Dimensional demons mixed in with Marvel

Chapter 10 Pepper Potts's Trip to Sardinia

Sardinia International Airport, Italy.

A private jet, entirely matte black with a huge silver STARK logo on its side, Stark Airlines Gulfstream G650, landed here.

Pepper Potts walked out of the airport's VIP lane while on the phone.

"There must be a problem. Security needs to be reviewed again. There's a mole within the group."

Happy Hogan, formerly Iron Man's bodyguard and now Stark Industries' security chief, is on edge and on edge.

"According to the original plan, you should be in London attending this year's business summit, not in a small place like Sardinia, meeting some mysterious tycoon."

"Happy, don't worry, there might be a sorting error in the work log. Also, could you please stop showing me your big forehead?"

Pepper looked helpless.

She had checked, and indeed, just a few days ago, an email had been sent to Stark Industries' external email address, which seemed to confirm the current situation.

"This is not a mandatory task at all!"

"And you know I don't know how to use this, so why are you always saying that to me, just like Tony?!"

Happy sounded extremely aggrieved; he just didn't know how to use the reverse camera for video calls.

"Listen, happy, not everything needs to be explained to Tony in every detail."

"And as you know, he simply doesn't have time to listen."

Pepper strode towards the airport exit. The blue sky and white clouds, the clear blue sky, and the buildings of varying heights created a picturesque scene that instantly lifted one's spirits.

"You are the security chief, and I am the CEO of Stark Industries. I have my own responsibilities, and you have yours. Stark Tower is currently undergoing reconstruction, and there are many things that need your attention. You can't just keep an eye on me alone."

"Besides, I'm fine myself. I've been handling all the group's affairs, big and small, for so many years, so you can rest assured."

"Okay, then remember to start the drone. Jarvis will keep track of your signal. Tony also installed a protection program that can temporarily act as a bodyguard."

"But what kind of crappy place is yours? The signal is absolutely terrible, even Stark satellite keeps cutting out!"

On the other side of the video, Happy was sweating profusely as he watched Chili Pepper keep getting stuck.

"I don't know either, ever since I got off the plane..."

Before Pepper could finish speaking, the screen went completely still, leaving only Happy's big face. She tentatively tapped it twice, and that was it—the connection was completely lost.

"Is it raining?"

Coming to her senses, Pepper realized that the once beautiful weather had darkened, large dark clouds had begun to cover the sky, and a light drizzle had started.

"Strange, can a little rain really affect the signal? It doesn't look like the weather is that bad."

Pepper shook her head in confusion and then pulled out a small, metallic ball made entirely of gold and red from her handbag.

Considering that Happy would be anxious if the signal suddenly dropped, recording the whole thing on video and uploading it as a work log later would be a good idea.

"Password entered successfully, pupil confirmation, user: Ms. Pepper Potts."

"Video recording function is now activated."

A uniquely mechanical electronic sound rang out, and the small ball unfolded its wings, following Pepper like a little bird.

"That's the key point from now on."

Pepper weighed her handbag and pulled out a stone slab; it was quite heavy.

Pepper didn't recall ever having such a thing, but there was a certificate of Stark Group's art collection attached to the stone slab.

Perhaps~

Tony might have bought this on a whim.

As is widely known, Tony Stark is a globally renowned playboy and a genius billionaire who has always been passionate about pursuing various avant-garde trends and high-end creations.

It is precisely because of his free-spirited and flamboyant tastes that he has collected countless artworks of various styles over the years. In the past 10 years of managing his art collection, Pepper has been in charge of collecting and organizing Tony's collection.

Because that guy hadn't even finished looking at the catalog of the collection; he just kept adding things to it.

The invitation shown in the work plan indicates that the original owner of this stone slab was from Sardinia, and judging from the mysterious tycoon's message, it seems that he wanted to return it to its rightful owner with a high price.

However, on the other hand...

The stone slab has a generally rustic style, with sun symbols and a man whose features are not clearly visible carved on it, and many parts are damaged and missing corners.

"Perhaps it still has some historical value?!"

Just as Pepper was casually pondering and planning whether to go to the hotel first or contact the mysterious tycoon first.

"Hey, you over there!"

The voice was so blunt that Pepper was startled and instinctively turned around to look.

She looked to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, wearing a red court-style evening gown and with her waist-length golden hair tied with a pretty dark purple bow.

Um... are you a local?!

Are you talking to me?

Despite some doubt, Pepper still answered, thankfully her Italian was very good.

"Without a doubt, now, hand over the grimoire you have."

The blonde girl put her left hand on her hip, but as if by magic, she pulled out a silver dagger with her other hand, speaking in a very unreasonable tone.

"ha?!"

Pepper retracted her earlier thought; she felt that her Italian was probably failing.

She understands every single word the girl says, so why can't she understand it when they're put together?

What kind of magic book?!

What strange things are they saying? Are they playing house?!

"Wait, did I encounter an Italian thief?"

Pepper blurted it out without thinking.

However, before the other party could react, Pepper herself denied the possibility.

No, no, this girl could never be a thief.

Her hair was smooth and perfectly maintained, with golden hair, and her bow tie was even inlaid with a deep blue sapphire. Pepper could tell at a glance that her dress was extraordinary and must be a master-made piece of top-quality material.

With so many compelling characteristics, Pepper, with her extensive knowledge, was absolutely certain that the girl in front of her was a heiress from a wealthy family.

So... is it a prestigious Italian family?!

The problem is that a young lady from a prestigious family comes out to rob people with a knife, while saying strange things.

This was definitely a prank.

Pepper didn't understand, but she was deeply shocked. However, what was even more shocking was just beginning.

She was still trying to figure out what was going on, but the Stark drone had already given up.

"Buzzing!"

With a buzzing sound, the blue light on the recording display suddenly turned a dangerous red.

"Warning: You are threatening Ms. Pepper Potts, CEO of Stark Industries."

"Annihilation mode is about to be activated..."

"Wait, wait, wait!"

Pepper was startled, and a fine sweat broke out on her brow. She quickly switched off the annihilation mode.

Tony is really strange sometimes. It's clearly a recording drone, so why does it turn into an annihilation in safe mode...?

Isn't this making a mountain out of a molehill?!

"Turn it off immediately."

"No matter what happens, completely shut down the annihilation mode; I don't need it!"

however.

It seems that it wasn't just the Stark drone that was in a hurry; the blonde girl in front of them was equally angry.

"How long are you going to ignore me? Do you mean you can't understand Italian?"

"Then I'll say it again in your familiar language: immediately, hand over the grimoire you're holding!"

This time I'm sure I understood.

If the problem was with vocabulary, please repeat it in English now.

Pepper was certain that the other person was referring to the grimoire!

But this makes it even harder to understand: what exactly is a grimoire? Could it be this stone tablet in my hand?!

This is the only possibility!

"I still can't be sure if you're joking with me, and this joke isn't funny at all."

"I'm telling you this very seriously, I don't know anything about grimoires."

"This slab belongs to the Stark Industries, or more precisely, to Mr. Tony Stark as his personal property. You have no right to take it from me."

Pepper is trying to have one last calm conversation.

"Nonsense."

"Are you underestimating me? I am Erica Brantri, the knight of the Crimson Black Cross, known as the Crimson Demon, and the most outstanding person from a prestigious magic family."

"How could you not tell the difference between a real and a fake magic book? One last time, hand it over to me now!"

Of course, I can't give this to you!

Pepper was suddenly bombarded with several new terms: copper-black cross, crimson devil?!

Hey, if we're talking about chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) girls, I've finally met one today!

"Miss Erica Brantley, although it is hard to believe, your actions are without a doubt... those of a robber."

Pepper made an intuitive judgment.

"Robbers?!"

Erica was clearly humiliated; her face turned bright red.

"You are blaspheming my honor! You are the robber, taking such a precious grimoire of the Age of Gods without permission..."

boom!

The angry accusations have not yet been fully vented.

Just then, the entire city was suddenly filled with a deafening roar, followed by a violent earthquake.

"What happened?!"

To the naked eye, from Pepper's perspective, all the colors of the buildings seemed to have been stolen in an instant, turning into a gray and decadent gray, and the sky also appeared as a gloomy peacock green.

"not good!"

"Such a strong surge of magical energy... it was too late after all..."

Erica's expression changed drastically.

"Wait, what is that?!"

Pepper was even more astonished. At the other end of the city, a colossal beast, more than twice the size of the tallest building and engulfed in crimson flames, rose up like a mountain.

This moment.

Pepper, belatedly realizing, suddenly understood that perhaps everything Erica had said from the beginning wasn't just the ramblings of a delusional teenager.

On the contrary...

"god!"

"The disobedient god has descended."