Chapter 27: The Rights Advocacy Group

The two continued walking forward. Amidst the wreckage, Roland managed to capture several more survivors, but they were merely low-level gang members, and he failed to extract any useful leads from them.

This might have been related to Roland’s relatively gentle interrogation style. It was strange; even though he knew Batman was usually far more brutal when questioning criminals, Roland always felt a bit constrained whenever Bruce was around.

"You seem tense," Bruce suddenly asked.

"Of course. This is the highest-paying job I’ve ever had," Roland replied earnestly.

"…Keep up the good work. I don't delay salary payments," Bruce said.

"If you do, I’m going to team up with Poison Ivy to form a labor rights group and take down the Wayne family’s assets together."

"…Don’t joke about that." Bruce imagined Roland and Poison Ivy joining forces—one with physical attacks and the other with magical ones—and realized it would be a major headache.

As they chatted while walking, they soon came across the remains of the legendary photographer, Diane Gilden.

"Good grief, this is practically pulverized. It’s going to be a real nightmare for the coroner," Roland lamented.

Bruce leaned down, picked something up, sniffed it, and examined it closely, his brow furrowing.

"Did you find something?" Roland asked.

"It was RDX explosive," Bruce said after a moment of silence.

"That’s a famous explosive, though the amount used was quite small. Otherwise, the whole building would have been leveled," Roland said, feeling a lingering sense of fear. "I’ll have to be more careful in the future; I shouldn't watch the show from this close."

"How many people are still alive on this floor?" Bruce asked as he stood up.

"Aside from the gunmen I just knocked out, there isn't a soul left breathing on this level," Roland replied.

"Then let’s go. I need to look for clues elsewhere," Bruce said.

"Hey, how about you take me along?" Roland said quickly. "You know how things are on my end—so many mouths to feed. Let me earn a little extra cash..."

"…Fine," Bruce said after a brief silence.

Roland sent Jason back first, then accompanied Batman in a luxury car to Wayne Manor.

"Good day, Father Roland. The young master often speaks of you," Alfred said, serving Roland a cup of coffee while Batman went to prepare his gear. "Please, enjoy."

"Many thanks." Roland downed the coffee in one gulp and stood up. Batman, now fully armored, signaled to him, and the two climbed into the Batmobile and sped off.

"If this were Robin, wouldn't he be a bit old for the role?" Alfred murmured to himself, watching them leave.

"Is it really okay for Batman to be out in broad daylight?" Roland asked.

"I simply don't rest at night; that doesn't mean Batman cannot appear during the day," Batman replied. "The only reason I appear at night so often is because criminals generally choose to commit their crimes then."

"I see." Roland nodded. "So, where are we heading now?"

"The Cobblepot estate. I’ve gathered some intelligence suggesting the Penguin is likely smuggling high-grade explosives into Gotham City," Batman explained. "We’re going to go ask him about it."

"I see." Roland offered a silent moment of mourning for the Penguin; heaven only knows how many more times he would have to endure such interrogations in the future.

"By the way, you should find a mask to cover your face to avoid unnecessary trouble," Batman said. "There’s a Robin mask to your right."

"I think I’ll pass." Roland shook his head. That Robin mask was just too bizarre; his aesthetic sensibilities couldn't handle it. "Do you have a spare Batman mask?"

"Not in the car," Batman replied.

"In that case…" Roland spotted a party supply store not far ahead. "Pull over. I’m going to go buy a mask there."

Soon, Batman watched as Roland climbed back into the car dressed as the Joker.

"…Tell me, why?" Batman’s facial muscles tightened. "Why?"

"Look, the shop was out of masks, but they had face paint. I figured… this was the only choice left, so I had to dress up as the Joker."

"I would have preferred you dressed up as the red-faced Guan Yu fighting at Changsha!" Batman’s temple throbbed with visible veins.

"It’s not that bad, it’s not that bad…"

Iceberg Lounge

It wasn't mealtime, so there were few guests, but the restaurant staff remained diligent, standing at their posts and preparing for service.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and two uninvited guests burst in.

One wore a bat-themed bodysuit with a cape trailing behind him.

The other was dressed in garish, colorful clothes, his face smeared with Joker greasepaint.

Everyone present stared at them, their eyes filled with utter disbelief.

"Where is Cobblepot? I’m looking for him," Batman said calmly, his voice low and carrying an inexplicable sense of pressure.

"You’re looking for me?" The Penguin appeared above them, walking slowly down the stairs. "Bat-freak, what do you want?"

However, when he saw Roland beside Batman, a flash of surprise crossed his face.

"Is that any way to talk to my boss?" Roland vaulted upward, reaching the Penguin in a few strides. With a downward strike, he knocked away the Penguin's umbrella and locked him in a chokehold.

"Release Mr. Cobblepot!" Instantly, dozens of guns were aimed at Roland.

"Let me go!" the Penguin spat coldly. "Otherwise, you won't leave this place alive!"

"Trying to scare me?" Roland said dismissively. "Just them? Unless they’re all holding machine guns, it’s unlikely they’ll take me out."

"…You really do love to boast," the Penguin said, momentarily stunned.

"Besides, I didn't come alone…"

Suddenly, Batman moved. While everyone’s attention was fixed on Roland, he launched his attack.

Batarangs whizzed through the air. Every gunman present felt a chill on their hands, and moments later, they were unable to grip their weapons.

"Let’s go find a quiet place to talk," Batman said. "Where is your office?"

"It’s… it’s this way…" The Penguin felt the pressure on his throat increase and quickly pointed the way.

"Good. Let’s go." The three walked into the Penguin’s office together.

The furnishings were highly sophisticated, exuding an air of luxury and high society that made Roland, a total country bumpkin, click his tongue in wonder.

"What’s this?" Roland picked up a penguin brooch.

"It’s a Mikimoto 'Wild and Wonderful' series penguin brooch, featuring a Baroque pearl," the Penguin explained.

*I didn't expect this guy with Batman to be so ignorant and greedy. Can I use this to my advantage?* The Penguin began to scheme.

"Oh, wow, it’s beautiful." Roland tucked the brooch into his pocket and then picked up a jade penguin. "And what about this one?"