There is no Batman in Gotham City comics.

Chapter 214, Section 111: Thomas's Real Plan

This is absolutely insane!

Although he didn't say anything, Oswald was utterly shocked.

The highest levels of the court are actually a bunch of Bruces! Weren't they supposed to be made up of wealthy businessmen and politicians? Weren't they supposed to be a group of cultists lured by "eternal life"? Why are what I see and hear completely different!

How the hell is this supposed to be explained?!

"You seem to have a lot of questions."

The barn owl saw through Oswald's mind.

"Thomas Elliott, our Creator, had already thoroughly corrupted the Court of Owls two years ago, just as the Court of Owls corrupted Gotham."

"What the hell is the purpose of this? Why create such a bunch of 'Wei' clones?"

"I think he must be trying to break free from the control his family of origin had over him."

The barn owl, who had inherited all of Thomas's memories, smiled wryly.

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: ①⓪①ⓚⓚⓢ.ⓒⓞⓜ]

"After he took his seat at the round table, he used a series of schemes to eliminate most of the court's high-ranking officials, including even his own parents."

"Though Thomas had achieved his goal, he was left feeling empty and lost, until Bruce, in a wheelchair, came into his view. And we were merely some kind of tool for him to amuse Bruce."

"That's hellish enough."

The little penguin couldn't imagine what it would be like if it were paralyzed and sitting in a wheelchair, surrounded by five or six clones with all four limbs intact, laughing hysterically.

But then he seized upon the biggest mystery in the whole story: how to explain the blood oath between the three families and that mysterious tumor? With so many Bruces, you shouldn't lack blood to sustain you, so why are you still obsessed with the male Wayne family?

"Because Thomas had no intention of supporting Him," nor was he willing to expend energy on a foolish plan for immortality. However, he wasn't the only force within the court; the Dispute Arbitration Tribunal was not under the jurisdiction of the Round Table, and they were still faithfully carrying out the court's original objectives.

The barn owl revealed the most crucial part of the plan, and the final answer became clear.

Oswald licked his dry lips: "So—Thomas is using us, using Wei to eliminate dissidents?"

"Yes, our creator is a clever and cunning person, and that is why we are willing to be manipulated and played by him."

When the barn owl said these words, a lingering sense of loss was evident in its brow.

Although they shared the same experiences and lives as the creator Thomas, the gap in their intelligence and strategy was as vast as an insurmountable chasm, large enough to make these self-important souls lower their proud heads.

"One last question, what makes Thomas so sure that Will—I mean Bruce—will win?"

"It's simple, because the Creator has never lost to anyone in his life, except for this man, Bruce Wayne."

"Of course, this part of the memory also exists in our minds."

Next, the barn owl recounts a version of events completely different from Thomas's (the one from Wayne Manor) recollections.

In his true memories, young Elliott never defeated Bruce Wayne, whether in games, chess, or physical ability. In his own words, "Bruce deserves an indelible credit for my achievements."

So when Bruce Wayne remained elegant amidst the jeers and laughter of the six clones, Elliott realized that this was the perfect person he was looking for to deliver a devastating blow to the Court of Owls from the outside.

So, six months ago, he allowed Thomas to rescue Qin Wei from the life support pod, which became the opening of the story. Later, he pushed the trump card, Chatosan Tana, into Qin Wei's hands, foreshadowing the climax of the story.

He firmly believed that Bruce Wayne would seize the opportunity.

Qin Wei did not disappoint him.

Everything proceeded smoothly according to the Creator's plan, the only thing that made him uneasy was the Joker's interference.

Originally, the Creator only needed to stand with Qin Wei and share the spoils of victory, but now, with Bane's loss of control, the outcome is becoming increasingly unpredictable as it continues to shift.

"The Creator's plan is about to succeed. It is foreseeable that after tonight, Bruce Wayne will become a powerful figure in Gotham, and we will become scapegoats to take the blame for the court and the Creator. Therefore, after discussion, we intend to betray the Creator and declare war on him."

The barn owl reached out its hand to Oswald.

"Therefore, I implore you to accompany us as Bruce's friend, to uncover the Creator's conspiracy. Although we do not know where he is, we are certain that he is lurking among Bruce's people."

"Do you have any evidence for what you just said?" Oswald was not swayed by one-sided statements and, after a moment's thought, posed this thought-provoking question.

"Unfortunately, no."

"Please forgive my refusal, but you cannot prove whether the Creator truly exists. If I were to rashly agree, it would be tantamount to turning against a close friend."

Upon hearing this, the barn owl sighed and shook his head; he had no intention of pressuring Oswald.

Right now, the Creator Thomas wants to make them scapegoats and put them in the spotlight. If they choose to tear off the mask and take Oswald hostage at this critical juncture, then they will truly become the villains.

The good news is that the immortal claw, Uriah Boone, has always stood firmly behind the Round Table.

The loyal old claw had lost all those to serve, and looking around, he found only a few scapegoats abandoned by the Creator, maintaining the last vestiges of dignity for the court.

In fact, when he smelled the Wayne family's scent on the barn owl (foreshadowing resolved in chapter 99), he had already sensed something was amiss, but he had no choice. Claw's mission was to obey, even knowing that a hungry, vengeful demon was waiting for him.

As the primal claw, Uriah's hands are stained with the blood of Native Americans, and fate will lead him to meet Chato.

"Mr. Cobblestone, thank you for listening to me for so long. If we unfortunately fail, please tell Bruce Wayne this story verbatim. We should never have been born into this world, nor do we want to die burdened with sins that are not our own."

The barn owl bowed deeply to Oswald before putting its mask back on.

Even after the footsteps of the group had completely disappeared, Oswald was still in shock.

The Court of Owls, initially thought to be the mastermind, turned out to be the target of their schemes. If what these people said is true, then Thomas Elliott, the "Creator," is indeed a formidable opponent.

Regardless of whether it's true or not, Little Penguin thinks this message should be passed on to Qin Wei.

But as the riots escalated, most of Gotham City's base stations were destroyed, and all he could pull out was a cell phone with no signal.

"Hoo--Wei, I can't help you anymore. You have to figure everything out for yourself."

He rubbed his throbbing head.