Chapter 233: Batman and Luthor

The office was quiet.

Silent.

The dust in the air, illuminated by the sunlight, floated gently, as if the intense standoff between the two men had slowed even the movement of the dust.

Outside the window, the bustling Metropolis was bathed in golden sunlight.

"You're not Mike."

While they stared at each other, Luthor suddenly spoke, stating the truth.

Mike, facing him, showed little reaction.

Luthor was a true genius, with ninth-level intelligence, and there were few on Earth who could rival him.

From the beginning, by analyzing the subtle differences in language and behavior, he had concluded that this Mike was not the one he knew.

"Who are you?"

Luthor asked, tapping his fingers lightly on the tabletop, the smooth surface grazing under his fingertips as he looked at Mike with curiosity in his eyes.

"It doesn't matter."

Mike's expression remained unchanged. His eyes were calm, and he was not surprised that Luthor had seen through him.

Because in his mind, this was Luthor.

Likewise, it was precisely this brilliant intelligence that led to an extreme personal obsession, constantly challenging Superman, striving to prove to the world that he was superior to Superman.

That was the impression he had of Luthor.

Luthor was a billionaire, business magnate, philanthropist, inventor, politician, a strategist who always pursued benefits, power, and status, a human supremacist, and the smartest man on Earth.

Even after ten years under Batman's watch, it was believed that Luthor would only become more paranoid and more determined to surpass Barmulodi, who stood above him.

From Luthor's secret support of Deathstroke as an armed force, one could see signs of his unwillingness.

Luthor could not accept it. He needed an opportunity to bring down Barmulodi and ensure he would never rise again.

"Do you want an alien to rule Earth and treat humans like livestock?"

Mike said in a low voice.

"Ah!"

Luthor suddenly laughed.

"What about you? Do you not want to see Barmulodi unify the entire Earth, end the chaos between nations, and bring a prosperous and peaceful era to humanity?"

"You fight against the Barmulodi Group and deliberately ignore everything Barmulodi has done for Earth."

"Noise pollution, water pollution, air pollution, solid waste pollution... Barmulodi has solved many disasters created by mankind."

"You know that the nations controlled by Barmulodi have no wars, they bring peace, sound laws, economic prosperity, greenery, and happiness to the people. People fight to become citizens of these countries."

"In the future, when Earth is unified, there will be no more disputes among nations, only world peace. Isn't that what the people of Earth desire?"

"Why do you assume, based on your own desires, that Barmulodi would treat Earth cruelly?"

Luthor chuckled lightly. He stood up from his office chair, taking slow steps forward. Facing the hot sunlight, his bald head and pristine white suit glowed warmly as he walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the Metropolis bathed in golden light.

He suddenly found it laughable. What had those who fought against Barmulodi ever done for this world?

They simply fought and opposed.

Why not look at the beauty that Barmulodi had built? How many people he had saved in the Middle East, how many states he had established, how desolate deserts had blossomed into green forests, how much human-caused pollution he had eliminated, how much he had cherished Earth, how many orphans he had taken in, how many welfare institutions he had established, providing a good living environment for countless civilians?

Luthor had witnessed it all more than anyone else.

People who once crawled out of Metropolis's Suicide Slum now worshiped Barmulodi as a god.

The name Barmulodi had become a utopia, the name of an ideal nation, bringing hope, beauty, and faith to its people.

Luthor looked out at the city before him. The skyscrapers gleamed brilliantly under the sun. Compared to ten years ago, today's Metropolis was already the most renowned and leading city in the world, thanks to Barmulodi.

"Are you sure that the future you envision is better than the world peace Barmulodi will bring through unification?"

Luthor put his hands behind his back, staring at the Metropolis outside the window, speaking calmly.

Mike's heart sank. For a moment, he thought this genius, Luthor, had become Barmulodi's loyal follower.

Yet, in truth, in his memories and in the future, countless supervillains and alien invaders still wreaked havoc on Earth. Disputes among nations continued and could not be truly eradicated.

In his mind, the future was not as beautiful as the present.

The future was an endless era of superheroes and supervillains. Ordinary people lived in constant fear, often becoming innocent victims of battles between superpowered beings and alien forces.

Unlike now, where in Gotham City, even after midnight, ordinary citizens dared to venture out and enjoy nightlife. It was so absurdly safe it could bring one to tears.

Ordinary people out after midnight were not robbed, kidnapped, assaulted, or sold for their organs. This Gotham shocked even Batman.

Compared to the Gotham of the future in Batman's mind, today's Gotham was a veritable paradise.

This was the result of Barmulodi's transformation. For hundreds of years, even the Wayne family had failed to cure Gotham's sins.

Yet Barmulodi had supported the Gotham Police Department with funding and equipment, combined with his control over the underground forces, and in just a few years, had reformed Gotham into a city where ordinary people could safely enjoy the nightlife.

Batman could not help but feel a deep, inexplicable sadness.

The deeds Barmulodi had accomplished were undeniable. He had achieved what generations of the Wayne family could not. His merits could not be erased. Bloodshed and glory went hand in hand.

But...

"He just wants to be... the god in your hearts."

Mike said in a low voice.

Barmulodi did not truly love humanity. He only needed humanity to believe in him and love him.

Barmulodi's heart did not hold universal love for mankind.

A god who brings peace and beauty to mankind does not necessarily love mankind.

Superheroes love humanity, but they do not bring peace and prosperity.

"The ruler of mankind should not be a god."

"I believe that deifying reality is extremely dangerous. Because when faced with myth, we have no chance of winning. Therefore, myths must be dissected and reduced to their true form. Only then can we believe in ourselves. Because for us, the only thing that matters is the drive to become myths ourselves."

Mike said in a low voice, his eyes turning to Luthor's back, where the golden Ω emblazoned on his clothes shone brightly.

These words were spoken by the future Lex Luthor when he faced Superman, who had become a god in the hearts of the people. Luthor had solemnly and thoughtfully said them, maintaining his lifelong philosophy of opposing Superman.

Lex Luthor was a human supremacist.

He was the smartest man on Earth.

These words pierced directly into Lex Luthor's heart and made him tremble.

He suddenly turned around, staring sharply at Mike.

"So... the world needs unification."

"But... not under a god!"

Lex Luthor stepped forward, a mysterious smile forming at the corner of his mouth.

He extended his right hand.

Mike's heart trembled. He looked at Luthor with a solemn gaze.

Likewise, Batman extended his right hand with heavy resolve.

Their hands clasped tightly.

So... you just want to rule?

Lex Luthor.

(To be continued.)

***

This book is completed on Patreon. Support me on Patreon to read all advanced chapters: patreon.com/Blownleaves.