Soon, Masha found Malisi, and the three of them headed deeper into the forest.
What puzzled Ximo, however, was why Masha had specifically ordered a coachman to drive a small carriage behind them.
Masha’s explanation was, “In case we get tired later, we can ride the carriage back.”
Though she felt something was off, Ximo didn’t dwell on it. She just thought Masha was overly delicate—noble families were always so fussy.
The forest north of Camberlan City wasn’t particularly large or small; crossing it straight through would take about four or five hours. Beyond the forest and a bit further north lay the territory of the Northern Border Beastmen Clan.
As Ximo strolled through the woods, she observed Malisi’s actions—she hadn’t forgotten that this mission required the bratty kid to complete it.
Strangely, though, Masha kept holding Malisi’s hand, keeping her very close. Forget relying on the kid to help with the task; Malisi couldn’t even take a couple of steps on her own.
Wasn’t Masha watching the child a bit too closely?
“Malisi, look—there’s a bird’s nest in that tree ahead. Do you think there might be eggs in it at this time of year?”
With that, Ximo had no choice but to try luring Malisi over herself.
Kids were playful, and Malisi had long wanted to run around freely, but Masha kept holding her back. Sure enough, at Ximo’s words, her eyes lit up, and she struggled to break free from her mother’s hand to go check it out.
“Malisi, slow down… be careful… danger.”
When the word “danger” slipped out, Masha felt a twinge of guilt, like a thief caught in the act. She didn’t want Malisi to suffer even the slightest harm, but protecting her so tightly might give something away.
Masha shot Ximo a resentful glare… This little vixen must think she’d set up some trap in the woods and wanted Malisi to scout ahead, right? What a vicious mind!
Ximo completely missed Masha’s gaze. She was tilting her head, examining a trail of footprints in the snow, wondering what animal had left them.
The moment Masha let go, the playful Malisi bolted off. She often ran far ahead like this, only stopping when Masha nervously called for her to wait, then pausing for the two to catch up.
Though worried about accidents, Masha knew they hadn’t reached the spot she’d agreed on with Samuer yet, so things should be fine for now.
They walked a long way like this, and Ximo began to wonder if they’d taken a wrong turn. They’d gone so far, but the bratty Malisi still hadn’t triggered the extra event?
Even with Masha tagging along, it shouldn’t affect anything, right?
With that thought, the three had reached even deeper into the forest. Ahead lay dense woods with no cleared path for the carriage.
The coachman had no choice but to stop the carriage at the end of the road. Looking at the pitch-black expanse of trees before them, Malisi grew scared and shrank back.
“Mom, let’s go back. It’s too dark ahead.”
“Don’t be like that; we’ve only just come out.”
“Listen to us, Malisi. We’ll head back after a little more walking…”
Masha and Ximo spoke in unison to persuade her. Ximo glanced at Masha in surprise—she hadn’t expected this wicked stepmother to help her with the task one day.
Malisi hadn’t triggered the plot event yet, so of course Ximo didn’t want to turn back. But just as she prepared to press on, Masha suddenly grabbed Malisi’s arm.
“Xiliya, help Malisi tidy up her clothes. You go ahead on your own for now.”
“Oh.”
Ximo didn’t think much of it and instead peered anxiously deeper into the woods, wondering where that key plot-triggering bear was hiding.
But at that moment, a system prompt suddenly rang in her mind.
【Plot deviation detected. Mission about to fail. Please hurry and complete the task.】
Huh?
Ximo was stunned. How had the plot deviated out of nowhere? Could bringing Masha along really have made a difference?
Ximo wanted to question the system, but a chill suddenly ran down her spine—the same feeling she’d had in the warehouse when ambushed by that beastman priest.
Alarm bells blared in her mind. Ximo instinctively took a step back, and in the next instant, an arrow whistled through the air, embedding itself right where she’d stood.
What the hell? Ximo’s eyes widened. Since when did hibernating bears shoot arrows?!
She quickly realized it wasn’t a bear at all. Shouts erupted around her, and from the depths of the distant woods, several beastmen camouflaged in the snow suddenly revealed themselves, charging toward Ximo.
Damn it, why were there beastmen here?!
Ximo instinctively turned to scoop up Malisi—she remembered the original task required her to carry Malisi while fleeing. But Malisi wasn’t beside her anymore. Masha, who had been dawdling to fix Malisi’s clothes, had swiftly yanked her away and was running toward the carriage.
Ximo bolted after them. At this point, she couldn’t care less about the task—survival came first. There were too many beastmen behind her; she couldn’t handle them alone!
Since Ximo had gone ahead into the woods first, even dragging Malisi, Masha boarded the carriage faster than her. The beastmen were still some distance away, and Ximo was confident she could reach the carriage before they did.
But before she could, Masha slammed the door shut with a “bang,” and the carriage… just took off!
“Wait, I haven’t gotten on yet—”
Ximo’s shouts fell on deaf ears; the carriage showed no sign of stopping. Only then did she realize something was wrong.
Damn it all, Masha had done this on purpose! She’d planned to get rid of her… no, get rid of Xiliya here!
No time to think now—the beastmen’s shouts grew closer. Ximo knew if she didn’t run, she’d end up dying in Xiliya’s place.
Running alone wouldn’t work, though; her speed couldn’t outpace these beastmen. In this dire moment, Ximo’s mind cleared completely, thoughts racing.
Direct confrontation was impossible; she was just a third-rate assassin who specialized in disguise.
She couldn’t fight or outrun them… Glancing back at the dark woods, an idea struck her.
These beastmen were huge; they’d be clumsy in the narrow forest. She, on the other hand, could slip through easily.
To survive—she had to run back into the woods!
Ximo whipped around sharply, no longer fleeing toward the main path but darting into the woods on the side.
