Chapter 107: The Curtain Falls—A Desolate End as Everyone Disperses

The Second Street Parkour Championship—also known as the “Operation Capture Batman”—unfortunately lasted only a short while before being suspended due to a torrential downpour.

No matter who they were, no one could endure such harsh weather for long. Rain seeped into their armor, iron boots grew heavy, and the sheets of rain blurred everything beyond ten yards.

Thus ended the fourth season of Batman’s performances. Compared to the first three seasons, this event had a far-reaching impact. Since it took place in the afternoon, there were more eyewitnesses, and his audacious display atop the heights drew the gaze of the masses. Conservatives deemed him utterly evil, yet many with livelier spirits found themselves deeply moved.

That proud defiance, that call for freedom from shackles, echoed with the classic line, “You’re right, but I refuse!”—the memory of a generation’s “Batman” was spreading, his influence steadily growing, becoming ever more widely known.

...

Meanwhile, as the operation to capture Batman was halted by the rain, the most severe crime of recent years—the Vivaldi Bank Heist—also reached a turning point. The entire Squirrel Gang escaped through the sewers.

When the city guards surrounding the bank sensed something was amiss and stormed inside, it was too late to intercept. Shortly after pursuing them into the sewers, the storm’s heavy rains caused sewage to backflow, tragically claiming the lives of several guards.

Of the forty-three hostages, all thirteen women survived, while all the men were beheaded by the Squirrel Gang.

The bank lost over half its gold reserves, and since Goran Vivaldi had already been stripped of management rights, under financial protection laws, Tamoria was obliged to compensate the Vivaldi family for half the losses.

Such a grave and malicious event demanded accountability—the king’s fury was certain to be unleashed.

...

On the second floor of the temporary command center, in the room where the bard—and simultaneously Batman—was held, royal advisor Calamez slowly withdrew the dissipating waves of her magic, a contemplative expression crossing her face.

Some of Thaler’s subordinates remained in the room, still investigating the scene.

“Huh! There’s a handcuff key in the toilet?”

“How strange. Both the handcuffs and leg irons were taken, yet the key was left behind.”

Frowning, sensing the matter was more complicated than it appeared, Calamez quietly made a note of it and strode downstairs.

Stopping before the command room, the female sorceress heard the voice of Lily Knight Roderick inside: “...I report to all that, regrettably, our mission to capture Batman failed due to the heavy rain. The Royal Guard Knights shall bear full responsibility.

“Princess Yada, exhausted and drenched, has returned to the palace to bathe and rest and will not be attending today.”

Calamez raised an eyebrow. “A rather convenient escape. This way, Princess Yada, by being absent, evades most responsibility for the bank heist’s final outcome.

“I wonder if that little vixen thought of this when she leapt out the window to pursue him? Or, as Triss said, she’s a cunning fox in disguise, masquerading as a willful bitch?”

“I understand. Is there anything else to add, Roderick?” Veliread’s voice was low and calm, unreadable in emotion.

The Lily Knight bowed deeply, silent. To be the right hand of King Tamoria, Mayor Veliread was undoubtedly a capable bureaucrat, not to be underestimated.

Pushing open the door, five men’s gazes gathered on Calamez. The composed sorceress returned their looks in turn—Veliread, the Lily Knight, the Rose Knight, Captain Vincent—until her eyes landed on Director Thaler, prompting her to burst into a rude laugh.

Despite the deep hatred many nobles bore toward him, they usually ignored his existence; yet now, seeing the King’s Eye in such a sorry state, they were willing to set aside hostility and offer a few words of comfort.

Thaler’s eyes were both blackened, his nose bruised from a punch, having endured six blows in total, three of which struck his face. This Dark Knight clearly knew well the tactic of hitting the face first.

The sorceress suddenly longed to meet this Batman. Those who had seen him said his muscles were enticing, but his “black hands”—his skill in hand-to-hand combat—were more interesting than his physique.

“My dear Lady Calamez, don’t be too quick to mock our esteemed intelligence director. First, tell us the results!” Veliread himself smiled as he spoke.

To leave the King’s Eye with bruised eyes but no lasting harm—that Dark Knight had handled things with flair, striking just the right balance. Anyone who despised Thaler found it most pleasing.

Aside from the king and the Blue-Clad Iron Guard, no one in this country favored the intelligence bureau. Thaler had long grown accustomed to such hostility, so he simply echoed Veliread’s words, “Lady Calamez, what are the results?”

“You detected my magic, nothing else. No one else cast spells in that room today besides me. The Batman of Vigima City is not a spellcaster,” the sorceress declared proudly.

Hearing this, the five men simultaneously exhaled in relief. It was good news that he was not a spellcaster; it meant fewer complications.

Since the Shenide Island incident, loyalty and control over mages had been a sensitive matter. Anything involving them was never trivial, and the king always took special interest.

“Thank you, Lady Calamez. Now, let us resume our earlier discussion regarding the Batman’s warrant,” the Lily Knight began. “The princess’s intent is for the Batman to be handed over to us, the Royal Guard Knights. The lily emblem needs more training to shine, and capturing him is our path to redeeming our honor.

“Moreover, given his habit of committing crimes masked, a public warrant is meaningless. Without knowing his face, posting his costume only serves to boost his notoriety.”

Rubbing his bald head, Veliread concluded, “Then the Batman’s affair is entrusted to the Lily Knight and the Royal Guard Knights. If there is nothing else, dismissed!”

“Please wait, gentlemen, one more matter,” Thaler, whose image had been shattered by the Dark Knight, spoke with a thick nasal voice. “I request a warrant for Victor Corion. This bard took advantage of the chaos caused by Batman’s appearance to vanish without a trace.

“As for the Vivaldi Bank Heist, I believe he is a key figure. I hope you all assist the intelligence bureau in pursuing him throughout Tamoria.”

The atmosphere in the command room turned peculiar at his words.

After a moment of silence, Siegfried spoke first, “The Flame Rose Knights will not issue a warrant for Victor. You have yet to prove any accusations against him; I even believe... he left out of fear of your constant slander.” Saying this, he turned and exited.

The Rose Knight’s reaction was expected by the director. His main hope was to gain support from either the Mayor of Vigima or the Captain of the City Guards; with either’s backing, a nationwide manhunt would be feasible.

However, Vincent shook his head. “He has always been a law-abiding citizen in my eyes—speaking appropriately, acting appropriately. I do not consider him a criminal.”

He nodded to Mayor Veliread, signaling his stance to his superior.

Witnessing this, Thaler’s heart sank. Then Veliread spoke: “If he were in your custody today, feel free to interrogate him as you please. But since he is gone, let him be! I do not care, nor will I issue a warrant for him.”

With that, the mayor left first, Vincent following. The Lily Knight chuckled softly and trailed behind, leaving only one phrase behind: “Princess Yada just invited him to perform recently.”

In the blink of an eye, the luxurious room was left with only Thaler and the sorceress.

Calamez smiled cheerfully at the intelligence director’s shaking head. “An excellent observer and interrogator, but your political acumen is failing.

“You actually expect Veliread to tell the public that the dragonborn poet whom the king personally welcomed days ago is a bandit accomplice? You do have a sense of humor.”

She cast a spell to open a portal. “But then again, if you understood politics, you’d likely have been executed by the king long ago.”

With a rumbling sound, the portal closed, and Calamez returned to her rose-petal-filled hot bath.

In the temporary command center, the fire still burned brightly, but Thaler felt a chill deep within his heart.