The no-kill principle

Damian was thoroughly satisfied with Miaomiao's answer, but everyone else frowned.

For no other reason than that Wayne Manor now had one more person to worry about.

Bruce's expression turned solemn. "Miaomiao, since you've decided to live in human society, you must remember one ironclad rule: you must never, ever kill anyone."

Miaomiao had never been ashore before, nor had she even interacted with humans, so naturally, she had never killed anyone. But Batman had to warn her that she must never take a life in the future, either.

Under Batman's guidance, the Bat-affiliated heroes all followed the no-kill principle throughout their vigilante careers. While "on the job," they could break someone's arms or legs if necessary, and they could torture people for information, but they had to hold to the bottom line of "no killing."

Batman believed that so-called "vigilantes" were themselves criminals who used violence to stop violence. Reality left them no choice but to do this to save Gotham, but they could not take the place of the law and God and take someone's life.

No one could remain fair and impartial forever, or never make a mistake. Once this kind of private, violent enforcement crossed that final line, a fallen "hero" would be more terrifying than a "villain."

While observing parallel universes, Batman had seen versions of himself in certain universes who had crossed that line. It truly was a disaster that spread throughout the entire universe.

Whatever happened, not killing was the safety line Batman had set for himself and everyone else.

Except for Jason Todd, the antihero known as "Red Hood," who had made a point of opposing his old man after coming back from the dead, everyone in the Bat Family followed that ironclad rule-including Damian Wayne, who had come from the League of Assassins, an organization of killers.

Miaomiao's situation, however, was a little more complicated.

She was a marine life-form from another world and did not even have human identification.

In a society where even mutants were treated as "outsiders" by the public, Miaomiao's true identity was her fatal weakness. If she accidentally killed someone, not even Batman's reputation could protect her.

Miaomiao did not understand all the intricacies involved, but she was a good girl.

Wasn't it just a matter of not killing anyone? What was the big deal? She wasn't a homicidal maniac to begin with.

So Miaomiao offered no resistance and obediently nodded. "Okay, I'll remember."

She agreed so readily, without showing the slightest reluctance or any sign of merely humoring him, that Bruce, who had prepared a whole speech, was left a little bewildered.

Huh? That... that was it? No explanation needed? No stern warnings? Not even a fight to subdue her by force?

Bruce stole a glance at his youngest son beside him, remembering the chaotic days a year ago when Damian had arrived to claim his father and given the entire family a headache. He could hardly believe it.

"What's wrong? Is there anything else?"

Without the slightest reluctance, Miaomiao happily spun in a circle, her large blue-violet tail rippling through the water, its shimmering beauty almost beyond description.

"No, nothing."

She was such a good, obedient girl, and she'd already promised not to kill anyone. Why keep being so hard on her?

It was downright wicked of him to demand so much!

Bruce suddenly stiffened for a moment, looking at Miaomiao with a mixture of wariness and helplessness-

That thought just now... had the Little Merfolk's voice influenced him again? Superpowers really didn't play fair.

Bruce decided to contact Zatanna later and see whether she had any magical items that could ward off the influence of the Little Merfolk's voice.

"Also, Miaomiao, would you be willing to have your abilities tested?"

"Sure."

Miaomiao agreed immediately. She was also very curious about what level her abilities would rank at in Bruce's society.

The ability testing took place in a dedicated room in the Batcave.

Because of Miaomiao's Merfolk traits, data such as her underwater speed and pressure resistance could only be based on her own descriptions for now. Everything else was tested using the equipment in the room. The results-

Everyone stared at the test report in silence.

As expected of a baby Merfolk from the deep sea who could tear a Batsuit apart with her bare hands, even her physical strength alone easily outclassed a whole host of ordinary heroes and villains.

Of course, in an actual fight to the death, the Little Merfolk had strength but lacked the systematic training to match it, relying entirely on instinct in combat. Given time to prepare, Batman was confident he could defeat her with his martial arts skills, combat experience, and various high-tech gadgets.

But if they met head-on with nothing but their own strength to rely on...

It would take the demigoddess Wonder Woman, Diana Prince, or Aquaman, Arthur Curry, who carried the bloodline of the queen of Atlantis, to overpower her through their extraordinary physiques.

On the magical side, the mental influence of the Little Merfolk's voice was almost impossible to guard against. Even Batman had unwittingly fallen under its sway-and his willpower was something even Superman admired.

Most importantly, Miaomiao was still only a baby who had yet to reach adulthood!

They could hardly imagine how much power she would have once she was fully grown!

"Miaomiao, you said before that there are no Merfolk in our world, right?"

Seeing the girl nod in confirmation, Red Robin, Tim, quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps it was unkind to think this way, but the thought of an entire group of people with such formidable abilities living hidden in the deep sea set off Red Robin's alarm bells without pause-a wariness he had inherited from Batman.

At least they now knew that Earth's already disaster-plagued humans did not have to guard against yet another unknown, powerful race.

Still, Miaomiao was so young, not even an adult, and yet she had to leave all her people behind to come to a completely unfamiliar world and live with land-dwelling humans she had never encountered before...

Everyone felt a little more tenderness toward the girl.

Alfred stroked the girl's soft, long hair, his expression warm and loving. "Miss Miaomiao, what would you like for dinner tonight? Roast meat? A little steak? Bacon pizza? Pasta? If you'd like a taste of home, I'm not particularly skilled at Chinese cooking, but we can call a restaurant in Chinatown and order something."

At that, Miaomiao's face lit up with delight. She planted a soft little kiss on the old butler's cheek, jumped back into the water, swam a lap, and leaped out again.

"I love Alfred the most!"

Yes, although Miaomiao had met Batman, Bruce, first, what Bat-affiliated hero could resist Alfred, who was as kind and gentle as a beloved elder and could bake delicious cookies?

Even Batman, who never knew how to communicate, received angry cries of "F**k Batman" from his little birds. But Butler Batman, Alfred, had never received a single bad review in all his years of holding power-and the ladle-at Wayne Manor!

Thus, during Miaomiao's few days at Wayne Manor, Alfred's unique charm and culinary skills had sent his place in her heart soaring, even briefly surpassing Bruce, Miaomiao's actual connector!

It couldn't be helped. To Miaomiao, who loved good food with all her heart, Butler Batman was a wonderful cook, whereas the food made by Bruce, a walking culinary disaster...

Even the Little Merfolk, who happily gnawed on unseasoned grilled fish, did not dare take a bite...