Batman’s gaze remained fixed on the butler, studying him carefully.
“I looked into you,” he said finally, “There’s nothing.
No records, no history.
Who are you?
And what are you planning?” “It seems your faculty of mind is failing you,” the butler replied.
“I believe I introduced myself before, but no matter.
I am Alfred, a butler, currently under the employment of Mr.
Cobblepot.” Batman replied “Switching from working for the Joker to the Penguin, what is your purpose?” Before Alfred could respond, the Penguin asked in surprise “You worked for the Joker?” “Yes,” Alfred answered.
“For a few days.
However, Mr.
Joker displayed a severe lack of mannerism, which I attempted to correct on multiple occasions.
Unfortunately, he insisted on maintaining his habits.
It became apparent rather quickly that Mr.
Joker lacks the class one would expect from someone calling himself the Prince of Crime.” the Penguin frowned “I fail to see how someone like you ended up working for him in the first place,” he said.
“And more importantly, why did you stay?” “An error in information led me to his doorstep,” Alfred replied.
“I agreed to a trial period.
As a butler, it is only natural to assist one’s master to the best of one’s ability during that time, even if he did not meet the expectations I had been given.” The Penguin gave a small nod.
“I see.” Batman allowed the exchange to continue without interruption, listening closely.
Then he spoke again.
“Why are you moving between criminals?” Alfred answered.
“The master being on the right or wrong side of law is irrelevant to a butler.” Batman’s expression hardened.
“You expect me to believe that?” “Why not?
My duties remain unchanged, regardless of whom I serve.” Alfred replied evenly.
“Now, you have received your answer.
I would prefer not to subject Master Cobblepot to your continued lack of basic doctrine.” “I’m not leaving,” Batman said.
“Not until I get all the answers I want.” Alfred turned his head toward Cobblepot.
“Master Cobblepot, it appears your uninvited guest refuses to respect what is proper.
Would you like me to remove him from the premises?” The Penguin glanced between the two men, then waved a hand dismissively.
“Yes.
I don’t want him in my office.
He’s overstayed his welcome.” Alfred nodded and began walking forward while speaking “May I request you refrain from damaging the interior” At the same time, the Penguin subtly shifted behind his desk, preparing to trigger the alert system.
He wanted to bring in additional support.
With this butler at the front, they might actually have a chance to overwhelm Batman.
Batman watched Alfred’s approach carefully, then moved first.
His hand darted to his belt, pulling a batarang and launching it forward in a single swift motion.
Alfred mirrored Batman.
But his hand slipped into his jacket, and in the same motion, he threw an object forward.
The two projectiles collided mid-air, producing a sharp metallic sound before falling to the ground together.
Batman’s gaze flickered downward briefly.
The Penguin did the same, his expression shifting into visible surprise.
“a fork?” he muttered.
“As a butler,” Alfred said, “I am always prepared in the event my master requires culinary tools.” Before either of them could react further, Alfred’s hands shifted again.
Three forks rested between his fingers.
He moved next.
The forks flew toward Batman in rapid succession.
Batman responded by sweeping his cape forward, the fabric absorbing and deflecting the incoming projectiles as he surged forward to close the distance.
Alfred met him head-on.
Their bodies collided into motion, and the fight resumed at close range.
Strikes were exchanged in rapid succession, blocks, punches and kicks.
Neither side gave ground.
Behind them, the Penguin triggered the alert.
He watched intently as his butler held Batman in place, matching him movement for movement.
At first, it remained even.
Then, the shift began.
Alfred’s strikes grew faster, heavier, and more refined with each exchange.
His speed increased, his reaction became faster to a degree that forced Batman backward step by step.
Batman’s jaw clenched as he realized it.
This man was adapting to his style, getting stronger and faster with every passing moment.
He moved to break the rhythm, throwing a punch that Alfred intercepted easily, but in that instant, a surge of electricity discharged through the contact.
The shock ran through Alfred’s body.
Batman followed immediately with a kick, sending him backward across the room.
Instead of falling, Alfred twisted mid-air and flipped backward, his feet touching the ground as he recovered instantly.
He adjusted his jacket as if nothing significant had occurred.
“Impressive,” he said.
“I did not notice when you equipped those electric knuckles.” He turned his head.
“My apologies, Master Cobblepot.
I allowed you to witness a rather inelegant display.
That will not happen again.” As he spoke, two silver knives slipped from his sleeves into his hands.
Alfred spoke “I wanted to avoid bloodstains on the carpet” Then he moved again, faster than before.
Batman’s eyes widened as he reacted, raising his guard, but Alfred was already inside his range.
A strike came followed by a cut across Batman’s suit.
Then another.
And another.
Within moments, multiple shallow but clean cuts appeared across Batman’s body.
Batman attempted to create distance, stepping back, but Alfred maintained relentless pressure, closing every gap before it could widen.
The assault did not slow.
It escalated.
At that moment, there was a moment of distraction, the office doors burst open as the Penguin’s subordinates finally arrived.
The distraction was enough for Batman to act.
He dropped a small device to the ground.
A flash detonated.
Blinding light filled the room, forcing everyone to shield their eyes.
When the light faded, Batman was gone.
Silence followed.
Alfred stood in place.
The knives in his hands lowered, their edges marked with thin streaks of Batman’s blood.
[He really has everything in his belt, I thought he had only smoke bombs] Alfred thought silently.
The Penguin said angrily looking at his subordinates “What took you so long to arrive here?
Alfred and Batman had been going at each other for a whole minute!” The subordinates lowered their heads not daring to meet his eyes, when Alfred stepped in front of them and said “I apologize for failing you, I couldn’t remove him from the premises” The Penguin looked at his butler silently then said “No, you have done a great job, he didn’t get what he wanted and had to escape because of you.” The butler said “Thank you master, but you don’t need to act as if my failure was a good result.
I failed to remove him and he escaped only when the rest of your men arrived, that’s on me.” The Penguin looked taken aback.
His butler managed to fight back and even push Batman back, which on its own is an achievement worthy of praise, but instead he is apologizing as if it was a failure.
[No wonder he left Joker employment, his standards are absurd] The Penguin thought.
But at the same time, he felt a little pleased inside.
Based on what was said earlier, his butler worked for the Joker through an unfortunate mislead and tried to correct that deranged clown behavior and failed, but no such thing happened to him.
In fact, his butler approached him on his own.
From a man with such strict worth ethic and high standards, it is a testament of how much of a gentleman he really is.
Alfred bowed as he spoke “Master Cobblepot, tonight’s event showed me how much I am lacking.
Will you grant me the permission to carry and use a weapon?” Hearing this, the Penguin couldn’t help but say “You don’t need permission to do such a thing in this place.
If any I was surprised you were using forks to fight” Alfred replied “I am a butler, what sort of a butler would carry a weapon in the presence of his master without permission?
May I have your permission to make a weapon of my own?
Something I believe would help against Batman more than guns.” The Penguin couldn’t help but admire the level of professionalism this butler had.
His opinion was quickly changing from a crazy man to an extremely dedicated man.
In the end, the Penguin said “You have my permission” Alfred smiled under the mask as he said “Thank you for your understanding.
I shall go start working on my new weapon, it will take a day or two to finish.” Alfred bowed lightly then turned to leave through the confused subordinates.
The way the butler acted and carried himself was foreign to them and completely unreasonable.
The Penguin waited for his butler to leave then spoke to his subordinates “You should all learn from Alfred, he is an example of how one should behave an act.
As part of a gang and criminals participating in organized crime, you all should have a certain level of class and etiquette that matches you standing” The Penguin’s words made the hardened criminals pause looking at him, it was clear the weird butler was having quite the impact on the crime boss.
As for Alfred, he was walking in a good mood with a wide smile on his face.
He thought to himself [Batman will come back.
If all turns right, I should farm him more]