As Tony Stark looked at the army glaring menacingly behind Orm, he swallowed discreetly.
Even clad in his Iron Man armor, he still felt no real sense of security.
"Well then, Mr. Tin Can," Orm said leisurely from his throne, amusement glinting in his eyes.
"Do you still intend to fight us?"
[Sir, I strongly advise against engaging at this time. The risk level is extremely high.]
JARVIS's voice sounded promptly.
Tony shrugged helplessly.
"Alright, then let's just pretend I was never here."
With flames bursting from his hands and feet, he turned, preparing to retreat at full speed.
"Did I say you were allowed to leave?" Orm's cold voice suddenly echoed.
Tony immediately became alert.
"What, Your Underwater Majesty—are you planning to keep me here?"
The repulsors in his palms and boots began preheating, ready to unleash maximum thrust at a moment's notice.
"You show up to provoke me and then think you can simply walk away?"
Orm rose slowly from his throne.
"Do you take this place for your backyard?"
"JARVIS!"
Tony sensed mortal danger. At his shout, JARVIS instantly pushed the engines to maximum output.
Orm bent his knees, lowering his stance like a compressed spring.
Years of training under crushing deep-sea pressure had forged Atlanteans into beings of terrifying physical density and muscle strength—each of them resembling a superhuman by human standards.
In the next instant, Orm shot into the air like a fired bullet.
The manta-shaped craft beneath his feet was crushed downward by the recoil, plunging into the sea as massive volumes of water erupted skyward.
Orm's explosive acceleration allowed him to close the distance before Tony could reach full speed. He reached out, aiming to seize the armor.
Tony's eyes widened in shock.
But JARVIS, operating with inhuman calculation speed, made the decision for him.
Within 0.3 seconds, the armor plates on the Mark III's arms unfolded. Two micro-missiles ignited and slammed directly into Orm.
Orm's grasp faltered for a split second—his fingers clutching nothing but air.
The twin explosions halted Orm midair. Tony seized the opening, twisting around and raising both palms.
A sharp hum filled the air as blinding light erupted from his repulsors. Two powerful energy blasts slammed into Orm's body.
Without hesitation, Tony kicked his engines to full power and fled the battlefield.
"Shit…" Tony cursed, his heart pounding.
[Sir, the opponent's leap velocity reached approximately 280 meters per second—close to the muzzle speed of a handgun round.]
JARVIS reported.
"How is that even human?" Tony muttered, not daring to slow down.
Orm emerged from the smoke of the midair explosions and landed steadily atop a manta craft.
"Should we shoot him down, my king?" General Murk asked.
"No need," Orm replied calmly.
Turning to his assembled forces, Orm raised his voice and roared:
"Did you see that, my people—noble Atlanteans? Look at how despicable and treacherous the surface dwellers truly are!"
"When they were still eating raw flesh and starving in the dark ages, it was Atlantis that selflessly aided them, guiding them out of ignorance!"
"And yet today, they remain foolish, savage, and backward beyond belief!"
"They rely on primitive energy sources while endlessly polluting our oceans and destroying our home!"
"They are unworthy of monopolizing the vast and fertile lands of the surface. They still require the guidance and discipline of Atlantis!"
"We will show them that only by revering and learning from us can they survive!"
"Three days from now, we will shatter their arrogance with absolute force—
we will rule them, and we will judge them!"
Orm's speech ignited the crowd. Atlantean soldiers raised their weapons and roared in unison.
As for why he would wait three days, Orm narrowed his eyes toward the land beyond the horizon.
He remembered his father—a brutal warlord and seasoned commander—who had once intended to wage war on the surface, yet hesitated due to something he feared.
Orm did not know what that fear had been.
He glanced at the radiant golden trident in his hand. If not for the need to fully master its power, he would have already marched inland with his army the day before.
If he was going to do this—he would do it once, and perfectly.
Orm returned to his throne, quietly absorbing the immense power surging within the trident.
This entire scene was broadcast live across screens around the world.
---
"These damned sea devils are far too arrogant!"
President Ellis slammed the table in fury.
"They look down on humanity—and they will pay for it!"
"Mr. President, please calm down," Ross said gravely.
"As much as I hate to admit it, we are currently no match for them—whether on defense or offense."
Ellis clenched his fists so tightly his teeth nearly shattered.
This was the first time in his life he had felt such humiliation—
being beaten and forced to swallow the insult in silence.
"What about the arms dealers?" Ellis asked after steadying himself.
"Our people report that they do possess many unexpected weapons," Ross replied, shaking his head,
"but most are still in experimental stages and cannot be mass-produced. They offer little immediate value."
"Not necessarily," Ellis said suddenly, his tone darkening.
"You mean…?" Ross asked quietly.
"Do you know Thaddeus Ross?" Ellis countered.
"I do—but we're not aligned," Ross answered without hesitation.
"I strongly oppose his ideology—it's insane. However, the woman under him, Amanda Waller…
She once submitted a proposal I still remember clearly."
Ellis narrowed his eyes in thought.
"You mean the plan that used death-row inmates and superpowered criminals to handle dirty work?"
"I recall the name," he continued.
"Wasn't it called the Suicide Squad?"
Ross nodded.
"Mr. President, I believe now is the perfect time to implement that plan."
"Those death-row inmates and super-criminals are just wasting taxpayer money anyway. We might as well make them useful."
"And since the arms dealers keep bragging about how powerful their weapons are, let those people wear the gear and test it."
"I'm sure the manufacturers would love having test subjects they don't need to compensate if they die."
Ellis's eyes lit up.
"Good. You're in charge of it," he said decisively.
"Select the candidates immediately and have those arms dealers equip them as fast as possible."
"We only have three days."
"Yes, sir!"
_____
T/N:
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