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My blood ran cold as I watched the leader’s headless body collapse. Because my anger surged, my fist flew out instinctively before I knew it.

No, throwing a punch wasn’t really the issue. A bit of force was only natural in the course of an interrogation. Yes, just a bit.

‘Damn it.’

The real problem was the reflexive nature of the punch, which resulted in a complete lack of control. The most important captive had fallen, all too easily and pointlessly.

Rise, leader...! Show us the spirit that you had when you championed republicanism in this hierarchical society! Show us that you have the will to live even without a head!

“Pff... Pfft...”

Hearing a stifled laugh, I turned to see the 1st Manager struggling to contain her laughter. Her face was red and she was biting her lips, on the verge of collapsing into tears.

‘Crap.’

Was restraining herself her final act of consideration?

The sight of the 4th Manager, who was standing rigid and vigilant, brought about a complex feeling. Ah, right. She didn’t know about the incident during the inter-class competition. Perhaps she was on a mission and missed the news.

‘No wonder I haven’t heard from her.’

The 4th Manager, who always remembered and sent her greetings even on anniversaries I forgot, hadn't been in touch. It was even stranger given the 1st Manager's recent ramblings about tofu.

Unaware of everything, the 4th Manager recoiled at my sudden outburst. I’m sorry. I must have shocked her quite a bit during the Third Honor incident, too.

"...1st Manager."

"Yes, yes... ahahaha...!”

Unable to hold back any longer, the 1st Manager squatted down and giggled as she burst into hearty laughter.

It was legendary, indeed. How many would receive a comment like 'You seem more republican than us, haha' from the leader of the Red Wave?

As far as I knew, it was practically unheard of. It defied common sense. If such a person existed, then I’d be curious to see this lunatic.

‘Ah, right. That’s me.’

Wow, what an unexpected revelation.

"Elizabeth."

The 4th Manager who was oblivious to the background story turned pale and shook the 1st Manager’s shoulder, as if questioning the timing of her laughter. Meanwhile, the nearby Masked Unit members were also thrown into confusion.

Yes. It was indeed unexpected that my embarrassing past was brought up, but the Masked Unit's concern wasn't necessary.

A simple explanation would be enough to clear the misunderstanding, but I found myself unable to speak the words. How could I possibly say it out loud?

"I’ll go ahead, so explain it to the others."

In the end, I chose to flee.

Turning away, I locked eyes with the 2nd Manager as he hastily approached.

"E-Executive Manager."

"I’m off."

Feeling cold sweat running down my back, I waved off the 2nd Manager and quickly walked towards the academy.

Not long after, I heard the roaring laughter of the 1st and 2nd Managers behind me.

Damn it, damn it all.

***

It hurt. I was physically fine, but it felt like I was mentally battered.

If the goal of the Red Wave was to infuriate as many of the blue-blooded as possible, then I guess it was a success. My feelings were hurt after the 2nd Manager’s bruised ego.

"Executive Manager. Are you the new leader of the Red Wave?"

Shut up.

"This is awesome. This is the first time that an Executive Manager will be a Red Wave leader, right? This will go down in history, for sure."

I said, shut it.

The taunting laughter of the two managers from both sides was driving me insane. Fuck off, you bastards.

Even the 4th Manager's concerned question didn’t quite reach me.

She probably reached out to comfort me, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. Still, I couldn’t just ignore her.

"I’m fine, so don’t worry."

Forcing a smile, I reassured the 4th Manager.

Thankfully, the communication crystal only transmitted audiovisual information. At least it wouldn’t show how hard my hands were trembling.

‘Damn it.’

Until recently, my anger was also directed at Robin, who was left in the forest. After all, wasn’t it because of Robin that I had to hear such nonsense? Why did he even report such useless things?

But I managed to restrain myself. At the time, Robin was a spy for the Red Wave. It was only natural for a spy to report major incidents at their infiltration site.

What could I do, anyway? It wasn’t like I could turn Robin into another headless person.

"But why are you here?"

I turned to the 1st Manager and asked because something felt strange.

While the 2nd Manager’s presence was explainable, the 1st Manager should have been busy interrogating the captives. She wasn’t exactly the type to abandon her prized toys.

"I laughed so hard that my hands are shaking. Don’t you think a few more might die if I keep working like this?"

It was a teasing comment, but I couldn’t scold her. It might have sounded like a joke, but it also held some truth in it.

In fact, the 1st Manager often called it quits at the slightest hiccup. Her work required delicate control, and forcing it would only cause trouble.

It was regrettable that I caused such a variable.

Hearing my sigh, the 4th Manager spoke cautiously.

Yes, it’d be better to send them off quickly if they weren’t going to be interrogated here.

"Shouldn’t you go with them, Executive Manager?"

The 2nd Manager snickered and chimed in.

"Since you’ll be disciplined for this incident anyway, why not travel comfortably with the mages? Just write the report and come back."

With that, the 2nd Manager burst into laughter. However, his face suddenly stiffened, as if he remembered something important.

I chuckled dryly, having an inkling of what he might be thinking. When people were pushed to the limit, anger wasn’t the only emotion they could feel. There was also that profound sense of emptiness.

"Executive Manager?"

"What?"

"I’m really struggling to remember, but how many reports is this now?"

I didn’t respond.

My silence left the 2nd Manager, the 1st Manager, and the 4th Manager over the communication crystal all speechless.

Awkward silence filled the sorrowful dawn.

***

Fortunately, the absurd situation of being transported with the Red Wave to the capital didn’t happen. No official summons were issued, and it wasn’t like I was keen on going voluntarily.

I knew it would be better to quickly face the inevitable, but who would go willingly while knowing that it meant imprisonment? Everyone yearned for a bit more freedom.

To delay the summons as much as possible, the death of the Red Wave leader was to be reported by the 4th Manager. I’d likely be summoned to the capital immediately if I was the one who reported it.

The 4th Manager suggested declaring the leader's death as a casualty, but I insisted on telling the truth.

‘Hiding it would only make things worse.’

I learned from my experience in civil service that trying to hide an incident only led to its eventual discovery. A cover-up, no matter how perfect, was still a cover-up. It was still better to come clean before being faced with additional charges of deceit.

While the case involving the 4th Manager killing the Third Honor’s head had been handled, it was never completely hidden.

Yes, revealing the truth was the right thing. What followed might be incredibly sad, but it was the correct course of action.

‘Damn it.’

But just knowing that it was the right decision wouldn’t ease the sadness.

“Eriko Trian and Robin have been expelled.”

The Principal’s words helped alleviate the gnawing sorrow I felt.

“I never expected that there would be members of the Red Wave among our staff.”

“Don’t worry too much. They were pretty secretive.”

I offered a few words of comfort to the Principal, who sighed in disbelief.

It must have been frustrating for him to discover that some of the faculty and not just fleeting students were part of the Red Wave.

However, that wasn’t the Principal’s fault. It was because of those crazy people who joined the Red Wave.

“And Robin has repented and sought the emperor's forgiveness. He changed his heart during his time at the academy.”

Mentioning Robin slightly brightened the Principal’s face.

Thinking positively, a traitor became influenced by the academy and turned back into a loyal subject. It was quite the redeeming narrative.

After some more discussion, I broached the main point.

“I might need to step away for a bit.”

“Step away?”

“There are some things that I need to sort out.”

The Principal looked puzzled.

Externally, the situation ended smoothly. The internal spy was caught before they caused trouble, and the Red Wave’s external assault was successfully repelled—it was a perfect victory.

But what could there be left to sort out?

“That’s right.”

This matter wouldn’t be resolved until I was in prison. What a splendid ending, right?

Yet, I couldn’t just tell the principal, ‘I might be disciplined for killing a captive. It seems like I’ll be imprisoned for a while.’

And after some rest, I found a vain hope: perhaps the Crown Prince would show me leniency. The leader might be dead, but the senior officers were alive and intact; maybe he would be willing to overlook it.

‘It’s still uncertain.’

I still didn’t know whether I would be disciplined or not. Prematurely telling the Principal could lead to an awkward situation if the Crown Prince decided to be merciful.

I have faith in him. I believe that the Crown Prince is merciful and benevolent.

Please, Your Highness... Consider my past services and show leniency just this once...