Red Skull’s Trial Proclamation!

Old Barton stopped what he was doing at the sound. He glanced at Zemo, who was barely clinging to life, then turned and walked over to Melissa.

"Did you find anything useful?" Old Barton leaned closer curiously. After everything they had been through, he did not know what else could surprise Melissa. "Is it about Hydra?"

"Actually, it’s an announcement Red Skull sent to the entire world." Melissa’s brows were heavy with worry. She looked at Barton with mixed emotions, then pressed play. "I think you need to take a good look at this."

The dim screen, filled with static, showed a new image. After several blue flashes flickered past, Red Skull appeared onscreen behind a grand podium.

Like most villains, time had left its marks on Red Skull. His body was no longer as upright as it had once been, but judging by his condition alone, he was probably in better shape than any of the other criminals.

"Is this a live broadcast?" Barton asked.

"No. Judging by the timing, this is a press conference that just ended." Melissa answered, then added, "Here comes the important part."

Sure enough, Red Skull paused briefly before slowly opening his mouth. His somewhat hoarse voice came through the player and echoed through the dark room.

"My people, hello."

"Today is an interesting day. I don’t know how many of you have heard about the so-called Justice League. Perhaps many of you deny that those people exist, but I want to say that they do exist."

As Red Skull spoke, several screenshots from videos leaked out of Osborn City quickly appeared on the large screen behind him. Though blurry, everyone watching could make out several people dressed in strange battle suits.

"They call themselves the Justice League. Under the banner of justice, they murdered Osborn and attempted to create chaos within my territory. I know some people call them heroes, but the truth is, they are not heroes at all."

Another photograph appeared onscreen. It showed an imprisoned criminal. Because of the angle from which it had been taken, no one could see his face clearly. However, beside him lay a neatly arranged suit and a blood-red cowl.

"My dear people, what you are seeing now is a terrorist from another world. Like those three from the Justice League, they are all criminals from another universe."

Old Barton’s pupils contracted. He lunged toward the screen, hoping to get a better look at the image. At that moment, he could hardly believe what he had just heard.

Melissa was not surprised by Old Barton’s reaction. When she had first seen this, she had been deeply shocked as well. After all, such a thing was simply unimaginable in the wasteland.

The video continued to play, and Red Skull’s speech went on.

"I am merciful, but I cannot accept these scoundrels from other worlds running wild on my territory. Therefore, I will immediately issue warrants for the arrest of this group. At the same time, ten days from now, I will hold a live trial for this criminal in front of the Capitol Building."

"To all those who harbor rebellion in their hearts and repay kindness with hatred, I hope you will witness with your own eyes what fate awaits anyone who dares oppose me!"

"At the same time, I want to tell those people who hide behind the banner of justice that if you truly claim to be just, then you had better have the courage to stand before me instead of sneaking around like rats in a sewer."

Even long after the image ended, Old Barton remained standing there silently, unable to recover from what he had seen.

The announcement video released by Red Skull was not long, but it contained an enormous amount of information. Ordinary people might not have fully understood it, but for old "heroes" like Old Barton and Melissa who had survived from the past, no one understood the importance of this better than they did.

"Clint, if there really are portals to other worlds in this world…" Melissa was worried.

Barton immediately understood what Melissa was trying to say. "Red Skull won’t let this go, and neither will the other villains. They’ve been quiet for too long. If they learn that an unknown world is waiting for them to conquer, they will never let this opportunity slip away."

"But it could also be a trap, couldn’t it?" Melissa found it hard to believe.

"I hope so too. But sadly, there really are beings from another world in our world." Old Barton stared blankly at the static-filled screen.

At that moment, Hawkeye suddenly recalled the time he had exchanged information with Zhang Ye. He remembered Zhang Ye asking him about Batarangs. He had not taken it seriously at the time, but now, remembering the man imprisoned by Red Skull, Barton’s heartbeat instinctively quickened.

That had to be it. Why else would a hero suddenly vanish into silence in the wasteland for three years, neither seen alive nor found dead? There was probably no other possibility besides falling into Red Skull’s hands.

And as one of the few people who knew the truth, Barton naturally understood that what had happened in Osborn City had nothing to do with any Justice League. Zhang Ye had handled it entirely with his people and Barton’s daughter.

At that thought, Old Barton’s breathing became hurried.

"No, I need to contact Witch Raven right away!"

Beyond the map, in the deepest reaches of the wasteland—

Bishop Sanctuary.

This was a paradise hidden within the wasteland, a sanctuary built deep in the mountains. Here, all evil was kept beyond the towering walls, and the people lived relatively peaceful lives.

Compared to the chaos outside, the people here lived far more securely. They worked hard, provided for themselves, and lived beautiful lives free from worldly conflict. Usually, the only thing they needed to watch out for was the beast in the forest.

The leader here was Kate Bishop, the second Hawkeye from before the old days. As one of the heroes who had escaped the apocalyptic catastrophe that had befallen the superheroes, Kate had long since gone into hiding and led some of the people deep into the mountains.

As a former superhero, Kate Bishop understood the importance of being prepared even in times of peace. Drawing on her exceptional archery skills, she trained an all-female Hawkeye squad specifically for Bishop Sanctuary’s defense.

Generally speaking, Bishop Sanctuary did not interact with the outside world. In an age where villains divided up the world among themselves, if they learned that such a secluded haven existed, they would never spare Bishop Sanctuary.

But things usually came with a few unexpected turns.

Watching Red Skull’s trial announcement on the signal television, Kate Bishop’s expression darkened. The next moment, she turned to the blonde woman beside her.

"I’m guessing this is someone you know, right, Lance?"