Heroes Make Their Entrance!

The troublemakers at the scene and the viewers in front of their televisions did not have to wait long before movement appeared on the execution platform.

After Red Hood was escorted onto the scaffold, two Hydra soldiers forced him down onto his knees. Above his head, a noose hanging in midair swayed gently in the cold wind.

Then, beneath everyone’s gaze, Red Skull himself stepped onto the execution platform, draped in a fur-lined cloak. The instant his distinctive red head appeared, it drew everyone’s attention. At that moment, all of New Babylon seemed to fall still.

Everyone held their breath, staring without blinking at the man atop the platform. Whether they admitted it or not, at this moment, he was the monarch reigning over the entire world. Even Mandarin, known as the lord of the East, could not contend with him.

"Th-that’s Hydra’s leader, the one in charge of all of America."

"I heard he hadn’t shown himself for a very long time. I never expected we’d actually get to see him. Führer Red Skull was the one who defeated Captain America head-on back then. Who would’ve thought we’d see his heroic bearing again someday?"

"Hmph. For Hydra to be so on guard, the news about the other world is probably true. The question is whether they’re really as formidable as the rumors say."

"I doubt it. Red Skull probably dragged out all of Hydra’s reserves. Look at those soldiers and that equipment—they could crush any enemy that comes their way. And with legendary figures like Sandman and Taskmaster here, I’m afraid no one will get anything out of this place."

"Yeah. Rather than wondering how strong those heroes are, they should think about whether they’ll even dare show themselves after seeing this. Hahaha."

Red Skull’s appearance quickly stirred up a commotion among the crowd. Those who loved a spectacle eagerly voiced their opinions while looking around, trying to spot the heroes from the rumors.

However, none of this affected Red Skull in the slightest. He approached Red Hood with solemn steps. Looking at the man who had his eyes tightly shut and showed no reaction to anything around him, like a walking corpse, Red Skull let out a cold laugh.

"Take a guess. Do you think those so-called Justice League superheroes are hiding among that rabble right now? Did you spot any familiar faces? Hahaha."

At those words, Red Hood slowly opened his eyes. His hands and feet were bound by specially made chains, leaving him almost completely unable to move, much less attempt any resistance.

Yet he did not seem to have any intention of doing so. He merely stared silently at Red Skull, his eyes revealing killing intent so intense it seemed almost tangible.

"Still refusing to speak?"

Completely unfazed by Red Hood’s murderous glare, Red Skull only smiled at him, as though he were admiring a work of art that had already been put up for auction.

"It doesn’t matter. Your usefulness ends here. All I want is for you to watch helplessly as your hope shatters. Next, all those good comrades from your memories will follow in your footsteps and become my prisoners. Of course, that is, if they dare to come."

"I… will kill you… with my own hands."

His lips trembling slightly, Jason Todd finally spoke for the first time since being captured.

Hearing his voice, Red Skull froze for a moment. Then, in the next instant, a dangerous curve rose at the corner of his lips, and the smile on his face deepened.

After a brief silence, Red Skull ignored Jason Todd. Instead, he turned to face the Hydra soldiers below the platform. At the same time, through the cameras, his figure appeared in every corner of the world.

Red Skull switched on the microphone clipped to his collar, and his voice, amplified through the broadcast system, rang in the ears of everyone present.

"Welcome to New Babylon, my dear subjects."

That single sentence instantly ignited the frenzy among those watching the execution.

These fearless people cheered loudly, trying to use their roars to heighten the atmosphere at the execution site and release the pent-up emotions in their hearts. But more than that, they were likely simply following the crowd in hopes of drawing Red Skull’s attention.

Their cheers were overwhelming. Even from a great distance away, Red Skull could vaguely hear them. He clearly enjoyed it, smiling before continuing.

"There is still one hour until the judgment. Before the execution, I have a few words for certain people."

As Red Skull spoke, the unrest in the crowd gradually subsided. Everyone held their breath and listened intently to what Red Skull was about to say.

Everyone knew whom Red Skull’s next words were directed at. At the same time, they eagerly anticipated the scene about to unfold, because at this moment, no one could predict what would happen next.

Beneath the gloomy sky, the execution platform stood in the center of New Times Square like a lonely tombstone. The frigid wind of deep winter howled past, and the air was filled with a dry, murky stench. Everything felt unbearably oppressive.

A pitch-black crow swept across the sky, as though adding a touch of eerie strangeness to the solemn atmosphere.

Amid that stifling silence, Red Skull spoke again.

"Ever since that grand war ended forty-five years ago, I have wanted for nothing. This world has already bowed its head to me. No self-proclaimed hero has dared challenge me again, because, honestly, the age of heroes has become history."

"I once read an article in the Daily Bugle. It described in detail the corpses those superheroes left behind across the world, along with the author’s memories of the old days."

"My dear subjects, those who know me understand that I am not a nostalgic man. But in truth, recalling the expressions of those old enemies before they died truly fills me with excitement from the depths of my heart."

"And now! A group of superheroes from another world, calling themselves the Justice League, has come to my territory. Like rats in the sewers, they are hiding among you. And I want to say—I know you are here."

The crowd erupted into commotion again. Quite a few people began looking around, searching for possible visitors from another world. Every unfamiliar face became the subject of their scrutiny.

"Learning of your existence truly makes my blood boil, because I have been lonely for a long time. It has been far too long since anyone had the nerve to try and challenge me."

"Forgive me for drawing you here this way. I only want to say this."

Red Skull stroked Jason Todd’s head, a harmless smile on his face as his gaze continuously searched through the distant crowd.

Finally, at that moment, Dr. Zola’s warning sounded in every Hydra earpiece.

Unauthorized magical energy detected

Red Skull slowly spoke.

"Welcome!"

In the next instant, a massive mass of ghostly green energy abruptly erupted before New Times Square. The terrifying magical energy even stirred the heavens, causing the clouds in the darkened sky to spin rapidly into a colossal vortex.

It was a portal that constantly released green lightning. Countless serpentine bolts, like spider silk, darted across the ground, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

Then, one figure after another emerged within the ghostly green mist of energy, gradually becoming clear.