"Wow…" Alfred muttered, staring at the dial tone. He quickly set the shrimp aside, grabbed the phone, and dashed toward his bedroom. A swift kick opened the hidden secret door embedded in the wall.
Wayne Manor had stood for nearly three hundred years, growing and evolving with each generation of Waynes. Over time, countless hidden passages and secret rooms had been added. But Alfred's personal entrance was one of his own making.
Although he wasn't the head of the family, Alfred had effectively managed the manor ever since Thomas Wayne's death. He couldn't control Wayne Enterprises, but Wayne Manor? That had no secrets from him.
Crossing the damp corridor, Alfred entered his armory. As a former MI6 agent, he was ready to protect the Wayne Family as Ace Agent Pennyworth if needed.
But when he looked at the rows of weapons, ammunition, and gadgets, he froze. None of this would stop Axel.
Bruce had already hacked into Department of Defense databases and reviewed all Axel footage from Smallville. Even a missile strike couldn't guarantee Axel's defeat, so how could guns, blades, and gadgets keep the family safe if Axel truly chose to attack?
Shaking his head, Alfred left the armory. Closing the secret door, he stood silently, eyes closed, contemplating countermeasures.
Outside, Axel gazed at the manor gate hidden among the trees. In the distance, the main mansion loomed, ancient and imposing. He clapped his hands in satisfaction.
"This is beautiful. How did I miss this yesterday? This manor is really stylish. Last time, I was only thinking about steak, but I can multitask now."
Patting Officer Benjamin on the shoulder, Axel tossed him his wet coat.
"Thanks for the drive, kid. I don't have cash for the fare, but this coat's worth a few thousand at least. Consider it a souvenir."
Axel stepped out, patting the passenger door.
"Gotham's going to get even crazier in the next few days. If I were you, I'd see which relatives can cover for me at work, take ten days off, find a safe spot, maybe pick up some girls or sunbathe. That's what a smart person does."
He waved Benjamin off, then approached the manor gate. He raised his foot to kick it open, but stopped mid-motion.
"Wait a second… I keep thinking this is someone else's house. This isn't the Wayne Family gate—it's my gate now. Axel Family style!"
With a single leap, he landed gracefully on the lawn. Wayne Manor sprawled far and wide, with multiple buildings. Servants, gardeners, drivers, and stablehands lived across the estate. Alfred alone couldn't monitor everything.
Axel made straight for the main castle, following the smell of cooking. He pushed open the kitchen door and found Alfred frying steaks. The aroma hit him like a lightning bolt.
Alfred turned, frowning, then softened as he saw Axel.
"Well, I didn't expect to see you again. You're Axel, right? Here to pay me back for the steak, or can't you forget how good it was?"
He placed a sizzling steak on a plate and took a bite himself, savoring it.
"As expected, perfect doneness. Care to join me?"
"Of course! Fate brought me to your steak, Alfred, how could I resist?" Axel grinned and dug in, knife and fork moving fast.
Alfred watched him, satisfaction in his eyes.
"If my master always ate like you do, I'd be content. But nowadays, young people prefer food outside the home. You're just freeloading, aren't you?"
"What? Did you say I was freeloading?" Axel interrupted, holding a bite of steak.
"If I heard right, you wished your master was someone like me? Well, why not say so sooner? After two of your steaks, I owe you big time. If you want to be president, that's harder, but wanting a master like me? Easy. I'll be your master!"
He didn't eat another bite. In a flash, Axel was at Alfred's side, casually draping his arm over him.
"Remember what I told you about Downton Manor? I couldn't find one before, even after turning Gotham upside down. Now, I have a manor right here. Perfect match, isn't it?"
Chuckling, he patted Alfred's back.
"From now on, you're my butler, Alfred, and this manor is renamed Downton Manor. Finally, a proper home in Gotham! Now make me two more of those steaks—I love these things. Honestly, I'm much easier to serve than your previous master, haha!"
Alfred's expression shifted from cautious to incredulous as Axel happily tucked into more steak.