Because It Was Fun

Natsu from Edolas also jumped off the car. He looked at his other self in such a miserable state, his face full of disgust and disbelief.

"Is this guy... really me from another world? He's so lame!"

He spoke as he walked towards the crowd.

However, the moment his feet touched solid ground, something magical happened.

Natsu, the racer who was cool and domineering just a second ago, suddenly lost his aura.

The confidence and nonchalance on his face vanished without a trace, replaced by a timidity and unease like that of a small animal.

He kept his head down, his hands nervously clutching the hem of his clothes, and even his steps became small and hesitant; he dared not look at anyone.

"Um... I'm so sorry..."

His voice was so soft it was like a mosquito's hum, and it even had a hint of a sob in it.

"W-Was it because I... drove too fast? I'm so sorry for causing you all this trouble!"

As he spoke, he suddenly knelt down on the ground with a "plop" and began to kowtow and apologize.

This stunning reversal left everyone present stunned.

Natsu from Earth-land even forgot to vomit, staring dumbfounded at this guy who looked exactly like him but had an unbelievably soft and gentle personality.

"Oh?"

Only Jiang Bai, after a brief moment of astonishment, instantly had a burning desire for gossip ignite in his eyes.

With a flick of his wrist, a photographic crystal ball emitting a faint glow instantly appeared in his hand.

"Precious footage must be recorded!"

With lightning speed, Jiang Bai began taking 360-degree photos of Edolas Natsu, who was kneeling on the ground trembling, while muttering incantations.

"This is valuable material! I must show it to everyone in the world of Earth-land when I get back."

"He's... he's alive..."

Natsu of Earth-land finally recovered from his vomiting and shock. He looked at the cool four-wheel drive vehicle with fear in his eyes, and he would never want to ride in it again.

"Honestly, I should have known better than to take the car." Jiang Bai shook his head while filming, with an expression that said, "It's all your fault."

"Whose fault is this?!" Queen Lucy shouted in frustration from the side.

Jiang Bai glanced at the outline of the next town in the distance and immediately activated Space Magic.

"Thanks, Natsu of this world, we're off now."

As soon as he finished speaking, only Natsu of Edolas and his beloved four-wheel drive car remained, standing alone in the desert, battered and bruised by the wind and sand.

"Huh?"

Edolas Natsu stood frozen in place, staring at the empty surroundings, his face full of question marks.

Where... where is everyone?

Shortly after Jiang Bai and the others left using Space Magic, two standard airships of the Royal Army roared in from above the previous town.

Hughes and Sugarboy, each with their own squad, descended from the sky and landed in front of the city ruins that Jiang Bai had cleaned up.

Looking at the mess on the ground and the wailing of the defending soldiers, both men's faces were extremely grim.

"Too late!" Hughes said through gritted teeth.

"That guy... he's really fast!"

Sugarboy crouched down and examined the soldiers' injuries, his brow furrowed. "Strange, they're just superficial wounds and impact injuries; they weren't killed outright."

He stood up, his gaze sweeping across the empty street, his eyes filled with confusion and solemnity.

"What exactly does Jiang Bai, who came from Earth-land, want?"

Hughes scoffed, "Whatever they want! Anyone who dares to oppose the kingdom is doomed! Let's go after them!"

"Wait a minute," Sugarboy stopped him.

"We know nothing about his abilities, and it would be too dangerous to pursue him rashly. Let's return to His Faust and General Warren first, and then make further plans."

Despite his resentment, Hughes knew that Sugarboy was right, so he reluctantly led his troops back to the capital.

Meanwhile, in the commercial city of Shika.

Jiang Bai and his group appeared without warning in a secluded alley.

"Wow! We've arrived!" Natsu instantly revived, curiously looking around at the bustling scene.

Only Queen Lucy was still reeling from the farce that had just transpired. Leaning against the wall, she weakly muttered, "If magic is so convenient, why did we have to go through all that torture..."

"Because it's fun," Jiang Bai replied matter-of-factly.

Queen Lucy: "..."

She made up her mind: once this was over, she would stay far away from these lunatics!

I'm so tired!

Jiang Bai ignored her inner monologue; his spiritual power spread out like a tide, instantly enveloping the entire city.

Soon, he raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Royal Army's operations are quite efficient."

He noticed a troop of soldiers moving quickly through the city, seemingly chasing someone.

And the person they were chasing had a surprisingly familiar aura.

"Let's go watch a show." Jiang Bai's lips curled into a playful smile.

"Where to?" Natsu asked, puzzled.

The next second, before he could react, the surrounding scenery changed again.

When their vision cleared again, they found themselves on a bustling street.

Not far away, a blonde girl was running frantically through the crowd, followed closely by a squad of menacing Royal Army soldiers.

"Hey?! Why are you arresting me? I didn't do anything!"

The girl ran while letting out cries of grievance and confusion.

That face, that voice—it was Lucy from Earth-land!

"It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early," Jiang Bai remarked.

Lucy from Earth-land was running breathlessly when she suddenly saw several familiar figures ahead. Her eyes lit up instantly, as if she had seen a glimmer of hope in her desperate situation.

"Natsu! Jiang Bai! Come save me!"

She instinctively called out, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she remembered that this was Edolas, and everyone's magic was restricted!

Her expression changed instantly, and she hurriedly changed her words and shouted:

"Run! Someone's chasing me! Don't worry about me!"

"There really is someone... who looks exactly like me."

Queen Lucy looked at the blonde girl who looked exactly like herself and exclaimed in surprise.

"Hey! Lucy, don't worry!" Happy stood up from Natsu's head, hands on his hips, and shouted.

"Jiang Bai can use magic!"

"What? Really?"

Earth-land Lucy, who was running, was startled when she heard this.

The next second, without hesitation, she turned and ran towards Jiang Bai.

When she reached Jiang Bai's side, her previous panicked state vanished instantly, replaced by an arrogant and fearless demeanor.

She put her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest, and defiantly addressed the pursuing Royal Army soldiers:

"Hmph! Come and chase me again if you dare!"

The speed at which she changed her expression left Queen Lucy, who was standing next to her, completely dumbfounded.

Jiang Bai watched this scene and shook his head helplessly.

It seems that no matter which world Lucy is in, she becomes exceptionally arrogant when she has powerful backers.

With a casual wave of his hand, an invisible Psychokinesis sent all the charging Royal Army soldiers flying, piling them up like a human pyramid.

Jiang Bai looked at the group of soldiers groaning and unable to get up, and said in a calm tone:

"Go back and tell your king that there's no need to send these small fry anymore."

"Tomorrow, I will personally visit him in the capital."