Chapter 163: The Long Easter (Part Three)_1

"Now it seems they're angry." Cobblepot sneers as he looks out at the pouring rain, and Shiller says to him: "I think you should know, Gordon has received a number of patients whose symptoms are similar to yours. Looks like your sickness has something to do with the rain."

Shiller shakes his head, "In terms of mental illness, it's rare to have two cases that are exactly the same, but now we have more than two."

"We're discussing ways to deal with this. Gotham's drainage situation is not optimistic right now. If this goes on, there will be a flood tonight."

Batman's voice merges with the sound of the rain. Suddenly, there is a flash of light, turning everything in the room pale white, followed by a thunderous rumble from afar. All three look out of the window.

Shiller looks at Batman and says, "I've got a pile of patients and I don't want to bother with this…"

Batman stares at him, not bothered by his refusal. As if certain Shiller has something more to say, he continues: "However, they dared to make me spend a fortune on a low-quality umbrella that was bound to break, and then when I have no umbrella, they made it rain so heavily..."

The rain intensifies outside the window and the thunder muffles their conversation. Closer to the thunder in the distance, Gotham University appears to be enveloped in a pitch-black fog, with only one office lit up and bustling inside.

"Are you sure this distance can channel all the rainwater in this area to a designated height?"

"Look here… we need to pay attention to the water pressure here, if we don't beef up the support structure, it could cause a full-scale collapse of the sewer …"

"We need to carry out a controlled explosion here, yes, I'm sure…"

The professors are all gathered around the desk, discussing amongst themselves. On the surface, they seem to be discussing how to solve Gotham's serious surface water accumulation issue.

Ordinary folks wouldn't last three minutes in such a conversation, with all the engineering and mechanics jargons making anyone feel dizzy.

However, this is far from a joke. Terms related to explosives and engineering keep popping out of their mouths, obviously, this is yet another one of those 'Gotham-style' meetings.

In the Gotham Police Department, Gordon, having just dealt with some mentally unclear criminals, accepts a cup of hot coffee from a young officer. He downs the coffee, goes to sit behind his desk to rest, only to find a shadow appearing behind him.

Gordon turns around and sighs, "Batman, you don't have to make your entrance so surprising every time."

"I need your help, Detective Gordon."

Gordon doesn't respond straight away, but listens to Batman who goes on, "Next, I'll light up the Bat Light at several locations in Gotham. Subsequently, a mob engineering team will arrive to start excavating and digging. You need to dispatch people to ensure their safety."

Gordon's mouth falls open, struggling to find a response. He says, "You're telling me to deploy police officers to protect the mob?"

Turning, he extended his hand to Batman. "Fine, if this is about dealing with that mysterious organization, and we need to work together, fine, I get it-- but are you sure that the mob needs us to protect them?"

Batman's tone is serious as he says: "This precaution is to prepare for any potential sudden attacks, the heavy firepower of the police is going to be crucial."

"Can you tell me the plan? I need to ensure the safety of my subordinates."

Batman shakes his head, "Do you still remember that nursery rhyme? 'Court of Owls, watching your every move…'"

A chill runs down Gordon's back. Instinctively, he looks around his office but finds no ammunition to refute Batman. When it comes to mysterious powers, Gordon can't be certain he's not being watched.

"I can assure you, this plan is effective."

Gordon looks at him, and finally Batman says, "Because I am Batman."

The clouds are thickening, and the raindrops hit the ground with full force. Amidst this relentless downpour, a buzzing sound comes followed by several rows of dazzling lights lighting up across Gotham.

From the floor-to-ceiling windows of an Arkham Psychiatric Hospital ward, Shiller sees multiple bat patterns being projected into the pitch-black night sky.

Amid the rumbling spring thunder, the static bat lights seem to come alive in the refracted rain, soaring like seagulls in the storm, with magnificent momentum that breaks through the darkness.

Prior to this, the noise of the rain almost drowned out all other sounds, and the clouds swallowed all the lighting. This gigantic city seemed as if someone cast it into an aquarium, sinking in the cold water, sinking further into the abyss.

But, the moment the Bat Light lit up, Gotham, drowned by the heavy rain, sprang back to life. Like a drowning person suddenly transformed into a fearless huge whale, the bubbling noises of people shatter the darkness, the lights ignite impossible things in the water, the bubbles rise, break the surface tension, and there are countless ripples.

In the dark waters of the rainy night, the explosion's flames are more thunderous. Several engineering teams with all sorts of machinery, rumble forward, the lights from the convoy of trucks slice through the curtain of rain, while the sharp whistle sounds signal the boiling night.