"Hey, Karl!"
"You have no idea how intense that chase was!"
Tony landed beside Karl with an excited expression.
"I just outran the most advanced fighter jets on this planet. A perfect victory!"
"Hahaha!"
As he spoke, the liquid nanometal armor covering his body flowed back like water before condensing into a watch around his wrist.
Howard had questioned Tony about that habit more than once.
After all, Tony could already fly under his own power, and his physical abilities had long surpassed what the armor could provide.
When Howard asked why he still insisted on wearing it, Tony had proudly replied:
"It's a man's romance."
That answer earned immediate ridicule from Howard, Maria, and Pepper.
Karl shook his head.
"Tony, I already saw the whole thing."
"You mean the part where someone in high-tech armor got chased halfway across the planet by fighter jets?"
"If you weren't looking so pleased with yourself, I wouldn't even mention it."
Then Karl smiled.
"Now tell me. What did you come here for?"
Tony's expression froze.
"You actually saw that?"
After several awkward seconds, he coughed.
"Fine."
"Pepper wanted me to invite everyone to a picnic."
"She and my mother found an incredible location on the planet."
"May and Raven are already there."
He pointed toward the surface below.
"I suggested using the communication system, but Pepper insisted that I come personally."
Tony immediately looked proud again.
"See? That's status."
Karl chuckled.
"Alright."
"You go first."
"We'll be there shortly."
"Perfect."
The next moment, Tony activated his armor once more and shot toward the planet.
Karl watched him leave before turning toward Hela and the Black Phoenix.
Soon afterward, the group departed as well.
Karl carried Crystal in his arms.
Hela and the Black Phoenix walked beside him.
Pietro followed while carrying Crystal's namesake companion.
Peter trailed behind with a resigned expression.
As for Juggernaut and Samuel, nobody knew where they had disappeared to.
Everyone else had already gone ahead.
Aside from Yan, who was still undergoing her upgrade, and La, who remained aboard the warship, nobody was left behind.
...
The group soon descended toward the planet.
Following Tony's location signal, they quickly arrived at the picnic site.
The moment Karl saw it, he nodded approvingly.
The scenery was beautiful.
The gathering spot rested halfway up a mountain.
Below stretched a vast ocean glowing beneath the golden light of sunset.
Green forests covered the surrounding hills.
The sea breeze carried a refreshing scent through the air.
The entire landscape looked like a painting.
As soon as they arrived, Crystal jumped out of Karl's arms.
She immediately flew toward Maria and little Morgan.
Her bright red eyes sparkled with excitement.
Meanwhile, Morgan began waving her tiny arms the moment she saw Crystal.
Seeing their reactions, Maria carefully handed her granddaughter over.
Crystal happily accepted the responsibility.
Then she shot into the sky.
The little girl carried Morgan gently above the ocean while the setting sun illuminated both of them.
The scene was surprisingly heartwarming.
They soared over the sea, through the mountain air, and across the forests.
Meanwhile, Howard and Maria nearly suffered heart attacks.
After all, Morgan was still just a baby.
Even though they knew Crystal was incredibly powerful, grandparents worried regardless.
Tony and Pepper, however, remained completely calm.
Neither doubted Crystal for a second.
After all, Crystal's strength had already reached a level where protecting Morgan was effortless.
The only people truly panicking were the grandparents.
Calling them elderly was somewhat inaccurate now.
Thanks to Kryptonian genetic enhancements, both Howard and Maria appeared far younger than their actual ages.
Eventually, Tony dragged Howard and Karl over to enjoy drinks together.
Karl sat down while watching Crystal and Morgan playing in the distance.
...
Nearby, May, Raven, Helen Cho, Yelena, and Natasha were busy preparing food.
Pietro and Crystal had already disappeared to a nearby hilltop.
The two sat together whispering privately.
Although almost everyone present could hear them perfectly, nobody cared enough to listen.
Young couples were predictable.
Peter, meanwhile, looked increasingly annoyed.
Pietro's tendency to prioritize romance over friendship clearly irritated him.
With a sigh, Peter grabbed a drink and went searching for Juggernaut and Samuel instead.
After taking a sip from his bottle, Tony leaned back comfortably.
"These days are incredible."
"Cold drinks."
"Beautiful scenery."
"A sunset."
"Family."
"Friends."
"Good food."
"I honestly can't think of anything better."
For once, his words carried genuine sincerity.
Karl immediately seized the opportunity.
"That's surprising."
"It's an honor having two famous playboys drinking beside me."
He glanced at Tony.
"I thought you'd be talking about yachts, fine wine, beautiful women, beaches, and excitement."
Howard instantly burst out laughing.
"Hahaha!"
"Looks like you've inherited my style after all!"
He slapped Tony's shoulder.
Tony stared at both of them with a dark expression.
Then he silently took another drink.
The two men laughed even harder.
...
Before long, the food was finally ready.
Everyone gathered together.
Peter returned with Juggernaut and Samuel.
Crystal landed directly beside the picnic table while carrying Morgan.
Pietro and Crystal descended from the nearby hilltop.
At the same time, Karl brought La over as well.
She had already awakened and changed clothes.
Rather than her previous attire, she now wore a formal phoenix robe suited to important occasions.
The elegant garment perfectly reflected her former status as a ruler.
After all, Karl preferred maintaining a certain sense of dignity and refinement around him.
Over the past few days, La had gradually accepted her new life aboard the warship.
She understood her position clearly.
Although moments of embarrassment still remained, she no longer resisted her responsibilities.
The others merely glanced at her before returning their attention to the gathering.
Soon the sounds of conversation, laughter, and celebration filled the mountainside.
For a brief moment, it was easy to forget that Celestials, cosmic forces, and universe-shaking battles still awaited them in the future.
...
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