The helmet is made of alloy and doesn't have wires or electronic components.
Tony's gaze could only reach through the mask's two openings to glimpse light.
Just like knights in the medieval era.
Tony had also wondered, if he lived in medieval times, did he truly have the potential to become a knight?
No, no, no, he'd instead become some sort of noble and continue his lavish lifestyle.
After all, medieval times were so dark... but even modern society had only put on a layer of prosperity.
Inside the cave, the light was barely discernible. Deep within, darkness was the only theme. Even approaching the entrance didn't make things much brighter.
There was someone in front of him.
Tony thought he needed to quickly get up and deliver a punch to end this scumbag!
Tony had every reason to believe that the kinetic energy of the Iron Man armour could crush the bones of those terrorists into pieces, condemning them to a lifetime of repentance for their past sins while sitting in wheelchairs!
Before he could act, perhaps the shadow's speed was too fast, and the wind it brought finally reached him.
Through those "two small eyes," a fragrant breeze rushed into his nostrils.
The scent was pleasant, the fragrance of a woman...
Tony thought, but still coughed a couple of times because the dust mixed in, coincidentally entering his fragile nostrils with the air.
"Cough, cough, cough ~ Damn, who are you?"
Tony tried to shake his head to clear his mind, but it was pretty challenging in this steel armor. With his vision following the movement of his head, he finally got a clear view of the person before him.
Silence for a moment...
"Brooks!"
Tony's voice transmitted through the Iron Man armor, which had changed several times. Coupled with that strange and eerie odour, Kurumi thought... American horror films should consider recruiting Stark.
As for the "Brooks", in Stark's words, she was right. After all, she had come here with General Brooks. Being labelled with this surname by others was also understandable.
Perhaps her English surname in the future might just be that.
Under the armour, Tony's eyebrows raised high. At first, he was surprised that a woman was present in the terrorists' hideout.
Black, delicate rounded-toe shoes and stockings clung tightly to her legs, even though they were short and covered by a long skirt. With Tony's years of experience, they indeed belonged to an astonishing pair of legs.
Then... a slender waist, prominent chest, and those two iconic pigtails... until half of a lovely face appeared in Tony's retina...
Countless images of llamas running past immediately filled his mind...
"Why are you here? Those soldiers are playing a pretty bold joke," Tony's thoughts hadn't fully adjusted yet. Based on his "preconceived notions" and the deceptive nature of Kurumi's appearance...
"Listen." The Iron Man armor extended a finger towards Kurumi, but the sight was somewhat comical because Tony hadn't adjusted the joints properly.
"Who are you? You've got a lot of nerve appearing before me like this."
Facing Tony's Iron Man armor, the gorgeous girl took a small step forward, tilting her upper body slightly, "You're Tony Stark, right?"
Tony was taken aback and immediately asked, "How did you know?"
"Oh~" Before Kurumi could reply, Tony said incredulously with a self-deprecating tone, "Don't tell me, this is all some kind of entertainment show?"
Gradually, his tone turned serious, "Listen, young lady. Even though you're wonderful, I'm not interested in you right now. But this damn place, we have to leave!"
"This... Why haven't those damn soldiers come yet?"
"They're trapped at the entrance by the fanatics."
Kurumi's voice remained indifferent, relaxed as if not from this world, yet it carried a hint of allure and was tinged with a worldly flavour.
"So, how did you end up here?"
"Oh, my God. Now is not the time for jokes, young lady."
"Do you want to save him?"
"Huh? Who?"
"Ethan."
With his vision constrained, Tony could only look toward the slender, jade-white fingertip... and silence enveloped them once more.
Tony could swear on his father's reputation that he had never been so angry! Not even when his father died or when terrorists kidnapped him!
"Damn it!" Tony's eyes had turned slightly red, "He was my assistant for the past half month; he was my friend!"
"Insulting a dead person, is that the noble education you received?"
His voice turned hoarse, a touch of anger embedded within it. He had memorised that gorgeous face.
What about Brooks?! When they were begging for new weapons, weren't they just as worthless as street dogs? Was Brooks any better?
"Boom! - Tock, tock, tock—"
Explosions sounded not far away. Those were the military's concussive grenades. Tony was sure his ears weren't deceiving him.
Moving in the stiff Iron Man armor, he glanced again at the girl standing there.
She didn't quite fit in with the atmosphere here.
"Boom!~"
Just as he took a step forward, the girl's unique voice once again reached Tony's ears.
"As time passes, the greater the price you'll have to pay."
The Iron Man armor turned its head, "Enough! This isn't the time for your nonsense!"
The gorgeous girl nodded slightly and took half a step forward, slightly bowing her upper body, "Are you saying you don't want to save Ethan?"
The girl blinked her eyes, playfully suggesting, "Is that... what you mean?"
Even with the charm medal's influence, Tony's mind was prominent.
"What if there's a chance?" This thought lingered in Tony's mind, and he finally began to consider the girl's offer.
Did those soldiers really bring them in? Come on, how was that possible?
And her...
"What price do I have to pay to save Ethan?"
The girl across from him wore a brilliant smile as if she could thoroughly cleanse all the wickedness deep within people's hearts.
"Help when I need it."
The girl's eyes shifted, "Of course, I won't force you to do anything against your beliefs."
Tony pondered momentarily and hoarsely said, "Alright, I agree."
The girl's smile blossomed once again, and a sense of astonishment lingered in Tony's heart.
Tony's eyes were filled with disbelief!
In the instant, he agreed to the girl, the black and red radiance completely enveloped her.
When she reappeared, she seemed slightly at odds with the girl's temperament.
Tony had also taken in her appearance, with those distinct golden clock-like pupils and heterochromatic irises that enhanced the girl's allure.
Her clothing hinted at Gothic elegance, yet she sported a maid-like hair accessory on her head, which was quite interesting.
Her milky-white chest was partially exposed, and combined with the saintly air she had exuded earlier, Tony somehow felt... a passionate atmosphere.
Now she emanated a sinister vibe that ordinary men would struggle to resist! Tony could swear on his deceased father's reputation.
"Zafkiel."
The girl extended her right hand forward, and an old-fashioned flintlock pistol gradually materialised from thin air.