"Professor, you really don't have to worry so much about me." Cobblepot shook his head, "I don't have any self-destructive tendencies, just some things I need to think about. The dose for my mother has already been tested and injected; as for mine, I still need to consider."
"Are you considering saving it for Edward?" Shiller saw through him, "He indeed has pathological mental issues, and they are quite complex, hard to solve through normal means. But I still suggest you use it first; once you recover, you'll find ways to get more."
Cobblepot seemed somewhat silent. Shiller saw his reluctance and didn't persuade further. Alberto enthusiastically hosted Shiller, although there weren't many people at the estate now, Alberto still prepared a table full of dishes and two bottles of good wine.
"How is the Old Godfather's health?" Shiller asked.
"He's doing well," Alberto replied, "Brainiac has him overseeing a large lemon grove in Sicily, where he's currently working with Miss Isley on plant gigantism experiments."
"Lemons need to be gigantized?" Shiller couldn't help but ask.
"Sicilian big lemons aren't sour," Alberto explained countless times, "Due to their low acidity but rich aroma, they are famous worldwide. Most aren't eaten directly but are used to extract essential oils."
"I see," Shiller nodded and said, "Has he ever thought about coming back to see the current Gotham?"
Alberto shook his head and said, "Honestly, once you've adapted to the Southern Italian climate, no one has the courage to return to Gotham. Even though the weather in Gotham has gotten much better, it can't be compared to Sicily."
Alberto's emotions were also somewhat downcast: "For many years, Gotham's damn climate and pollution have greatly burdened my father's health. He recuperated in Italy for a long time, barely recovering. The doctors advised him not to go to overly dark and damp places, or it might recur."
Shiller understood, the Old Godfather likely had some issues with his bones and joints, thanks to Gotham's damn weather. People with such conditions should avoid rainy and damp regions and should go to sunny and warm places for recuperation; Southern Italy fits those requirements perfectly.
Gotham's weather has indeed improved a lot, but it still can't compare to the Mediterranean countries, especially not to places like Italy and Spain, which have mild climates and are always sunny; those places are truly blessed.
Shiller wanted the Old Godfather to return for a visit, actually just to let him see Gotham's changes firsthand. But since his health needs to be nurtured, there's no hurry, Gotham will continue to get better.
"But the pressing issue now is the rainy season." Cobblepot looked out the window and said, "This year's rainfall is exceptionally high; I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing."
"This is the result of my efforts to repair the water cycle," Brainiac spoke up, "Next summer's heat island effect will decrease significantly."
But evidently, Gothamites become melancholic as soon as it rains. They're not asking these seemingly non-specific questions to hear a scientific explanation; they're just engaging in a train of thought.
"It's not a good omen," Alberto said, "It seems several electric towers broke down last night, and there might be a blackout tonight. Gotham hasn't been this dark in a long time."
"Tonight might not be very calm," Shiller lowered his eyelids, "I hope I won't miss my TV program."
"No more electric towers will be damaged," Brainiac continued to explain, "That was an accident before, now all the lightning rods are set up. Also, missed TV programs will have reruns, you can watch them tomorrow."
None of the three of them responded to him. And soon, more people joined them, as the staff and students from Gotham University had settled in, naturally more people came along.
"Mr. Falcone, very nice to meet you." Victor shook hands with him. Behind Victor was another person, Bruce Banner from a certain cosmos, one of the scientists brought back by Shiller.
Banner also stepped forward to shake hands with Alberto. He appeared somewhat gloomy, clearly not in a good mood. Seeing him, Shiller also stepped forward to shake hands with him.
"How's it going? Are you adapting, Dr. Banner?"
"Overall, not bad," Banner managed a smile that's more like a grimace, "At least I'm still human, I'm still on Earth."
"Brainiac won't exile you," Shiller said, "He has specific and stable criteria for judging humans, and so far you haven't violated them. And electronic life cannot act against its will, so you can rest assured."
"That's exactly what I wanted to say," Banner showed an extremely sharp, sarcastic smile, "My fellow people want to exile me, yet it's an artificial intelligence that's sheltering me."
"He's not entirely considered artificial intelligence," Victor explained to him, "Currently he's a form of existence between intelligent life and artificial intelligence. If I'm not mistaken, he sympathized with your situation, right?"
"I thought he was just mimicking," Banner said, trying to be spirited, "Being sympathized by an artificial intelligence isn't exactly a good thing for me."
"What I'm saying is, you can't just perceive him as an emotionless tool; it's not that we're rescuing you using this tool, it's entirely his own will."
"I will thank him." Banner's mental state was poor, clearly not receptive to anything. Victor also had no means to help.
"Go upstairs and rest for a while, sir." Alberto timely interrupted them, saying to Banner, "The sleeping pills are in the second drawer of the bedside cabinet."
Banner quickly went over. You know, under Brainiac's control, getting sleeping pills is as hard as ascending to heaven. His diagnosis result isn't out yet, so he can't get the medication; he hasn't slept well for several nights.
Victor disagreed a bit and said, "Escaping isn't a way to solve problems. He must understand something to truly stay here."
"A forced marriage isn't sweet," Alberto said, "If he keeps thinking about those things, in the end, he's still going back. Forcing him to stay doesn't make sense, and it's more likely his inner guy will smash everything here."
Victor sighed deeply: "I just hope he understands that he's really not considered a monster here. From ordinary person to ruler, no one would want to expel him."
Alberto said, "Seeing is better than hearing." He led them to the table and had the chef prepare some dishes.
Generally speaking, hiring a private chef is not allowed now, but Alberto's situation is quite special. Previously, the entire Gotham was built on the mob system, and the Godfather was the spiritual leader of the mob system, even today, there are many die-hard followers.
For Gotham's stability, Brainiac makes some concessions regarding Alberto's living details. Although he assigned Alberto work, his colleagues are all his former subordinates, which also allowed more residents in his house, though they are all former servants from the estate.
This group of servants watched Alberto grow up, and their relationship with Alberto is like that of Alfred and Bruce. It's not just a normal employment relationship; there's an emotional bond. Brainiac understands and hasn't forcefully separated these people.
Not long after, Ethan arrived. On his evacuation route, he picked up his newly processed identity documents.
"It seems like you're adapting quickly," Victor said.
"I'm quite good at adapting," Ethan chuckled, looking at his documents and said, "I'm not flattering anyone, but I do quite like it here; it's a very simple city."
"It's the first time I've heard someone describe Gotham like that," Shiller looked at him and said.
"It's simple because everyone's not simple," Ethan hit the nail on the head, "Compared to teammates who, when something goes wrong, not only cry but also desperately drag everyone down, I prefer to work with a group of not-so-simple people. They're capable of handling most things themselves and can even help me."
"I believe those who help themselves are helped by nature," Ethan continued, "If you abandon yourself and are unwilling to strive a bit, then any disaster can defeat you. I can see that most people in this city have an unyielding spirit. Faced with difficulties, they don't sit and wait to die, their will to survive is strong, and they understand how to help each other, which makes things easier for me."
Shiller recalled Ethan was a key figure in aiding Iron Man's return to civilized society. Whether in movies or comics, their relationship was quite good. Perhaps it was precisely because the awakened Iron Man decided to rescue himself, rather than indulge as he did before.
For rulers, Gotham's mobsters might be a bit too unruly. But for doctors, such vitality is just right. No one wants their patients to be lifeless and hopeless; everyone hopes they're as stubborn as a young bull, even with one last breath, still struggling and arm-wrestling with Death. Gothamites are quite good at this, no wonder Ethan feels positive about Gotham.
By comparison, Banner doesn't adapt well. It's not that he doesn't adapt well, but his previous experiences filled him with resentment, his mind occupied with past matters, without thoroughly understanding this cosmos and this city. Victor is trying hard, but with little effect.
Shiller didn't expect everyone to stay; there's no need to force it. It's best to let everyone come and go as they please. Gotham has changed a lot, but one thing remains unchanged — those who belong to Gotham will ultimately stay in Gotham.
After dinner, they played cards for fun and watched some TV programs, but unfortunately, they had different tastes. Except for Shiller, no one liked watching crime-solving documentaries, according to Victor, Shiller was just indulging himself. Shiller simply smiled and said nothing.
Later in the evening, as they didn't do much activity, no one was hungry, so they decided to handle their work. Yet Shiller remained in the living room, and everyone assumed he was tired from grading assignments, or wanting to watch the shows he didn't catch yesterday.
As night fully descended, thunder followed closely, with torrential rain pouring outside. The sound of raindrops hitting water and ground was distinctly different, rising rainwater could even create a wave-like force. Accompanied by increasing gales, many splashes could hit the windows, making frightening noises.
Suddenly, the shadow of the window frame began to flicker rapidly, rotating continuously like the needle of a broken clock spinning swiftly. Amidst the intertwining red and blue shadows, Alberto drew his gun, Brainiac let out a sharp scream.
No one paid attention to him. Alberto quickly walked towards the door, others gathered against the walls, each finding cover. "Knock, knock, knock," the door was knocked.
"GCPD! Open the door!"
Alberto was momentarily dazed; growing up, he'd never been called to the door by the police. As he was about to say something, Shiller stopped him.
He stepped forward and opened the door, the wind and rain rushed in faster than the police. Numerous flashlight beams illuminated the dense rain lines, also lighting up those gray pupils, turning them into colorless ice.
Unexpectedly, standing at the door was Tim. Tim waved to stop the people behind him, then flashed his credentials and said, "Director Gordon is not here, I am temporarily assuming the role of Deputy Chief of Gotham Police Department."
His voice was deep, "Something's happened, Professor."