Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss-Chapter 66: Luck Or Skill?

The Penny Prince stepped out of his carriage, already able to see the smoke wafting from the fenced property in front of him.

Walking through the gate, he paused to take a long look at the smoking remains of the third Swordsman’s secret manor. The once beautiful house was now a husk of charred wood and crumbling stone, its walls blackened by the inferno that had raged for the past few hours.

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He adjusted the cuffs of his coat, taking a slow, deliberate breath as he moved, stepping over the rubble, his golden eyes gleaming with curiosity rather than concern.

The chaos was long gone and the damage had been controlled, but the stench of burnt flesh and soot still clung to the air.

The city officials had been sent away. His people, who were also palace soldiers, picked through the remains, speaking in hushed tones as they investigated the destruction.

A few glanced his way but quickly looked back down, wary of drawing his attention. The Penny Prince barely acknowledged them as he walked through the wreckage, his eyes sweeping over the ruins like an artist surveying a half-finished canvas.

"They’re getting bolder." He murmured to himself. "And sloppier."

The attack had been brutal. Fire had been used as a weapon, not just to kill but to sow absolute confusion.

The remnants of a structure-collapse suggested a carefully timed detonation, not a reckless burning. And then there was the body—

The third Swordsman had not died in the fire. His corpse, retrieved from the rubble, had wounds too clean for a chaotic death. He’d been slashed in the throat. An assassination, not an accident.

The Penny Prince smirked. "Efficient."

He crouched beside the body, brushing ash from the man’s tunic. "They knew exactly where to strike. No wasted movement. No excess brutality beyond what was necessary to finish the job."

A voice interrupted his thoughts. "Shall I take that as admiration, my lord?"

The Penny Prince turned as Lars approached from the smoldering ruins. The bodyguard’s expression was blank, but his posture was rigid, disciplined, as always.

The Penny Prince rose to his feet, brushing dust from his coat. "Admiration? Hardly. Our enemies are skilled, but they lack imagination."

"They think themselves predators, but they’re still playing by the rules of the hunt." He began walking back to the carriage, Lars following behind.

"They didn’t bother trying to get information out of Lyon, which meant they didn’t have the time. And judging by how they attacked in broad daylight, they truly are on a time limit. And this means they’ll soon attack Giles within the next three to five days."

He chuckled to himself as they entered the carriage. "Come, Lars. Report."

As soon as the door shut behind them and the carriage began its slow journey toward the inner city, Lars began his briefing. "I’ve gathered all available intelligence on Lilith Underwood, as per your request."

The Penny Prince’s fingers drummed lazily against the seat. "And?"

"Lilith Underwood, last child of Lord Underwood is fifteen years old. She was once considered highly dangerous due to her Divine Gift, called Soul Dominion. But word out of Underwood was that she now had things under control."

"There are limited documented public appearances, most of which were heavily supervised. Her abilities have been classified as soul-related, though exact specifications remain unclear."

The Penny Prince leaned back in disinterest. "Go on."

Lars continued. "She is currently engaged."

That caught the Penny Prince’s interest. "Engaged? To whom?"

"To Terence Ross, third son of the minor noble House Ross."

"House Ross?" The Penny Prince raised an eyebrow as he tried to remember just what family that was. "The border guards? Hardly an influential family. I expected her father to pair her with a stronger house."

Lars nodded. "We suspect that no one wanted her due to how… unstable she was rumored to be at the time."

"And her fiance?"

"We found little on the boy. He’s the same agg as she is, and our sources say he spent the last four years at the border, and is being sent to the capital for the King’s birthday. As of now, he is traveling alongside Lady Underwood."

The Penny Prince tapped his chin, a slow smile creeping onto his lips. "Interesting."

"A third son sent to the border for years, suddenly making his way back into noble society. And conveniently, he’s beside Lilith Underwood just as this unknown attacker starts dismantling my organization."

Lars hesitated. "You suspect him?"

"Not necessarily." The Penny Prince admitted. "But if I were in his position, it would make for an excellent cover."

He leaned back, smirking. "And either way, I like him already. He either has a ton of skill or luck to be close with such a supposedly… unstable individual. And both make for very entertaining people."

A knock against the side of the carriage announced another arrival. The door opened, and Giles stepped inside, bowing slightly before taking a seat across from them.

The Penny Prince didn’t waste time. "We’re setting a trap."

Giles listened quietly as the Penny Prince continued. "You, Giles, will no longer hide. You will be seen, walking alone, without guards. You will make it easy for them to find you. Easy for them to think they have the advantage."

Giles folded his arms, his expression neutral. "You want to bait them."

"Exactly." The Penny Prince confirmed. "They’ve been cutting off our limbs one by one, like hunters whittling away at a beast."

"We let them take the bait, let them feel as though they’ve won. Then, when they strike—" he snapped his fingers, "we catch them."

Lars frowned. "It’s a risk."

"Everything worth doing is." The Penny Prince leaned back in his chair with a chuckle. "And besides, I’m curious. I want to see who this attacker is. He’s very… interesting."

Giles smirked. "And if they don’t take the bait?"

The Penny Prince chuckled. "They would. Trust me."

The carriage rolled to a stop outside his inner city manor, and the Penny Prince stepped out, the cool evening air blowing around him.

"Giles," he called over his shoulder, "make sure they find you. Let’s see if they’re as bold as they think they are."

Giles nodded, before disappearing into the streets.

The Penny Prince smiled to himself, gazing up at the setting sun.

Very soon, he would know exactly who was playing against him.