"Robots? What are robots?"

For the City Lord of Fog Forest County, there is nothing more draining than having to deal with the poacher gang at such a tense moment, but she had to make this trip herself because the poachers claimed to bring quite significant information, important enough that it might concern the survival of Fog Forest County.

The leader of the poacher gang, known on the streets as White Turban, had a notorious reputation in the border city, having engaged in several poaching actions. However, it was rumored that he had dealings with the City Lords of various border cities, and since he hadn't caused any major trouble, the local patrol team had always turned a blind eye to them.

"Good question, this starts from when our group took a walk in the suburbs last night..."

"Get to the point."

The City Lord squinted her eyes, and her sharp gaze instantly sent a shiver down White Turban's spine.

The people of the Kingdom refer to the City Lord of Fog Forest County as the Swallowtail, as it relates to her main magical creature.

They were facing one of the Kingdom's strongest Summoners. In addition to the tension, White Turban even felt a small thrill. That disgusted look seemed to trigger some kind of switch deep within him... But now was not the time to discuss such things!

White Turban shook his head to clear his thoughts a bit.

"Though it might be hard to believe, that person's left eye was a rotating gear, and two lines ran over his mouth just like a puppet in a theater, and there was also a Fog-Weaving Antelope with him!"

"Fog-Weaving Antelope? What's up with the Fog-Weaving Antelope?"

"Its chest had been cut open, and its internal organs were replaced with mechanical parts!"

Recalling the scene from the depths of the mist, White Turban still felt a lingering fear. Fortunately, as the team leader, he made the most sensible decision — to retreat!

The gang of poachers ignored the traps and tools they carried and dashed away, which could be considered one of their hallmark skills.

Upon hearing this, Swallowtail's face turned grim.

If White Turban wasn't lying, this was indeed extremely important information and might explain the source of the mechanical creatures. But...

She scrutinized White Turban once more. Could these sneaky and cunning poachers be trusted?

White Turban obviously noticed Swallowtail's doubt and immediately raised his right hand, swearing, "I, White Turban, swear by my name that everything I said just now was what I saw with my own eyes. If there was even a slight fabrication, I would..."

He paused here, took a deep breath, and an idea suddenly struck him, "I would get down and lick your boots!"

Ninety percent of what he said was true; he only added some "artistic" embellishments regarding their motives for going out. Carrying so much equipment, they couldn't possibly be just taking a stroll.

"Take these folks and lock them up in prison first."

Swallowtail raised her eyebrow and waved her right hand. The patrol members, who had been lying in wait, swarmed forward, and the Fog-Weaving Antelope blocked their escape route.

"Hey! What's the meaning of this? We came to see you overnight for the safety of Fog Forest County!"

"I believe you."

"In that case, why, Lord Swallowtail, are you..."

"I can't allow a group of people who want to lick someone else's boots to run rampant in Fog Forest County."

In an instant, White Turban's subordinates made a decision. They all stepped back a pace, voluntarily standing alongside the patrol, and countless fingers pointed at White Turban, making him feel the bitterness of being accused by the masses. The poachers spoke in unison, "No, City Lord, only he wants to do that!"

"Then you all stand down, and behave yourselves in Fog Forest County!"

Amidst a chorus of cursing, White Turban was taken away by the patrol guard, and the poachers dispersed in a clamor. Once the City Lord's Mansion returned to silence, Swallowtail sat in her chair, pondering every detail White Turban had mentioned.

Magical creatures and Summoners share a complementary relationship. The existence of Summoners is to help them realize their true potential, according to the rules established by the Crimson Queen.

Any powerful magical creature generally has a Summoner whose potential matches theirs.

Then...

Could the "robot" White Turban mentioned be the Summoners of those giant mechanical creatures? They didn't seem human, or perhaps more accurately, they didn't seem one hundred percent, pure-blooded human. And those giant mechanical creatures, had they also evolved after encountering some form of infection?

The cuckoo birds should have already delivered the news from the border city to the Royal Capital. Perhaps right now, the Kingdom's strongest Summoners are holding an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures.

"Teacher Swallowtail, something's wrong!"

When the student's urgent voice called from outside the door, Swallowtail closed her eyes in distress.

There was no time to wait for orders from the Summoner Association in the Royal Capital. The Fog Forest County was already facing an unprecedented threat, and the "robots" White Turban mentioned were located in the suburbs not far from Fog Forest County, which was their greatest threat.

"Why are you so flustered? What's going on?"

Listening to the footsteps stopping in front of her, Swallowtail asked helplessly.

"It's the Market District, something strange happened in the Market District, teacher... You should see it for yourself!"

"I understand."

The bad news arrived faster than she expected. After the student left, Swallowtail whistled, summoning a silhouette in the mist to her call. It was a butterfly with silver-white wings, standing as tall as a person, gracefully landing before her.

"Sorry to trouble you again."