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Chapter 173: In the Midst of Rebellion (2)

Yes. These were my thoughts and also traps I set for myself at the same time.

‘Damn it.’ 

Was it even necessary to collect those clues so obsessively? 

Because of that, two people who were skilled in inquiry and also mad emerged. It was no different from making a declaration that I had no regrets, only to die the very same day.

— Hehe, the Executive Manager looks touched. 

— Oh dear, he must have felt lonely.

Their teasing was evident in their voices, driving me to the brink of madness. Why did it have to be them out of all the managers?

‘I guess I’m stuck with these idiots.’

As insane as they might be, they wouldn’t visit the academy just for fun. Given the timing, it must be related to the Red Wave. 

So while my heart denied it, my mind agreed. Indeed, these two were the best choices for the current situation. 

The 2nd Manager was skilled in gathering information, while the 1st Manager efficiently handled matters. Force wasn’t necessary right now, and they were the perfect candidates.

“…Why are you coming here?”

Still, I asked, hoping against hope. Perhaps they’ve reached a critical point and came without orders.

— Ta-da!

And my futile hope was crushed by a piece of paper that was presented by the 1st Manager.

‘Right.’

I understood it at a glance. It was a cooperation request from the Minister of Intelligence, approved by the Minister of Finance. It was an official dispatch order.

So they weren’t completely mad after all. It’s supposed to be good news, but why do I feel sad?

— This is normally a job for the Ministry of Intelligence, but they requested our assistance since they’re swamped. Since you’re also at the academy, they thought it’d be better for someone compatible to go.

I nearly grabbed the back of my neck at the 2nd Manager’s words. Shouldn’t their compatibility mean they shouldn’t be sent? 

“Damn it.”

I think I understood why the Ministry of Intelligence was busy. They were tied up in the North, leaving us short-staffed domestically. 

Whenever something terrible happened in my life, the North was to blame most of the time. Those useless troublemakers. 

— Then, Executive Manager! We’ll see you soon!

“Alright.”

I nodded weakly, knowing I couldn’t stop them. I understood the importance of giving up early.

Though I was far from ready to abandon hope, it was necessary. 

“I’m going to lose my mind.”

I muttered after confirming that the communication was cut. The Red Wave was trouble enough, but now the 1st and 2nd managers were coming too?

They were meant to be reinforcements against the Red Wave, so why did they feel like a burden? Objectively, they should be helpful, but…

‘Those brats aren’t normal.’ 

It hit me again; those guys weren’t normal. Who smiled like that when coming to meet their superior?

They really were a perplexing bunch. 

***

I hadn’t visited the principal’s office since my probation. It was a place that was better off not visited for the sake of peace, much like the commander’s office or a professor’s lab.

Unfortunately, I now had to visit it because it was no longer peaceful.

“The Red Wave, you say?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Unlike when we dealt with the Third Honor during the fair, I informed the principal about the Red Wave.

Back then, spreading the word would have only caused a commotion, and we were fully intent on intercepting them before they could approach the academy. But this time was different. 

With the possibility of external invasion and internal unrest, it was essential for the owner to know if there were spies in their front yard.

“Support from the Prosecutors’ Office is also on its way.”

And that was also something I had to mention.

“I see.”

Upon hearing that, the Principal’s expression darkened somewhat. The thought of the Prosecutors’ Office roaming around his own front yard—

‘Is it just me?’ 

His expression seemed even darker than when we discussed the Red Wave.

But unlike when we apprehended the Third Honor lurking outside the academy, we must identify a spy within the academy itself this time. For that, the principal’s cooperation was crucial.

We could bulldoze our way with the authority of the Inspection Department, but that would be counterproductive. Even spies with a penchant for attention might go into hiding.

“We’ll need to prepare a suitable cover.”

The principal seemed to agree, nodding slightly. Having a plausible alias would be better than the badge of the Prosecutors’ Office.

“An assistant teacher’s position should suffice. They come and go frequently, so neither the staff nor students will find it odd.” 

“That’s a relief.”

The casual mention of such a grim reality was startling, but I glossed over it. 

‘What’s with the turnover rate?’ 

Labeling it as ‘rapidly rotating personnel’ seemed harsh. Graduate students were people too, people! 

‘Am I right?’

I doubted it for a moment, but let us assume it was correct.

“Please inform me when the reinforcements arrive. I’ll prepare everything before then.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“It’s for the academy, after all. If anything, I should be the one thanking the Executive Manager of the Prosecutors’ Office.”

With that, I returned the Principal’s smile with one of my own. 

***

After confirming the departure of the Executive Manager of the Prosecutors’ Office, I sank into the sofa.

It was an unexpected visit and an unexpected request.

And it was for something as disruptive as the Red Wave, of all things. It was bound to cause turmoil for a while.

‘What a headache.’ 

The Red Wave, brazen enough to challenge order and incite chaos, was the enemy of not just the empire but of the entire continent. It was so big of a threat that even rival nations cooperated against it. 

It was only natural. A nation retained its privileges even if it faltered in inter-state disputes. But if the Red Wave prevailed, nothing would remain.

Hence, each country, especially the pinnacle of the established order known as the empire, had adopted a policy of no mercy and no tolerance towards the Red Wave. And leading this charge was the Prosecutors’ Office.

The Prosecutors’ Office was the one who upheld His Majesty’s authority by keeping the nobles in check. How then would they deal with the Red Wave, which outright denies the very existence of His Majesty?

‘The students must not get alarmed.’ 

There would be a bloodbath. After all, the Prosecutors’ Office had previously eradicated entire villages or cities in its campaign against the Red Wave.

Of course, those actions were not under the current Executive Manager’s tenure. But would the current Executive Manager act any differently?

‘It surely won’t come to that.’ 

When he became the Executive Manager of the Prosecutors’ Office two years ago at the age of 19, there was a lot of talk. But now, there was no backlash at all. The reason was simple: anyone who rebelled was eliminated.

He was relentless against those who challenged his authority. He surely wouldn’t treat those who deny His Majesty the Emperor any more leniently. 

I had been observing the Executive Manager of the Prosecutors’ Office for some time, and I had come to understand his personal character. This was how I knew how far he was from the cruel and heartless image some might expect.

Still, there was a difference between one’s private and public personalities.

‘I hope the spy is caught without a fuss.’ 

I wasn’t sure who the spy was, but that thought crossed my mind. I was more afraid of the chaos that would ensue from the spy’s desperate struggles than the anger I felt at having a traitor in the academy I oversaw.

Surely they wouldn’t execute someone right in front of the main building or the main gate for treason.

…Would they?

***

I periodically checked in with the two managers to gauge their progress. 

I felt like a parent checking if their child made it to their academy safely. What am I even doing?

‘The pitiful side should bear it.’ 

Still, it was better than having the surprise of them suddenly showing up in the club room unannounced. Who knew where they might end up otherwise? 

— Executive Manager, do you really miss me that much?

“Shut it.”

The 1st Manager’s interpretation of my words and her action of twirling her hair was particularly annoying. Miss her? What nonsense was that? 

My blunt response prompted the 1st Manager to pout and then hit the 2nd Manager, who was laughing beside her.

— Hey, why are you hitting me?!

— Don’t ask me. Who told you to be there?

I kind of liked this. Go on, hit him more.

The 2nd Manager groaned and was pushed out of the communication crystal’s view as they bickered. No, it was more like he took a one-sided beating.

“Why’s he so weak all of a sudden?”

The 2nd Manager wasn’t specialized in combat, but he shouldn’t be losing to the 1st Manager like this.

— He says he hasn’t regained his strength yet.

“That’s unfortunate.”

The reason was sadder than I expected. It seemed like he hadn’t recovered from the aftereffects of the North.

That was correct. After all, the North was a harsh place. Surviving an encounter with the Chauzid tribe and not dying was an achievement in itself.

“So, how far have you come?”

My sympathy for the 2nd manager lasted a mere three seconds before I quickly shifted the topic. 

Well, it must not be too serious if he had been dispatched. The empire preferred to utilize its civil servants efficiently rather than wearing them out quickly. 

— We’re in Baron Rivac’s territory, so we’ll arrive in about two more days.

“That’s soon.”

I wondered if we could prepare their identities in two days, but it should be quick since the Principal himself was handling it.

As I nodded with that thought, the 1st Manager’s smirking face came into view.

“What’s with that smile?”

I haven’t worked together with her for two years just for nothing. By now, I could guess why she was smiling just by looking at her face.

I could tell by her smile when she was about to make fun of me, when she was just smiling for no reason at all, or when she was angry. 

This time, she was smiling because of her excitement. She had the look of someone who couldn’t contain themselves over something they wanted to do.

— I’ve heard a lot of rumors about the Red Wave, and I’ll be seeing them for the first time!

And most of the time, that excitement was about discovering a new ‘collection.’ 

Cheerfully announcing this, the 1st Manager reached out and pushed a pouch toward me.

— I made sure to bring it this time!

“Ah, right.”

I glanced over at the familiar object. She actually brought it.

She came prepared compared to when we dealt with the Third Honor.

‘Her torture diary…’

That item was the 1st Manager’s favored tool of torture and the diary where she recorded interrogations she deemed memorable. 

— Hehe, how many spies do you think there are?

Seeing this, I had a hunch. It didn’t matter whether there were many spies or just one. After all, they were likely going to end up being dissected like parts of Exodia.

She must have been quite bored lately. 

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