[{"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-357":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},571566,820,"Chapter 357 - 360: I’m Not Human Anymore!","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-357",357,"\u003Cp>Countless people watched the reactions of those few nobles, puzzled, and walked out one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the scene before them made their eyes widen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They simply couldn't accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside one massive carriage after another, countless corpses were piled up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those bodies had been almost forcefully stuffed into the compartments, the stench of blood and rot sealed within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several soldiers, expressionless, stepped forward and opened the carriages one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corpses that had been crammed inside tumbled out onto the grass the moment the doors were opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smell of blood and decay quickly spread through the vast courtyard, the foul stench rushing upward into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rotting odor, along with the falling corpses, surged toward the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the sticky, reeking tongue of a beast, licking across their bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless nobles looked at the scene before them, their stomachs churning uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They covered their mouths and quickly turned away, but they couldn't stop their bodies from trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why were so many corpses suddenly brought here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their bodies looked as if they had been specially preserved, showing no signs of decay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if the grievances within each corpse had been forcibly sealed inside those lifeless, bloodless shells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pile after pile of corpses continued to fall into the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nobles stared at the ground covered in bodies, their faces pale as paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Aurelian also walked out along with the twelve ministers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she saw the countless corpses piled like a mountain, she felt a wave of intense nausea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twelve ministers from the Empire also narrowed their eyes, pressing their foreheads as they tried to suppress the urge to vomit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, August slowly walked out, his expression calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Aurelian, who couldn't hide her disgust, he smiled and said, \"My apologies, Your Highness. This may have frightened you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But please rest assured, this matter will not involve you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What does that mean?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere around them was silent and tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although August's words weren't entirely clear, several nobles still rushed toward him in anger, shouting, \"August! What exactly are you doing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A perfectly fine diplomatic banquet, and you've turned it into this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those words were like a fuse being lit, and anger spread rapidly through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their dissatisfaction and fury toward August erupted like a volcano.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But August listened to their accusations and looked at their anger, his expression still calm, \"No need to get so worked up, everyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why don't you take a closer look and see if these people feel familiar?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nobles stared at the corpses, and suddenly many of them were too shocked to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of these bodies were guards who had died in the previous demi-human attack on the city, along with civilians who had been caught up in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, the royal city had fallen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless lives had been lost under the iron hooves of the demi-humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, these bodies should have been respectfully cremated, their ashes returned to the soil of the kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, they had been brought here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Why…?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Could it be…?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because I need these corpses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August's smile stretched almost to his ears as he chuckled, \"Do you know what kind of bodies are needed for a blood sacrifice? That's right... warriors who did not die naturally.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These honorable fallen bodies are the most suitable offerings for a blood sacrifice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment his words fell, the nobles seemed to suddenly understand something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chaos in the royal city had been caused by the demi-human invasion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those organized, disciplined demi-humans... why had they chosen such a perfect moment, when the city's defenses were weak, to attack?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why just then had the king been without guards?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was far too coincidental.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless nobles widened their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They finally understood... understood how all of this had happened, and who had been behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, all they could do was watch the nearly insane king, his eyes blazing with fanaticism, laughing wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spread his arms and declared to everyone, \"Bear witness to this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The blood sacrifice is about to begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crimson light pierced through the heavy clouds, gently embracing the bright full moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moon looked as if it were submerged in a sea of blood, its pure white stained red, like a scarlet eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood-colored light fell from the sky like rain, casting a glow over the barren ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above the vast courtyard, a crimson and obscure formation appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The intricate patterns resembled dried riverbeds, surrounding the motionless corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson formation seemed alive, its red lines pulsing in the light like slowly flowing blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The formation stretched out like tentacles toward the corpses, while strange runes crawled over them like ants, marking both bodies and ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtyard reflected the crimson glow, bathing everyone present in a layer of blood-colored light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nobles stared nervously at the bizarre scene before them and cursed August loudly, \"August, you beast!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You did this on purpose! You let those demi-humans into the city and allowed it to be destroyed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All those innocent soldiers and civilians died because of you, their king!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August looked at the furious nobles and gave a calm smile, \"Yes, I did it on purpose.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his calm tone, all the nobles were stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the crimson moonlight, August's shadow stretched long behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blood-red glow made his face even more vivid, and the burning light in his eyes even more intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly raised his head, his deep gaze sweeping over every noble present, and spoke flatly, \"You've never accepted me, even though I am your king.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You despise me, yet you have to show me respect because of your so-called duties.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Otherwise, the Grand Duke's punishment would fall upon every one of you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many noble lords looked at each other, but no one said a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, the older generation of counts and marquises who had followed the previous king were exactly as August described.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of them truly accepted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they had already been lords before August took the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And August had not achieved much that earned their respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than anything, it was because Duke Festan Barlow served the royal family that these old nobles had no choice but to show him respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What they feared was the Grand Duke, not August.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what August said was the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, August slowly narrowed his eyes and spoke, \"But now, I no longer need to care about your attitude toward me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tentacle-like patterns of the formation had already passed through all the corpses, and from the blood moon in the sky, a thin red thread slowly descended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the crimson light, it gradually connected to the countless corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint blood-colored aura seeped into them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, they began to move, their limbs struggling as they crawled up from the ground, as if regaining consciousness and coming back to life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nobles widened their eyes, the stench and blood rushing into their noses, making them nauseous, \"Und… undead magic!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August smiled faintly, \"They are blood slaves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, a noble count could no longer endure it. He drew the cold gleaming sword from his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wearing a lead-gray robe, it fluttered in the air as his face showed determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"August! Your crimes must be punished!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was full of confidence, firmly believing that his fourth-tier strength would easily defeat August.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stomped the ground, and with a sharp whistling sound tearing through the air, he charged straight at August.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold flash turned into a silver meteor in the blood-red night sky, instantly piercing through August's body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dust rose, slowly settling around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people present didn't even have time to react, the scene before them leaving them stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August stood there, eyes wide, his face full of disbelief as he looked at the blade embedded in his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body trembled, and warm blood spilled from his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone stared at this violent regicide in shock, even Aurelian was completely stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Count Laurien remained calm, as if nothing had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After stabbing August, the count remained composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, as if he had realized something, his eyes widened in terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exerted force with his arm, but found that the blade had become embedded in August's body, impossible to pull out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August suddenly raised his head, smiling, blood at the corner of his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You actually believed that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I lied.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two flashes of cold light streaked past. Of the three swords that had been at August's waist, only one remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The count felt a chill at his neck, and the world before his eyes began to spin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time seemed to slow, and he saw the shocked expressions of everyone around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, his vision froze on two bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Strange… why does August look so tall?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'And this body… it looks so familiar. Whose body is that?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'They're so tall… so tall.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What's going on?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What is that warm liquid dripping onto my face?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Oh… that's my body.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The body in the lead-gray robe collapsed heavily onto the ground, blood soaking into the grass, spreading into a crimson stain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And August's two swords returned once again to his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gently pulled the blade from his chest, not feeling the slightest pain, \"I almost forgot to tell you, I was the most talented student in the history of the Starlight Academy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's just that such achievements don't help much in becoming a king.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He licked the blood from the corner of his mouth, the crimson in his eyes growing even more intense, \"What a pity. You never tried to understand me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Without strength, how could I possibly become king?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next moment, countless blood slaves struggled up from the ground, dragging their twisted bodies. Behind them, blood-red threads connected them to the crimson moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August stood before the blood slaves, his eyes gradually filling with the red glow of the blood moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the shocked gazes of the nobles, he slowly dropped his smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone, our banquet isn't over yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Count Laurien's massive mansion that resembled a castle, and the blood moon in the sky, he spread the arms hidden beneath his robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, the blood slaves also stretched out their shriveled, twisted hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if craving blood, they leaned forward, tearing their throats hoarse, together with August, \"Praise the moon.\"\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>",1745,"2026-05-30T15:48:18.711Z","2026-06-01T04:31:37.164Z",1,"novelbin.me","ed0337e670ce2aa778ba93d7d29cd25ef5d56664a3c206a6f60cae93258986d3","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-358","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-356",393,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fam-i-the-villain-or-not-cover.jpg"]