It was Secretary Wilson's voice.
Many people in the courtroom recognized it.
At the same time, the recording was broadcast live throughout the city and online.
Then Homelander's voice rang out.
["Considering that I'm a notorious killer and murderer."]
["Therefore, Mr. Secretary, I'm afraid I'll have to refuse your request."]
["After all, I can't guarantee that I'll be able to accurately distinguish friendlies or innocent civilians during the operation."]
["My God, Homelander, are you really going to argue over something like this at a time like this?"], Wilson's voice sounded again.
["Argue?"]
["Why not?"]
["As for tonight's incident, you'll have to excuse me. I won't be taking part."]
What followed was the busy tone from the disconnected call.
After hearing this recording, the whole of New York exploded.
In the square outside the courthouse, a white man shouted excitedly, "This is what's supposed to be a superhero?"
"He's actually quibbling over what happened last time."
"Just because of that, he refused to step forward and stop the disaster. Does he still deserve to be a superhero?"
A little boy looked at the Homelander figure in his hand and suddenly threw it away with all his strength.
His mother gave him an approving look.
A girl looked at the Homelander-print T-shirt she was wearing, suddenly took it off, and stood there wearing only her bra.
"You're not my idol anymore!"
The brave girl threw away the T-shirt.
An old man cried out with a trembling voice, "My son died in the incident that night. My God, he was talking to me on the phone at the time."
"He even told me not to worry. He believed Homelander would step forward and stop the disaster."
"He believed in Homelander until the moment he died."
Gradually, people began shouting accusations and even curses. Every kind of harsh and vicious word fell upon Alex.
Inside the courtroom, Alex dug a finger into his ear, looked toward Wilson, and smiled, "Mr. Secretary, if I remember correctly."
"That wasn't our whole conversation, was it?"
"I'm very curious why you cut out one part."
"Is it because there's some shameful secret in it?"
The courtroom immediately erupted into an uproar.
"Order!"
"Order!"
The judge struck the gavel, then looked toward Wilson's side.
"Is what the defendant said true?"
The Department of Defense's spokesman, Chief Secretary Gilbert, smiled, "Your Honor, there is no such thing."
"We can provide the carrier's phone recording as evidence."
The judge nodded, "I trust that the Department of Defense would not tamper with something like this."
"Then let us continue."
Gilbert nodded, "Yes, Your Honor."
"Because of Homelander's passive response, the 'Boiling Midnight' incident resulted in heavy casualties."
"In the Seven Tower alone, several superheroes died."
"Not to mention the military and civilians."
"We believe Homelander should bear responsibility for these deaths."
Next, Gilbert listed many incidents to accuse Alex.
They included the incident that had previously circulated online, where Homelander killed civilians while carrying out a mission overseas.
As well as the recording of his negotiations with Wilson during the earlier Fall of Manhattan incident.
These accusations spread rapidly through the live broadcast, throwing New York into an uproar once again.
Online, the scrolling comments in every livestream nearly covered the entire screen.
[So this is the kind of Homelander you are. You actually used heroic actions as a bargaining chip. I'm so disappointed in you!]
[You're still not aggressive enough. Say it with me: Trash, get out of the Federation!]
[Back when the Manhattan incident happened, I sincerely thanked Homelander even though I got into trouble because of it. Turns out I was just one of his bargaining chips. What did he take us for!]
[This is the most disgusting superhero I've ever seen. No, he doesn't deserve to be called a hero. He's even more disgusting than a villain!]
[Homelander should be burned to death. He's a heretic!]
The courtroom was just as turbulent.
Many people in the gallery verbally attacked Alex.
Some even threw whatever they could grab at him, but the court bailiffs stopped them.
"Order!"
"Order!"
The judge struck the gavel again, though his eyes kept glancing toward Wilson.
Wilson smiled faintly and gave the judge a slight nod, "Sir, the evidence is conclusive. The charges are overwhelming. Homelander is definitely going to be convicted this time."
Beside him, a Department of Defense official spoke in a low voice.
Wilson was just as delighted inside, but on the surface he calmly said, "It still depends on the judge's ruling."
Just then.
Wilson's eyelid twitched slightly.
Because he saw Alex raise his hand.
After the courtroom quieted down.
The judge said, "Homelander, do you have anything to say?"
An old man stood up in the gallery and shouted, "You're not shameless enough to deny these accusations, are you?"
Alex smiled, then reached out and gave the defendant's table a shove. It shattered completely.
The people were startled.
The court bailiffs rushed over in alarm. Their hands rested on the guns at their waists as they shouted at Alex, "Don't move!"
Of course, Alex ignored them.
His feet left the ground, and he floated into the air, looking down at everyone in the courtroom.
"I do not deny that the many incidents brought up by the Department of Defense are true."
"That's right. During the Manhattan incident, I negotiated with Mr. Wilson, trading the rescue of Manhattan for the rank of colonel."
"I also do not deny that I refused Mr. Wilson's request during the recent 'Boiling Midnight.'"
"I admit all of it."
"So what?"
Alex smiled at the camera. The image appeared on every television screen and livestream throughout New York.
He pointed at the camera.
"You, all of you."
"You're all just mortals. Ants."
"And yet you actually think you can judge a god?"
"I really don't know what goes on in your heads."
"I think I understand a little how Jesus felt when he was put on the cross."
"That feeling was probably helplessness."
"Because all I see is a bunch of stupid curly-haired baboons who have no idea how stupid they are."
"All I can say is, God has a really good temper."
"If it were me, seeing my son nailed to the cross by a bunch of baboons."
"I definitely wouldn't have let Noah build the Ark."
"You idiots shouldn't even exist."
"But I'm in a good mood today, so congratulations. You get to live through another day."
After saying that, Alex looked toward Wilson in the courtroom again, "I really am not a good person, but everyone in the Department of Defense, you're no good either."
"If I need to stand trial, then what about you?"
Wilson suddenly had a bad feeling.
Then he saw Alex snap his fingers.
A recording immediately began playing in the courtroom.