On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 188

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Organization Collapsed on My First Day of Infiltration Episode 188

New Sprout (1)

The practice for the Imperial Palace invitation performance was in full swing.

Since it was a performance they had already put on several times, there wasn’t much difficulty.

With the motivation of being invited to the Imperial Palace, everyone was desperately devoted to practice alone.

“Come on, let’s do our best! We only have three days left! Let’s put on the performance and enjoy our vacation!”

Gilbert also did his job as a Teaching Assistant quite well.

Of course, there were students who had to live in the Imperial Palace throughout the vacation.

“Now that I think about it, once we go in, we’re basically confined for two months.”

“Oh come on, it’s an opportunity for skill development.”

“Sigh, not being able to enjoy vacation…”

Celia expressed her regret.

Developing was good, and expecting her swordsmanship skills to improve was also good, but she also had a desire to play rather than that.

It wasn’t because she was immature.

‘This second semester was… excessively stormy.’

Knight Order practicum.

Festa.

And all the other classes besides those.

She had already experienced too much.

So she did have some desire to rest a little…

‘I can’t be the only one feeling this way.’

Celia also newly realized that the Knight Order camp opportunity could be a very desperate moment for someone.

Before today’s practice.

It was something she suddenly realized while talking with Karen about her experience using the ‘Ziel Usage Ticket.’

‘Karen said she was originally going to give up on the camp entirely…’

Leisure is relative.

From Celia’s perspective, Karen was a strong friend.

Her family circumstances weren’t very good, but through effort she was maintaining top-tier scores and even secured a camp spot.

Yet she was considering whether to enter the camp due to living expense issues.

Fortunately, she solved the problem by receiving a scholarship…

‘Right, I should work hard. I’ll have to give up shopping throughout vacation though…’

Celia wasn’t wrong.

Delev was also feeling distant.

‘I need to show my skills to my Elder Brothers during vacation…’

He was planning to request sparring with his Elder Brothers as soon as he returned to his family.

But that seemed to be pushed to next year.

‘I can’t even participate in the swordsmanship tournament because I’m the only one in the youth division!’

Both Big Brother and Second Brother were scheduled to compete in the adult division.

In the end, it seemed to be pushed to the next vacation.

Just when he wanted to have some fun with his Elder Brothers!

The other participating students felt the same way.

Quantus had it a bit better.

Since he was selected as a collection model for Lord Mortis, he was scheduled to briefly leave the Knight Order camp in the middle.

Since everyone else absolutely couldn’t go outside during the entire camp period, they were somewhat prepared for it.

The Imperial Palace invitation performance practice continued like this.

“Good.”

Ziel nodded satisfactorily while watching the students’ practice state.

The first and second days had some minor hiccups, but from the third day onward, they started to find their rhythm again.

Indeed, movements learned with the body are not easily forgotten.

Although a month or two had passed, finding that flow wasn’t difficult.

“…The Imperial Palace people are going to be shocked senseless, Teacher Ziel.”

“If possible, I hope they’ll be so shocked that they fall backward and crack their skulls, Professor Emeric Kent.”

Incidentally, Emeric was also scheduled to head to the Imperial Palace together thanks to this invitation.

The amazing magic that had elevated the performance’s quality!

Because he was in charge of that.

“Thanks to this, I get to step foot in the Imperial Palace in this way too.”

“Is this your first time going?”

“No, I did go during this practicum… but back then there was nothing I could do. Using security as an excuse, I occasionally checked on the kids and just stayed in the dormitory.”

“I see.”

“This time I’m going with a glorious qualification, so I’ll enjoy it to the fullest.”

Actually, if it weren’t for being assigned to handle the third years, Emeric would have tried knocking on the Imperial Palace doors.

Early 5th Tier.

Having surpassed that meant he had definitely established himself as a mage.

In terms of knights, it was no different from showing the potential to reach Master level.

Direct comparison was difficult, but anyway, at that level he could receive sufficient treatment anywhere.

In the mage world, connections and background were important, but ultimately skill was also a measure that determined many things.

‘I never thought I’d get to go this way.’

Shouldn’t he aim higher someday?

Even if he postponed it for now since he had gained weighty responsibility, Emeric wanted to soar freely someday.

‘Working with Teacher Ziel is also interesting though.’

The performance that started with Yurio’s planning but became massive in scale thanks to Ziel’s suggestions, presented perfectly and successfully!

Though he ended up joining the process by chance, looking back, it was an interesting experience.

Thanks to that, he even got to go to the Imperial Palace like this.

“Teacher Ziel, do you have no intention of working at the Imperial Palace?”

“I don’t.”

“Ah.”

Truly a firm answer.

“Well… I imagine you’ve received offers, but is there a reason you don’t go?”

“I like this place.”

“Hmm.”

“Teaching students is also fun, and seeing students grow brings me joy.”

It was also truly a teacher-like answer.

Emerick found himself envying Ziel a little.

‘Well, he probably has no greed for money.’

If he could procure top-grade magic stones so easily, he wouldn’t have money worries.

Of course, that alone wouldn’t make it easy to refuse the Imperial Palace’s offer.

The Imperial Palace.

What kind of place was it?

A place positioned at the pinnacle of honor and influence!

‘He doesn’t seem to lack ambition though.’

It was impossible to know without seeing inside his heart.

Of course, Ziel had answered honestly.

Except for the fact that there were things he didn’t mention.

Rising to professorship, and then making this disguised identity into a perfect real identity.

In other words.

Becoming Ziel Steelheart himself.

For a new life.

But that was a goal he had only focused on initially.

Now, as he had told Emerick, watching the students brought him genuine joy and pleasure.

“Still, when you enter the Imperial Palace this time, I think many people will probably show interest.”

“Is that so. I’m not interested.”

Whoever they were, it didn’t matter to Ziel.

“…Sometimes I envy you when I see you. How do you remain so unshaken?”

“Focus on your goals.”

Of course, there were times when Ziel wavered too.

“Boss! It’s break time!”

“Hmm. There are still 5 minutes left.”

“Come on, let’s have snacks! Celia treated us!”

“…!”

“Something called a District 23 specialty? It’s cake!”

Ziel’s pupils began shaking wildly.

* * *

The practice period ended, and finally the day to enter the Imperial Palace arrived.

“It’s been a while, Teacher Ziel.”

“Sir Relio.”

Just like during the last practical training, Relio came leading the Imperial Palace Knight Order.

He didn’t create a fearful atmosphere like last time.

The 1st year students they were escorting this time were precious guests officially invited by the Imperial Palace!

“We will do our best to serve you without any inconvenience. I’m also honored to be able to see the ‘Flower of the Sword’ performance once more.”

Relio had also come to the festival to escort Dietrich and was mesmerized watching the performance.

It was hard to believe it was made by Sword School students, and 1st year students at that!

Due to the nature of ‘sword dance’ movements, clumsiness or inexperience in swordsmanship could be exposed, but there was none of that.

It wasn’t erased by flashy magic and performance effects either.

It was possible because such practice and skill level supported it.

‘Even if we had our knight order do it, it wouldn’t have felt the same.’

Above all, that feeling of somehow poking at somewhere in the heart!

He was tremendously impressed by that.

“I heard there were people who watched that performance every single time throughout the festival without missing once.”

“Yes. There are several faces I remember.”

“Ha, this time will be amazing too, right?”

“They’ll be very surprised.”

“As expected!”

“You should look forward to it.”

“…?”

Usually he would say something like ‘you can look forward to it.’

‘He really is a unique person.’

Anyway, feeling this excited just about watching some performance was truly a first.

Even when he watched Imperial theater, he was impressed, but he hadn’t felt this kind of anticipation.

While having such conversations, Relio suddenly mentioned the Prince.

“Ah, and His Imperial Highness asked me to convey his regards. He’s unfortunately unable to meet you this time.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes. He recently had his achievements recognized and went on an important dispatch mission. Ah, it’s confidential, but he specifically told me to inform Teacher Ziel.”

“If it’s confidential, it’s important information, yet you’re telling me, someone who’s not even from the Imperial Palace.”

“Yes. He thinks very highly of you. I hope you’ll understand that.”

It was sad that the prince he served received such treatment, but it seemed he hadn’t given up hope yet.

Dietrich had been quite regretful when he left the Imperial Palace on his dispatch mission.

He needed to meet with Ziel and say even one more word to buy at least a fragment of his heart!

‘Your Highness, but it probably won’t be easy…’

It was because he had heard rumors that the First Prince, Franz Valdrain, was showing interest in Ziel.

With the person in question absent, there was no way to keep him in check.

‘His Highness told me to just leave it alone for now, but…’

Relio was worried.

What if Ziel had been rejecting the Second Prince’s courtship all this time because he was conscious of the First Prince?

The man named Ziel standing before him always emanated an unknowable sense of intimidation.

‘Let’s not judge hastily. His Highness’s status will continue to rise.’

Anyway, many things had changed due to the Siren family incident.

Sir Eton, who had been attacked by Siren’s assassin, was fortunately recovering and had received a diagnosis that he could wield a sword again.

His Highness had gained great trust from His Imperial Majesty and political influence in recognition of this achievement.

Conversely, Siren’s influence had declined, and the mage faction naturally weakened under Imperial pressure.

‘They say he won’t eat food or drink water unless someone feeds him.’

Whether it was a fitting end was unclear, but he was certainly being punished.

Come to think of it, being able to have such concerns was only possible because Dietrich’s status had risen!

“Ah, we’ll arrive soon.”

In the midst of this, the Sword School first-year group finally reached the Imperial Palace main gate.

Relio went ahead to notify the security guards of their arrival, and soon the gates opened with a tremendous shout.

That tremendous shout, though they had heard it once before, overwhelmed the first years once again.

“I’m really nervous…”

They thought they’d be fine since they’d been here once, but as they actually approached the Imperial Palace, an unexpected new tension washed over them.

The Imperial family.

The pinnacle of this Empire that made people tremble just by facing him!

“Student Celia Rihart.”

“Bo, Boss… I mean, Teacher.”

Ziel reassured the students nearby.

“Yes sir!”

And so, finally, as they stepped foot inside the Imperial Palace.

“…?”

He had definitely heard it that way.

Guide the group inside, escort them to the Iron Keep, then follow procedures to prepare for the performance.

However, he encountered someone unexpected.

Relio immediately showed knightly courtesy.

“I greet His Imperial Highness!”

‘Crazy… he came out to greet us personally?’

‘What kind of ridiculous person are we seeing from the start…’

The Second Prince, Dietrich.

“Welcome to the Imperial Palace, futures of the Empire.”

It was Franz Valdrain.

His gaze was fixed on Ziel.

I’ll do my best!

And so, at last, it was then that he set foot inside the imperial palace.

Rellio, who was in the lead, momentarily doubted his eyes.

I definitely heard it that way.

He said to guide the party inside and escort them to Iron Keep, then follow the procedures to prepare for the performance.

But then, I ended up running into someone I never expected to see.

Relio immediately showed the courtesy of a knight.

“I greet Your Highness the Prince!”

Everyone saw that sight.

“Crazy… did you come out to meet me yourself?”

What kind of ridiculous person am I dealing with from the very start…

The Second Prince, Dietrich.

So very much like him-

“Welcome to the imperial palace, futures of the empire.”

First Prince.

It was Franz Waldrain.

His gaze remained fixed on Jiel.

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