On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 307

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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First Day of Infiltration, The Organization Was Destroyed Episode 307
Journey to the Northern Region (2)
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Northern Region was formed from a history of struggle.
Though the land’s masters had changed many times over the ages, the spirit and temperament that composed the Northern Region remained unchanged.
“That’s why the Northern Region, regardless of which empire or kingdom rules it, has essentially created its own ‘nation.'”
“Well, it’s a place I rather like.”
“…You actually like it here?”
“Because we fight and seize what we want!”
Kelvin seemed to appreciate the Northern Region’s spirit and ‘culture.’
Perhaps from his long years as a mercenary, the law of the Northern Region—where the strong survive—didn’t seem strange to him at all.
“In any case, thanks to that cursed Trenia Mountain Range, no nation that ever controlled this place could easily be challenged. Why do you think the Lorette Empire fell?”
The Lorette Empire.
The empire that dominated the continent before the Valdrain Empire, now lost to history centuries past.
That very Lorette Empire declined through civil war with the Northern Region and ultimately had no choice but to yield its place to Valdrain.
“Simply put, the Northern Region cannot be ruled. Though it’s called imperial territory, it might as well be called the ‘Northern Kingdom.'”
The Trenia Mountain Range, a natural shield, served to protect the Northern Region from external threats.
“But that same Trenia Mountain Range has left it far too isolated.”
At the same time, it was the greatest cause of the Northern Region’s isolation.
“Precisely, Boss. Thanks to that, the Northern Region always lacks everything. That’s why conflict arises.”
I recalled when Rangl Harmatan, the Head of Harmatan, had come to find me.
The way he watched so extremely carefully, as if afraid of being discovered by others.
That was precisely because of the Northern Region’s nature—a Family Head could be attacked the moment they left their post without it being unusual.
While great noble families in the Northern Region wouldn’t face major problems, smaller families like Harmatan were another story entirely.
“In any case, we must proceed carefully. There’s the wariness of outsiders, and especially since they don’t regard the Imperial Family favorably.”
“You know much about the Northern Region.”
“Yes. During my time with Crow, I visited a few times… it was never a place that left a good impression.”
In any case, the Northern Region was such a place.
Cold, harsh, rigid, snow falling frequently, and blood scattered across that snow.
A land where everything was scarce.
Limited resources.
Limited arable land.
And when it grew too cold, even the sea would freeze.
The barrenness of the Northern Region—so different from the abundant and sometimes greedily opulent South—was its very identity.
When you think about it, the conflicts and struggles that characterized the region stemmed from this very scarcity.
And so such things happened.
“Stop.”
At my command, Kelvin and Gilbert came to a halt.
We had stopped on a highland where a biting wind blew and large rocks scattered here and there.
“There are people behind the rocks visible ahead. They’re watching this way.”
“As expected, Boss—you heard them?”
“No. I caught a scent.”
“A scent….”
The wind was blowing in this direction.
So the unfamiliar scent carried on that wind had registered in Ziel’s olfactory sense.
‘I don’t smell anything.’
I sniffed around, but of course there was nothing to smell.
“Hiding behind rocks in the Northern Region waiting for passersby… Yes, only bandits do that sort of thing.”
The Northern Region lacks all resources.
So people often become bandits.
Just like them.
“That’s right, bandits.”
The bandits swarmed out.
More than ten of them.
In an instant they surrounded the three, and what appeared to be their leader stepped forward and pointed a sword at us.
“Hand over everything you have and we’ll let you keep your coat.”
Such warm consideration—we won’t let you freeze to death!
But unfortunately, Ziel didn’t realize his opponent was being considerate.
“Leave what you have and we’ll let you keep your underwear.”
“…Are you talking to us?”
“Yeah. Maybe your intelligence is lacking? Or did you damage your eardrums?”
Gilbert nodded at the harmless verbal abuse and added his own comment.
“If you don’t do what you’re told, they’ll take your underwear too.”
“W-well, that’s right. You guys, you’ll die doing that.”
Kelvin chimed in as well.
Then the bandits surrounding the three burst into laughter.
“You’re clearly outsiders who don’t understand the ways of the world. Do you know who we are? Huh? Do you know who the people backing us are….”
“Ever heard of the Raut Family? Well, you folks living comfortably in the Capital probably haven’t heard of a family famous even in the Northern Region.”
Ziel nodded.
“I know the Raut Family.”
“Oh, then. This conversation should go smoothly….”
“A major family in the Northern Region.”
“Kid, are you actually understanding?”
“But they’re not a threat.”
“….”
Ziel had already read about it in books.
Before coming to the Northern Region, I had searched the Library for books related to the North and read through them extensively.
The Raut Family was a fairly large family located in the southern part of the Northern Region.
But they were not a threat to Ziel.
I couldn’t even understand fearing the Great Families in the first place.
“You… you’re saying the Raut Family doesn’t scare you?”
“Do you want to know why you should be afraid?”
“We are the most ruthless Family in this barren land!”
“And?”
“Our Family’s private soldiers number around a thousand!”
“And?”
“We have twenty Knights under our Family banner!”
“Anything else?”
“…W-we also have considerable wealth.”
“How much?”
“W-well, I’m not entirely sure….”
Ziel answered without much deliberation.
“None of that gives you reason to fear.”
“Boss, your throat must be tired. I’ll handle this quickly.”
“N-no, I’ll do it!”
Kelvin drew his Sword first.
Shing.
The moment the Sword was unsheathed from their exchange, the atmosphere turned vicious in an instant.
“You’re actually going to try this after seeing these numbers…Ugh!”
One of them went flying.
Quite far.
Struck by Kelvin’s greatsword.
“Oh. How did you do that?”
“I-I wrapped the Mana thickly around it.”
He hadn’t even cut—he’d bludgeoned him.
The blade was clearly sharp!
“W-when you compress Mana like this, it b-becomes like this.”
“That suits you perfectly.”
Ziel nodded in agreement.
“You’ve found an excellent method. Your Swordsmanship is more about crushing than cutting.”
“These bastards are doing this right in front of people….”
The others rushed forward as well.
“Aargh!”
“Hack!”
But after two more went flying and crashed down, they finally seemed to realize something was wrong.
‘W-wait, they’re incredibly strong?’
‘These aren’t just ordinary passersby…?’
“D-do you know who this person is?”
“Be quiet, Disciple. Why would you reveal our identity?”
Kelvin flinched for a moment, then was moved to emotion.
“D-Disciple…! You c-called me a Disciple….”
For Kelvin, being called a Disciple mattered far more than any insult!
In any case, the bandits began to shuffle backward cautiously.
‘That massive brute is desperate.’
‘Is he even stronger than that giant?’
Three sword strikes sent three men flying.
Very far, at that.
“They seem to be trying to escape, Boss?”
“Capture them all. Those who attempt to steal from others are bad people.”
I recalled the Robson Family.
Thanks to them, I’d enjoyed delicious Chicken Skewers and Fried Bread—a pleasant memory.
‘I wonder what snacks exist in the Northern Region.’
And shortly after.
“W-we were wrong… Ugh!”
“Shh, stay still. Don’t break any bones.”
Gilbert and Kelvin bound all ten people and forced them to their knees.
It was a remarkably simple task.
Whether the Raut Family backed them or not, these ten weren’t even Walker Grade level.
“These nobodies peddle another family’s name everywhere.”
“Y-you’re insulting the Raut Family right now… Ugh!”
“Tsk, quiet.”
Even after crossing the Trenia Mountain Range battered and bruised with incomplete stamina recovery, Gilbert and Kelvin could handle dozens or hundreds of these wretches.
“W-we’ll tell you anything! Please, just spare us….”
The bandits, now understanding their reality, pleaded desperately, but I remained cold.
“You tried to steal what we have. Therefore, you’re bad people. And taking the possessions of bad people isn’t wrong.”
“…?”
“Search their bodies.”
Following my orders, Gilbert and Kelvin thoroughly searched them, yielding approximately 400 Sel in total, various weapons, and miscellaneous personal items.
And one more thing.
“These bastards really do have the Raut Family’s backing, don’t they?”
The Raut Family’s Crest appeared.
The bandits harbored a faint hope.
Perhaps seeing the Crest would make us release them or offer an apology—something like that.
But I examined the Crest and asked Gilbert.
“Can we sell it?”
“Normally, one doesn’t sell a family’s Crest, do they?”
“Then it’s useless.”
Whoosh.
The Raut Family’s Crest tumbled to the ground.
The bandits’ faces went deathly pale.
‘This madman.’
‘Or perhaps somewhere even higher than the Raut Family…?’
By the laws of the Northern Region, no other family from a different territory would be feared unless the Emperor himself were to appear.
After all, they couldn’t threaten the Northern Region.
‘Could it be the Renfield Family?’
‘Or perhaps the Rombart Family?’
‘That bastard… could he possibly be from the Bernstein Family…!’
The names of Northern families stronger than Raut flashed through the bandits’ minds.
An action that defied common sense!
Of course, Northern people weren’t the type to be intimidated just by hearing a family name, but this one seemed different somehow.
“Did you strip them all?”
“Yes, Boss. We got everything.”
Boss!
Only now did that title register in my ears.
‘Could he be the… Boss of the Northern Underworld?’
Like anywhere else, the Northern Region had an especially notorious underworld.
That terrifying organization that worked hand-in-hand with influential families and operated freely throughout the North!
‘Could it be… that place?’
‘No way.’
That Boss was shrouded in mystery—his face and name were barely known.
In any case, one conclusion became clear.
‘We’ve made a terrible mistake.’
It seemed we’d gotten ourselves into serious trouble.
“What should we do with these guys, Boss?”
While Ziel deliberated for a moment, the bandits trembled.
“Sh-shouldn’t we just… eliminate them and leave?”
“They could come back to haunt us.”
Contrary to their thoughts, Ziel rendered a surprisingly lenient judgment.
“We can’t cause problems in the Northern Region.”
“Ah, right. Understood. Then we’ll release them….”
“We’ll leave them as they are.”
“Pardon?”
Gilbert and Kelvin.
And the ten bandits all widened their eyes.
“Here? Like this?”
“Yes.”
“But you said we can’t cause problems?”
“We didn’t kill them, so there’s no problem.”
“That….”
Gilbert surveyed the ten bandits.
They were stripped of everything except their undergarments.
This was the Northern Region.
Summer had arrived in the Capital, but here it remained bitterly cold, with patches of snow still refusing to melt.
‘The Boss is truly merciless…!’
To feign mercy only to inflict greater punishment!
“Understood, Kelvin. Let’s go.”
“M-Master is frightening.”
Ziel tilted his head in confusion.
‘Why fear mercy that spares their lives?’
Though bound, they could easily free themselves with mutual cooperation.
Cold as it was, one didn’t simply perish from such temperatures.
‘And there are no magical beasts nearby.’
In any case, Ziel had shown mercy.
For the price of 400 Sel in snacks.
But he made certain of it.
Whoosh!
The ten bandits stood frozen in shock.
Their clothing was burning brightly before their very eyes.
“How convenient in this cold.”
“Indeed. Quite warm.”
The three of them warmed themselves by the makeshift campfire before departing.
“We’ve made some money, Boss.”
“We can buy snacks with this in the first village we come across.”
“Oh, what kind of snacks might the Northern Region have?”
“Since it’s cold, perhaps there are chilled snacks.”
“That sounds plausible.”
“I do hope there’s something delicious.”
Their destination was the Harmatan Family.
The three of them began walking faster and faster.
And the ten bandits they had thoroughly stripped were left trembling in nothing but their undergarments.
“D-damn…bastards….”
“They…they burned our clothes… s-so cold….”

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