Chapter 313: The Three Detectives (Conclusion)

"I don't know if you've heard the rumor that Gotham is also called the 'Dark Valley'—at least within esoteric circles, this title is well known; they say it's the convergence point of all darkness across North America and even the entire world, like a drain at the bottom of a swimming pool."

Constantine leaned back on the sofa with half-closed eyes, his tone relaxed and comfortable: "It's actually ideal for practicing black magic—not quite 'practice,' really; it's more that the place naturally facilitates communication with demons and the making of pacts."

"Like a material with high electrical conductivity?"

"Somewhat similar, but not exactly the same. In any case, during the last era, insiders flocked here en masse—but soon they realized this wasn't paradise for magical researchers, but hell, because a force exists here called the Court of Owls."

"I've heard of that name—a group of wealthy people trying to secretly control Gotham, and who recently suffered a major downfall."

Constantine shook his head: "I don't know what Court of Owls you're referring to, but the one I know is deeply tied to the esoteric; they're also called the 'Dark Priests'."

"There are legends that they can communicate with an ancient dark entity, receiving immense power without paying any price, using this power to train assassins or control others."

"How do you know all this?"

"I told you before—I've been tormented by my twin brother's curse, so I've paid close attention to every piece of information about the Mother Ghosts. I knew I'd need them eventually."

"While wandering in Nottingham, I met an old acquaintance of Grandmother Laurena and obtained a notebook belonging to her, Ivy. It recorded her observations and experiences in Gotham."

"Ivy was called the most powerful Mother Ghost in history; she was one of the esoteric insiders drawn to Gotham in that era. At first, like the others, she hoped to use Gotham's mystery and uniqueness to strengthen her bond with pact demons and gain greater power."

"But later, she violated the greatest taboo of the esoteric circle."

"You mentioned this before—what exactly was it?"

"She fell in love with a commoner named Solomon Wayne—the ancestor of Bruce Wayne."

"You said before that although Mother Ghosts sell children's souls to demons in exchange for power, they themselves must pay a price: they must sacrifice every child they give birth to."

"After Ivy and Solomon fell in love, she became pregnant. Solomon didn't know his lover was a witch; he was overjoyed at the coming newborn, and his joy infected Ivy."

"Ivy truly loved Solomon. She didn't want to sacrifice the fruit of her love to a demon—but by her own power, she couldn't break the pact. And at that moment, the hidden Dark Owl Priests of Gotham approached her…"

"After arriving in Gotham, Ivy had made many pacts and sacrificed numerous children; this abnormality caught the attention of the Dark Priests. They recognized Ivy's uniqueness and sought her out, hoping she would use her Mother Ghost abilities to control children—control the children, and you control Gotham's future."

"To protect the child in her womb, Ivy agreed. She promised that all descendants bearing the Mother Ghost bloodline would come to Gotham to help the Dark Priests control the city's children. The Dark Priests then used special methods to deceive the demons and preserve Ivy's unborn child."

"But those who break taboos always meet a grim end. Ivy and Solomon grew too close—until one night, Solomon discovered her evil cultivation methods. As a commoner, he could not accept any of it; he couldn't bear that his lover was a witch who had murdered countless children."

"He raised a gun to Ivy. Normally, as a witch, Ivy wouldn't fear an ordinary human's attack—but at that moment, Ivy was heavily pregnant, her child about to be born; it was the moment of her weakest power. If Solomon fired, she would die."

"But in the end, Solomon hesitated. He softened. He didn't fire—he expelled Ivy from Gotham."

"On that rainy night as she left Gotham, Ivy gave birth in a valley—and then discovered the Dark Priests had lied to her: the child she bore was a monster formed of dark energy…"

"Ivy used her last strength to kill the monster—and killed the child she had with Solomon."

"Yet she barely escaped with her life. She returned to England and spent her remaining years in peace. She recorded all secrets of Gotham and the Dark Priests, until they reached my hands."

"Back to the point—what's your situation with Laurena?"

"Laurena is bound by the pact between her ancestor Ivy and the Dark Priests, forced to come to this dark city—but she hates it here. She's tired of being treated like a hunting dog. She wants to break free from the Dark Priests."

"But she couldn't do it alone. When I approached her, we made a deal: if she helped me break the fetal curse, I'd help her break free from the Dark Priests' entanglement."

"It should've been a win-win deal—but…"

At that moment, a shrill telephone ring echoed through the dream space. Shieler snapped his fingers—the dream collapsed, and searing pain once again engulfed Constantine.

Shieler went downstairs to answer the phone. It was Bruce's voice: "Professor, Constantine is with you, right?"

"Correct. What do you want with him?"

"No matter what he tells you right now, Professor, subdue him immediately. I'm on my way."

Bruce hung up.

Soon, Batman appeared in Shieler's estate. When he entered the parlor and saw Constantine spitting blood, pale-faced, he turned to Shieler and said: "Thank you, Professor."

Shieler spread his hands: "I didn't do it."

Batman wore the unmistakable expression of "I don't believe you for a second." He thought: he'd beaten Constantine dozens of times before—and never had one blow from Shieler done more damage.

"You have an evil plan, don't you?" Batman fixed his gaze on Constantine's eyes.

Constantine turned his head away, his hands relaxed at his sides, as if he'd given up struggling. Batman stepped forward, gripped his throat, and lifted him up. His voice carried deep fury: "You and Sanchez want to sacrifice Gotham's children to achieve your goals, Constantine…"

Constantine clawed at his neck, gasping as if suffocating: "... ow... id you... now?"

"I found Solomon Wayne's journal. He mentioned those evil methods in his notes…"

"... nd what's that got to do with me?" Constantine struggled violently. Batman threw him to the ground: "The journal shows the magical array you drew at the Cooper crime scene."

"What does that prove?"

"According to the journal, that's not an ordinary demon-summoning array—it's an array for sacrificing children's souls to demons… What does that prove, Constantine? It proves you killed a child…"

"Cough, cough. Is that so? Then tell me—who did I kill?"

Constantine lay on the ground, clutching his throat, his gaze at Batman tinged with contempt: "The all-seeing, all-knowing Batman tells me—who did I kill? Who's the victim?"

He breathed heavily. Shieler stepped forward, slipped two painkillers into his mouth, and said: "I advise you to squeeze out the last bit of toothpaste quickly. Otherwise, even if Batman spares you, the curse inside you might not wait."

"I'm going to die anyway—what difference does it make if I speak or not?" Constantine lay flat, eyes half-lidded, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Constantine, it seems your years of deception weren't just about smooth talk—you've studied psychology well too…"

"Fine. After you finish telling the end of this story, we can think of a way to help you…"

Constantine rolled his eyes toward Shieler. Shieler looked down at him: "Don't expect me to sign a pact with you. For a scumbag like you, a verbal promise is my absolute limit."

Constantine let out a nasal huff, sprang up from the floor, wiped blood from his lip, shook his trench coat, straightened his tie, and sat back down on the sofa.