'Since it's you, I will put some effort into saving you.' Damon decided.
Even if the dark beasts honored her call and formed a great beast army, they would still lose. Whoever was hiding within the forbidden palace was acting out of emotions, not rationality.
"To start a rebellion, they can possess the bodies of every noble in the region. If they succeed, they gain control over the personal forces of these families and force them to start a rebellion." Damon said thoughtfully.
What better time to carry out such a plan than now?
The Festival of Radiant Heir has gathered all the noble families in the region. There was no way these patriarchs would come to this city without visiting the forbidden palace.
"Lust is a powerful tool." Lara sighed.
"The Forbidden Palace has secretly reached out to the noble family patriarchs to send off services after the festival. That way they would leave the next morning and no one would notice the changes." Michael said.
"We received a tip that the forbidden palace had ordered a sizable quality of Somnara Blossom flowers, and the order is coming in at midnight." Lara said.
"Somnara Blossom… Isn't that the plant used to brew sleeping potions and create sedative drugs?" Damon was stunned.
"You are proficient with primary magic, have a strong body, and are well informed. You are too good to be true." Lara blurted out with dreamy eyes, startling Damon.
Lara's behaviour would be considered creepy by anyone else in his position.
"We were tipped off that a fox spirit will be sent out tonight with some soldiers to pick up the order and make sure it gets to the forbidden palace safely. This is where we hunt." Michael said in a bid to change the topic.
Michael felt embarrassed seeing his sister trying to flirt with a guy with the cringiest lines he had ever heard.
Damon rubbed his chin while pondering deeply. He needed to find a way to communicate with Valysara if he wished to resolve this issue.
'I guess I will have to create an opportunity.' Damon muttered under his breath.
For over an hour, the three chatted away about so many things. With Lara's keen interest in Damon's life, they were able to peel out numerous half-truths.
While they believed they were bonding, Damon spent the entire time devising a plan to sabotage the plan. Thirty minutes later, they noticed a carriage exiting the Forbidden Palace gates and riding down the hill.
Surrounding the carriage were about ten people dressed in armor hidden under civilian clothes. They were planning to move and return unseen, but they didn't know the Hail family was on to them.
If their plans were interrupted midway, the Hail family would never have gotten the opportunity to capture one of them.
'If I can help her escape and pass a message on to Valysara, I will give it a try. But if I have no choice, I will kill her. As long as there is no evidence that fox spirits are hiding in the forbidden palace, they are safe.' Damon pondered silently.
{You are one cold bastard. Are people's lives not worth anything to you?}
Damon ignored the voice and focused on the carriage that was nearing the foot of the hill. They laid low as the carriage ran down the streets and blended with the people. All ten soldiers dressed in civilian clothes scattered around, mixing with civilians but maintaining a considerable distance around the carriage.
"We follow on foot now." Michael said as he and Lara rose to their feet.
Damon joined them, hopping through roofs while following the carriage. Using Zeph, he enhanced his jumps with bursts of wind.
After jumping on buildings for close to thirty minutes, they reached the western gates of Valtheris Kingdom. From the safety of the buildings, they watched the night guards make small talks with the people in the carriage before eagerly accepting a small pouch of coins.
Just like that, the guards opened the gates hurriedly and allowed them to pass.
"Typical night guards." Damon rolled his eyes while Michael fumed with anger. These fox spirits were only able to operate because of the rot in society, so it was annoying to see guards entrusted with protecting the lives of people taking bribes.
While the guards excitedly counted the silver coins they received, they noticed approaching. They quickly gripped the hilt of their weapons, but they soon saw the faces of those approaching.
It was Michael Hail and Lara Hail with their two wolves and a boy they didn't know.
"Sir?!" One of them blurted out, dropping the coin pouch, and allowing a few pieces of silver coins to roll on the floor
"Your conduct tonight will be reviewed tomorrow morning, for now, open the gates!" Michael snapped.
…. Valtheris Kingdom Border's ….
Within the carriage surrounded by ten guards dressed in civilian clothes, a young lady barely 5.6 feet, with snow-white hair and red stripes. She sat beside a cloaked figure who had a Gilmore strapped to his waist.
"Isn't this plan going too smoothly?" The cloaked magus asked with a hint of worry in his tone.
He felt everything was moving too smoothly to be true. The Hail family was an ancient family that has subjugated numerous supernatural beasts in the past. They fought at Blood Mountain and even defeated one of the Dark Magus's Vampire generals.
They were no joke!
How could such an ancient family not notice the activities that have been going on in the forbidden palace? It was too peaceful, and his gut feeling was warning him of an impending danger.
"Maybe we just did everything perfectly well. Isn't that a possibility?" The fox lady asked with a flirtatious glare.
The Magus froze for a moment before letting out a defeated sigh. These fox spirits had immense trust in their matriarch, if he didn't love Luna, he wouldn't be risking his life with them.
Buzz!
The Magus frowned as an eye-shaped pendant dangling from his neck began vibrating and heating up.
Malicious intentions!
They were being followed.