# Ep18. The Academy Date
"Vanka, have I understood this correctly? Have I understood this well?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"No, wait. Let me... let me organize my thoughts for a moment."
Elizabeta quickly skimmed through the thick stack of reports.
And she had to read it twice more because she simply couldn't believe it.
"First, I need to confirm this. You're saying there's a spy? At the university? And specifically in your class?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"How... exactly?"
Why specifically in your class. And what purpose would they have for attending your class—these questions were meaningless.
The 'how' needed to come first in this situation.
Currently, Pritzenkaya was enjoying unprecedented security. This was only natural.
The Intelligence Command, on high alert, was stationed near Pritzenkaya; the Crown Prince faction nobles had all been expelled; and each department of the royal administration was willingly submitting to the Princess.
Meanwhile, one of the Intelligence Command's actual commanders was a former rebel. A former rebel who had direct infiltration experience in Pritzenkaya.
With him having switched sides, all previous vulnerabilities had long been eliminated. Pritzenkaya had been prospering in impenetrable security.
And suddenly, he brings a "Spy Detection Report" for approval, claiming there's a spy in his class? How should she take this?
Moreover, Ivan—this solid man she knew—was never one to utter falsehoods.
He was the type to prove himself with results rather than waste time reporting lies to his superiors. That's how he had always been, and how he would continue to be.
That was the faith Elizabeta had in the Annihilation Squad, and in Ivan.
"How reliable is this 'certain information' you've confirmed?"
"Personally, I'd say ninety percent..."
Ivan stopped there and closed his mouth for a moment.
Over the past few weeks, during his interrogation disguised as lessons, Ivan had attempted to extract information through the trio who could share "common sense" with him.
First, the most capable in this field, Yu-jin:
"Well, haha. As you know, if that [Intimacy] is a bit lacking, the information won't unlock. Right now, all I can see is names and levels, which is the same as personal information."
"Useless then."
"But! But if we just need to get closer, that's all it takes, right? Just wait a bit. Who am I? Am I not Yevgeny of Karamzin?"
After declaring that, he boldly joined a group of students, only to:
"Now, brothers. I've come to share good news."
"Oh, you're from the theology department. We don't attend church."
"You blasphemous one!!!"
And was chased away. Afterward, Yu-jin remained dejectedly among the theology students.
"Don't worry. You know my specialty. [Mind Sorcery]. I've been experimenting a lot with Yu-jin recently, so I can't make mistakes in this area."
"Um, isn't casting mental spells on students strictly prohibited...?"
"Oh, Yu-ri. Do you know why Romeo and Juliet committed suicide?"
"Why?"
"Because they got caught."
A statement befitting an elf with the mindset that anything is legal as long as you don't get caught. Naturally, Oswald is Korean.
His attempt was thwarted the moment Elfihera detected it.
"Why, why are you looking at me? You want me to try too?"
"Hmm."
"Do you... perhaps remember what I was looking at when I was brought here...?"
Yu-ri was an illustrator of creative works that minors under 19 couldn't even attempt to access.
Using someone from such a genre as an informant wasn't the Annihilation Squad's style. The Annihilation Squad doesn't deal with information obtained through honeypot tactics.
Finishing his recollection, Ivan answered in a somewhat cautious tone:
"Fifty percent, Your Highness."
"...?"
It seems he's using an information source that's quite ambiguous to trust. Elizabeta shrugged and replied:
"I'll reject this operation plan. But Vanka, I highly commend you for finally coming to me before executing an operation."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"So why not take a break? The Intelligence Command is capable, and this university is safe. Even if a spy does exist, we would surely detect them in the process of transmitting information back to their country. Vanka, what I've asked of you was just one thing."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The children of the Hero Party. VIPs. To ensure they graduate safely and return home unharmed. (Some injuries are acceptable, as Ivan can persuade the parents.)
"So take it a bit easier. I trust you, and so far you've done excellently..."
At this point, Elizabeta's words trailed off. It was excellent, definitely excellent, but why did she feel so uneasy?
"You've performed excellently. Just two more years to go safely, and your mission will be complete. I would like you to serve as an administrative official."
The administrative official she had in mind was someone who sits comfortably in a warm room, manages servants, oversees the royal treasury and coffers, and occasionally enjoys banquets with her.
Having tea time in a pleasant palace while overlooking the courtyard, gently massaging her shoulders when she grumbles about piled-up work, their eyes meeting, their lips meeting, and then...
An administrative official who performs such duties is called a consort in two words.
"So take it a bit easier. I don't know how comfortable you feel teaching, but at least you can stay in one place for half a year."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"You understand, right? You do understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Your expression doesn't suggest so at all..."
Ivan looked deeply into Elizabeta's eyes and thought.
That it would be better to do things the Annihilation Squad way.
It's common sense that rear infiltration units don't report every operation to their commander. For information security, all operations are carried out at the discretion of the field supervisor.
This demonstrates how solid the trust relationship is between Elizabeta and the Annihilation Squad. The trust that whatever the case, it's definitely for the country, and the Annihilation Squad would never betray her.
With such mutual trust as a backdrop, the Annihilation Squad also fully accepted Elizabeta's rear command in carrying out operations. At that time, the Annihilation Squad could boast the most efficient handling among all infiltration units.
Ivan is someone who prepares for the future based on past lessons. He bowed deeply and left the audience.
This was the story of the first day after Ivan implemented the [Spy Search] operation.