Chapter 511 - She Obviously Liked It.
Almost at the same time as the explosion, a gigantic Illusionary armored avatar of a lady rose from the still-exploding carriage with two figures safely encased within it.
They were none other than Marla and Hal who ignored the looks from all those present at the time of an attempt on their life to try and mark the driver of the carriage.
But like the assassin Hal was sure he was, the driver had disappeared into the masses. But Hal knew he could not be too far away.
Surely, he must still be close enough to watch and know his attempt had been unsuccessful.
He considered stretching out his Astral perception to find him but eventually decided against it.
The manner in which the carriage had been blown up and the speed of escape considering the space of time between the driver's escape to the carriage's explosion which happened almost simultaneously as the unleashing of Marla's Dark Maelstrom avatar told Hal this was the work of a professional.
A Professional who knew how to cover their tracks.
And being professional as they were, Hal knew they would not want to let go of the element of surprise which was very important during an assassination and guaranteed that they controlled the outcome.
This would not be the final attempt and he would do well to catch them then.
However, he was not going to be catching them to question them.
Why not?
Well, just like the first time assassins in the form of gang members were sent out to kill him when he had just transmigrated to the Nexus world, Hal knew who the culprits were.
The prime suspects had to be his idiotic cousins in the Doxon family who clearly did not know what was good for them.
How dare they have no boundaries and actually attempt to kill Marla too?!
Sure it was the decision of whichever assassin they had employed but just as that idiot was going to get theirs on their next attempt, those stupid Doxons would get their own in an absolutely gruesome manner.
Marla dispersed her avatar and the two were soon back on solid ground.
Then his Communication Talisman beeped and Hal took it out of his inventory while he and Marla stepped away from the main road and the wreckage of the carriage.
While a few passersby spared them glances, mostly everyone went on with their business as usual.
Hal activated the communication talisman as he and Marla walked and out of it spoke a familiar and happy male voice,
"Good afternoon, Grandson. I trust you've been well... Not burnt to a crisp already are we?"
Hal sneered at Kirill's cheerful tone but when he replied his annoying Grandfather, it was with a natural tone,
"Not as long as your shameless self still breathes. Surely I should be expected to outlive you" he said.
Kirill burst out laughing,
"Haha, this is why I like you. So anyway, I expect you've guessed it already but I still feel obligated to inform you that the attempt on your life was thanks to your cousins. I can't have you remaining in the dark when there is a hit out on you.
You still are the face of my faction in the Doxon family after all.
Anyway, heard you will be taking the Royal Academy Entrance exams and I want to wish you good luck. I'm rooting for you and I will be cheering for you while I watch it personally" he said.
"You're going to be watching?" Hal asked after a brief pause.
"Of course. I'm already in the Imperial city. Make me proud, Grandson. Oh... And try not to die" with that Kirill disconnected.
"Fucking old coot" Marla said with a frown.
Hal sighed and then smiled before he led the way to the Imperial Palace.
After the whole thing with the explosion, neither wished to attempt to board another carriage and decided they might as well journey on foot. It would only take an hour at most.
...
At the Imperial Palace gates, the guards were hostile and flat out refused to let Hal and Marla in. Their decision was not helped by Marla making silly faces at them and calling them names which she had only done after the initial rejection while Hal thought to persuade said guards to change their mind.
Anyways, the rejection did not last as the guards soon received orders from one who was unmistakably Princess Tanya to let in her guest.
"Guess you feel real stupid right now" Marla said and stuck out her tongue at them to which Hal smiled with indulgence as he steered her through the palace grounds.
Not bothering to mention that it was only him who was actually invited in and she was only entering because she was with him.
They moved fast and with purpose with no actual time to enjoy the sights because, for one, they were not walking with the guidance of someone known to have dealings with a member of the Imperial family so practically anyone could stop them if they found them to be suspicious.
Even then, Marla still saw enough of the impressive structure to be awed.
When all was said and done, phony as the sights were (to her) it did not really change the fact that this was where the current rulers of the continent reside.
All that power...
Hal knowing which circles to make use of and which coordinates to put in, soon got them to Tanya's residence with Lena actually waiting to receive them with a glare at Hal and a look of surprise at the presence of Marla.
"Lena" Hal called with a smile and his hands spread as though to hug her.
Immediately, Lena was on her guard and made to strike him but before she could even make a move, almost as though she was paralyzed by his very presence,
*Peck*
Hal dipped his head and kissed her on the lips and leaped back in the space of a second.
"Hmm!"
The sound came out of Lena's lips like an exclamation.
Two things surprised her.
First... Hal was much faster than he had been when he had been here to receive his mission from Tanya.
This young man she knew to barely be twenty or not even twenty yet was already a Cosmic Aurora expert.
That was... Insane did not even begin to describe it.
What could have happened in Dreg Duchy?
Anyways, the second thing that surprised her was how impossibly good... The kiss that barely lasted a second felt!
"Y-y-you..." She stammered with her right index finger pointed at Hal while her left hand covered her mouth.
"Me what?" Hal asked with a raised brow while he put an arm around Marla's shoulders.
"Did I do anything accusation worthy?" Hal asked Marla who dutifully shook her head,
"Of course not. She's just a prude. I mean look at her, she obviously liked it" Marla said with a nonchalant wave at Lena whose eyes were even wider now.
An expression that did not overly distract any observer's eyes from the clear rosiness in her cheeks.
"I-I-I-I did not like it..." Lena said, angry with herself for still stammering.
Marla rolled her eyes,
"Sure, keep telling yourself that" she said as Hal led her past Lena and into the residence proper.
"The Princess is in the lounge right, we'll find our way there ourselves" Hal said.
As he doubted Tanya would attempt to seduce him again, the lounge was clearly the location to meet and indeed, Tanya was lying comfortably on the sofa and as Hal and Marla walked in, she looked from one to the other with an expression that said she had no idea what to say.
At least not yet.
That was when Lena dashed in. Having finally found her voice,
"You took advantage of me!"