["Even though I said that, the Express can still make one last struggle, right?!"]
[Argenti slightly lowered his head, his emerald eyes filled with unshakable determination: "Velite, I will escort you to the end. A knight keeps his promises."]
[Velite vigorously rubbed his reddened eyes, his voice almost carrying a sob: "Don't think I'll be moved just because you keep saying things like that! I'm known for having a heart of stone!"]
——
The Boys.
Homelander stood in front of the conference room on the top floor of Vought Tower, the neon lights of New York reflected in his blue eyes. His fingertips tapped densely against the glass, each tap making Deep and Ashley, standing behind him, tense up nervously.
"Your approval rating has dropped ten percentage points." Ashley glanced at the data on her tablet and said cautiously, "Even among your die-hard fans, some think you're not as good as that Pure Beauty Knight."
I really should twist that bitch's head off, Homelander thought, if only she weren't the one handling interest, taxes, personnel issues...
Deep swallowed hard and forced out a fawning smile: "Those people just don't get it, they're all a bunch of trend-following idi—"
Homelander spun around abruptly, cutting Deep off mid-sentence.
"Shut your mouth, you fish-stinking piece of trash." he said in a low voice.
He snatched the tablet from Ashley's hands, his fingers scrolling through the latest social media data—discussions about "Pure Beauty Knight Argenti" were skyrocketing at an alarming rate. The comment sections were filled almost entirely with things like "This is what a real hero looks like," "I wish we had knights like this in real life."
As he kept scrolling down, Homelander's face grew darker and darker. Online, there were already tons of edited videos about Argenti, even trending topics comparing him to Homelander.
Ashley read his expression and immediately stepped forward: "We can manufacture some topics, steer public opinion, or launch a new Seven member…"
"Oh."
Homelander stared at her for two seconds, then suddenly grinned, reached out, and gripped her chin hard.
Fear and panic etched into Ashley's eyes almost instantly. Her lips were squeezed into a ridiculous shape by the immense force, like two fish lips. Her throat struggled to produce hoarse, muffled sounds—whether explanations... or pleas for mercy.
As his palm gradually tightened, Ashley's face turned paler and paler.
"You're right... but it's not enough."
He finally released her. Ashley gasped greedily for air as if granted amnesty.
"I want this." Homelander raised his hand and pointed at the celestial screen. On it, the Pure Beauty Knight was comforting others alongside Stelle. Seeing Argenti's gentle expression, his smile gradually twisted. "No—I want to be more 'perfect' than him."
Ashley immediately understood what he meant, but Deep didn't react right away and asked cautiously: "You mean…"
"Pure Beauty Knight—one of the newest members of The Seven launched by Vought. Handsome, elegant, goddamn noble like a prince straight out of a fairy tale." He sneered coldly. "Go find a suitable one. Whatever abilities Argenti has, find someone with the same."
Ashley clutched the tablet tightly to her chest. The thought of being able to leave this conference room made her brain, which had frozen for several minutes, start spinning at high speed again:
"I'll arrange the best plastic surgeons and have writers tailor a character for him. Yes... and shoot a promotional video highlighting pure beauty and the spirit of knighthood! I guarantee you'll be satisfied with this."
Homelander nodded in satisfaction, but the next second his expression darkened again.
"Listen." Homelander said, "Ashley, I don't give a fuck how much PR and resources you use—but if there's no sign of my approval rating rebounding in three days... I'll rip those two silicone lumps off your chest along your ribs and shove them into that ass-kissing mouth of yours. Got it?"
Ashley nodded frantically.
Homelander slowly stood up. He straightened his uniform and reverted to that sunny, righteous hero persona.
"Mm. Then when you leave, remember to close the door behind you."
——
[While everyone was talking, Welt had already finished inspecting the engine. If no one present had strong objections, they could begin preparations.]
["Mr. Welt—please wait a moment." Argenti suddenly interjected, "I'm very sorry—I suddenly had an idea that might help everyone resolve the crisis. During the preparation time for the Express, I hope to have the opportunity to discuss it alone with Stelle."]
["You! At a time like this, can't you just say it straight?!" March 7th expressed mild dissatisfaction.]
["This idea... if proposed in front of everyone, would surely be immediately rejected by all of you. But as a knight, I must help the Express solve the problem."]
[Welt saw there was still time, so he allowed them private discussion time.]
[After pulling Stelle aside, Argenti frankly stated his idea: "I wish to disembark alone and confront the Giant True Sting head-on—use my lance to attack its stomach wall, cause it to spasm, and force it to vomit out the Express."]
[Stelle's eyes widened: "Just you alone?"]
[Argenti nodded: "It's hard for me to describe this phenomenon... but when witnessing certain things, an emotion of beauty arises from the depths of my heart. It's vague and unclear, perceivable only by instinct."]
["Perhaps because I've wandered the galaxy alone for too long, I don't know where this feeling originates. But as a knight, my duty is to protect the seeds of beauty, to stand before them and shield them from everything..."]
["And now, the Astral Express is that seed. It gives me a sense of belonging, a warmth like home. I believe this stems from the deep bonds you all share. Therefore, I vow to become a shield with my body, to defend this trace of warmth, rather than cowardly staying safe and letting it become a shield that protects me instead."]
——
Fate.
"Interesting." Upon seeing Argenti planning to go alone, Gilgamesh rarely showed a trace of approval. "At least he knows how to embellish his finale with blood, rather than whimper like a stray dog. Argenti... this king has remembered his name."
Kirei Kotomine stood in the shadows, his tone carrying some surprise: "Oh? You actually appreciate this kind of self-sacrificial foolishness?"
"Foolishness?" Gilgamesh scoffed. "Kirei, your vision is still so narrow. This man knows full well that the path ahead is nine chances of death out of ten, yet he still charges forward. Just his courage alone is enough to be called a hero."
Looking at the sticky mucus left on the floor after the True Stings died in the Express, Gilgamesh frowned in disgust: "But these filthy insects dare to defile the battlefield with such an ugly form. It truly displeases this king."
Kirei narrowed his eyes: "But precisely because of this ugly existence, it highlights the grandeur of the knight, doesn't it?"
"Hmph, you finally said something decent." Gilgamesh lightly swirled the wine in his glass. "However, this king is quite curious about the true appearance of these insects. A monster that can swallow the Express whole—this king really wants to see it."