Clearly, Gern's string of undisguised, bandit-like demands had thoroughly ignited the genius scientist's fury.
"You... what else do you want?!" Vegapunk's chest heaved violently. "Should I just take Egg Ward's entire core database,
all my life's research, and bundle it all up for you?! Grand Commander Heavenquake!"
Vegapunk was so furious that he had even called him "Grand Commander Heavenquake," but Gern paid it no mind.
Instead, he gave it some serious thought, then nodded as though it were only natural, his tone calm.
"There's no need for Egg Ward's entire core database or your life's research.
Just give me the highest-level Authority Chip for the Seraphim. I'm still a pretty reasonable man."
The air instantly froze.
Authority Chips were control chips installed inside every Seraphim, and their holders could issue commands to the Seraphim.
The "Authority Chips" determined the "Authority Order" governing control: from highest to lowest, the Five Elders, Vegapunk-his original body and satellites-Sentomaru, and other Authority Chip holders.
But at this point, Vegapunk surely still had an Authority Chip with authority even higher than the Five Elders'.
After all, this man even dared to broadcast to the entire world. There was no way he had no backup plan.
"Bandit!!" Sure enough, Vegapunk refused him outright. "Authority Chips are the key to maintaining balance. They must never be handed over to an individual!"
"And you? Hah, don't even think about it!"
"Oh?" Gern raised an eyebrow, the playful smile finally disappearing from his face. "Looks like the talks have broken down."
"In that case, I'll just take it!"
Whoosh! Without any warning, Gern pushed off, his figure instantly blurring!
Though Vegapunk was no combatant, the immense computing power he gained from his connection to his enormous brain
gave him something close to the ability to predict the future.