Holding a Press Conference, Stark's Escape

On the plane.

Stark had treated his wounds and changed into a proper suit.

His good friend Rhodey stayed by his side every step of the way, terrified that he would be snatched away again like he had been three months ago.

Aaron found himself a window seat and quietly admired the scenery outside.

He let Abei out of the Backpack and warned it in Dragon Language to keep a low profile. Without his orders, it absolutely could not display anything unusual.

"This cat." Stark studied Abei curiously. "Where did you get it?"

"A pet. It's been with me since it was born.

"I named it Abei. It's a very intelligent cat."

Abei nodded somewhat unwillingly. Its master deliberately got its species wrong every time he introduced it. It should have gotten used to it by now.

"I think women would really like it."

"Good eye."

Aaron gave him a thumbs-up. Abei's popularity had absolutely stood the test of time.

With that goofy, adorable, cute appearance, what girl could resist it?

"Though this may be inappropriate, could you sell it to me?"

"Huh?"

Roar—meow!

Aaron froze for a moment before Abei's roar reached his ears.

He immediately pressed down on its head, turning the dragon roar into a cat's meow.

"Uh... looks like it isn't too happy about that."

Stark swallowed when he saw Abei's extended claws.

He had intended to buy it as a gift for his secretary, Potts, but it seemed better to forget it. What if it scratched her?

"Abei only listens to me."

"You're... Gaius, right?" Rhodey asked somewhat cautiously. "Tony said you're just an ordinary explorer?"

"You could put it that way." Aaron shrugged. Explorer sounds much better than traveler.

"All right! To be honest, I have some doubts about your identity.

"An explorer happened