Chapter 48: Ch.47 Returning Home

Chapter 48: Ch.47 Returning Home

Alfred paused for a moment, then shook his head. He knew he couldn't manage Miss Bryce's super-powered friend anymore.

Despite his skeptical expression, he was actually quite happy. After all, in Gotham, he'd seen countless people in tight costumes, but besides Bryce, all of them were antisocial lunatics.

These people seemed to sprout like weeds, emerging endlessly from Gotham's darkness, each with some novel scheme to either destroy Gotham or destroy Bryce.

There was one who wanted to befriend Bryce, but that person was the craziest of the fighting maniacs.

However, this person who appeared a month ago was not only filled with a strong sense of justice but also cheerful and very kind. Just looking at him, one could feel his sincerity, making it clear he wasn't a bad person.

Alfred thought that maybe Bryce had found a companion, someone who, over the past month, had even acted more like a hero than Miss Wayne herself.

But his arrival also brought bad news. Apparently, their world was in great danger, with a terrifying force inching closer.

Bryce finally accepted this truth because she had seen the changes in the world herself. There were clues everywhere indicating that something was coming. To prevent the world from being destroyed, they had been busy for a month. Alfred, however, only needed to stay on this small island and cook meals.

Bryce had run all over the world, but it seemed like she hadn't found much.

"Bananas just don't provide enough energy. I feel like I might be losing hair."

The cloaked figure had eaten all the prepared bananas in one go, but despite that, he still felt completely drained.

"Eat when we get back to Wayne Manor. I think there should still be some food there?"

Bryce removed her mask and wiped the sweat from her face. Even though they had been traveling within the Speed Force, meaning she didn't have to worry about wind resistance or similar issues, she still felt like her face was covered in a fine mist of seawater.

Alfred immediately dismissed her idea. He took off his apron, straightened his tailcoat, which was entirely inappropriate for a beach setting.

"May I clarify, Miss, that if there is any food left at home, it would be what we had a month ago when we left."

"I have great confidence in the home's refrigerator." Bryce put her mask back on, resuming the aura of Batwoman.

"Eating food that's been refrigerated for a month is very unhealthy, Miss." Alfred said dutifully, turning off the stove and starting to pack up the observation post.

"But it's turkey. I was planning to have turkey sandwiches for breakfast the next morning." Bryce finally remembered what was in her refrigerator. An hour ago, they had been near Gotham, and the weather there was nothing like here. She'd be fine with just eating something light.

Bryce's lips twitched as she nodded and muttered a soft "Hmm."

In a flash, Barry was sitting beside her, wearing the dark satin slippers, lifting his glass to toast with her.

"Thanks, they're really comfortable."

Bryce felt a bit numb. Thankfully, this person didn't pose any immediate threat and didn't seem to have any signs of madness. Otherwise, she wouldn't know how to deal with someone with these powers.

But she didn't say this out loud. Instead, she smiled and clinked her glass with his.

"You can use the guest bathroom on the second floor. However you interacted with that Batman in your world, you can do the same here."

"Actually, I didn't get many chances to go to Wayne Manor, and most of the time it was underground. You know what I mean, right?"

Barry scratched his head and took a sip of the wine, but he winced at the burning sensation. As a scientist, he always felt that strong liquor was more damaging to the brain than the Speed Force.

Bryce, of course, knew what lay beneath her house, and it must be the same for the other Batman. "So, would you like to take a look at my base and compare it to yours? See which one's better?"

As they chatted over wine, Alfred pushed the door open and entered.

"Apologies, Miss. I'm afraid our house was burgled during the month we were away."

"Oh? The home's alarm system didn't activate?" This was the first time Bryce had been robbed. Was this what it felt like to have your home broken into? She felt a mix of bitterness and anger.

"The home's security system didn't react at all. I suspect it was affected by a military-grade EMP, rendering them all inoperative." Alfred nodded, maintaining his elegant demeanor.

Bryce rubbed her neck, deep in thought. "So, what did we lose?"

"I've checked all the rooms. So far, we've lost a roasted turkey, about two kilos of carrots and potatoes, some lettuce, and about 200 grams of various spices, including the nutmeg you like in your coffee. Oh, and we're also missing a large pot, a long ladle, five plates, and matching cutlery."

Barry, a former forensic scientist with the police, was used to running and analyzing crime scenes. But hearing this list of missing items made a question mark appear over his head.

"Sounds like someone threw a camping party at your place. Did you sponsor the Gotham Boy Scouts or something? Robin?"

"We don't have any Boy Scouts here."

Bryce realized what was happening, her eyes narrowing, assuming the most classic Bat expression—suspicion.