Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss

Ren and Thorn rode their horses hard along the capital's paved roads, their cloaks flapping behind them as hooves thundered against stone.

Sweat clung to their backs as they hunched on their horses, and dust rose in clouds behind them.

Ren's thoughts were filled with a whirlpool of strategy and desperation, the only sound roaring in his ears, the hoofbeat thundering against the earth as they raced towards the palace.

Yesterday, after gathering all the information he could on the border and the barbarian forces, his father had made a decision.

The scale of the barbarian invasion, especially with Druids and dragons among them, and operating under the assumption that they had more warriors, was beyond anything House Ross could handle alone.

They needed reinforcements if they wanted any hope of achieving anything resembling victory. And so, the responsibility of securing aid from the crown had fallen to Ren. He was the only one who could do this fast enough.

He didn't need to be told twice.

The next day, he teleported into Steadfast to one of the coins he'd left at the place. With Thorn, they'd both taken fresh horses and headed directly for the palace.

Flying the Ross banner as they approached the gates, the palace guards recognized them and opened the way without pause.

Faster than he'd even thought possible, they'd stashed their horses at the stables and entered the outer palace, passing courtiers shuffling about in lavish robes.

They rushed to the administrative portion of the outer palace, where they were greeted by a court official who asked their purpose.

"Urgent audience with the king." Ren said, Thorn pacing behind him. "House Ross requests military reinforcements. The northern border has been breached."

The official's eyebrows rose skeptically, but he said nothing. He simply nodded, turned, and led them through the maze-like halls.

They passed multiple wings before arriving at the king's outer palace study. The man gestured to the velvet-cushioned bench. "Please wait. His Majesty is currently indisposed. Your request has been logged."

And so, they waited.

Minutes turned into hours, and their patience waned.

Ren sat stiffly, his jaw clenched and fingers tapping restlessly against his knee. His mind cycled through every possible move House Ross could make, trying to use his extensive knowledge of game lore.

Could they slow the invasion with hit-and-run tactics? Could they destroy supply lines? Could he convince the minor lords to rally? But it always circled back to the same conclusion. Without reinforcements, they were doomed.

That was when it really sank in. His knowledge of the game was functionally useless. The game's storyline was well and truly gone. He can no longer rely on his knowledge of future events again.

He was just as blind about the future as everyone else.

Thorn exhaled beside him, growing increasingly irritated. "We've been here for hours." He growled. "Are we not part of this kingdom? Are they seriously keeping us here while our people are waiting to die?"

Before Ren could answer, a tall, slender attendant stepped into the room. "Lord Terence Ross. Sir Thorn. His Majesty is still engaged in important matters. However, Lord Rosefield, the First Knight of the Realm, has agreed to see you in his stead."

Ren's body went cold.

Thorn turned to him, horror lining his face. "That's the one, right? Vesper's father?"

Ren nodded slowly. "Yeah. And I made him lose a million gold coins."

Thorn winced. "Fuck."

They were led to one of the palace's grand offices, larger than the Ross family's entire dining room back home. The floor was black marble streaked with silver, and the windows overlooked the royal training yard. Seated behind a large, gold plated desk was Lord Rosefield.

He was tall, silver-haired, and his fine features were made even more handsome by the cold, amused smile on his face. He leaned back in his chair as they entered.

"So," he said, folding his hands on the desk, "this is the boy who swindled my son."

Ren bowed stiffly. "Lord Rosefield. I didn't swindle anyone. I won fair and square."

"Semantics." The man replied casually, waving away Ren's words. "But I'll admit, you have nerve. Showing up here, begging for aid, after costing me a fortune."

"I'm here because the kingdom is under threat." Ren said. "The barbarians have crossed the border. Our forces at the outpost were annihilated. They're marching on Ross lands as we speak."

"Yes." Lord Rosefield said, standing now. He paced leisurely toward the window, clasping his hands behind his back. "I read the reports. Just a little skirmish."

"It's not a skirmish." Ren said through gritted teeth. "They had dragons. Wyverns. Druidic magic more powerful than they'd ever previously displayed. And they're not stopping at Ross lands."

Lord Rosefield turned slightly, his cold gaze sliding to Ren. "If they don't stop at Ross lands, then perhaps I'll take a second look. But for now? This sounds very much like a House Ross problem."

Ren took a breath, trying to bury the fury building up within him. House Ross needed the aid. "We're part of Albion. And if we fall, the path to the capital is wide open. The king must rally the lords."

"The king," Lord Rosefield interrupted, "has entrusted me with decisions like this. And I've decided I will offer aid... for a price."

Ren's heart sank.

The First Knight turned fully to face him, a dark grin spreading across his face. "You'll return the barony. The one you won from Vesper."

Ren didn't move. His hands curled into fists. "That land was mine by right. I won it."

"And you'll give it back if you want my help." Lord Rosefield said. "You have no army, no reinforcements, and no time. I'll dispatch a small force of knights, strong enough to hold the line while Albion prepares. If you return the barony."

Ren stared into the man's eyes. There was no malice there. Just cold hard calculation.

"Think it over." Lord Rosefield said, returning to his seat. "But quickly. Your house doesn't have the luxury of time."

Ren turned, cloak swirling as he walked out of the office, Thorn close behind.

"What are we going to do?" Thorn whispered.

Ren didn't answer right away. He was already thinking, already planning.

No one knew how many days they had before the barbarians reached Ross Castle. How many days to make a decision that could mean survival or ruin.

And time waited for no man.