Within a day, the news of Black Steel's defeat spread through the Royal Capital like wildfire, and for a time, everyone knew the infamous name of Team Rocket.

In the dead of night, the Royal Summoner Association was facing an unprecedented crisis.

The summoners stood guard at the entrance of the association, warily confronting the unwanted guest. As masters recognized by the Kingdom, they should not have faltered. However, what happened at Black Steel Manor had already spread throughout the association, and Team Rocket might be the most vicious organization they had ever faced.

"You...what are you doing here?"

Finally, someone, unable to suppress the unease in their heart, spoke up.

"I do not need to report to you."

As Ethan spoke, the white ragdoll cat on his shoulder leapt down. She walked with elegant steps, heading step by step towards the summoners blocking the entrance of the association.

Then, she lifted her head, opened her mouth, revealing sharp teeth.

The cat had long practiced hissing to perfection, using it as effortlessly as eating and drinking. Although many summoners found the ferocious appearance of this cat-like creature somewhat cute, in consideration of their own lives, they scattered in panic.

"You see, this is the benefit of being a villain."

Ethan bent down, picked up the ragdoll cat in his arms, and the vicious cat immediately changed her expression, contentedly squinting her eyes. Her claws retracted, leaving only soft pads gently resting on his forearm.

For a good person, entering the association would be as difficult as reaching the sky. They would first need to fill out a series of forms, endure the arrogant demeanor and terrible attitude of the Royal Summoners, followed by their incredibly low work efficiency. They might get a reply weeks later, possibly a formulaic rejection.

But for a villain…

A villain needs no procedures, no waiting, and doesn't have to endure anyone's attitude.

They go wherever they wish to go.

After settling Black Steel's manor, Ethan had considered negotiating with the Royalty and the Summoner Association in a friendly and equal manner. However, the response he received was a summons from the association—they were very interested in the dragon babies at the manor. With Black Steel gone, they became assets of the Kingdom, and such assets should be distributed by the Royalty.

If Ethan cooperatively handed over the dragon babies to the association, the Royalty might consider defining Team Rocket as a legal organization and granting them some privileges.

Ethan ultimately refused the "kindness" of the Royalty and the Summoner Association. He left Rowena and the others at the manor, using it as Team Rocket's temporary activity center, and then came alone to the doors of the Royal Summoner Association.

And now, the Royal Summoners had finally wised up, no longer blocking his path.

The destination this time was the president's office, where Black Steel had stayed for several years. The dragon maids of the manor revealed that all his research materials should be kept in the office.

The office door had also been modified, with two dragon-head-shaped ornaments in front of the pitch-black metal door, the eyes of the ornaments burning with dark red flames.

"The energy form here is somewhat similar to mechanical creatures, probably related to Argos."

With only the two of them present, the cat spoke more.

Ethan found that even in front of familiar faces like Rowena and those from Other Shore, Lindong maintained an idol persona, speaking little, carefully upholding her aloof image. Only in more private encounters did she become more animated.

In private, Lindong was verbose and dense with words, once she started talking, she would go on without stopping, imbued with an air of adolescent fantasy.

"Villain rule number two, entering a room doesn't require a key."

The green Wind Blade sliced through the tightly closed metal door. In an instant, the door panel disintegrated in a grid-like manner, and the scattered debris was turned into dust by the invisible Wind Blade before hitting the ground.

The summoners hiding in the shadows held their breath at this sight, fearing the next Wind Blade might slice them instead.

This place gathered the Kingdom's most outstanding summoners, yet they still did not know what kind of creature the small white cat on Ethan's shoulder was, nor where the awe-inspiring Wind Blade had come from.

Although Ethan, like them, traveled with many creature partners, they always felt this person was not a summoner.

"Villain rule number three, rummaging through things doesn't require anyone's permission."

The cat quickly got into the swing of things. As soon as she entered the room, she jumped onto the ebony table, pawing through the thick pile of documents stacked on top.

She also enjoyed the feeling of being a villain. At times like this, she could freely discard all the red tape, skimming through the content on the parchment at lightning speed, nonchalantly making a mess of Black Steel's desk.

"...Earth Veins."

She soon found the information she wanted.

Perhaps Black Steel believed he had long controlled the situation in the Royal Capital, even the Royalty did not dare to defy his will, hence, he unguardedly placed all research results in the most conspicuous place in the room.

The cat raised an eyebrow, revealing a villainous smile, "It's a shame that the one discovering these materials wasn't Charlotte."

She could already imagine Charlotte's shocked expression upon seeing these documents, realizing that the mechanical creatures and plagues threatening to destroy the Kingdom were conspiracies personally orchestrated by the president of the Royal Summoning Association. To be precise, it was a byproduct of the research on Earth Veins.

The oblivious Royalty continued to indulge in their illusion of comfort, fantasizing that Black Steel would defend their rule as before.