Godfather Owl: Guardian of Batman [172]

Riding the ocean current and with some help from Kathoom’s occasional nudging, Bruce and Diana drifted all the way to London.

When they arrived ashore, it was July 15, 1914.

Just two weeks earlier, on June 28, a young Serbian nationalist had assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in what came to be known as the Sarajevo Incident—the spark that would ignite World War I.

Now, the entire Western world was under a dark cloud of unease. Even those who usually paid little attention to politics could sense that war was imminent.

“Two more weeks,” Kathoom said, perched on Bruce’s shoulder. “On July 28, Austria-Hungary will declare war on Serbia, officially starting World War I.”

The beginning of the war seemed to be a cascade of so-called coincidences.

Austria-Hungary’s declaration against Serbia automatically pulled in Russia, Serbia’s protector.

Russia’s chaotic military mobilization, which involved both its southern and northern forces, triggered Germany’s anxiety, prompting it to join the war.

Germany, adhering to the Schlieffen Plan, aimed to neutralize France before turning its attention to Russia.

Thus, to defeat Russia, Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium, the neutral buffer between France and Germany.

Britain, which considered Belgium a protective barrier, used this as a pretext to declare war on Germany.

And so, Europe would soon plunge into chaos.

“The entire continent is about to become a pot of boiling soup,” Kathoom commented. “Belgium’s luck is something else—getting trampled by three different major powers in succession.”

“Don’t let Diana hear you making jokes like that,” Bruce warned.

“Relax, she can’t hear us,” Kathoom said smugly, shaking his head. “Unless you rat me out!”

Diana could understand what Kathoom said aloud, but only when he actually spoke. She couldn’t hear the telepathic communication between Bruce and the owl.

The trio—two humans and one owl—had just landed and were planning their journey to London.

Bruce suddenly extended his hand toward Kathoom.

“Hand it over!”

“Hand what over?” Kathoom feigned ignorance. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Money.”

Bruce crossed his arms. “I don’t have a single penny in this world. You’ll have to foot the bill.”

As the ever-resourceful Batman, Bruce Wayne was rarely without money. Whenever he traveled to a new world, he seemed to miraculously inherit a fortune.

But this DC universe was different.

This wasn’t a new world for Bruce—he could tell because he hadn’t been dumped into an orphanage.

Still, whenever Bruce needed funds, they always seemed to materialize from somewhere.

For instance, from Kathoom’s hidden stash.

“You’re hilarious! I’m just an owl—how could I possibly have money?” Kathoom cackled nervously. “Even if I did, I wouldn’t spend it in the 19th century! Can’t you just conjure some cash with magic?”

“Don’t play dumb!”

Bruce grabbed the owl and rummaged through his feathers, pulling out a few gold bars.

“Don’t think I don’t know—you’ve been skimming off my inheritance and stashing it away!”

Bruce considered bonking Kathoom on the head with one of the gold bars, but the owl dodged just in time.

“I usually turn a blind eye, but this is an emergency. Your money is my money!”

“I was just holding it for you!” Kathoom protested loudly.

But in his heart, he vowed revenge. The next time they landed in a new world and a fresh inheritance came through, he’d pocket even more.

—

Bruce exchanged one gold bar for cash, using a touch of magic to ward off any unwanted attention. He purchased two train tickets, and the group made their way to London.

When they arrived, the city’s atmosphere felt off.

Young men and women roamed the streets, their faces brimming with excitement and anticipation—not fear. They eagerly awaited war, seeing it as an opportunity to defend their homeland and change their fortunes.

At the outset of World War I, such optimism was common. Most believed the war would end quickly.

“If they knew it would last four years, they’d sober up real fast,” Kathoom muttered. “Britain wouldn’t dare mention war for the next twenty years, and its leaders would be scared stiff into appeasement.”

Bruce ignored the owl’s ramblings as he and Diana walked through the streets of London.

The roads were crowded with horse-drawn carriages and early automobiles, the clatter of hooves blending with the rumble of engines.

Along the Thames, Gothic spires stood alongside Victorian-era buildings—a sight unseen in the magical world of Harry Potter.

But Bruce knew these architectural wonders wouldn’t last. In two decades, German bombers would reduce much of it to rubble.

“Let’s get you some new clothes first,” Bruce suggested to Diana. “Your current outfit is… a little too conspicuous here.”

Diana’s black cloak covered most of her body, but whenever she walked briskly, her long, athletic legs peeked out.

“Human armor? I suppose that’s reasonable,” Diana said with a nod. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Thank you for your generosity, Bruce. On behalf of the Amazons, I express our gratitude!”

She wasn’t entirely clueless. A few words, and Bruce was already footing the bill.

Kathoom, however, was bleeding internally.

That’s my money! My money!

Bruce took Diana to a women’s clothing store. Thanks to his youthful appearance, he wasn’t immediately thrown out by the staff.

But even so, helping Diana shop for clothes was no simple task.

She had no concept of what a corset, a waist cincher, or stockings were. Often, she’d emerge halfway through changing, asking Bruce why the garments were so odd.

The clerks couldn’t stop her in time.

Fortunately, there were no other men in the store. Bruce bore the embarrassment alone.

“Is your sister from another country?” one of the clerks asked Bruce while Diana tried on more clothes.

It was a reasonable guess. Diana’s behavior resembled that of a village girl from a far-off colony.

“Something like that,” Bruce replied. “She’s from a small island.”

The clerk nodded, showing no disdain—only envy.

How lucky, she thought. Freshly arrived in London and already buying such expensive clothes.

She must’ve snagged some powerful backer and hit the jackpot.

Clerks like her, working in such stores, couldn’t afford even a single item with a month’s salary.

After trying on countless outfits, Diana finally settled on a selection, and Bruce bought them all.

With Kathoom’s secret stash funding the spree, Bruce had no qualms.

“Next, we’ll find a place to stay,” Bruce said, scanning the crowded streets. London, being an important city in these tense times, was overflowing with people from all corners of the world.

Unsurprisingly, they struggled to find a suitable inn. Bruce had to resort to throwing money around, persuading one to free up two rooms.

The inn’s lobby had been converted into a rowdy pub. Amid the clamor, a man stood out—a balding figure boasting loudly to a small crowd.

“I just returned from the Far East!” the man declared, his voice slurred with drink.

Several patrons listened intently to his tale.

“Thousands of years ago,” the man continued, “there was an emperor in the East who conquered the known world and amassed all its treasures!”

“An Eastern Alexander the Great?” one patron asked.

“Exactly!” the man said. “He even sent fleets to search for the elixir of life…”

“And?” another patron pressed eagerly.

“Well, some say he never found it and died. But that’s nonsense. The emperor is still alive! I met him—we’re practically brothers now!”

“Seriously?” The patrons’ eyes lit up.

“Of course!” the man said, downing his drink. He squinted at his empty glass. “Hey, where’s my drink?”

“I’ve got you!” one patron quickly offered, handing money to the bartender to refill the man’s glass. “Now tell us—what happened after you became brothers with the emperor?”

“Well,” the man said, taking another swig, “he’s alive but lost his entire army. He promised me that if I gave him fifty pounds, he’d reclaim the world and make me a king!”

The patrons gasped, hanging on his every word.

Some even seemed tempted. Fifty pounds was a lot, but not entirely out of reach.

Bruce watched the scene with amusement.

“Idiots,” he muttered. “Falling for such obvious nonsense.”

“Who says he’s lying?” Kathoom suddenly said. “There is an Eastern emperor like that—Qin Shi Huang. And he’s still alive.”

“What?”

Bruce stared, genuinely startled. “You’re serious?”

“Of course!” Kathoom said. “Tell you what—give me back those gold bars, and I’ll tell you where he is!”

“Yeah, right,” Bruce said, rolling his eyes. “You’re clearly making this up.”

He turned and ascended the stairs to his room.

Kathoom flapped after him, shouting, “Wait! I’m not lying! I am Qin Shi Huang!”

—

After resting for about half an hour, Bruce and Diana came back downstairs.

They weren’t here for leisure—they had a mission to complete.

“Let’s find Ares directly!” Diana declared. “Didn’t you say he destroyed your school? Let’s start there—maybe we’ll find a lead!”

There was no way Bruce was taking Diana to Hogwarts.

“It’s unnecessary,” he said. “I know where Ares is…”

Before he could finish, they reached the lobby.

To their surprise, the once-bustling pub was now completely deserted.

In the center of the room stood a man with a cane, a noble air about him.

When he saw Bruce and Diana, he raised his glass in greeting.

“Took you long enough to come down!” he said with a smile.

Bruce’s eyes widened in shock.

He recognized the man immediately.

Lupin. Or rather—

Ares.

—

This is a fan translation of 蝙蝠侠的猫头鹰教父 by 巴巴罗萨光年. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!