In the deserted study, looking at the newly completed dical record, Shiller exposed a smile.
The abnormal behavior displayed by Aisha just now should have indeed sparked Hal's curiosity and concern.
He continued to write under Hal's na:
"... He strongly identifies with the will of the Green Lantern Corps, and transfers the anxiety from his unfulfilled dream of flying onto his career as a Green Lantern. He wants to complete every mission as perfectly as possible without repeating previous failures..."
"Presumably, the Green Lantern Corps might assign tasks like investigating Parallax, investigating Sinestro, investigating the situation in Gotham..."
Hal, who had just left Shiller's manor, had no idea that his status had been recorded in a dical record.
Having had so drinks earlier, Hal felt a bit tipsy. He leaned against a tree trunk, coughing twice, took a deep breath, wrapped his clothing more tightly around himself and quickly crossed the road.
The unusual scenes Aisha had revealed during the al just now were replaying in his mind. Hal began to feel anxious, his rational side reminding him that Aisha, as Victor had ntioned, was a little human girl, not the horrific Parallax.
Despite so anomalies, she had shown no signs of aggression. On the contrary, through her actions and expressions, Hal could see that she was learning human communication ways, like a genuine toddler.
However, another possibility lingered in his mind. If he disregarded Aisha, and she caused trouble in the future, would the Green Lantern Corps bla him? Would they take back his Green Lantern ring, depriving him of this powerful force?
Each ti he thought about this, Hal felt his thoughts turn into a tangled ss. He was unable to fulfill his dream of becoming a fighter pilot for complicated reasons. But undoubtedly, Hal was not satisfied with his mundane life.
Now, the power of the Green Lantern offered a transformation, a new hope he glimpsed from this change. He didn't want his negligence to lead a second career to failure either.
What should he do if the Green Lantern Corps commanded him to kill Aisha?
What if Aisha beca a threat to ordinary people because he didn't handle the Aisha-related issue now?
If...if... Hal thought about so many "ifs". As a novice, he was not yet the greatest Green Lantern of the future. Although he had the potential to possess an unbeatable will, he still felt conflicted and confused.
After much thought, Hal believed the only solution was to discuss the matter face to face with Aisha. If Parallax was not to be negotiated with and was destined to be an enemy of the Green Lanterns, perhaps the Aisha who had transford into a human girl could be communicated with.
Thinking thus, Hal switched his course, found a deserted alley, then activated his Green Lantern abilities and teleported near the Wayne Manor.
Arriving at the front door of Wayne Manor, Hal hesitated for two reasons. First, he imagined Bruce Wayne would be difficult to deal with and would probably not let him in. If they failed to negotiate, a fight could break out, which was not what Hal wanted.
Secondly, he believed that issues between the Lantern Corps should be resolved by the Lantern heroes themselves. Matters between the Yellow and Green Lanterns should also be settled amongst them.
Thus, Hal convinced himself not to use the main entrance. Similarly, he didn't plan on using the side entrance either. In other words, he didn't intend to use any door. Instead, he planned to identify Aisha's location and teleport directly in front of her.
His recent investigations into Aisha hadn't been in vain. Based on the timings of Aisha's returns ho and the lights being turned on in Wayne Manor, Hal reckoned that Aisha's bedroom was likely on the second floor.
As darkness fell, a light bead from a room on the second floor.
Despite his noble intentions, Hal felt strangely guilty. He continuously reassured himself that this was indeed for the safety of Earth and Gotham's citizens.
He drew a few deep breaths, and then a green light shone from his ring. The green glow spread from his fingers to his entire body, and in an instant, Hal disappeared.
There was a thump as he landed on the wooden floor of the manor. A princess bed obviously intended for a little girl sat before him. The blanket was slightly raised, suggesting Aisha was deep in sleep.
But Hal didn't move forward. Instead, he took two steps back and called out softly, "Aisha, Aisha, are you there?"
"Parallax? Parallax?"
There was no response from the figure on the bed. Hal revealed an incredibly troubled expression. But he still didn't move forward, he stood where he was, hands on his hips, seemingly indecisive.
Just then, he felt soone pressing sothing hard against his back.
Hal stiffened, slowly raising his arms. In the shadows behind him, a figure with white hair erged. No one had ever seen Alfred with such a cold expression.
No one had ever seen him holding that shotgun either.
Following Alfred's gaze out of the window, the moon was incredibly bright at that mont.
The moonlight shone on the broken spire of the old church. A shadow with pointed ears landed on it before jumping down along the eaves.
Past the church cloister into the prayer room, turning right through the side corridor, past the confessional, Batman traced the architectural blueprint he rembered from a book.
Soon, he reached a halt before a door. The old padlock didn't do much to prevent the real master of lock picking. With a soft click, the ancient wooden door slowly opened to reveal a Priest's living quarters.
It seed that no one had used this room for a long ti. Since the previous riot, the entire church had been closed, and the old pastor had moved sowhere else.
Batman, who had entered the room, first noticed a table directly facing the door. At that mont, the moonlight crossed the window above the table, dimly illuminating the table surface. Apart from nurous books and files, a small fra sat there.
A hand covered in a black gauntlet picked up the fra, the thumb gently wiped the dust off the surface.
There were three young people in the photo. Judging by their clothing, they appeared to be from the last era.
Two of the faces were familiar to Batman.
The one wearing a black suit, knotted tie, and a red poppy pinned in his pocket was Godfather Falcone of Gotham. The one in black robes, who appeared kind and gentle, was the priest of the church.
The last face was one Batman knew even better. Clad in a trench coat, wearing a beret, and holding an old-fashioned shotgun.
That was Alfred Pennyworth.
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