User blog comment:IamJakuhoRaikoben/Chapter 457: Naked Battle, Review./@comment-4999650-20151019120400/@comment-25111584-20151019175157

Mavis is the most intelligent person in FTverse till now. For all we know, after learning about Marin, she could have found a way to bypass his Magic and have Mest extract Lucy. The possibilities are endless, 'cuz, well, Mavis Sue. XD

Nick, Lucy shouldn't even have thought that she has a chance. Is she actually naive enough to believe that Brandish would let her guard down around an enemy, their power gap notwithstanding? Let me reiterate: Brandish is one of the strongest Mages in Earth Land, a veteran of many battles and voluntarily turned her back towards an opponent.

Yup, Brandish is going to kill her, but she could have done so right when they met. If she is intent on wasting time, why not play along as reinforcements are sure to arrive? Why ruin such a good opportunity by performing an action which is bound to fail?

* remembers Gray's evaluation of Lucy* ... Wait, I think you might be right here, she would be naive enough. I concede then. ^^"