Homelander: New Legacy

[16] : Billy Butcher

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Translucent was blown to bits, and his remains were stored in a zinc-coated box. Homelander's x-ray vision is powerful, but it cannot penetrate zinc, indicating that the people who killed Translucent didn't want Homelander to discover the box. Or rather, they didn't want him to discover it quickly.

Since Translucent's corpse couldn't be disposed of, Vought International would eventually find it if they investigated, but this tactic allowed the perpetrators to buy some time.

Translucent's death enraged Vought, especially because of the message spray-painted inside the box: "I'm coming for you." This was a direct provocation against Vought and The Seven.

Although the identity of the perpetrators is still unknown, it is clear they have succeeded in angering Vought, prompting the company to hunt down these lawless criminals. As a result, all members of The Seven, including Roger, are now required to check in with Vought daily, reporting their whereabouts to avoid falling victim to the same fate as Translucent.

"So who do you think did this?" Maeve asked Roger during the race between A-Train and another superhuman, Shockwave.

Today was the day of the race between A-Train and Shockwave. Although Translucent's death was significant, it had to be put aside temporarily. The race between these two super-speed superhumans was a major event that could bring Vought substantial profits through both legal and illegal betting.

The rest of The Seven were present as guests to support A-Train. While smiling for the cameras, Roger and Maeve whispered about Translucent.

"I don't know for sure, but it's definitely aimed at Homelander," Roger said, waving to the cameras and acknowledging the audience before speaking quietly to Maeve.

"Why?" Maeve asked.

"It's simple. Homelander has made a lot of enemies. It's not surprising that some of them are plotting against him," Roger replied.

Roger knew who was responsible for killing Translucent but couldn't tell Maeve without evidence. He had used the excuse of "dual personality" to deceive Maeve, claiming that he knew whatever Homelander knew. Therefore, he couldn't reveal anything about the main group's actions without solid proof.

"Do you think they're after you?" Maeve asked.

"Possibly, but it could also be aimed at Vought," Roger said while scanning the audience for members of the main group.

"What has Vought done? And what did you mean when you said Vought is creating superhumans? Our powers are natural, aren't they?" Maeve asked, her expression turning serious.

"Do you really believe that?" Roger gave Maeve a look of disbelief before quietly saying, "We weren't born with these powers. Our existence is entirely due to Vought."

Maeve's smile faltered, and even though the distant cameras were focused on her, she couldn't help but look at Roger in shock, her face asking, "What are you talking about?"

However, Maeve's reaction caused a misunderstanding among the crowd. Some enthusiastic fans, seeing Maeve and Roger's intense gazes, began to cheer, "Kiss! Kiss!"

"Queen Maeve! Homelander! Kiss!"

"Kiss her!"

The audience's cheers grew louder, and the cameras turned to focus on Roger and Maeve.

Roger's expression tightened. This crowd of fans was overly enthusiastic, cheering for a kiss in such an inappropriate situation.

Maeve, though taken aback by the fans' cheers, quickly recovered and smiled at Roger. "Just hold me; ignore them," she said.

"Are you sure?" Roger asked.

"Of course. Hurry, the cameras have been on us for a while," Maeve urged.

Roger glanced at the cameras and then embraced Maeve as she suggested.

"Wow!"

"Oh!!!"

Though it wasn't a kiss, the embrace delighted the fans, who cheered as if it were a festival. Some even set off small celebratory fireworks.

"...This is a bit too much," Roger muttered, unused to such fervent fan reactions.

"You'll get used to it," Maeve laughed. "Eventually."

"I hope so," Roger said.

As the opening act, Roger and Maeve successfully energized the crowd, and soon, A-Train and Shockwave were ready at their starting lines. All eyes were on the race, but Roger's attention was diverted when he locked eyes with a bearded man in the audience wearing sunglasses.

The man looked tough and intimidating. Roger, sensing something, told Maeve, "Stay here. I just remembered something I need to take care of."

"What?" Maeve asked, but Roger had already left the stands, heading backstage.

The man Roger noticed was no ordinary spectator. He was Billy Butcher, the nominal leader of The Boys. Butcher had a tragic past. He was once an FBI agent tasked with forming a team to investigate superhumans, specifically Homelander.

Butcher's vendetta began after he brought his wife to a party where Homelander noticed her. After the party, Homelander assaulted her, leading to her disappearance and presumed death. Butcher believed Homelander killed her and subsequently developed a deep hatred for all superhumans.

Though he left the FBI and disbanded his team, Butcher continued investigating superhumans and Vought. Recently, he had recruited Hughie Campbell, and they had started a new campaign against Vought.

Translucent's death was likely at Butcher or Hughie's hands, making them Roger's enemies. Roger now needed to find a way to turn them into allies, starting with a face-to-face meeting.