[{"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-44":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},571453,820,"Chapter 44: Please Don’t Cuddle with Your Fiancée at a Time Like This","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-44",44,"\u003Cp>Gwen stared fixedly at Viktor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was flustered, the failure of her Heart of Justice made her completely unable to tell whether Viktor was telling the truth or lying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could this matter be related to demons?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Demons? What's a demon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know, what is that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of the people present hadn't even heard what a demon was before, and they all looked utterly confused about what had just happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one thing was undeniable, Professor Devon had been taken away. They saw it with their own eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor had no time to explain anything to these people. He only needed to make them suspect that Devon might have had dealings with those things just now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know the location?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor communicated telepathically with Vega.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not far, it's right behind the academy, in the back mountain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vega patted its own chest, flew back onto Viktor's shoulder, and replied confidently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor knew that if Henny had truly been seduced and corrupted by the demon, she definitely wouldn't let Devon Racer go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demons gradually amplify people's negative emotions, Henny's hatred was the demon's best food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, no matter what method it used, Devon Racer was bound to be taken away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And all Viktor had to do was manipulate public opinion just a little, and the demon's trail would become entangled with Devon Racer himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor had already placed a magic mark on Devon Racer's body. Even if the man left the capital, Vega could still sense his location through the link between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So naturally, finding that guy would be easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Viktor's mission was complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only needed to wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the demon bared its fangs on its own, he would personally take care of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Viktor \"suddenly\" felt a wave of dizziness. He held his forehead, his body swaying heavily as if he was about to collapse at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Viktor…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him wobble like that, Gwen instinctively wanted to reach out and support him. But all the eyes watching from around made her hesitate, and she froze mid-motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, one of the knights beside her, feeling dizzy himself, lost his balance and bumped into Gwen's shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Completely off guard, she stumbled forward, right into Viktor's arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked up, and right in front of her was the dizzy Viktor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen froze. Standing there in the middle of the plaza, she didn't know whether to move or stay still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seeing how weak Viktor looked, she gathered her courage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's just helping him stand, right? He saved my life. It's nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After giving herself that justification, she stepped forward and grabbed Viktor with both hands to steady him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Viktor, are you all right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she touched him, Viktor's body stiffened slightly. He turned his head, giving her a surprised look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What's going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was pretending, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the magic formation did affect him somewhat as a fourth-tier mage, it wasn't this bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since he had just \"struggled\" with the demon, outsiders would naturally assume he was exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor wanted to explain, then changed his mind, and simply collapsed into Gwen's arms, acting like his strength had given out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even made his voice sound weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hold me up a little…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don't get the wrong idea, this wasn't taking advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was simply to make his innocence seem more convincing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, Gwen didn't dare to move. Being this close in front of so many people made her cheeks burn red. But hearing Viktor's weak voice, her compassionate nature flared up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Viktor must be… so tired…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if everyone cursed him, even if he was misunderstood by all, he never explained himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the whole world turned against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some of the still-conscious mages asked, \"What exactly happened? What's this about a demon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you're saying Professor Devon is the one with a problem? That's impossible!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My head's a mess. I think this barrier is lowering my IQ!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's for lunch today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait, why is Captain Gwen hugging Viktor in public like that!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen, \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Silence!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knight shouted, instantly quieting the mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen knelt down, holding Viktor in her arms to make him more comfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she looked up and addressed the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whatever questions you have will be answered once the investigation is complete.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For now, everyone stay in the academy and wait for rescue.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And, let Viktor rest for a while!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the mages fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some nobles who knew the two were engaged were baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People said Viktor and Gwen didn't get along, but seeing how affectionate they looked now, did that look like a bad relationship?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever spread that rumor, absolute nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vega stood nearby, speechless as it watched Viktor pretending to faint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life is a play, and all depends on acting skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let's see how you plan to end this, it thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Vega raised its head. Its single eye narrowed as it sensed something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint blue light flickered beneath its eye as it scanned the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Viktor, don't sleep yet.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The duke's little girl, she's getting close to that thing.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Vega's first believer, Erica shared a one-way link with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vega could always sense where Erica was, but she couldn't sense it in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And right now, Vega clearly felt Erica approaching the back mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That little girl is my only believer right now, don't you let her die.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor, of course, knew about Vega revealing itself to Erica and using \"saving him\" as an excuse to gain her as a follower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Always causing trouble.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor replied mentally, then \"struggled\" to open his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gwen… hand… reach in…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? Ah???\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen froze, her face turning scarlet, stammering incoherently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vi–Viktor, you… you… what are you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the coat. My potion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a bomb going off, Gwen's mind went blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing she had misunderstood, she quickly shut up and reached into Viktor's coat to search.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor willed a blue potion from his player inventory into the coat's pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Gwen's hand found it, a small blue vial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This one?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked at it, it looked almost identical to the potions Viktor had given her before, only the color was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was about to hand it to him but realized Viktor's arms were too weak to lift. Panicking, she held the potion up to his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Viktor, open your mouth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor opened his mouth, and Gwen gently poured the potion in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she finished, she let out a sigh of relief, then noticed countless eyes staring at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the knights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen blinked and asked, \"What are you all looking at me for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"N–Nothing, Captain…\" one knight stammered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's just that, um… Lord Viktor is… really lucky.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was when Gwen realized just how absurd her actions looked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before she could react further, Viktor moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pushed himself up with one hand and stood, looking completely revitalized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"V–Viktor? You're okay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Gwen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood up and adjusted his coat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone froze again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Wasn't he on the verge of death just now? How is he suddenly fine?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What kind of miracle potion is that!?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'At least pretend to still be weak, damn it!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Viktor called out several names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Professor Nair, Professor Dyson, Professor Gaia…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those were the academy's few third-tier mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The professors exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Professor Viktor, what is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor explained briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As you can see, the academy has been sealed by demonic power.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It won't be long before our strength is completely drained. When that happens, every one of us will be the demon's dinner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, the mages shivered. The named professors hurriedly stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you don't want to sit here and die, follow me and help break the formation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The professors looked at each other helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Professor Viktor, our mana is being drained nonstop. We can't recover it at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We want to help, but we're powerless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they could finish, Viktor pulled out several vials identical to the one he'd drunk earlier and tossed them precisely to the professors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They caught them, before they could even look at the glowing blue liquid, Viktor said flatly, \"Drink it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remembering Viktor had just taken one himself, they hesitated for only a second before tilting their heads back and drinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their reactions were nearly identical. All of them stared at their bodies glowing faintly blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their mana had instantly recovered to about half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This... this is an elixir!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment ago, they'd suspected Viktor was acting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acting? Acting my ass!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't need to act, sincerity was his deadliest weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While they were still marveling, Viktor's calm voice followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One bottle, one thousand Geo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The whole knight order's watching, don't you dare skip payment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The professors froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? One thousand Geo?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many students and mages nearby grimaced, but the professors who'd drunk it all shouted in unison,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's too cheap!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Professor Viktor! Sell me more! Ten bottles, no, twenty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Professor Viktor, you just tell us where to go! East, west, whatever you say! You want me to catch a dog? I won't chase a chicken instead!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've hated that pig Devon for ages! Demon or not, Professor, I'm with you today!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the professors got fired up like men on stimulants, everyone else was left completely dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen, still kneeling on the ground, tilted her head, blinked a few times, and said blankly, \"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1563,"2026-05-30T15:48:18.313Z","2026-06-01T04:31:37.164Z",1,"novelbin.me","e1b243c9af04413731a45249b059e73bf8a18fd6fb3c025b6ebd21153394c9f7","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-45","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-43",393,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fam-i-the-villain-or-not-cover.jpg"]