After his meeting with Lara and Michael, Damon informed Lord Ross of his intentions to join them in hunting. Lord Ross eagerly agreed, excited that Damon was already building a relationship with the Hail family even before the festival.
Duke Hail offered Lord Ross to spend the night in his castle and even offered to send someone to bring Cedric and Blink over. Since Damon was helping his kids in tonight's patrol, that was the least he could do.
Dressed in black sleeveless robes, Damon, Lara, and Michael rode a carriage into town at midnight. As the carriage sped through the lonely streets of the city, Damon could sense the murderous intentions of the wolves lurking around the carriage.
These beasts were Lara's guardians, so they never left her side.
"Do you use magic?" Damon asked Lara, startling her.
The question made no sense, and she wasn't even sure why Damon was asking.
'Why would I?" Lara answered.
Damon turned his attention to Michael with a questioning gaze.
"We were werewolves have our techniques and skills. We don't need magic." Michael responded.
"What's so wrong with werewolves spitting fireballs?" Damon asked with a raised eyebrow, and Lara busted into a burst of hysterical laughter.
They shelved the discussions as the carriage rolled deeper into the night. Half an hour later, the carriage stopped some distance away from the forbidden palace.
The Forbidden Palace was no different from a massive ancient Chinese palace built atop a hill. The building was five-story with elegant exteriors and interiors. Even though its walls were massive, the building was visible.
The streets leading to the forbidden palace buzzed with activity in the silent night, and a soothing melody filled the streets.
Damon followed the Hails into an alley three blocks away from the foot of the Hill. It was quiet, dark, and most importantly away from public eyes.
Michael pointed towards the sky and Damon nodded.
"Zeph!" Damon's eyes let out a gray light as a burst of wind propelled him into the sky.
"I like him." Lara blurted out with a sheepish smile, and Michael could only chuckle.
His sister had always been honest and always said her mind. It was annoying at first, but soon everyone found it funny and cute.
Swish!
Damon gracefully descended to the building rooftop and quickly sat in a cross-legged position. He watched as the Hails jumped up the roof with ease.
They both sat around Damon, forming an arc that gave them a good view of the hilltop.
"I believe this is where you feel me in on the details of this hunt." Damon said, and Lara nodded.
Since Damon had come out this far with them, he deserved to know what was going on.
"I'm sure you have heard about the fox spirits stories in the Pride Inn." Micheal said, and Damon nodded.
Micheal slowly pointed towards the forbidden palace, bathing under the rays of the full moon.
"The Forbidden Palace was founded by some human courtesans who were possessed by fox spirits. Their services were excellent, and they quickly drew the attention of countless nobles across the empire." Micheal explained.
"When was this Forbidden Palace built?" Damon asked with a frown.
"A century ago. Within that time they have amassed a fortune and the backing of nobles. Now it has become a force of its own with its own army!" Lara was furious.
Not only has the Forbidden Palace torn homes apart and destroyed families, they have been prospering. As nobles are allowed to possess personal forces, many nobles were mandated to donate handsomely annually and also donate a certain amount of their personal forces.
Slowly, the one lonely hill had become a fortress overnight.
"Humans protecting fox spirits. This is an unexpected twist." Damon couldn't help but chuckle at the thought.
"Going after them directly would lead to a large-scale confrontation, which will result in too many human casualties." Micheal explained.
"And trying to go against them politically is very difficult because they have an army of simp noblemen in the royal courtroom ready to defend them till their last breath." Lara banged the ground angrily.
She seemed more annoyed by the effects of the fox spirits on men than the fox spirits themselves. These fox spirits had destroyed numerous families, ruining beautiful homes.
"The only way to get rid of them now is by gathering evidence of their existence. Once we can prove they are fox spirits to the emperor, all the noble families will be forced to detach and withdraw their forces." Micheal continued.
"That way, the only ones who get hurt are the fox spirits." Damon rubbed his chin and nodded in approval.
This was a good plan, but that meant it was bad news for him. After pondering for a short while Damon decided he would try to help the fox spirits. If their situation was too dire for him to handle, he would use their deaths to gain the goodwill of the Hail family.
"So, how do you plan to get evidence?" Damon asked while adjusting his sitting posture.
"We have sent numerous agents to gather information there since we cannot go by ourselves, and we have lost contact with many. However, one reported back a few days ago, that he suspects the fox spirits are plotting a rebellion. They want to turn the Kingdom of Valtheris as the starting point and fortress of the rebellion." Micheal said leaving, Damon genuinely shocked.
The fox spirit race was not the type to scheme this big. By starting a rebellion, they obviously planned to use this as a rallying call to all dark beasts that scattered across the continent after Damon's.
'It must be her. It seems she hasn't gotten over my death.' Damon looked towards the forbidden palace with a small smile.
Before his death, Damon had a harem of women from different races. Of all of them, Valysara was his favorite and the clingiest. If there was anyone willing to risk her life to rain hell on the killers of her husband, she was bound to be the one.