Chapter 1433: Aesthetics and Style

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Sure enough, the rescue foundation’s funds increased rapidly, and most of the money… was from Tony Stark himself.

The tycoon bought the first set of three enchanted bat darts, and the bright BW001 to 003 engravings on them proved that they were unique.

This was the first set, and the first three “autographed” bat darts.

Tony spent three million dollars on them.

Most of this revenue was paid to the foundation in batches over a period of time. The ongoing profits from copyright licenses would ensure that the foundation could continue to operate.

Interestingly enough, some of the copyright licenses which the foundation rejected were vetoed and let through by Luke.

Because of this, Tony specially contacted him. “Is Alfred infected with a virus? Why are you letting some license requests through? Don’t you know how outrageous they are?”

“If you’ve seen the scope of the license, then you haven’t seen wrong,” Luke replied casually as he examined some external components he had just manufactured.

After a brief silence, Tony said, “Are you saying that Batman, Electric Cable and Big Dipper can become the main characters in R 18+ comics and shows? Hm, including as couples?”

Luke curled his lip. “Do you think they won’t draw if I don’t give them the copyright? If they’re going to do it anyway, why can’t I make them pay?”

Tony was lost for words.

This logic didn’t seem wrong, but was it the same thing?

It was just like how he couldn’t stop the tabloids from gossiping about him, but that was different from allowing them to create whatever they wanted.

Just as Luke said, however, this copyright license was limited to these three people.

Selina, Blackpink Bears, the Ninja Squad and Iron Cage King weren’t included. Clearly, this list had been verified beforehand and this wasn’t an arbitrary decision on Batman’s part.

If these three didn’t mind, what else could Tony say?

After choking for a few seconds, Tony still felt uncomfortable. “But you’re Batman.”

Luke scoffed. “Batman doesn’t eat and drink, and doesn’t go to the bathroom?”

Tony was horrified and blurted out, “Don’t tell me you’re gay.” At the same time, he felt a chill run down his spine.

Luke put the modified components into his inventory and rolled his eyes. “Did you forget that I said I like beautiful women too?”

Tony was embarrassed. “Okay, my bad. But are you really not going to reconsider?”

It was fine if Batman and the others were willing, but Tony didn’t want to become a part of it.

He would never give them that sort of copyright license, but Batman and the others making it “official” could encourage the unlicensed creation of even wilder materials.

There was no doubt that some would feature Iron Man and Batman as the main characters, and the tycoon would still get nothing for it!

Luke said, “Alright, stop worrying about the small things. Does it matter what they want to say? Tell me how your preparations are coming along. Don’t tell me that you haven’t completed the add-ons for your armor yet.”

Tony was clearly more excited now. “I’ve basically solved the problem of quick attachments. The biggest problem now is what color it should be.”

Luke was surprised. “It’s just a consumable. What difference does it make if it’s sh*t yellow or something?”

Tony choked at this nasty remark. “Then why don’t you make your armor the color of sh*t?”

Luke said, “Optical camouflage can turn the suit into any color. Dark gray has always been my habit; why would I change it into sh*t yellow?”

The tycoon was defeated by Luke’s lack of appreciation for aesthetics.

Just like how you could never wake up someone who was pretending to be asleep, you couldn’t make someone who didn’t have an eye for art appreciate it.

Tony could only get back to business. “No problem. I’ve prepared enough replacements. There’s enough firepower for an hour.”

Luke said, “That’s good, but five hours would be even better.”

Tony: “…Are you kidding me?”

Luke said, “What’s wrong with preparing more? It’s just a little more money! Do you care about that?”

Tony said, “That… makes sense.”

Luke simply snorted.

This tycoon was as obsessive as always. He always liked to make fewer things, and to make them as perfect as possible.

Thus, he had already created suits right up to Mark 20, but before Luke brought it up, he hadn’t thought about creating external components.

For Tony, if one armor set wasn’t enough, he would just switch to another.

Luke, on the other hand, simply plugged in an extra functional component to solve the problem.

There was a big difference in their thinking.

Tony’s add-ons definitely weren’t as simple as Luke’s.

To use a gun as an analogy, Luke would simply have a few extra clips. At most, he would optimize some of the gun parts so that he didn’t have to write them off so soon.

Tony, on the other hand, would use the gun as a template to develop a new, distinctive weapon altogether.

Between changing clips and changing guns altogether, it was obvious which was the cheaper method. However, the tycoon was rich and willful!

The days passed like this until mid-October, when Luke suddenly received a call from Tony. “You said that Loki from Asgard would be sure to let you know if he shows up.”

Luke perked up. “Exactly what happened?”

Tony said, “I sent the details to you. I’ll be busy for a while. Call me if anything happens.” He then hung up.

Luke received the information that was sent over. After a few glances, he ordered, “The pests have appeared. Launch Plan A.”

Alfred: “Yes, sir.”

A moment later, it said, “Plan A is in motion. The special force will assemble in half an hour.”

Luke nodded.

Alfred said, “However, this name doesn’t sound very impressive. Do you need to change it?”

Luke said, “Commander Hammersmith’s ‘special force’ sounds even less impressive. Why didn’t you tell him to change it?”

Alfred said, “Because I don’t have to consider the problem of changing Commander Hammersmith’s style, while it seems you’re taking note of this?”

Luke chuckled. “You’re imagining things.”

Alfred: “Very well, sir. Hm, what do you think of the name Project Oracle?”

Luke asked, “Then should I first ask Mr. Hammersmith to change the special force’s name into Knights of the Oracle?”

Alfred: “Master, you’re so wise.”

Luke chuckled. Are you sure you didn’t want to say I’m a dumbass?