The Show Must Go On

Description

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Palcemith. A kingdom blessed by the dragons.

I remembered this was the world in the game I had played in my previous world, [The Dragon and the Sacrificial Priestess]. But I had reincarnated as the Prime Minister Anderheim who would be led to ruin with his villainess daughter Julieta.

However, now that my memories have returned, I do not intend to give up that easily.

Making full use of my memories from my past life, with my daughter, let me show the capture targets how to turn the tables.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Doku wo Kurawaba Sara Made
One may as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb
その林檎は齧るな (Volume 2)
毒を喰らわば皿まで (Volume 1)
竜の子は竜 (Volume 4)
箱詰めの人魚 (Volume 3)
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
The Slag Gong wants to Kill me (3)
Violant of the Silver (2)
Need to Propose to Seven Men What to Do! (2)
Seven Days as a Villain (2)
The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System (1)
Brought My Wife Back from Another World (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. BL in Ancient Times
  2. Wistful reads
  3. Novels actually worth reading and (gasp) re-readin...
  4. BL with Yandere/Tsundere/Kuudere/Obsessive/ Crazy/...
  5. Interesting looking

Latest Release

Date Group Release
09/30/21 Watashi wa Sugoi Desu v2c21
09/16/21 Watashi wa Sugoi Desu v2c20
09/02/21 Watashi wa Sugoi Desu v2c19
08/19/21 Watashi wa Sugoi Desu v2c18
08/05/21 Watashi wa Sugoi Desu v2c17
07/22/21 Watashi wa Sugoi Desu v2c16
07/08/21 Watashi wa Sugoi Desu v2c15
06/24/21 Watashi wa Sugoi Desu v2c14
06/03/21 Watashi wa Sugoi Desu v2c13
05/20/21 Watashi wa Sugoi Desu v2c12
05/06/21 Watashi wa Sugoi Desu v2c11
04/22/21 Watashi wa Sugoi Desu v2c10
04/08/21 Watashi wa Sugoi Desu v2c9
03/26/21 Watashi wa Sugoi Desu v2c8
03/11/21 Watashi wa Sugoi Desu v2c7
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113 Reviews sorted by


Yukupi
Yukupi
September 5, 2022
Status: Completed
Absolutely amazing story. I love that the MC isn't a "good guy" and the revenge plot was exciting and interesting. When it got to the smut, I was actually surprised cause I forgot I was reading a BL and was lost in the fantastic plot. Bittersweet ending and I can admit I cried a little. 10/10.

Before reading, check the tags. It's not a happy tale and there is a lot of dark stuff thrown in.
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ArrozConLecheeee
ArrozConLecheeee rated it
February 27, 2022
Status: Completed
I see some people bothered by the fact that the relationship between the main pair was not hinted at and sort of just happened, but honestly, I personally did not mind any of that. The only thing I'd say was a little weird was how the ML fell in love/sort of obsessed with the MC pretty fast, and to the extent in which he (ml) went to prove he loved him (mc) going as far as to go against his (ml) principles (which is what I felt he did in... more>> a way), but I still liked it bc the "obsession" wasn't exaggerating and the ML was actually not that bad, he was likable (Don't know if that's how you write likable).

I liked the story, it can be a little too much for people who are sensitive to some of the things that are in the tags, but really over all I think it was an okay read to pass time.

I will say though, before I finish this, is that something that did bother me was
Spoiler

what happened with the 3 siblings, they didn't really do anything but ended up getting sold by their parents and the girls were r*ped and imp**gnated by a beast while the brother I dont really remember but probably about the same amount of damage was caused.

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And about people mentioning the sort of in*est relationship
Spoiler

I didn't really care about this either bc from what I could tell, when the MC's daughter was 7 and the Sargus dude was 10 they really didn't see eachother that often which most likely was literally maybe just seeing from afar, so if they barely saw the other let alone them talking and having time to form a relationship as "siblings". Plus, something I want to add is that when the daughter I believe started liking him in that way, she already knew they weren't related at all, Sargus began seeing her as more than "siblings", if you could even call them that, after he found out they weren't related. In the end, all they did was change Sargus's last name to his real fathers so that he could marry MC's daughter.

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SirGineePig
SirGineePig rated it
June 21, 2021
Status: Completed
Warning: contains r*pe, human trafficking, pedophilia

This novel is about a villainous MC who transmigrated into a otome game and regains his memory just before the original characters downfall. He then proceeds to turn the tables on the original protagonists.

This novel is not for the faint of heart. It contains some really gruesome scenes which was shocking even when I was prepared for them. Usually I really hate when there is r*pe involved in a story, so you might ask why I gave this such a high rating. Well that is... more>> because it is usually done by the ML and is often portrayed as romantic, with the pair eventually getting together and no mention of how wrong this act is. But here the MC is a cool, calculated, sadistic, nut job who is purely evil. All of his actions are wrong and this is a villain's story. There is no glorification of the sick stuff he does. So if you are looking for a novel where the righteous MC face slaps all the cannon fodder turn away, because here the cannon fodder are in the right, they are the good guys.

Pros

The MC is a delight to read about he is cruel and its quite interesting to read about a MC so dark there is no redemption.

Most of the original protagonists (save a few which i'll talk about later) are not suddenly turned into complete douches to justify the mc's actions.

The world building is very fresh and interesting, with a unique history which I quite enjoyed.

The side cps where quite sweet and heartwarming
Spoiler

Julieta & Sigurd, Malacia & Lutora

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I actually thought the MC being so op was pretty nice and it didn't seem jarring.

Cons

The romance of the main cp
Spoiler

Anderheim & Jolga

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comes out of nowhere and seems like a weird fever dream or somebody's fetish fantasy.

The smut is not my cup of tea but most Japanese smut isn't so it is just my personal opinion.

Spoiler

Nasha (the original protagonist just suddenly becomes a dumb unreasonable bimbo for no reason

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Spoiler

Melia (Nasha's sister) was done dirty. She was just trying to make herself worthy of her fiance but was made out to be a horrible character. I mean she was literally drugged, do you expect her to be sweet and nice after that?

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So all in all a very intriguing, one of a kind concept and a valiant effort to portray a vile to the bone MC. <<less
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Realvnv
Realvnv rated it
May 28, 2021
Status: Completed
Imma just write about couples since I didn't really have any big problems regarding the plot.

Things went too smoothly, a hot knife would encounter more problems when cutting butter than this, there is no doubt about that; but then again, I didn't expect a mind-shattering plot full of mind games, conspiracies and such to unfold in a short span of 65 chapters. I'm still more or less satisfied with this novel, kudos to translators and the author, BUT COUPLES-

... more>>
Spoiler

f*ck me, I wished to see Prime Minister Anderheim x Head Priest Malacia as the pair. They suited each other more than their respective partners' hands down. Jolga's fallen for Anri's facade (when?? how?? why??), but was too deep in the mud to escape afterward; I didn't even get what's Lutora's deal... Seriously, I have been rooting for Anri x Malacia since the first time they have f*cking met, nearly cried when they kissed, AND THEN LUTORA AND JOLGA SON/FATHER DUO POPPED UP AND MY WHOLE SHIP SANK TO f*ckING HELL-.

At some point, I even hoped Dragon Kharis would moliphorb into a human when he gets all his power back and snatch Anri away lol. My imagination ran wild but it's just hopeless.

I'm seriously doubting wherever I should read the sequel, which is about Jolga and Anri's travels, or nah. Man, I need sum extras set after the epilogue, give Kharis more screen time.

... to think that I, a BL reader with years of experience under her belly, who's proud of her accuracy to determine ships to hop on when characters have their first "hello"s is whining like a bit*h right now. I would give my BL senses 95/100 accuracy rate but this sh*t just had to be that 5/100. Like, hell, I'm not joking, anyone with eyes could tell Anri x Malacia is better, that's a match made in bloody hell.

Anyways, it's not my first Titanic, I will get over it in a day or two.

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Wait so how come I give this 4/5 when I had b*tched this much rn lol? Oh yes, r*pe, abuse, gore, s*avery, etc. are all within my area of interest.

Edit: Now that I think about it, I indeed b*tched hella lot, GOTTA LOWER THE RATING- <<less
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Kyeonne
Kyeonne rated it
May 3, 2021
Status: Completed
Damn that was really, really good. I didn't think it would be my cup of tea but I wholly enjoyed it.

The MC is evil. He's a bad person, and there's no doubt about it. And it was so satisfying to see him scheme and have his plans come to fruition. He also dotes on his daughter who was the typical otome game villainess, who had her engagement broken in favour of the heroine. His relationship with the ML is the type that I really like. He calls him his dog,... more>> his mutt.

Although I was caught off-guard by the reveal of the ML, I can totally see how they would work. At first, I was averse to it, since he didn't really have an important role to play. The ML was a little useless up til the point where they started f***ing so I was unhappy about it. And yet, when the MC finally tamed him, I couldn't help but get attached to him as well. He really is a cute dog.

Aside from the main pairing, there are two other canon pairs in the novel. I won't spoil who it is, but the other yaoi pairing is very cute as well. Maybe I'm just a little biased towards dog-like semes.

The third pairing is a straight pairing. I'm a little indifferent to this pairing but they are somewhat cute. I'll put it here as a warning: The third pairing is fake in*est. Although they find out they are not related by blood, the third pairing were raised as siblings. If you are uncomfortable with this, please heed this warning.

The overall story is very plot heavy, with a lot of scheming and very, very dark themes. It is a tale of revenge, which mostly uses the MCs knowledge from his past life as weapon. Most of the triggers for each chapter are included at the start of the chapter by the translators, but even then, there might be some that slipped through. This novel contains r*pe, pedophilia, body horror/mutilation, violence, drug abuse, bestiality and a few others.

It was a very enjoyable read for me, and I would definitely recommend it if you can stomach the dark themes used in the novel. <<less
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Mickaela191
Mickaela191 rated it
October 7, 2020
Status: --
The smut is top notched. AND THERE'S PLOT!

In transmigration novels, the couples tend to be toxic, with power leaning toward the ML. However here, the power dynamic is in the MC favor. Plus, the side characters have been wonderfully fleshed out. Like, your interested in their story but not to the point it's preferred to the main couple. Also, speaking of romance--its not completely emersive. The plot focuses on the MC's strategy, not so much a mindless MC in love. Honestly, I don't even think the MC loves the ML... more>> yet. <<less
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RRat
RRat rated it
September 20, 2020
Status: --
Wow. Just... wow.

How could I even begin to describe this novel?

I didn't expect this novel, with an otome game setting at that, to be so alluringly dark. Like inhaling a drug, it's so bad but so addictive at the same time that you can't stop reading.

After reading a thousands of cute and fluffy otome game novels, this one got me reeling. I think I'll need some time to get over this one;;
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Higgy
Higgy rated it
September 9, 2020
Status: c37
This world building in this novel is very well rounded and intriguing.

MC is OP in terms of things always going his way (though it does show that he is very smart and his knowledge of the game has helped him). He's sly, he doesn't care about morals or doing the 'right thing', he cares about his in-game daughter and their reputation and life.

The only thing which puts me of, is his treatment of the side characters or should I say now-turned cannon fodders? Mainly the Game FL's twin sister.

... more>>
Spoiler

MC made her take the position (Sacrificial Priestess) his daughter was given, cursed her with a ring, manipulated her friends (with the help of the Head Priest) into giving her a deadly addicting drug (which she took to escape the extreme emotions and tantrums and pain). The drug eventually led her to have s*x and orgies with strange men (The same men who she had escaped from being r*ped in the premise of the game).

The MC himself acknowledges the fact that she was used as a means to get Game FL, but doesn't care, and exhibits really cold feelings and sadistic thoughts in this moment, which is something hard to believe can come of off a 20 year old boy from a well to do, loving family of the 21st Century (an era that cares for human rights).

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His character is a an anti-hero of sorts, mainly for his daughter, and a crafty villain who comes across as an innocent noble who sacrificed himself for the kingdom. It's really fun to read a character with such a diverse range of feelings and to let go of our inherent 'goodness'. He also acts as a wake up call to the game Capture Targets : they're young and such naive brats; They cannot comprehend the workings of society, being brought up so sheltered. In-game FL deserves what happened to her twin sis (Her twin sister was annoying, but no one should pay for what they did not do or deserve).

I'm curious to see how the story will end and how the MC will make everyone face retribution for their actions. <<less
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HectorPX
HectorPX rated it
June 22, 2020
Status: c16
The story is about the MC crushing down this brainless righteous brats! Although I can't seem to predict who is the ML and no romance yet the intrigue will immerse you into the novel, high praise also to the translator.
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Pavetta
Pavetta rated it
April 30, 2020
Status: prologue
The translator writes well and there's nothing in need of editing. The story itself seems interesting. MC remembers his past life just as his daughter's engagement to the prince is broken and the prince orders her to be a human sacrifice.

What I find weird is that the MC agrees to make her a human sacrifice, but I expect the next chapter will explain that it's part of his plan, since based on the story summary he won't let his daughter be hurt.

I like everything so far and am interested in... more>> what comes next. <<less
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rottenwoman
rottenwoman rated it
January 7, 2024
Status: v1 extra
The villain's story where they stayed villainous and still won in the end. And I loved it! They destroyed that sort-of innocent couple and came out completely on top.

Spoiler

Well, figuratively, because MC is a bottom.

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aileeey
aileeey rated it
June 11, 2022
Status: c28
At first, this novel gives me a lot of hope and I really think that the plot will be great and exciting. However, there are a lot of illogical things that happened suddenly. Things develop so fast! For example, a character developing a romantic relationship with another character just after a few interactions. I also don't feel satisfied with the mc's actions. Idk but his actions are not that satisfying. As for the supposed heroine and her sister, I actually feel pity for them and questioned how could they turn... more>> so dumb all of a sudden. Just for some face slapping? Probably. I will probably stop reading this novel because it doesn't make any sense to me. I read it with high expectations but I only got disappointed. <<less
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meenah-chan
meenah-chan rated it
April 12, 2022
Status: Completed
This is a good read. Nothing nerve-wracking.

I liked how unique it is in some places despite having the somewhat generic synopsis. Except for some violence and tw's (which I'm totally fine with) I really enjoyed the story and liked how it ends.

MC is not the OP heroic person and definitely not a good guy. More like a calculative man who gambles. Similar to the short novel "Seven Days as Villain", this bro right here is a villain.

... more>>
Spoiler

I highkey thought at first that the dragon is gonna be the ML smh 😂

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savethecorn
savethecorn rated it
April 11, 2022
Status: Completed
I did not expect this at all. Very unconventional but weirdly irresistible read. Well-crafted and is a must read though not for the faint of heart. Please expect a devious and deliciously evil MC and tone to permeate the story. Some parts actually brought tears to my eyes and the ending was epic! Although there are parts that others would call 'plot holes', I think it's actually a strategic decision chosen by the author to leave it up in the air for us audience to speculate. I repeat, this does... more>> not follow typical storytelling. I cannot wait to read the sequel. I hope it's already been translated.

Side note: Kudos to the translator. It was well done and gave justice to the original work. <<less
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Seal2.0
Seal2.0 rated it
February 13, 2022
Status: Completed
I LOVED THIS SO MUCH, it was just a roller coaster of emotions through the whole thing but what I didn’t expect was just how hard it would hit me when it ended. Whoever said it was a HE ending, words can not describe how much I want to see what’s in your brain to make you think this is a happy ending. The ending can be interpreted in different ways for others but it was NOT A HAPPY ENDING in my personal opinion, it left me feeling empty and... more>> needing a sequel asap. I normally do not sob, however this single work made me cry more then I ever thought I would in this lifetime... what’s worse is I finished this book at a family gathering. Why did I do this you may ask? Honestly I couldn’t get my mind off of this book so I was like screw it, I wanna read this! Immediate regret. However they seriously asked if someone had just died, but no, to their astonishment it was just my heart shattering into pieces. However a disclaimer I have for those who want to read this is to LOOK AT THE TAGS AND TL NOTES FOR WARNINGS. The main plot involves heavy topics that may make you feel uncomfortable so read at your own discretion.

All jokes and warnings aside, this book is beautifully written, compelling characters and fantastic romance (I thought they were kidding when they said it has spicy scenes, so major bonus there.) I do have to say though that the romance did come out of nowhere, but not so surprising that it is unacceptable, I also had a hard time figuring out who the ML is in the first couple of chapters. The MC is one of my favorite protagonists now, I am always a sucker for anti-hero MCs and this one just takes the cake. I was also delighted to find out that that each side character feels 3d and how they aren’t just their to be in the mc’s shadow and designed just to make them look smarter. None of the side characters are forgettable and none of the characters have a dumb name, which I see way to often in novels. ALSO, for those who are just like me and looking for just a satisfying face-slapping, this is the one for you.

To give a brief summary of what this novel is about, the MC wakes up to find he has regained his memories from his past life, and figures out that he is actually if a video game. (For those confused like I was, it was still him in his body before he regained his memories) He then follows along the cliche trope of seeking revenge, but what makes his journey different is that he plays a more antagonistic role, I wouldn’t say he is completely black hearted but he sure is pretty messed up. For those who struggle figuring out some of the MCs logic and lose brain cells in the process this novel explains it to you easily without making you suffer.

I wrote way more then I wanted to, but I still don’t believe my review did this novel enough justice for what it truly is. This story and characters will forever hold a special place in my heart, 5 stars. <<less
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ShayleeCox
ShayleeCox rated it
February 4, 2022
Status: Completed
I love books where the main character is a villain, an actual villain. Not fighting for a good cause, not choosing the wrong path for the better of the world. But fighting for their own selfish desires and personal gain.

I love when they take PLEASURE in the pain and suffering they are putting other through. And the main character in this book does not disappoint, he's manipulative and willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants.

Morally gray villains are the best, and this man's list of crimes... more>> has to be so long💀. And the top things off he's bis**ual, which is rare in books. Though I will go as far to say as a Romance is not a part of this book. Yeah they sleep with each other but it's not really a romantic relationship, more obsessive than anything. Either way, in this situation the MCs relationship was thrilling and fun to read.

Also the whole time I didn't really know where he was taking the revenge, but
Spoiler

stealing the crown prince's piece of mind not letting him ever feel secure, t

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Yukia9Tendo
Yukia9Tendo rated it
January 8, 2022
Status: Completed
Very good. So good that I felt chills and regret that I finished reading it. 10/10 would read it again. There are a lot of themes that not many people can enjoy so beware. This aint wholesome.

Usually when I read a story where the protagonist is clearly evil they usually go hard on the edgy teen doing bad things out of revenge but this one is WAY more classier than the usual "evil" protagonists. The protagonist is a middle-aged man who is forever 21 22 that knows a lot of... more>> dark things that ordinary teens wouldn't even begin to imagine. This dude is so well-versed in manipulating the people around him and is great in doing the long con. I love how he manages to make himself as a virtuous patriotic prime minister by cleverly revealing relevant info in a timely order and forging some things despite that we, as the reader, knows the truth. It feels like the protag's team is sharing inside jokes to the readers as we watch the idiots ran around in our protag's palms. It feels so satisfying that each plan the protag make come to fruition.

I felt a bit sad at the ending though but I still find it great as this story will now be stuck in my head for the next few weeks while I fantasize different ways it could have ended so that I can be sufficiently satisfied. I wouldn't want to change the ending though, it feels natural to me already but I just want to be happy and let my fujoshi heart go wild.

The quality does drop when the nsfw chapters came in but I still find them enjoyable enough. <<less
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cranes_stairwell
cranes_stairwell rated it
October 27, 2021
Status: Completed
TLDR; Good intrigue story at the start, turns into subpar fetish shock-horror midway through.
Edit: As of 2022, I've just now recalled that the protag isn't even a dilf. The author went out of their way to make him a pretty, eternally youthful twink. Devastating betrayal for the target audience.

Strong and interesting beginning, but devolves the further the plot progresses. While a genuinely villainous MC is a nice take on the transmigration/isekai genre, it goes from "Wow! What cool mind games!" to "Wait a second, this is just a bunch... more>> of fetishes in a trenchcoat!" You lose the satisfaction and intrigue built up in the first chapters as the MC's scheming and the worldbuilding become more overtly pe*verted.

The novel's possibly triggering and/or s*xual content below:
Spoiler

human trafficking, pedophilia/cp, beastiality, s*xual assault, drugging, s*xual coercion, g**ital mutilation, and in*est. The in*estuous characters are either half-siblings or completely unrelated, but they were raised together as siblings.

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Also, my review is meant to be 2 stars, but novelupdates refuses to let me fix my mistakes </3 so tragic. <<less
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asami78
asami78 rated it
July 25, 2021
Status: --
My only dissatisfaction is how short it was and that the period chosen for the sequel isn't the one that I had wished for. Anyway, great story and amazing job done by the translation team.
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Quinni
Quinni rated it
March 6, 2021
Status: Completed
It's such a good story. It wasn't a fix-me story, nor did it go over the top. I absolutely loved it.

Everything was calculated and schemed beautifully. If you're expecting a sweet story, this might not be the one for you. While it is sweet, it's sweet in a rather twisted way.

I don't think I'll read the side story though. It just seemed like it ended at such a nice spot I cannot imagine anything else other than that.
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