"What are you, not human?"
Axel chuckled as he interrupted Chief Gordon, then leaned against Ciri's shoulder and pouted at him.
"Chief Gordon, don't be so exclusive, buddy.
I admit you weren't one of Roman's people before. Even though Roman's influence grew stronger, he never managed to turn Gotham into a unified city.
He wasn't even close.
But look at me, buddy. Everyone in Gotham who could resist has already been dealt with. From the mayor down to the vagrants, they're all my people now.
So what, you're not one of my people?
Either sit down with everyone and enjoy yourself, or take your daughter and move out of Gotham.
What, do you think I don't enjoy visiting an island full of young girls?
Keep provoking me and I'll go have a heart to heart talk with Barbara.
Do you believe that in less than a month, I'll have your Barbara pregnant with another little Barbara?"
As he spoke, Axel raised his hand to his temple and mimicked firing a gun.
Chief Gordon swallowed hard.
Nearby, Clark rolled his eyes before chuckling.
"Axel, stop scaring Chief Gordon.
And Chief Gordon, since Axel values you, try to relax a little.
I understand how uncomfortable this feels. When I first arrived a few days ago, I felt exactly the same way.
But some things are worth accepting. Everyone here isn't as bad as you think."
Clark nodded at Chief Gordon.
Chief Gordon swallowed again before speaking.
"Axel, I have diabetes. I can't drink too much alcohol."
"Haha, then you can sit at the kids' table."
After teasing him, Axel wrapped an arm around Ciri and waved toward everyone.
"Enough joking around. Welcoming our guests is more important.
Ciri and Geralt are visiting our world for the first time, so show them some interesting things.
They're both Witchers, so they'll probably appreciate our weapons and equipment.
Floyd, clean up your gun room and bring out the good stuff.
Come to think of it, I haven't really played with firearms before. I don't need to learn anymore, but they're fun to mess around with occasionally.
Clark, help me out. Let's set up a shooting range in the forest to the west."
"No problem."
Clark nodded to Axel and Martha before disappearing with super speed to prepare everything.
Being able to freely use his incredible strength and speed in daily life felt liberating.
The relaxed atmosphere of the manor also made him feel less like an outsider.
Watching Clark work, Zatanna raised a hand and spoke to the bewildered Geralt.
"Geralt, I know you, but why didn't Yennefer and Triss come?
I'm very interested in the magic of your world. I wanted to exchange ideas with them."
Ciri smiled and answered for him.
"Of course, that's possible. Geralt and I are just scouting ahead.
Now that we know the way, if we have time in the future, I'll bring Yennefer and Triss here."
She shook off Axel's arm and joined the women.
Rachel, Zatanna, Selina, and a slightly uncomfortable Martha quickly formed a group and began chatting happily.
Seeing them enjoying themselves, Axel didn't join them. Instead, he picked up a large caliber shotgun from the firearms Floyd had brought and began examining it.
Meanwhile, Bruce exhaled and removed his mask.
These days, taking it off inside the manor had become second nature.
The manor and everyone inside it had become an anchor for Bruce Wayne, allowing Batman to become more than just Batman.
Chief Gordon stared at Bruce's face and swallowed hard.
"I... Bruce, you're very different from before.
But what I mean is, why am I here? I'm just an old police officer.
Axel, I can't help you with anything, even if I'm willing to join you."
"That's called shared interests, buddy. You're not 'joining' anything. You and your wife join each other every night."
Axel raised his middle finger at him.
Chief Gordon sighed.
"Fine, shared interests.
But even if I become one of your people, I still can't help you.
After everything you've done in Gotham, even the White House can't stop you.
If you told the President to relieve himself in public, he'd quietly prepare tissues, find a spot, pull down his pants, and squat.
Someone like you doesn't need a useless old police officer."
"Hmm?"
Floyd, who was adjusting a firearm, handed a Barrett rifle to Geralt without even turning around.
"Officer Gordon, why are you overthinking this?
People like us have to think about these things. Axel doesn't.
He only pursues what makes him happy.
Why are you here?
Because Axel wants you here.
If you keep asking questions and make him unhappy, do you want to deal with the consequences?"
He patted Geralt's arm.
"Geralt, hold it like this. Raise it, look through the scope, pick a tree, then pull the trig..."
"That's the tree I planted when I was a kid!"
Bruce immediately grabbed the barrel and redirected it.
"Aim at the target Clark just placed in the clearing.
Prepare for the recoil, then pull the trigger.
You're a Witcher. Your physical abilities far exceed those of ordinary people. This rifle suits you."
Bruce nodded encouragingly.
Geralt peered through the scope and pulled the trigger.
Bang!
In the distance, Clark grabbed the target and rushed back.
"Good job, buddy. It doesn't even look like your first time shooting."
Geralt chuckled.
"That's nothing. Crossbows are much harder than this."
He examined the bullet hole with interest.
The one centimeter thick steel plate had been completely pierced.
Geralt nodded in admiration and patted the Barrett.
"This may be rude to ask, but can I take some firearms back with me?
If my fellow Witchers had these, hunting large monsters would become much easier."
"No problem. I'll even provide silver bullets.
I've got plenty of money now. Following Axel might get me killed one day, but I'll definitely never be broke."
Floyd waved dismissively.
Geralt immediately tossed the Barrett dozens of meters toward Ciri, who had been eagerly watching.
Chief Gordon stared in disbelief.
"Is this what a Witcher is? That's ridiculous."
He picked up Floyd's golden M1911 and examined it.
Ciri and the other women also stopped chatting and approached.
Few Americans were unfamiliar with firearms.
Everyone took turns shooting, allowing Ciri to thoroughly enjoy herself.
While everyone was having fun, Lex walked out of the laboratory holding a tablet.
He gently tapped Axel's arm.
"Axel.
There's a new development in Israel. The Goddess moved faster than we did."
"Oh?"
Axel accepted the tablet.
Satellite images of Israel filled the screen.
After the Enchantress siblings arrived, the entire country had effectively become their territory.
Though not everyone had died, casualties were undoubtedly severe.
Many survivors had been magically transformed into servants.
Now Diana had charged directly into their territory alone, sword in hand.
Despite facing two opponents at once, the Enchantress siblings were being overwhelmed.
Diana was steadily pushing them back.
Axel rubbed the back of his head.
"Heh, Diana really is efficient.
Damn, though. I just promised those siblings some land, and now Diana is already attacking them.
They're probably cursing me right now."
Lex shrugged.
Bruce accepted the tablet, glanced at it, and passed it along.
"Axel, this is exactly what we should be doing."
"What you should be doing, not me."
Axel wagged a finger.
"They just woke up and came to pay their respects.
They brought gifts and showed me respect.
The President hasn't even knelt for me yet.
Besides, they're fully justified in retaliating against the American government.
It was that woman from ARGUS who dug up Enchantress and threatened her with her own heart.
I don't have a reason to target them.
I'm not a good person, buddy. Their respect is enough for me."
Axel considered whether he should intervene.
He didn't care about arguments regarding humanity.
He simply remembered Enchantress's incredible figure.
Seeing him thinking, Lex quickly spoke.
"Axel, even if you promised them land, our world isn't that simple.
If they can't defend their territory themselves, it only proves they lack the strength to keep it.
You don't owe them anything more."
"You're right."
Axel nodded before turning to Zatanna.
"Zatanna."
"I'm here, boss. Want to see a magic show?"
"Haha, I'd rather see you in black stockings. Stop fooling around."
Zatanna rolled her eyes.
"Keep an eye on Israel.
No matter who loses, help them survive.
I made a promise to those siblings, so at least save their lives.
They killed a lot of people, but that's none of my business. My promises matter more than Washington's.
As for Diana, damn it, I actually enjoy it when she curses at me. It gives me a sense of conquest."
Zatanna stared blankly.
Before she could respond, Selina wrapped an arm around her waist.
"See, Zatanna?
Now you know exactly what kind of woman my mister likes.
So stop hiding in bed every night and causing trouble for the maids by hugging pillows between your legs.
Spend more time around him like Diana does, and eventually you'll get your chance."
"Shut up, Catwoman! He's your mister, not mine! And I'm not that kind of woman!"
Zatanna blushed furiously and pinched Selina's waist.
Selina simply laughed and pulled her closer.
Meanwhile, Geralt and Ciri leaned over to study the tablet.
Their eyes widened at the battle unfolding on screen.
"This is exactly what I imagined a battle between gods would look like. Damn."
Geralt quickly looked at Axel.
"Axel, who's stronger, you or them?
From what you said earlier, they all answer to you, right?"
"Answer to me? Not even close, buddy. Every one of them is crazier than the last.
I'm lucky if they don't pull a sword on me.
But honestly, compared to me, they're just playing around.
Let Zatanna watch over them.
Let's continue the party. Alfred just brought out the alcohol."
Axel laughed before grabbing his favorite tequila and drinking straight from the bottle.
Chief Gordon set down the pistol that had numbed his wrist and raised his glass.
"Even though I still feel like I don't belong here, after witnessing the disaster in Washington, I'm grateful Gotham has Wraith and all of you.
I'm satisfied with the peace Gotham enjoys now.
I can never forget watching all of you board that plane that night.
Even if I still think every one of you belongs in prison, I'm grateful you exist.
To every one of you, and to this damn city of Gotham."
"Haha, well said. To Gotham!"
Axel raised his glass and grinned.
"And Chief Gordon, if anyone says you don't know how to flatter people, I'll argue with them.
That speech even made Bruce smile."
"I'm not old yet, Axel."
"I think Axel is right," Clark said with a grin. "You're young, but you act like an old man. To Gotham, and to Batman's permanently serious face."
"To all of us!"
Clark enthusiastically emptied his glass.
Watching everyone celebrate, Martha looked at her son with emotion.
Clark, who had once felt like an anomaly, had finally found people who accepted him.
At last, she could truly put her worries to rest.
===
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