Chapter 226: Friend
After finishing his question, Tony stared nervously at Zane's face. To his disappointment, Zane's expression remained unchanged throughout, still bearing that characteristic faint smile, exuding an air of calm.
"Tony, we haven't seen each other in five years, and the first thing you ask me is such a sharp question. Isn't that a bit much?" Zane casually picked a fruit that resembled an apple from the fruit bowl on the table and tossed one to Tony.
Tony instinctively caught the fruit, a specialty of the Elven race, and took a bite. However, he couldn't taste any of its flavors as he anxiously awaited Zane's response. The answer Zane was about to give could, without exaggeration, determine the life or death of the entire planet. This was why Tony didn't beat around the bush like Nick Fury would have; he asked directly.
Having a good understanding of Zane's personality, Tony knew that there was no need for pretense in front of this man. No matter what he did, Zane's mind was already made up. He wasn't someone whose thoughts could be easily swayed by the media or anyone else. Once Zane made a decision, no one could change it, even if it meant going against the entire world.
Even his beloved Lorna couldn't influence Zane's decisions. And Lorna, never foolishly trying to dissuade her man, always supported him. She played the role of the one who would smilingly hand Zane a sharpened knife when he decided to kill. That's why Zane loved her so much.
"Zane, I'm sorry, but I really need to know your current attitude," Tony insisted, staring straight into Zane's eyes without flinching.
The smile on Zane's face gradually faded as he put down the fruit. For a moment, Tony felt a shadow fall over Zane's face, obscuring his expression.
"Tony, are you asking me this as a friend or as a representative of Earth's civilization?" Zane's voice was as calm as still water, eerily peaceful like the calm before a storm or a beast ready to pounce.
Suddenly, the entire living room fell silent, only the faint sounds of everyone's breathing could be heard. Little Groot, who didn't understand human nature, started to approach Zane to play, but was stopped by Rocket, who had become serious. Rocket looked at the puzzled Little Groot and silently shook his head. Little Groot seemed to understand and stood quietly by, watching Zane and Tony.
Everyone in the room focused their now somewhat dangerous gazes on Tony. Even Lorna, who was sipping wine with Anna, had a flicker of murderous intent in her eyes.
Clearly, what Tony was about to say next would determine his own fate—whether he would continue smoothly or fall into an abyss. The others, unfamiliar with Tony, let their malice towards this person who affected Zane's mood overflow.
As an ordinary person, Tony felt no pressure from the many terrifying beings around him. He was entirely absorbed in his own thoughts, questioning himself deeply. After a long pause, a mountain-like determination flashed in Tony's once confused eyes.
"Zane, I..."
"Tell me your answer, Tony," Zane said calmly.
"Zane, I don't even know in what capacity I'm asking you this," Tony replied. "Maybe as a friend, maybe as a representative of Earth's civilization, or perhaps both. But I sincerely hope you can spare Earth. There are so many innocent and kind people living on this planet."
Tony looked at Zane earnestly, while Zane watched him impassively, giving no immediate answer. Yet, a strange sadness welled up within Zane.
If Tony had simply said he was asking as an old friend, Zane would have readily assured him that his return to Earth was without malice, just a vacation. Zane's question wasn't meant to trouble Tony but to confirm something—whether Tony could still be his friend.
Zane could see that Tony was no longer the same as before. He was now the epitome of a super hero, embodying the responsibility and ideals of a super hero both inside and out. This was not the show-off with a sense of responsibility that Tony had been five years ago. This man had integrated the responsibilities and ideals of a super hero into his soul, which was why he gave such an answer.
The answer was both expected and unexpected by Zane. He couldn't quite discern his own feelings—whether he was happy that Tony had stuck to his path or disappointed by Tony's overwhelming sense of responsibility. However, one thing was clear to Zane: their relationship could never go back to what it was.
Zane was very particular about the term "friend." A friend is someone who can joke around recklessly in normal times and stand behind you without hesitation in crucial moments. Five years ago, although Tony had participated in the campaign against him, Zane had never blamed him. It was just a matter of different choices; he still considered Tony a friend. Contradictory, isn't it? But that's how Zane felt.
Initially, Zane admired Tony's character, which is why they became friends. But now, it was precisely Tony's excessive sense of responsibility that disqualified him from Zane's definition of a friend. Perhaps they were destined to part ways from the very beginning.
After a long pause, Zane finally spoke. "Don't worry. I have no ill intentions towards Earth. I vented my anger five years ago."
Sensing Zane's now indifferent attitude, Tony felt a pang of sorrow. Although he had received the answer he wanted, he was not happy. He knew that in Zane's heart, he no longer counted as a friend.
"I'm sorry," Tony said, lowering his head.
But Zane shook his head indifferently. "You have nothing to be sorry for. You just stuck to your path. That's the Iron Man I admired."
After that, they both fell silent again. After a while, Tony silently stood up, opened the door, and left alone.
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