Their destination seems to be the Royal Capital, or more precisely, the Divine Tree located there.

The news brought by the cuckoo birds left the summoners of Misty Forest County anxious. The newspapers didn't indicate whether any mechanical monsters were heading their way.

The City Lord urgently summoned the patrol squads, along with her students.

From the intelligence currently known, the destructive power of the mechanical monsters is astonishing. Once they get close, indiscriminate attacks ensue, leaving behind numerous monster corpses wherever they pass. The corpses are shriveled and appear as though they've been forcibly drained of nutrients.

Some summoners who survived battles with the mechanical monsters also mentioned this. These creatures seem like the nemesis of all monsters.

This is destined to be a sleepless night; summoners scattered across Misty Forest County are sporadically discussing countermeasures, with unease filling their hearts. For the first time, they felt that death was close at hand.

If even the City Lord were to be defeated, how could they possibly combat these unknown monsters?

The summoners of Misty Forest County can only hope that the mechanical monsters won't pass through here.

"The prize guessing game has started!"

Back in the temporary guest room, the purple little bat eagerly jumped onto the table, clearly unaffected by the anxious atmosphere in the city, "Will Misty Forest County be invaded by mechanical monsters tonight? I bet it will happen. Here are five scrolls I made myself. If sold on the market, they could fetch at least 500 Gold Lions!"

Compared to the mysterious mechanical monsters, Rowena was more curious about who among them was the unlucky one.

All clues seemed to point to Ethan.

"I think it will happen too."

The Other Shore immediately joined in the bet. However, she was not used to carrying money and had nothing of value, so she placed the grilled crocodile she brought in her bag before departure as her stake on the table.

"I think we rushed things during the day; there are still many questions left unanswered."

"What questions?"

Ethan asked curiously, wondering if the Other Shore had ever encountered such mechanical monsters before?

"That big beetle... is it tasty?"

This was the Other Shore's main concern. Although Rowena sliced open the beetle's shell to reveal intricate axles and wheels, perhaps there was meat hidden in some crevices to enjoy?

Rowena instantly showed a disgusted expression, "Yikes, you can stomach this thing?"

"You don't get it, do you? The stranger-looking the monster, generally, the tastier it is."

Upon hearing this, Miss Keroy nodded earnestly. Since her adventures with Ethan, she had tasted many strange things, but the most memorable were the Giant Divine Soldiers. Unlike simple consumption, those Blood and Flesh Giants provided her with nourishment on a soul level, a feeling hard to describe in words.

However, Miss Keroy's views differed slightly from the Other Shore's. For instance, she thought those axles looked edible too; perhaps consuming them could evolve her some cool mechanical parts.

"I bet it won't happen."

Ethan upheld tradition, pulling out a small bag funded through guild points, "Miss Keroy, don't eat things of dubious origin."

"Gulp..."

Miss Keroy seemingly agreed but actually turned her head, avoiding eye contact with Ethan, her small eyes spinning non-stop.

She preferred culinary endeavors with the Other Shore.

But since Rowena mentioned the unlucky issue, Ethan felt obliged to clear his name. He was determined to win this bet, possessing ample theoretical evidence.

Geographically speaking, Misty Forest County is nearly due north of Moon Forest City. Those mechanical monsters appear to have low intelligence and only advance through a single route. That being the case, after the big beetle is defeated, there is absolutely no chance of other mechanical monsters passing through Misty Forest County.

This bet Ethan intended to win. He also believed the summoners of Misty Forest County could finally get a good night's sleep.

As the group enjoyed each other's company while betting, another familiar group arrived at Misty Forest County.

Leading them was the head of the White Turban Poacher Gang. However, their purpose this time had nothing to do with poaching—on orders from the City Lord's daughter, they were to secretly investigate Ethan's background. In essence, this didn't exceed their business scope because treating Ethan as a monster, they're merely conducting preliminary investigation work.

Regarding this, the White Turban was quite confident.

He's been in this field for years; even the trail of dragons could be tracked.

"Boss, this is Misty Forest County. Shouldn't we go out and catch some rare monsters?"

One of the underlings suggested.

All their monsters were released by Ethan, so strictly speaking, they're no longer official summoners. However, the clever head thought of a plan to ensure everyone's safety—by sticking with Ethan, their safety could be assured.

The border city had become unbearable. Who knows if mechanical monsters would breach the border city's defenses? Instead of staying in Moon Forest City worrying, they might as well take proactive action.

"You're right."

White Turban held a skewer of meatballs in his hand. He had just seen Ethan enter the inn at Misty Forest County, planning to stay here for the night, allowing them time to return to their old trade.

As the saying goes, since they're here...

No matter how it is phrased, they've dealt with dragons before; how could they not handle a few ordinary mist-weaving monsters?

With this in mind, White Turban was full of spirit, "Let's go! Tonight we must return fully loaded!"

As summonters hid inside Misty Forest County at night, too afraid to venture out, potential competitors reduced significantly. Before leaving, they checked their hunting nets, prepared bait laced with sleep-inducing drugs, and loaded various trap materials.

Ready to roll!

Perhaps it was an illusion, but White Turban felt that tonight's mist was particularly heavy; shortly after leaving Misty Forest County, the city behind was already out of sight.

But that's a good omen. The heavier the mist, the more likely they'll encounter rare monsters.

He had heard many legends about Misty Forest County; almost all legendary monsters were connected with this lingering mist. Some believe this persistent mist is a part of the natural environment; others believe it's woven by some unexplored mysterious monsters.

After all, many monsters in this area possess mist-weaving abilities, becoming essential in regular tactics.

In this business, the key is to dare to think and act. Perhaps one day luck will smile upon them.

With such thoughts, White Turban and the remaining poachers moved toward the place where the mist culminates.

Until the leading poacher suddenly halted.

"Boss, there seems to be something over there!"

He lowered his voice to avoid alarming the prey, gesturing proficiently, he hid behind a tree while other members followed suit, skillfully spreading out in formation. Under White Turban's gesture, they swiftly set traps, with sleep-inducing bait placed on top.

"It looks like a sheep. It's drinking water by the river."

"A sheep?"

"Is it a mist-weaving antelope?"

White Turban asked.

"The outline looks similar, but it's much bigger than a typical mist-weaving antelope."

"Could be the herd leader!"

White Turban's eyes lit up.

However, following that, the poacher hiding behind the tree suddenly spat, "There's someone next to it, damn it, what's this person doing here instead of staying in Misty Forest County?"

If this herd leader had contracted with a summoner, then it's all in vain. After all, they must adhere to the rules set by the Crimson Queen, unlike Ethan who directly runs off with others' monsters.

"Damn it, can't you look closer before speaking?"

White Turban's tone was unfriendly, scolding him.

The reprimanded underling suddenly trembled, terrified enough to collapse to the ground, cursing himself, "Damn it!"

"What is it now? Why are you getting all jumpy?"

"That's not a person!"

"Not a person?"

"That's a robot!"