Smoke

Tony had no interest in how the rear guard had been handled just now.

If a cat could talk, then whatever that cat did was pretty reasonable.

What Tony was curious about was the cat itself.

"I'm guessing someone asked you to save me, right?"

Compared to a helpful magic cat suddenly appearing in the middle of nowhere, Tony was more inclined to believe that this helpful magic cat had come with a purpose. Maybe it wanted something from him, or maybe the reason was simpler, like what it had just said.

Someone had asked it to save him.

Whether he was the playboy Tony before becoming Iron Man or the man everyone later knew inside the armor, Tony Stark had always been like this.

He boldly doubted everything and rarely opened his heart to anyone.

That personality made him a better physicist and a stronger version of himself.

It also made him lonelier.

Perhaps every genius with a tragic past was like this—smart yet numb, protecting themselves beneath a thick layer of camouflage. Sometimes that camouflage was a falsely flamboyant personality; other times, it took the more concrete form of a suit of steel armor.

Just as the newly awakened Yinsen had said: Tony Stark had everything, yet nothing at all.

There was no doubt that Tony Stark was a smart guy. Leon had known that from the beginning. After all, anyone who could hammer out a miniature arc reactor in a cave could not possibly be stupid.

Superior intelligence often extended into every aspect of life, so Leon was not surprised that Tony Stark had cut straight to the heart of the matter and actually guessed the answer.

The Master was the same type, which was why he had all sorts of counter-series armor: anti-Superman, anti-Wonder Woman—he had counters for everyone except Green Arrow!

Wasn't this guy the same? The Hulk had been beaten so badly by the over-three-meter-tall Hulkbuster Armor that his teeth fell out. What did he say?

Did he say, "Why are you even guarding against someone as calm and indifferent as me?"

Of course not. Dr. Banner had wanted to kill the Hulk more than once himself.

"Yeah, someone paid a hefty price to have me save you. I actually didn't want to come, but they offered too much."

Leon the Mystic Cat admitted it without hesitation.

Tony thought for a moment. He was certain that no one he knew should have been capable of hiring a nonhuman being like this.

That made things far more interesting.

"What price did they offer you? If I give you double, can you tell me who sent you?"

As a billionaire, Tony was qualified to say that. I won't even ask the price! I'll offer double right off the bat! All I want is a name—tell me, are you tempted or not?

"His name is Robert Downey. Do you know him?"

Tony did know several Roberts, and he remembered a few people named Downey. But he really was not sure whether he knew someone named Robert Downey.

After all, that name did not sound like a beautiful woman at all!

"Fine. I hope you're not lying to me. Then can I ask you another question?"

"You didn't mention the money at all!"

Tony laughed. "You can't expect me to write you a check right now, can you? I can't even afford a cheeseburger at the moment."

The more he spoke, the more Tony missed his mansion, good food, and Pepper.

"Can you make food appear?"

"Yes."

Then make it appear!

Why did I even ask that question?!

Leon was helpless too. Hadn't Tony said he could ask another question? Tony asked, Leon answered. What was wrong with that?

Tony ultimately did not get to eat the cheeseburger Leon had supposedly conjured, because Leon did not fucking know how to make one!

What he ate was Leon's stored supplies.

[Sweet-in-the-Heart Bun]

It came with a small cup of beer Leon took out.

[Musa Black Beer]

Effect: Quenches thirst.

Grade: White

Quality: Ordinary

Note: This drink is impressive. Its biggest difference from ordinary alcohol is that it contains no alcohol.

Most of what the Single-Log Wine Barrel produced now was white-grade and not very useful, but it had not been operating for long, so Leon was in no hurry.

Yinsen, lying nearby, was not neglected either. The old man was still very weak; after all, someone had punched several holes in him just an hour ago, and he had nearly died.

The aura could restore his health, but it could not ease his pain.

[Queen's Cigar]

Effect: Reduces the user's pain.

Grade: White

Quality: Perfect

Note: Drifting leisurely toward heaven, becoming hazy like an immortal. Heh~ drinking, getting a perm, smoking!

It was Leon's first perfect-grade item. Unfortunately, he had never had a chance to use it. Using it on an ordinary person like Yinsen this time was just right.

Tony was amazed that a cat could pull things out of "thin air," but he did not find it all that strange anymore. Especially that plain-looking bun—honestly, it was the best food Tony had ever eaten. Maybe hunger made everything taste good, but the rapid relief of his hunger and thirst was no illusion.

As he had said, if a cat could talk, then nothing it did was really surprising.

What he had eaten was probably magical food!

That cigar too!

Watching Yinsen visibly relax his tense muscles after just one puff, his whole condition easing, Tony did not believe the cigar was ordinary. Still, having grown up in this country, Tony had another, more reasonable suspicion.

"That cigar... was it laced?"

That was Tony's reasonable suspicion. He asked it outright, right in front of Yinsen, who was currently puffing away.

Yinsen did not mind at all. This was an ordinary matter to him.

"It is! Definitely! It's got good stuff in it!"

Leon was still the same—whatever others said, he just nodded along!

Tony looked quite interested. Since it was something from a magic cat, perhaps it was not the sort of thing he imagined.

After swallowing the last bite of bun, Tony still wanted another, but he was too embarrassed to ask again, and he really was full.

"What good stuff was added?"

Tony asked.

"Sil! Ver! Vine!!"

Leon answered solemnly.

Although Tony was highly knowledgeable, he did not know everything. His broad knowledge was more evident in his professional fields, so when Leon said that, Tony had no idea what Silver Vine was. He only assumed it was some powerful herb and silently memorized the name, planning to research it once he got back.

Yinsen was completely stunned.

Tony did not know what Silver Vine was, but he did!

Wasn't that catnip?!

This stuff worked on humans too??

Staring at the cigar in his hand, Yinsen fell into deep existential doubt.

Then...

He took another puff.

Whatever! It worked! Forget Silver Vine—even if you rolled it with tea leaves, that would be fine!

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