On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 158

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Organization Collapsed on My First Day of Infiltration Episode 158

Is there a fire or something?

Academy events were originally outside the interest of each family head.

Nobles are busy.

The more prestigious the family, the busier the head becomes.

People envy the lives of nobles, but the lives of those involved are no joke either.

Not to deny they live well, but they’re always buried in documents and facing troublesome problems.

That’s why when the family heads, the parents of current students, flocked en masse during the exchange tournament, it created an enormous sensation.

It even led to the 2nd Prince making the opening declaration on the day of the exchange tournament.

At that time, a single liberal arts instructor named Ziel had managed to move those nobles’ heavy backsides.

And it seemed like it would happen again this time.

“…This is driving me crazy.”

It was a night with an unusually large moon.

But even now, as that moon was slowly setting, Aimerus Kundel couldn’t fall asleep.

Two documents lay on his desk.

One was a Festa invitation sent from the Academy.

The other was-

‘So this information was… delivered by Teacher Ziel?’

It was a letter containing Siren’s movements, information, and their conspiracy.

But he wasn’t certain if Ziel had sent it.

At the bottom of the letter.

It was written like this.

-This letter has been simultaneously sent to the Imperial Palace, Kundel Family, Rihart Family, and Sopen Family.

Was the purpose information disruption?

Or was the purpose to make them wary of each other?

Everything was chaotic.

But if the contents written in this letter were true.

‘Siren will move soon.’

The information was as follows.

Remal Siren of the Siren Family is creating an assassin group.

And one of those assassins recently infiltrated the Imperial Palace and caused an attempted assassination incident targeting the 2nd Prince.

Amos knew this too.

But he never expected that beast to be Siren.

No matter how great Siren’s ambition, touching the Imperial Family was unthinkable.

‘Remal Siren has finally lost his mind.’

He was well aware of the internal power struggle within the Siren Family.

Remal had seized real power in place of the aging family head, and Emil Siren had been pushed aside long ago.

However, according to rumors, the 2nd Prince’s side had made contact with Emil…

‘If that timing was after the assassination attempt incident.’

Then the story would fit together perfectly.

In the end, the questions were narrowed down to two.

One.

‘Siren’s next plan.’

Two.

‘The one who sent this letter.’

His contemplation of the first question didn’t last long.

Siren was dangerous.

Extremely dangerous at that.

If they had gone as far as attempting assassination, what came next was obvious.

“If they absorbed the remnants of Black Sky… it’s dangerous.”

Could they have even gotten their hands on Specter?

Specter had been missing since the bounty was placed, leaving no trace whatsoever until now.

What if the reason for that was Siren?

“…”

The conclusion was clear.

They had to move now.

Because the target might not just be the Imperial Family, but themselves as well.

Siren’s long-standing goal.

To become the Empire’s greatest family.

That had been Siren’s long-cherished wish, not being one of the Grand Lord families.

No matter how many Mages they raised or how they were called the cradle of Mages, there was a Wall they couldn’t cross.

It’s precisely because of Siren’s fate of being based in the capital, which means they can never become a Great Lord family.

But if they were to relocate their base, it was obvious that all the foundations they had built would crumble, so Siren…

Eventually revealed their ambition.

The ambition to solve all of this.

“I should move before it’s too late.”

On top of that, the festa would begin soon.

There was no telling what Siren might do there.

It would be better if they attacked the family.

But if they attacked the children…

‘This is no longer the time to consider political circumstances.’

Until now, even when Siren caused problems, Kundel couldn’t move easily.

Because that would mean war between major families.

Even though his son had been attacked and there was sufficient circumstantial evidence to suspect them, he couldn’t attack Siren for this reason.

However, the situation had now changed.

Of course.

He naturally had no idea that all of this stemmed from clumsy brainwashing.

“Head Butler.”

Deep in the night.

The Head Butler, who had rushed over after being summoned, answered in an unwavering voice.

“Yes, Family Head.”

“Send a letter to the Imperial Palace immediately. To His Highness Dietrich Valdrain.”

“…!”

If he lacked justification, he could simply approach those who had it.

Contact the Imperial Family and gain their support.

The 2nd Prince and the First Prince.

That political structure wasn’t something to worry about right now.

If he didn’t strike first, it could escalate into an even greater war.

“Family Head.”

“You’ll understand why I’m giving these orders after reading the letter, Head Butler.”

“…”

The Head Butler had started as Amos’s servant and worked his way up to this position.

They had known each other for several decades.

So the moment he saw Amos’s eyes, he realized he couldn’t stop him.

“Understood.”

“And how did the investigation into this letter go?”

“We immediately pursued the delivery man who delivered the letter, but… I apologize.”

“No. Even if we had caught him, it would have been difficult to extract information. They’re from the Underworld after all.”

The one who gave the letter in the first place would have also hidden the information thoroughly before handing it over.

‘Then that means it’s not Teacher Ziel.’

Although Ziel had made a secret pact with him, there was no reason for him to hide his identity when sending a letter.

Therefore, the second question remained unsolved here as well.

‘A third faction? Or perhaps…’

“Family Head, if we do this, Rihart and Sopen will move as well.”

“They’ll move. Especially that bastard Daren.”

Rihart’s Family Head, Darren Rihart.

If the contents of that letter were true, Daren would have also received the same letter and be agonizing over it by now.

Perhaps he had already moved.

“And Sopen is probably working their brain hard. Figuring out which side will be profitable.”

Sopen goes without saying.

“Will Rihart also… contact the 2nd Prince like you, Family Head?”

“If he doesn’t overthink things unnecessarily. As long as he doesn’t overthink and contact the First Prince instead. That bastard’s problem is he thinks too much.”

Dissing at every opportunity!

Their relationship was always like this.

Daren was probably similar right now.

Of course, while saying such things, he was also the first one he thought of.

Should it be called a love-hate relationship?

Politically, Rihart was an important collaborator and rival, and at the same time… a very annoying bastard.

“Isn’t there a possibility that the letter itself is a trap?”

“A letter sent to manipulate us from behind like this?”

“That’s right. To induce this kind of situation… especially, don’t you have the most sufficient reason to move, Family Head?”

It wasn’t wrong.

But even if it was a trap, he had to go.

“Head Butler.”

“Yes, Family Head.”

“But it’s too dangerous to just sit back and do nothing. If something happens to my sons because of this…”

In an instant, heat began rising around Amos.

It was materialized mana that only a Master-level could emit.

Sharply honed senses emanating from his entire body, not just his sword!

“I’d rather move and regret it than sit and wait only to regret it later.”

“Understood. I will make contact with the Imperial Palace as you instructed.”

“Good. And prepare for the Festa participation.”

“Even the Festa? You already attended the last Exchange Tournament…”

“The surest way to catch a beast is to enter the beast’s territory.”

Of course, he had no intention of entering without any countermeasures.

“We also have a promise with Teacher Ziel, so prepare the Knight Order. However, only 10 should be prepared in full dress uniform, and disguise the remaining 20 as servants and soldiers.”

“…!”

“We need to make them let their guard down. If we bring 30 knights, Siren will definitely keep a close watch.”

If possible, it had to look like a typical visit to the capital.

“Understood. I will prepare everything without delay.”

At that very moment when Amos’s mind was working intensely.

Just as Amos had predicted, Daren also made the same decision.

“Family Head. Are you really going to do that?”

“That bastard Amos will move the same way. If it’s him, he’ll probably anticipate what I’ll do too.”

“…”

“If it were any other situation, I’d really hate following his predictions, but…”

Daren also understood the situation.

Siren.

Just like with Amos, they were the ones constantly watching Daren as well.

“Understood. I will prepare the letter to send to His Imperial Highness the 2nd Prince and ready the Knight Order.”

And finally.

“Hmm… This has become quite interesting. What we might be able to do…”

The Head of Sopen Family, Olton Sopen.

“Hey, Head Butler. What do you think about providing financial support to the 2nd Prince’s side?”

“Wouldn’t the First Prince’s side view it unfavorably?”

“No. We need to think about when this goes well. If what’s written in this letter is real, and Kundel and Rihart move to support the 2nd Prince… the situation could change, right?”

Olton, who had an incredible nose for the scent of money above all else.

His excessive greed for money was also the reason why the Sopen Family was despised by people in the world-

“I smell great fortune. Great fortune.”

But conversely, it was also the reason he could grow Sopen to this extent.

“Prepare a letter to send to His Imperial Highness the 2nd Prince. A gold-leafed letter. Attach gems to the envelope too.”

“I’ll prepare it right away.”

The letters Ziel sent.

Ziel’s purpose was simple.

Bring down Siren.

However, the fact that the target to bring down was Siren meant political repercussions that Ziel didn’t particularly consider would be involved.

The three people who received letters earlier were heads of families with strong influence within the Empire.

And the remaining one person was-

“Your Highness.”

“…It’s definitely a letter sent by the one who saved me.”

“It seems so.”

The 2nd Prince, Dietrich.

Dietrich fell into confusion.

‘This is the way for me to repay him? Rather, isn’t this the way for me to receive repayment.’

This was an enormous opportunity.

The justification was sufficient.

The attempted assassination of a Prince.

They dared to touch the Imperial Family.

There was no better justification than this.

However, since that assassin was found dead, he couldn’t be certain it was Siren…

‘It’s certain that Siren did it.’

The clear and obvious evidence written in the letter and its circumstances.

The densely packed information requires additional verification, but it’s too detailed to dismiss as false.

‘If I weaken or bring down Siren here and gain His Majesty’s recognition…’

He would draw closer to the path of becoming Emperor.

“Sir Relio.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“It’s highly likely that others who received this letter will come looking for me. We should make our own preparations.”

“Understood. I’ll continue investigating Siren while searching for the places mentioned in this letter.”

“Since Sir Eton cannot move right now, your role is crucial.”

Dietrich then made an earnest request.

“But don’t die, Sir Relio. Not until I achieve my goal. No, even after I achieve it… don’t die before me.”

“…I receive your command, Your Highness.”

Rustle.

Dietrich looked at the letter again.

The final phrase written at the very bottom.

[If you wish to reply, contact X-3 through the delivery man]

‘A reply.’

He didn’t know if the others who received this letter would do so, but Dietrich definitely wanted to.

Dietrich took out a new sheet of paper.

The Empire’s balance of power had begun to shake in earnest.

* * *

Whether the Empire’s balance was being shaken or not.

The Academy was in the midst of festa preparations.

Now entering the third week after the second week had passed.

Once this week and next week pass, the festa will finally begin.

“Wow, looks like we’re really going all out this time?”

“Last year was a disaster. When was it? I heard someone got seriously injured during the gladiator experience event one year.”

“Honestly, throughout my Academy life, the festa always felt like something we just did because we had to… but this time feels different?”

Definite anticipation within Sword School!

The scale of the event they were seriously preparing for was incomparable to last year.

Previously, they only prepared about three or four major events, but now there were a whopping 6!

In addition, various student booths were planned and set up, and rumors like this circulated among the students.

“But did you hear? An incredibly amazing person came as an advisor to our Sword School.”

“Me too. Who could it be? The First Years seemed to know.”

However, it wasn’t a confirmed rumor, and everyone just speculated, wondering if there was something incredible happening.

Actually, there was something else that caught their attention.

Just like Mortis, those disciples wearing hats and silently working on their tasks!

The sculptures that those disciples were frantically installing right now were exactly that.

“Are we working together with our Arts School this time…?”

Sculptures depicting various swords.

There were also sculptures of people holding swords and performing movements.

That wasn’t all.

“How is this?”

“Hmm. Let’s lower the saturation just a bit.”

“Like this?”

“Good. Let’s keep it exactly in that state.”

“Then I’ll install the Mana Maintenance Magic Stone.”

Magic was also being cast around those sculptures.

Art.

Magic.

Both were very far from Sword School.

At least until last year.

But from this year, something seemed different.

Sword School’s ambitious festa plan that started with Ziel was slowly unveiling itself!

Also, the event preparations were relentless.

“This is the 35th choreography now.”

A total of 40 choreographies.

The Sword Dance performance preparations, with movement-by-movement practice also racing toward the end.

When evening came, the First Years gathered in the auditorium as usual, and with the thought that they could see the end, they burned with determination today as well.

“Teacher! We’re ready today too!”

Quantus stepping forward from the start.

“Student Quantus Hopel. Your determination is admirable.”

“Of course! By calculation, this is the 35th choreography, so we can finish in the next four days and rest for the remaining week!”

A simple calculation typical of Quantus.

Ziel answered mercilessly.

“No. We’ll train until the day before the festa.”

“…Wh, why!”

“Because that was always the plan.”

Nod.

Having ruthlessly crushed their expectations, Ziel went ahead and explained the plan.

“Including today, there are 11 days left to prepare for the festa. You’ll spend 7 of those days practicing the remaining choreography, and the other 4 days will be spent repeating all the choreography you’ve learned so far and conducting mock performances.”

“Ah…”

Even greater trials awaited them.

Resentful gazes poured toward Quantus!

It would have been better if they hadn’t known.

The remaining 11 days felt endless.

But wait a moment.

“Um, Teacher. We’ve been learning almost 2 choreographies per day so far, so why would the remaining 5 take 7 days?”

“That’s right. Student Ann Peshwa. The last 5 are special, unlike the previous 35.”

Special?

Just as they felt puzzled, Ziel turned his head to look at the auditorium entrance.

Emeric was entering at just the right moment.

“The last 5 movements will combine swordsmanship and magic.”

Sword and magic combination?

It was a realm they hadn’t particularly thought about.

While magic swordsmen exist in fairy tales and legends, it’s impossible in reality.

Also, there was the reason that the two groups didn’t get along well and considered each other taboo.

However, for Ziel, who had little interest in such political matters, it was actually a method he naturally came up with.

“It seems like Teacher has thought of something incredible again…”

“Did you discuss something with Professor Emeric…?”

Emeric entered with a confident expression, carrying a box.

Thud.

Emeric, who had set down the box, flashed a grin at the students.

“Would it be alright if I take over the explanation from here, Teacher Ziel?”

“Please do. Professor Emeric Kent.”

“Yes. Then excuse me for a moment. Now, everyone. Please pay attention for a moment. Teacher Ziel has suggested a way to utilize magic in this performance.”

As expected, that’s how it would be.

From the students’ perspective, it was something difficult to think of.

However, Ziel was neither a knight nor a mage, and was someone who had no interest in what kind of friction occurred between those two groups.

On the other hand, Emeric was a mage.

He should be flustered or refuse such words…

‘Well, whatever. I’m probably going to fall out of favor soon anyway.’

I’ve probably escaped even the early stages of 5th tier.

Let whatever happens happen.

Now there are many places to go even if not the Academy.

Though it would be a bit regrettable not to see Teacher Ziel again.

“From now on, wonderful phenomena will occur with the swords you wield.”

Anyway, the method was like this.

“Let me show you a demonstration.”

Shing.

Emeric’s arm wavered for a moment.

‘Ah damn, how embarrassing.’

The sword was considerably heavy.

Mages, as their reputation suggests, were people who had no choice but to live completely removed from exercise.

It was only natural since he had drawn the sword with significantly inferior strength.

But he couldn’t embarrass himself further in front of the students.

“Now, then…”

Emeric took out a bottle from the box.

What was inside was sparkling powder.

Emerick tapped the bottle and shook the powder onto his palm, then scattered it across the entire sword.

And the moment he attached the magical tool to the end of the sword handle and activated it-

“Wow!”

“Amazing! What is that!”

The powder reacted directly to mana, and something like visualized mana rippled around the sword blade.

“It’s not actually mana. It’s powder that makes it look like mana. The principle is to flow mana through this magical tool here to react with the powder and create this phenomenon.”

This was also borrowed from Titus.

Of course, Emerick had obtained the powder separately and only borrowed the magical tool.

“Now, let me try once…”

Swoosh!

Even when he swung the sword, beautiful afterimages of mana remained along the sword’s trajectory and scattered.

The students immediately realized.

The final five movements.

What Teacher Ziel was trying to show them with those!

“It’s the highlight…!”

Delev nodded frantically as if he had realized something.

The finale of the sword dance performance.

It would be the most spectacular scene.

Mana scattering following the movements performed simultaneously by all 101 people!

“It’s so cool!”

“Amazing. If we do this at the end, it’ll really be…”

There was also a question filled with regret.

“But if it’s this cool, couldn’t we do it from beginning to end? It’s so amazing…”

“Ah, that’s a bit difficult, student. Even if you sprinkle the powder once and activate the magical tool, it only lasts about 6-7 times.”

“I see.”

If they used it for all performance movements, they would have to do the cumbersome action of sprinkling powder in between.

Mortis, Emerick, and Ziel judged that repeating it multiple times would break the flow.

“You all need to naturally incorporate the action of sprinkling this magic powder and activating the magical tool between the 35th and 36th movements. Today we’ll start with practicing that.”

“Yes!”

“And remember this well. This is the point you must ultimately reach.”

The point we must reach?

What Ziel was talking about wasn’t the performance.

Shing.

Ziel drew his sword.

And without sprinkling any powder or activating magical tools, visualized mana rippled around the sword.

Even more beautifully than when powder was sprinkled!

The students were mesmerized.

I had caught a glimpse of it when fighting the Ruinbark, but this was beyond that.

“That’s impossible…”

“Teacher really is incredibly strong…”

Gilbert was equally surprised.

‘Such densely visualized mana… As expected, Boss is…!’

I’ve been serving someone incredible, he thought.

Emerick was completely speechless and just stared blankly.

‘Beautiful. Incomparably more so than what I just created.’

Lord Mortis, who had grown close recently, would probably say this.

That this was true art.

“Originally, to display mana materialized to this degree, one must reach Master level.”

The students nodded.

However, Delev and Celia, who had Master-level fathers, did not.

‘Father doesn’t seem to be at that level…’

‘When I saw Father last time… it wasn’t like that.’

Could Ziel’s level be even higher than that?

“This is the point you should aim for.”

As always, Ziel presented an impossible goal.

But never had there been such a distant goal.

Master level.

One of the requirements to earn the title of Imperial Knight beyond Grand Knight!

Of course, that doesn’t mean the title of Imperial Knight is easy to obtain, but the number of Master-level individuals is extremely small.

Throughout this entire Empire, there are fewer than about 20 people.

“Some of you will be capable, and some won’t.”

As expected.

Even Teacher Ziel can’t make everyone reach Master-level.

‘As expected, talent is…’

Master-level individuals are few in number.

The same goes for Mages.

Only a very small number of people can reach that level.

What determines that is, after all, talent…

“But if you’re taking my class, you should aim for that level.”

Ziel asked.

“You’ve all improved much more now than at the beginning of the semester.”

“…!”

It was true.

Students who couldn’t take Ziel’s classes had improved, and those who did take them had improved even more.

Not to mention Delev and Celia, who were already strong.

Yurio’s entire future had completely changed.

At most two semesters.

A student who obviously wouldn’t be able to keep up with the curriculum from 2nd Year when Physical Strength becomes truly important had now risen to a level that made Delev jealous.

“You continue to grow stronger. According to Department Head Berhal Abue and Sir Relio of the Imperial Knights, you’re more than 50% above the average level of First Years.”

Ziel had never once given meaningless encouragement or presented unrealistic goals.

“Your progress has basis. The goals I’m setting also have basis.”

Ziel finally spoke the words that made the students’ hearts race.

“Follow my classes faithfully. Then at some point, you’ll find yourself much closer to that goal.”

The excitement was only momentary.

“If you ever have doubts, come find me.”

Ziel added one terrifying remark.

“I’ll make you abandon those doubts through a special lesson.”

A chill ran through their bodies.

The students thought.

‘I absolutely must not go to him.’

‘I can’t even imagine what kind of special lesson that would be, seriously.’

Today, with the festa not far away.

The night was growing deeper.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————