Sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting onto the deep red carpeted floor of the conference hall, with a faint scent of parchment floating in the air.

The door creaked open.

In walked an elderly woman with silver hair flowing to her shoulders, dressed in a cloak trimmed with purple and gold, her figure small and thin.

She looked just like a kind grandmother, always ready to pull candies from her bosom for her grandchild.

But when she lifted her head, her gaze was as serene as ice and snow, seemingly able to see through to the depths of a person's heart in an instant.

This was Flora Holden, one of the prominent Grand Mages from the Mage Forest, and today she was here on behalf of the Mage Forest to negotiate with Louis.

Louis, seated in the main position, slightly straightened his body.

He deliberately maintained a demeanor of a "calm and steady young Lord," his gaze serene, showcasing just the right amount of the aloofness of a ruler.

Flora nodded with a smile, beginning with courteous words before turning to more serious matters: "Lord Calvin, thank you for saving our Mage Forest's Lei Xi'er. This kindness will not be forgotten by the Mage Forest."

As she finished speaking, she gently gestured, and the young attendant behind her hurriedly placed the box he was holding onto the long table.

It was a steady and ancient ebony box, encrusted on the surface with intricate silver designs, clearly not something one could randomly purchase on the market.

Flora stepped forward herself, with a turn of her fingers, deftly unlocking the latch.

With a soft click, the lid of the box slowly opened.

Inside lay a set of silver-blue armor, its plates arranged like dragon scales, with faint luminescent edges flowing.

Under the light, it seemed as if fragments of a galaxy were forged into the metal.

"This is a small gift we have prepared for you," Flora said softly, her tone gentle yet with weight.

"The armor is made of Nebula Steel, matching the strength of Dragon Bone Iron, and is endowed with a Constant Temperature Barrier cast by a Mage. Regardless of scorching heat or severe cold, it automatically adjusts the temperature. On the battlefield, it might save your life."

Louis's gaze shifted slightly, his fingertips lightly brushing the edge of the armor, feeling its cool surface.

The texture of Nebula Steel was chilling, with a faint magic pulse that throbbed like a heartbeat.

He could sense that this armor was not an ordinary item; not only was the Mage's handiwork exquisite, but even the materials and enchantments were chosen with utmost care.

He nodded lightly, with a polite smile at the corner of his mouth: "It is indeed precious. Lei Xi'er got injured in my territory, saving him was my duty."

Then, Flora lightly coughed, her expression transitioning from the softness of pleasantries to a more serious tone:

"We are here this time to investigate the source of the Corpse Worms. According to Lei Xi'er's account, they are not ordinary insects, and if they were to spread, they could potentially affect the entire Northern Territory."

Her gaze was piercing as if trying to see through the young Lord in front of her.

However, Louis merely spoke nonchalantly, as if he were mentioning an everyday affair: "No need to worry about that, two days ago we already destroyed the center of the Nest, which was the control source of the insects that attacked Lei Xi'er."

For a moment, the air seemed to pause slightly.

"...Nest? What is that?" Flora's eyes widened in surprise, her brows slightly knit, "Lei Xi'er's description did not mention the concept of a 'Nest'."

She was not questioning Louis's logic, but rather in disbelief.

Could such a formidable enemy be "resolved" so lightly?

She had not even had the chance to conduct an investigation!

Louis maintained his composed demeanor, with no hint of pride or boasting, simply stating the facts: "We took our Elite Knights deep into the area and destroyed it using modified Magic Explosion Bullets, afterward..."

"..." Flora listened to Louis narrate the entire incident, her lips moved, but she did not immediately speak.

At this moment, her expression could no longer maintain the facade of a "kind old granny," her brows filled with shock and disturbance.

And what Louis said next brought a further chill to the air in the room.

Louis remained unchanged in his expression, softly added: "We have brought back some remnants of the Nest and samples of the uninhabited Corpse Worm, if you are interested, they can be delivered immediately."

His tone was calm, as if discussing a batch of trade goods, without a trace of boasting or flaunting.

Flora thought for a moment before finally nodding: "Please bring them."

Soon, several Knights carried in a sealed Black Iron Box, and as the lid was lifted, a nauseating stench filled the air.

The remnants of the Nest displayed a bizarre dark red flesh-like texture, as if a part of some large biological organ.

The surface was in constant, faint writhing, with twisted human faces embedded in the folds, seemingly wailing silently amidst half-burned ruins.

Those "faces" appeared half-real, each etched with pain and struggle.

The original worm bodies were submerged in a pale blue Magic Preservative Liquid, thin as threads, entirely semi-transparent.

The most striking feature was its head, with a needle-sharp stinger, occasionally trembling lightly in the liquid, sending chills down the spine.

Flora gazed at the mass of Nest remnants, the compassion in her eyes freezing, replaced by furrowed brows and a barely noticeable chill.

She slowly stretched out her hand, a wisp of fine blue-silver Magic Silk Thread hovered from her palm, probing towards the sample.

At the moment of magical contact, her pupils narrowed sharply.

This was not magic.

At least not magic from the Mage Forest's system.

The magical residue on the remnant was eerily strange, like a sharp spike, piercing spiritual defenses, carrying whispers and noises into the depths of perception.

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