"We'll talk about it after the trial is over," the frog-faced man said in a firm tone.
Chen Fan merely glanced at him, then ignored him. He was completely uninterested in such a 'small fry.'
"Chen Fan, don't be so arrogant! This is the Council, not your Fairy Tail guild!" A Council Member stood up, slamming his hand on the table, and said sharply.
"You must be new here," Chen Fan said, looking at the speaker with an expression that said, 'You're a rookie.' It made the man feel incredibly uncomfortable, like he had just been thoroughly insulted.
"So what if I'm new?! Even if I'm new, I'm still one of the Council Members!" The man said in a somewhat louder voice.
"Do you... do you believe I can have you removed by tomorrow?" Chen Fan said to the man, his tone a clear threat, which shocked the man into silence. Chen Fan's prestige within the Council was still very high, and everyone knew it.
At this moment, a white-bearded old man began to speak. "Chen Fan, what exactly do you have to say?" His tone was quite displeased. Chen Fan had casually suggested replacing a Council Member in front of so many people, which made the old Council Members feel embarrassed.
"Oh, just a joke, don't be so serious. We've been friends for many years, haven't we?" Chen Fan clapped his hands and said, his tone incredibly annoying, making everyone in the Council want to hit him. They barely managed to restrain themselves. This was not a good place to fight, and they knew Chen Fan's status all too well. A long time ago, Chen Fan was an influential figure in the country. After all these years, they didn't believe Chen Fan didn't have his own influence.
"Boom!!!"
A large hole was punched into the wall. Natsu, wearing flashy clothes, burst in, interrupting Chen Fan's plan. Chen Fan had forgotten this part.
"I am the Armored Woman Magician! If you can catch me, try! I'm Erza! Hey...! Quickly tell me what crime I've committed!" As he spoke, he began to breathe fire and cause a commotion.
"Shut up, you idiot!" Chen Fan and Erza yelled at Natsu in unison.
"Ah, Chen Fan, you're here too! Quickly tell them I'm the Armored Woman Magician!" Natsu said to Chen Fan.
"Given this situation, Chen Fan, what do you suggest we do?" Ultear said in a playful tone.
Chen Fan didn't pay her any mind; now was not the time to deal with this woman. Turning, Chen Fan said to all the Council Members, "Alright, as you can see, this person did it. Lock him up."
The Council Members looked at each other. This was clearly Chen Fan talking nonsense, but they truly couldn't afford to offend Chen Fan at this time. So they said, "Lock up that armored woman, the Magician. Erza is acquitted."
"Wait, it was my fault, and I will bear the responsibility. Lock me up too," Erza said seriously. She truly couldn't stand letting someone else be blamed for her actions.
Several Council Members looked expectantly at Chen Fan, clearly letting him make the decision. After all, this was a small matter, and it wasn't worth making Chen Fan angry. At the same time, they also felt some regret. Of all the people to get in trouble, they just had to get in trouble with Erza, wanting to see Chen Fan's attitude towards Fairy Tail. The result was that they didn't succeed in causing trouble but instead brought trouble upon themselves.
"Then lock her up," Chen Fan said. Erza was stunned, feeling a bit disappointed, but Chen Fan quickly continued, "Erza will be arranged in a special room, and Natsu can only have a regular room."
Erza thought, "At least he still has a conscience." A slight smile appeared on the corner of her lips.
The moonlight at night shone through the window, casting a grayish light inside the room. The occasional squeak of a mouse outside the window made it seem incredibly eerie. Chen Fan sat in a chair near the window, facing outside, leaning back in the chair, eyes closed, as if he were asleep.
Suddenly, Chen Fan opened his eyes. "You're here," he said.
A figure emerged from the dark corner. It was the same person from the Council who had argued with Chen Fan earlier.
"Have you firmly established yourself in the Council?" Without turning his head, Chen Fan said indifferently.
"Yes, subordinate has successfully entered the center of power of the Council today," the figure said, kneeling on one knee.
"Is anyone suspicious of you?" Chen Fan continued to ask.
"Initially, the Council Members were a bit suspicious, but today's dispute with the Master has made them lower their guard. Only Jick Raines and Ultear still seem to have some doubts about the subordinate."
"You don't need to worry about Jick Raines. He's a smart person. I personally helped him rise, and I can pull him down anytime. I think he understands these things. Just interact with him less in the future, and don't reveal anything. Alright, you can go back," Chen Fan said, waving his hand.
"Yes." After speaking, the figure slowly faded, gradually disappearing into the air. At the same time, another figure outside Chen Fan's door also disappeared.
Although the plan was interrupted by Natsu, Chen Fan was confirmed from the Council's performance today that it was someone from the Council who had made a move against him. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been so tolerant. Only those old geezers could do something so stupid.
However, the Magic Council was indispensable. Otherwise, Chen Fan would have truly wanted to wipe them out. He never let anyone who dared to make a move against him live. He clenched his fist tightly for a moment, then relaxed it.
Suddenly, Chen Fan stood up, looked at the blood moon in the sky, and muttered, "Jellal, don't disappoint me."