Gotham was often called the "Dark City," but not merely because it was perpetually shrouded in clouds. In truth, Gotham possessed an intensely Gothic character—somber, secretive, dangerous. Its spires vanished into dense fog, while freezing rain drifted through the nights. That character had been shaped not only by its unique natural environment, but also by its atmosphere of reverence for philosophy and art.
Even during the most violent era of the gangs—street wars, shootings, massacres committed for family interests—the Twelve Families had never been mere thugs who only knew how to pull a trigger. They had their own cultural atmosphere and artistic pursuits. To outsiders, they seemed elegant enough to be almost aristocratic.
Such a profound cultural foundation had naturally not emerged overnight. The Irish who had landed here brought with them vast numbers of religious and cultural texts. The missionaries built churches first, and then came the libraries.
First came Gotham Library, then Gotham University, and only afterward came those Gotham madmen brimming with philosophy and artistic flair. Over the years, who knew how many people had poured their mad ideas into this place: unpublished manuscripts and biographies of every kind, texts compiled in madness, truths glimpsed by chance...
The salt once scattered here had flowed with filthy muddy water into the blood of Gotham's people, settling in their minds before returning to its original form beneath their pens. Book after book recounting the truth had been sealed away in Gotham University Library. They looked like the ravings of lunatics, yet one could find nearly all the truths of the Dark City here.
Not much had been preserved in Gotham University's old campus. Aside from a few protected historical buildings, the only thing that had never been moved was Gotham University Library. Beyond its immense historical and cultural value,