'I'm the Villain, But the System Made Me OP'-Chapter 38: Investigation

Three days since the trial.

Duke Valerius’s study was a mess. Papers everywhere. Maps. Financial records. Shipping manifests. Coffee cups nobody bothered cleaning up.

"Here." Valerius pointed at a ledger. *Tap.* "Corvus Trading Company. Runs the Eastern docks. Sixty percent of the kingdom’s imports go through them."

Draven scanned the numbers. Revenue looked clean. Way too clean.

"Laundering."

"Probably. But they’re smart about it. Smarter than Thorne was." Valerius lit his pipe. *Puff puff.* "Multiple shell companies. Offshore accounts. False customs reports. The whole thing."

"So we need someone inside."

"We need the real books. The ones they don’t show auditors."

Draven thought about that. Infiltration. Information gathering.

Lyra. Obviously.

[System]: *New target acquired*

*House Corvus*

*Aldric’s biggest ally*

*Cut off his money supply*

*Then he’s fucked ♥*

"What do we know about the family?" Draven asked.

Valerius pulled out a folder. *Rustle.* Spread portraits across the desk. Formal family painting.

Lord Marcus Corvus looked exactly like a corrupt merchant. Round face. Fake smile. Eyes that only saw profit.

His wife looked dead inside. Checked out.

But the daughter.

Vivienne Corvus. Twenty years old. Blonde. Beautiful. Cold eyes that reminded Draven of Seraphina before she warmed up.

Smart eyes. Dangerous eyes.

"She’s engaged," Valerius said.

"To who?"

"Aldric."

Draven looked up. "The Crown Prince."

"Yep. Arranged six months ago. Political marriage. Corvus gets royal connection. Aldric gets their shipping network and funding."

Draven stared at the portrait. Vivienne looked... calculating. Not some sheltered princess waiting for her prince.

This was someone who saw marriage as a business transaction.

[DING! NEW QUEST]

[QUEST: "POLITICAL SEDUCTION"]

[Seduce Vivienne Corvus, Aldric’s fiancée]

[Break their engagement publicly]

[Turn her against House Corvus]

[REWARDS:]

[25,000 VP (seduction complete)]

[15,000 VP (broken engagement)]

[20,000 VP (family betrayal)]

[Title: "Homewrecker"]

[Vivienne joins harem]

[Y/N?]

Draven accepted.

[QUEST ACCEPTED]

[Good luck Host ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

"What’s she like?" Draven studied the portrait closer.

"Ambitious. Smart. Doesn’t fall in love. Makes deals." Valerius tapped ash. *Tap tap.* "She’s marrying Aldric for power. Wants to be Queen."

"And if Aldric doesn’t become King?"

"Then she needs a new target." Valerius grinned. Knowing. "Someone more powerful. Like the Newly S-Rank kid who just destroyed two noble houses."

After the Thorne trial. After Aldric got publicly accused of conspiracy.

He looked weak now. Damaged.

Vivienne wouldn’t want damaged goods.

"There’s a gala in five days," Valerius said. "Royal Palace. Crown Prince’s birthday."

"He has to invite me."

"You’re S-Rank. War hero. Not inviting you would cause talk." Valerius leaned back. *Creak.* "So you’ll be there. At his birthday party. Meeting his fiancée."

Bold. Really fucking bold.

But that’s how this worked. Politics was war. Just with better clothes.

"Also," Valerius continued. "I’ve got someone at the Royal Treasury. Can pull Corvus’s real financial records. See where the money actually goes."

"How long?"

"Two weeks. Maybe three. He’s gotta be careful. Corvus has eyes everywhere."

Two weeks. That gave Draven time to meet Vivienne. Start whatever he needed to start. Time for Lyra to get inside the docks.

"What about Aldric?" Draven asked. "He knows we’re coming for his allies."

"Let him know. We’re not doing anything illegal. Just..." Valerius smiled. "Due diligence. Making sure our future Queen’s family is good ."

Smart. Legal cover while digging dirt.

[System]: *Gala in 5 days*

*Meet the fiancée*

*Steal her*

*At HIS party*

*Fucking savage ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)*

---

That evening. Draven’s room.

Mara was unpacking. Actually moving in properly. Clothes in the wardrobe. *Rustle rustle.* Books on shelves. Her stuff mixing with his.

She’d quit the Church three days ago. Just walked in. Threw her robes at them. Told them to fuck off.

They’d tried threatening her. Hell. Damnation. The usual.

She didn’t care.

Now she was here. Living with him.

"You’re planning something," she said. Folding a dress. "I can tell."

"Always planning something."

"What is it?"

"House Corvus. Shipping company. Connected to Aldric."

She stopped folding. "The Church has investigated them twice. But both of time cases just disappeared. Money can do anything ."

"They Won’t have that protection anymore."

"Because Aldric’s weak now."

"Exactly."

Mara walked over. Sat on his lap. *Thump.* Arms around his neck. "You’re going to that gala."

"Well i Have to."

"Taking anyone with you ?"

Draven hadn’t thought about it.

"How about you Take me." Her eyes were fierce. "Let the Church see me with you. Happy. Free. Let them know I chose this."

That would piss them off more than they already were.

Probably make things worse.

Fuck it.

"Okay. You’re my date."

"Good." She kissed him. Soft. Then deeper.

[System]: *Former Inquisitor*

*As your date*

*To the Crown Prince’s party*

*Church gonna SEETHE*

*Love it ♥*

---

Next morning. Docks.

Salt smell. Ocean breeze. Seagulls screaming. *Caw caw caw.*

Draven met Lyra in an abandoned warehouse. Dark inside. Quiet.

She appeared from shadows. *Fzzz.* Silent as always.

"You called me ?"

"I have a job for you . Infiltration in Corvus Trading Company."

"What kind of infiltration?"

"Their real ledgers. The books they hide."

Lyra tilted her head. Thinking. "Security’s tight there. Guards. Mages. Wards on the buildings. Tracking spells on the documents."

"Can you do it?"

"Depends on Budget?"

"Whatever you need."

She smiled. "Love when you say that."

Draven tossed her a coin purse. Heavy. *Clink clink.* Full of gold.

"Bribe who you need. Kill who you need. Just get me those books."

"When do you need that ?"

"Two weeks."

"Ok ." She pocketed the gold. *Rustle.* "Anything else?"

"If you find worse crimes. Murder. Slavery. Whatever. Document everything."

"You’re building a case. Like Thorne."

"Complete destruction. Yeah."

Lyra stepped closer. Hand on his cheek. "I’ve missed you. Been busy with all your new girls."

"Jealous?"

"Little bit." She kissed him. Quick. Soft. "Don’t forget about me."

"I Won’t Never ."

"Good." Shadows wrapped around her. *Fzzz.* "Two weeks. I’ll have everything."

She vanished.

[System]: *Lyra’s on it*

*Assassin skills = perfect spy*

*She’ll get you everything*

*Also*

*She’s jealous*

*Cute ♥*

*Remember to visit your girls*

*Keep them happy*

Mental note made. Spend time with everyone. Seraphina. Astrid. Elara.

They were his. That meant actually paying attention to them.

---

Two days later. Training grounds.

Kai was late. Again.

Draven practiced alone. Shadow drills. Movement exercises. Keeping sharp.

Finally. *Tap tap tap.* Footsteps.

"Sorry!" Kai ran up. Out of breath. "Got held up. Professor wanted to talk about—doesn’t matter. Let’s go."

They sparred.

*CLANG!* Swords met.

*CRACK!* Kai’s blade shattered.

"Fuck!" Kai threw the broken hilt. *Clang.* "Third one this week!"

"Stop buying cheap shit."

"Can’t afford better."

"I’ll buy you one."

"I don’t want—"

"It’s not charity. Can’t have my sparring partner using garbage blades." Draven lowered his sword. "Besides. You’re getting stronger. Need something that won’t break every other day."

Kai looked surprised. Then nodded. "Thanks. Really."

They sat. Water break. *Glug glug.*

"You’re planning something big," Kai said. Statement. Not question.

"Maybe."

"Aldric related?"

"Yes ."

Kai clenched his fist. "I’ll help. If you need it."

Draven looked at him. Kai Solis. D-Rank. Weak. Earnest. Loyal.

The original protagonist. Supposed to be the hero.

But things changed.

"He’s corrupt. You proved it at the trial." Kai’s voice was hard. "Someone needs to stop him. And you’re the only one strong enough. The only one willing."

"You sure about that? Helping me?"

"Yeah. I’m sure."

Simple. Direct. No bullshit.

That was Kai.

"Thanks."

"Just... don’t let power corrupt you. I’ve seen what it does to people."

Draven didn’t answer that.

Couldn’t promise something he wasn’t sure about.

[System]: *Kai loyalty: HIGH*

*Original protagonist on your side*

*Story officially broken*

*Love it ♥*

---

That night. Dinner.

Full table. Everyone there.

Valerius at the head. Seraphina next to him. Draven across. Elise beside Draven. Then Mara. Lyra. Astrid. Elara.

His whole harem. Plus Duke Valerius and his daughter.

Awkward? Maybe. But Valerius thought it was funny.

"So." Valerius cut his steak. *Slice slice.* "Operational security. Who knows about Corvus?"

"You. Me. Lyra. Your Treasury guy," Draven said.

"Good. Keep it that way. If Corvus finds out, they’ll burn evidence. Kill witnesses. Flee the kingdom."

"Won’t happen." Lyra sipped wine. "Guild rules. Nobody talks."

Elise touched Draven’s hand under the table. *Squeeze.* Not sexy. Just... worried.

"You’re going to the gala," she said. Quiet.

"I Have to."

"To meet his daughter."

"That’s the plan."

"And you’re taking Mara."

"She asked me herself ."

Elise looked at Mara. Then back at him. Eyes worried. That maternal concern showing. "Be careful. Corvus is more dangerous than Thorne. Better connected. Smarter."

"I know."

"Do you?" Her voice was barely a whisper. "You keep taking bigger risks. The Abyss Core. The Church. Aldric. Now Corvus. What if you push too hard?"

Draven turned his hand. Held hers properly. Thumb rubbing her knuckles. "I’ll be careful. Promise."

She sighed. "You always say that."

"Because I always mean it."

She didn’t look convinced.

Seraphina spoke up. Cold. Analytical. "What’s the endgame here? After Corvus?"

"Redwyn. Sterling. Every house supporting Aldric."

"And then?"

"Make the King name a new heir."

Astrid whistled. Low. "That’s ambitious. Changing the succession."

"Aldric’s corrupt. Everyone knows it now. King just needs... encouragement. To make it official."

"And if he refuses?" Elara asked. Thoughtful.

"Then we make Aldric so toxic. So broken. That the King has no choice."

Valerius laughed. Actually laughed. "That’s my boy."

[System]: *Plotting treason*

*Over dinner*

*Casually*

*Like it’s normal*

*This is nobility baby ♥*

After dinner. Mara pulled him aside. Whispered.

"Tonight. Your room. Need you."

"Horny?"

"Always. Problem?"

"Never."

She grinned.

---

Later. Draven’s study.

Alone. Thinking.

Five days until the gala. Until Vivienne. Until he started this whole thing.

Two weeks until Lyra came back with evidence.

Then the trial. The destruction.

Same pattern. Different house.

[System]: *Quest update*

*Political Seduction: 0% progress*

*Investigation: 20% (Lyra working)*

*Days to gala: 5*

*Current VP: 156,650*

*No gains yet but setup complete*

*All pieces in position*

[DING! ACHIEVEMENT]

[ACHIEVEMENT: "MASTER SCHEMER"]

[Planned destruction of 3+ houses simultaneously]

[+5,000 VP]

[SKILL: Political Instinct Lv.1]

[Effect: Better read on political situations and motivations]

[VP: 156,650 → 161,650]

Five thousand VP just for planning. Not bad.

[System]: *Strategic thinking pays*

*You’re not just strong*

*You’re smart*

*That’s dangerous ♥*

Draven looked at the map. Noble houses marked. Territories shaded.

House Corvus. Eastern district.

House Redwyn. Southern territories.

House Sterling. Western ports. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

One by one.

Then Aldric. Alone.

And Draven on top.

---

Three days later. Morning.

Someone knocked. *Knock knock knock.*

Draven opened the door. Mara was still in bed. *Rustle.* Waking up.

A servant. Young girl. Nervous.

"Lord Arclight. Letter from the Royal Palace."

She handed him an envelope. Gold seal. Crown Prince’s crest.

The invitation.

Draven broke the seal. *Crack.* Read it.

Formal language. Flowery bullshit.

But the message was clear: *You’re invited to Crown Prince Aldric’s birthday celebration. Five days from now. Royal Palace. Formal attire.*

And at the bottom. Handwritten.

*Looking forward to seeing you. - Aldric*

Passive aggressive. Forced to invite him. Hated every second.

Perfect.

"Tell them I accept," Draven said.

The servant curtsied. *Rustle.* Left.

Mara looked over. Read the letter. "He sounds pissed."

"Good."

"You’re really doing this. Going into his territory. Meeting his fiancée. Planing to Steal her from Aldric."

"That’s the idea."

"What if it’s a trap?"

"Then I kill whoever he sends."

She laughed. "You’re insane."

"Probably."

"I love it." She kissed his cheek. "Five days. We need to get ready."

"For what?"

"I need the perfect dress. Something that says ’I quit the Church for this guy and I’m happy about it.’"

Draven laughed. Actually laughed.

Yeah. This was gonna be interesting.

[System]: *Invitation received*

*5 days*

*Time to prepare*

*Get clothes*

*Practice seduction*

*Get ready to steal his girl ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)*

---

Two days before the gala. Afternoon.

Elise asked to see him. Private. Her chambers.

Draven knocked. *Knock knock.*

"Come in."

He entered. *Click.* She was at her desk. Writing. *Scratch scratch.*

"You wanted to see me?"

"Close the door."

He did. *Click.*

She stood. Walked over. Looked at him with that worried expression. Maternal. Concerned.

"The gala," she said. "I know what you’re planning."

"Do you?"

"You’re going to seduce Vivienne Corvus. Break her engagement with Aldric."

"That obvious?"

"To me? Yes." She touched his face. Gentle. "Be careful. She’s not like the others."

"How so?"

"She doesn’t fall in love. She makes transactions. Sees opportunities." Elise’s eyes were serious. "If you seduce her, it won’t be because you’re charming. It’ll be because she sees an advantage."

"Good to know."

"I’m serious. Don’t underestimate her."

"I won’t."

Elise pulled him close. Hugged him. *Rustle.* "I worry about you. You keep taking bigger risks."

"I know."

"What if something happens? What if—"

"I’ll be fine." He kissed her forehead. "Promise."

She looked up at him. "Don’t make promises you can’t keep."

"Then I’ll keep this one."

She kissed him. Soft. Sweet. Pulled back.

"Go. Prepare for the gala. But come back to me after. Win or lose. Come back."

"Always."

[System]: *Elise worried*

*She cares*

*A lot*

*Keep her happy*

*Visit her more ♥*

---

One day before the gala.

Everything ready. Formal clothes tailored. Mara’s dress finished. Black with silver trim. Looked expensive. Looked good.

Draven stood on the balcony. Evening. Cool breeze. *Whoosh.*

Valerius joined him. Two glasses of wine. Handed one over. *Clink.*

"Ready?" the Duke asked.

"As I’ll ever be."

"Nervous?"

"No."

"Liar."

Draven smiled. Drank. *Glug.*

They stood in silence. Watching the city. Lights starting to glow. *Flicker flicker.*

"You know what makes you different?" Valerius said. Not looking at him. "From Aldric?"

"What?"

"He was born into power. Thought it was his by right. Got lazy. Entitled." Valerius looked at him. "You? You earned every bit of it. Fought for it. That’s why you’ll win."

"Maybe."

"Not maybe. Will." Valerius raised his glass. "To destroying corrupt assholes."

Draven raised his. *Clink.*

"To tomorrow."

They drank.

Tomorrow. The gala.

Vivienne.

Everything would change.

Again.

[System]: *Tomorrow*

*Everything starts*

*You ready?*

*Course you are*

*You’re always ready ♥*

———

you like it support with power stones, golden tickets etc . your support of any kinds are appreciated 👏 💐 🥳 💛 ✨️