"Sophie," my voice trembled in a split second.
Sophie caught it, and her expression turned solemn.
She gripped the wheelchair tightly as she replied with a grave tone, "What is it, Young Highness?"
"Do you know the driver of the royal carriage?"
"Oh." Sophie felt somewhat relieved. "I do, Young Highness. I just met him earlier to prepare for this very event."
"Are you sure you know him well?"
"What do you-"
"Do you know his distinct traits? His every subtle movement that validates his very identity? Do you know the foods he hates?"
"Young Highness, I don't know him that much."
Her eyes widened.
"Are you perhaps suspecting that the current driver of that royal carriage is fake?"
"Probably."
"Then, should we turn back now?"
I turned silent.
The blessings of the Church granted to children occurred only once a year.
Even with my status, I couldn't get an exemption.
It's not that the Church was being petty, but it's really that they couldn't.
After all, we'll be meeting with the avatars of the gods themselves, and they were only available once their energy replenished to contact with the mortal world.
Hence, if I turn back now, I have to wait for next year.
However, If I did, that would mean destroying the plot, and my advantage of knowing the future would be destroyed.
Furthermore, there was also a problem with my constitution.
If I couldn't get blessings from the God of War, it wouldn't be long before I would be consumed by the God of Shadow's sanity.
By then, the God of Shadow's advent would commence early on.
Thus, I can't afford to turn back now or I'll die early.
My preparations would go down to naught.
"We can't turn back now," I said in a grave tone.
I could fear the slight vibrations behind my back.
Sophie was shaken, indeed.
I have to think of a way to survive this.
At the same time, the system's voice echoed inside my head.
[Sub-mission initiated.
Entitled "Survive from the Viper's assault."
Description: Someone is plotting for your life. The other wasn't aware of another's intention. This assault is to cease your life. However, you can't afford to die, not yet, or the plot won't proceed the way the author intended.
Mission: Survive from the Viper's assault.
Reward: A Tier 2 middle-grade Artifact of your choice.
Failure: Death.]
I blinked my eyes repeatedly.
That was surprising.
At least, surviving this deathly ambush could bestow me a reward, making it worth it.
Of course, once I survive this, I'll surely return this favor a thousandfold.
"Sophie, what will you do if death stares at you?"
Sophie wasn't in the right mind to answer after alarming her by my sudden gloomy demeanor.
"What was it?" She still managed to respond.
"Stares at him until he blinks."
I giggled lightly.
I must make her cool down after being tense.
I am to be blamed, after all.
Thankfully, she giggled, and I perceived that the atmosphere had cooled down.
This was only a must since we couldn't face this adversity together if our vision narrowed after being anxious.
Now that I've finally erased the stress, I must find a way to survive.
Currently, the only external resource I have is the artifacts.
I can't rely on my father since the fact that the Death Flag still appeared despite his presence concluded that I could still die.
Even if Father could avenge me, what's the point if I die?
Can he bring me to life?
Hence, from now on, I'll rely on myself.
'Well, with the Necklace of Uriel's Protection, It could defend against High-Level Spells for five minutes, assuring our survival. However, I could only activate it a single time in the span of an hour of ambush,' I thought while rubbing my index and thumb fingers.
'Despite that, I could counteract my offensive spells. Even so, can I even land an attack on him? Furthermore, who is the enemy in the first place?'
I have the urge to bite my index fingers, but that would mean I'm being anxious.
I couldn't afford to agitate Sophie now.
'Think, think.'
Then, I gazed at the mission description.
'Viper's assault?
Viper…
Viper?!!!'
My eyes and mouth widened.
'H-How could Viper be involved in this? Do they really want me to die that much?'
My breathing quickened, but I forcibly calmed myself down.
I began to recall the information about Viper.
Viper belonged to the Reaper Guild, an assassin guild that wasn't really recognized as a guild but rather a society of criminals who killed nobles based on their judgment.
They judged if the noble should be killed depending on the human rights they violated.
There was even a rumor of a Count getting killed when a farmer offered a single silver to the Reaper Guild after his family and others on the farm were being treated unjustly.
Their income dropped to fifty percent, and their taxes increased because of the Count's decision.
Starting then on, the arrogant nobles began to humble themselves while continuing to demand that the Emperor execute them.
However, the Emperor stated they couldn't trace them, or so he lied.
After all, the society's purpose was to cleanse the corrupted nobles.
Eventually, they were recognized as Guild, with their headquarters still unknown up to date.
A member, Viper, has only been known for two decades, starting from killing barons to viscounts by himself through his poison and agileness with the aid of wind elements.
This character was I suggested to the author.
Hence, I knew so well the information about Viper.
I'm pretty sure that the author didn't change much about his character, as this character only appeared in the later volume.
He tried to assassinate the main character.
Solely because he received a massive reward from a noble.
That's right, Viper wasn't working for justice but for money.
He earned his title and position in the guild, and his actions were always left unknown to the guild.
Furthermore, he was in the guild in the first place because his father was a member, in fact, the Guild Vicemaster.
Hence, it could be concluded he was a member by force.
Slowly, his ideals began to change with his greed for money to satisfy his needs.
To pursue the poison arts!
'He must have received a huge reward by killing me.'
I couldn't help but grin, even though I was internally sweating with bullets.
'Now, now, isn't this an achievement to survive an assassination from Viper, a rank 9 assassin in the Reaper Guild?'