On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 27

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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 027

 

 

The Crow That Cries Mournfully (2)

 

 

Ziel had recently read a book.

It was a book called .

It was very interesting to Ziel.

Deadly political struggles of kill or be killed!

Life and death hanging on a single word!

Fierce psychological warfare!

 

‘It was a book that could redefine the act of assassination.’

 

Ziel realized something.

The fact that there weren’t only swords and poison as ways to kill people.

Among them, what he found most interesting was the method of bringing down an opponent without laying a single physical hand on them.

For example, it was the sight of one politician spreading rumors about a rival politician to suppress them.

In that process, the sight of not even crossing swords once, let alone assassination, was truly fascinating.

In Ziel’s world, ‘winning’ had only meant completing a mission.

So he asked a question inspired by this.

 

“What do you think we should do about Takeus?”

 

Ziel knew his own shortcomings well.

So he asked for opinions from Crow and Erso.

On the other hand, to Erso’s ears—

 

‘I need to answer well. If I get it wrong, I’ll die.’

 

It sounded like a question from a legendary demon that would devour you if you gave the wrong answer.

 

“Do you mean… killing him?”

 

Ziel didn’t answer.

Erso trembled all over.

 

‘That’s the wrong answer.’

 

According to legend, demons give three chances.

Now he’d gotten one wrong.

 

“Th-then do you mean a way to hurt him?”

 

Still no answer.

Now he’d gotten two wrong.

In other words, one chance left.

 

“You mean a way to get rid of him forever?!”

“What do you mean by that?”

 

Finally, he got an answer!

Without even having time to breathe a sigh of relief, Erso hurriedly continued speaking.

 

“Th-that is… making him take clear responsibility for this incident, that’s what I mean.”

“That’s good. Responsibility.”

 

He no longer intended to decide people’s life and death.

At least not unless he clearly held that decision-making power.

He wasn’t an assassin anymore.

So he’d been thinking about how to get rid of Takeus with this clear evidence.

That’s also why he asked the question.

 

“There are various ways to make someone take responsibility, but…”

 

Erso, who had been hesitating, made eye contact with Ziel and gasped.

 

‘Why are his eyes really like that!’

 

Too scary.

Any thoughts of betrayal completely disappeared.

 

“First, I think making him resign in disgrace would be the priority.”

“You mean making him leave this Academy disgracefully.”

“That’s right.”

 

Erso felt joy for some unknown reason at the sight of Ziel nodding.

 

“Then what kind of disadvantages would there be?”

“Uh… first, there would be no severance pay…”

 

Think of something, brain!

 

“Th-that’s right. No severance pay!”

“No severance pay?”

“It would be difficult for him to return to the Academy!”

“And?”

“And… also… Ah! If it’s an incident of this magnitude, he’ll probably face retaliation from the noble family.”

“Retaliation?”

“That’s right. A family as prestigious as Kundel would retaliate for the sake of their reputation.”

“I see.”

 

Ziel organized his thoughts.

In other words, if he made him resign in disgrace, Takeus who hurt his student would pay a definite price.

 

“Imperial punishment would be a bonus. All incidents that happen at the Academy are nominally under Imperial jurisdiction. Many things get covered up internally, but when matters become serious, the Imperial Family gets involved. Since it’s the Imperial Academy.”

 

He had read similar content in the Academy’s School Rules Book.

 

“Understood.”

 

Erso felt relieved inside.

 

‘I’m alive.’

 

He had passed the devil’s test.

But the questions weren’t over yet.

 

“What about using political methods?”

“Political… methods?”

 

That’s right.

Ziel wanted to know if what he’d read in books would work.

Getting rid of an opponent politically!

Erso understood perfectly and answered.

 

“You want to use a sophisticated method, is that what you’re saying?”

“Is it a sophisticated method?”

“Of, of course! How sophisticated it is! Without getting a single drop of blood on your hands, hahaha.”

 

An awkward laugh.

The fear hidden behind it.

 

‘He’s a scary bastard.’

 

He looks like a pro, but he’s also thinking about taking out opponents without even using a sword?

That’s actually a method the Crows mainly use.

 

‘I see. This bastard is planning to use me.’

 

Erso trembled with realization and the fear that followed!

If he’s this level of professional, he could easily handle it alone, but the fact that he’s using this method means…

 

‘He doesn’t want to dirty his own hands. Scary bastard…!’

 

Using others to commit murder!

He really picked the wrong person to mess with.

 

“Then let’s use the sophisticated method. I think it would be good to use someone who would benefit most from Dakeus disappearing. What do you think?”

 

Another question.

It wasn’t wrong either.

 

“That’s an excellent method!”

“Who do you think that would be?”

 

How long would these questions continue?

 

‘Think, Erso!’

 

His mind raced frantically.

Finally, he thought of one person.

 

“There is someone. Someone who would benefit greatly! I, I’ll handle it!”

 

 

“I am Elcanto Paredes.”

“Oh, Professor Elcanto. I’ve heard a lot about you. You’re the youngest professor, right? Haha.”

“That’s right. I just started being a professor.”

“Well, well, I must have become quite the big shot, hahahaha! Look at our professor coming to greet me first!”

 

Elcanto’s expression was rotting away.

Only on the inside, of course.

 

‘I’m really being dirty and petty.’

 

It was night.

A very late night at that.

Even as dawn was approaching, Professor Elcanto couldn’t return home.

Because of entertaining guests.

The Obvious Merchant Guild, no less.

 

‘Why does that damn bastard come looking for me when he should be counting money at home…’

 

From what he’d heard, guild master Obvious and the Dean of Edelwein Academy were very close friends.

So he would often visit like this and hold drinking parties, and that was exactly the problem.

This bastard always called a professor to join.

As if to show off his own power.

The Dean would naturally summon a professor as if it were obvious.

That’s why Elcanto was here.

 

“Oops, did you spill some alcohol?”

“Oh my, I should have caught it better.”

“Oh dear, it fell right on your belly. I’m sorry, it’s because your belly sticks out so much. Hahahaha!”

 

He didn’t hesitate to inflict physical humiliation under the guise of joking.

Though his belly did stick out quite a bit.

 

“Professor Elcanto, have a drink too!”

“Yes, Guild Master.”

 

This would have been unimaginable in the Empire of old.

But merchants who had grown during the great war now wielded influence comparable to nobles.

Therefore, Professor Elcanto, who was neither a family head nor an eldest son and was merely an Academy professor, had no choice but to bow his head.

The youngest professor at that.

 

“You know, Professor Elcanto. I’ve been thinking quietly lately… now that there won’t be any more wars, isn’t there something else this Empire should prioritize?”

“I don’t quite understand, Guild Master.”

 

The seemingly drunk Guild Master pointed at Professor Elcanto’s hand.

 

“Rather than the sword or magic that hand holds, shouldn’t this Empire now develop with commerce at its center? Don’t you think so?”

“….”

“Violence is barbaric. The era of cutting people’s throats and severing hands with swords must end. A world that runs on money and pen—how peaceful would that be?”

 

There was no sophistry like this sophistry.

Or perhaps even this was intentional sophistry.

Obvious was always like this.

 

“….”

 

But his wounded pride was unavoidable.

Though his belly had grown and it had been long since he’d seen real combat, Elcanto was also a man who had devoted his entire life to the sword.

 

“…The sword is not a tool of violence.”

 

Elcanto’s hands trembled.

 

“Moreover, a sword becomes most excellent the longer it remains in its scabbard.”

 

But he couldn’t say more.

If he did, the professor position he’d finally obtained would fly away.

Why did being born a second son instead of the eldest feel so sad today of all days?

 

‘Social life is damn hard, really.’

 

And so the drinking session that continued until the deep hours of dawn ended.

 

“Welcome!”

“One stew, please.”

“Yes, I’ll bring you a bowl right away.”

 

Professor Elcanto decided to have another drink at a cheap inn near the capital.

From his teaching assistant days.

A place he often visited when things got too difficult.

As long as he covered his face well, it was a place where he could spend time more comfortably than at the Academy.

 

Gulp, gulp.

 

The taste of beer with stew was killer.

 

“Phew.”

 

This feeling of exhaling the breath he’d been holding!

He liked the atmosphere of this place.

The boisterous people.

There were drunkards too, but since he’d once been quite something himself.

His heart felt incomparably at ease.

 

“So at that house, a thief….”

“That’s gold plating, right? Does that make sense? Let me bite it and see!”

 

The noisy sounds actually calmed his mind and body.

 

“So, that’s really true?”

“I’m telling you it is. Later I found out he was some Academy professor or something.”

“Why would that person meet someone in the sewers?”

“How would I know? Drink!”

 

In the midst of this.

 

‘Professor?’

 

“But how did you know he was a professor?”

“I asked. Some guy who delivers supplies to the Academy. Sword School? Someone there. Da… da… what was it?”

 

A conversation that made his ears perk up.

Elcanto listened intently.

 

“Da what?”

“I don’t really know either. Anyway, I don’t know why an Academy professor was in that filthy sewer, but it’s just interesting, you know.”

“Hey. Lower your voice. If he’s a professor there, he must be someone important.”

 

‘What are they talking about?’

 

He wanted to go ask, but the two left their seats shortly after.

Though he chased after them belatedly, the dawn streets were empty.

 

“Hmm.”

 

He tried to forget, but the conversation kept circling in his head.

Elcanto finished his beer and returned to the Academy, arriving at his research laboratory.

 

‘What could it have been.’

 

It was when Elcanto sat at his desk, pondering.

 

“Hm?”

 

Something visible through his bleary eyes.

It was paper.

 

“That Tiron….”

 

He’d always told him to keep the desk clean.

It was then that Professor Elcanto’s eyes widened as he picked up the paper.

 

“Commission… document?”

 

Professor Elcanto’s eyes gradually filled with shock as he examined the contents.

 

“This crazy…”

 

Unbelievable content.

 

“What happened at the selection tournament…”

 

Was orchestrated by Takeus?

And by using a student, no less?

 

“What kind of lunatic is this.”

 

No matter what, using one student to harm another was an unimaginable method.

No matter how consumed by greed, how could a professor use a student to…

 

“…Did this really happen?”

 

Looking at the content, it did make sense of that earlier situation.

Jon Riversong.

You never know about people, but he wasn’t suddenly bold enough to mess with a Kundel Family heir.

But the Riversong Family was on the verge of bankruptcy, and Takeus apparently used Crow to manipulate Yon.

 

“Why Delev?”

 

This was the problem.

Why did Takeus try to hurt Delev?

The commission document didn’t have Delev’s name, but unless a student of Delev’s caliber was the target, there was no reason to spend the huge sum of 1 million cel.

 

“What on earth…”

 

Elcanto, lost in confusion, suddenly recalled the conversation he’d heard at the inn earlier.

 

‘That was Takeus?’

 

Logically, there was no reason for an Academy professor to meet someone in the sewers.

The sewers were a secretive place barely touched by people’s eyes.

 

“…”

 

Combined with that story, the credibility of this commission document was amplified.

At the same time, questions arose.

 

‘Why is this on my desk?’

 

Elcanto looked around momentarily.

Nothing had changed.

Actually, he wasn’t sure.

Tiron cleaned for him every day.

 

“…”

 

After pondering for a while, Professor Elcanto reached a conclusion.

He didn’t know who had brought it, but the intention was clear.

 

‘They deliberately gave it to me.’

 

Professor Takeus.

As long as he was around, Elcanto would forever be the junior professor.

More precisely, he had the lowest rank among the professors and would continue handling only First Years.

But if he could use this as evidence to get rid of Takeus forever?

 

‘…I could rise to that position.’

 

Academy life would become much easier, and his authority would increase as he took Takeus’s place.

Usually, there was no set end to being the junior professor. Not unless the senior professors retired.

And there was one more major reason.

 

“I don’t like the guy.”

 

Acting like a senior, dumping all kinds of work on him, and the constant harassment was unbearable.

If you’ve been the junior for so long, shouldn’t you understand that pain and treat others better?

Elcanto made his decision.

 

“Good.”

 

And as if performing a ritual, he took a deep breath and composed his mind solemnly.

Now he should have a snack.

The snack he always had when his heart felt empty or complicated.

He’d had alcohol too.

He’d skip the diet for just today…

 

Click.

 

“Huh, what?”

 

The box was completely empty.

The box where he kept his precious cookies and candy was empty.

 

“Wh-who… which bastard…”

 

Unbearable rage!

Even greater anger than when he’d dealt with Obvious earlier surged up.

 

 

Crunch!

 

‘Delicious.’

 

It was an accidental discovery.

That very sweet scent he caught when entering Professor Elcanto’s Research Office with Crow.

And when he came to his senses, he had already taken everything inside.

 

“Want one?”

“Ah, that… Thank you.”

“Is it good?”

“It’s sweet.”

 

‘We’re not close enough to be sharing candy like this.’

 

The atmosphere was far from that too.

 

“Are these things very expensive?”

“They’re expensive. Elcanto is serious about his snacks.”

“Serious about snacks?”

“He’s very picky and strict when choosing snacks. He only eats the finest quality. That’s why he got fat.”

“I see. The more expensive, the more delicious.”

 

That’s not always the case, but at least Valdrain’s desserts generally tend to be that way.

Especially the highest-grade custom-made snacks that Elcanto eats.

Though they never expected to devour all of them like this.

 

“Now I think we just need to wait for Elcanto’s choice.”

“We should also prepare for the situation where he pretends not to know.”

“Yes. But he won’t do that.”

“Do you have a reason to be so confident?”

“Elcanto is the second son of a Noble Family. Second sons tend to be quite greedy. Since they can’t inherit the family. They’ve faced a lot of discrimination too, and he obtained this Academy professorship with great difficulty.”

 

Indeed, Crow.

He knew a lot.

 

“Then we can look forward to tomorrow.”

“That’s right. Since the Commission Document alone seemed insufficient, I planted some of my precious assets at the Inn that Elcanto frequents. He just finished his meeting and headed that way.”

“Did you guide him to go there?”

“I used his habits. He always goes there after finishing meetings with outsiders.”

“You know a lot.”

“Because I’m Crow.”

 

Just as he was feeling proud, Ziel suddenly held out a handful of candy and cookies.

 

“Eat them all.”

“Pardon?”

“We can’t leave evidence.”

“…”

 

Erso took the candy and cookies in bewilderment.

He felt like he had become an accomplice.

It was like the feeling of receiving a share of stolen money.

 

Crunch.

 

They are delicious though.

Though he did have this thought while eating absentmindedly.

 

‘What’s going to happen to me from now on.’

 

A crow was crying mournfully.

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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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