Chapter 5013: Advance on York, Advance (Forty-Nine)

"I'm sorry, but things have come to this, and I have no choice but to disclose more details about the Civil War to everyone," Nick spoke up immediately.

"Dr. Reed Richards, in a botched experimental accident, opened a passage to the Negative Zone, which brought some enemies to our universe. However, the matter has been resolved, so there's no need for anyone to worry."

"What I want to say is, the reason Dr. Richards opened this passage was because he was conducting research on wormholes. Wormholes might sound a bit esoteric, but everyone has surely heard of portals — a technology used for rapid transport. Although I'm not a specialist, I believe experts in the field should all have heard of Dr. Richards' great name."

"Even the leader of Asgard, Odin, acknowledges that in this regard, Dr. Richards possesses technology far surpassing Asgard's level..." Nick turned his head to look at Thor.

Thor pondered briefly, then nodded and said: "Indeed, Dr. Richards' technical level is very high; even Asgard's scientists cannot compare."

"So," Nick spoke again to draw everyone's attention back, "no matter what function Asgard's shield has, it cannot stop Reed Richards. If he truly wants to leave, no one within the Nine Realms can stop him. I believe any scientist of decent caliber would agree with my words."

Iron Man narrowed his eyes, forced to admit this was indeed a reasonable argument. There were plenty of knowledgeable people on Earth — whether Doctor Doom, Pym, or Bruce Banner — these scientists knew Reed all too well. If Asgard's force field could stop Reed, the Negative Zone passage wouldn't have been opened so easily.

Frankly, the cosmic structure the Creator pinched into existence couldn't stop Mister Fantastic, so a technological product of a lesser creation like Asgard was even more incapable. Although the public couldn't intuitively grasp this, as long as most scientists didn't object, the explanation was reasonable.

And the scientists wouldn't object, because this was fact. No one could stop Reed Richards; so-called imprisonment was a joke — that quarantine zone was already Reed's domain now.

Nick closely observed Iron Man's expression; he didn't look too panicked, as if he still had cards he hadn't played. Nick mentally reviewed recent events, confirmed there were no flaws, then said: "Mr. Iron Man, I'm afraid you've misunderstood. Thor hasn't imprisoned anyone, let alone persecuted scientists and superheroes."

Nick hadn't pointed out from the start that Iron Man was here to stir trouble. Because even if he said so, Iron Man could just explain it away as a misunderstanding. Now that things were investigated clearly, it was good for everyone, and wouldn't delay him from shaping himself into a hero pleading for the people in public opinion after leaving this door. Harping on his performance today would only make people think the Renaissance Alliance was suppressing speech, which would instead easily cause misunderstanding. So after saying this, Nick shifted gears.

"Mr. Stark, previously you clashed with Spider-Man due to mental issues. Your medical team submitted a diagnosis report of persecutory delusion and anxiety disorder to us, which is why we didn't pursue the matter of you attacking a colleague. Has your mental condition improved any?"

This was obviously a double-bind trap. If Iron Man said before everyone that his illness wasn't cured, Stark Industries' stock price would be in danger. But if he said he was cured, the Renaissance Alliance could obviously pursue his attempted attack on Spider-Man.

Contrary to Nick's expectations, Iron Man directly said: "I'm still recuperating."

All reporters were stunned, and disregarding Nick's earlier warning, rushed straight to Iron Man's front, just short of stuffing microphones into his mouth.

"Mr. Stark, is what you said true? You were really diagnosed with anxiety disorder? What impact does this have on your life?"

"Will you have to undergo long-term recuperation? Then will you give up management of Stark Industries and subsequent product R&D?"

"Is this your personal decision? Have you discussed it with Stark Industries' board?"

Eddie, however, didn't rush to surround him; he stood at the back of the crowd frowning at Iron Man, knowing something fishy would come of this. Hard to imagine what turmoil would erupt once today's press conference content got out — Wall Street's cafes and pizzerias would be working overtime again.

Nick was clearly also baffled — had Iron Man gone mad, to admit illness before so many reporters? Could it be that failing to stir trouble, he was dragging everyone down with him?

Now he instead felt a bit worried — if Stark Industries really collapsed, what would they do?

Nick turned to look at Professor X, but found Professor X's expression even graver than his. He knew Professor X must have seen something in Iron Man's mind; this guy was truly full of bad water, one scheme failing, another born.

When a villain starts using brute-force enumeration, a significant problem faces the heroes: you don't know which scheme is the killing blow. Feints within feints, realities within feints — instead making one unsure how to respond.

Right now, the normal reaction would be to send Iron Man straight to a sanatorium, but Nick feared a trap. He frequently glanced at Professor X, wanting more intel, but the other was clearly communicating with Magneto. Nick looked at Shiler, but Shiler was watching Eddie.

The moment Nick saw Eddie, he immediately signaled the agent beside him. The agent went over and brought Eddie over. Most reporters' attention was now on Iron Man; no one had bandwidth for this side.

"We can't let this news get out," Eddie said, "it'll absolutely cause a massive shock in the financial world, and you can't bear that responsibility either."

"You mean, he's stirring trouble here, and we still have to cover for him?"

"This isn't that simple," Eddie said. "Logically, he should worry about Stark Industries' stock price more than anyone, and he wouldn't not know how much damage these words would bring. A shrewd businessman wouldn't do this, unless..."

"I'm sorry, but here I must confess a truth that has troubled me for a long time." Iron Man's voice abruptly rang out: "Everyone should know about the previous superhero Civil War, right? Although the cause was an experimental accident, some of my irrational behaviors in it indeed made the Civil War more intense, and affected ordinary people's lives."

Renaissance Alliance members all widened their eyes. Good heavens, were these words actually coming from Iron Man's mouth? What on earth was this?

Now they somewhat understood Thor's feelings when Loki called him "Your Majesty." This guy wouldn't be planning to die, and leave a big surprise for everyone before death, would he?

Nick felt things were bad; he immediately wanted to send someone to stop it, but with so many reporters surrounding them, he couldn't use force. So he called agents over, wanting them to create some accident to end the press conference early.

The agent did accept the order, but went and never returned. The fire alarm didn't sound, the power wasn't cut. Nick gritted his teeth in anger, and turning back, saw Carter's icy expression.

Nick couldn't help covering his only remaining eye.

He knew Carter and some others in the Renaissance Alliance had always been holding their breath over these Civil War instigators not receiving due punishment. Nick had mediated for a long time to no effect.

What Nick had always conveyed to them was that these people weren't punished because they couldn't be touched for now. The Renaissance Alliance lacked the capacity for hard arrests, so they could only be more tactful — which had indeed successfully placated Carter and the rest.

Now, Iron Man, as the Civil War's most important instigator, was confessing his crimes himself. Nick couldn't openly block him, or it would surely provoke dissatisfaction from Renaissance Alliance members like Carter. You said you couldn't catch them, and we accepted that considering reality, but now they're volunteering to confess and you're still blocking — aren't you just shielding them?

So Nick clearly knew Iron Man's words had issues, but he could do nothing, only anxiously wait in place.

Captain America also knew there was a trick, but couldn't figure out where the problem lay. Iron Man confessing like this benefited neither himself nor Stark Industries — he surely wouldn't have had a sudden attack of conscience, right?

"This matter has been buried in my heart for a long time, making me restless day and night. My anxiety disorder also originated from this." Though Iron Man said this, his face didn't show much anguish. "My condition has deteriorated to the point of hallucinations, even complete loss of self-control. If I didn't speak now, I'd go mad."

"I'm truly sorry, everyone. If I accepted trial, perhaps I wouldn't be so guilt-ridden. But I also understand — the war just ended, the situation just stabilized, the Renaissance Alliance doesn't want more waves..."

Nick really wanted to give him a big slap — so it's our fault now?

Carter stared dead at Nick even harder — you refused to try them, and now the pot's on our heads!

Sure enough, his words caused an uproar among reporters. Someone raised a microphone and asked: "So there actually was no trial after the Civil War because of the Renaissance Alliance's decision?"

"Of course." Iron Man nodded and said, "Actually I was already prepared to stand in court, but unexpectedly, my former partners not only didn't pursue my mistakes, but gave me the important position of Strategic Security Department Director. I was moved beyond words."

"But precisely because of this, my conscience has been tormented. I know I'm unworthy of this position, and past errors can't be atoned for this way. I suffer day and night, truly unable to endure any longer..."

"Then what do you think was their reason for not trying you? Really just because of past comradeship?"

"Of course, that must be part of it," Iron Man said. "The comradeship of fighting side by side in the past is perhaps the main reason for their soft hearts. But it's also possible it's because I provided assistance in subsequent cosmic wars. They might feel my subsequent merits can offset my errors..."

"But you feel it cannot, correct?"

"Regardless, I brought harm to many people, which itself impacted my spirit, hence the mental illness." A cold glint flashed in Iron Man's eyes. "Regarding what you just asked — whether I'll undergo long-term recuperation. My medical team's current advice is yes, I must avoid overexertion as much as possible."

Iron Man gazed at the reporters before him and said in a freezing tone: "I will resign from all positions at Stark Industries, then focus on recuperation. Of course, if the Renaissance Alliance changes its mind and thinks I should stand trial, I will appear on time — I accept whatever judgment they pass on me."