On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 432

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

First Day of Infiltration, The Organization Was Destroyed — Episode 432
Renting Land (2)
In the Rim Family Territory, an unexpected struggle over land had erupted.
“Now hold on, I’ve been living here for ten years, I tell you! I was only away resting for a bit!”
“Listen here, what nonsense is that? I know you well enough—you’re not even from this place!”
“You lived in this area? I saw you up there every day! Come on now, let’s be honest about this!”
It was a dispute over land between those renting from the Steelheart Territory and residents from other areas.
One side fought desperately to hold onto what they claimed as theirs, while the other pushed just as hard to squeeze in.
The reason was obvious: the difference between lords.
Why waste away under the Rim Family, destined for ruin and exploitation, when you could start fresh in new lands under a new master?
It was all because Ziel had publicly declared he would accept all existing residents as they were.
From Ziel’s perspective, there was no reason to drive them out.
After all, it was their land to begin with.
Instead, he imposed duties.
They had to forget their old work and take on new responsibilities.
But even accounting for that, people were eager to move, drawn by rumors of the Steelheart Territory.
Or so they said…
“Have you heard about the Steelheart Territory? They say it’s an earthly paradise—an earthly paradise. Not a single person goes hungry there!”
“They’re building a school too! Even ignorant folk like us get to learn swordsmanship and magic!”
Because it was a neighboring territory, news traveled faster. There was also a scheme Ziel knew nothing about—orchestrated by Gibson, the Head Butler.
“You’ve done well, you lot. Where have you been today?”
“We visited the Rim Family and the Svellicke Family!”
“Excellent work. Keep spreading the word. Tell them the Steelheart Territory is a place worth living in!”
Unfortunately, the Valdrain Empire had no freedom of movement for its residents.
Territory inhabitants were legally considered property of their lord.
Yet rumors spread and hearts wavered—that was another matter entirely.
And once people learned they could buy their freedom by paying the lord a sum, residents from other territories began dreaming of moving to the Steelheart Territory one by one.
Ziel did not stop those who wished to relocate there.
But he established rules.
“What’s posted on the board?”
“Looks like the lord’s notice?”
[First]
– Do not commit crimes.
[Second]
– Do not do wrong.
[Third]
– Do not go hungry.
[Fourth]
– Receive education.
“Someone read it aloud! I can’t make out letters, so how would I know?”
“The first and second make sense, but the third and fourth…?”
“When you read what’s written below it together, it’s frightening.”
At the very bottom, it read thus:
– Violation of the above shall result in punishment
* Up to and including execution
“…….”
It was oddly terrifying.
Certainly, a broad interpretation of “do wrong” could include execution, but when you considered the third and fourth rules…
“But… how do we avoid going hungry?”
“And what about education…?”
The third and fourth points were quickly resolved.
“My goodness, it’s all…”
“Those lacking food shall come and receive provisions by order of the lord. However, each household’s assets will be investigated before distribution! Those already prosperous are forbidden from taking!”
This meant food warehouses stationed in each district.
Under the Security Guards, even the ruffians Gibson employed were mobilized to guard these food stores.
As for education, instruction had already begun even before educational facilities were constructed.
“Is it there?”
“I think that’s the right place…”
There were several foundational classes, but the one that drew the most people was unsurprisingly the “Literacy” lesson!
Sadly, unless one was born in the Capital, most territory residents from noble families could neither read nor write—at best, a handful of the more learned handled all matters of reading and writing.
It was a matter of necessity.
Most people spent the entire day doing work wholly unrelated to letters, and then their day ended.
But that wasn’t about to be the case anymore.
“The Lord said that depending on the results of education, we’d be given different work and paid wages for it.”
“So it’s better than farming?”
For people who’d spent their entire lives repeating the same work until death, a new future was decidedly sweet.
Some resisted out of inertia, certainly, but a considerable number came believing in that future!
And today’s teacher was none other than a Knight Order member of the Rihart Family.
“Welcome, everyone. Today we’ll start with basic reading. Fair warning—there’ll be a test once we’re finished, so stay sharp.”
The person teaching the writing class, meanwhile, was a Knight Order member of the Kundel Family!
Ziel had selected the dispatched personnel as teachers, and in doing so, he’d made a promise.
To those who produced good results…….
‘I’ll spar with them.’
‘No matter what, it’ll be me!’
He’d give them the chance to spar.
“Huff, huff!”
Right there, in front of the children, Kelvin was smashing rocks with his fists.
“Wow, that’s amazing!”
“Can I break one too?”
Kelvin answered with pride.
“Much, much muscle!”
“Much muscle?”
“Much, much training!”
“Much muscle and training?”
“So with muscle and training, you can smash rocks?”
“I want to try too!”
One of the measures to raise Kelvin to Master grade!
“Master, competition is good, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I felt its effects multiple times at the Academy.”
In any case, everything had begun, and things were slowly settling into place.
It had been just over a month.
The changes that had occurred in the Steelheart Territory during that time were truly substantial.
“Master, I wouldn’t regret dying now.”
“You’re not dying. You’re healthy now. Your posture’s straightened by over thirty percent compared to before.”
“I’ve been noticing it myself lately! You see well!”
Ziel flinched.
It was his habit to usually ask how the person knew, then simply answer that he could see it.
‘This one knows me well. So this is what a Head Butler is.’
Ziel was misunderstanding things today too.
“By the way, that talkative knight you have—he’s still around, isn’t he?”
“You mean Gunter.”
“Yes! Sir Gunter is receiving high praise.”
“……High praise?”
He’d read about it in a book not long ago.
Precisely: mixed emotions.
He’d hoped for good results and established the position, but he hadn’t wanted to hear such praise from someone else’s lips.
“They say he listens well, and though he talks quite a bit, he provides various solutions. Word is he even goes there personally to help when needed.”
“I see…….”
Still, he seemed to be doing well.
Another advantage was that since taking the Consultation Office position, he no longer came looking for Ziel!
It was truly a relief.
“And Master, to report additionally, the Territory rentals are proceeding very smoothly. By tomorrow, one more lease is expected to be completed.”
“Excellent.”
Ziel’s territorial conquest was progressing smoothly.
From the Rim Family alone, he’d secured land that could house around five hundred people.
Considerable sums left his coffers each month, but to Ziel, money was nothing.
He had savings set aside, but he’d accumulated more wealth since arriving at this Territory.
‘Boss, starting with rentals and naturally devouring the surrounding territories—quite the plan!’
Gilbert, standing beside him, marveled at it.
Starting with the Rim Family and other neighboring Territories, he’d rented land by paying money, and it already amounted to land that could accommodate an additional five thousand residents.
While the lease is maintained, this territory falls under the de facto control of Steelheart Territory, and all associated duties transfer accordingly to Steelheart’s jurisdiction.
It was an unprecedented contract, but to Gilbert’s eyes, it amounted to seizing the land without a duel.
‘Foolish lords. They’re delighted just to receive coin.’
Of course, for Ziel it was a transaction conducted with perfect fairness—renting the land at a proper price.
The efficiency, too, was excellent.
From these rented territories, productive activity would soon commence.
“Gibson.”
“Yes, Master!”
“On the rented land, plant crops that taste good—ones that are both delicious and sell well.”
“Understood!”
“And build a brewery on another section.”
“A brewery… are you intending to produce and sell alcohol, sir?”
“I’ll drink some of it.”
“Ah.”
“And I’ll sell the rest.”
Ziel understood luxury poorly.
He understood even less why one should indulge in it.
But this much he knew.
One must earn more than one spends.
So from rented land, the iron rule was to generate at minimum a profit exceeding the rental cost!
“I’ll prepare it at once. Conveniently, the Rihart and Kundel families have sent us agricultural specialists.”
“For the brewing technician, use someone from the North.”
“It shall be done without question.”
In this way, he’d expanded his territory, earned profit, and killed two birds with one stone!
Ziel’s plan was proceeding smoothly.
And now his attention turned westward.
“Gibson, I hear there’s a desert to the west.”
“That’s correct, Master.”
“What’s in the desert?”
“Everything exists there, and yet nothing exists at all.”
Ziel’s interest was piqued.
“I read about it in a book. That sounds like a riddle.”
“Indeed, Master, your wisdom is remarkable!”
The two got along quite well.
“It’s a famous riddle in the Western Region. Would you care to solve it?”
“Mm.”
Ziel began to think intently.
A rare sight—Ziel, who ordinarily decided within a second, was taking his time!
Then a piece of knowledge surfaced in his mind!
“Could it be a mirage?”
“Precisely! It reflects the very desires of humankind!”
“Then ‘nothing exists’ means the mirage is but illusion.”
“Master, you are indeed the head of the Steelheart Family.”
“Mm.”
Ziel nodded with satisfaction.
There was something special about proving knowledge acquired from books in practice!
‘I really should build a grand library.’
Ziel’s interest in the desert had but one source.
It was vast.
But it was empty land.
Of course, Ziel understood well enough why people couldn’t live there.
So he summoned Zephyros.
“I’ve brought him, Master.”
Zephyros had seemed bewildered at first, but the moment Ziel spoke, his eyes lit up.
“Zephyros, have you ever researched how people might inhabit the desert?”
It was nothing short of a trial for Zephyros.
“You ask me to attempt this? You present me with a trial of the impossible!”
“Give it a try. Then my territory expands.”
“Then may I remain here and conduct my research?”
“Do so.”
Zephyros bolted out with renewed vigor.
Gibson watched his departure with a puzzled expression.
“Shouldn’t a person normally feel some sense of helplessness in this situation?”
“He’s the type who finds research more entertaining than anything else in the world.”
“As expected of you, Master! You’ve gathered quite remarkable people!”
“Mm. Once I take control of the desert, Steelheart Territory will expand even further.”
“……You mean the desert itself?”
“Yes. It would be wasteful to leave all that vast empty land untouched.”
People do live in the desert—but only the nomads who have dwelled there for ages.
Even they never remain in one place for long, constantly moving from spot to spot. There’s no point staying put when you can’t farm.
‘Master, what kind of plan are you cooking up?’
Suddenly a conversation Gibson had with the Boss came back to mind.
‘The Boss has grand designs that even a Head Butler like me could never imagine.’
‘Boss? Here you should at least call him Master, or Lord!’
‘No, I’m just so used to saying it…….’
‘You troublemaker!’
He’d been distracted scolding himself over his form of address, and now he finally understood why it kept slipping back.
“And Gibson.”
“…….”
“Gibson.”
“Ah, yes! Master! Did you call for me?”
Now it was time for Ziel to wrap up his first stay in this place.
“I’m departing for the Academy the day after tomorrow.”
“Goodness, time really does fly…….”
“So while I’m away, manage the territory well. If anything urgent arises, send me a letter.”
“Understood!”
Gilbert, Kelvin, and the students who had visited Ziel’s territory were all returning with him.
Theo was returning as well.
Theo lamented the loss of his kitchen assistant, but Ziel promised to find him a replacement the moment they returned.
Just over a month had passed.
Ziel had gained much.
And he had also started many things.
‘I look forward to coming back.’
But now it was time to return to his role as an Academy teacher.
And the Second Years were about to move up to Third Year as well.
‘Ah, I should tell Department Head Berhal Abue that Personnel Director Locus Abue came looking for him.’
There would be much to discuss when he returned.
And naturally, much work awaited.
A new grade level and a new semester.
A new curriculum.
And…….
‘I’ll need to raise the difficulty considerably.’
An extraordinarily harsh curriculum that the students had yet to discover.
Ziel was planning something truly extraordinary.
It was nothing less than—
“Gilbert. Once we return, map out the magical beast habitats and bandit organizations around the Capital and in the Eastern Region.”
Brutal practical combat training.
“Huh? So you’re planning to do more ‘good deeds’ near the Capital and Eastern Region as well?”
Ziel sat in silence for a moment at those words, then nodded.
“Combining our efforts will allow us to move more efficiently.”
Now he would have to prepare gifts for nobles in other regions too.
“And have Berte, the Trading Company Head, brought to me. There’s a task for him.”
“Understood. Might I ask what task?”
“I’m going to purchase an abandoned castle in the Eastern Region.”
“……!”
A castle!
Gilbert’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
‘Is he fulfilling a man’s fantasy?’
Not this time.
“I’ll use it as a base of operations.”

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