American comics: From Hogwarts to God on Earth

Chapter 502 Rune's Malicious Intentions

The Joker's interruption did not prevent Batman from answering.

"If I really could kill people so easily, as the Joker says, then if I can kill a murderer, I can naturally kill a rapist, and if I can kill a rapist, I certainly wouldn't mind killing some thieves."

His gaze fell on Catwoman. Selena could see the love hidden deep in Batman's eyes, but when she brought up Batman's words, Catwoman felt a chill run down her spine.

She understood Bruce's meaning: once the moral decline begins, it never ends. Today, Batman might kill a criminal because "it's the right thing to do," but next time, the reason might be "it's relatively the right thing to do."

But one day, Batman might kill criminals simply because "it's more convenient."

Batman gave Catwoman a deep look, then shifted his gaze to Jason across from him. Even when Jason was still his Robin, Bruce had given him quite a headache.

When Batman came to Crime Alley to mourn his parents, Jason single-handedly removed two tires from the Batmobile, and when discovered, he calmly swung a crowbar at him.

Bruce recognized Jason's talent and aggression. He realized that if he didn't guide him onto the right path, Jason was destined to become a gangster and die in some brawl.

He thought he was doing it for Jason's own good, but the result was that when Jason was only fifteen years old, he was captured and tortured by Gotham City's most insane criminal. Jason's bones were shattered by a crowbar, and he lay in a pool of blood, covered in wounds, waiting for a figure who, this time, would not arrive in time.

"You—you deserve revenge, you do, Jason, but I cannot taint everything you fought for with killing. I just want to make sure that no child ever suffers your fate because of Gotham's madness."

7

Finally, Batman responded in a low voice, "Son, I miss you so much, every day—"

Suddenly, Batman's eyes widened. He suddenly understood something and turned his gaze to Rune. "You!"

Rune smiled, then nodded, confirming Batman's guess. "Yes, I used a little magic to allow you to speak."

As he spoke, Rune scanned everyone present and deliberately asked, "Look, everyone is actually very happy. We're all family. We need to be open and honest, expressing our regrets and apologies. That's how we maintain family harmony, don't you all agree?"

If Rune hadn't used magic, Batman, with his stubborn and unyielding nature, would never have revealed his true thoughts.

At most, he'll just say, "Because I'm Batman!" and then leave the rest of the people to guess what he's thinking.

In fact, Batman's true feelings rendered Jason's revenge meaningless. Cracks began to appear in the expression beneath his mask, twisted by hatred. The mad killing intent receded like a tide, revealing an incredulous bewilderment beneath.

Jason stared intently at the man so close to him, as if trying to see right through him.

"you----"

Jason wanted to say something—his anger, his grievances, his pain—he had so much to say, but in the end, he could only squeeze out a broken syllable.

All his anger and hatred were based on one principle: Batman's principles were above his own life.

Jason naturally interpreted it as cold-bloodedness and betrayal. Does Batman really value the abstract concept of principles more than himself, a living, breathing human being?

But Bruce's answer turned everything upside down.

He had always thought that Bruce had made the choice to give up on himself, but at this moment he realized that for Bruce, it was never a choice, but the bottom line for survival.

Once broken, Batman will no longer be Batman, and Gotham will lose its last line of defense and plunge into the abyss.

Tragically, Jason actually understood this feeling.

Lei Xiaogu had also been imparting the ideology of the Assassin's Guild to him. He once said that the Assassin's Guild's creation of the plague to plunder Rome and the burning of London to the ground were not for killing and plundering, but to cleanse the corrupt civilization and restore the balance of the world.

"We are the bottom line of civilization. Anyone who tries to cross us will be cut off and abandoned. That is the meaning of the League of Assassins, Jason. But your father chose a more difficult path. He is trying to become a tinkerer to save a fallen city—"

When Lei Xiaogu said this, his face was filled with a complex expression that was a mixture of satisfaction, regret, and resentment.

"So, I died for nothing, didn't I?" Jason finally managed to gather his words, his voice trembling with tears. He had never truly left that dark warehouse; even now, he remained that wounded boy.

Batman was speechless.

The battle ended just like that.

It wasn't because Jason was defeated, but because the entire world he had always relied on—a world built on hatred—collapsed in the face of Batman's words. Jason lost his reason to fight and fell into confusion.

Jason took one last look at the people present, who had once been his friends and family, but he had hurt them all because of this pointless revenge.

"The League of Assassins is trying to detonate a nuclear bomb and destroy Gotham. Goodbye, Batman," he concluded.

Jason then ran straight to the edge of Wayne Tower, climbed over the railing, and jumped down.

Batman immediately rushed forward, trying to grab his clothes, but he failed. Just as he was stunned, a huge black hang glider soared into the sky.

Selena looked up and saw a striking red color that was so glaring.

"It's Jason."

Batman nodded, watching Jason until his figure disappeared on the distant horizon, then looked at the Flash.

At this moment, Barry was still taking tissues from Rune and wiping away his tears. Although he didn't fully understand the background of the story, he was still moved by the sincere feelings between Batman and Jason.

"Do me a favor, Barry."

Barry immediately patted his chest. "Of course, leave it to me! What kind of help?"

Batman coldly replied, "Help me take care of that nuclear bomb from the League of Assassins. I still have a score to settle with Lei Xiaogu and his gang."

Batman can accept Jason's attacks on him, no matter how much reasoning Jason gives. A betrayal is a betrayal, and this is what Bruce owes Jason. Deep down, he even feels a little relieved.

He finally has a chance to make amends for his mistakes. He wants to be with Jason, but before that, Batman has to deal with the bastard who desecrated the soul of a hero.

When Batman said he wanted to settle accounts, he deliberately glared at Rune. Clearly, he was unhappy with Rune's interference in his mind, but considering the outcome was acceptable, Batman didn't say anything more.

Rune rolled his eyes. "Remember, you owe me another favor! And remember the payment you promised me before."

""

Batman remained silent, but like Jason, he leaped off the Tower of Wayne. Seeing his action, Harley leaned close to Rune and asked, "They—uh, do they all dislike taking the stairs?"