[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-rise-of-the-villain-in-a-world-ruled-by-anomalie":3,"chapter-rise-of-the-villain-in-a-world-ruled-by-anomalie-rise-of-the-villain-in-a-world-ruled-by-anomalie-chapter-81":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Rise Of The Villain : In a World Ruled By Anomalies",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},691476,926,"Chapter 81 : I was trying to negotiate","rise-of-the-villain-in-a-world-ruled-by-anomalie-chapter-81",81,"\u003Cp>Arthur’s steps halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mid-stride—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped walking completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tension in the hall twisted, focusing on that single, frozen moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His back was straight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His shoulders relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his eyes—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had turned darker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sakura noticed it immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slow smile spread across her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\" she said softly. \"Worried now? Where did all of your confidence go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone carried a faint mockery—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a predator amused by its prey finally realizing the danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur lifted his gaze toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief second—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he spoke, his voice calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay,\" he said, \"before you do something rash... I just want to ask you one thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sakura arched an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what will that be?\" she replied. \"You don’t want to beg us to spare her life or something, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur’s lips twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of answering directly, he tilted his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just call your soon-to-be husband, James,\" he said, \"and see if he’s picking up your calls or not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sakura’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her smile faded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\" she said slowly. \"You think I can’t reach him? Just so you know... I already have my people monitoring your every movement.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur’s gaze didn’t waver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I also know,\" he replied, \"that the person you’re talking about is that beloved fiancé of yours named James, isn’t he?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sakura’s composure cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shock flashed clearly across her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her pupils trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How do you know that...?\" she asked, her voice lower than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur shrugged lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who knows,\" he said. \"Maybe I can predict the future too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sakura’s mouth twitched at his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annoyance flickered in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It doesn’t matter even if you know,\" she said sharply. \"She cannot defeat James.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well,\" he replied, \"you don’t know her like I do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a slow breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And one more thing,\" he added. \"It looks like you think she’s just from an average family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But her last name is Valmont.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, if you’re as smart as you think you are... you can already guess what will happen if something happens to her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sakura’s eyes widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips moved before she realized it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...The Valmont family,\" she murmured under her breath. \"One of the top martial families, huh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Different this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then it’s even more beneficial to us,\" she said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze sharpened with calculation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By killing her, I can hit two birds with one stone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone turned sinister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Brandon family will be blamed for her death... and I will deliberately leave evidence that I’ve already prepared... connecting them to Yuichi Takahashi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, humorless smile appeared on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now I really get why your real mother loved your father more than you,\" he said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words struck like a slap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sakura’s face reddened with pure rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her aura flared for an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did you say?\" she hissed. \"Watch your tongue... or I will rip it out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur stared at her without flinching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then do it,\" he answered. \"What’s stopping you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tilted his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But at least try to call James first,\" he added, \"like I suggested.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sakura froze—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just for a heartbeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The confidence on Arthur’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That calm, unshaken expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doubt began to spiral in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’...Why is he so sure?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers tightened slightly around her phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without another word, she pulled it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her movements were quick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She immediately opened her contacts—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And dialed James’s number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The call rang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>{The call could not be connected.}\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sakura’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint trace of unease crept into her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tried again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>{ The user you are trying to reach is currently unavailable.}\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her grip on the phone tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small crack appeared near the edge of the casing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it,\" she muttered under her breath. \"Why isn’t he picking up... that moron?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur suddenly laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It echoed through the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me try, okay?\" he said, amusement thick in his voice. \"I’m sure we’ll get something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sakura glared at him with ice-cold eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If looks could kill—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur would have been sliced apart a hundred times over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t seem bothered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached into his pocket—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brought out his own phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dialed a number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the call connected immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t even wait for a proper greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, darling. You’re alive there, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only ragged breathing and faint background noise came through the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a rough, irritated voice snapped back at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You asshole,\" Julia snarled, her tone sharp and breath uneven. \"Stop calling me that, or I’ll rip that tongue of yours out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur’s mouth twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’What problem do people have with my tongue...?’ he thought. ’Even Akkie keeps threatening me to stop talking.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let out a small sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So I take it,\" he said dryly, \"that guy James is lying at your feet, unconscious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for her answer, Arthur tapped the screen and switched the call to speaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound in the hall shifted as Julia’s voice spilled out for everyone to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah,\" she replied between rough breaths. \"The motherfucker was pretty tough. Started attacking me out of nowhere, just like you predicted...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a dull thud in the background, like a boot nudging something heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I fucked him up pretty good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few people in the hall tensed at her casual tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julia continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, where are you right now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smile formed on Arthur’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just come inside the auction house,\" he said. \"Take a right and walk straight. You’ll find a big hallway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced around at the silent group watching him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s where I am—fighting valiantly against multiple people,\" he went on, completely serious, \"and I also just saved an old man, even returning his sword, which was a keepsake from his wife.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He even thanked me, you know,\" Arthur added. \"Saying that I’m a really good guy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the hall froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mouths nearly fell open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Jericho, lying slumped in a corner with his body aching and his pride shattered, stared in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who had defeated him in under a minute—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was now proudly bragging that he had saved him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you listening to me...? Hello? Hello?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short beep cut through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The call ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur stared at his phone for a heartbeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How rude,\" he muttered. \"At least hear the full story.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally lifted his gaze toward Sakura and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So,\" he said calmly, \"what will it be...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should I message Julia to kill him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sakura’s teeth ground together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes were cold, but there was a flicker of agitation beneath the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you want?\" she asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur’s lips curved faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you know,\" he said, \"looks like you do like him... immediately wanting to compromise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Sakura could respond, the red-haired woman finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lady,\" she said, her voice steady but tense, \"are you sure about this...? James is not someone who possesses gifts like us...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was about to continue—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop, Vamina,\" Sakura cut her off sharply. \"I already know what you’re going to say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vamina’s jaw clenched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shut her mouth at once, her fingers tightening around her wand, but she didn’t say another word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur chuckled lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, just hand over Miss Himari,\" he said. \"Your other current wife.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze sharpened, his voice still annoyingly casual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And agree to meet your father at least once... then you can do whatever you want.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words hung heavily in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sakura’s expression darkened, her eyes narrowing dangerously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before she could respond—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thunderous boom echoed from the direction of the corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The floor trembled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure came flying through the dust-filled entrance—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crashing onto the floor and skidding across the marble—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stopping right at Arthur’s feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur looked down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was battered and barely conscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>James.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And behind him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blur of motion sped through the settling dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A girl, no older than Arthur, burst into the hall, her long blonde hair streaming behind her like a storm—her presence fierce and wild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped forward without hesitation, her eyes immediately locking onto Sakura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julia vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then reappeared right in front of Sakura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fist was already cocked back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She launched a punch straight at Sakura’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sakura’s instincts screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she was also lucky that she had saw that coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She brought her arms up in a cross guard just in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact landed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dull, sickening crack echoed through the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sakura felt her arm bones fracture under the force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The punch sent her flying backward—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slammed into the ground and skidded before finally coming to a harsh stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vein popped up on Arthur’s forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You stupid woman!\" he yelled. \"I was trying to negotiate with her!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julia snapped back immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you just said on the phone that you were fighting!\" she shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur’s mouth twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’...Well, she is right,’ he admitted inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of the corner of his eye—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw the red-haired woman move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vamina stepped forward, magic gathering rapidly around her wand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Sakura pushed herself up from the floor, pain flickering across her face, but her gaze colder and sharper than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here she comes,\" he muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>",1601,"2026-06-02T09:14:49.255Z",1,"novelbin.me","eb95414449f2e8a9fc1e610734785800e8c2c03175925171617c118e5acd1193","rise-of-the-villain-in-a-world-ruled-by-anomalie-chapter-82","rise-of-the-villain-in-a-world-ruled-by-anomalie-chapter-80",140,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frise-of-the-villain-in-a-world-ruled-by-anomalie-cover.jpg"]