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

Chapter 53: Infiltration (1)

TL/Editor: Raei

Schedule: N/A

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Two days later.

Boom! Bang!

Deep in the mountains.

In a valley shunned even by wild animals, the sound of thunderclaps echoed continuously.

The sky was clear, without a cloud in sight, indicating that the noise was not a natural phenomenon.

The source was Eugene in the valley.

"Uaaaaaah!"

Boom!

Shirtless, Eugene let out a battle cry as he launched bolts of lightning.

The lightning, fast as light, struck the stone walls.

Without looking back at his work, Eugene directed his lightning elsewhere.

To any onlooker, his actions might be mistaken for martial arts training, not magic.

Such was the brute force of his training.

He was alone in the lifeless valley, continuously firing lightning magic.

'I didn't want it to be this way!'

But he had no choice.

With only four days left to break through the barriers of cultivation, he couldn't afford to worry about dignity or safety.

He knew his training was extremely dangerous.

He was constantly drawing out mana from within his body, converting it to magic, with only minimal rest through meditation.

A misstep in managing his mana could lead to a catastrophic mana overload, potentially leaving him crippled and drained of all magic.

Any experienced mage witnessing this would likely scream, 'Stop, you madman!' and might even strike him on the head with a staff.

This intense training was possible only because of Eugene's exceptional control over mana and his extraordinary mental strength.

"Uaaaaaah!"

Boom!

Focused in his training, he lost track of time and appetite.

Three more days passed in this manner.

'Time has passed so quickly.'

Dallas, looking years older within just a week, sat alone at his office desk, gazing at the calendar.

'Tomorrow is the day.'

The circled date on the calendar brought him despair.

Tomorrow, Viscount Hobart was scheduled to propose to Erika.

By tomorrow noon, Viscount Hobart would visit their house for a meal and present Erika with an engagement ring.

That was Hobart's plan.

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'I won't let it happen.'

Dallas had sought help everywhere to arrange the urgent funds needed for the upcoming payment deadline, but to no avail.

Sacrificing Erika to prolong the family's survival was pointless; it wouldn't improve their dire situation.

'Erika would be sacrificed in vain.'

He couldn't allow his daughter to be a meaningless sacrifice.

He considered eloping, a last resort he had been delaying.

Now, it seemed like the best option.

Fleeing without paying off debts, I am destined to live as a fugitive for the rest of my life, but it's a hundred times better than becoming a servant in the Viscount Hobart's household and enduring all manner of humiliation.

The disappearance of the name 'Grace', a lineage that has lasted for hundreds of years, is a matter of great sorrow...

'Our ancestors will understand.'

Better to abandon the family name and flee than to have my innocent daughter dragged into another household and suffer unspeakable horrors.

That would be preferable in the eyes of our ancestors.

Even if the ancestors disapprove...

'At least my father...'

He would surely agree with my decision.

Knock, knock, knock.

At that moment, a knock came at the door.

"Come in."

Dallas rose to his feet.

Philip entered the room and stood before Dallas, who spoke heavily.

"Everything is prepared, my lord."

"You've done well."

"Are you truly not going to reconsider your decision...?"

"I am not."

Philip's shoulders trembled slightly.

Dallas smiled sadly and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I am grateful to have such a faithful servant like you, far beyond my deserving."

"Please don't say that."

Philip's voice trembled, and tears welled up in his eyes.

'It's really the end...'

As the butler of the Grace family, serving and receiving orders from Dallas was ending today.

This morning, Philip had learned of Dallas's plan to elope.

He was asked to prepare the necessary supplies for the escape.

It was no longer a command.

It was a request from a man ready to abandon his title as head of the household.

-My lord, even so, I will serve you until the end.

Philip remained loyal to his orders.

Especially since this was the last command, he was even more diligent.

'He has given me everything...'

Decades ago, Dallas had saved Philip's life when he was a starving beggar on the streets.

Dallas had given an illiterate commoner a job as a servant, taught him to read, and educated him in various tasks.

Having received such kindness, it was Philip's duty and responsibility as a servant to faithfully execute Dallas's orders.

And.

'This cannot be the end.'

Dallas told everyone.

-The burden of debt falls only upon me and my descendants. You who have served our family for so long will be safe, so please leave and start anew. If you follow me and my children, you may be in danger for aiding fugitives. I hope you leave before dawn tomorrow.

Everything he said was right.

There wasn't a single fault in his words.

The servants, maids, and soldiers of the household nodded in bitter agreement.

Except for Philip.

'I am willing to become a fugitive.'

He had decided to flee with Dallas.

Of course, once they escaped, their relationship could never be the same.

A noble turned fugitive is nothing but a criminal, and Philip could no longer be his subordinate.

But.

'What if I'm not a subordinate?'

He could assist him as a friend.

The prospect of becoming a fugitive did not scare him.

Though he was older and might not be of great help, he was still a man in good health who could contribute.

He was resolute about leaving with Dallas, Erika, and Eugene.

'But when will Eugene return?'

Eugene had come back to the household about five days ago, left a message for Erika, and departed again.

-I've found a way to improve our family's situation. I'll return before Viscount Hobart proposes to you. I promise.

'Such a claim...'

Erika had no chance to ask questions before he left like lightning, leaving them without further information...

'Anyway.'

What Eugene left to do was not the main concern.

The critical question was when he would return to the household.

If he does not return by dawn today...

"Lord?"

"Hm?"

"When will Eugene return?"

"I wonder about that too."

Dallas's face grew tense as he sighed.

"We should depart before dawn, but I believe he will return by then."

"What if he does not return by then?"

"I'm not sure."

A bitter smile formed on Dallas's lips.

"We won't leave if Eugene doesn't show up. He said he'd be back before Viscount Hobart arrives, so we must trust his word."

"Understood."

Philip nodded, his face slightly heavy with concern.

Then Dallas called out to him.

"Philip."

"Yes, my lord."

"Are you really sure about coming with me?"

"?"

Why was he asking again when Philip had clearly expressed his intent?

Did he think he would be a burden?

'...That can't be.'

Worry filled Dallas's eyes.

He spoke slowly.

"It feels odd to say this, but you are a capable servant. Wherever you go, you could easily find a job as a servant and lead a decent life."

"Isn't that all thanks to you, my lord?"

Dallas sighed softly.

"That's not something I gave you. It's the result of your own hard work, staying up nights..."

"Even if you say so, my opinion remains unchanged. You must give me the opportunity to repay the debt of life I owe you. And..."

Philip paused for a moment.

A rebuttal came to mind, but it seemed inappropriate given the gravity of the moment.

Yet, he couldn't hold back his words.

They spilled out uncontrollably.

"...You're not skilled at handling horses, are you?"

"What?"

"Who else will drive the carriage? With all the luggage... surely we'll need a coachman."

Dallas's eyes widened, at a loss for words.

It was the first time Philip had ever said something like that.

"Heh, heh... Now that I'm no longer the lord, you're trying to argue with me?"

"If I've offended you, I apologize."

"Of course not."

Dallas, now smiling softly, placed his hand on Philip's shoulder.

"I'm just grateful."

Philip couldn't respond and bowed his head.

If he looked up, he feared he might make a disgraceful display.

As he turned to leave the office, he let out a choked voice, tinged with emotion.

"I'm glad you understand... I'm glad..."

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