Tony’s question was more like seeking advice, and it was as if he were consulting with an elder.
Not to mention those familiar with him, like Pepper and Happy, even Tony himself was momentarily stunned after voicing the thoughts he had kept in his heart.
Inside the executive car, a moment of silence settled in, with only the subtle sounds of the vehicle speeding along the highway.
“When you asked that question, you already had a rough answer in mind, didn’t you?” Kyle smiled, not dwelling on it, and continued, “No matter how powerful military weapons are, they are just lifeless objects. It’s the people who wield them that determine their practical use. In the hands of someone with a just heart, they can benefit society. But when they fall into the hands of a Bad Person with malicious intent, it undoubtedly leads to catastrophic consequences.”
He paused, adding with profound meaning, “However, this ‘good person’ I mentioned cannot be just a good person alone. They must also possess sufficient strength and determination. Without strength, even if they have powerful weapons, those can be indirectly misused by others, causing disaster. Without the determination to uphold justice, to face Bad People, and stand firm in their convictions, it’s all in vain.”
Upon hearing this, Pepper couldn’t help but speak up. “Mr. Carl, the ‘good person’ you’re talking about, should be a ‘hero,’ right?”
The word “hero” made Tony in the back seat slightly emotional. A gleam of light appeared in his otherwise dim eyes as if something that had been blocked inside him had suddenly been released.
“If I were to draw a comparison, I would use Captain America and Red Skull,” Kyle concluded.
He wasn’t someone who lectured just anyone; he only did it for his own people. If it weren’t for Tony, he wouldn’t have given it any consideration.
That was because some guy from the past had constantly nagged him and even forced him to be the godfather to his future son.
“I understand. Thank you, Mr. Carl,” Tony sincerely expressed his gratitude, his voice serious.
“Oh, by the way. Do I know you from somewhere? Have we met before?” Tony asked, his gaze solemn as he looked at the rearview mirror in front of him, which happened to reflect Kyle’s face. Despite Kyle’s indifferent and icy demeanor, Tony felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity with him.
“How could you have known me?” Kyle replied with a faint smile on his face, offering no further explanation. Tony also didn’t press the matter either.
After Kyle’s words, Tony became even more resolute about heading to the press conference. Unable to persuade him otherwise, Pepper had to arrange an impromptu press conference via phone and instructed the executive car to head to the Exhibition Hall Plaza.
When the executive car arrived at the plaza, there were already dozens of media reporters with long microphones and cameras waiting there. Stark shareholders and proxy Obadiah Stane, sporting a large bald head and a white beard, warmly welcomed Tony as he stepped out of the car.
“Mr. Carl, I need to handle something inside first, but I’ll be right back,” Tony said, then walked out with the crowd outside. Pepper dutifully followed, playing her role as a secretary.
As soon as the group entered the temporary press conference venue, the square outside fell silent, with only the executive car parked quietly by the roadside.
Kyle unexpectedly saw something and opened the car door, walking out on his own. Happy, in the driver’s seat, glanced at him but didn’t stop him.
In the center of the plaza, next to a building, stood a massive humanoid statue.
The stone statue, towering three stories tall, had wild, unkempt hair and a young, handsome face with a hint of coldness. It had a tall and perfect physique, with its chest held high and head raised, wearing battle attire, and holding a long sword single-handedly. Its eyes stared sternly ahead.
Through wind and rain, through the passage of time, this statue had stood here for who knows how long.
Kyle stopped in front of the statue, looking up at it quietly. The statue bore a striking resemblance to his former self, perfectly capturing his unique charm.
Regrettably, after experiencing genetic illness and achieving godhood, his short golden hair had turned into flowing silver locks. While his physique had grown tenfold stronger, compared to his former muscular self, he now appeared lean and fit.
As Kyle was gazing at the statue, a voice suddenly sounded from behind him. “The statue you’re looking at is the greatest hero of World War II, and now, he is the Symbol of Peace.”
Kyle turned around and saw an impeccably dressed man approaching. This man had a somewhat plump appearance but was dressed sharply in a suit. He nodded in Kyle’s direction and introduced himself, handing over a business card.
“I’m Phil Coulson, a special agent of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.” Coulson took out a business card and handed it to Kyle.
Kyle accepted the business card. The lengthy agency’s name was simplified to ‘SHIELD.’
“I would like to know the details of how Tony was saved and your specific identity and background,” Coulson said, gazing at Kyle and speaking in a deep voice.
“Why didn’t you ask Tony himself?” Kyle asked in surprise.
Coulson spread his hands helplessly and said, “I was just intercepted by Miss Pepper, so I thought I’d ask you…”
Kyle raised his hand to interrupt him and asked in return, “Is Fury doing okay now?”
“You!” Coulson’s flab shook as his eyes widened in shock. He exclaimed, “How do you know the former Director’s name?!”
SHIELD was a secret agency, and information about Directors and even its inner elite agents was not known to ordinary people.
“Former Director?” Kyle furrowed his brows but quickly relaxed. Fury should have become the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. in the 21st century, but he had taken up the position decades earlier. Now, his retirement was perfectly normal.
After a moment of contemplation, Kyle took out a card from his pocket, which served as his business card, and handed it to Coulson calmly. He said, “Pass this to Fury, and he’ll understand who I am when he sees it.”
Coulson accepted it with both hands. He saw that it was a card with a pure black front and back and no other markings.
—
After the press conference hosted by Stark Industries, the media went wild. They left the venue in a frenzy, jubilantly carrying their camera footage.
Tony Stark, the Chairman of Stark Industries, had decided to shut down the weapons manufacturing division and halt the production of military weaponry. This wasn’t just big news; it was a colossal event that would undoubtedly make headlines worldwide.
Pepper remained at the venue to handle the aftermath, while Tony returned to the car alone. He instructed Happy to drive to Stark Industries, which was also Kyle’s preferred destination.
New York, Stark Industries.
Compared to its previous solitary skyscraper, the area had expanded around the old building. It now included modern developments like research facilities, industrial production plants, and employee dormitories.
The executive car pulled into the company’s private parking garage. Tony got out of the car and eagerly made his way to the weapons research and development department to begin the shutdown process.
However, as Tony suddenly remembered that Kyle had been following him, he turned around to find that Kyle had mysteriously disappeared.
(End of this chapter)
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