On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 433

—————
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 433
The Transfer Entrance Exam (1)
The Emperor of the Valdrain Empire.
A man so extraordinarily busy that he stamps seals dozens of times a day and melts wax to impress his seal—judging by his workload alone.
Perhaps he was the one who made the weightiest decisions most frequently in this entire empire, and yet lately there was one matter that had begun to occupy his thoughts.
Or rather, it had always held his attention, but in recent days there was one thing in particular.
‘The progress of the Steelheart Territory is truly remarkable. Such change in merely a month.’
It was Ziel Steelheart.
And the Steelheart Territory, restored to its former standing.
Frankly, he had expected it to remain in ruins for some time. The number of territory residents was small to begin with, and progress always demanded time.
But today’s report contained a strong conviction that within a few months, the territory would not only restore its functions but surpass them.
‘Connections… money… it’s difficult to attribute it to those reasons alone.’
Ziel Steelheart possessed a power to draw people close and hold them within his sphere.
He had started as nothing more than a Liberal Arts teacher at the Sword School in the Academy.
Yet in just two years, he had built such standing.
That was why he had been afraid at first.
Afraid that this man might threaten his own position.
To suppress him by force was uncertain—his strength remained an unknown—and he was bold enough to challenge even the Emperor to sparring.
But perhaps because of that.
The more the Emperor came to know Ziel Steelheart…
The less threatening he felt.
Only more curious.
“Your Majesty.”
A voice broke through his reverie.
His second son.
Dietrich.
He had just returned from the Northern Region.
“I trust you have been well.”
“Indeed. Pay me no ceremony—speak freely.”
“Yes, Father.”
It was their first private audience in some time.
Coincidentally, the first thing Dietrich brought up was news of Ziel.
“I heard the news. Ziel Steelheart—or rather, Ziel Steelheart, the Family Head—has been granted a territory.”
“Yes. I restored his standing as a reward.”
“I see. It is remarkable. Even in the North, his reputation has spread far and wide. The Head of Harmatan, in particular, speaks of him without end. The Head of Renfield does the same.”
Dietrich’s eyes held the same light the Emperor remembered.
“You are still deeply devoted to that man, I see, my son.”
“…”
“Have you still not let go of your attachment to him?”
At the Emperor’s words, Dietrich considered for a moment, then nodded.
“Yes, Father. As long as my eldest brother exists… I shall face endless challenges.”
Likely his eldest brother Franz would give the same answer.
Yet the bond between the two was not strained.
A relationship that had grown distant one day, then grown close again another.
The Emperor still remembered the “secret base” the two had built on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.
“Even I have not won that heart. So go forth and prove yourself worthy.”
“I shall do my utmost, Father.”
“Good.”
Then Dietrich asked quite suddenly.
“Father, the power of the Family Head Ziel Steelheart will only grow stronger.”
The Emperor showed interest in Dietrich’s words.
‘Is he speaking from what he learned in the North?’
In days past, he would never have raised such a matter before the Emperor.
More precisely, his mind had not yet matured enough to analyze the political situation and pose such questions.
“Should we simply allow it?”
At that question, the Emperor smiled inwardly.
“What would you have us do?”
“At minimum, we must apply some restraint. The Western nobles are consolidating around Ziel Steelheart.”
Dietrich spoke now without personal desire coloring his words.
He likely believed himself to be acting in the Empire’s interest alone.
“You’re still full of ambition, my son.”
“What…… do you mean, Father?”
“Are you worried that if Ziel Steelheart’s faction grows beyond a certain point, you’ll no longer be able to draw him into your orbit?”
Dietrich fell silent.
The Emperor had struck home.
“It’s fine. Politics, by its nature, means keeping desire locked away and showing only the shell. You’re doing well.”
“Father, I…….”
“Yes. Minimal restraint. So then—how do you intend to manage this restraint?”
“…….”
“You are a prince. When you voice a proposal, you must consider every possible answer to it. Do you understand?”
“Yes…….”
No method came readily to mind.
Not military force, nor intimidation through confinement.
Dietrich knew better than anyone that such approaches were flawed from the start.
“Don’t restrain him at all.”
“Sir?”
Even so, the Emperor’s words were quite shocking.
“Why…….”
“Because there is no need.”
“But Father, those who follow the Head of Steelheart are growing in number by the day. If they were to…….”
He let his words drift, but the Emperor could hardly have missed the implication.
Yet the Emperor shook his head nonetheless.
“He is not that sort of man.”
“Father.”
“Nor is he one who harbors such ambitions.”
“…….”
That was the conclusion the Emperor had reached.
And from the direct conversation he’d had with Ziel, the man possessed a rather peculiar form of desire.
One that was thoroughly personal in nature.
Yet that desire did not extend into great malice.
It was not the kind of ambition that required killing or taking from others to achieve.
“I will watch him. But if nothing unusual emerges, I will leave him as he is.”
“…….”
The Emperor’s resolve was unshakeable.
Ziel Steelheart.
A tremendous presence who had appeared without warning.
Yet a uniquely non-threatening one.
“And once your preparations are complete, depart for the Eastern Region.”
“The Eastern Region…… Father?”
“Yes. Strange phenomena are occurring there, I’m told. News of it reaches the Family Heads of the East in steady succession.”
“I understand, Father.”
“I am entrusting you with this mission.”
“I will prove myself equal to it.”
Dietrich lingered a moment longer, then withdrew.
For a father and son to part, it was remarkably spare of sentiment—yet the father had learned much of his son in those few words.
‘Still so young.’
The faint smile that crossed his face was no mockery whatsoever.
His son’s transparent inner thoughts were nothing if not endearing.
“Hmm.”
After Dietrich’s departure, the Emperor gazed out toward the window.
The moon shone brightly.
‘Perhaps it’s time to take up the sword again.’
A bout with Ziel Steelheart!
The Emperor felt a surge of anticipation.
And…….
“I never thought I’d feel this way.”
He was looking forward to it.
* * *
The moment Ziel returned to the Academy, he sent shockwaves through the Faculty Meeting.
“So what you’re saying is…… right now…….”
Berhal stumbled through his words before finally managing to ask.
“Are you saying that all of this year’s Third Year classes will be conducted outside the Academy?”
“That’s correct. Long-term practical training.”
“Long-term practical training……”
“Survival training. It’s necessary for the students’ growth.”
“Hmm……”
Every year, Ziel had astonished not just the students but the professors themselves with curricula that were inventive, rigorous, and frankly appalling — yet even he hadn’t anticipated this.
“Teacher Ziel, or rather, Family Head, well, since this is the Academy, I should say Teacher.”
Berhal finally steadied himself and continued.
“They’re still students. This could be far too dangerous. If you call it real combat, that essentially means they’ll be fighting constantly……”
“If I’m present, no one will die. They may be wounded. We can treat that.”
The sheer simplicity of his logic left Berhal, and indeed all the other professors, at a loss for words.
Even Isabella, who rarely showed emotional fluctuation, looked positively stunned.
Yet at the same time, she was intensely curious.
‘What on earth could this curriculum be?’
Having just graduated her Sixth Years last year and newly assigned to teach First Years this term, Isabella desperately needed fresh course material!
‘That’s Ziel the Teacher for you! Or rather, Ziel the Family Head!’
Elcanto, as always, offered his praise, while Merhen and Idel nodded vigorously in agreement.
That said, Merhen and Idel both looked gaunt, their cheeks hollowed out much like Elcanto’s had been — whatever they’d done during the break, it had clearly taken its toll.
And Alyx, who’d spent the entire break at the Iron Keep handling his backlog of Executioner Knight duties, simply stared blankly ahead.
‘My head’s already spinning just thinking about teaching the Second Years……’
“The specific plan is…… ah, it’s already been prepared, I see.”
The plan document that had been drafted on the way back to the Academy!
Berhal let out a groan as he received the document from Ziel.
“An ancient castle in the Eastern Region……”
“I purchased it. Quite inexpensively, in fact.”
“……”
So the idea was to acquire an ancient castle situated between the Eastern Region and the Capital, using it as a base of operations for the long-term practical training.
Naturally, there were no objections to be made.
Most importantly, Ziel was the one overseeing it.
The only problem was the absence of precedent.
Though that wasn’t really a problem either.
Everything was explainable by a single fact: it was Ziel.
Deliberation didn’t last long.
“Then we shall proceed that way……”
With a sigh that anyone could recognize, Berhal continued turning through the plan document.
What it contained was extraordinary.
Hunting magical beasts, subjugating bandit organizations, exploring ruins, touring deep caves in the mountains……
It would have been an extraordinary plan even if applied to the Knight Order, yet this was supposedly the practical training for Third Years.
“……”
Meanwhile, the other professors’ behavior was becoming conspicuous.
In particular, Professor Isabella had grown remarkably proactive since the festival at the end of last semester, and had made various proposals to Berhal during the break.
Perhaps she’d been inspired by Ziel’s plan.
But that wasn’t all.
The remaining professors, especially Merhen and Idel, who changed even faster than Isabella……
“Then our Fifth Years shall conduct practical training on an island! Not Osu Island, but there’s supposedly an island a day’s journey from the Southern Coast there!”
“And our Sixth Years shall……”
“Professor Idel, Sixth Year is the graduation semester. Come to your senses.”
“Ah.”
Fortunately, one professor had managed to stop him.
“And Professor Merhen, submit your plan document first.”
“……Yes, sir.”
The other professor had also managed to rein him in for now.
“So I thought……I was thinking of the Western Desert……”
There was no need to deliberate before rejecting it.
“That won’t do.”
Fortunately, Ziel rejected it on his behalf.
“Yes, the desert would be problematic, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes. It will soon become my territory.”
“……”
That’s what I thought, but Ziel was spouting nonsense again.
‘The desert is his territory?’
Had His Majesty the Emperor run out of better gifts and handed over a worthless desert just to have something to give?
Anyway, that wasn’t the important part.
“Any other professors who wish to devise similar plans must submit a proper proposal. And…… well. I trust you understand what I’m getting at.”
I’d glossed over it deliberately, but the message was clear enough.
Come prepared with real capability.
Otherwise you’re just sending students out to their deaths.
Ziel could manage it.
But the other professors? That was another matter entirely.
Not unless this was some leisurely resort getaway!
‘So Teacher Ziel has come up with yet another plan that defies reason. Buy an ancient castle, establish a base there, conduct practical training throughout the entire semester…’
Now that I thought about it, there was nothing surprising about that at all.
The other professors would have their hands full trying to keep up with Ziel’s pace.
Still, it seemed this year would bring its share of extraordinary developments.
“Then let us move on to the next matter. The next item is……”
This was one of them.
“We have received transfer applications from a total of fifty students from Telvir Academy this year.”
Transfers, that’s what this was about.
There had been rumors circulating for some time, but now it seemed the formal procedures were finally moving forward.
“Pardon me, Department Head. If there are fifty students, how many are transferring from each grade level?”
It was Alyx asking.
Naturally, there wouldn’t be any First Years or Sixth Years. New students had no reason to transfer, nor did those about to graduate.
So the transfers would presumably be distributed among the Second through Fifth Years.
That’s what I’d assumed.
“……All fifty have applied to transfer as Third Years.”
“Pardon?”
“What?”

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