If Tony's words were a bomb that ignited public opinion, then Henry's understated statement was like throwing a second bomb into the already boiling ocean. After a brief silence, the press conference erupted in even greater pandemonium!
The frequency of the flash photography was so rapid that it almost merged into a single white light, illuminating the entire hall like searchlights.
The camera clicks were as dense as machine gun fire on a battlefield. Every reporter's face was flushed; they desperately stretched their voice recorders and microphones forward, seemingly trying to shove them directly into the mouths of the Stark brothers.
"Oh my God! They admitted it! They actually admitted it!"
"Quick! Get the headline! Stark Brothers: From Arms Dealers to Superheroes! No! That headline is too weak! Gods Descend to Earth: The Birth of Iron Man and Superman!"
"Stop pushing! Who stepped on my foot?! Fuck! My camera!"
Pepper, watching the scene unfold, felt her heart leap into her throat. She instinctively covered her mouth, her eyes filled with disbelief and deep worry. These two bastards!
Do they even realize what they are saying?!
They're declaring war on the world!
Natasha maintained her calm expression, but her tightly clenched hands, hidden behind her back, betrayed her inner turmoil. She looked at the two with curiosity. She couldn't understand why they admitted it, even though the whole world knew they were the ones.
"Hey! Hey! Hey! Ladies and gentlemen! Calm down! Calm down!" Tony, far from being nervous about the out-of-control crowd, became even more excited. He spread his arms, basking in the cheers.
"I know you're excited, and I'm excited too. After all, it's not every day you get to witness the birth of history. However, please maintain some basic order, okay? Acting like a bunch of children who have never seen the world makes me seriously doubt your professional competence."
His words, delivered with familiar humor, surprisingly managed to calm the chaos slightly.
Henry leaned lazily against the podium, looking at the insane scene with a playful smile. He was like a detached observer, enjoying the farce he and Tony had personally orchestrated.
"Alright, I know you have a lot of stupid questions to ask," Henry picked up the microphone, his voice cutting through the noise.
"Since you're trying so hard to get a big scoop, we'll be generous and answer a few more. But my time is precious, so please ask questions that have some technical merit. Like what brand of suit I wear, or what brand of shampoo I use."
His words prompted another round of laughter, diffusing the tense atmosphere somewhat.
A sharp-looking Black reporter immediately seized the opportunity and stood up first.
"Mr. Stark! Mr. Henry!" his voice was resonant.
"You've admitted to being Iron Man and Superman and have demonstrated extraordinary powers. Does this mean you will operate independently of the government and the law, dispensing justice in your own way? Will your actions disrupt the existing world order?"
This was a sharp question, directly pitting them against the government and the law.
Tony scoffed.
"Order? What order? The kind of order that allows terrorists to wield our company's weapons and kill innocent people all over the world? Or the kind of order where a bunch of bureaucrats who only sit in offices drinking coffee get to decide how the world should run?"
His voice suddenly rose, his eyes sharpening. "If that's the order you're talking about, then I'm sorry to inform you that from today forward, that nonsensical old order should be rewritten."
"As for justice..." he paused, then said matter-of-factly,
"I am justice. At least, I'm more just than those old fogeys on Capitol Hill whose minds are only filled with election votes and political donations."
His words were arrogant and domineering, yet impossible to refute.
Another reporter immediately stood up, directing the question to Henry.
"Mr. Henry! Based on the information we have, you demonstrated several completely different, perhaps even contradictory, abilities during the New York battle. You can fly, possess super strength, and even shoot heat rays from your eyes. Where do these abilities come from? Is this the result of Stark Industries' latest genetic modification technology? If so, does this technology pose a potential threat to human society?"
"Oh, sir, your question has quite the imagination." Henry looked at him, smiling in appreciation.
"However, you got one thing wrong. My abilities don't come from some damned genetic modification technology; they come from talent."
"Yes, you heard me right, talent," he said, spreading his hands, his expression natural.
"You know, some people are just destined to be extraordinary. For example, I'm handsome, rich, and a genius. Now I just have an extra little skill of flying. I think that's perfectly reasonable. As for a threat? Of course, there's a threat."
The smile on his face slowly disappeared, and his eyes turned cold.
"For those who try to cause trouble and keep focusing on us, I am the biggest threat they will ever face." He paused, looking into the camera, and added, "If anyone doesn't believe it, they are welcome to try."
He wasn't just talking. For those who were eyeing their Armor, his response was simple: no. If they wanted to resort to violence, his attitude was to sweep everything away and remind them who they were dealing with.
His words were powerful and imposing. The venue fell silent again briefly. Everyone was stunned by the Stark brothers' unconventional answers. They realized that in front of these two unreasonable individuals, their previously prized sharp questions became as futile as child's play.
But reporters are, after all, reporters. Soon, another fearless one stood up.
"Mr. Tony Stark!" he shouted.
"You just said you are Iron Man. But as far as we know, that Armor requires complex operating technology and massive energy support. How did you master this technology in such a short time? Also, what is that glowing device on your chest? Is it a miniaturized version of the Stark Industries Arc Reactor? What is its relationship with your Armor?"
"Oh, that's a question with some merit," Tony nodded approvingly, then began his boastful lecture.
"First, about the operating technology. I have to say, that thing is much simpler than driving my sports car. All you need is a brain as smart as mine, and a little bit... well, a ton of talent. As for the energy support..."
He pointed to his chest, although the reactor was no longer there.
"That little thing you mentioned, it is indeed a miniaturized version of the Arc Reactor. It's my latest invention. It's a clean, efficient, and virtually limitless micro-energy core. It can provide a continuous power source for my Armor and can also power the entire Stark Tower. And by the way, it will be on the market soon. When it is, you'll never have to worry about power outages again."
His words once again caused a stir in the crowd. New energy! This was absolutely a bigger, more world-changing news bomb than the superhero reveal!
Just as everyone was going crazy, Henry slowly picked up the microphone, delivering the final summary for the already out-of-control press conference.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen," he said, his voice clearly reaching everyone.
"Today's Q&A session is concluded. I know you have many more questions, but I apologize, our time is precious, and we don't have time to play this boring question-and-answer game with you."
"If you want to know more about the stories of Iron Man and Superman, it's simple."
He paused, then smiled at all the cameras below.
"Go read the news."
With that, he and Tony exchanged a glance, then calmly walked off the stage amidst the chaos and screams.
×××××××××××××××
If you're interested, you can read advanced chapters:
p-atreon.com/Heroicverse