Time passed second by second. Chen Fan simply sat on the ground and chatted with Wendy. Occasional bursts of laughter drifted into Brain's ears, making it clear that Chen Fan didn't care about the wager at all. Brain grew increasingly uneasy.
Brain beckoned Cobra over and said, "Go see how Angel and the others are doing. Why haven't they finished off those small fry yet?"
"Yes." Cobra prepared to head down. He couldn't stand staying here any longer either. The snake at his side was constantly broadcasting signals that the man sitting there was extremely dangerous, yet Cobra couldn't see exactly what made Chen Fan so threatening. Still, Brain seemed to hold Chen Fan in great awe. Cobra didn't know much about Chen Fan, but he knew Brain.
He had never seen Brain show such reverence toward anyone. Earlier, when Brain mentioned that Midnight was a creation he had modeled after Chen Fan, it had given Cobra a shock. He knew Midnight well; the boy was a walking terror that left others feeling utterly powerless.
Before leaving, Cobra tried to extend his hearing toward Wendy and Carla, but a thin membrane seemed to block him, preventing his eavesdropping. It was an incredibly awkward sensation. He tried to force his way through, only to be repelled each time.
A slight smile played on the corner of Chen Fan's mouth. Noticing that smile, Cobra jumped in fright and quickly turned away, cold sweat trickling down his back as he hurried downward.
Suddenly, a loud voice rang out. "Ah!"
Brain and Cobra looked down to see Natsu sprinting up one of Nirvana's massive legs like a streak of smoke.
"Go deal with him, Cobra," Brain ordered.
Cobra nodded and charged toward Natsu.
With Cobra sent away, Brain turned back to Chen Fan. "Lord Chen Fan, I intend to test Nirvana's propulsion system. I trust you won't mind?"
Chen Fan glanced at Brain out of the corner of his eye, fully aware of what the man was planning. In truth, Chen Fan was counting on it. Although that old fellow Roubaul likely already knew Nirvana had been activated, it was better to let the old man witness its destructive power with his own eyes.
"Of course I don't mind. Suit yourself," Chen Fan replied casually.
"What exactly are you planning?" Carla asked, shooting Chen Fan a suspicious look. She had never been able to read this man. Her intuition was usually spot on, and though she couldn't understand Chen Fan, her gut told her that as long as he stepped in, everything would be settled easily. That was why she hadn't argued with him until now, but she was becoming more confused by the minute.
Chen Fan didn't give her a straight answer. He simply smiled at her, making Carla grit her teeth in annoyance.
Brain waved his staff, and golden magic circles lit up one after another, forming a ring. Within the center of that ring, an even larger magic circle ignitedthe propulsion system of Nirvana.
The colossal Nirvana began to move. Aside from an initial faint tremor, it felt as though it wasn't moving at all. In reality, Nirvana was indeed in motion; it was simply so massive that those on top of it couldn't feel the displacement.
While Chen Fan remained unaffected on the summit, Natsu, who was still on Nirvana's leg, couldn't handle the swaying. He sprawled against the mechanical limb, retching uncontrollably. Cobra seized the opportunity and kicked him off.
"Ah!" Wendy cried out in alarm.
The fall snapped Natsu out of his dizziness. Startled, he flailed his arms wildly, trying to grab onto anything.
Suddenly, a voice shouted, "Natsu!"
It was Happy, arriving just in time to catch him in mid-air.
Happy flew Natsu back up toward the top of Nirvana. Just as he was preparing to use a combat spell, he spotted Chen Fan and Wendy standing there.
He turned his head toward them and yelled, "Why are you over here? Don't tell me... you've betrayed us!"
"As if!" Chen Fan, Wendy, and Carla shouted back in unison.
Chen Fan pointed righteously at the three of them. "Look at us! We've clearly been kidnapped!"
"I'll believe that when I see it," Natsu retorted, though he immediately turned his attention back to Cobra. If it was Chen Fan, there was no need to worry; you only had to worry for Chen Fan's enemies.
Natsu and Cobra began to fight, but it was mostly Natsu taking a one-sided beating. Brain's tense expression gradually relaxed, and a smile slowly formed on his face.
Chen Fan maintained his eternal, unchanging grin. Wendy stared at the fight nervously, her fists clenched tight. Carla looked on with a disdainful expression, but anyone could see she was also on edge.
Brain leaned toward Chen Fan and said with a smile, "Lord Chen Fan, it seems my subordinate is the superior one. This wager is as good as mine."
"Oh? Is that so? I wouldn't be so sure," Chen Fan replied.
Brain's smile faltered for a moment before he chuckled. "Lord Chen Fan, you are as fond of joking as ever."
"I do love to joke, but do I look like I'm joking right now?" Chen Fan's expression remained the same.
Brain found it impossible to gauge Chen Fan's mood. Suddenly, Brain felt a sharp sting on his face. Swoosh. One of the markings on his skin vanished.
"How is this possible? Was Angel defeated?" Brain gasped in shock.
"See? I told you I wasn't joking, but you just wouldn't believe me," Chen Fan said with a laugh, shrugging his shoulders.
Brain's face darkened as he walked away. Cobra's ears twitched as if receiving a command, and his attacks became even more ferocious.
Chen Fan watched Brain's back and smiled, leaving Carla and Wendy scratching their heads in confusion.
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