[{"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-69":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},571528,820,"Chapter 69: You, a Mage, Are Fighting a Knight in Melee?","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-69",69,"\u003Cp>Vega stood on a pole not far away, watching as a mage and a knight both drew their swords, preparing to fight hand-to-hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen was wearing standard armor that protected every part of her body. In contrast, Viktor, under his trench coat, was also completely wrapped in protective gear, looking exactly like a knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those were all things Gwen had forced him to wear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Viktor had repeatedly insisted that his trench coat already had enough defensive power, Gwen simply didn't believe him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That shabby trench coat, defense? What defense? It was only good for looking cool, nothing else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor actually said he really liked hearing that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, after Gwen's repeated demands, he finally agreed to wear the armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he fastened the helmet on, Viktor stood there holding a longsword, armor beneath, trench coat over it, he looked oddly mismatched and ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kefra sat not far from the training field, watching everything with confusion all over her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had come to spectate, and also to intervene in case Gwen went too hard, so she could rescue Viktor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, she was completely baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What were these two even doing?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Viktor suddenly said he wanted to \"train\" with Gwen, Kefra thought he had finally come around, wanted to bond with Gwen, maybe improve their relationship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then Viktor made a shocking request, no magic, pure close combat sparring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kefra was dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Wait, you're a mage, and you want to fight a knight in melee combat?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was just about to tug on Gwen's sleeve, planning to secretly get her to decline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, she knew Gwen's personality well, if they fought, Gwen would definitely take it seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Getting hurt wasn't a big deal, but if Viktor lost too badly, it'd be embarrassing and might hurt their relationship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would be bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gwen accepted without hesitation, as if it were totally normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kefra stood there dumbfounded, staring at the two of them standing in the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Let's hope my brother-in-law doesn't get beaten too badly.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She prayed silently in her heart, just please, don't let this hurt their feelings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Little Gwen too,\" Kefra muttered under her breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When needed, let Viktor have a little leeway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen asked, \"Are you ready?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor held his sword in one hand and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen didn't understand why he was using one hand, but she had seen Viktor handle her own sword before, casually playing with it like it was nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant he had definitely trained. If she underestimated him, she might actually end up losing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plus, that inexplicable irritation in her heart made her want to hit Viktor even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'So Gwen went all out from the very start!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She charged forward and swung her sword like a ferocious beast lunging at its prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor instinctively raised his sword in front of him to block.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor's movements were fluid, he successfully parried Gwen's first attack. But the force behind it still made him stagger back several steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His arm went numb from the impact, and he couldn't help but mutter inwardly, 'Damn, that strength… she's really strong.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although this Gwen wasn't nearly as powerful as she would become in the future, she was still a battle-hardened knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle had triggered, Gwen's level and HP bar appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Lv. 31.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, a knight who had just entered the third tier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'So about the same as Chur,' Viktor thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But of course, Gwen was stronger than Chur, in both strength and skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor quietly assessed her abilities, testing her in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Kefra was covering her eyes beside the field, too nervous to look. She didn't want to see her little brother-in-law get knocked down in one strike, it would be too embarrassing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hair was standing on end, and she was internally panicking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh no, oh no, this is going to be so humiliating!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the thought crossed her mind, the sound of clashing metal filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang! Clang! Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She opened a small slit between her fingers and peeked through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Viktor is actually fighting back against Gwen?!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he was clearly on the defensive, getting pushed around, the one-sided beating she had imagined didn't happen at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Wait, what???:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Is Viktor really a mage?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen stomped hard on the ground, sword thrust forward as she lunged toward Viktor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground cracked beneath her feet, sand and gravel flying, and with a powerful burst, she shot forward like lightning, instantly closing the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slashed upward toward Viktor's lower side, but Viktor instinctively leapt into the air, dodging the strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He adjusted his posture midair, but before he could land, Gwen's follow-up attack came immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor braced his sword in front of him, barely managing to block, but the rain of sword strikes still left several scratches on his armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking advantage of a small opening, Viktor swung back at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen's eyes widened in surprise, she hadn't expected Viktor to counterattack so cleanly in the middle of her flurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She quickly stepped back, dodging the strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By this point, Gwen was honestly shocked at Viktor's skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had known he could use a sword, but she hadn't expected him to be this good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only reason she was winning at all was because Viktor, as a mage, simply lacked physical strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his strength were even a bit higher, would she be the one getting overwhelmed instead?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Gwen didn't relax, instead, she raised her sword again and brought it down in a powerful vertical strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor landed, eyes fixed on the descending blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waited, timing it perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the sword was about to hit his face, his free hand flashed, summoning a round shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CLANG!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp sound rang out as Gwen's attack was perfectly deflected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stumbled back a few steps, shaking her head, momentarily dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He'd done it, successfully parried Gwen's strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor felt very satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The [Evil Knight] ability worked beautifully. Even when fighting someone whose close combat ability far outstripped his own, he could still hold his own with ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen quickly recovered, her dizziness hadn't affected her much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Viktor's body had reached its limit. Without any magic buffs, it was indeed hard for a mage to keep up in close combat with a knight like her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Panting, he gestured for a break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's rest a bit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor couldn't help but feel emotional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the first time since coming to this world that he'd felt so alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ache of his muscles, the thrill of combat, it all brought back a real, tangible feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen also stopped. She wasn't tired, but she looked unusually quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor had surprised her deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could tell, Viktor was no amateur. His fighting technique, his experience, and his reflexes all screamed that he was a seasoned warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his physical condition simply didn't match his skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And also… where did that round shield come from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two stopped fighting, Kefra hurried over with water and a towel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor took them, nodding slightly. \"Thanks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wiped the sweat from his head, just about to take a drink when Gwen's voice, laced with a hint of fire, cut in, \"Drinking water right after intense exercise is bad for your body.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor put the bottle down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't help it, he suddenly remembered he was the one who had said that to Gwen before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'So she's holding a grudge, huh.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a bit of rest and once his sweat had dried, Viktor finally took a sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Kefra suddenly grinned and pointed at herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Viktor, you're pretty good, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wanna spar with your big sister next?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor was silent for a moment, then picked up his sword from the ground and lightly tapped Kefra's shoulder with it. She froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his eyes flicked up to her head, [Lv. 39.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor ignored her, stood up after resting enough, and looked toward Gwen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's continue.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>———\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several hours later, Viktor sat on the ground, drenched in sweat, armor removed, completely out of breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen sheathed her sword, looking a little satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not bad,\" she said. \"I don't know why you suddenly want to train with the sword, but if you need to next time, I, \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, she froze, stammering a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I… um… I'm free in the mornings, during my morning practice…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as she said it, Gwen regretted it. Would that sound like she was inviting him for something else?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She blamed her own loose tongue, Viktor hadn't even asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Viktor just said calmly, \"Thanks. I do need it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After resting enough, he cast a Cleanse spell, instantly clearing all the sweat off his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen watched as Viktor suddenly became completely fresh again, and couldn't help feeling a little jealous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor nodded to her. \"I'm heading off. Gwen, I still need to go teach Her Highness today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen knew he had official duties, so she just nodded, not saying more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Viktor asked, \"Does your family have any extra refined steel you could sell me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Refined steel, knight families like the Delyns would never lack that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, both weapons and armor required large amounts of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen nodded but looked puzzled. \"What do you need refined steel for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't think about career advancement, maybe he wanted to recruit knights for his barony now that he'd been promoted?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prepare some for me. I need it,\" he said, then handed her a golden parchment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's this?\" Gwen asked curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once you've got the steel ready, you can use this to find my location,\" Viktor replied, and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen nodded blankly, standing there watching him walk away. At some point, a crow had landed on his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after Viktor's figure had disappeared in the distance, she was still standing there, dazed. Kefra nudged her with her elbow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, hey, what are you staring at? He's long gone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen snapped out of it, hurriedly explaining, \"I just wanted to ask if he'd had breakfast…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kefra laughed teasingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? My little Gwen isn't angry anymore?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen turned her head away stubbornly, muttering like she was pouting, \"I wasn't angry to begin with.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kefra gave her a knowing grin. \"Really not angry?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Gwen didn't answer, Kefra sighed dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sigh, Viktor really is something. On the night of the banquet, my little Gwen dressed up so beautifully, and he didn't even come over to look at her once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen puffed her cheeks and protested, \"I really wasn't angry!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her stubborn words, Kefra covered her mouth, giggling. \"Alright, alright, not angry, not angry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after teasing, her expression turned a little serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So,\" she asked softly, \"did you test him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Has your Heart of Justice… really stopped working?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1794,"2026-05-30T15:48:18.711Z","2026-06-01T04:31:37.164Z",1,"novelbin.me","2e5370d0e20341d7dd755646a3af9822acc1d2a69a2a640990c094037315dd3e","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-70","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-68",393,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fam-i-the-villain-or-not-cover.jpg"]