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Chapter 225: Meeting Tony Again
"Sir, why didn't you call me for that battle?" Max asked in a low voice.
Previously, Tony had sent him to the Himalayan Mountains but hadn't assigned him a mission. After returning to New York to prepare for battle, Tony only ordered Max to wait quietly, and in the end, there was still no mission.
This made Electro very uncomfortable. A month had passed, and one could imagine that Tony must have been severely injured to only return after more than a month.
"No, Max, I did give you a mission. You completed it very well, and I'm very satisfied." Tony shook his head and sighed. "Your mission was to prevent Betty from suddenly going berserk and completely destroying our setup in New York City."
If Red She-Hulk had gone on a destructive rampage for some unknown reason, their plans would have been greatly affected.
Betty's body already contains the furious Hulk gene. If she were controlled by someone with Psychic Abilities, the destructive power would be terrifying. Many people would be killed by a Betty who had lost her senses.
"I was worried that some superhumans would target Betty while she was in an emotionally vulnerable state. You have to understand, Max, the reason no so-called Righteous Heroes have made a move against us yet is that we don't harm civilians lightly," Tony explained.
Marvel's heroes are one thing; when they go out to execute justice, causing collateral damage to a few civilians or killing a criminal is no big deal.
But if it were those brain-damaged heroes from DC Comics, it would be a huge problem. Even though Superman and the others are still keeping a low profile now, once they rise to prominence, they will definitely come after Tony to settle the score.
Therefore, no matter how fierce and brutal Tony was, and despite crossing many people's psychological bottom lines more than once, he never took that final step: treating innocent civilians as lambs to be slaughtered at will for the sake of his goals.
Firstly, it was to avoid trouble. Secondly, Tony disdained bullying civilians. He has a massive War Legion; splitting off a small part to carry the civilians away would be incredibly simple. Moreover, Tony himself had risen from the ranks of common people.
Forcing him to slaughter civilians indiscriminately would be a humiliation for Tony.
"Public officials can be killed, and that's that. Even the soldiers in those armies are just blades with thoughts. I feel no psychological burden killing them," Tony stated frankly.
Max was lost in thought.
"What's the situation now? Has S.H.I.E.L.D. caused any trouble for A.R.G.U.S.?" Tony turned to look at Crane, the Chief Executive Officer of A.R.G.U.S.
Tony placed great importance on the development of A.R.G.U.S. Even if he left Earth, A.R.G.U.S. could serve as his eyes and ears, helping him monitor the planet and recruit its superhumans.
"No. For the past month, they've been licking their wounds and restructuring S.H.I.E.L.D. At the same time, we've noticed they won't be establishing a specific headquarters again, much less basing their offices on some kind of aircraft." Crane wore glasses, exuding a harmless aura.
But those inside A.R.G.U.S. knew just how ruthless this Scarecrow was. His methods were improving at an astonishing rate, and his grasp of human psychology sent chills down the spines of many employees.
"How is the Purge of the remaining Vampires going?"
"It was temporarily halted this past month. Some of the people under us were spontaneously using their own methods to search for you."
"Who?" Tony frowned, staring at Crane.
Crane's expression didn't change. "Erik Killmonger, the man who calls himself the rightful heir of Wakanda."
"Kill him. A presumptuous careerist like him is useless to keep around," Tony said.
Tony's gaze was somewhat meaningful, making Crane's heart pound wildly.
What was this? A warning?
Outwardly, Crane remained impassive and agreed at once, but inwardly, he was pondering. Although he was gradually maturing, deep down, he still retained the personality of that timid Scarecrow.
Especially since he was still a member of the League of Shadows. Of course, Crane firmly believed that if he simply left with the League of Shadows, it would be fine. But if he dared to help the League of Shadows deal with Tony, then Tony would definitely come after him.
And just like that, in a brief exchange of a few sentences, Killmonger's fate was sealed.
Tony regarded Wakanda as his own private reserve. He was determined to obtain the Vibranium Mine and had no need to prop up Killmonger as some ridiculous figurehead.
If he wanted it, he would just attack directly.
"Hasn't Wakanda made any moves?" Tony asked.
"They at least know you were the one who instigated the Military's attack. It seems they've made deals with some Factions to snipe at us on peripheral matters."
"Ignore any loss of profit. Make killing the primary mission; everything else can be sorted out later. Kill as many people as they send to make trouble. I'd rather you kill the wrong person than let a single potential target escape. Once you've killed all their people, there will naturally be no one left to cause problems."
Tony waved his hand dismissively, too lazy to bother with such matters. His logic was that no matter what they tried, he would just focus on killing. Whoever was connected to them, kill them. Whoever helped them, kill them. Once everyone was dead, the enemy would be crippled.
Simple and brutal, but this had always been Tony's consistent style.
Things like exchanging benefits and political compromises were games for beings on the same level. Would a shoe argue with an ant about how to walk?
News of Tony's return spread quickly, and Tony made high-profile appearances at various banquets and galas.
Although the common people didn't know much about the major things Tony had done on the Indian Subcontinent, the upper echelons of society were well aware. Seeing Tony amicably chatting with them about daily life and business left them feeling overwhelmed by the favor, and they eagerly played along.
Tony also flamboyantly threw money around, stuffing wads of cash into various charities, making many people look at him as if he were their own father.
In a capitalist society, throwing money around is the most efficient way to clear a path.
Amid the bustle of a charity gala, the Playboy Tony Stark walked over, his roguish and punchable expression tinged with a few threads of noticeable composure.
His journey of being kidnapped in Afghanistan and then becoming Iron Man was a life-and-death process, as well as the process of becoming a Superhero.
"What, no beautiful women hanging around the Playboy? Did you have a sex change?" Seeing the Tony he hadn't met in a long time, Tony felt a bit nostalgic and immediately shouted out in a theatrical manner.
Some high-society ladies looked over, whispering to each other and letting out bursts of laughter from time to time, their eyes filled with amorous desire.
For them, being able to sleep with either Tony would be a matter of pride.
"You're the one who had a sex change! Your whole family had a sex change!" Tony cursed. "I always thought you were dead, but every single time, you turn up alive. The only thing that never changes is that annoying face of yours."
Taking advantage of a lull in the conversation, Tony's expression turned serious as he said in a low voice, "Someone is coming after you, and they're very confident. Be careful."
(end of chapter)
"Sir, why didn't you call me for that battle?" Max asked in a low voice.
Previously, Tony had sent him to the Himalayan Mountains but hadn't assigned him a mission. After returning to New York to prepare for battle, Tony only ordered Max to wait quietly, and in the end, there was still no mission.
This made Electro very uncomfortable. A month had passed, and one could imagine that Tony must have been severely injured to only return after more than a month.
"No, Max, I did give you a mission. You completed it very well, and I'm very satisfied." Tony shook his head and sighed. "Your mission was to prevent Betty from suddenly going berserk and completely destroying our setup in New York City."
If Red She-Hulk had gone on a destructive rampage for some unknown reason, their plans would have been greatly affected.
Betty's body already contains the furious Hulk gene. If she were controlled by someone with Psychic Abilities, the destructive power would be terrifying. Many people would be killed by a Betty who had lost her senses.
"I was worried that some superhumans would target Betty while she was in an emotionally vulnerable state. You have to understand, Max, the reason no so-called Righteous Heroes have made a move against us yet is that we don't harm civilians lightly," Tony explained.
Marvel's heroes are one thing; when they go out to execute justice, causing collateral damage to a few civilians or killing a criminal is no big deal.
But if it were those brain-damaged heroes from DC Comics, it would be a huge problem. Even though Superman and the others are still keeping a low profile now, once they rise to prominence, they will definitely come after Tony to settle the score.
Therefore, no matter how fierce and brutal Tony was, and despite crossing many people's psychological bottom lines more than once, he never took that final step: treating innocent civilians as lambs to be slaughtered at will for the sake of his goals.
Firstly, it was to avoid trouble. Secondly, Tony disdained bullying civilians. He has a massive War Legion; splitting off a small part to carry the civilians away would be incredibly simple. Moreover, Tony himself had risen from the ranks of common people.
Forcing him to slaughter civilians indiscriminately would be a humiliation for Tony.
"Public officials can be killed, and that's that. Even the soldiers in those armies are just blades with thoughts. I feel no psychological burden killing them," Tony stated frankly.
Max was lost in thought.
"What's the situation now? Has S.H.I.E.L.D. caused any trouble for A.R.G.U.S.?" Tony turned to look at Crane, the Chief Executive Officer of A.R.G.U.S.
Tony placed great importance on the development of A.R.G.U.S. Even if he left Earth, A.R.G.U.S. could serve as his eyes and ears, helping him monitor the planet and recruit its superhumans.
"No. For the past month, they've been licking their wounds and restructuring S.H.I.E.L.D. At the same time, we've noticed they won't be establishing a specific headquarters again, much less basing their offices on some kind of aircraft." Crane wore glasses, exuding a harmless aura.
But those inside A.R.G.U.S. knew just how ruthless this Scarecrow was. His methods were improving at an astonishing rate, and his grasp of human psychology sent chills down the spines of many employees.
"How is the Purge of the remaining Vampires going?"
"It was temporarily halted this past month. Some of the people under us were spontaneously using their own methods to search for you."
"Who?" Tony frowned, staring at Crane.
Crane's expression didn't change. "Erik Killmonger, the man who calls himself the rightful heir of Wakanda."
"Kill him. A presumptuous careerist like him is useless to keep around," Tony said.
Tony's gaze was somewhat meaningful, making Crane's heart pound wildly.
What was this? A warning?
Outwardly, Crane remained impassive and agreed at once, but inwardly, he was pondering. Although he was gradually maturing, deep down, he still retained the personality of that timid Scarecrow.
Especially since he was still a member of the League of Shadows. Of course, Crane firmly believed that if he simply left with the League of Shadows, it would be fine. But if he dared to help the League of Shadows deal with Tony, then Tony would definitely come after him.
And just like that, in a brief exchange of a few sentences, Killmonger's fate was sealed.
Tony regarded Wakanda as his own private reserve. He was determined to obtain the Vibranium Mine and had no need to prop up Killmonger as some ridiculous figurehead.
If he wanted it, he would just attack directly.
"Hasn't Wakanda made any moves?" Tony asked.
"They at least know you were the one who instigated the Military's attack. It seems they've made deals with some Factions to snipe at us on peripheral matters."
"Ignore any loss of profit. Make killing the primary mission; everything else can be sorted out later. Kill as many people as they send to make trouble. I'd rather you kill the wrong person than let a single potential target escape. Once you've killed all their people, there will naturally be no one left to cause problems."
Tony waved his hand dismissively, too lazy to bother with such matters. His logic was that no matter what they tried, he would just focus on killing. Whoever was connected to them, kill them. Whoever helped them, kill them. Once everyone was dead, the enemy would be crippled.
Simple and brutal, but this had always been Tony's consistent style.
Things like exchanging benefits and political compromises were games for beings on the same level. Would a shoe argue with an ant about how to walk?
News of Tony's return spread quickly, and Tony made high-profile appearances at various banquets and galas.
Although the common people didn't know much about the major things Tony had done on the Indian Subcontinent, the upper echelons of society were well aware. Seeing Tony amicably chatting with them about daily life and business left them feeling overwhelmed by the favor, and they eagerly played along.
Tony also flamboyantly threw money around, stuffing wads of cash into various charities, making many people look at him as if he were their own father.
In a capitalist society, throwing money around is the most efficient way to clear a path.
Amid the bustle of a charity gala, the Playboy Tony Stark walked over, his roguish and punchable expression tinged with a few threads of noticeable composure.
His journey of being kidnapped in Afghanistan and then becoming Iron Man was a life-and-death process, as well as the process of becoming a Superhero.
"What, no beautiful women hanging around the Playboy? Did you have a sex change?" Seeing the Tony he hadn't met in a long time, Tony felt a bit nostalgic and immediately shouted out in a theatrical manner.
Some high-society ladies looked over, whispering to each other and letting out bursts of laughter from time to time, their eyes filled with amorous desire.
For them, being able to sleep with either Tony would be a matter of pride.
"You're the one who had a sex change! Your whole family had a sex change!" Tony cursed. "I always thought you were dead, but every single time, you turn up alive. The only thing that never changes is that annoying face of yours."
Taking advantage of a lull in the conversation, Tony's expression turned serious as he said in a low voice, "Someone is coming after you, and they're very confident. Be careful."
(end of chapter)
