Chapter 829: The Charms of Education (Part 1) (Patreon)

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Can DC truly embrace political correctness?

This is indeed a question that needs to be examined from multiple angles. In the early days of DC Comics, political correctness was virtually nonexistent. Not only did it contain storylines involving the death of children and gruesome murders, but it also lacked the diversity and certain special attributes of heroes that are now well-known.

Of course, DC's editorial department eventually made compromises for commercial reasons. People of color gained more representation, and there were some adjustments made to the character designs and backgrounds of female heroes. In movies like "Space," they deliberately introduced characters of different ethnic backgrounds to increase diversity.

However, in general, it is more challenging for DC to adopt a political correctness framework compared to Marvel. This is because DC's overall tone is darker, and certain elements, like breaking the fourth wall akin to comedic characters, don't fit well.

Nevertheless, there are other ways to utilize the political correctness aura, but it must be done within the stylistic confines of the DC Comic universe.

Schiller understands that simply putting a shell over the world and making Batman laugh won't be enough to deal with the Laughing Bat. Moreover, there's a very practical issue at hand: Bruce Wayne is just a regular human being. His physical abilities and skills are not significantly beyond that of an ordinary person, and he lacks any remarkable healing powers or superhuman strength.

However, Laughing Bat is different. After being infected by the Joker, he possesses the Dionysian factor, and he has even transformed Robin into a sharp-toothed hound. Furthermore, he doesn't operate alone; he leads an entire team of Batmans, each with exceptional skills.

Of course, if it were the older Batman, he might choose to temporarily avoid confrontation and use his intellect to defeat Laughing Bat. But Schiller isn't certain if his own version of Batman in this space can tolerate such a repulsive character messing with his plans.

Even though they're all Batmans, maturity comes with age. Bruce is only 20 years old this year, and who hasn't been headstrong and idealistic in their youth?

Setting aside the laughter, there's also the issue of Barbados. When other Batmans from different spaces come seeking help, will Bruce go or not?

Considering his personality, he would undoubtedly go, but those Batmans who have lived for four or five decades are already experienced and wise strategists. Bruce has only been alive for 20 years, with many lessons left to learn and numerous Bachelor of Science degrees yet to be earned. In terms of raw power and experience, he can't compete with those seasoned Batmans.

Therefore, Schiller believes that he can use the political correctness aura as an additional safeguard, in simple terms, to give him a "Resurrection" armor.

After becoming an officially recognized Angel bearing the title of Heaven, Schiller didn't remain idle. In recent days, he thoroughly studied the Bible and all the Gospels, reaching the point where he saw halos above everyone's heads.

After all, regardless of how other aspects of political correctness are defined, religion always plays a significant role in Western societies, and all actions and words must be carefully considered. Violating other aspects of political correctness might result in criticism, but when it comes to certain religious elements, it could lead to a disappearance.

Isn't it as if everyone has placed walkthroughs and cheat codes right in front of you? Without careful study, wouldn't it be a waste of the Bible's authors' painstaking efforts?

When Schiller met Bruce in the slums, he realized that Bruce's actions actually paralleled the story of Jesus' incarnation.

To redeem humanity's sins, God sent His beloved son into the world. After enduring hardships, He willingly allowed Himself to be crucified on the cross, shedding His blood for humanity.

Bruce had already experienced hardship, and what Schiller needed to do was to guide him to willingly be crucified on the cross.

Schiller didn't intend for Bruce to immediately donate all his wealth and become destitute, using all his money to improve human society. This was not the top priority at the moment. After all, both human society as a whole and Gotham were still manageable.

However, to preserve this valuable card, Schiller had to first envelop Batman in a halo.

As a result, he solemnly depicted the dire situation in Gotham and had Constantine inform Batman about the root causes of Gotham's darkness, creating a sense of impending crisis that forced him to act.

In the end, Bruce made a choice that only a deity would make. After shedding the negative emotions and flaws of his humanity, he reclaimed most of his divinity.

Likewise, when he made the decision to bring absolute fairness to humanity and provide ultimate happiness to everyone, it meant that he was willing to sacrifice everything to atone for the sins of all humanity.

This paralleled the story of Jesus, who willingly allowed Himself to be crucified, shed His blood, and met death to redeem humanity's sins.

Of course, this wasn't enough. After Jesus died, there were Angels to guide Him, and saints to preach about Him. Coincidentally, Schiller was a true Angel.

When he narrated the entire story as Lieutenant General in the Church, it became a story that paralleled the actions of Jesus in the Bible.

Suffering, baptism, resisting temptation, and self-sacrifice... Batman, through his actions, gained a radiance similar to that of Jesus, the Son of God.

So, in certain dangerous events that would follow, this character held a special significance. He had shed the last drop of blood for humanity, and when he died, he truly became the Son of Jesus.

It also means that Bruce from this Space will no longer be a background character who can die casually in some major event. His death must be epic, have a story, be grand, and he must be resurrected after death.

Otherwise, if a story with religious elements has already been written, but the character representing the Son of God, Jesus, is arranged as a minor role and is casually killed by other characters, the editorial department is somewhat reckless.

As for God? The Lord doesn't care.

Standing in the Church, Batman asked, "What was that kind of light just now?"

Schiller, who felt he had already completed all his plans, breathed a sigh of relief, casually tossed the Bible aside, and said, "It's nothing. Alright, you can go back now. The thesis is on the office desk."

After saying that, he was about to leave, but Batman stopped him and said, "What about the next transformation plan? How can I turn Wayne Enterprises and my wealth into the power to transform the world?"

Schiller looked at him and said, "Are you in a hurry to do something? Do you think this can be done overnight? Don't you think, tomorrow, you'll donate all the wealth of Wayne Enterprises and then everyone will be happy?"

Batman looked silently at Schiller. The atmosphere had already been rendered to this point, and he was already prepared to be crucified, but Schiller told him that if he wanted to be a saint, he had to wait a hundred and eighty years first. Then what was all the mental preparation for?

Schiller smiled and said, "This is the consequence of you not studying psychology well. Don't you know? The thing I'm best at is creating a nervous atmosphere, making people forget some very simple common sense."

"But without a relationship, you're not the first. The last fool I played was the genius who created the Ark Reactor."

Batman took a deep breath. He had indeed been influenced by a certain atmosphere. He felt that from tomorrow on, he couldn't live in that luxurious Manor anymore, couldn't drive luxury cars, and couldn't have endless money to spend. From tomorrow on, he would be a pauper.

But in reality, even if he had the most wealth in the world and the most powerful scientific research ability, by the time all these transformations were completed, he might be too old to move.

By then, for him, more wealth would be meaningless. After all, you can't take it with you when you die.

"Alright, now let's go back to the office and figure out where to start the transformation of Gotham. If you want to see your ideals realized before you die, it's best to hurry up..."

Batman's brain began to work frantically. He started calculating how much time it would take to achieve the kind of result Schiller had mentioned.

After some calculations, he realized that, considering he could live to 80, time was very tight right now, and it might not be enough.

Thinking of this, he quickened his pace, deciding not to care about the fact that Schiller had played him. But just as he overtook Schiller and walked ahead, he heard a voice from behind:

"Now, you can act according to your own consciousness, without fear of injury and death. If you encounter a problem that you can't understand, then pray to God."

Batman paused and said, "I don't believe in God."

"Coincidentally, God's favorite son doesn't believe in God either. Keep up this style, and you'll become his favorite son too."

Leaving the church, it was dusk. Schiller and Batman walked side by side in the alley near Gotham Cathedral. A truck passed by them, splashing a series of water. Newsboys rode their bicycles, chasing each other, and the sound of their bells was constant.

The smell of the bakery next to the street wafted over, and the chubby owner was cleaning the oven gloves at the door. Gang members gathered in groups near the barbecue stand, boasting and laughing.

"Did you read the travelogue I handed in?" Batman asked.

"Of course, I did," Schiller nodded.

"If I can't accomplish everything I want to do, do you think I should find a successor for myself?" Batman asked again.

Schiller took a deep breath. The slightly damp air after the rain mixed with the smell of food, creating a complex aroma. He said, "Batman, you don't understand education at all. When you see an excellent child, you want him to be your assistant. After bringing him home, you see the next one."

"There are many geniuses in this world. If they are raised to adulthood, they might be able to help you. But the only problem is, do you love them? Do they love you?"

Schiller stopped at the entrance of the alley, looked at Batman, and said, "I know you have high hopes for Jason, thinking he's smart and talented, but isn't Dick as well?"

"The only difference between the two of them is that I've been teaching Jason, while you just threw Dick into school and ignored him."

"If that dead little girl hasn't made you realize the importance of the right way of education, then I can only say that the report I wrote was not wrong. Batman is indeed a child-eating monster."

Batman narrowed his eyes and looked at Schiller. "So you did write that report..."

"But was I wrong?" Schiller said very confidently. "You bring one child after another home, but you don't educate them, leading them down the wrong path. Isn't that worse than what I wrote?"

"Batman," Schiller sighed, "sooner or later, you will realize how precious a child's love is. This is the purest emotion you will ever experience in this world..."

"If you waste them all, you will regret it for the rest of your life."

Watching Schiller walk away, Batman thought of Dick and Aisha. He thought that improving Gotham's education problem was a great ideal, but could he educate his own children well before that?

[Read at www.patreon.com/shanefreak, and thanks for the invaluable support!]

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Next Chapter>>Chapter 830: The Charms of Education (Part 1)