Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics-Chapter 4427 - 3515: Research on Cats and Dogs (26)

The pale knight's expression softened slightly. It's unclear whether he accepted Superman's statement or was satisfied with their proactive apology attitude, but in any case, he no longer looked grim.

"As the mayor, I must say, Gotham welcomes every visitor. I hope you enjoy your stay here, but the prerequisite is that you do not break the law or cause too much commotion, creating security risks."

The words were all good, but coming from someone with that face made them strange. Batman, used to observing micro-expressions to gather information, preferred to keep his head down and look at the food on his plate, not wanting to glance at the pale knight.

Superman, of course, felt slightly better, considering it's not him who faces the Joker every day, and since the pale knight wasn't wearing that terrifying makeup, he was more accepting.

The pale knight was elegant in manner and witty in conversation, and he had quite a few insights into Gotham's tourism industry. Superman and he seemed to be getting along well.

This situation clearly made Batman feel extremely uncomfortable, though he didn't know why he felt that way. He just couldn't taste the food at all.

Finally, as they were reaching the end of the meal, the pale knight stood up to take a phone call. Batman quickly nudged Superman with his elbow.

Superman understood his intent; Batman wanted him to use his Super Hearing to listen to the contents of the pale knight's call.

"...What? Why did this happen? Chief Gordon has already gone over. Okay, make sure to remind him to preserve physical samples. I'm going to arrange for road closures so the ambulances can arrive quickly."

Superman's eyebrows gradually furrowed. Batman looked at him, and Superman quietly told him a few words. Although Batman also slightly furrowed his brows, his expression was noticeably more relaxed than before.

"It seems this odd mayor is encountering some trouble," Batman said to Superman, "and solving troubles just happens to be our specialty."

"Are you sure?" Superman asked, looking at him, "No need to care about Metropolis anymore?"

"It seems Metropolis doesn't need us much," Batman stood up, but quickly sat down again, saying, "I think Gotham needs us more."

Superman could tell that Batman wanted to regain some dignity in front of the Joker Mayor, but he did not expose him and instead nodded with a smile, saying, "Alright, he'll definitely come to you for help later. After all, you are Batman."

The pale knight indeed had such momentum because in his universe, Batman was somewhat useful, at least in the detective aspect, he could still be helpful.

He hastily returned with his phone, intending to say something but paused, then looked at Batman and said, "Okay, Mr. Batman, your travel plans need to be put on hold for now. We've encountered some trouble and might need your help."

Batman straightened his collar—the inner lining of his bat suit was a tight suit with no collar to adjust, but he still completed the full gesture and nodded reservedly.

The meal was cleared away, but they remained seated at the table. Batman began by saying, "Let's first discuss what's happening."

"Just now, I received a call from the president of Gotham University. He told me that almost half of the faculty members showed symptoms of food poisoning at tonight's banquet. In addition to vomiting and diarrhea, there are cases of blurred consciousness, delirium, and rambling, and they are being sent to the hospital now."

"Food poisoning?" Superman was the first to show concern over this issue.

And Batman's focus was obviously different from others; he asked, "Banquet? Today isn't a holiday, what's the occasion for a banquet at the university?"

"It's a gratitude banquet hosted personally by a professor who previously worked at Gotham University and has returned to take up a position."

"Professor..." Batman repeated the word.

He suddenly recalled that when he previously heard the Justice League in this universe chatting, they seemed to mention a certain "Professor," could it be him?

"What is the name of the professor who has resumed his position?"

"Jonathan Crane."

Truthfully, this name didn't surprise Batman much, after all, the Joker was already standing as the mayor in front of him, so what problem is there with Scarecrow working as a professor at Gotham University?

Or rather, Scarecrow seemed to have initially been a professor, so it made sense for him to now work at Gotham University.

But a food poisoning incident? It didn't sound like Scarecrow's style.

Batman silently speculated in his mind.

From the earlier tone of the Justice League, it seemed this so-called professor had a good relationship with them, and he seemed to be the mentor of this universe's Bruce Wayne, highly familiar with Diana and Clark.

In this world where the Joker could reform to become mayor, Scarecrow becoming a mentor and friend of the Justice League didn't seem so remarkable either.

Moreover, from Batman's understanding of Scarecrow, he generally wouldn't use such a superficial method of poisoning food as a tactic.

In a normal person's view, poisoning food or drink is the simplest way to administer poison, with a high chance of success and once hit, difficult to save.

Conversely, the gas-based poisons Scarecrow concocts aren't especially practical, requiring stringent conditions for concentration and spatial airtightness, making them less usable.

Yet Scarecrow continued using this approach because he was an arrogant genius. He felt if he could use the most challenging, least practical method to poison, and still manage to lay low the world's greatest detective, that would be impressive.

Therefore, he had always been devoted to studying fear gas, instead of exploring how to poison food and drink in a restaurant.

If this universe's Scarecrow were the same, he wouldn't choose this mundane method, in his view, to deal with some university teachers who were neither superheroes nor unique characters.

Batman leaned toward the belief that Jonathan might be framed, someone deliberately using chemical poisoning to blame him, but because they weren't that skilled, they couldn't replicate fear gas, and thus resorted to the relatively simpler method of poisoning food and water.

And if speaking of motivations, Batman couldn't help but think about the current situation in Metropolis.

The fact that the invaders haven't shown themselves for such a long time indicates they should have abandoned frontal attacks, or they don't plan to start with a grand showdown, rather seeking to stir trouble quietly to weaken the Justice League before making a move.

Besides instigating internal divisions within the Justice League, adding more external troubles for the Justice League is another method.

From Diana's earlier attitude, Batman could tell this so-called professor was very tricky, even Clark was planning to apologize, making him a prime candidate for an outside enemy.

Moreover, if he indeed is quite close to members of the Justice League, even Bruce's esteemed teacher, should something happen to him, it would influence the emotions of Justice League members, causing disruption in their judgment.

In summary, this likely could be a disturbance created intentionally by the invaders this time, threatening Professor Jonathan to unsettle the Justice League.

Thinking here, Batman couldn't sit still. He stood up and said to the pale knight, "Where is this Professor Crane now?"

"At the Gotham Police Department. It's unavoidable he bears responsibility since it happened at his invitation banquet. Chief Gordon has taken him to the station first."

"I need to make a trip to the police station," Batman said, "Please call Director Gordon and inform him of our identities, requesting cooperation with my investigation."

The pale knight figured Batman was always knowledgeable about Scarecrow, if he were to interrogate him, he surely could extract more information, so he nodded and said, "Alright, James will cooperate with you."

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"Moreover, there were a few professors who weren't affected or had milder symptoms and went to the station too. You can ask them if they noticed anything out of the ordinary on the scene."

Batman nodded and left with Superman.

About 20 minutes later, they arrived at the entrance of the Gotham Police Department. A row of police cars was parked up front, each equipped with heavy weapons, making Batman astonished at the firepower.

Batman had long realized that some external force was continuously altering the city, turning it into what it is today. Upgrading Gotham's police forces appeared to be one of the most pivotal things they'd done, ensuring no criminal could survive under such firepower, greatly improving Gotham's law and order.

Unfortunately, the Gotham he knew couldn't employ this method. Police would take bribes from anyone, except when dealing with Wayne Enterprises, where they would vehemently claim to be loyal guards, adamantly refusing even the smallest contribution.

Many thoughts swiftly traversed Batman's mind. He didn't enter through the main door but rather went around to the back door and saw Director Gordon's silhouette in the lit-up office.

Batman pulled Superman over and said, "You go through the front door and say you're looking for a certain professor, and keep them occupied. Soon, Director Gordon will call you up."

Superman nodded, turned, and walked through the front door, while Batman leapt up to the second-floor balcony and stealthily entered the office.

When Gordon turned and saw the shadow in the corner, he was taken aback.

"God!!!"

From his reaction, Batman realized that this universe indeed hadn't seen Batman for quite a while.

"I want to meet Professor Crane," Batman went straight to the point.

"No problem, Mayor Nepier has already informed me. In the interrogation room, it will only be the two of you; whatever you say or do won't be shared."

This actually surprised Batman quite a bit. Gordon had evidently done this sort of thing numerous times, much more adaptable than the one in their universe.

Gordon spoke a few words into the walkie-talkie, and then led Batman downstairs. Batman pulled Superman, who was speaking with officers, and the three of them proceeded towards the interrogation room.

As they reached the observation window, Batman saw Jonathan Crane sitting inside the interrogation room, his face sullen.

This Professor Crane did indeed differ somewhat from the Scarecrow he knew, at least on the surface, he didn't appear crazed. Tall with a lean face, wearing silver-rimmed glasses, he looked somewhat scholarly, far from resembling a super villain.