The Transmigration Survival Guide

Book 10: Chapter 42

Protecting my family needed to be my priority regardless of who was out for me. The assassins werent hooligans trying to rob us but trained assassins. Last nights attempt was just to see how wed react. They were skilled enough at concealing themselves and retreat that Angelina couldnt locate them. They or he was a good plotter. I had no clue who I offended to have assassins on me tail.

Armed at all times both mentally and physically ever since the enemy tested the waters, Angelina brandished a sword and arrow as she rode up to the side of the carriage and quietly asked, Did you tell Queen Sisi about Veiryas pregnancy?

Yeah, I sent her a letter.

It was fairly obvious what Angelina implied, but I didnt want to believe it. I didnt think Sisi was the type who w-, okay, Sisi did tacitly agree to an assassination before. She wouldnt think that Id choose her if she killed Veirya, though. If anything, that would result in me completely breaking off my fragile allegiance to the empire. If Sisi were to try that while the empire needed me, shed have to be drunk silly. There was nothing unreasonable Angelinas conjecture, having said that, because such professional assassins couldnt have been ones found in a bar or hired robbers.

Then, would she be

Angelina didnt dare to make mindless statements since she was literally accusing the empires Queen, so she just threw out a vague question.

It cant be. Its not Sisi for sure. Shes not that stupid. There must be someone else who put them up to it. Well be safe once we reach the imperial capital. Lets pick up the speed. Additionally, I need you on high alert at night, Angelina.

Going out without a bodyguard was a fatal mistake of mine. If we had bodyguards, we wouldnt be so on edge. In the past, there was Angelina, Anna and Veirya, so I didnt need them. However, as a pregnant woman, Veirya couldnt and didnt want to fight. Ciara, who was positive that I was the target of interest, had to protect her Queen, so Anna and Angelina had to bodyguard three people.

Im fine with that. You just need to compensate me fairly, Angelina demanded.

Id partially attribute my low energy to Angelina, so you tell me how to feel.

Suddenly, Angelina raised her shield, and I heard a thud soon afterwards. I didnt know where the arrow plugged into her shield was fired from. Veirya snapped the arrow and threw it aside then told me, I should. Ride on horseback. I think. You need protection.

Veirya, youre pregnant, I argued. What if youre their target? Its safe h-

No, their target is you, interjected Angelina. Though I cant explain it, based on my analysis, neither Veirya nor I are the target; youre their target. When we were together outside last night, the arrow was fired at you. This arrow wasnt figured at me, either. It was fired at the carriage, so they should be after you.

Leah gripped her arm. I wasnt certain if she was worried about me or herself. I stroked Leahs head and affectionately assuaged, Itll be all right, Leah. Dont worry. Youll be safe.

Uhm Papa, Leah is worried about you. Shall Leah help, as well?

Mm Not for now

I light bulb lit up in my head.

Wait if Leah helps out I think I have a good idea  The assassins mustve looked into me. Thatd explain how they knew I was heading back to the imperial capital from the North. That means they must know me well. As that is the case, they would know that I dont have many people with me. Anna, Angelina, Veirya and Leah, thats three adult sand a child. Very few people, Sisi, included, in the empire know that Leah can transform. As such, the assassins wouldnt know Leah isnt exactly a child. In that case, they would look at us as two adults, a child in the carriage and two adults guarding the carriage, specifically Anna and Angelina.

If I have Leah transform into her adult form and ride outside in Veiryas clothes, then they would make the mistake of thinking that Im the only adult in the carriage. They wouldnt consider a nine-year-old child to be a threat. Since Im their target, the best time to take my life would be when theres nobody in the carriage. When they think that theres nobody else in the carriage, I can have Angelina spring on the rats in the dark. Im vulnerable, while the enemy is in the dark, which is bad for us. If they show themselves, however, itll be easy to put a stop to the plans, and I can capture one to interrogate them to find out who I accosted.

***

 Theres nobody in the carriage. Veirya has left the carriage. Weve achieved our goal it seems. Its time to lure the guards away to kill the man inside and pack up. Dont worry about the child; just destroy the carriage.

Roger!

Dark green silhouettes rushed out of the forest to carry out their order from the dark. Their preys struggling had shaken the web. It was time for the spider to kill its prey with venom and then feast. Alas, the spider was unaware that those who hunt their hunters will sometimes lure the hunter with food.