"Sorry to interrupt," Tony said, forcing himself to remain calm. "Shouldn't you discuss stealing these souls with Mephisto first?"
"Mephisto?" Lucifer revealed a wicked smile. "Tony Stark, a man cursed by knowledge, perhaps you've misunderstood something."
"All the souls of Saint Vangansa have already been burned away by Hellfire. I didn't come here for them.
Besides, I don't need Mephisto's permission for anything I do.
If that bastard weren't a Dimensional Lord, he would have died ten thousand times over."
"That really cuts deep." An old man dressed like a gentleman emerged from the shadows, wearing a perfectly tailored black suit and leaning on a skull-topped cane. He spoke with a smile.
"Mephisto." Carter Slade's pupils abruptly contracted.
"Why do demons these days all dress like successful businessmen?" Tony asked in confusion.
"Hahaha! Wearing this skin, which one of us isn't a beast in human clothing?" Lucifer explained bluntly. "Clothes make the man!
If demons didn't know how to dress themselves up, how could they deceive those ignorant souls?"
Tony was instantly rendered speechless, unable to think of a rebuttal.
"Long time no see, my Rider."
"Hold it. I got rid of that identity a hundred and fifty years ago.
Now I'm an honest, respectable man." Carter Slade deliberately drew out the word "man." "Those days of working as a demon's thug are long gone."
"It doesn't matter." Mephisto smiled faintly, then turned his gaze to Johnny Blaze. "Congratulations, Johnny.
You completed the deal. It's time for me to reclaim the Ghost Rider's power.
You can return to your own life, to the true love you've always wanted, and start a family of your own.
I keep my word. You're free, and someone else will bear this curse for you."
"No." Johnny said in a low voice. "I'll bear this