Psychological Issues

But after what had just been said, the atmosphere among them improved considerably.

After chatting for a while, Pepper curiously probed into what qualities a woman needed to possess to match Harvey's ideal.

"Go on, tell us. I'm quite curious about how you make your choice."

Tony Stark became a little gossipy when he heard that.

"If we're talking about the qualities that would suit my tastes..."

"She would need to be beautiful, intelligent, and strong."

Harvey considered it before speaking.

He occasionally sought out young, beautiful women to spend the night with, but that was merely physical, an impulsive indulgence now and then.

It did not count as choosing a woman who completely matched his ideal.

"Beautiful, smart, and mentally strong?"

"There are plenty who meet the first two requirements, but the last one is much harder to find."

"Women aren't men, after all. Even if they seem strong on the surface, most are still rather fragile underneath."

Pepper spoke thoughtfully after hearing Harvey's words.

Tony Stark had a different impression after hearing the standards Harvey Anberaka had described.

Harvey Anberaka's first requirement, beauty, was easy enough to understand: physical attractiveness.

But intelligence probably meant more than simply being smart. It meant being able to understand Harvey's thoughts from only a few words.

Knowing what should and should not be said, what could and could not be done—this criterion alone would eliminate countless women.

Women were emotional. They might cry over certain things, and they might be unable to remain calm over others.

And the strength Harvey Anberaka spoke of probably did not refer solely to mental strength. She would also need to be powerful enough in her own right.

Otherwise, forget supporting Harvey Anberaka and each other—she might not even be able to understand Harvey Anberaka's thoughts and actions.

Tony Stark thought through the women he knew who might meet such standards, but could not think of a single one.

"Your standards are a little too idealistic. I'm afraid that even searching the entire world, it would be difficult to find a woman who truly suits your heart."

So Tony Stark spoke up.

"I know, but I have plenty of time to look. And if I cannot find one in the end, that is fine too."

Harvey smiled at Tony's words.

"Aren't you two being too absolute?"

"The requirements are high, but there are plenty of strong career women in the world who are beautiful, smart, and strong-willed."

Pepper felt that Tony and Harvey were speaking far too definitively, so she argued back.

"Pepper, you haven't understood what he meant."

Tony quickly said this, then glanced at Harvey, wanting to see his reaction.

For someone who did not understand the topic to forcefully insert herself into the conversation could easily make others dislike her.

"That's right. But if the opportunity arises, Miss Pepper, you will understand as well."

Harvey noticed Tony's glance and smiled.

Harvey Anberaka's casual words made Tony Stark's gaze flicker.

Was he implying that Pepper might be able to gain power too? Or was I simply overthinking it?

"Is it possible for her?"

To confirm it, Tony Stark looked at Harvey and asked.

"That depends on whether you can persuade me."

Harvey replied meaningfully.

"Give me some time. I need to think it through carefully, and I need to talk to her as well."

Upon hearing this, Tony Stark knew Pepper had a chance too. Even if it was a chance that needed to be fought for, it was undoubtedly good news for him.

"Suit yourself."

Harvey wore an indifferent expression, then continued rapidly wiping out the food before him.

"What are you talking about?"

"Who is she?"

"A woman who matches Mr. Harvey Anberlaka's ideal?"

Pepper was completely confused by the conversation between Tony and Harvey and asked curiously.

"No. If I think it is appropriate, I will explain it to you."

"If I do not bring it up myself, then do not pry too much."

Tony Stark shook his head as he spoke.

Even he did not yet know whether he would accept it.

And even if he did, whether Harvey Anberaka would be willing to agree was another matter entirely.

After all, when it came to asking Harvey Anberaka to make him an extraordinary being, Tony was not the one in control.

Much less asking Harvey Anberaka to let Pepper become someone similar to himself, so it was not yet time to explain.

Hearing this only made Pepper even more curious. She wanted to know what was really going on.

She was just about to ask, but when she saw Harvey Anberaka beside her, she held back this rude impulse and decided to question Tony properly in private later.

"This is too slow. I'll leave some for you two, but I'm going over there to eat directly."

Harvey glanced at Tony, rose to his feet, and spoke.

He knew the seed of desire had already been planted. Now, all he had to do was wait for it to bloom and bear fruit.

Humans were a species that longed to evolve. They desired longer lives and greater power.

And when they knew such evolution carried no risk to their lives, then aside from those content with mediocrity, anyone with ambition would basically never refuse.

Was Tony Stark someone willing to settle for mediocrity?

The answer was clearly no. No matter how much his personality changed, the madness of a scientist buried in Tony Stark's bones would never disappear.

Otherwise, Tony Stark would never have ignored everyone's objections and created Ultron, that terrifying humanoid weapon.

And with Tony Stark's intellect, Harvey had little trouble foreseeing that after joining the Void, Tony would use the abilities he gained to create even more terrifying technology.

"It's fine. Go ahead and eat. We do not have much of an appetite."

Tony did not mind when he saw Harvey wanting to finish more quickly.

Harvey nodded and walked toward the various tables piled with food.

Though he said he wanted to eat faster, Harvey did not wolf it down. His movements remained elegant.

Tony Stark watched Harvey's astonishing appetite and fell into thought.

If gaining power similar to Harvey Anberaka's, obtaining a lifespan of several centuries or even millennia, and wielding extraordinary power only meant that his appetite would become enormous...

Then he could accept that price. He had more than enough money to gorge himself every day, so long as he did not have to eat people.

But he also knew very well why he still found it difficult to make a decision.

Because of his fame, he was a public figure.

The moment he gained power, if he became too young, other people would surely notice immediately and regard him as an anomaly.

That was a psychological issue, and it was also the most difficult problem to resolve.

Harvey Anberaka had seen through his current struggle, which was why he had no intention of urging him.

He had merely given Tony an opportunity, waiting to see whether Tony could work through it himself and accept it completely.