I Became the Male Lead who was Clinging onto the Female Leads

Chapter 56: Infiltration (4)

TL/Editor: Raei

Schedule: N/A

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Swish, swish.

As I turned the pages, I found notes scribbled everywhere by the late Viscount Hobart, who had painstakingly developed a method for creating Gu.

This alone was concrete evidence that he had manufactured Gu.

However.

This was merely proof that he had created Gu.

What I needed was evidence that he had 'fed' Gu to Baron Grace.

Eugene closed the book and began looking through others.

'...What's this?'

His eyes stopped near the center of the bookshelf.

-Diary Record (Volume 1)

-Diary Record (Volume 2)

-Diary Record (Volume 3)

...

...

'Found it.'

These were the diaries habitually written by the late Viscount Hobart.

All evidence related to his misdeeds should be in these books.

-Diary Record (Volume 1)

-Today, I graduated from the Kudelin School of Magic. My future is sure to be hopeful...

Opening the first volume, I found stories from his teenage years.

'I should take these.'

There was no evidence of his misdeeds, but they lent credibility to the other diaries, so I decided to keep them.

He continued browsing the other diary records, stopping at the thirteenth volume.

-Diary Record (Volume 13)

-I find the people of the Grace Barony, near our domain, displeasing.

Why are these people, with a shorter history and smaller scale than our family, wealthier and more successful?

Why have our ancestors allowed this situation to persist for so long?

After all, a viscount's family is above a baron's.

It's only natural for us to be more powerful!

If they possess a status beyond their means, enjoying what we rightfully deserve!

Then we must take what they have by force.

Everything must proceed logically.

That is my duty as the head of the proud Hobart Viscount family.

For that, I am willing to commit any atrocity.

For the glory of my noble family.

'This crazy bastard...'

The joy of finding solid evidence was overshadowed by rage.

'This guy's completely lost it.'

Eugene bit his lip and continued to the next books.

-Diary Record (Volume 15)

I found a way to ruin Baron Grace and control him at will.

It's a method for creating Gu, found by my subordinates in the black market.

If I refine this technique from the book to create Gu and feed it to that baron...

I can ruin and manipulate him as I please!

I will take everything that wretched man has with my own hands!

-Diary Record (Volume 16)

-It's finally complete.

The mind of a human who eats the insect wriggling in that glass bottle will shatter in an instant.

-Diary Record (Volume 17)

-I finally fed it to him! Into the mouth of that unlucky bastard!

He unsuspectingly accepted the teacup I offered and drank it down!

Completely unaware of the sleeping parasite inside, what a fool...

Clack!

Eugene closed the diary he was reading.

How could someone, driven by feelings of inferiority, commit such heinous acts against another person?

His hands trembled with suppressed fury boiling up from deep within.

"Ah..."

The fact that the perpetrator was already dead and beyond the reach of revenge felt bitterly disappointing.

The only remaining avenue for retribution was to hold his descendants, who had thrived on these misdeeds, accountable.

He continued poring over the diaries.

Detailed accounts of all the atrocities committed by Viscount Hobart and others, post-feeding Gu to Baron Grace, filled the pages.

Manipulating him into a gambling addiction, drowning him in debt, and acquiring the iron mines at a bargain it was all there.

The level of detail was such that only someone from inside the Hobart household could have known these minute anecdotes, lending credibility to the accounts of misdeeds.

'This is the perfect evidence.'

With this, I could expose the Hobart family, proving their crimes and reclaiming everything unjustly taken from my family.

Even the massive debts could be annulled.

'I'll take everything.'

Eugene walked over to a chest beside the experiment table and opened it.

Creeeak.

With the sound of rusty hinges, the contents of the chest came into view.

'What in the world is this.'

Rotting plants and animal carcasses, ingredients for manufacturing Gu, filled the chest.

The lack of ventilation and long-term decay produced a shockingly foul stench.

'My nose is rotting.'

Eugene threw the contents outside the chest to create space and then filled it with the diaries and experimental tools evidence of their wrongdoing.

'This is more than enough evidence.'

If nothing happened after reporting the Hobart family with this evidence, it meant the nation's legal system was thoroughly corrupted and needed to be completely dismantled.

'To avoid such a frustrating scenario.'

I had to avoid the police forces in areas under the influence of Viscount Hobart.

That would be foolish.

Even if it took longer, it was right to go to the capital's police, where proper legal authority could be exercised.

'The problem is, it takes too long to get to the capital.'

Even if I hurried, it would take eight days to travel to and from the capital.

While I delayed, my family would suffer at the hands of Viscount Hobart.

'I have no choice but to seek help from others.'

Eugene wrote his situation and request on an old piece of paper on the experiment table and placed the scroll in his pocket.

Then, he hurried towards the Kudelin Count's house, a renowned mage family located near the Hobart Viscount's estate.

---

Raei Translations

---

Antonio von Felix Kudelin.

Commonly known as Antonio, he was enjoying a leisurely tea time in the annex of his family's residence.

A fragrant cup of tea in the morning was one of his refined hobbies.

'The aroma is exquisite.'

Antonio smiled contentedly as he sipped his tea...

Crash!

The door of the annex burst open, scattering debris everywhere.

Amongst the fragments, a masked figure shot in like a cannonball and crashed into the wall, clutching a large chest.

"..."

Antonio's mouth fell open.

The suddenness of the situation had exceeded his understanding.

"What is this..."

"Elder! An intruder!"

An intruder?

Dozens of soldiers quickly swarmed into the room.

The leading soldier growled at the masked figure.

"Reveal yourself! If not, your head will be severed!"

"Sorry."

"Speak clearly! You villain!"

"I'm sorry."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I was in a hurry."

The masked figure removed his mask, revealing a familiar face with autumn leaf-colored hair and dark, deep brown eyes.

Antonio's eyes widened in recognition.

"...Eugene? Are you Eugene?"

"Antonio, it's been a while."

Thud!

Eugene placed the large chest on the ground and slightly bowed his head.

Though Eugene's appearance was like a bandit and the purpose of the large chest was unclear...

"Everyone, withdraw."

"Sir?"

"This intruder is someone I know. He's an acquaintance of mine, so let everyone withdraw."

"...This robber is your acquaintance, Elder?"

"Coincidentally, yes."

Speechless, the soldier turned away, leading the other soldiers out.

-If he's an acquaintance, why break in like this?

-Why go through all this trouble and even break the door?

Their complaints pricked Eugene's conscience.

'I'm sorry.'

But there was nothing else he could do.

The situation of his family was desperately urgent.

If he had followed proper protocol, he would have had to sit in the reception room and wait for Antonio, a luxury he couldn't afford.

Eugene approached Antonio and bowed his head again.

"First, I apologize for breaking in like this."

"...It's alright. I owe you a favor."

Antonio, waving his hand dismissively, asked with a puzzled expression.

"So, why did you break in like this? And what's in that chest?"

"I'll explain as quickly as I can. So..."

Eugene succinctly and swiftly explained his situation.

By the time he finished, Antonio was clutching his throbbing head and opened his mouth to speak.

"So, you're saying that your family is on the brink of extinction due to a conspiracy hatched long ago by members of the Hobart Viscount family?"

"That's right."

"And the contents of that chest are evidence of their misdeeds. You've come to me to deliver it to the capital's police force, as the situation is extremely urgent."

"Exactly."

"Hmm..."

Antonio murmured thoughtfully.

"It's not difficult for me to teleport to the capital with this chest and hand it over to the police. It's entirely possible for me to use the debt I owe you for this. However, the police in the capital are very busy. Even if the severity of the crimes committed by the old members of the Hobart family is high, it will take a long time to analyze the evidence and for the law to take action."

"..."

"I can move as you ask, but it's unlikely the situation will unfold as quickly as you hope. So, I apologize in advance."

"There's no need to apologize. I have a plan."

"Oh?"

Eugene pulled a scroll from his pocket and handed it over.

"What's this?"

"It's a letter containing everything I've just explained. Please take it to the Prime Minister in the capital's royal palace."

"The Prime Minister? You mean the Prime Minister?"

Antonio's face turned incredulous.

The Prime Minister is the most powerful figure in the empire after the Emperor.

His word could bend even the most influential figures.

Naturally, getting an audience with him was not an easy task.

Even for a renowned archmage like Antonio, meeting the Prime Minister required proper procedure and days of waiting.

And now, to just barge in and hand over a scroll to the Prime Minister...

"That... Eugene, I really want to repay my debt to you. But the Prime Minister is a very high-ranking official. Even someone like me would struggle to gain an audience. While his help would certainly expedite everything, my capabilities have limits..."

"Just mention my name to the Prime Minister. If you say I need help, there shouldn't be any problem getting through."

"That sounds... unlikely."

'...Wait.'

"You've been talking as if you know him. Are you actually acquainted with the Prime Minister?"

Eugene nodded.

"Yes. I once helped him out when he was involved in a troublesome matter."

"A troublesome matter? What kind of..."

"Just some no-good troublemakers that needed a kick in the rear. I'm really sorry, but I'm pressed for time. Could you trust me just this once and help out?"

"Cough."

Overwhelmed by the absurdity of the story and momentarily forgetting Eugene's urgent situation, Antonio was at a loss for words.

'One shouldn't dawdle in the face of urgency.'

Especially not in front of someone to whom he owed a great debt.

Antonio's face hardened as he stood up.

"I'll trust your words and head to the royal palace. A person seeking to repay a debt shouldn't hesitate."

"I'll remember your kindness for a long time."

"Then I'll leave immediately!"

Thud, thud.

Antonio, with the scroll tucked away, strode determinedly towards the chest.

Grasping the chest with a resolute look, he said,

"Just wait a little. I'll resolve everything as quickly as possible and head to your family's estate."

"Okay!"

Eugene nodded and smiled brightly.

In that moment.

"Whooosh!"

With a burst of intense light, Antonio disappeared from sight.

'My part is done.'

Having done everything within his power to expose the misdeeds of the Hobart Viscount family, all that was left was to wait.

'I can only hope for justice in this world.'

Eugene looked at the clock.

It was nearly lunchtime.

He envisioned the future where the Hobart Viscount proposes to Erika.

'Who knows what that man might do during the proposal.'

He needed to leave for his family's estate right away.

Eugene tucked one of the diaries he had set aside from the chest into his clothing and set off.

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