On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 95

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

The Organization Collapsed on My First Day of Infiltration Episode 095

 

 

 

 

 

Tollen Trading Company (2)

 

 

 

 

 

The home visits continued.

 

This time, the Hopel Family.

 

Ziel was a little surprised.

 

 

 

‘It’s quite different from student Quantus Hopel.’

 

 

 

Unlike the previous two families, the person who greeted him was Lady Hopel herself.

 

In complete contrast to the feeling he had gotten from Quantus, she overflowed with elegance, dignity, and gentleness.

 

 

 

“You must have had a hard journey coming all this way, Teacher.”

 

“Teacher, welcome! Hahahahaha!”

 

 

 

On the other hand, Quantus’s father and Head of Hofel Family looked exactly as he had seen before, perfectly resembling Quantus.

 

 

 

“…So, I raised our son with the mindset of making him even better than myself, and that’s how he turned out! Hahahahaha!”

 

 

 

Thanks to that, Quantus, who was usually noisy and prone to saying strange things, was very well-behaved in front of his father.

 

 

 

‘He did say he respects his father the most.’

 

 

 

That’s what Quantus had said.

 

That he was the most manly person in the world.

 

 

 

“Since he said he learned a lot at the Academy, I’ve been training him incredibly hard lately. I’ll guide him well so he can return even bigger next semester!”

 

“Father, are we training today too?”

 

“Of course! Dragging logs around the training ground 100 times!”

 

“Let’s make it 150 times! Should I show the Teacher?”

 

 

 

Hmm.

 

Perhaps their intelligence was similar too.

 

Ziel suddenly recalled the common point he had noticed during the home visits.

 

 

 

‘Is that love?’

 

 

 

The existence called family.

 

Most of the student parents he had encountered so far showed that they cherished their children dearly.

 

Ziel had a question about this.

 

Why?

 

Why were parents able to do anything for their children?

 

 

 

‘Without receiving anything in return.’

 

 

 

Ziel didn’t know much about the concept of family.

 

He had only encountered it in dictionary definitions.

 

Even after seeing these people, he still didn’t fully understand, but he felt like he knew one thing.

 

 

 

‘It seems like mutual interests don’t exist.’

 

 

 

They don’t calculate gains and losses in what they give and receive.

 

 

 

“But Father, you’re training together like this, but don’t you have the territory inspection tomorrow?”

 

“Training with my son – how could being tired matter? Hahaha!”

 

 

 

Beings who could pour unlimited love regardless of whether the other person wanted it or not.

 

That seemed to be what family was.

 

 

 

“By the way, Teacher. Please take good care of our son. Oh, of course, I’m absolutely not asking you to give special attention to just our son. Just please guide him well. If he acts rudely, please deal with him sternly, and if he does well, please praise him…”

 

 

 

Was that how all parents felt?

 

For Ziel, who had never been a parent nor felt what it was like to have parents, it was an unknowable yet refreshing emotion.

 

 

 

“Well, sometimes he can be… excessively aggressive because I raise him to be strong, but I think that’s better than being weak. However, if you think it’s too much, please rein him in, Teacher. I’ve heard of your reputation.”

 

 

 

Quantus obediently kept his mouth shut every time his father spoke like this.

 

It seemed like he was seeing many interesting scenes through these home visits.

 

Was that what parents were like?

 

The previous two family heads had been the same way.

 

 

 

“Student Quantus Hopel is doing well. His progress is good too…”

 

 

 

Ziel hesitated for a moment, then brought up something else instead of intelligence.

 

 

 

“He’s a student who will get even better in the future.”

 

“Really!”

 

 

 

Why was that?

 

This time, he didn’t particularly want to mention any criticisms.

 

 

 

‘Parents have no choice but to react like that when their child is praised.’

 

 

 

Of course, not all parents were necessarily like that.

 

The very next destination.

 

 

 

“Welcome to the Hillbilly Family, Teacher.”

 

 

 

It was when he visited the Hillbilly Family of Kus, Delev’s close friend.

 

 

 

“Is there no particular problem with my son?”

 

“No problems. He has made much progress during this semester.”

 

“Even so, he has less talent than my older son. When he graduates, I plan to put him in some knight order, so please understand that.”

 

 

 

The Head of Hillbilly Family seemed to have little interest in educating his second son since he wasn’t the heir.

 

He only glanced halfheartedly at the materials Ziel had carefully prepared, while Kus just hung his head in disappointment at his father’s attitude.

 

So Ziel asked.

 

 

 

“Are you not interested in your child’s education?”

 

 

 

At those words, the Family Head’s eyebrows twitched.

 

 

 

“There’s only one person who will inherit the family, Teacher. Unless their talent is as exceptional as someone from the Kundel Family, what would there be to worry about greatly?”

 

“I see. Then did you know that Student Kus Hillbilly’s talent is superior to his older brother’s?”

 

“…What are you talking about?”

 

 

 

Ante Hillbilly.

 

Kus’s older brother who is currently enrolled as a third year at the Academy.

 

 

 

“I saw Student Ante Hillbilly fight in the Exchange Tournament. His talent wasn’t particularly outstanding.”

 

“Watch your words, Teacher.”

 

“Should I be careful because it’s wrong, or because it’s right but unpleasant to hear?”

 

“…”

 

 

 

No answer came.

 

Ziel continued speaking exactly as he had observed.

 

 

 

“Based on Student Kus Hillbilly’s talent, he will soon surpass his brother Student Ante Hillbilly’s abilities. Next semester should be sufficient.”

 

“On what grounds are you saying this?”

 

 

 

Slowly rising anger.

 

The younger brother’s talent is superior to the older brother who is the heir he struggled to raise?

 

Are you saying my choice was wrong?

 

 

 

“It’s all contained in the materials I gave you at the start of our consultation. How much Student Kus Hillbilly has developed over the past semester, what his shortcomings are, what his strengths are compared to other students – it’s all written there for you to review.”

 

 

 

Only then did the Hillbilly Family Head look closely at the materials for the first time in this consultation.

 

Unlike at first when he had dismissed it as nonsense and felt annoyed, he was now gradually focusing on the content of the materials.

 

 

 

‘…Is this really true?’

 

 

 

Materials organized so cleanly.

 

Perfect organization that avoided vague or speculative expressions.

 

The content was convincing without him realizing it.

 

 

 

‘Teacher…’

 

 

 

Kus, who was beside them, looked at Ziel with a face that seemed ready to burst into tears at any moment, then bowed his head.

 

His life had always been one of comparisons.

 

At home, to his older brother.

 

Outside, to his friend Delev.

 

Though both his brother and Delev cared for him, his father had always compared him to someone and belittled him.

 

In the midst of all this, Teacher Ziel was the one who had acknowledged him.

 

 

 

“Student Kus Hillbilly’s growth is outstanding. If he refines his physical strength and swordsmanship a bit more during vacation and approaches next semester, he will develop even faster. If I had to point out a weakness, he’s somewhat dependent.”

 

 

 

Dependent.

 

At those words, the Family Head looked at Kus with a frightening gaze.

 

 

 

“You still haven’t fixed that habit? How is it that you can’t do anything on your own…”

 

“It’s not that he doesn’t know how to do things alone, but that he cannot do them alone, Family Head.”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“Student Kus Hillbilly is dependent on Student Delev Kundel. According to , when someone depends on a specific other person, the reason for that dependence is because they receive recognition and attention from that other person.”

 

 

 

Kus was startled.

 

It was true.

 

Delev was a blunt friend, but he was still someone who always instilled confidence in him.

 

 

 

‘So that’s why I’m with Delev…’

 

 

 

“If we trace back that dependent tendency, I would say your attitude is the problem, Family Head.”

 

“How rude! Teacher Ziel. Are you saying it’s my fault that my son is like this?”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

 

 

Trembling eyebrows!

 

How dare a mere teacher…

 

 

 

“Did receiving attention at the Exchange Tournament make your arrogance pierce the heavens?”

 

“The attention toward me and my arrogance are unrelated. Also, it’s not arrogance but stating facts, Family Head.”

 

 

 

Ziel continued his answer calmly.

 

 

 

“As written in the analyzed materials, Student Kus Hillbilly needs ‘recognition.’ He has a strong desire to be acknowledged. While all students want recognition, Student Kus Hillbilly wants your recognition, Family Head.”

 

“How do you know that, Teacher?”

 

“He often brought up stories about his father to me. He also said he hoped his father would be happy when he returned to the family.”

 

 

 

The Family Head was silent for a moment.

 

Recognition.

 

Mulling over that word in his mind.

 

 

 

“I’m confident that if you ‘recognize’ Student Kus Hillbilly, it will have a positive influence on the student’s future development.”

 

 

 

Recognition.

 

The Hillbilly Family Head recalled things he had never thought about before.

 

Then he barely managed to say one thing.

 

 

 

“…That doesn’t mean the succession will change.”

 

“I never talked about succession. I only talked about Student Kus Hillbilly.”

 

 

 

Then Ziel glanced at Kus and added one more thing.

 

 

 

“What Student Kus Hillbilly wants isn’t succession.”

 

 

 

And Ziel stood up from his seat.

 

 

 

“The consultation ends here.”

 

“A-are you leaving already?”

 

 

 

Less than an hour had passed since the consultation began.

 

 

 

“Unlike other Family Heads, you don’t seem to have many questions about the student, so I’d like to wrap things up here.”

 

 

 

The Hillbilly Family Head bristled at the phrase “unlike other Family Heads.”

 

Ziel hadn’t intended to provoke him, but it seemed his nerves were already frayed.

 

 

 

“No questions? I have plenty! No, wait, since it’s about time anyway, why don’t you stay for a meal, Teacher?”

 

 

 

Ziel pondered briefly at the mention of a meal before accepting.

 

 

 

“Very well.”

 

“I’ll have them prepare the meal right away. Actually, I did have some questions, I just hadn’t gotten around to asking them yet.”

 

 

 

Was this a battle of pride between nobles?

 

Or just an inevitable parent who couldn’t handle comparisons?

 

Of course, instead of such thoughts, Ziel was only looking forward to the meal menu.

 

 

 

‘I’m curious about the taste. I should eat heartily.’

 

 

 

Now only one family remained.

 

The great southern lord, the Kundel Family.

 

Being in the center of the south, it would require much more time.

 

 

 

‘The home visits are finally coming to an end.’

 

 

 

The first schedule of his busy vacation was drawing to a close.

 

However, there was still one unresolved matter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Valdrain Empire, excluding the Imperial Family, three major powers exist.

 

Noble groups from each region united around great lords.

 

Mage groups who, though extremely few in number, possess ‘magic’ that serves as a symbol of authority and power in itself.

 

And merchant groups united around ‘capital.’

 

These three powers have maintained an exquisite balance until now, keeping each other in check.

 

The reason the Tollen Guild could spend as much as six million cel on an urgent commission.

 

The reason they commissioned it even though the target was an Academy Liberal Arts Instructor currently drawing attention from nobles.

 

The reason for all of this was…

 

Because they possessed ‘power’ based on capital.

 

 

 

“He should be coming out soon.”

 

 

 

Guild Master Tollen.

 

He had been puzzled ever since receiving the commission cancellation notice along with penalty fees from the ‘Black Blade’ Assassination Group.

 

 

 

‘Why on earth?’

 

 

 

The cancellation reason was brief.

 

Unexpected variables.

 

There were no other words.

 

He couldn’t believe that an assassination group, whose reputation was as vital as any guild’s, would send such a notice.

 

And to the Tollen Guild, no less!

 

 

 

‘Why on earth?’

 

 

 

A reasonable explanation.

 

There must surely be a reason behind it…

 

 

 

“Guild Master, are you really sure about this?”

 

 

 

A Guard Knight asked Tollen, who had been lost in thought.

 

 

 

“If the assassination group suddenly canceled the commission, there must be a reason for it. He might be a dangerous man.”

 

“Then should we just watch? What about the losses we’ve already suffered?”

 

“The Riversong Family matter…”

 

“Right, we lost the perfect opportunity to swallow up the entire truffle business. And the one who made us lose that opportunity is exactly the man we’re after.”

 

 

 

Tollen had his own philosophy.

 

A merchant isn’t someone who makes profits.

 

They’re someone who doesn’t incur losses.

 

According to that philosophy, the Tollen Guild had already suffered tremendous losses.

 

All the profits that would have come from swallowing up the truffle business had vanished.

 

Now that their intentions were exposed, the Riversong Family would somehow find money to repay the principal.

 

So…

 

 

 

‘I have to catch that bastard at least.’

 

 

 

He had to compensate for the losses somehow.

 

 

 

“Do you think he’ll accept the proposal?”

 

“I don’t know. But at least, no one has remained unshaken before an overwhelming amount of money.”

 

 

 

Tollen prepared a total of ten million cel: the six million cel that was to be paid to the assassination group, the two million cel penalty from the assassination group, plus an additional two million cel.

 

Ten million cel.

 

It was an enormous sum, but conversely, it wasn’t money he couldn’t spend for talent.

 

Tollen had already brought two 4th-tier mages to his guild by paying them handsomely.

 

He had plenty of money.

 

Not incurring losses was just more important.

 

 

 

“It looks like he’s coming out of the mansion.”

 

 

 

Just then came the news he’d been waiting for.

 

Tollen gestured to his Guard Knight.

 

 

 

“Welcome our guest courteously.”

 

“Understood.”

 

 

 

Let me see the face of the bastard who ruined my business.

 

10 minutes passed after that.

 

 

 

“The farewell seems to be taking quite long.”

 

 

 

Another 10 minutes passed.

 

 

 

“Are they giving him gifts or something?”

 

“It seems so.”

 

 

 

This time, 30 minutes passed.

 

 

 

“…Why is the farewell taking so long?”

 

 

 

Had some new noble etiquette been created without his knowledge?

 

Just as Tollen’s patience was about to hit rock bottom.

 

 

 

“I’ll go and find out.”

 

 

 

The Guard Knight stepped forward.

 

And 20 minutes later.

 

The returning Guard Knight delivered shocking news.

 

 

 

“…When I went to check, the Noble Family said he had already left.”

 

“What did you say…?”

 

“They said he left about an hour ago.”

 

 

 

It matched exactly with the time the Tollen Trading Company had been waiting.

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