After the screams outside subsided, Tony and Issho cautiously walked out after The Ancient One nodded.
When they got outside, the sight stunned them; all they saw was a scorched earth of black and crimson.
The ground was like coal, and as the wind blew, crimson sparks flickered faintly. Not a single Ten Rings Gang kidnapper who had been there was in sight.
Tony's Adam's apple bobbed, and he opened his mouth but said nothing.
Issho, who was beside him, reacted even more strongly. This wise man, who could be called Tony's life mentor, was now on his knees, clutching his head and weeping uncontrollably.
He wasn't weeping over the destruction of the Ten Rings Gang, but rather because he felt that after a lifetime of good deeds and accumulating virtue, why was it Satan's turn to collect souls?
At this moment, he fully believed the fact that Nero was Satan.
Of course, others didn't know what he was thinking, only assuming he was weeping out of joy for freedom.
The Ancient One also followed them out of the cave at this time, looking at the scene before them and nodding slightly. She said to Nero, "So, Her Majesty Nero, do you plan to continue sightseeing, or..."
Her gaze shifted to Tony beside her, the meaning unspoken.
"Hmm, of course, I'm going back. I didn't buy a lot of things online before, but now that I have money, I'll buy them all," Nero tilted her head, in a very good mood.
Tony looked at Nero in confusion. You say you have money now; you're not referring to my family fortune, are you?
"In that case, I won't disturb you. I wish you a pleasant time, Nero." The Ancient One chuckled, not surprised. As Tony and Issho looked on in bewilderment, a portal vanished from the spot.
Leaving behind a dumbfounded Tony and Issho. What? The sorceress just left like that? Leaving us two to face Satan directly? Are we going to be thrown into a sulfur-smelling lava bath later?
The conditions of the contract have been fulfilled. According to the next plot in the storybook... it's, it's time to drag us to hell?
Shit! I should have guessed that sorceress wasn't a proper one the moment I saw her. How could a proper sorceress be involved with a demon king?
At this moment, Tony and Issho's thoughts were surprisingly consistent: how could Satan leave without taking two souls? It's impossible for him to just go back.
My life is over... "So, do you two still have business here? If not, let's go!" Nero hummed a song, asking if they had left anything in the cave.
Go? Is it even necessary to ask where?
Tony and Issho exchanged glances, both seeing despair in the other's eyes.
"I, I have someone I want to see. Can I make a call to her?" At this moment, Tony's feelings for Pepper were incredibly clear. For his last words on earth, he wanted to say a few things to Pepper.
"No need, I'll take you to see her later." Nero waved her hand. She was willing to help with such a small matter.
After all, although Stark had changed his surname to Claudius, she knew nothing about doing business and still needed Tony to help her make money.
Her Majesty Nero only wanted to enjoy the New World.
Tony quickly refused, "Oh, no need. I've thought about it carefully, and there's nothing much to say to her. Our relationship is actually quite ordinary."
He believed Nero could let him see Pepper, but the location was uncertain. What if she dragged Pepper to hell too, and then said, 'Tony, the person you wanted is here.'
Just thinking about it, Tony's trigeminal nerve started twitching.
With red-rimmed eyes, Tony began to let his mind wander. His mother should have gone to heaven, but his father most likely was down below. Perhaps he might even see a new Stark Industries when he went down.
Tony fell into a melancholy state.
Ever since Nero said she would take them with her, Issho had been kneeling on the ground, muttering, "Heavenly Father, You are a great God, a God worthy of praise and worship. Father God, I thank You, You promise me that You will make my praise Your throne; when I praise You, You will be with me..."
But this last-minute prayer was clearly useless. Not to mention whether the God of this world even existed, even if he truly did, he would offer Nero a cigarette if he met her in person.
Of course, if this God referred to OAA, then everything I just said should be disregarded.
"Then, let's go." Nero opened a portal.
The two exchanged glances, then followed Nero with a tragic, determined air, as if facing death.
The second before stepping into the portal, Tony casually threw away the large box that was keeping him alive.
"Tony, you..."
"It's fine. Anyway, this thing probably won't be needed in hell."
Issho, supporting Tony, was speechless.
"What hell?" Nero turned her head curiously.
"Hell is..." Tony struggled to look up and saw a curious Nero, and also a bewildered Pepper... This was Stark Industries, Pepper's office?
"Tony?" Pepper looked in disbelief at the three people who suddenly emerged from the spark portal.
But soon her attention was drawn to something else: the pale-faced man being supported, wasn't that her boss, Tony Stark, whom she had been longing for?
She rushed forward, took Tony from Issho's hands, and despite how dirty he was, hugged him tightly with red eyes.
The familiar scent lingered in his nostrils, and Tony's tense body instantly relaxed: "Are you crying for your boss?"
"They are tears of joy. I hate looking for jobs." Pepper released Tony and wiped the corners of her eyes.
A tacit understanding and intimacy naturally arose between the two.
"Then you're going to be very busy..." At this point, Tony's vision suddenly went dark, and he fainted.
"Tony? Tony!"
Everyone was in a flurry again, but thankfully Issho was there. With sufficient conditions, he quickly recharged Tony... By evening, Tony slowly woke up.
Remembering something, he quickly surveyed his surroundings, then let out a heavy sigh of relief. Thankfully, it wasn't hell.
The commotion woke Issho, who had been waiting by Tony's side.
As for Pepper, she still had a lot of Stark Industries business to attend to.
"Issho, are we still in the human world? Where is that Satan?"
Since they hadn't gone down yet, no matter the reason, the time ahead was crucial.
Perhaps they could find a way to avoid going to hell during this time. Thinking this, Tony ignored Issho's hesitant expression.
He urgently called out, "j.a.r.v.i.s., immediately integrate myths about God, Satan, and the Bible! Focus on extracting methods to escape hell!"
"Understood, sir. I will compile that for you now." j.a.r.v.i.s.'s mechanical voice echoed in the room.
"Tony... Tony!" Issho called his name twice before getting Tony's attention.
"That... I think... we might have a slight misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?"
"..."
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