On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 190

—————
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 190

Just one more audience member was added

There was no time to savor the long-awaited return to Iron Keep.

“I can’t believe I’m here again….”

“I hate that this place feels familiar…”

A trainee dormitory where several people have to live closely together side by side!

I have to spend another 3 days there now.

Today is practice.

Tomorrow is the performance and banquet.

And until leaving the imperial palace the day after tomorrow.

“You guys have 3 days? We have almost 40 days.”

“Oh. Right. The knights’ camp….”

And students participating in the knight order camp have to stay here the whole time since they’ve already unpacked their bags.

It was a good opportunity, but I couldn’t help but sigh when I saw the accommodations.

This wasn’t originally supposed to be our accommodation.

It was the guest quarters of Iron Keep.

But according to GEL’s request, they were assigned the most familiar space as their accommodation!

A perfectly logical reason: it’s a space the students know well and have already experienced.

“At least they said they’ll assign us comfortable rooms to sleep in after the performance.”

It’s so funny how we adapted while thinking we were lucky.

But Celia, who would have every right to be the most upset, said something strange.

Don’t complain.

“Huh? All of a sudden?”

“The teacher lives in an even worse place than this.”

Huh?

Celia swallowed back her rising tears.

The old staff dormitory that brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it!

I heard the story roughly, but I never thought you’d actually live in a place like that.

Even though it’s attached to the student dormitory, if you don’t pay attention to it, your gaze won’t even reach that direction in the first place.

“Teacher is… always staying in worse places than us. We shouldn’t complain.”

“What kind of cave do you live in, teacher?”

“A cave would be better!”

Karen, who had been to the area near the faculty housing, agreed with Celia’s words.

“Right. That place is really bad though. Compared to our dorm, it’s probably like the difference between a palace and a sewer.”

“Th-that’s it?”

“Just looking at the exterior, you’d absolutely not want to go in. It’s scary enough that we could use it as a haunted house for next year’s festival, right?”

“Wow….”

It was a fact I didn’t know.

A solemn atmosphere.

“Teacher… this must be really hard for you.”

“You’re not even a professor, you’re still just a teacher… Until recently you were just a general education instructor.”

“But even so, you go around without a single hair out of place?”

Rising compassion!

Jiel began to be misunderstood as being poor without even realizing it.

Let’s work hard. For our teacher’s sake too.

“We shouldn’t complain about this accommodation. That’s right.”

“Actually, it’s thanks to you, teacher, that I’ve come this far and am even performing, right?”

I couldn’t understand what GL living in the faculty dormitory had to do with anything, but in any case, the atmosphere seemed to be heading in a positive direction.

Meanwhile, outside the lodging.

Giel was assigned the finest guest quarters within Iron Keep under Relio’s guidance.

“How do you find it? It was specially prepared under the direct orders of the Knight Commander and His Highness Prince Dietrich.”

Is that so?

“If you had gone to the Grand Arcana earlier, I think you both would have been quite disappointed.”

If it would have helped the students’ performance, I would have gone there.

It was true.

GiEul valued efficiency above all else.

There are two reasons for staying at Iron Keep even while refusing the prince’s proposal.

It is precisely the fact that it’s a place familiar to students.

You really don’t show your feelings easily, do you?

Meanwhile, Rellio nodded as if he had expected as much after hearing Giel’s answer.

He’s still not an easy person to deal with.

I wanted to hear you say that Iron Keep is nice, even if it was just empty words!

To be precise, I was hoping to hear that you did it thinking of His Highness the Second Prince….

No, let’s not get our hopes up. If we do this, we’ll just end up feeling sad…

The icon of rejection, Dietrich!

I understood why he was obsessed with GEL, but the more he was, the more miserable the person he served seemed to become.

Since you’re here as a guest this time, I hope you’ll relax and enjoy your stay.

I would appreciate it if you could assign me to the same place as well.

“Huh?”

I mentioned the accommodation where I stayed before.

“Ah….”

I also think we should be on equal terms since I’m in charge of planning the performance as well.

He really doesn’t leave any room for negotiation.

“Like the students, I’ll stay at different accommodations the day after the performance ends.”

Relio nodded, thinking this was the best he could do under the circumstances.

“Yes, understood.”

The feeling of seeing someone who would absolutely never break.

In fact, it seemed like he wouldn’t break, and would never bend either.

After moving to new accommodations again, Ziel unpacked his belongings and began a full-scale performance inspection.

“Teacher Ziel, I spoke with the Imperial Mage and it seems we won’t be able to use some effects. For safety reasons, they say. The Imperial Palace certainly has strict regulations.”

“If there are established regulations, we must follow them. Which ones?”

“Then how about replacing the flames with light instead?”

“Yes.”

While discussing with Emerick who accompanied him today, he also checked the students’ practice status.

And there was one more person.

“Teacher Ziel, I never expected I’d come to the Imperial Palace for a performance. Haha.”

It was Mortis.

If Ziel had planned the sword dance movements, the person in charge of the overall design of this performance was Mortis.

Naturally, it was a collaborative effort.

“The scenery of The Iron Keep is impressive too. I heard you insisted on holding it here instead of The Grand Arcana?”

“That’s true. I’ve been there several times, but hmm. This place is actually much better from an artistic perspective. Rough, simple, yet organized. Fortresses have this kind of mood that’s much better, you know? Is it because of Teacher Ziel?”

“I have never interfered with Lord Mortis’s perspective.”

Thus all the planners of this performance gathered, and the students began their practice.

Only the location and staging had changed slightly.

The students’ movements were the same, and the preparations were thorough.

“Now we just need to put on the performance.”

Though it was certainly meaningful, Ziel didn’t attach much significance to it.

It was just one more performance.

Of course, for the students it held great meaning.

A golden opportunity to showcase this magnificent performance before Imperial people!

And so the next day.

Emerick brought news that could be either good or bad.

“Is that so.”

Of course, Ziel remained calm.

“The administrator said it was suddenly decided… so I’m wondering if that’s why they were so strict about the performance effects.”

This event was the same.

But suddenly news came that the Emperor would attend.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s just one more audience member.”

“…You’re probably the only person in the world who would say that, Teacher Ziel.”

“Nothing will change regardless of who comes.”

He wasn’t trying to ease tension by saying that.

Ziel truly thought that way.

“Yes. It’s much more efficient than having them surprised when the performance starts. I’ll tell them myself.”

“The, the, the Emperor…”

Some students were beside themselves.

At Yurio’s words, Karen nodded blankly.

Fortunately, Ann who was nearby corrected them.

“Ah.”

“But if we make a mistake, we’ll probably be so terrified we’ll feel like dying.”

“…”

But suddenly, news arrived that the emperor would be making a visit.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s just one more audience member.”

“…You’re probably the only person in the world who would say something like that, Teacher Giel.”

Nothing will change no matter who comes.

It wasn’t that he was trying to relax by doing even that.

GiEul really thought so.

Should we let the students know?

“Yes. It’s much more efficient than being surprised when the performance starts. I’ll inform them directly myself.”

And the students who received the news were collectively shocked and left in a daze.

“Y-Y-Your Imperial Majesty…”

“…What is this about.”

There were even students who lost their minds.

“If we mess up, it’s the death penalty…?”

Karen nodded blankly at Yurio’s words.

“Maybe…?”

Fortunately, Ann, who was next to me, corrected it right away.

“Unless you’re doing a sword dance and throwing a blade toward His Imperial Majesty, it probably won’t be a death sentence…”

“Ah.”

“But I feel like I’d be trembling with fear if I made a mistake, like I might die.”

Looking at the students, Ziel said a word.

“….”

That’s not right, Teacher.

“So do it like the performances you’ve done so far. Getting nervous will only hurt you.”

Perhaps because of that, everyone nodded.

Now, it was time.

Gilbert and the students went backstage.

And-

“The master of the Empire and father of his subjects, His Great Majesty approaches, so everyone prepare your respects!”

The greatest audience member of this performance.

Siegfried Valdrain.

He finally entered the performance hall.

A breathtaking silence followed.

It was a tension as if making even a breathing sound would stop one’s breath at that moment.

‘Master level. A surprise attack would be difficult, I’d have to aim head-on.’

Was keeping his instincts alive.

A large but solid-looking build.

Calluses embedded in his hands.

And the intense scent of mana that he didn’t bother to hide.

He was truly one of the absolute powerhouses of this Empire.

Sorry to say, but First Prince Franz who entered behind him didn’t really catch his attention.

Following the Emperor’s signal, everyone raised their heads.

It just created a very small breathing space in the solemn tension.

“Begin when you’re ready.”

There wasn’t even a ceremonial congratulatory speech that might be expected.

At the Emperor’s words, the curtain rose on the performance.

‘They’re nervous.’

A new space.

New people.

However, he believed.

The students’ blood-and-sweat practice.

The skill created through that!

When he started the Polar Night Breathing Technique, heartbeats were transmitted directly.

Once the performance began, everything flowed smoothly.

“Oho.”

“Huh, are they really First Years?”

Royal Family Members.

Celebrities from various fields.

And even Nobles.

They must have seen countless performances including Imperial performances until now, yet such admiration was coming out naturally.

“I think I know why the Imperial Palace invited them.”

“Indeed. Such a high-level sword dance… Just watching that sword dance, you can see the students’ swordsmanship talent.”

“I heard the teacher who taught these students is quite remarkable?”

Subtle, yet admiration flowing from all directions.

Mortis nodding in emotion.

The very person who designed this performance!

‘The magic effects are perfect too! It was good that we changed it?’

‘No mistakes so far.’

Now only one person’s impression remained.

The Emperor himself.

“It’s incredible. Such a performance….”

The Emperor showed no reaction whatsoever even during the solo sword dance that could be called the highlight.

Prominent figures from all walks of life.

And even the nobles.

Having seen countless performances including royal court performances up until now, such exclamations of admiration come naturally.

I think I know why the royal family invited me.

“Exactly. Such a high-level sword dance… Just watching that sword dance, I can already see the students’ talent in swordsmanship.”

I hear the teacher who taught these students is supposed to be really amazing?

“The effects seem spectacular yet restrained… It’s been so long since I’ve seen such a high-quality performance.”

Subtle, yet flowing from all directions, admiration.

As expected.

Mortis nods with deep emotion.

The mastermind who designed this performance!

The magic effects are perfect too! Actually, it was a good idea to change it!

And GD, who choreographed this sword dance.

No mistakes so far.

Now only one person’s review remains.

The Emperor himself.

“Oh, it looks like a flower is blooming!”

“This is incredible. What a performance…”

The Emperor showed no reaction whatsoever, even during the solo sword dance that could be called the highlight of the performance.

What change would occur in that expression, barely visible in the shadows?

Everyone was curious.

Everyone.

Except Ziel alone.

Whatever the Emperor’s reaction might be didn’t matter.

There was only one thing Ziel hoped for.

For the students’ efforts to be recognized.

And finally.

After finishing the performance-

Shing.

Thud.

The students sheathed their swords and finished their bows.

It was the end of the performance.

There was silence.

There was one rule for performances held at the Imperial Palace.

Namely, after a performance ended, no one could react until the Emperor sent his applause.

What if the Emperor left without sending applause?

Then all the remaining audience would exit as well.

“…”

“…”

Silence flowed in tension even greater than before the start.

Such intense tension that one might mistake how long this silence lasted.

‘Are we doomed…?’

‘Is it execution…’

‘I haven’t written my will yet…’

Just as the students held their breath while all sorts of thoughts ran through their minds.

Clap, clap, clap.

The Emperor raised his hands and sent three short rounds of applause.

And-

“A magnificent performance indeed.”

He offered high praise.

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