Batgirl kept her eyes on Alfred, her posture still tense despite the change in atmosphere.
“We didn’t come here to eat,” she said.
“We need to go.” “My ladies, I cannot allow you to depart without extending proper hospitality.
You have delayed these individuals long enough for my return.
It is only appropriate that I offer something in return.” He paused briefly.
“As I mentioned, I will be handling the preparation personally.
I assure you, the quality will meet expectations.” Batgirl glanced around at the ruined restaurant.
“The place is destroyed.” “It is of no concern,” Alfred replied.
“I will restore order shortly.
If necessary, I can prepare the meal for takeaway.
Thirty minutes will suffice.” From the side, Harley perked up instantly.
“Don’t worry, Alfy!!
I’ll take whatever you make.
Please just give me a share!!
Nothing tastes the same since then!!” Supergirl looked at Harley, visibly caught off guard by her sudden enthusiasm.
She hesitated for a moment, then said, “If it’s only thirty minutes… maybe we can try it.
It doesn’t sound like a problem.” Batgirl turned to her slowly, as if she had just agreed to something deeply questionable.
Alfred nodded once.
“Splendid.
I will begin preparations immediately.” He shifted his gaze to Harley and Poison Ivy.
“If you are not present when the police arrive, I trust you understand the consequences of that decision.” Harley responded by puffing her face clearly not happy with him.
Poison Ivy merely sighed, but neither of them made any attempt to move.
Without another word, Alfred dissolved into smoke and disappeared.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then the Penguin, who had been observing from a safe distance, stepped forward cautiously.
His eyes moved over Batgirl and Supergirl, assessing them.
“I have… several thoughts regarding your performance tonight,” he said, his tone measured.
“However, I cannot deny the effort.” He paused briefly.
“If Alfred deems you worthy of a table, then I have no objections.” With that, he turned and walked away, not waiting for any response.
Supergirl watched him leave, then looked back at Batgirl.
“What is going on in your city?” she asked.
“Why did everyone start acting strangely when that guy came?
Who is he?” “We don’t know,” Batgirl said.
“Alfred just… appeared one day a few months ago.
Declared himself a butler and started working for the Penguin.
Since then, he’s built a reputation.
The kind where you don’t want to be on his bad side.” Supergirl raised an eyebrow.
“What’s his power?
What can he actually do?” “That’s the problem.
We don’t know anything concrete.
He has strength, intelligence, and speed beyond normal humans.
A strange set of skills that should be called supernatural powers, like his teleportation, but he still calls them advanced Ancient Tibetan Monk techniques.
He literally has a power or a skill for whatever is needed.
Fighting, cooking, investigation, anything really.
Ask him how, and he’ll just say, ‘because I am a butler.'” Supergirl thought back to what he said and nodded.
Harley, who had now sat down on the floor, waiting with surprising patience, waved a hand.
“Butlers are weird, I’m telling ya!!
Especially him.” She said, grinning just from remembering the food.
“But forget all that, his food?
Best thing you’ll ever eat.
Nothing even comes close.” Supergirl glanced between her and Poison Ivy.
“You’re just going to sit here and wait?
You’re not even going to try escaping?” Poison Ivy gave her a flat look.
“And risk irritating that freak?” she said.
“No, thank you.” Supergirl frowned.
“He seemed… polite and respectful.
But his way of speaking is weird.” Batgirl nodded “He is nice and respectful, but once someone steps out of line, he switches to that way of speech you heard, Victorian English.
Whenever he does that, he is either insulting you, or about to resort to violence.” Her tone hardened.
“Criminals get beaten into submission.
Broken bones, severed limbs, then handed over to the police.
Mob operations get dismantled overnight.
Even officials who cross him have their secrets exposed.
No one dares to act out of line when he is present.” She paused.
“Even we avoid him.
He’s too capable and persistent to an unhealthy degree.
Batman is a totally normal person compared to him.” Poison Ivy added quietly, “The Penguin is his employer or master as he puts it, and even he watches what he says around him.
That butler has strict standards about how to act and carry yourself, and he enforces them on everyone.
There was a rumor he imprisoned the Joker in a dungeon to teach him how to eat with a knife and fork like a classy person.” Harley said “Ya, that happened.
The Joker hates anything butler related.
I think he is traumatized… which is weird” From above, Jay leaned over the railing, looking down at them.
“Yes, Mr.
Alfred is very strict about code of conduct,” she said.
“But he’s also very kind, respectful and helpful.
Working with him is very pleasant and safe despite all the villains and super powered individuals who come here.
Everyone in this place likes him very much.” Supergirl looked confused and asked “If you know that, why cause trouble here?” Harley said “I thought he was out of town and we got carried away” Poison Ivy nodded.
Moments later, Bullock and the rest of Gotham PD arrived, he looked around at the damage then said “Strange, this place is too much of a mess, was that freak absent?” Harley said “ya, he came back not long ago” Bullock said “If you three weren’t women, you’d be in pieces right now for pulling this.” Bullock clapped, “Okay, you three are coming with us.” Harley and Poison Ivy walked with the police without resisting, while other officers carried away Livewire.
“So… this is the norm around here?” Supergirl asked.
Jay answered “Yes, pretty much almost every so-called super villain was beaten to a pulp by Mr.
Alfred.” “This is so weird,” Supergirl said.
“I know,” Batgirl said.
“Nothing about him makes sense.” Minutes passed, and the chaos that had consumed the Iceberg Lounge was replaced by workers and servers moving efficiently across the restaurant floor, clearing debris, and replacing broken furniture.
What had looked like a battlefield only moments ago slowly returned to something resembling a high-class establishment except for the oversized plants and cracks in the wall and floor.
Still the efficiency of their work was quite impressive.
At the center of it, a table was prepared.
Batgirl and Supergirl stood nearby, watching as the staff finalized the setup.
Plates, utensils, and glasses were arranged with care, as if nothing unusual had occurred.
Then, just as promised, thirty minutes in, the dishes began arriving.
One after another, servers placed them gently before the two heroines.
The presentation alone was enough to make both pause.
Each dish looked meticulously crafted, closer to artwork than food.
Supergirl leaned forward, her eyes lighting up.
“Wow… this looks and smells amazing,” she said.
“Have you tried his food before?” Batgirl shook her head.
“No.
Our relationship is usually… strained.
Transactional.” She answered.
“And even then, it’s mostly between the Penguin and Batman.” Supergirl nodded, then took a bite from one of the plates without hesitation.
Her reaction was immediate.
Her eyes widened, and she froze for half a second before speaking.
“This is amazing!!
The clown was right!!
This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten.” Batgirl glanced at her, then at the food again.
A brief hesitation.
Then she took a bite.
That was all it took.
Whatever reservations she had dissolved instantly as she continued eating, her posture relaxing as she gave in to the experience.
Around them, servers continued to move in a steady rhythm, bringing additional dishes and a variety of drinks, different juices placed beside them, so they could choose their preference.
Time passed.
Neither of them noticed how long.
By the time they leaned back, the table was nearly empty, and both of them looked completely satisfied.
That was when Alfred appeared beside them.
Behind him, several servers carried neatly packed bags filled with takeaway boxes.
“I have prepared these for you to take along,” Alfred said.
Supergirl blinked.
“You didn’t have to do that.
The meal was already amazing.” As she spoke, her gaze lingered on his mask.
For a brief moment, her eyes squinted slightly.
She activated her x-ray vision.
Then, confusion.
She couldn’t see through it.
Her action did not go unnoticed.
“My lady,” Alfred said evenly, “I wear a mask for a reason.
Attempting to see through it would defeat its purpose, would it not?” Supergirl straightened immediately.
“Sorry,” she said, embarrassed.
“I couldn’t help it.” She paused, then added, “Are you really human?
How did you make all of this so fast?
What are you, really?” Alfred answered without hesitation.
“I am, quite simply, one hell of a butler.” Supergirl frowned.
“That doesn’t answer my question.” “That is the answer,” Alfred replied.
“And all you need to know.” Batgirl spoke from the side.
“That’s the most you will get out of him.
Everyone’s tried.” Alfred nodded his head.
“She is correct.” There was nothing more to add.
A few minutes later, the two heroines left the Lounge, each carrying bags filled with food.
Both of them thanked Alfred before departing.
Once they were gone, the Penguin stepped out from the side, his expression thoughtful.
“If you ask me,” he said, “they didn’t help much.
I’d argue they made things worse.” Alfred replied “We cannot be certain of that, Master.
And even if their efforts were ineffective, they did attempt to assist.” The Penguin waved a hand dismissively.
“Feeding them once would have been enough.
You didn’t need to go as far as offering them free meals whenever they want.” “They are heroes,” Alfred replied.
“Not criminals.
They will not frequent this establishment without reason.
They still carry reservations.” The Penguin went quiet for a moment.
Then he looked at Alfred more carefully.
“Alfred,” he said slowly, “you are severely underestimating your food.” Alfred paused briefly.
Then shook his head in amusement.