On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 251

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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 251

 

The Legend of the Dark Ghost (5)

 

Various materials are used in human skin masks.

 

Among them, if there’s an essential material, it’s the magical powder called ‘Lumi’.

 

It’s a metal that remains liquid at room temperature, and unlike mercury, it’s not particularly harmful to the human body.

 

Anyway, only when this Lumi is included can light be refracted to complete a natural human skin mask with proper skin tone and expressions.

 

The problem is that this material inevitably gets caught by magical detection.

 

Since it carries mana by itself and maintains its function by absorbing the wearer’s mana, it’s naturally bound to be detected by mages!

 

So the first thing they tried was exactly this…

 

‘It’s not a human skin mask but his real face?’

 

The mages were shocked.

 

To think they’d be wrong from the start.

 

The Imperial Mages didn’t know.

 

That in the underworld, there existed a mask maker with skills beyond imagination.

 

A creator who could make truly perfect human skin masks by substituting other materials without using Lumi!

 

Ziel doesn’t step toward danger in uncertain situations.

 

There was no way Ziel, who was once the Specter and the most powerful assassin, would wear such a ‘low-grade’ human skin mask full of risks.

 

‘So they were suspicious of me after all.’

 

Ziel also noticed that magic had been used.

 

He was watching clearly with the Polar Night Breathing Technique.

 

And he also predicted that this wouldn’t be the end.

 

‘Then they’ll forcibly peel it off.’

 

Mana waves secretly spread beneath Ziel’s feet as he climbed onto the award platform.

 

Today, a 6th Circle mage was positioned here under the pretext of protection.

 

A mage of such level that he usually devoted himself only to research and rarely went outside, treated as top-tier talent in this Empire!

 

Such a person had decided to deploy ‘Mana Resonance’.

 

Mages fundamentally develop through suspicion and curiosity.

 

Rather than giving up because the first verification failed, they were convinced that something special beyond their power had been used.

 

‘Forcibly opening the boundary surface.’

 

The use of a human skin mask was certain.

 

So they planned to cause mana resonance and forcibly separate it.

 

They only thought about it.

 

‘Simple enough.’

 

Because Ziel neutralized the wave.

 

More precisely, since destroying it from outside would arouse suspicion, he absorbed it inside and scattered it within his body.

 

Therefore, nothing happened.

 

Only the mages became more flustered.

 

‘Really… it’s not?’

 

When even the second attempt failed, the mages became greatly confused.

 

Now there was only one method left.

 

It might be a bit more aggressive than the first and second attempts…!

 

But the mages couldn’t do this.

 

“I am Benjamin, Knight Commander of the Imperial Knights. Champion Dark Ghost, I will search your body according to procedure.”

 

Knight Commander Benjamin, who had been briefed beforehand, stepped forward.

 

It was rare for a Knight Commander to personally conduct a body search, but it wasn’t particularly strange either.

 

After all, this was someone who would receive an award before the Emperor.

 

‘Then does that mean this appearance was the Specter’s true form from the beginning?’

 

Benjamin also approached tensely after receiving signals from the mages.

 

Benjamin’s hands were now coated with test samples provided by the mages.

 

Poison.

 

Hidden mana.

 

Or samples that would react to any other special substances and change color.

 

If his hands changed color after searching and withdrawing…!

 

‘Suppress and capture him immediately.’

 

Preparing for any contingency, Benjamin had even prepared means unbecoming of a knight.

 

He had even prepared paralysis poison under the pretext of protecting His Imperial Majesty!

 

Though mana was already being suppressed, it wasn’t excessive at all for His Imperial Majesty’s sake.

 

“Excuse me.”

 

Benjamin diligently completed his search without knowing that the subject he was searching was Ziel.

 

“…”

 

After confirming that there was no discoloration on his withdrawn hands, he became dazed.

 

‘Then what is it?’

 

When everyone fell into confusion!

 

“May I go receive my award now?”

 

Ziel asked.

 

“…Go forward. But remember this without fail. You must never open your mouth until His Imperial Majesty speaks to you first, and do not move first without separate instructions.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Ziel walked forward after answering briefly!

 

Benjamin, watching his retreating figure, fell into confusion.

 

‘Then he’s really just some guy who popped out from some mountain?’

 

The Emperor also confirmed that there were no abnormalities in the search and verification.

 

But unlike others, he didn’t fall into confusion or panic.

 

‘It would have been quite interesting if he were the Specter.’

 

It was the spirit and boldness befitting an Emperor.

 

Actually, the Emperor had personal expectations too.

 

Politically, he had expected the prestige that would come from suppressing the Specter, but…

 

He wanted to fight.

 

Wasn’t that right?

 

There was no opportunity to face all the Masters existing in this Empire.

 

Why?

 

Because he was the Emperor.

 

But the Specter was different.

 

The Specter would surely hate the Imperial family and could extend his sword toward him without any hesitation.

 

The Emperor wanted such an opponent.

 

Not those who found it difficult to even draw their swords before him because he was the Emperor!

 

However, since it was confirmed that the opponent wasn’t the Specter, it was such a pity!

 

Meanwhile.

 

‘He’s even stronger up close.’

 

Ziel actually thought of something that would have delighted the Emperor if he had known.

 

‘I want to fight him. It would have been more interesting if the final match had been a duel with the Emperor.’

 

Exactly the desire to fight!

 

The two Master-level opponents he had fought earlier were actually opponents Ziel could have finished in a single move by his standards.

 

That is, under the premise of killing the opponent.

 

It was a sparring match with many restrictions, so he had faced them appropriately, but even that was easy.

 

But this person seemed a bit different.

 

Of course.

 

‘I would win in ten exchanges.’

 

Ziel was confident he would win.

 

Anyway, from Ziel’s perspective, there seemed to be no one stronger than the Emperor in this Empire, excluding himself.

 

But unfortunately, he was an opponent he couldn’t fight.

 

He’s not someone I should be fighting either.

 

‘At least I wasn’t caught.’

 

He had successfully escaped a situation that would have definitely trapped any ordinary assassin.

 

Now what remained was…

 

‘The prize money and that sword.’

 

He had just returned the sword to Yurio anyway.

 

So he didn’t have any particular sword, and while he had no greed for swords, there was no reason to refuse a good one.

 

“Then, there will be an award ceremony.”

 

Following proper etiquette, Ziel knelt on one knee and raised both hands to receive the sword the Emperor was handing him.

 

The moment it touched his hands, he realized.

 

‘It’s a good sword.’

 

And he realized something else too.

 

‘Why is he channeling mana through it?’

 

Ziel was puzzled.

 

Mana was flowing in from the Emperor’s hand as he handed over the sword.

 

There was no way Ziel could know this was a custom among knights to show competitive spirit.

 

Rather, it was good.

 

‘The Emperor’s mana will be helpful.’

 

The mana flowing through Valdrain’s bloodline is said to be special. Ziel felt it too. Most people have the same nature of mana, but some do not.

 

Secret Arts Users are like that.

 

Secret Arts Users are those who use unique techniques passed down through that special mana.

 

The mana contained in the Imperial bloodline is also like that.

 

The reason the Emperor could reach Master level was also for that reason.

 

What kind of special power it had, only the Emperor would know, but not from this point on.

 

‘It’s worth analyzing.’

 

The Emperor wouldn’t have known.

 

That this expression of goodwill showing his competitive spirit had given Ziel tremendous information!

 

‘Did he understand?’

 

The Emperor waited for Ziel’s reaction with a slightly racing heart.

 

And Ziel’s honest reaction came.

 

“I am deeply honored, Your Majesty.”

 

“What are you honored about?”

 

“You have given me a great gift.”

 

“…!”

 

Did he notice?

 

This competitive spirit!

 

“…Look forward to it soon.”

 

Had he finally found an opponent to fight!

 

‘What does it matter if he’s a specter. No wait, it’s been confirmed he’s not a specter…’

 

Rather, it’s good.

 

If this person isn’t a specter, then he’s ultimately a skilled person who was hiding somewhere and came out!

 

Fighting against him, there’s no reason to consider anything else.

 

That means the Emperor himself can also give his all!

 

But he felt he should confirm something first.

 

“I will ask you. The entry name Dark Ghost, is that your real name?”

 

The Emperor asked what he was most curious about.

 

It would naturally be a false name.

 

“It is a false name.”

 

As expected!

 

“Then what is your real name?”

 

An ordinary citizen?

 

Or a defector from another country?

 

Or perhaps a fallen noble hiding his identity?

 

Or…

 

A Secret Arts User whose true identity even the Empire couldn’t fully grasp?

 

The answer was this.

 

“I don’t want to tell you.”

 

“…”

 

A huge silence descended near the award platform.

 

Who is the Emperor of the Empire?

 

He is the one who stands at the pinnacle of this Valdrain Empire, someone who can change everything with a gesture or a single word.

 

Moreover, he was someone who solidified imperial authority by destroying the Black Sky assassination group as soon as he ascended to the throne.

 

Such a person asked.

 

What is your name?

 

And what was the answer?

 

‘Is he really insane?’

 

‘Are we all going to die today?’

 

‘What… is his mind abnormal?’

 

Everyone had similar thoughts.

 

When the Emperor asks, not that it’s difficult or hard to answer, but that he doesn’t want to?

 

“…”

 

Even Knight Commander Benjamin’s hands trembled.

 

The hands of someone who had experienced everything and risen to the position of commander of the Imperial Knights!

 

The silence continued.

 

Ziel thought.

 

‘It’s quiet.’

 

An inappropriate environment for assassination.

 

When it’s too quiet, attention focuses on even the smallest sounds.

 

Assassination is most likely to succeed when executed amid appropriate noise.

 

And so, how much time had passed?

 

‘What to do?’

 

Even the Chief Administrator who closely assisted the Emperor was wondering whether he should get angry on his behalf, while watching the Emperor’s mood.

 

“Interesting. Very interesting. These days many interesting talents are emerging from the private sector. Don’t you think so, Administrator?”

 

“Y-y-yes, Y-Your Majesty.”

 

“Why are you stuttering so much? I like that his expression of intent is clear.”

 

Everyone was confused and shocked by this completely unexpected reaction.

 

He likes it?

 

Why?

 

‘Has His Majesty also gone mad?’

 

A situation where even such blasphemous thoughts wouldn’t be strange!

 

But the Emperor really was pleased.

 

I don’t want to, he said.

 

How long had it been since he heard such a clear expression of intent?

 

Everyone in front of him either spoke evasively or only said positive things unconditionally.

 

Being Emperor was such a position, a place where one had to hear only such words.

 

But this person is different.

 

‘His Imperial Majesty’s dignity is so…’

 

Someone thought about dignity, but the Emperor did not.

 

This was an opponent to whom he had openly shown competitive spirit for the first time in a long while.

 

The Emperor understood, or rather misunderstood, this expression of “I don’t want to” as competitive spirit striking back as well.

 

The Dark Ghost suddenly received the Emperor’s attention as well!

 

“I will personally learn your name later.”

 

The Emperor said this while lifting the corners of his mouth.

 

“I’ll invite you to the Imperial Palace soon. However, since I don’t know your name, I’m not sure how to send you a letter. Is there a good way?”

 

Ziel answered without hesitation.

 

“You can contact X-3 through the Delivery Man.”

 

X-3!

 

At those words, Dietrich, who was near the Emperor, inwardly flinched.

 

‘When I was asked to investigate Siren… didn’t That Person also mention this story?’

 

The attempted assassination incident at The Iron Keep!

 

It was exactly the same as what the person who saved him then had said.

 

Could it be then…?

 

‘Are they the same person!’

 

Dietrich had to try hard not to show his excitement.

 

To think this person would appear here!

 

If this is the case, their true identity becomes truly lost in a labyrinth.

 

‘Could they really be the ‘Dark Ghost’?’

 

The tournament name Dark Ghost itself was a disguise.

 

In reality, it was no different from entering under their real name!

 

“Delivery Man… I’m curious about your circumstances. But I won’t ask now.”

 

That name that made even the Emperor’s heart race, Dark Ghost!

 

The Emperor didn’t like the name Dark Ghost, but he didn’t really care.

 

This joy of finally finding an opponent who could resolve this loneliness!

 

“See you again, Dark Ghost.”

 

And so all acts of the swordsmanship tournament came to an end.

 

Youth division.

 

General division.

 

It created countless topics of discussion, but…

 

‘I survived.’

 

‘I thought we were all going to die.’

 

Probably nothing would compare to the general division.

 

Because the legend of the Dark Ghost that would be talked about for ages to come had been created.

—————
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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