novelonline Chapter 2890 When Night Falls (8)
Chapter 2890 When Night Falls (8)
Chapter 2890 When Night Falls (VIII)
Just as Dick was stunned, Batman suddenly walked towards him, and Dick instinctively took two steps back.
Batman stopped in his tracks, he saw fear in Dick's eyes, of course if he was still just his Robin, then Batman could totally understand, because the nonsense he said made Dick think he was going to hit him.
But Dick is now a vampire and can perform magic, and he is almost dying from his injuries.
What is he afraid of?
"He's afraid of Batman." Schiller answered him fluently, as if he had a premonition that Batman was wondering about something.
"Do you think they really don't understand?" Schiller's tone was a little curious. He said, "Do you really think that they don't know the concessions you made for them, that if you were not willing to make even a little concession, they wouldn't be living like this now, and that all their confidence now actually comes from your indulgence?"
"Don't kid yourself, Batman. They know everything. They know they don't stand a chance if you really get serious. And the only thing that can make you turn a blind eye like a sleeping lion is your love for them."
"And in this situation, do you think Dick dares to bet that you still love him?"
Batman felt excruciating pain, as if his internal organs were on fire, but Schiller continued to speak.
"Of course he doesn't dare to gamble, because he has turned into a monster, and his fangs have been pulled out. He poses no threat to you. You have seen his ugly but powerless side, and you have threatened him so harshly. How can he dare to gamble?"
He doesn't even dare to attack me... Batman thought to himself, Dick Grayson was really scared, he could almost hear the sound of hope disappearing in Dick's heart, which made him desperate to do something to save it.
Should he rush over to explain? That would probably only make him retreat further. Besides, Batman really didn't know what to explain, because this was Batman's attitude towards monsters. Unless Dick had the ability to turn back time and return to the time before his transformation, any explanation would seem pale and powerless.
"answer my question."
When Schiller's next words came into his headphones, Batman couldn't believe his ears.
"Do you want to push Dick further? Putting aside any emotional factors, are you really not afraid that he will do something desperate?"
Or did this evil doctor actually intend to let both of them die here?
"Answer my question," Batman repeated in a rather self-deprecating tone, hoping Dick would act quickly.
Dick's arms began to tremble. Under Batman's slightly expectant gaze, he raised his hand, but did nothing. He just reached out and touched the cross hanging around his neck.
"I didn't." Dick choked up and said, "I didn't convert on my own initiative."
"You still haven't answered my question." Schiller's voice overlapped with Batman's. "What I'm asking is whether what you put in is proportional to what you get out."
Dick's expression began to become complicated, and he said: "Of course, I have gained powerful power, more powerful than any of you."
"What did you pay for?"
"Just the identity of a human being."
"Is that really all? Then why are the two of us standing here instead of discussing tactics with the rest of the Bat-Family in the Batcave?"
"What do you want me to say?" Dick looked at Batman with tearful eyes. He took a step forward and said, "You want me to say that I gained such great power by betraying you, but it was not worth it?"
Schiller's answer once again shocked Batman.
"You have to say this, Richard Grayson. This is your last chance."
"So if I don't admit my mistake, you're going to kick me out..."
"...Last chance to live."
Dick was obviously frightened.
Batman clearly saw that his expression and his brain went blank for a moment at the same time, as if they were stuck.
"All punishments in this world are gradual." Batman said: "The opportunity for the punishment of 'leaving your father' has been exhausted. This is the next level."
"You said you would kill me?!" Dick looked into Batman's eyes, as if trying to find evidence of him lying.
Batman has never felt that the opportunity to explain is so precious. This is of course his last chance to explain. He has opened his mouth, but Schiller has given the answer in advance.
"You are in no position to ask me not to do this, Mr. Grayson. Whether from the perspective of a human being, a father, or the leader of the Bat Family, I think I have the power and it is best for me to do so."
"So what are you waiting for?!" Dick roared at him.
"I'm giving you a chance to beg me not to do this."
Batman didn't know how his 37-degree mouth could utter such cold words.
"You want me to beg for mercy?!"
"For all that you stand for, man, son, member of the Bat-Family, this is not an order, this is a gift."
Very good, his mouth could spit out even colder words. Batman used up all his willpower to resist moving his eyes away. He really couldn't look at Dick's eyes filled with tears now. No one could resist hugging him.
Dick seemed to have finally faced the reality. He had betrayed humanity, and as Batman, he should have killed him, but now he gave him a chance. As long as he begged for mercy, he would not do it.
Batman was getting closer to him, and Dick knew he couldn't retreat any further, if his survival instinct took over, he might actually die here.
Batman hugged him, gently stroked the back of his head, and then patted his back, feeling his body temperature transmitting through the armor.
Batman just felt a little relaxed by the warm atmosphere when he heard Schiller speak.
"Tell me that trading my love for you for power is the stupidest thing you've ever done."
"I didn't volunteer..."
"It doesn't matter what happened then. What matters is how you see it now." Batman finally understood what Schiller meant. He no longer needed Schiller's guidance, but spoke from his heart.
"As long as you tell me that this is not worth it and you regret it, I can completely erase this mistake and you won't have to pay any price for this decision... because I am Batman."
Dick's hands slowly climbed up Batman's thick arms, and his fingers gradually tightened, but there was no cloth to grab. However, at the side of the tall figure's neck, the raised head slowly raised its chin, and tears kept flowing down.
Many people will realize at some point in their lives how precious the opportunity is to just admit your mistake and pretend nothing happened.
Dick finally couldn't hold back his sobs and started crying loudly. He almost turned himself into a ball of fire burning in Batman's chest, and Batman really felt that he was about to be burned through.
In his too long life, he had rarely felt such severe pain, and rarely had he been so close to being unable to suppress the anger and murderous intent that was churning in his chest as he was now - towards everyone except Dick.
"It's not worth it..." Dick said hoarsely, "That's not what I want, no..."
Batman didn't know what to say, but luckily he had a savior in his headphones - a savior for now, but not necessarily later.
"You don't have a choice, do you?" Batman asked.
"I said, I didn't... actively convert..." Dick said intermittently: "I didn't want to betray..."
"Very well, how are you going to prove it?"
Oh my god! Batman almost roared in his heart! What else do you want this kid to prove?! Are you still a human being?!
Dick was obviously frozen as well, and all his body movements expressed his confusion.
Batman continued to rub his back and said, "You tried to bite my neck just now."
"But...but my fangs were pulled out..."
"I thought that was your instinctive reaction."
"Stop! Stop talking!" Batman roared in his mind, "Dick is not that kind of person. He is just using that action to show himself that he has been wronged... Wait, so do you want him to say this in person?"
"No! I know it won't hurt you! Don't you think..."
"Aren't you feeling lucky?"
"……what?"
"If you still had those sharp fangs, I wouldn't allow you to get close to my neck like that." Batman ignored Dick's weak struggle and continued to hug him, saying, "Of course I won't hug you like this either."
Wait, there's an obvious logical flaw here, and Batman suddenly thought that he probably wouldn't allow Dick before he became a vampire to get close to his neck in that way, and he almost never hugged him like that.
Dick was very smart. He immediately discovered this loophole, so he muttered to himself: "But when I didn't have fangs, you didn't have fangs either..."
"It's a reward, Dick."
Dick was obviously stunned again, and his brain entered loading mode. If Batman wasn't too close to him, he would have warned Schiller not to instill such perverted ideas into Dick.
Because obviously he had seen the problem.
Before Dick defected, he did not get anything special, but after he changed his ways, he got a so-called reward. So what was this reward for?
Of course, it was a process in which he gained power, but then chose to give up the power. To be more precise, it was a process in which he pulled out his fangs, became docile again, and bowed his head to express his submission to him.
But almost every time, Batman only realized the problem after he opened his mouth according to what Schiller said. It might even be that a series of words made sense when strung together, and he couldn't foresee it before he opened his mouth. He knew Schiller must have done it on purpose.
Dick took a deep breath, tightened his arms around Batman slightly and said, "Is this what you wanted, Batman?"
It's not like I'm crazy, Batman thought.
"Then maybe I should apologize for something else?" Dick said sarcastically: "For leaving you for Blüdhaven..."
"No," Batman said, and then he thought to himself that he had finally said something sensible after all this time.
Then he heard Schiller say.
"This was a mutual decision, Dick, and you can't leave Gotham without my permission, so you don't have to apologize for it."
Dick grabbed Batman's arm with one hand, his chest heaving, his arm trembling, he said: "You can't say that, Batman, I thought you were an upright hero..."
"I am, but only if my dear child does not become a criminal. That will not happen when you go to Bludhaven. Today is different."
Dick gritted his teeth and said, "What's the difference?!"
Batman slowly let him go, looked him in the eyes and said, "You told me you were going to Blüdhaven and become an independent city vigilante. You said so and did so. Although I am dissatisfied with your choice, there is no deception in this."
"But today, Mr. Grayson, can you tell me why you are not afraid of sunlight and holy water?"
Dick's breathing visibly stagnated. It was obvious that he felt tremendous pressure from Batman's inquiring gaze.
"If you had retreated to your house during the day and not shown up at tea, I can assure you that none of this would have happened today."
Batman stepped forward and placed his hand between Dick's neck and shoulders. He looked him in the eyes and said, "But you stood in the sun, drinking tea made with holy water, smiling and saying it was just a little too much sugar."
"Now, tell me, what's the difference?"