Conquering the Multiverse Starting with the Black Robe

"However, it doesn't seem like a good idea for me to just go and meet you directly?"

Rean chuckled on the other end of the phone, "I'm Walter's most wanted man now. Every TV station in America is broadcasting news about the murder of Locomotive non-stop."

At a time like this, inviting me to dinner so openly—aren't you afraid of being photographed by the media? That would ruin your perfect hero image.

"The media?" Homelander frowned slightly, realizing that eating in ordinary places could indeed easily attract unnecessary trouble.

He thought for a moment, "I know a place that's absolutely secluded and safe. It's a Michelin-starred restaurant owned by Walter, which usually only caters to the Seven-Man Team and the company's top executives."

"That sounds pretty high-class," Rean replied, stroking his chin.

"Since you're planning a family dinner, let's make it a bit more formal. Perfect timing, I'll bring my team along and introduce you to a few young men."

Since we're talking about getting to know each other better, I need to introduce you to the people around me, so that things don't turn out badly later.

"No problem, it's great that you think that way." Homelander was not angry at all when he heard that Rean was going to bring his team. On the contrary, he was very happy.

In his view, Rean's introduction of his men and willingness to reveal his trump cards and confidants was precisely a sign of goodwill and complete trust in him.

After all, if I wanted to, I could take this opportunity to wipe them all out.

Homelander nodded and readily agreed, "Then it's settled. Tonight at eight o'clock. I'll send you the seating information later, and I'll have the manager clear the room in advance."

"Okay, see you tonight."

The phone call ended, and Homelander stood suspended high in the air, the wind whistling in his ears. He suppressed his smile, and his brows gradually furrowed.

Rean said he would bring his team, so if I went alone, wouldn't I look like a lone wolf and lose face?

He wouldn't care if it were anyone else, but that was his father, and he absolutely couldn't let him lose face.

Especially now that the seven-person team is no longer what it used to be, with only Maeve, Deepsea, and the newly joined Starlight remaining.

Although... the members who died were all victims of villains, which was the work of their own fathers.

But Homelander couldn't blame the other party for this. He could understand Rean's deep-seated hatred for Walter; he had grown up in the lab and knew it all too well.

The difference is that he chose reconciliation and repaid evil with kindness, while Rean wanted to retaliate in kind.

Homelander couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed by this. After the initial excitement of seeing his son again, he realized that he and Rean were not on the same side.

Edgar's life or death is insignificant.

However, he did not want Walter to be overthrown by Rean. He had devoted his entire life to this place, and it was everything he had painstakingly built. Even his own father could not stand idly by.

The seven-man squad was almost completely wiped out. Homelander felt he had to have a serious talk with him. He couldn't let Rean continue like this, and at the very least, he couldn't touch Maeve, the woman he once loved.

After thinking it over, Homelander decided to bring along a trusted henchman to serve him tea and water, demonstrating his authority as the leader of the seven-man squad.

Maeve is definitely out of the question. The way Maeve looks at him now is as if she wants to devour him whole.

New black? Too boring. Neither ex nor current partner is suitable for social occasions. Sitting there like a mute will ruin the atmosphere.

As for Xingguang? She's a new girl, still on probation. She wouldn't have been qualified before, but it's not a big deal to bring her along to help out now. The problem is that she hasn't been with him long enough to develop any rapport. If she makes a fool of herself, it will backfire.

After much thought, a familiar, sleazy figure came to mind. He hesitated for a moment, then dialed the number anyway.

There was no time when Homelander never imagined that he would find himself in such an embarrassing situation with no one available, but since the person who created this trouble was his own father, he could only grit his teeth and bear it.

The phone was answered almost instantly after ringing for only one second. A man's voice came through, sounding both anxious and somewhat obsequious, "Hey! Boss, what can I do for you? I was just giving a public service speech on marine conservation, as required by the company. I swear I didn't slack off!"

"The locomotive is dead, and in the meantime, you're busy with this?" Homelander wouldn't speak so kindly to his subordinates; his tone was cold, and he immediately launched into a tirade.

"Uh... well. Actually, I've been helping the crime analysis department find the Invisible Man, and I feel like we're close to making progress." The man's ability to improvise has never been great, so he could only let out an awkward laugh.

"Shut up, Deep Sea." Homelander rubbed his forehead and interrupted coldly. "No matter where you are right now, go back to the company immediately, change into your most presentable and cleanest clothes, and don't wear that clown-like fish skin outfit. Also, tidy up your beard and hair; you look like a slovenly savage."

"Is my uniform ugly? I thought you liked it..." Shen Hai paused for a moment on the other end of the phone, his voice slightly stammering, "Sir, is this an emergency press conference? Because of the locomotive?"

Look, these are the people under his command. They don't even have the most basic ability to read people's expressions... Homelander was speechless. He really didn't know why he could tolerate it for so long. It wasn't like he really had no one else to use. This was a seven-person team, the pinnacle that superhumans dreamed of. They recruited a lot of smart people who would fight tooth and nail to get in.

All I can say is that I was too sentimental and acted too emotionally.

Homelander was thoroughly annoyed by Deepsea's incessant self-praise on the other end of the phone. He was about to reprimand him to stop his rambling when a thought suddenly struck him, and he changed the subject, asking, "Deepsea, what's your opinion on villains?"

Deep Sea paused for a moment, somewhat caught off guard by Homelander's erratic train of thought, and asked respectfully, "A villain? The guy who killed Black and Locomotive, sir?"

"That's right, he also killed the Invisible Man."

On the other end of the phone, Deep Sea, shirtless, quickly brushed away the octopus tentacles clinging to his face. Did Homelander want him to deal with villains? Damn it, he didn't want to face that scoundrel. "He... he's absolutely wicked. I mean, he killed so many of our people. He's heinous, so vicious!"

The villain is a despicable scoundrel, a rat that hides in the gutter, too ashamed to face you. Just give the order, and I will go through fire and water to find his hiding place for you!

"What if I told you that he was my partner, and that I acquiesced to all of this?" Homelander listened quietly as he finished speaking, then said calmly.

Deep Sea's heart skipped a beat, sensing something was terribly wrong. "What... oh, yeah. Now that you mention it, he really is quite clever, and very capable... cough cough, using external forces to eliminate dissidents, as expected of you, truly impressive..."

"Shut up!"

Deep Sea immediately fell silent. "Yes, sir."

Homelander sighed and warned, "Just do as I say, Deepsea, understand? Don't ask any questions."

"Wait for me at the company entrance at 7:30 tonight. Once you get there, keep your mouth shut; it can only be used for eating."

Without my permission, you are not allowed to utter a single extra word, not to strike up a conversation with anyone, and especially not to show off your self-righteous, foolish sense of humor.

If you dare embarrass me, or are even a minute late... I'll shove you down the sewer and let you taste the stench, understand?"

Deep Sea trembled with fear and quickly agreed, "Understood, Captain. I promise I'll be there on time and I definitely won't let you down."

"Oh, and while you're at it, call Starlight for me too."

The man nodded in satisfaction, hung up the phone, and flew towards the city.