[{"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-371":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},571580,820,"Chapter 371 - 374: Hmph, Trying to Run?","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-371",371,"\u003Cp>'August is missing!?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the nobles all looked around the wheat fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the endless golden sea of wheat, they couldn't catch even a glimpse of August.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did they realize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August had taken advantage of the chaos just now and escaped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, everyone was filled with regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could they have let August get away?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although all the nobles present were already very clear, that this entire incident had been orchestrated solely by Count Laurien, August's crimes could not be forgiven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had deliberately incited the demi-humans to attack the royal city, using their hands to kill tens of thousands of innocent civilians, turning their corpses into blood slaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had even turned the nobles killed by those blood slaves into vampires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So compared to the Count, the nobles present actually hated August even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for August's utterly insane actions, they would never have gone through this life-and-death ordeal today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, the Count was already dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with him, the vampires' bodies had all turned into ash-like fragments and dissipated into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blood energy within them had returned to the earth, and the souls of the fallen soldiers and innocent civilians had risen into the sky, gaining redemption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But August was still unaccounted for, and no one knew where he had gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether alive or dead, they had to see him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If alive, they wanted the person. If dead, they wanted the body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it was a corpse, August had to be punished for what happened today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid everyone's anger, Viktor's calm voice sounded in their ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He won't get far.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as these words were spoken, quite a few nobles calmed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Viktor killed Count Laurien and settled everything, everyone present now only felt respect for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Viktor walked step by step toward Priscilla.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lowered his head and looked at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl lay half-collapsed in the wheat field, her face covered in tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although her skin under the sunlight was as pale as porcelain, she looked extremely exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing someone approaching, Priscilla raised her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her blood-red eyes were filled with tears, her face streaked with them as she looked at Viktor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A weak yet confused voice carried her deepest pain, \"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I should have been the one to die. I'm the one who made the mistake. So why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Priscilla was destined for tragedy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mother had risked everything for her, and her father had shattered himself for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she believed, her very birth had been a mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why continue letting that mistake exist?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn't understand. She truly couldn't understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Priscilla looked at Viktor and opened her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But tears betrayed her again, sliding down her pale face, \"Why? Mr. Mage? Weren't you supposed to save my mother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The choking words forced their way out of her throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could only slump helplessly in the wheat field, letting the breeze lift her black dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor remained expressionless, his tone calm, \"The one your parents wanted to save was always you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't waste what they did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above, the faint sun was still red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Light fell over the wheat fields, and the golden waves continued to sway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the rustling sound was drowned out by the whispering wind, as countless maple leaves were swept into the sky, turning everything red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>———\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hilda supported August, who was as weak as a ghost in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping through the endless golden wheat field, they struggled as they ran toward the outskirts of Shurben.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surroundings were eerily silent. Only the messy footsteps and the crisp sounds of wheat stalks snapping underfoot echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two stumbled like headless flies, crashing around aimlessly in the golden field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no one knew how vast the area covered by that magic truly was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Hilda looked ahead, all she could see was an endless expanse of golden wheat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How… is it still wheat fields?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hilda cursed under her breath, her eyes fixed forward as if searching for an exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Hilda's lead, August's steps were heavy, almost mechanical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were hollow, staring blankly at the endless layers of wheat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The proud palace in his heart had completely collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden fragments scattered across rugged ground, and he himself was buried within those ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August couldn't accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where exactly had he lost?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might as well have died there and ended everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lost in his dazed thoughts, he let Hilda drag him forward as they kept running.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, Hilda cut through waist-high wheat, swinging her blade to carve a path ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From time to time, she looked back to check if anyone was chasing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun quietly sank toward the horizon, and as the light dimmed, the golden color of the wheat field deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After running for who knew how long, they finally passed through the wheat field and rushed into a forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this silent world, only their breathing and the sound of their armor clashing as they moved could be heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest animals scattered in panic at their arrival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling that this place might be safer, Hilda finally set August down by a tree root.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August leaned weakly against the trunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were still empty, his expression dull, as if he hadn't yet recovered from that divine magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hilda, on the other hand, knelt on one knee in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, please pull yourself together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But August couldn't hear anything. His hollow eyes were filled only with chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August still didn't respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hilda couldn't bear it any longer. She raised her hand and struck him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sharp sound echoed through the forest, and the animals that had been watching fled at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slap brought August back to his senses, and he heard Hilda shout, \"August!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes finally cleared. He raised his head, saw Hilda, then looked around at the dark, silent forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where… is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the wilderness. We got out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hilda looked at him, pain and heartache tangled in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why… did you become like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You feel like a stranger to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The August she once knew had never been like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been the most talented genius in the academy, reaching the third tier as a warrior at a young age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kind and caring toward others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, in Hilda's eyes, August had been like the brightest star in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During that time, their relationship had been anything but ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until the previous king died early, forcing August to ascend the throne ahead of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overnight, no one knew what this newly crowned king had gone through, but it completely changed his personality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was no longer the person Hilda once knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After becoming king, the way August looked at everything around him grew darker and darker, more and more like a dictator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His thoughts became harder and harder to read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until now, he had even tried to kill everyone just to secure his rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hilda understood him. The early death of the king had undoubtedly dealt him a huge blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the previous king had left nothing behind for August.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the transition of power, the nobles who had served the old king naturally would not submit to an unproven August.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, even though he sat on the throne, his authority weakened more and more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August quietly looked at Hilda. After experiencing defeat, he let out a calm laugh, \"I am the king, Hilda.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Samuel royal family has passed down for so many generations, and it came to me in such a hurried way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can't let the royal family decline in my hands.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still too young to earn everyone's trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Hilda. Thank you for bringing me out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August's gaze lost its former pride, replaced with a gentle look as he watched her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Hilda felt as if they had returned to their days at the Star Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August reached out and touched Hilda's pale face, drained by sorrow, \"But at least, I still have you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, a faint blush rose on Hilda's cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words struck straight into her heart, awakening her attachment and expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But suddenly, rustling sounds came from the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hilda reacted instantly, straightening up, drawing the long blade at her waist, and turning toward the source of the noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding her breath, a familiar figure appeared before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seeing who it was, Hilda let out a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was her younger sister, Joanna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Joanna, why did you follow us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hilda was just about to lower her blade, but something felt off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't I tell you to stay there and not run around?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was referring to Viktor's side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden wheat field was filled with extremely powerful and sacred energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sister would have been absolutely safe there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was only for Joanna and herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August was different. If Hilda hadn't taken him away, he would have been torn apart by the furious nobles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joanna quietly looked at Hilda. Suddenly, a strange, pitch-black glint flashed in her cold eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I came to bring you, and His Majesty August, back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Hilda could react, in the blink of an eye, Joanna's body turned into an afterimage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hilda only felt a cold gust sweep past. She froze for a moment, then gripped her sword tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But along with that gust, an unknown force struck the blade in her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold, gleaming sword shattered instantly, reflecting Hilda's widened eyes and Joanna's flickering figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Hilda came back to her senses, she was holding nothing but an empty hilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Joanna had already appeared behind her, standing between her and August.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding a cold blade, she used its tip to lift August's chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Hilda's shocked gaze, Joanna's expression remained blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A phantom of a crow flickered in her eyes, and her cold voice echoed in their ears, \"Do not resist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are destined to never escape the control of the gods.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1679,"2026-05-30T15:48:18.711Z","2026-06-01T04:31:37.164Z",1,"novelbin.me","5fe750bda5c979f3822c01a942e446e55f17cd3f23fb16d9616a72c41af38c7f","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-372","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-370",393,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fam-i-the-villain-or-not-cover.jpg"]