On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 410

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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 410
The Next Semester’s Joy
The Imperial Masquerade Ball had begun.
The scale of this annual event bore no comparison to the affair the Sword School Second Years had hosted.
A Grand Banquet Hall of enormous size!
It was a kind of social gathering taking place within it.
Countless nobles and prominent figures from every walk of life had assembled, along with merchants who held special ties to the Imperial Family.
For instance, people like Mortis and Berte.
‘Is Teacher Ziel here?’
‘Could the Dark Ghost have come as well?’
The two of them were searching for the same person, though they did not know it.
“Goodness, I haven’t a clue. The masks are even more splendid this year, heh heh.”
“And I must confess, from you as well, I ‘simply’ cannot fathom your identity, ha ha ha.”
This is what a masquerade ball is.
Everyone already knows everyone else.
Unlike what the Second Years had done, hair color and voice had not been altered.
It was merely a matter of donning a mask to add a touch of amusement to the social gathering.
The guests looked forward to the splendor of this Grand Banquet Hall, the delicious food and drink, and what they might gain from this social occasion.
Meanwhile.
‘So many windows. Each one has magic woven into it, but… that pair of windows there has grown old.’
Ziel, guided by old habit, was cataloguing the number of windows and exits, and identifying any spaces where one might hide or take refuge.
The instinct etched deep from a lifetime lived as an assassin!
Of course, there would be no call to shatter those windows and slip inside, nor to flee through doors, nor to hide in those wine casks visible yonder.
For now, Ziel was simply enjoying himself.
‘The food is superb.’
The Imperial staff circulated among the guests, offering bite-sized morsels that were quite excellent.
This umami lingering on the tongue!
Splendid depth of flavor!
‘That appears to be a new dish.’
“Pardon the intrusion. Might you be Teacher Ziel Steelheart?”
A voice reached him just as he was eyeing a new creation.
A woman in a gown and a middle-aged man dressed in elegant attire.
“I am.”
“I am Lea Volkfeld, eldest daughter of the Volkfeld Family. I took the liberty of approaching you upon hearing of your considerable renown, Teacher Ziel Steelheart.”
“A liberty indeed.”
“You jest well.”
Lea Volkfeld laughed brightly.
“Then might I impose upon you for a dance?”
“One moment, if you please.”
“Oh? Do you perhaps have another engagement…?”
“No.”
Ziel deftly plucked a morsel from a passing servant’s tray.
It was like magic.
‘When did that happen?’
As though it had suddenly leapt from his hand!
“I must have this first.”
Ziel placed the bite into his mouth.
This too was superb.
‘How graceful he is. Perhaps he was simply gathering himself?!’
Lea was mistaken in her interpretation.
“Shall we begin then?”
“Yes.”
Ziel danced.
Dancing was not difficult.
He had observed his disciples perform it and committed it to memory.
Matching steps, clasping hands, turning slowly.
That was all there was to it.
Yet Ziel’s movements were more fluid, more graceful, and more refined than anyone else present.
When Lea, overcome with nervousness, stumbled or her hands trembled, he guided her along with natural ease!
Before long, every gaze in the hall had turned toward them.
‘Good heavens, the Volkfeld Family moving first like that.’
‘Unbelievable. Already?’
Today, more than one noble house had been courting Ziel’s attention.
But didn’t they say courage seizes the prize?
‘Like a dream.’
Lea Volkfeld couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze. The moment their eyes would touch, she knew she’d lose all composure.
The dreamlike moment ended all too quickly.
The music stopped.
“……I’m truly grateful for the dance, Teacher Ziel Steelheart.”
“Yes. I wanted to dance as well.”
“R-really?”
“Yes. I wanted to dance. It was enjoyable.”
Ziel truly had wanted to dance.
But to Lea’s ears, it sounded like something else entirely.
‘Me, with someone so handsome…….’
An appearance that made him seem to fade away even as he stood before you—the very visage of the Empire’s hero!
Lea knew she would never forget this day as long as she lived.
“Well then.”
Ziel departed.
In search of other dishes.
But to Lea’s eyes, it looked as though he were blushing, shy after their dance together.
“Father…… I think it’s happening.”
“It appears that way to me as well…….”
The Head of the Volkfeld Family rejoiced inwardly.
‘Now our house too…… wait?’
But then something odd caught his eye.
Teacher Ziel, heading in another direction…….
was dancing with a Young Lady from another noble house.
“…….”
The Head of the Volkfeld Family carefully studied his daughter’s expression.
‘We’re finished.’
Her face was crumpling.
At a masquerade ball, there exists an unwritten rule.
Namely, once you dance with a particular partner, you should remain paired with them for the duration of the ball.
But this…… meant something else entirely.
“Father…….”
“L-Lea.”
“I was rejected, wasn’t I……?”
“…….”
Yes.
She had been rejected.
“I, at Teacher Ziel—huh.”
Even Mortis found himself at a loss for words at the sight.
‘So this is Teacher Ziel.’
Openly changing dance partners!
Unimaginable for anyone but Ziel!
‘Truly artistic!’
That daring to shatter conventions and boundaries!
And yet, no one could fault him for it.
The man was Ziel, after all.
‘If only I’d possessed such courage in my younger days…….’
Naturally, it was a misunderstanding.
‘By the way, are you preparing well for the masquerade ball?’
‘Is there anything to prepare?’
‘Yes. You’ll need to dance. A masquerade ball is a place for dancing.’
Ziel had simply followed Relio’s advice faithfully.
No one had ever told Ziel the unwritten rules of the masquerade ball.
Everyone had assumed he knew them already.
Truly, it was common sense!
“Daughter, don’t cry. Just think of it as a fleeting dream that’s passed.”
“Father…….”
Though something struck him as odd.
Ziel hadn’t stopped there.
“I am Rowell Aramante, the second daughter of the Aramante Family. Teacher Ziel Steelheart, would you honor me with a dance?”
“Yes, Miss Aramante. I’d be delighted.”
After seeing the second partner, he danced with a third who’d come hoping for an opportunity, then a fourth.
And a fifth.
A sixth.
He continued dancing with each new partner.
Only then did the onlookers begin to grasp it, one by one.
“Could this possibly be……?”
“My word, this…… such an elegant approach.”
Those attending the masked ball murmured their admiration.
“He truly is different. Unmistakably different.”
“Indeed. He must know that many young ladies wish for him, yet he does this…….”
“A graceful rejection without inflicting hurt.”
He dances with everyone who desires it.
Yet he chooses none.
This elegant form of refusal, neutralizing even the possibility of any wound!
“Extraordinary…… I never imagined such a method existed.”
“Only Teacher Ziel Steelheart could manage it.”
“He cannot refuse each time, so instead he accepts all, yet makes it clear his heart belongs to no one…… admirable. As a man, I respect him greatly.”
Interpretation surpassed the dream itself.
‘A masked ball truly is just for dancing.’
Ziel was simply doing as Relio had instructed—dancing.
Because that’s what a masked ball was for.
Yet it wasn’t tedious.
“It’s been a dream, Teacher Ziel Steelheart.”
Once each dance ended, he sampled new cuisine.
All of it was splendid.
‘I wish I’d brought Chef Teo along.’
He wanted to taste these dishes with him.
Then the food next semester would be even more exquisite.
Of course, Teo’s skill improved each day.
He’d even temporarily returned to the restaurant where he once worked, resolved to study cooking throughout this break.
In any case, Ziel showed no special favor toward any of his dance partners.
Simply dancing.
And the young ladies who’d danced near him were all delighted.
For they understood they hadn’t been refused.
“Truly graceful, Teacher Ziel…….”
Mortis had moved beyond admiration into feeling an artistic soul stir within him.
His affliction had grown so severe that even Ziel walking could be called art!
“Surely he’s not actually only dancing, since he was told to dance……?”
Relio felt a moment’s doubt, but shook his head immediately.
Impossible.
Anyone could see he was simply being considerate of those who’d asked him to dance!
Relio would not dare suspect otherwise.
It was Ziel, after all.
Yet others offered different interpretations.
“Could it be that he already has a beloved?”
“I heard there was no such person at the Academy…….”
The theory that his choice had already been made!
“Who could it be? With someone of his standing, his beloved must be equally remarkable.”
The names of numerous prominent young ladies came to mind. This was such a place—where gossip flowed without ceasing!
“Surely not from the Elphaba side?”
“She’s reached marriageable age, but I’ve heard her family’s circumstances have been difficult lately.”
“Hmm, then perhaps…….”
One of those sharing gossip glanced about before whispering cautiously.
“The Impe…….”
“Hush! Why would that name come up here? If it reached the wrong ears, all hell would break loose.”
Though everyone dismissed the idea with doubt, the moment that certain person came to mind, none of them could shake the thought.
If it were true, the power structure of this entire Empire would shift dramatically!
‘Is it real? Is there truly that high a chance of it?’
‘Now that I think about it… if that were really the case, could that be why he’s staying on as an Academy teacher?’
‘This is no time to hesitate.’
The nobles waited for Ziel’s dance to end.
There was no longer any room to care about venue or propriety.
If the speculation were actually true!
Establishing a connection with Ziel would be the only way to survive and prosper in this Empire!
But Ziel did not move according to their designs.
“Teacher—”
Before anyone could even call to him, he had already slipped away in search of something delicious to eat.
“Excellent work.”
“To receive praise from Teacher Ziel Steelheart… the Head Chef will be absolutely delighted!”
“Please tell him that his culinary skill is quite exceptional.”
“Yes, of course!”
The ones actually conversing with him were nothing more than common servants—beneath the notice of nobles.
And they thought to themselves:
‘I should have brought the food!’
‘If I’d known, I would have sent my own staff in there!’
Jealousy.
Envy.
Not a single noble dared to approach Ziel after that.
As a result, Ziel found himself enjoying the time immensely.
‘The food is delicious, the spirits are varied, everything is splendid.’
Just as everything seemed splendid and his satisfaction had reached its peak.
“Pardon me, Teacher Ziel Steelheart.”
Someone approached.
“I am Aeron Dweller, Commander of the Imperial Mage Corps.”
The highest-ranking person in this masked ball hall.
“I am Ziel Steelheart, official instructor of the Edelwein Academy Sword School Second Years. What brings you here, Commander Aeron Dweller?”
“I’ve come to apologize for the rudeness and error of our Vice Commander.”
Some of the nobles watching closely were taken aback by the Commander’s unusual demeanor.
The Commander bowing like this!
“But Commander Aeron Dweller, surely the Vice Commander is the one responsible for the mistake?”
“Indeed, but as the head of the organization, I bear the responsibility for any mistake made within it.”
Several nobles suppressed snorts of laughter.
Relio was among them.
‘This is absurd.’
What sort of person was the Commander?
The very man who stood stiffly at attention before everyone save the Emperor himself.
Acknowledging a mistake?
Could he possibly be sincere?
“I offer this apology, Teacher. Should any harm have come from this incident, we shall assist in any way we can.”
The apology itself was already extraordinary, though it must have cost him dearly to swallow his pride.
Relio’s assessment was accurate.
‘Damn that Roton. Stirring up trouble for nothing, and now I have to bow my head. And what exactly is the problem with that…’
The Commander had apologized only because he had to, harboring no genuine sense that anything was wrong.
‘And of all people, why had he to be there. If only he hadn’t been… then I could have dealt with that Emeric fellow…’
And toward this unrepentant man, Ziel posed a question.
“You said you would assist in any way?”
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
“Then please dispatch Imperial Mages to the Academy for the next semester.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Since you offered your assistance, I must take you at your word. Please provide both Mages and Magical Tools for our support. I shall provide you with a detailed list of required equipment and the number of Mages needed at a later time.”
“I… see.”
The deployment of Imperial Mages to the Academy—those who were so insufferably proud they would scarcely leave the Palace except when forced by imperial command!
Relio nearly burst out laughing at the Commander’s suddenly stiffened expression.
‘Teacher Ziel has caught him perfectly.’
Of course, Ziel himself felt quite grateful indeed.
‘The Imperial Mage Corps commander is someone I’ve only read about in books.’
And Commander Aeron thought to himself.
‘Because of that bastard vice commander…….’
The moment this masquerade ball ended, he’d have to go back and destroy him.
“Then I may take it that you’ve agreed?”
…….
“Commander Aeron?”
“Ah, yes. That…… yes, of course.”
“Very well. I understand. It seems it will be of great help not only in classes but in practical training and the Exchange Tournament as well. Thank you.”
…….
Ziel, who had no reason to refuse when taking on additional responsibility!
‘Next semester’s classes will be even more enjoyable.’
Delicious food.
Fine liquor.
And unexpected gains on top of it all.
The masquerade ball truly seemed to be an enjoyable affair.

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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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