On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 47

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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 047

 

 

Hateful and Annoying

 

 

Elcanto is a former Grand Knight.

The highest rank among knights, excluding Imperial Knights!

It’s also proof that he achieved mastery in swordsmanship.

No matter how much his body had grown soft and distant from real combat, instincts don’t just disappear.

 

‘I couldn’t see it at all.’

 

The series of actions that brought down the magic doll.

He could understand the ‘result’ – that it was stabbed in the chest, its core destroyed, and collapsed…

But he couldn’t see the ‘process’ of how it moved.

 

‘My skills really have deteriorated.’

 

Elcanto decided to just think of it that way.

There was no other way to explain it.

More precisely, he didn’t want to acknowledge it.

 

“Professor. I’ll handle this and return shortly. Your ankle seems cracked, so don’t move.”

 

Ziel left those words and faced the remaining two dolls.

 

‘How does he know about the ankle crack?’

 

The word ‘faced’ wasn’t really appropriate.

 

Bang!

 

One approached, dodged its sword completely, slammed it to the ground, then snatched away its sword and plunged it into its chest.

This time he could see it.

But it was even more shocking.

 

‘What kind of movement is that?’

 

The series of actions – knocking it down, stealing the sword, and stabbing it in the chest – were all perfect.

Those attacks executed with restrained movements, no waste, using only the minimum necessary force.

The remaining one was the same.

 

Clang!

 

He leaped in front of the magic doll rushing toward the students and landed, then deflected the incoming sword strike with just his hand.

 

‘Is this some kind of trick?’

 

A divine technique of precisely striking the side of the sword.

Reaching out to a flying blade is already insane, but to pull that off like that?

And the finish was with the stolen sword.

 

Crack!

 

The magic doll that lost its core collapsed limply.

Ziel looked up without his breathing being disturbed in the slightest.

 

‘They should be climbing up well.’

 

With this, all the magic dolls that had been tracking were dealt with.

Ziel approached Elcanto.

 

“It’s cracked. You mustn’t move.”

“Ugh. How did you know?”

“I can tell by looking.”

“…”

 

Ziel opened his first aid kit and treated the injury in an instant.

His hand movements were extraordinary.

The treatment was perfect too.

And one more thing.

Ziel poked the cracked ankle with his fingertips.

 

“Try standing up and walking.”

“Ugh. Hmm? It doesn’t hurt that much…”

“It’s a temporary measure.”

 

There’s no way it would feel this fine just from wrapping some bandages.

 

“It’ll be fine for a while, but don’t move around too much.”

“I understand. Thank you.”

 

‘Is this what being exceptional means?’

 

Only then did the magic dolls catch his eye again.

They lay collapsed without the slightest movement.

 

‘As expected… there’s a reason he has the Imperial Palace backing him.’

 

The movements he showed while dealing with the magic dolls made it clear.

He’s an incredible expert.

As expected of someone backed by the Imperial Palace.

Though there was no evidence anywhere, in Elcanto’s mind, Ziel was already confirmed as someone backed by the Imperial Palace.

 

“Ah, and… I survived thanks to you.”

“I know that too.”

“…”

 

At times like this, he’s really hateful.

But Elcanto’s heart melted away at the words that followed.

 

“And I know that the students are safe thanks to you, Professor.”

“Ah… That, that was…”

“Thank you.”

 

Ziel was sincere.

If Elcanto had been even a little late, the students would have almost certainly been hurt.

 

‘They might have even died if things went wrong.’

 

The skill level of the magic dolls was considerable even from Ziel’s perspective.

While there were plenty of ways to take them down since they couldn’t think at a high level, that only applied to those with skills above a certain threshold.

 

“Ahem. It’s nothing special. It was just what I had to do.”

 

Elcanto’s words were also sincere.

For the students.

When he leaped with all his might, accepting the risk of fracturing his ankle, it was surely only that feeling!

He felt proud.

And he was certain that he still had a heart that cared for the students…

 

“In case something like this happens again… you should lose weight.”

“Huh?”

“If you’re heavier, it puts more impact on your ankle.”

 

Calm advice.

There wasn’t even a trace of malice to be found…

 

‘I hate him, I hate him.’

 

Why was this making him so angry?

 

“Hmm. Ahem. I’ll handle that myself. Anyway… Phew. What on earth is this situation? I definitely saw the First Years dealing with the magic dolls.”

“Is that so?”

“Ah, yes. They handled them properly in pairs of two. How did you train them?”

“I trained them well.”

“…”

 

Really hateful.

 

“Hmm. So magic dolls shouldn’t get back up once they’re suppressed like that… It does seem like they’ve gone out of control as the Department Head said.”

 

At those words, Ziel looked at the three fallen magic dolls.

 

“What usually happens to magic dolls that go out of control?”

“I don’t know for sure, but I believe they stop immediately. There should be safety measures in place.”

“Then that means another control system intervened.”

“… That could be how the story goes.”

 

Exchange Tournament.

Sword School’s biggest event, and this time it was especially important.

All the family heads had gathered here.

Especially with the Great Lord families of Kundel and Rihart leading, all the subordinate family heads had attended.

And an accident like this happened?

 

‘We’re all dead.’

 

It was too horrible to even imagine what would happen.

Fortunately, the students weren’t hurt, but the mere fact that the magic dolls went out of control was a problem.

The situation had become too big to make excuses about Arcane School.

Meanwhile, whether Ziel knew the seriousness or not, he was approaching the magic dolls and examining something.

 

“Teacher Ziel, let’s go up first and assess the situation…”

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“There’s a scent and traces on the magic dolls.”

“Scent and… traces?”

 

What did he mean by scent, and what were these traces?

 

“The traces lead in that direction.”

 

‘Ah! He’s using equipment.’

 

Elcanto understood when he saw Ziel take something out.

But what Ziel was holding was just an ordinary dagger.

 

Scrape scrape.

 

Ziel scraped the hard surface of the magic doll’s skin to secure a sample.

It was a kind of evidence collection.

 

“Professor, please go up first. I’ll check on the other students’ safety.”

 

Actually, he was planning to track them.

But that was something only assassins could do.

Ziel deliberately didn’t mention the word tracking.

But the situation was still serious.

 

‘Who would dare do this at the Exchange Tournament…’

 

And at an Exchange Tournament where the family heads had gathered!

But if someone had indeed intervened, this was a major incident.

It might not end with simply threatening the students.

 

‘Even the family heads…?’

 

When he thought about it, there was no better opportunity than this.

The heads of families are gathered in one place.

Even the mountain peak where it’s difficult to escape quickly.

Isn’t there sufficient reason for terrorism?

 

‘Forces aiming to overthrow the Empire!’

 

Elcanto’s thoughts growing uncontrollably.

In the current situation, it’s a reasonable enough thought.

In the midst of this, Ziel discovered one more very faint trace.

It’s not mana.

A location slightly away from the path where traces of mana were found.

It’s the bushes.

 

‘It’s a person.’

 

There are no footprints.

It’s not like someone dropped any belongings either.

The reason he can tell despite this is the scent.

 

‘It’s a scent I’ve smelled somewhere before.’

 

It’s not exactly the same scent.

Should I say it feels like a familiar scent mixed with other scents?

 

‘Locus.’

 

The professor council.

The man he saw there.

Locus, the head of Edelwein Academy’s Personnel Department.

That scent is mixed with other scents.

 

‘Same route.’

 

The scent traces continue all around the mana traces.

There’s more to track.

 

“Professor, here’s this for now.”

 

Ziel handed over the collected sample.

 

“Please deliver this to the Department Head. The mana that interfered with this magic doll is on it.”

 

Blue liquid contained in a small bottle and fragments from the doll’s skin surface.

 

“When did you…”

 

It was getting a bit strange to question things now.

Considering he had so easily suppressed the magic dolls that were facing off against a Grand Knight.

 

“Well then.”

 

Ziel just nodded and left like that.

In an instant.

Left alone, Elcanto wore a bewildered expression in a situation where he couldn’t make heads or tails of anything.

 

“Ugh.”

 

But the pain in his ankle that he soon felt brought Elcanto back to his senses.

Thanks to Ziel’s treatment, it hurt less than it should for being cracked, but it would throb terribly soon.

 

“I have to go. Phew. Damn it.”

 

Elcanto began climbing the mountain.

With his breath rising again, he made a resolution.

I’m definitely going to lose weight.

 

 

“Oh! Someone’s coming up!”

“Who is it? Who’s first?”

 

The first match was ending.

The galleries at the summit cheered.

The first finishers had finally appeared.

A group of students who appeared with relaxed expressions, not looking particularly tired.

Looking at their flag…

 

“As expected, it’s the Fifth Years!”

 

It was the Fifth Years.

The record was 1 hour and 35 minutes.

Even considering that the final obstacle couldn’t be implemented due to circumstances, it was a considerable record.

 

“As expected, the Fifth Years will take this year’s Exchange Tournament too…”

“You can’t match the Fifth Years’ experience, indeed.”

 

They say that Sword School students who are consistently selected for Exchange Tournament members usually experience one championship.

That’s when they’re Fifth Years.

The difference in grade level is that absolute.

While there are occasional upsets, it’s usually just the rankings between Fourth and Fifth Years, which include several outstanding talents, switching in a single match.

Everyone naturally thought it would be the same this time.

The next ranking should be Fourth Years…

 

“They’re coming up over there!”

 

As expected.

The Fourth Years were entering with expressions less relaxed than the Fifth Years.

The established order.

Next would be Third Years, then Second Years, and finally, of course, First Years…

 

“Oh, look, look over there!”

 

Instead, a group of students entering the arrival point of a different course were none other than-

 

“They’re First Years!”

“My goodness! Look there, the young lady of Rihart…!”

“Family Head! There’s young master Delev Kundel!”

 

They were First Years.

An unbelievable result.

They had drawn the difficult D Course, yet finished with barely any difference from the fourth years.

If this happens…

 

“Are the First Years tied with the fourth years?

 

With bonus points, the First Years and fourth years are tied!

The First Year parents cheered at one noble’s words.

At this moment, regardless of being great lords or whatever, everyone embraced and jumped around.

Parents united in front of their children.

It was a beautiful sight, but the fourth year parents couldn’t do the same.

Especially Aimerus Kundel, who had First Year, third year, and fifth year students as children simultaneously.

 

‘So does this mean Aken lost to Delev?’

 

Delev’s older brother, Aken Kundel, was a third year.

 

‘This is troublesome.’

 

Actually, since he came to see his youngest, he should be happy about the youngest’s achievement…

But with all his sons looking this way, he couldn’t just be purely happy either.

 

“Family Head! Young master Delev’s talent is truly remarkable! He must have led the First Years to achieve such an incredible record!”

 

Amos tried to maintain his dignity despite the fuss beside him.

 

“Ahem. What does ranking matter? Healthy competition is more important.”

“Ah, my thinking was shallow, Family Head.”

“Mm. Don’t worry about it.”

 

Meanwhile.

 

“Hahahaha! That’s my daughter! Second place! Can you believe it? Hahahahaha!”

“Family Head! As expected of Rihart’s young lady! Incredible talent! She must have led the First Years to achieve such an incredible record!”

“Of course! She’s my daughter! Kuhahahaha!”

“Boss! You’re amazing!”

“Hey you! All the Family Heads are here!”

“Ah, sorry.”

 

Darren Rihart laughed boisterously.

 

‘That obnoxious fool.’

‘Hmph. Just putting on airs for nothing.’

 

Even in this situation, the two Family Heads glared at each other and cursed inwardly.

Unaware of such circumstances, the subordinate lords were busy being enthusiastic beside them.

But there were those who weren’t intoxicated by the euphoria of victory.

The First Years.

 

“Leader, I’ll go and tell them.”

“Oh, I’ll…”

“Leader should check the team members’ injuries and condition first. That’s what a leader should do, right?”

“What a leader should do… Got it!”

 

Delev stopped Quantus, who was about to go report immediately.

But then Berhal approached first.

 

“Is everyone okay? Any injuries?”

 

The fifth years and fourth years didn’t look very tired.

But the First Years all looked unwell and extremely exhausted despite reaching the arrival point.

 

“W-we’re fine. But Professor Elcanto…”

 

Berhal’s expression hardened at Delev’s words.

 

‘The magic dolls went toward the First Years…’

 

The accident that happened during the last selection.

Why was he remembering that?

It was clearly revealed that Delev had been attacked under Takeus’s orders.

Then this time too…

 

“Where is Professor Elcanto?”

“He told us to go up first while he saved us…”

 

Magic dolls.

If they went out of control and their settings changed, each one would probably be at a level to face a Grand Knight.

But Elcanto’s skills had declined considerably from before.

 

‘It could be dangerous.’

 

Security Guards had followed down, but they would have scattered in all directions for the search.

If Elcanto faced them alone, in the worst case…

 

“Department Head, over there…!”

 

Then Yurio urgently raised his hand and pointed in one direction.

The point where the First Years had come up.

From there, Elcanto was limping up.

 

“…!”

 

Berhal rushed over urgently.

Fortunately, there didn’t seem to be any serious injuries.

 

“Professor Elcanto.”

“D-Department Head. Huff. Wheeze.”

 

He looked like he was about to collapse from breathlessness.

It wasn’t because he was injured.

It was because he was overweight.

 

“You’ve returned safely. Thank goodness.”

“Wheeze, wheeze.”

“You’ve worked hard. I heard you protected the students? Well done.”

 

At this moment, Elcanto was swept by intense temptation.

Should he take all the credit?

But he soon changed his mind.

 

‘No, that’s not right.’

 

It was true that he had saved the students.

But there was someone else who truly saved them.

 

“It’s thanks to Teacher Ziel.”

“Teacher Ziel….”

“I did block the magic dolls at first, but if it weren’t for Teacher Ziel, I probably would have….”

 

He was someone who was a former Grand Knight and even a Sword School professor.

Attributing the credit to a liberal arts instructor like this wasn’t actually easy.

 

‘If it really weren’t for Teacher Ziel, I would have died.’

 

His body had become too sluggish to face three magic dolls.

Though he felt embarrassed saying it, acknowledging it actually felt refreshing.

But unexpected words came from Berhal’s mouth.

 

“I heard from the students. The fact that Professor Elcanto saved the students is definitely true. You did well. Really well.”

“…Thank you.”

 

Berhal looked at Elcanto again.

 

‘I thought he was only interested in his own welfare….’

 

It seems he still has some heart for caring about students.

I should change my evaluation.

 

“What happened to Teacher Ziel?”

“He destroyed three magic dolls and went to check on the safety of other students.”

 

Elcanto pulled out the sample vial Ziel had given him from his chest.

 

“He gave me this. He said there’s mana on it that’s presumed to have interfered with the magic dolls.”

“….”

 

Taking the sample vial, Berhal glanced back.

He could see the mages still investigating the cause.

 

“Understood. I’ll take care of it. But please keep quiet about this to the Arcane School side.”

“Ah, understood.”

 

Elcanto couldn’t understand what the intention was.

He could only nod for now.

 

‘He destroyed three magic dolls….’

 

And one more thing.

The fact that three magic dolls had attacked the First Years was clearly revealed.

This meant there might be forces with impure intentions interfering in this Exchange Tournament.

 

‘Could the target be Delev again this time?’

 

Three magic dolls that went out of control.

What those magic dolls targeted was the First Year team.

Traces of different mana on the magic dolls.

And the one who initially stopped this situation was none other than….

Sword School’s liberal arts instructor.

Ziel Steelheart.

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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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