"Dr. Ivan, I sincerely apologize. My subordinates have been rather ignorant and have caused you trouble. I assure you that such incidents will not occur in the future."
Ivan didn't seem to mind at all; he casually waved his hand and remarked, "No need to worry. The red devil's appearance is somewhat unusual, so it's only natural for people to make curious comments."
Ivan turned to the red devil and continued, "Azazel, to prevent this situation from recurring, join me in the laboratory. I'll assist you with something that will prevent such occurrences in the future."
The Red Devil followed Ivan into the laboratory, and Schmidt, curious about their activities, decided to follow as well. He wanted to witness what Ivan had in store, expecting something unusual.
Once inside the laboratory, Ivan instructed the Red Devil as usual. "Fill the bathtub with water, then pour this potion in, and soak for three minutes. Ensure that your face is immersed in the water for the best effect. We'll discuss the rest after your bath."
The more the Red Devil got to know Ivan, the more he appreciated Ivan's ingenuity. It wasn't just his powers but his brilliant mind that made him exceptional. Ivan's ideas were consistently successful, and his orders were executed without hesitation. With the beaker in hand, the Red Devil left to carry out Ivan's instructions.
Watching the Red Devil walk away with the beaker, Ivan, for once, didn't return to his laboratory to continue his work. Instead, he waited outside, along with Schmidt and others who were curious about the outcome.
Schmidt couldn't contain his surprise when he saw the Red Devil's transformed appearance upon his return. "You are... the Red Devil, How is this even possible?" he exclaimed.
Schmidt wasn't the only one astonished. Even the bodyguards responsible for protection were taken aback. The Red Devil, now unrecognizable, resembled an ordinary person with concealed tail, wrapped around his waist.
The Red Devil himself was amazed by his newfound appearance. Initially, Ivan had mentioned using a special method to hide his original appearance, but he hadn't provided specific details. The Red Devil had assumed Ivan would use a mask, but he never expected to undergo plastic surgery.
Ivan didn't miss a beat and calmly explained, "It's a unique cell dye I developed. It infiltrates epidermal cells, altering the color of the body's surface without affecting the cells themselves. However, it's short-lived, and the body will gradually metabolize it. In Azazel's case, due to his slower metabolism, the effect will last for more than three months. Afterward, a reapplication will be necessary."
Schmidt praised Ivan's ingenuity, acknowledging his incredible talents as a scientist.
Time passed quickly, and over a year went by. The research on the super serum progressed rapidly. While this was a source of joy for Schmidt, the overall situation in Germany was becoming increasingly unfavorable. Foreign battlefronts were dominated by the Allies, and supplies were running scarce. Defeat seemed inevitable if this continued.
Hitler, in retrospect, regretted assigning Ivan to Schmidt. He pressured Schmidt to have Ivan return and aid in developing advanced weapons. However, Schmidt, dedicated to the super serum project, withstood the pressure, keeping Ivan at the base to focus on the research.
One day, Ivan decided to leave, citing information from his father as the reason. His father needed his help with a research project facing difficulties.
Schmidt was initially reluctant to let Ivan go, given the critical stage of the super serum research. However, Ivan expressed his longing to see his father and insisted that Dr. Erskine could continue the research without him, albeit at a slower pace. Schmidt ultimately agreed, as Ivan was not his subordinate but directly under Hitler's orders.
To ensure Ivan's safety, Schmidt arranged for an elite special team to protect him, with a hidden agenda to monitor and, if necessary, forcibly bring Ivan back.
In reality, Ivan had a secret weapon – Emma, a mutant with mind control abilities. She could create illusions in people's minds, allowing them to see Ivan in the laboratory while he was away.
With everything set, Ivan's plan was set in motion.