Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss-Chapter 202: Commander Halwen

Ren chuckled, the sound low and sardonic. "And who, in their right mind, steals from a Chosen and lives long enough to brag about it?"

He turned fully and, with a flex of his muscles, grabbed the wagon's handle. With a grunt, he lifted it—Thorn and all—clear off the ground.

The wood groaned under its own weight, but Ren held it aloft with ease. "Still think we're impostors?"

Silence filled the air.

The riders lowered their weapons. Their eyes had changed. No longer skeptical. It was now respectful. Awed, even.

The leader nodded once. "You're Chosen, alright. Forgive the suspicion, but these roads aren't safe. We've had all kinds passing through. Deserters, liars. Even madmen claiming to be priests."

Ren set the wagon down gently. "We understand. But we need help. Our companion is sick. We need shelter, rest, and food."

The leader's tone shifted immediately. "Say no more. Come with us, Chosen. So that we may be blessed."

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Ren narrowed his eyes. So that they may be blessed? Well, it didn't matter. They had food.

After a whistle from the leader, the riders turned, forming a protective wedge around the group. One dismounted to help Elias secure the wagon, while another offered Lilith a canteen. One of the riders rode ahead, perhaps to send word of what was coming.

As they rode, with Ren and his group walking, still dragging Thorn and the wagon behind him, the leader became… curious. "If I may ask, Chosen… how did you survive?"

Ren smiled at the man. "Resonance magic." He said, gesturing vaguely. "We were quite lucky if I do say so myself."

"I see." The man nodded in a way that showed that he definitely didn't see.

He tried a few more questions but when Ren wasn't as forthcoming with his answers, the man remained quiet.

After nearly thirty minutes of cautious travel through the Elnorian landscape, the group entered a narrow passage flanked by two rocky hills. Here, there were trees, growing thick and tall, their roots twisting down into the soil like grasping fingers.

At the end of the passage, the path opened into a valley basin, naturally fortified on all sides by the rock cliffs and dense woodland.

The camp nestled there was large and well-organized, with wooden watchtowers rising at the valley's edge and guard posts patrolling on makeshift scaffolding. A wooden palisade encircled the entire basin, reinforced with scavenged stone and metal.

It was clear from first sight that this place had been made to survive. These were people who hadn't been privileged to head to a city before the gates were closed.

Inside the camp, there were dozens of people, each one actually doing something.

The soldiers were sharpening their weapons, children tending to the handful of goats, and women boiling stew over open fires.

A few heads turned as Ren and the others entered, but none questioned their presence once they saw the leader and the wagon bearing Thorn's injured body.

They were taken to a large central tent, which was probably the quarters of whoever was in charge of this place.

Inside, the tent was modest. A cot, a table, and most importantly, a few scattered books. Ren's eyes narrowed when he saw them. They pointed at the leader being an… intellectual.

The actual man himself, a bearded man with a weather-beaten face and intelligent eyes, rose as they entered. He wore armor that had clearly seen years of use, but had been meticulously taken care of.

But what surprised Ren was his age. He wasn't particularly old, but he was definitely getting by on his years. There were streaks of white in both hair and beard, showing that he definitely wasn't getting any younger.

But no one could deny that he was a warrior.

"Welcome, Chosen." He said, giving a respectful nod. "I am Commander Halwen. Former member of the Elnorian army. Word already reached me."

Ren inclined his head. "We're grateful for your hospitality."

"I heard you were Chosen."

Ren nodded.

"Then, you'll have what we can offer." Halwen said, waving a hand. "Food, water, rest. I've already sent word to our cooks. The wounded one will be treated and fed. But…"

His voice dropped.

"There's something I must ask of you."

Ren stiffened. Down to business? So soon?

"We've been scraping by." Halwen continued. "But our food stores are dwindling. There's a town just a few miles north of here. Stonecross. Before everything went to shit, it served as a trading post. We know its granaries are still full."

Lilith's eyes narrowed. "And the problem?"

"It's crawling with the infected." Halwen said after a short pause. "Too many for us to handle. We've lost three scouting teams trying to push through and retrieve supplies."

Ren glanced at Elias and Valen. They said nothing, but their postures told Ren what he needed to know. Whatever he decided, they were ready for it.

Halwen stepped forward. "I know you've just escaped something horrible. I know you've lost. But we need help. My people, my children, won't survive the winter without food. And the infected… they're not what they were. They're learning. Changing."

He bowed his head. "Please. We need your strength, Chosen. Help us clear the village. Just long enough to secure the food. I and my best hunters will go with you. You'll have every blade we can spare."

Ren looked at the faces around him. Halwen's eyes were sincere. And he knew what he saw while passing through the camp.

The sound of children laughing nervously. The wary glances of survivors clinging to a shred of hope.

They were people trying to endure. Trying to outlast an apocalypse.

He could walk away. Say no. He had every right.

But his eyes fell back to Thorn's pale, sleeping face. His brother in arms, whose life now lay in the hands of these very people.

Ren exhaled slowly.

"Alright." He said. "We'll help you."

Halwen's eyes shone with gratitude. "Thank you, Chosen."

Ren straightened. "But I'll need one thing in return."

"Anything."

"When we're done," Ren said, "you all shall come with me. You shall leave this camp and journey to the nearest city."

Halwen stared at him for a second, before answering, a smile on his face.

"With pleasure."