Gathering Husbands with a System in a Game Like World [BL]
Chapter 4: The Trial of A Dead Man

Chapter 4: The Trial of A Dead Man

The manor had never been this noisy. Steels clashed as hundreds of Royal Knights formed neat lines outside House Valerius. Red banners with the royal crest waved in the morning breeze. Armored horses prounced at the ground.

A crowd had gathered beyond the knights. Merchants, travelers, curious commoners, and even some nobles had come to watch. The execution of the so-called Monster of House Valerius was seen as entertainment.

"I heard he kidnapped the Duke’s daughter."

"They say his face is so ugly that children faint when they see him."

"My cousin worked here once. He swore the man was cursed."

"Monsters like him should have been executed years ago."

The whispers spread quickly through the crowd. No one questioned the story. Kai Valerius had always been easy to blame. No Body cared about him anyways.

At the front, the captain of the Royal Knights tapped his sword impatiently. His name was Roland Pierce, a veteran with many years of service.

"This is taking too long."

A knight nearby cleared his throat.

"Captain, perhaps they are trying to flee?"

Roland scoffed.

"With what?"

He pointed at the old estate.

"The servants left years ago. The money is obviously gone. The horses were sold. Where would that ugly coward run?"

The knights around him chuckled.

Another added,

"Maybe he’s hiding under his bed."

More laughter followed.

Roland raised his voice.

"KAI VALERIUS! BY ORDER OF HIS MAJESTY! OPEN THESE GATES!"

Silence answered. He clicked his tongue.

"Break them down."

Several knights stepped forward. Before they could touch the gates, the big wooden doors creaked open slowly from inside.

Old Edmund appeared first. The elderly butler looked small against the gates, but his face stayed calm.

Roland frowned.

"So you decided to cooperate."

Edmund stepped aside quietly.

"My young master will receive you personally."

The captain snorted.

"Finally."

He looked toward the opening.

"Bring out the pri..."

His words stopped.

Soft footsteps came from the courtyard. A young man stepped out into the morning light. His snow-white hair shimmered like silk. His silver-blue eyes reflected the sky brightly. His skin glowed softly. He wore a clean white coat with silver details and moved with natural grace.

He looked like a prince from an old story.

The whole world seemed to stop. No one spoke. Even the horses became calm. The wind slowed.

Kai walked at an easy pace until he stood before the gates. His calm eyes looked over the knights and the crowd. Hundreds of eyes stared back.

A little girl tugged her mother’s sleeve.

"Mom..."

The mother did not answer. She kept staring at Kai.

"Mom?"

The child tilted her head.

"Is that an angel?"

Her innocent question broke the silence.

"What..."

"Who is that?"

"I’ve never seen him before."

"Is that a royal prince?"

"He looks better than any prince I’ve ever seen."

"Don’t tell me that ugly boy has a friend this beautiful"

A merchant blinked.

"I thought they were arresting Kai Valerius."

"So did I."

"Then who is this?"

A young knight dropped his spear with a clang. He picked it up quickly, his face red.

Another knight whispered,

"The reports said he was ugly."

"That’s obviously not him"

"Then who is it? His butler obviously said it was him"

A noble woman swallowed.

"If that’s ugly, I should apologize to every mirror I’ve ever looked at."

Several soldiers rubbed their eyes.

One veteran knight said,

"Am I getting old?"

"No. I see him too. This must be a mistake."

Among the nobles, a woman lowered her fan.

"That can’t be Kai Valerius. The rumors said he was a monster. This young man is beautiful enough to make the moon jealous."

Another noble frowned.

"Perhaps they hired someone to pretend."

"Impossible. The knights would not allow it."

Whispers grew everywhere. Questions replaced the mean talk. People were no longer looking at him with disgust. They were simply looking in awe and confusion.

Kai noticed every face. The shock, the wonder, the confusion. He thought to himself, So this is the effect of Beautification Beyond Measure. Inside he felt slightly amused. They’re reacting even more strongly than I expected. But mostly he felt relief. The old Kai Valerius was truly gone.

At the back, inside the royal carriage, sharp golden eyes watched everything.

Inside the carriage, silence held. Whispers from outside came in clearly.

"Who is that?"

"That’s not Kai Valerius."

"I’ve never seen anyone like him."

The man inside stayed still. His long silver hair rested on his white military coat. A simple black sword hung at his side. He closed a file on his lap. The name on it read Kai Valerius. The report had called him ugly, unstable, and dangerous. None of it matched the man outside.

Caelum Draven stepped out. The youngest Sword Sovereign in history. Every knight straightened. The captain bowed.

"Lord Draven."

Caelum nodded slightly and looked ahead. His golden eyes met Kai’s. For a moment, confusion crossed his face. The young man stood calm before an army, facing death, yet showed no fear.

At that moment, Kai heard the system.

[SSS-Rank Husband Candidate]

[Name: Caelum Draven]

[Title: Sword Sovereign]

[Current Affinity: 1%]

[Current Emotion: Curious]

Kai almost smiled. One percent? Better than zero. He studied Caelum quietly. He knew Winning him over will take time. But he liked that, the thrill of toying with someone that handsome. Real trust had to be earned.

Captain Roland recovered from his shock. He pointed at Kai.

"You. State your identity."

Kai met his eyes.

"My name is Kai Valerius."

Roland blinked, then laughed loudly.

"Him? This man claims to be Kai Valerius."

No one laughed with him. Roland’s smile faded.

"Enough games. I asked for Kai Valerius."

Kai tilted his head slightly.

"And I answered. I am Kai Valerius."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

Some people in the crowd covered their mouths to hide laughter. Roland folded his arms.

"The reports describe Kai Valerius as an ugly monster."

Kai nodded.

"They did."

"And?"

Roland frowned.

"And you are clearly not him."

Kai looked down at himself, then back.

"I wasn’t aware appearance determined identity."

Chuckles spread through the crowd. Roland’s face darkened.

"You dare mock the Royal Knights?"

"I don’t recall mocking anyone. I merely answered your question."

More murmurs came. The captain was starting to look unreasonable while Kai stayed calm.

Roland raised a sealed paper.

"Kai Valerius! You stand accused of abducting Lady Seraphine Ashbourne. You are also accused of trying to extort her family and committing treason against the Crown."

Gasps came from the crowd. Roland broke the seal.

"By decree of His Majesty, the accused shall be taken immediately for public execution."

Edmund’s face went pale.

"No..."

Several servants stepped in front of Kai. Roland barked,

"Move aside!"

They did not. Roland put a hand on his sword.

"Protecting a criminal makes you accomplices."

The servants shook but stayed. Kai looked at their backs. Only yesterday they had been afraid of him. Now they risked everything.

"Thank you."

He stepped past them gently.

"You’ve done enough."

Edmund grabbed his sleeve.

"Young Master..."

Kai gave him a reassuring nod.

"I won’t allow anyone to die for me. Besides, I’ve already died once. I’m done running."

The servants looked confused but felt calmer from his steady voice. Kai walked forward alone, facing the army. The breeze lifted his white hair. His silver-blue eyes stayed peaceful.

"If I may, I have just one question."

The courtyard went quiet. Even Caelum watched closely.

Kai looked at Captain Roland.

"Before accusing me of kidnapping Lady Seraphine, has anyone actually confirmed that she is missing?"

Silence stretched. Roland cleared his throat.

"The Duke himself reported her disappearance."

Kai nodded.

"I see. So the answer is no. You’ve confirmed the report, but not whether she is truly missing."

Murmurs grew in the crowd.

"Now that he mentions it, I’ve only heard rumors."

"So have I."

"I don’t think anyone has seen her lately."

Roland raised his voice.

"That changes nothing! The Duke’s word is enough!"

Kai smiled politely.

"Is it?"

He took another slow step.

"If I truly kidnapped her, there should be evidence. A witness. A ransom letter. A search of my home. Or Lady Seraphine herself. Which one do you have?"

No one spoke. The crowd’s whispers grew louder.

"He’s right. They haven’t searched the manor."

"Did anyone see him with her?"

"This feels strange."

Roland gritted his teeth.

"This is nothing more than desperate talk from a criminal!"

Kai looked puzzled.

"If proving my innocence is desperation, what would proving my guilt look like?"

Laughter came from several people. Even some knights hid smiles. Roland’s face turned red.

"You insolent..."

Caelum stepped forward. His boots on the stone silenced everyone. Roland stiffened.

"My Lord..."

Caelum looked at Kai, then at Roland.

"Have you searched the manor?"

"No."

"Have you found the victim?"

"No."

"Have you obtained evidence?"

Roland hesitated.

"No."

"Then on what basis were you going to arrest him?"

Roland lowered his head.

"The Duke’s statement..."

"A statement. Not evidence. The Empire does not execute nobles on accusations alone."

Caelum turned to the knights.

"Search the estate. Leave no room untouched. If he is guilty, we will find proof. If he is innocent, we will know."

Dozens of knights hurried inside. Kai watched calmly. Search all they want, they would find nothing.

Half an hour passed. The search party returned.

"My Lord. We searched everywhere. No sign of Lady Seraphine. No evidence of anything suspicious."

Roland looked angry. The crowd erupted.

"So he was telling the truth."

"They found nothing."

"Could the Duke have lied?"

The nobles shifted uncomfortably. Kai observed quietly. In the original story, no one had searched. Today, fate had changed.

A system message appeared.

[Main Quest Progress Updated.]

[History Divergence: 8%]

[Execution Route Destabilized.]

Kai felt satisfied. This was Good at least he was getting somewhere

Then the sound of fast hooves came. A royal messenger rode up and jumped down.

"My Lord Sword Sovereign! I bring urgent news from the capital!"

Caelum nodded.

"Speak."

The messenger swallowed.

"Lady Seraphine Ashbourne has been found. She is at Saint Aurelia Monastery. She went there herself three days ago for a private pilgrimage. She was never taken. She also says she has never met Lord Kai Valerius."

The whole estate froze. The accusations fell apart completely. Roland looked shocked. The crowd burst into chaos. The Duke’s name was now in trouble.

Kai closed his eyes for a moment. Just like that, I’ve survived.

[Main Quest Complete.]

[Fate Successfully Rewritten.]

[Reward Distribution Pending.]

Caelum looked at Kai again. This time there was respect in his eyes. The system showed a small change.

[SSS-Rank Husband Candidate: Caelum Draven]

[Affinity: 5%]

Kai smiled inside.