[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-am-i-the-villain-or-not":3,"chapter-am-i-the-villain-or-not-am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-145":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Am I the Villain or Not?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},571797,820,"Chapter 145: So It Was You Who Grabbed My Employee, Huh?","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-145",145,"\u003Cp>The towering residence gradually collapsed, dust and smoke billowing up, covering the vast courtyard with a rolling layer of brown debris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor stood behind Jace Lesser, coldly staring at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trench coat on his body fluttered continuously amid the dust and wind, the white runes on it faintly lighting up and repelling all the incoming debris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that all-too-familiar voice, Jace's heart sank with a thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if a massive stone had suddenly been hoisted up and lodged in his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't even noticed when Viktor had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as though he were a gust of wind that suddenly came to a stop right behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jace's expression stiffened, as if several steel nails had been driven into his muscles, yet he still forced himself to speak calmly, \"Viktor… Count Clavenna.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't understand what you mean.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn't the slightest ripple in Viktor's eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You didn't understand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spell floated up behind Viktor, the formation spinning rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of white light passed by, and Cindy, who was lying on the ground, seemed to be covered by a layer of white film as he floated into the air and drifted in front of Jace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This person, you should remember him, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I beat him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Viktor's words, Jace suddenly shuddered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the unconscious, badly injured Cindy in front of him, he had thought it was the bear-man who had beaten him into this state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he never expected it to be Viktor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his face remained tense. His eyes darted around, sweat seeping from his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then… what was going on with that bear-man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jace found it hard to connect that gigantic bear-man with Viktor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'How could a creature like a bear-man possibly obey a human's commands?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next thing he saw completely overturned his understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor shouted toward the surging cloud of dust, \"Halnarsen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the voice fell, a burly bear-man slowly emerged from the smoke and dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body was completely unharmed, only his clothes torn in a few places.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A powerful presence constantly radiated with each breath he took, the sound of his heartbeat like the beating of massive drums, clearly reaching Jace's ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his fully massive body stood under the sunlight, the thick dust gradually dispersed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enormous ruins behind him were exposed to everyone's view. Rubble kept falling, smashing into the shattered walls that had turned into sand and gravel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The broken buildings looked as though they might collapse at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pool that had just been gushing with fountains had split cleanly in two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Water was still spraying out, but now it flowed into the ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twisted, gigantic iron gate hung crookedly on the wreckage, creaking non-stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the family knights and maids? There was no sign of them anywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caught in the aftermath of the battle, nearly all of them had vanished under that attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This enormous courtyard was completely buried beneath broken stones and splintered wood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Halnarsen stood there calmly, his tall figure facing away from the collapsed ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Jace's mind buzzed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W… why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at the magic cannon he was gripping with difficulty, trembling uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That shot earlier had clearly struck the bear-man's body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under that sky-piercing white light, no living creature could have survived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a bear-man…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But… just what was this bear-man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jace's eyes trembled wildly in their sockets. In despair, he loosened his grip on the magic cannon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly lowered his head and looked at his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those hands were shaking nonstop from fear and shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps overwhelmed by terror, his vision went black. His body lost its balance, and he fell heavily onto the shattered floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Surprised?\" Viktor said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halnarsen took heavy steps, walking toward Jace Lesser one step at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strong sense of danger surged into Jace's heart. He raised his head, trembling as he stared at the terrifying bear-man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw the massive bear-man place his thick arms across his chest, stand firmly before Viktor, and bow slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Family Head.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jace's mind went completely blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'F-Family head?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This bear-man… is actually Viktor's man!?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'How did he do it!?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jace's body trembled even more as he asked Viktor, \"Is he… a demi-human slave?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Halnarsen lowered his head and looked down at Jace from above, \"Please allow me to introduce myself, Mr. Jace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am the butler of the Count Clavenna family, Halnarsen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were filled with a politeness and respect completely at odds with his physique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But beneath Halnarsen's refined manner, his powerful body gave Jace an extremely ominous feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if it were a warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's right, one punch from this bear-man in front of him… would be enough to kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jace's eyes widened, his mouth hanging open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"B-Butler?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The Count Clavenna family actually let a demi-human serve as their butler?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'And a bear-man, at that!?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'How is that possible?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brutality of bear-men was something ordinary people simply couldn't imagine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In every human's impression of bear-men, they were completely incapable of communicating with humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were like true beasts, possessing power even greater than real giant bears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even more ferocious and savage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the bear-man before him had utterly shattered his understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, Viktor's voice sounded above his head, \"Just a reminder, I didn't come here to chat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jace shuddered again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he realize that he was already trapped between the two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he wanted to call for help, there was absolutely no way any message could get out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Run?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way he could run in front of a bear-man like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to save himself. He had to save himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jace Lesser's mind raced at high speed. He looked up at Viktor and hurriedly said, \"Count Clavenna… there may be some misunderstanding between us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A misunderstanding?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor looked at Jace, then leaned backward toward the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the moment he tilted back, something like spreading ink appeared on the ground, rapidly forming a black chair that supported his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rested one elbow on the armrest, propping up his face, and looked at Jace with interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking rapidly, Jace suddenly came up with a way to save himself, \"As you can see… Cindy was sent out by our main family to carry out missions involving capturing demi-humans and elves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We did indeed break the law. For that, I'm willing to go to prison.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jace's meaning was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cindy had nothing to do with him personally; he was dispatched by the Lesser main family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as the heir of the Lesser family, he couldn't completely shirk responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Jace chose prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly, the one who intended to kill on the Count Clavenna family's territory was Cindy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Cindy had already been crippled by Viktor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the Lesser family's crime, it was merely capturing demi-humans and luring elves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter had nothing to do with the Count Clavenna family at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jace's reasoning was flawless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as long as he could go to prison, he would be safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jace wasn't afraid of prison at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the family's connections, he would be released very soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What's more, even in prison, the guards wouldn't dare do anything to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he was the Lesser family's eldest young master, Jace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those guards would only try to curry favor with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this much, Jace was very confident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because if things continued this way, Viktor himself would be committing a crime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this perfect argument, Jace's trembling body gradually calmed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bit of clarity returned to his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? Is that so?\" Viktor's voice suddenly rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a hint of mockery, the corners of his mouth curved upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A contract suddenly appeared in midair and slapped onto the floor in front of Jace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jace lowered his head and looked at the contents of the contract, completely dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he could hear was Viktor's indifferent voice continuing to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The elf you captured is my family's employee.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, I should have a reason, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the words fell, Jace froze in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body became incomparably stiff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if a pitch-black giant hand had firmly bound his entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Jace's vision, behind Viktor, terrifying, violent flames suddenly ignited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire spread rapidly, completely engulfing the only luxurious residence that had remained intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thick smoke rolled as blazing flames raged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire devoured the last remaining walls, turning them entirely into fuel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing within the raging inferno, Viktor's expression remained calm, still calm as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you say Cindy was sent by your main family…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then let your main family come personally.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, a gust of black wind abruptly erupted, sweeping up rubble and stones, kicking dust into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if night itself had turned into a raging storm, endlessly surging under the blazing sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind made it impossible for Jace to open his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His vision became extremely blurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coughing violently, Jace shut his eyes tight and raised his arms to shield his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the black wind gradually subsided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jace and Viktor, who had just been standing amid the raging flames, vanished at the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Halnarsen, the massive bear-man, remained standing within the blazing fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up the giant cannon that had sunk into the floor and walked into the burning residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[email protected]\u002FXenosX\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>🥳Joining P@treon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰\u003C\u002Fp>",1594,"2026-05-30T15:48:18.711Z","2026-06-01T04:31:37.164Z",1,"novelbin.me","91504213ef618e00a3ded0dcbbfc800f47304280bfbcf6db66df1550aa9d45db","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-146","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-144",393,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fam-i-the-villain-or-not-cover.jpg"]