Chivalry of a Dark Knight [Batman x Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry]

CH3: Judgment and Punishment (prt 3)

By the time Stella finished unbuttoning her blouse, her face was fully red from the shame and humiliation. Her hands trembled as she slowly pulled it open and slipped it over her shoulders. It fell to the floor, joining the other articles of clothing and she was now only clad in her bra and panties. Tears were threatening to spill from her eyes but she held it back through sheer will, she refused to give the scum before her that kind of satisfaction.

But Bishou was thoroughly enjoying the ordeal he put her through and wanted to keep goading her.

"Did I tell you to stop? Go on, take them all off! I haven't got all day!"

Stella shakily tried raising her hands to complete the deed but she couldn't bring herself to do it and froze on the spot. This brought a sadistic grin to Bishou's face.

"What's wrong? Do you perhaps need some assistance?" he said with a sneer and with confidence, he began to approach her.

"If that is what you want then I'll gladly tear them of-"

Bishou's advancing had been halted when something spun in the air and struck the floor at his feet, making him and Stella jump back sightly. In confusion, both Bishou and Stella looked at the black, bat-shaped projectile that embedded itself on the floor with one of its bladed "wings".

"What in the..."

But before Bishou could express his confusion, the heel of a boot slammed against the side of his face and sent him tumbling back.

Stella's eyes were like saucers and her jaw dropped. Out of nowhere, someone attacked Bishou with a flying kick and this someone's appearance was so unusual that she had to blink to confirm that she wasn't dreaming. He was decked in a grey body armor with a cape that had scalloped edges and kind of mask that left his lower face exposed.

The masked stranger kept himself in between her and the terrorist leader and glanced back at her. She took a step back nervously but then he did something unexpected: he unfastened his cape and draped it around her before turning his attention and approaching Bishou. She felt confused as she instinctively held on the material that covered her. Despite the stranger's scary appearance, Stella couldn't help but stare at him in awe.

Bishou recovered from the impact, spun towards his assailant but then reeled back seeing his intimidating visage.

"Wh-where the hell did you come from!? What are you? Some kind of cosplayer!?"

The tattooed apostle was about to signal his men to open fire on either this new interloper or the hostages but to his shock, he realized that the five gunmen who were previously with the hostages are now gone.

"My guards! Where are my guards!?" he exclaimed.

Batman only answered with a right hook to his jaw.

"Can't hide behind your followers anymore. It's just you and me now, 'Apostle'."