
A tic mark seemed to faintly appear on Lex Luthor's forehead.
But he quickly suppressed his anger and put on a smile.
"It sounds like you're looking for that alien called 'Ultraman'... I remember you. You had a conflict near Gotham, a big fight, right?" Luthor asked.
"Hmm?"
Maxima tilted her head, thinking back, and realized it was true. At that time, she had tried to prove her strength to him, only to be completely outclassed... in every way.
"That did happen. How would you know?" Maxima frowned.
"Heh, let's just say I have my own channels. Moreover, I'm currently monitoring the whereabouts of various gifted individuals around the world—especially the opposition to these so-called heroes."
The corner of Luthor's mouth twitched into a cold smile.
"And you... I've observed your combat. Although you were at a disadvantage against that Ultraman, I can see your potential. I am building a legion, specifically recruiting powerful individuals like you. By joining forces, we can sanction those self-righteous superheroes."
"You... want to recruit me?" Maxima pointed at herself, her face a picture of disbelief. "To join your legion, to go up against... Ultraman?"
"And Superman, and all others who stand in our way... Hmm, of course, when a member of the legion is in trouble, it's only natural for the others to lend their support, including helping against each member's personal archnemesis."
Maxima exchanged a look with the maid beside her.
"Sazu, what do you think?"
The maid asked strangely, "Are you asking which side we should choose?"
"What? Of course not," Maxima rolled her eyes at her, annoyed. "I'm asking if we should cut this baldy down right here, or capture him alive, tie him up, and present him to the future Majesty of Almerac to claim our reward!"
Lex Luthor stared blankly for two seconds before realizing he might have hit his head too hard and wasn't thinking clearly. The invitation had been a bit hasty.
This development seemed a little different from what he had imagined.
"Well... if you're not interested, that's fine. No pressure. I suddenly remembered I have something to attend to, so I'll be leaving..."
He turned to leave as he spoke.
But Maxima immediately turned her head, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.
"You think you can leave after offending His Majesty? Sas!"
As her voice fell, Sas, who she had kicked away earlier, performed a kip-up and, with astonishing speed, flashed in front of Lex Luthor.
"Get lost!"
Lex Luthor roared, raising his right palm. The energy in the battlesuit's palm cannon gathered, and the green glow of the pulse beam aimed straight for Sas's head.
However, nothing fired.
The palm cannon overloaded and fizzled out with a series of crackling electric sparks.
Lex Luthor's face took on an expression of utter despair.
"What in the hell..."
Sas slammed him to the ground and gave him a savage beating.
A moment later, Lex Luthor's battlesuit had been completely stripped off. Underneath, his body was almost as bare as his head, wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts.
Looking at the unconscious Luthor, Maxima walked over and grinned arrogantly. "Heh, daring to have designs on our Majesty of Almerac. This bald bastard must have a death wish..."
Sas mumbled a reminder, "Um... Your Highness, that person isn't our majesty yet. He hasn't agreed..."
Maxima's smile vanished instantly. She fell silent for two seconds.
Then she sent him flying with another kick.
"You and your big mouth," Maxima muttered.
"Lex Luthor, former renowned entrepreneur and now a notorious criminal against humanity, has been arrested."
A reporter was covering the story on the TV news.
"It's said that the one who brought him to justice is a new superhero, who calls herself a queen..."
Orin Vale frowned when he saw the news and the silhouette of the figure flying away in the background of the shot.
Maxima?
Good grief, not only is she still here, but she's also started playing superhero? Does this mean she's planning on setting up camp on Earth for a long-term campaign?
Emmm...
It might not necessarily be a bad thing for Earth. He just hoped he wouldn't get dragged into any more trouble.
The first thing Orin Vale did after returning was to prepare to go down and properly study the Eye of Argo. But just as he set up the experiment platform and created a new project, a guest arrived at the shop.
Orin Vale checked the entrance monitor from the basement.
Well, well.
A goofy-looking reporter in a suit and square-framed glasses, and a goddess whose scarf and glasses couldn't stop her from turning every head.
Clark Kent and Diana Prince.
"Excuse me, is Mr. Orin home?"
(end of chapter)