Now that his work was done, it was time for Avery to make his exit.
As Avery stood up and prepared to leave, a dark shadow suddenly descended from above, seizing his wrist with a firm grip.
A Wizard, while possessing mental acuity hundreds or even thousands of times greater than the average person, were not as physically formidable. Although Avery's physical abilities were above average, they were insufficient against a truly formidable adversary.
In this case, if Avery were to abandon his magical strengths and engage in physical combat, his defeat would be all but certain.
So, despite sensing Batman's approach moments before, Avery's body wasn't quick enough to react. The delay allowed Gotham's Dark Knight to grab hold of him.
The one restraining him was none other than Batman.
How the detective had pieced together clues so quickly was anyone's guess, but Avery couldn't help feeling relieved that he had maintained his previous life's appearance. Otherwise, this encounter would have been a full-blown disaster.
"Who are you, and why did you take Harvey Dent?" Batman demanded, his sharp eyes scrutinizing the unfamiliar yet strikingly handsome white-haired man before him. His gaze carried equal parts suspicion and menace.
Avery smiled faintly, raising a brow as though entirely unfazed by the Dark Knight's intimidation.
"Speak!" Batman ordered, tightening his grip slightly.
Avery sighed, feigning resignation. "Alright, I'll tell you. I actually..." He began, leaning closer under Batman's wary gaze. Slowly, he brought his face within mere inches of Batman's, his voice deliberately trailing off.
Then, with startling swiftness, Avery pressed a kiss to Batman's lips.
The Dark Knight recoiled in shock, his instincts urging him to fling Avery away. But the moment he realized such a reaction might provide his opponent with an escape opportunity, he halted.
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
A single second might seem fleeting to the average person, but to warriors like Batman and wizard like Avery, it was more than enough to make critical decisions.
Breaking free from Batman's iron grip, Avery wasted no time casting a spell, vanishing from the room in an instant. As a mere mortal, Batman had no means of tracking him.
Batman stood silently, staring at the spot where Avery had disappeared. His gaze lingered for a long time before shifting to the unconscious Harvey Dent lying on the bed. His eyes settled on Harvey's now fully restored face.
Amid the heavy silence, Batman's eyes narrowed as his mind churned with unanswered questions.
...
It's remarkable how quickly Batman managed to show up.
Then again, if Bruce Wayne weren't such an exceptional person, Avery wouldn't have taken such a particular interest in him—let alone ended up in bed with him.
Avery hurried back to his room in Wayne Manor, slipping out of his white robe as he entered. He looked at his familiar yet unfamiliar face in the mirror, feeling some gratification in his heart.
Harvey Dent's recovery should now be complete. The risk of a relapse was almost nonexistent. In time, Harvey would be able to return to his original position as District Attorney under an appropriate pretense. There would be no evidence linking him to the murder he'd committed—no one could prove it. As long as Harvey didn't fall into self-destruction, no one could dislodge him from his seat of power.
Now, Avery could focus on his plans with the government.
But before that...
A cold glint flashed through Avery's violet eyes.
The Court of Owls needed to be eradicated first. He couldn't risk leaving Gotham vulnerable to any disruptions he didn't personally endorse during his absence.
After ensuring Harvey Dent was safe, Batman informed Commissioner Gordon of Harvey's location, allowing the beleaguered police force to retrieve him. Batman lingered just long enough to act as an unseen bodyguard until the police arrived, ensuring nothing more could harm Harvey in the interim. Only after Gordon and his men arrived did the Dark Knight silently disappear into the shadows.
But one question still lingered.
Who was that man?
The thought of that mysterious figure haunted him. The white-robed, long-haired man with striking violet eyes. His beauty and calm demeanor were etched into Batman's mind as a puzzle demanding answers.
Why had he healed Harvey's injuries? Why did he hide the evidence of Harvey's crime? What was his ultimate goal in doing all this?
And then…
Recalling that figure's methods before leaving, Batman's expression darkened further. The method of escape—that particular technique—seemed eerily similar to someone else he know very well.
Avery.
Wizards were extraordinarily rare. Even with his extensive travels, Batman had only ever encountered one—his own butler, Avery. For another to appear in Gotham, let alone two in quick succession, was an anomaly too great to ignore.
Why Gotham? Why now?
His face impassive, the Dark Knight pondered in silence. The weight of his thoughts remained locked away from the outside world.
For now, Harvey Dent's case had reached a temporary conclusion. At least there was no longer a risk of loss of life. Everyone seemed to be concerned about the District Attorney's survival. The missing criminal, on the other hand, was a different story. Even if that man were to disappear forever, few would shed tears. Still, protocol demanded the police make a token effort to locate him.
But Batman's work was far from over.
He still needed to confront the threat posed by the Court of Owls. Gotham's chaos couldn't be allowed to spiral unchecked.
Under the night sky, Batman moved through Gotham, a rare headache gnawing at him.
Even for Batman, the relentless, sleepless nights were starting to wear him down. He was, after all, only human, albeit one far stronger and more resilient than most.
Back at Wayne Manor for a brief rest, Batman took in his surroundings: Alfred, the father figure who'd raised him; Dick, his adopted son practicing jiu-jitsu; and finally, his lover, Avery.
Lover…
Batman's intense gaze fell on Avery, who, sensing the scrutiny, turned to meet his eyes.
"You haven't been out tonight, have you?" Batman asked.
Has he noticed something?