[{"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-42":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},571451,820,"Chapter 42: Do You Know Who Your Son Messed With?","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-42",42,"\u003Cp>\"The Royal Magic Academy has been sealed off!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shout came from somewhere, throwing the students inside the Academy into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several students, unwilling to believe it, dragged themselves to the main gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gate could be opened, but a barrier separated them from the outside world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how they struck or pushed it, the barrier didn't budge an inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden appearance of a black barrier above the Academy spread across the capital in record time, causing an extraordinary stir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless newspaper reporters and mages gathered before it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black barrier emitted thin wisps of dark mist, staining half the sky in shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Complex magical patterns covered its surface, intricate and interwoven in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the barrier, filth and darkness seemed to churn, endlessly devouring people's energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blackness consumed everything, leaving only the muffled panic of voices from both inside and outside, heavy with exhaustion and weakness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What on earth is this thing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Such intricate construction… what kind of array is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The headlines everywhere were already reporting the same story, all about the black barrier enveloping the Royal Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some even began spreading rumors that it had something to do with Viktor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Academy had been completely sealed and no communication could pass through, before the barrier went up, one message had gotten out,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Viktor had kidnapped and attempted to murder Professor Devon Lesser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This news quickly reached the du Croy household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Erica heard it, she was completely stunned. She had just heard from Henny yesterday that Viktor wasn't even at the Academy, so how could something like this happen today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more troubling, the reports said Viktor had attacked Devon Lesser yesterday inside the Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was completely different from what Henny had told her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What exactly happened?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Did Henny hide the truth on purpose? Could she be in on this?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more Erica thought about it, the more her mind spun in confusion. She wanted to go see what was really happening for herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she couldn't act recklessly. The first thing she needed to do was confirm whether her father knew about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hoped her father could use his power to help Viktor, calm things down before it spread further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this time, Viktor had truly made a huge mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was Devon Lesser? Even in noble circles, few people knew the full story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lesser family held tremendous influence in the South. They controlled nearly all of the Empire's southern businesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were masters at amassing wealth, and nobles like the du Croy family, who wielded real power, understood how vital the Lessers were to the royal family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were, in fact, the royal treasury's main financial artery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every year, over half of the royal funds went to the Lesser family, who in turn paid back even more in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, every southern business the Lessers operated existed with the royal family's full approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the Lesser family were royals themselves, the Emperor's own sister had married into their house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The royal family granted them privileges, and the Lessers, in turn, enriched the crown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mutual relationship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erica didn't know why Viktor would attack Devon Lesser, but she understood politics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Duke's only daughter, she had been raised as his successor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever Viktor's reasons, the fact remained that he had harmed Devon Lesser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Viktor was to be saved, then she had to make sure this incident didn't reach the Emperor before the barrier came down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone capable of making the Emperor act ahead of time… with both motive and authority…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam Cassandra!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassandra Lesser, after marrying the Lesser family's head, she had taken their name. Before that, she was the Emperor's sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Lesser family was deeply involved in business, Madam Cassandra herself didn't deal in trade. She lived quietly in a city not far from the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she had received word yesterday, and Erica calculated the travel time, 'She could reach the capital today and meet with His Majesty!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this, Erica immediately rushed out to find Duke Levi. But as she hurried, her maid, seeing her pale, anxious face, stepped in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss, please, don't rush.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Duke left early this morning. He told me that if you came looking for him, I should tell you, he's outside the city gates.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Outside the gates?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erica froze, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would her father go outside the city so early?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be… that he already knew?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heart grew uneasy, she felt like she was the only one still left in the dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She desperately wanted answers, and suddenly, a name flashed in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone involved in all this, someone who might be deliberately hiding something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'She definitely knows something!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking that, Erica quickly said to the maid, \"Prepare the carriage! Hurry! I need to go to the Academy's back mountain, right now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She still remembered the place where she had talked with Henny yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erica had told her she'd come again the next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Henny had kept her word, she should be waiting at the back mountain now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Viktor really planned to do something and seal off the Academy, he wouldn't have let Henny be trapped inside with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Damn it! What's his motive this time?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erica clenched her fists and bit her lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn't figure it out, and couldn't even go investigate herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hated this feeling of helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like that time on the volcano.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>———\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, outside the city gates, Duke Levi stood at the gate, hundreds of knights in silver armor behind him. By his side were dozens of hooded figures holding glowing orbs, mage-like men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air outside the gate was thick with danger, it looked like war could break out at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a heavily guarded carriage arrived and came to a slow stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knight opened the door, placing a step on the ground. A woman dressed like a noble lady descended gracefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was beautiful and well-maintained, though faint traces of age showed on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that did nothing to diminish her noble aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she stepped down, her eyes flared with anger as she glared at Levi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Levi! What is the meaning of this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've brought your private army and a squad of magi here to block my path at the city gate? How dare you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke Levi smiled politely and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lady Cassandra, I trust you've been well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I brought these people only to ask that you stay here a while longer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll let you into the city, but not yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his tone was mild, the air between them was sharp with hostility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Levi, don't forget who I am.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I never have, Lady Cassandra. Ever since the day you used your status to force me to marry you, I've remembered it clearly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath Levi's calm, courteous expression, his words carried a scandalous revelation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A story that could almost be called a royal secret, casually spoken aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards around Cassandra exchanged shocked glances, unsure whether they should even be listening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassandra's face flushed in fury and humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After all these years, you still bring that up? What are you trying to do, humiliate me?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I only wanted to reminisce while keeping you here for a while. And to remind you, your surname is no longer Saul.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Levi waved his hand, and one of the magi stepped forward, channeling energy into his orb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The glowing sphere swirled with chaotic magic, then projected a shape onto the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A table and two chairs materialized from thin air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please, have a seat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Levi gestured politely and sat down first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassandra looked at the magus, her anger cooling slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Levi's Arcane Corps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strictly speaking, \"magus\" was a profession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were not the same as mages. Becoming one was even harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They relied on expensive magical equipment to wield magic, while also training their physical strength to a superhuman level, able to fight and cast at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even raising one magus cost more than most nobles could ever afford.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the entire capital, only Duke Levi had the wealth and influence to train such a private army, right under the Emperor's nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, if Cassandra tried to force her way through, she wouldn't make it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know why you've come, Lady Cassandra. You want to seek an audience with His Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knight placed tea before both of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Duke Levi would think to sit drinking tea at the city gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassandra gracefully picked up her cup, her tone cold but composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Devon is my son, and His Majesty's nephew.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With such a matter, he will not sit idly by.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't be rash, Madam.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke Levi had been in politics far too long to lose his composure now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued calmly, his friendly tone softening her anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, you must understand, do you even know who your son provoked?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Viktor Clavenna. I'm sure you've heard the name.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, Cassandra's expression twisted, torn with frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew her son better than she did, she knew just how arrogant he could be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But Viktor is only a viscount...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's now a fourth-tier mage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassandra's eyes went wide in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No… that's impossible. Even you haven't...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Levi shook his head and gave a helpless smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But it's true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Viktor is at fault, the Emperor will punish him. But if the one who was truly in the wrong… was Devon Lesser.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then forgive me for speaking bluntly, Madam.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You'd best prepare yourself, to lose him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>patreon.com\u002FXenosX\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰\u003C\u002Fp>",1608,"2026-05-30T15:48:18.313Z","2026-06-01T04:31:37.164Z",1,"novelbin.me","ad14f2fcffa8241a7f4e008fb52769db18a54e1abd366d9590528aeaf884acf1","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-43","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-41",393,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fam-i-the-villain-or-not-cover.jpg"]