As soon as the word "Expo" was mentioned, Shiller knew what Loki was about to say, so he played along with a subtle smile, saying:
"Especially some of the lost lambs in the Multiverse who don't know the future of their civilization and race. The progress we've made, particularly in some technologies, products, and membership packages will definitely act as a lighthouse, illuminating their path in the darkness."
At these words, they both shared a tacit smile. Stark from the side couldn't help but comment: "Can you guys not reduce such a grand event to a hollow expo where the purpose is to dupe investors out of their money?"
"Honestly Tony!" Shiller, feigning surprise, took a good look at Stark and said: "Are you planning to showcase your advancements in material science to all the civilizations in the Multiverse at this grand event?"
Stark turned his gaze towards the fidgeting, disobedient Battlesuit components on the display stand and rubbed his brow anxiously.
Then, Shiller added fuel to the fire by saying: "If we want to implement this idea, we must first know which technologies are worth showcasing."
"Tony, you should know that among the guests are representatives from the Three Great Empires of the Universe. Their technologies are extremely advanced and unique. Don't you envy the Shi'ar Empire's incredibly high-throughput super-gigantic portals? Aren't you interested in the Kree Empire's Planet Warships? Don't you have designs on the Skrull Empire's Star Zone Defense Shield?"
Just as Stark was about to retort, Shiller cut him off, fixing him with a stern gaze: "Such top-notch technologies, even the tip of the iceberg, are not easy to come by."
"The Human race is known for being fair and just throughout the cosmos—we would never stoop to unscrupulous tricks and deceitful tactics. Therefore, establishing technological cooperation naturally becomes the best approach…"
"However, if you want to convince those age-old interstellar civilizations, you're going to need to show some real tangible abilities. Honestly, Iron Man, isn't it time for us dim light bulb contestants to witness the true Iron Empire?"
"You…" Stark looked at Shiller with a hint of wariness, scanning his surroundings as if searching for surveillance or eavesdropping devices.
Shiller approached him, arms crossed, looking at him with a humorous glint in his eyes: "Do you really expect me to believe that after becoming the Iron Demon God, you still care nothing about these individual battle armors and lack grander aspirations?"
"I…" Stark hesitated a moment, clearly not wanting to speak. After a while, he reluctantly shook his head and said, "Alright, Charles was right. You were bound to figure it out sooner or later."
"However, I will not tell you the specifics. Otherwise, you would certainly fuss over everything. You want perfection, Shiller, I know you well. You'd add a log to every fire to make the flames burn brighter, regardless if that log is bleeding your own blood!"
"Your greed is astonishing, so I've long understood that I can't just see you as a friend—I need to be wary of you as an enemy, to prevent you from throwing yourself into the flame someday, forcing us to rescue your dead body."
Stark tilted his head up ever so slightly and stared at Shiller with a proud expression: "We indeed have some plans, but as long as I don't spill them, you will remain in the dark."
"Oh, oh, oh!" Stark suddenly exclaimed, then said: "You heard me mention Charles's name just now, so you think you can get some information from him, or, at worst, con Magneto. But in actuality, they don't know the core components of the plan either. Only I know!"
"So, you have no intention of sharing, do you?" Shiller's smile diminished slightly. He scoffed, saying: "Is the most brilliant mind in the universe, Iron Man, running out of ideas?"
"Spare me!" Stark retorted, turning back to his work on the battle armor, saying without looking back, "Do you think I'm still the same as before? Do you think you can simply fabricate an imaginary enemy to provoke me, forcing me to work tirelessly and produce far more groundbreaking research?"
"I've said it before, Iron Man has moved on, my friend!" Stark turned his face back to give Shiller a goofy smile.
"Very well, as you see, Batman, this dimwit didn't deny my claim about him being the most brilliant mind in the universe. What comment do you have on this?"
"The provocation trick will not work on me," Batman replied calmly, turning his head to look at Greed sitting nearby. "Yes, he is the most genius mind in the universe, possessing an amazing amount of wisdom, his research achievements second to none."
"But you are still confident that you have a way to deal with him?" Shiller continued with a smile: "After all, you've dealt with many smart people before."
"Yes, whether it's Luther or Blacknia, they all think they are the smartest people in the universe, but being smart doesn't mean they don't have weaknesses."
"So, in your opinion, what is Iron Man's weakness?"
As soon as Greed finished his question, he noticed Batman's gaze becoming increasingly intense.
Greed instinctively moved back a bit, trying to put some distance between him and Batman. As he suspected, Batman responded with a deep and dark tone:
"If I were to fight you here, make you unable to gain control of your body, cause you to pass out on the spot, diagnose you as a vegetable, this most genius mind in the universe will start crying on the ground."
"That's enough of your provocations, there's no need to actually do it."
Greed moved back a bit more. The darkness swirling around Batman hinted that this was not just a plan, but something Batman wanted to put into practice if given the chance.
"Why are you so hostile towards me?" Greed was somewhat puzzled as he spread his hands out: "I never did anything to you, right?"
But Batman kept staring at him, slowly saying: "You closed the door to the Tower of Thought, Aristotic couldn't be saved in time because of your special ability, that's why he died and I also died."
"You're trying to blame me for the disastrous outcome of those two madman's battle?!" Greed asked incredulously: "You couldn't possibly be suggesting that you resonate with Arrogance in holding a grudge and being petty, could you?"
"If not, then what?"
Another affirmative response.