Chapter 68 Is the Guardian a Fascist Madman?
Ashley’s tablet vibrated, and a push notification suddenly popped up.
Just as Homelander was about to curse a few more times, his attention was suddenly drawn to the big screen.
[CNN News: Guardian Interview Video Exposed! "I would rather trade the lives of one hundred terrorists for the life of one World War II veteran" — The superhero’s declaration of justice sparks fierce debate across America]
Just by seeing that headline, Ashley’s world instantly collapsed.
"Th-this is..."
She whipped her head around to look at Lucas, her expression seemingly saying, "With your intelligence, how could you do something like this?"
Lucas’s expression didn’t change; he leaned back in his chair, seemingly having anticipated this all along.
Maeve, who had been finding the farce before her rather boring, suddenly sat up straight and stared at the big screen.
Why was the bombshell dropped only now?
"Guardian! Th-this video, did you orchestrate this on purpose?!"
"Yes."
"Then why didn’t you notify the PR department in advance?! We have absolutely no contingency plan! This... this is extremist rhetoric..."
"Extremist? I don’t think so!"
Lucas stood up, watching himself speak passionately on the screen.
Hmm, the acting could use some improvement.
The expression wasn’t exaggerated enough, lacking the ability to stir emotions.
Homelander also leaned in, watching the content on the screen; his work-related frustrations were immediately replaced by another emotion.
Watching the drama unfold!
And it was Guardian’s drama at that!
"When did you ever make these statements?"
"I almost forgot about that myself."
"I think it’s pretty normal. What’s so extremist about it?"
Ashley frantically scrolled through her phone, her face growing paler and paler. "The problem is huge. Vought PR has shared real-time data; Guardian’s remarks have already sparked massive controversy."
"Supporters and opponents are practically at each other’s throats."
"His interview is already the number one trending topic on Twitter."
"CNN, Fox, and NBC are all doing special reports, especially this one..."
Ashley read aloud in front of everyone, "The American Civil Liberties Union has issued a statement claiming that Guardian’s remarks dangerously imply that some lives are more valuable than others, which is completely contrary to the spirit of the American Constitution!"
Lucas shrugged; after all, the West only cares about the law, not morality, resulting in lawyers everywhere.
Ashley saw something else, and her brow smoothed slightly.
"However, the Veterans Association, the Police Union, and the Victims’ Families Association have all spoken out in support of Guardian."
"The Fox News host says Guardian is the bravest voice of this era!"
"But the NBC commentator says you... says..."
Homelander leaned in, his eyes full of curiosity.
"Says what?"
"...Says... says Guardian is a fascist wearing the cloak of a superhero!"
Classic!
So classic!
Who says the West doesn’t know how to label people!
"So, what about the approval ratings?"
Homelander asked the key question.
"Based on current public opinion, Guardian’s overall approval rating... fuck...!"
Ashley looked incredulous.
"Sir, your approval rating has actually increased by 8.6%. Although some fans have left, you’ve gained support from a large portion of the casual young demographic and the 55-65-year-old white demographic. Your approval rating in Texas has hit a new high!"
"Oh, right, the Beer Association has sent an invitation, wanting Guardian to give a public speech. They are willing to pay a 6 million dollar speaking fee, and several beer brands want to use your image rights!"
"Fuck!"
This time, it was Homelander who cursed.
"No, why? How can you become so popular? How can my brother be more popular than me?"
Homelander only regretted that it wasn’t him who gave the interview.
He feared his brother was suffering, yet feared his brother’s success.
...
[Homelander — Emotional State: Extreme: Jealousy, distress, feeling at a total loss]
[Evolution Points Gained: +17,345]
...
[Maeve — Emotional Shift: Surprise, disbelief, conviction]
[Evolution Points Gained: +12,345]
...
Ryan watched Guardian on the screen, listening to the words coming from his mouth, feeling that the surrounding noises were exceptionally loud, allowing only that one voice to drift through his mind.
[Ryan — Emotional Shift: Adoration, conviction, spiritual mentor]
[Evolution Points Gained: +19,345]
...
Throughout the room, only A-Train and Starlight were not particularly impressed.
Starlight had discussed ideas about justice with Lucas; she had always appreciated Lucas’s radicalism, so the emotional impact was moderate.
As for A-Train... Hey bro, do you want to look at my skin color?
Lucas put his hands in his pockets; that year, he didn’t know what a rival was.
His interview had indeed stepped on the most sensitive nerve of American society.
Mainstream American values are built on a few cornerstones: everyone is born free and equal, due process is required, everyone is equal before the law, and the abuse of vigilantism is opposed.
Lucas had violated almost all of them.
["I would rather trade the lives of one hundred terrorists for the life of one World War II veteran"]
This statement stood on the moral high ground, but within the American legal framework, whether you are a saint or a criminal, everyone is treated equally before the law.
Guardian had actually publicly declared that some people’s lives were worth more than others.
Conservatives and liberals were already tearing each other apart over this.
This wasn’t even the most distressing part; Lucas’s trial procedures and subjective concepts of equality directly challenged the due process principles of the American judicial system.
He was testing... testing whether the public would accept using a form of justice that stood above the law to strengthen the rights of the people.
Especially this line: ["Even if the whole world only has you left as someone who upholds justice, Guardian will confront the entire world for your sake."]
How heart-stirring those pretty words were; the teenage demographic is the most easily swayed by pretty words, and the focus differs between genders.
Men prefer tavern speeches, while girls prefer unwavering love and trust.
Some were moved to tears, some sneered with disdain, and some felt a chill down their spines.
...
CIA Deputy Director Raynor was arguing fiercely with Butcher, but when the TV turned on, both of them were frozen in place.
"What did I tell you?" Butcher seemed to have anticipated this.
"This is the Guardian that the American public has placed on a pedestal. And now? The facts prove that the stupidity of the masses will always exceed your and my imagination; they will always have their brains raped by the rhetoric of a fascist lunatic!"
Raynor’s hands trembled. As someone within the American establishment, she had struggled and climbed for at least twenty years to reach her current position.
She knew the inflammatory nature of Guardian better than Butcher.
Guardian’s remarks couldn’t be summed up by a simple word like ’fascist’; he was tearing America apart, deliberately intensifying social conflicts.
"Get out, go collect evidence of the crimes of compound v, and hurry up!!"
Raynor immediately approved the funding and privileges for Butcher.
...
Hughie was home today, cuddling with his girlfriend and watching TV.
If possible, he wanted to stay like this with his girlfriend peacefully forever.
"Hughie, it’s Guardian!!"
Robin’s excitement immediately spiked.
Five minutes later.
Hughie stared blankly at Robin, who was frantically voting for Guardian.
His girlfriend was already mentally shaped by Lucas.
"...Don’t be so shameless as to place rapists and terrorists on equal footing with decent people..."
Hughie was shocked by this sentence.
However, he subconsciously felt something wasn’t quite right.