Chapter 74: Who Is Batman?
Fortunately for my sanity, Empress Wu Zetian didn’t say a single word to me.
She simply sat back on her radiant throne, resting her chin on one manicured hand while her dark, piercing eyes held me under her silent, imperial gaze.
I breathed a quiet sigh of relief, mentally offering up a prayer of thanks to whatever cosmic forces were listening. If she had actually spoken to me right after Paige started spouting off unhinged ideas about an imperial courtship package and other things, I probably would have choked on my own air.
Seeing that the Empress had no immediate objections, Grandfather smoothly shifted his attention to the fifth balcony, bathed in a deep, bronze-like radiance.
"The Fifth Seat... is the Seat of Law, headed by King Hammurabi," Alistair introduced solemnly. "He oversees supernatural codices, treaties, jurisdiction, cross-faction crimes, high-tier punishment, and inter-realm disputes."
Sitting on the bronze throne was a remarkably calm, dignified man with a neatly trimmed beard and sharp, focused features. He wore structured robes that radiated an aura of unshakeable justice. While he appeared completely composed on the surface, the weight of his presence was undeniable, like a mountain of law pressing down on the world.
Hammurabi looked down at me, offering a polite, warm smile. "Welcome to the Royal Citadel, Young Seth."
"Thank you, King Hammurabi," I replied respectfully. Even though his smile seemed genuine enough, I couldn’t help feeling that behind those sharp, calculating eyes lay a mind that had already weighed every law, loophole, and sentence in existence.
Alistair then gestured toward the sixth balcony, shrouded in a soft, subtle grey light that almost seemed to blend seamlessly into the stone walls.
"The Sixth Seat... is the Seat of Information, headed by Chanakya," Grandfather declared. "He oversees espionage, global intelligence networks, threat assessment, hidden surveillance, and enemy intelligence across all realms."
I looked up at the sixth balcony and blinked. Sitting on a simple stone seat was a man wearing plain, unadorned robes. He held no extravagant staff, wore no jeweled rings, and possessed zero decorative flair. His hair was tied back simply, and his posture was completely relaxed.
The only impression I could gather from his appearance was that he lived like an ascetic, a monk who had stripped away all material desires. Yet, there was an unnerving stillness to him, as if he were a ghost who could watch the entire world without leaving a single trace.
Chanakya didn’t say a word. He simply offered me a slow, silent nod of acknowledgment.
I gave him a respectful nod back, keeping my expression neutral.
Finally, Alistair turned his hand toward the seventh and final balcony, illuminated by a warm, vibrant silver light that felt surprisingly inviting compared to the overwhelming pressure of the others.
"And the Seventh Seat... is the Seat of Civilization, held by Cyrus the Great," Alistair concluded. "He oversees the physical development and long-term progression of humanity, infrastructure, supernatural cities, academy systems, transit networks, barrier maintenance, and technological integration."
Sitting on the silver throne was a handsome, remarkably well-groomed man with a bright, charming smile and sharp, expressive eyes. The moment Alistair finished introducing him, Cyrus leaned casually over his balcony railing, grinning down at me like an eager older brother.
"Hey there, Seth!" Cyrus called out, his voice light, energetic, and completely devoid of any stuffy political pretense. "You look like a fun guy. Want to be friends?"
I paused, slightly caught off guard by how extraordinarily casual he was compared to the ancient legends sitting around him. But looking at his bright, genuine expression, he seemed like a genuinely good dude.
"Uh... sure," I said with a smile, scratching my cheek casually. "I’m down to be friends."
Cyrus let out a loud, delighted laugh, his face lighting up with genuine happiness as he slapped his armrest. "Awesome! See? I knew I liked this kid!"
I took a slow step back, looking around the grand sanctuary at the seven figures who effectively governed the entire human race from the shadows. I scratched my cheek again, speaking up with honest, unpretentious curiosity.
"Look, I’m genuinely honored to meet all of you," I began, my voice echoing clearly through the vast chamber. "But... I still don’t really get why I’m standing here right now. Grandfather brought me all the way to Uruk just to stand in front of the High Council?"
Cyrus instantly leaned back over his silver railing, chuckling warmly. "Oh, that’s simple, Seth! It’s because the six of us, myself included, were pestering your old man nonstop for the past few days! We kept demanding to meet the mysterious newcomer who managed to completely disrupt the spiritual balance of the world during his awakening. And honestly? Seeing you in person... it was totally worth annoying the old bird."
Alistair rolled his eyes in exasperation, shooting a deadpan glare toward the silver balcony. "Cyrus... You are centuries older than me. Stop referring to me as an ’old bird."
Cyrus dismissively waved his hand through the air, grinning shamelessly. "Oh, please! Chronological age is completely irrelevant, Alistair! What actually matters is mental age and adaptability! I keep myself completely caught up with the current mortal generation, while you act like you’re still living in the Middle Ages!"
Alistair’s brows furrowed into a sharp, irritated frown. He leaned on his cane, crossing his arms as he challenged the younger legend. "Oh? You claim to be caught up with the modern generation? Tell me then... do you even know who ’Batman’ is?"
The entire sanctuary fell dead silent for half a second.
Cyrus stared at Alistair with a look of utter, flabbergasted disbelief, as if my grandfather had just asked him if two plus two equaled four.
"Are you serious right now, Alistair?!" Cyrus blurted out, looking at him as if he were a complete idiot. "Of course I know who Batman is! Who doesn’t know Batman?! He’s the Dark Knight of Gotham, the rich playboy billionaire, and the archenemy of the Joker! It’s basic modern pop culture, you absolute dinosaur!"
Alistair froze, his jaw tightening as he shot a furious, humiliated glare toward Cyrus.