[Author’s note: Experimenting with first person view]

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Shiroki’s POV.

The atmosphere feels eerily calm tonight. Just like the calm before the storm. It had been a couple of Diem since the raid on the palace and Ellen’s disappearance. I had sent a punitive investigation team and increase my and subordinates’ battle prowess.

‘It is finally time,’ I thought deeply. 

The Great-Spirit’s whereabouts that had been responsible for the raid on the palace had finally been determined and located much due effort a couple of laterals ago. But I digress. If I wanted to, I would have just forced my way through the place, beat the spirits that stands in my way, find Ellen and be done with it.

But my friend and adviser, Foul suggested otherwise. Foul is a 'Byakko' (Spirit of White Tiger) and stronger than me. Though I pretty much know that he observes my actions on behalf of my father, I could see him as nothing less than an overprotective aid. He reason that the great-spirit is an opponent that I cannot hope to defeat. Not with my current strength. Also, the great-spirit happens to be the second most influential great-spirit household and ruled over the Solis continent. 

In regards to the great-spirit taking over the throne, none would likely to protest against it. It was the rule of this spirit world that the strongest spirit is to be crowned as the spirit lord and carry its entitled responsibilities. Having a well and healthy, strong spirit lord as the new protector is something that should be rejoiced over. 

According to the information gathered, just until recently, the fearsome great-spirit had always been laying low so it was unexpected that the great-spirit would raid the palace and claim the throne. The other great houses had also caught news of this, but since the great houses are practically in an alliance, lasted since several generations before the current leaders, they practically just brushed off the news as something important to ponder later and focused on the crucial matter of the rampaging spirit beasts. Knowing how influential the great-spirit is, Foul reason that if I were to create animosity between us, then I might make enemies out of the other great houses as well.

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I am at my utmost relief when I heard reports that Ellen was safe and unharmed. The spirit that survived the raid also said that the princess is a rare treasure thus it would be unlikely that they would kill her. But I had my promise with Ellen that I would set her free and take her outside. So I had to do this. 

At present, I am in one of the abandoned buildings near the great-spirit’s residence. Foul told me to be civil and negotiate with them to hand over the princess by way of a price. But if it comes down to the point where I failed, then I really won’t hold back and force my way through no matter how much Foul is against the idea. I also brought along 100 of my subordinates that are on standby ready to attack at a moments’ notice.

The meeting would be held tomorrow. However, things turned out differently that I had expected. I was aware that there had been rampaging beasts and even had my subordinates subdue them when necessary, but I had been worried about Ellen that I had not bothered investigating the case of the rampaging beasts. That night, the great-spirit’s household was attacked from hordes of beasts from various ranks and levels coming from the north forest. There were even 8th rank spirit beasts! How do I know this?

I had sent a few scouts to observe the household several days prior to see my advantages and disadvantages against them. But the report that came tonight before my intended meeting tomorrow shook my mind.

“Ellen!” I exclaimed devastated and dashed through the streets towards the household. Foul, as usual was close behind me. I fought off every beasts that comes my way. My feelings are dread by the thought that Ellen would be killed in the storm of beasts. All my followers, amount to 100 all followed after me and dealt with the spirit beasts in support. 

I managed to leap up through the high gates and into the household courtyard and unleashed my spirit essence to scan for Ellen’s presence. When I got a positive response in my radar, I sprint towards her location as fast as the wind. When I arrived, I couldn’t help but make a bewildered and puzzled face upon the scene that was transpiring at that moment.