The lively entrance music sounded again, and another beam of light fell onto the stage.
On the platform, a figure slowly rose.
Under the lights, the black armor carried a sense of strength and coldness.
The glowing eyes on the mask were intimidating.
Bright yellow lines traced over the armor, outlining a powerful shape that made people instinctively wary.
When Colonel Yuri appeared on the stage in this armor, the hall fell silent. Everyone was stunned by the jet black suit.
It was only when the colonel tapped his faceplate and revealed his square jawed face that people remembered to breathe.
Arnold smiled, ["Next, you may interview the colonel, but one at a time."]
He pointed at the media and reporters below the stage.
Immediately, reporters from major New York media outlets and several well known online influencers rushed up and surrounded the colonel.
A female reporter in a business skirt held out a microphone, "Colonel Yuri, can you tell us about your experience using the armor?"
Colonel Yuri nodded, "It makes me feel invincible. Yes, once I put it on, I feel like I could match an elite unit on my own."
Another male reporter with glasses followed up, "Colonel Yuri, if Olga Company's armor technology can be widely adopted, do we still need superheroes?"
Colonel Yuri took the microphone from him and said in a deep voice, "I can answer that with certainty. No, we don't!"
"If Olga Company's armor technology is promoted to the military and the police system—"
"Then in the future, our soldiers will be able to fight one against a hundred on the battlefield."
"Our police will easily arrest superpowered criminals."
"As for superheroes, I acknowledge everything they've done, and I thank them for their contributions in protecting this city and this country."
"But professional matters should be handled by professionals."
"Compared to them, officers who have received professional training, and are supported by armor, will have more experience in effectively pursuing criminals."
Another reporter asked, "So you mean superheroes can step off the stage?"
Colonel Yuri nodded, "Yes. With armor, we can even protect them in return."
Laughter broke out across the hall.
A moment later, Arnold stepped forward again and smiled, "Alright, everyone."
"We'll pause here for now. There will be more time later for further interviews with the colonel."
"Please return to your seats and enjoy a glass of wine, shall we?"
After the reporters left the stage satisfied, Arnold looked around the hall and said confidently, "A week ago, I invited Vought's senior executives and Homelander to attend tonight's grand event."
"But it seems they didn't dare to show up."
"I can understand that."
"After all, if it were me, I'd probably hide too, then release a statement the next day saying I had a stomachache and couldn't attend."
"I'm quite experienced with that sort of thing."
He deliberately paused, giving the guests time to laugh.
But just as Arnold was about to continue, a voice rang out.
"Perhaps Mr. Arnold is still relatively young, so he doesn't quite understand the value of credibility."
"As someone with decades of experience in that regard, once I've promised something, there's no going back. And I certainly wouldn't use something childish and insincere like a stomachache as an excuse."
Immediately, a spotlight fell on the entrance.
Edgar, dressed in a black suit, walked in accompanied by Maeve, Starlight, Ice Princess, and other superheroes.
The old man's arrival triggered warm applause throughout the hall.
Even though they had accepted Olga Company's invitation to attend this event that was clearly meant to suppress Vought, the elites and executives present were all sharp minded people. When they saw Edgar, they still gave him due respect.
Arnold's expression didn't change, but in his heart he had already cursed Edgar a hundred times.
The old man had arrived and immediately implied that he lacked credibility and was childish. In front of so many people, it was practically a slap to his face.
Still, Arnold had excellent composure. Though angry inside, he showed nothing on his face and laughed loudly, "Welcome, welcome."
"Welcome, Mr. Edgar."
Arnold then pretended to be surprised, "Oh? Where is Homelander?"
"Didn't he come with you?"
At that moment, a loud boom sounded above the hall. A hole burst open in the ceiling as a figure crashed through and landed on the ground.
People jumped in shock and looked over.
A dark figure slowly stood up.
The evening wind blew in through the hole in the ceiling, lifting golden hair.
Blue eyes reflected the lights of the hall. The corners of his mouth lifted, revealing a row of white teeth in a warm, sunny smile.
"Homelander!"
"It's Homelander!"
Cheers erupted across the hall. Then people realized that tonight Homelander was not wearing his usual blue suit with the star spangled cape.
Instead, he wore a suit with a black base decorated with golden lines.
The most striking feature was the golden symbol on his chest, evolved from the letter "K."
It looked somewhat like a lightning bolt, bold and domineering.
Combined with his dramatic entrance by crashing through the Empire Building's ceiling, it instantly left countless women in the hall dazed and breathless.
What girl wouldn't be drawn to such a dominant and flamboyant man?
Alex looked up, pointed at the hole in the ceiling, then smiled at Arnold, "Sorry. I was in a hurry and made a hole there. You don't mind, do you, Mr. Arnold?"
A faint vein twitched on Arnold's forehead.
'Don't mind?'
'How could I not mind!'
This was the Empire Building. Repairing that hole would cost a fortune.
But the money wasn't the main issue. The point was that Homelander had barged in so openly, clearly humiliating him.
How could Arnold possibly not mind?
"Of course."
Arnold laughed, "It's a small matter."
Then he added, "As expected of Homelander. Even your entrance is so breathtaking."
"Oh, how curious."
"Why aren't you wearing your original suit?"
"This one makes me feel a little uneasy."
Arnold deliberately made an issue out of the color of the suit, trying to associate Homelander with fear and disaster.
Alex spread his hands, "I don't see it that way."
"Black represents being low key and quiet."
"As a guest, I didn't want to steal the host's spotlight."
"So I specially changed into this outfit. Mr. Arnold, can't you see my good intentions?"
Arnold glanced at the hole in the ceiling, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
'Low key? Quiet?'
'Not stealing the spotlight?'
'Who are you kidding?'
'Who here is more arrogant than you?'
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