Looking at Lex's frustrated expression, Axel chuckled and patted his shoulder.
"Alright, I get it now. I'm like a spider, right?
My eyes and ears stopped working a long time ago. The way I perceive the world is through a web my brain spreads out.
So as my brain grows stronger, I don't really have the usual five senses anymore.
Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, none of that applies.
Instead, I've got something like a supercharged instinct, something like a sixth sense taken to the extreme.
That's what you're trying to say, right?"
He shrugged.
"So I still can't fly."
"Damn it, why are you so obsessed with flying? I'll figure it out for you, I swear I will!"
Lex Luthor snapped, then slapped Bruce Wayne on the arm.
"Bruce, no distractions tonight. Stay here and focus on research with me.
I'm already trying to convert vibranium into nanoparticles, but shaping it is difficult. Its natural state is unstable.
Either way, you're staying."
"That's not happening."
Bruce shook his head.
"Jonathan is still at the police station. He could escape at any time. I need to make sure he's transferred to prison before anything else."
"Who did you say?"
Before Bruce could finish, Axel flickered out of sight.
A moment later, he reappeared, holding Jonathan's severed, bloodied head.
Bruce froze, then roared.
"You're committing a crime, Axel!"
"So come and catch me. If you can, then go ahead."
Axel laughed and casually tossed the head onto the ground.
Lex stared at him, eyes gleaming with fascination.
"If I hadn't examined your genetic structure myself, I would never believe a human could reach this level."
Axel smirked.
"I'm not even at the peak. There are humans in other universes far beyond this."
Before he could continue, Lex cut him off.
"I know exactly what you're talking about. Don't underestimate me."
Then Lex suddenly paused, his expression shifting.
"Wait. If you can travel across universes, then places like that...
No. Absolutely not."
He grabbed Axel's wrist tightly.
"If your genetic purity is compromised even slightly, I'll regret it for the rest of my life."
Axel pulled his hand free, clearly irritated.
"Stop that. It's weird.
I'm not staying here. You two keep working. I need to talk to Alfred."
"As long as you protect yourself, do whatever you want. Just be careful."
Lex's gaze followed Axel intensely, filled with concern.
To him, Axel was the perfect human specimen, powerful yet unaltered.
Nearby, Bruce looked visibly uncomfortable.
He turned to leave, but Lex suddenly pointed at Jonathan's head.
"You don't need to deal with him anymore, so today..."
"I still have responsibilities, Lex. If I don't keep things under control, Gotham will spiral again."
Bruce left without hesitation.
Moments later, he quietly exited the manor grounds in a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
From a distant balcony, Alfred watched with quiet satisfaction.
Beside him, Axel grinned.
"So Bruce is taking Rachel to Metropolis for an opera?"
"Yes, Master Axel. He refuses to attend one in Gotham City, but it is a Wayne family tradition to take someone important to the opera.
So he chose Metropolis."
Alfred exhaled softly, a faint smile forming.
Bruce was changing, slowly but surely.
That was enough.
Axel glanced at him and smirked.
"Bruce is dating now. Maybe you should put in some effort too.
Want me to introduce someone? I met a woman recently with incredible presence. A bit older, but you wouldn't be able to look away."
Alfred paused, then shook his head gently.
"Master Axel, I already have my own children."
He looked toward the distance, where Bruce had disappeared.
His expression was calm, content.
After a moment, he checked the time.
"It is nearly lunchtime. What would you like today?"
"Mexican food. Houston isn't far, and Selina will be bringing two kids soon. They'll like it.
Also, clear out a few nearby estates and turn them into a park for children.
Selina's been thinking differently lately. She's starting to like kids.
At this rate, we might end up with enough godchildren to fill a whole school."
Axel paused, then his eyes lit up.
"Actually, let's build a zoo too. You handle the park, I'll handle getting pandas."
Alfred gave him a polite but strained smile.
Time passed quickly, and soon the aircraft landed in the manor courtyard.
As they disembarked, Zoe stared at the castle in awe, while Floyd clenched his fists nervously.
Selina noticed and smiled.
"Relax. Axel is easy to get along with."
"The people he's killed wouldn't agree."
Floyd replied quietly.
As Axel approached, Floyd bowed slightly.
Axel immediately threw an arm around his shoulder.
"You've got good luck. Even I haven't ridden something that fancy before.
How was the trip? Smooth?"
"It was excellent."
Floyd nodded, then pulled out a list.
"I also understand this job won't be simple. But there's good news.
With Wayne Enterprises backing things, I won't lack resources or equipment."
Axel patted his shoulder.
"Don't celebrate yet. That list is trouble.
Most of the names on it are tied to the Court of Owls."
"What?!"
Floyd stiffened.
Zoe clutched his hand tightly, clearly frightened.
At the same time, Alfred stepped forward.
"Are you certain?"
His tone was sharp.
"I've investigated them for years. Every time I got close, something interfered.
If this is truly their list..."
Floyd handed it over after Axel nodded.
Alfred scanned it quickly.
"This one... an Owl.
And this one too.
No, that can't be right.
Why are there so many?"
He looked up, stunned.
"Axel, is this a list of the Court of Owls, or a directory of Gotham's elite?"
Axel chuckled.
"I never said they were all Owls. They're just hiding among them."
Alfred narrowed his eyes.
"Then how do we identify the real ones?"
He suddenly paused, realization setting in.
Axel handed the list back to Floyd.
"Why bother identifying them?
We just eliminate them all.
If I move personally, they'll scatter. So Floyd will handle it.
Give them hope, then cut them down.
Better to eliminate the wrong ones than let the real ones escape.
Once most are gone, I'll deal with whoever survives.
Even if we don't wipe them out completely, they won't recover for ten years."