NOVPUBAs soon as the Order meeting began, the quietest First Order raised a hand.
“Raised” was the only way to describe it—because a slender arm-like appendage suddenly stretched out from the round mass of black flame.
“Go ahead, Lesley. You have a question?”
So the name of the one who’d been most silent this whole time is Lesley.
That made all their names known now—though I still didn’t know what each of them did outside the organization.
“I beg your pardon, Zero Order. With a vacancy among the First Orders, does that mean Esmeralda died during her mission?”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t want to believe it, but Nicolai’s words were true. May I ask how it happened?”
It made sense that they’d be skeptical. After all, Esmeralda wasn’t just a First Order—she wielded the highest-ranking Fire Spirit.
Their curiosity was understandable.
The issue now was how Zero Order would respond.
All the First Orders, myself included, turned our attention to him.
I wondered what kind of expression lay beneath his mask as he finally spoke.
“Hmm. It would be best if John Doe explained. He was on-site at the time.”
So he's deflecting the spotlight toward me.
Even in the sudden shift, I smiled.
Interesting.
“Esmeralda’s death came about alongside Quasimodo. More precisely, the two destroyed each other.”
I spoke as if I’d been waiting for this moment, and the rest of them gave puzzled reactions.
“Destroyed each other?”
“You wouldn’t have known, but Esmeralda—the so-called First Order—wasn’t actually the real one. It was her fire spirit, Quasimodo.”
“You mean that hideous monster?”
Bentmin asked, and I nodded.
“Yes. Esmeralda merely existed to channel Quasimodo. In reality, he was the one controlling her. Their relationship was reversed—the spirit was the master.”
It wasn’t the standard summoner-spirit dynamic. This was a case of an evil spirit manipulating a human as its vessel.
I laid bare the truth for all of them.
Just as I’d told Zero Order, when Quasimodo was cornered, Esmeralda began resisting him—and they perished together.
“So it was mutual destruction, then.”
Lesley murmured in a low voice, sounding like he had accepted the explanation.
“To think she had such a strange nature. If that’s true, then perhaps Esmeralda was never truly fit to be a First Order. A fitting end for unstable power.”
“But the power was real. It's a shame to lose it. I did want to analyze it a bit. Ohoho!”
Even if she had been unstable, Quasimodo’s power was real.
A being capable of regenerating after taking a direct hit from a 6th-circle spell of a counter-element.
And flames imbued with an unrelenting will to incinerate all.
I knew firsthand how terrifying it had been to fight him.
Zero Order likely chose Quasimodo as a First Order for that sheer power and threat alone.
Still—not one of them looked sad or regretful at Esmeralda’s fall.
So there’s no camaraderie here after all.
Then Zero Order spoke.
“Well then, I suppose we’ll have to appoint a new First Order. Anyone opposed?”
No one answered.
They must’ve known leaving the seat empty for long wouldn’t look good.
And even if someone new was added, it didn’t concern them directly—no reason to object.
“Ohoho. Zero Order, do you already have someone in mind? A candidate perhaps?”
“I’d rather hear your thoughts first. Any suggestions?”
“How about promoting someone from among the Second Orders?”
Nicolai offered a reasonable idea.
There were likely a few among the Seconds who either craved the position or had the ability to fill it.
“In that case, Nicolai. Do you have anyone to recommend? If you’ve got someone capable under your command, I’ll consider it.”
“Haha. Apologies, but none of my subordinates are fit for a First Order seat. And I doubt anyone would meet your standards.”
“As I thought.”
“I just figured I’d mention it. After all, everyone here was personally chosen by you, weren’t they, Zero Order? Hahaha.”
As expected.
Everyone seated at this table hadn’t risen through the ranks—they had been handpicked by Zero Order himself.
‘Even in Esmeralda’s memories, Zero Order directly recruited Quasimodo.’
Maybe I was invited here for the same reason—to replace the real John Doe, who’s now dead.
Zero Order intends to make me the real John Doe.
A fake turning real.
How ironic.
“The First Orders here all respect Zero Order’s judgment.”
Nicolai spoke on the group’s behalf—but Lesley didn’t hide his displeasure.
“Nicolai. Refrain from acting like our spokesperson.”
“Oh? Did I? I just spoke since everyone else was quiet.”
“Even without your words, our opinions were aligned. There was no need for you to speak for us.”
“Eek, how frightening. I’ll take it to heart.”
Maybe it was because Zero Order was present, but the tension didn’t escalate further.
‘These First Orders really don’t seem to get along.’
Not surprising, though. Each of them is talented—and deeply twisted.
Seven beings of Esmeralda’s caliber, all in one place?
That they were sitting together now was a miracle in itself.
And the reason it was possible... was likely due to Zero Order’s charisma.
“Well, then. I suppose I’ll just recruit someone appropriate myself. I already have a few in mind—it shouldn’t take long.”
In the end, Esmeralda’s vacant seat would be filled by a new recruit personally selected by Zero Order.
“Now then, onto the second agenda. How are your assignments progressing?”
Just as John Doe had infiltrated Seorn and gained their trust while carrying out a special directive—
Each First Order had their own mission.
Lesley spoke first.
“Yes. All is proceeding smoothly. The old mages won’t even realize what they’re doing before they destroy themselves. It’s not far off now.”
Old mages. Self-destruction. Soon.
I focused on Lesley’s words.
‘What’s the next major event involving mages that’s happening soon?’
Only one thing came to mind:
GeheimnisNacht.
‘If he’s targeting old mages, then maybe he’s tied to the Old Mage Tower. Or possibly a senior figure in the School Alliance.’
The New Mage Tower couldn’t be ruled out either.
Even though it’s mostly composed of younger magicians, that doesn’t mean there are no elders among them.
Whatever the case, a First Order would have to be someone of significant status in their respective group.
“Same here. I’ve been fueling public unrest and stirring up the Liberation Army behind the scenes.”
That was Nicolai.
So he’s a propagandist, manipulating the masses and supporting the rebels from the shadows.
But no ordinary person could have access to such a wide range of information.
‘Judging by how confident he is about it, he must hold a high-ranking position in an intelligence agency somewhere.’
Perhaps within the national intelligence services of various countries.
The Exilion Empire’s own bureau wouldn’t be an exception.
“Things are moving steadily on my end, too, though there’s one snag.”
Next was Bentmin.
“Unification is progressing, but we haven’t found the missing ‘object’ yet. So it’s taking a little longer.”
Unification. And a missing something?
Unification implies something previously fractured. Judging by her refined speech and pride, what could Bentmin be trying to unify?
“Ohoho. As for me...”
It was Victor Dreadpool’s turn.
Normally, he would’ve jumped in gleefully, but this time he hesitated.
As he didn’t speak, Nicolai chuckled and chimed in.
“Oh right. Didn’t your lab get hit again? Or wait, this would be the second time, wouldn’t it?”
“What? Really? Victor, after all your bragging, what happened?”
Victor whined in a trembling voice.
“It’s not fair! My specimens escaped on their own, then some unknown intruder showed up! My subordinates couldn’t handle it!”
“That’s your fault for not managing them properly. Maybe spend less time dissecting and more time on logistics.”
Lesley criticized him flatly.
Victor couldn’t reply and instead turned to Verom for help.
“Knight Verom! Say something, will you? You were there too!”
“Damn it. Why are you dragging me into this? It wasn’t my problem.”
“You failed to catch the intruder! You should’ve stopped them!”
“Sigh.”
Verom exhaled deeply.
“Verom. So you were involved?”
“Lesley. Let me clarify—by the time I arrived, the Baltanung branch was already trashed.”
“But you still confronted the enemy. You let them escape?”
“They weren’t ordinary.”
“Really now? With your black armor, you should’ve been able to crush most opponents. And wasn’t there a black mage and Victor with you?”
“The black mage was already dead. And this mad scientist nearly got himself killed. I saved him.”
“Oho?”
Lesley seemed intrigued.
“So it was quite the opponent, I take it?”
“Opponent? No. It wasn’t ‘they.’ It was one person.”
“One person?”
“Yeah. Just one. But on a different level.”
Victor jumped in eagerly.
“That’s right! It didn’t make sense! They cloaked themselves in shadows and moved through space!”
“And the fire magic they used at the end... it was anything but normal.”
With Victor and Verom speaking like that, Nicolai couldn’t help but ask:
“Who was it? Did you at least see their face?”
“They were covered in shadow. All I know is—they moved through shadows and used a catastrophic fire spell. It turned the whole factory into a sea of flames.”
“A sea of flames... Now that you mention it, didn’t the Rederbelk branch burn down too?”
“Yes! I heard the same!”
“Hm. Sounds like the one who attacked Baltanung and Rederbelk was the same person.”
Nicolai’s deduction was sharp.
He was right—I had incinerated both places.
But they wouldn’t even dream that I was the culprit.
As they exchanged theories about the unknown intruder, they concluded they didn’t have enough to go on and would stay vigilant.
“So, John Doe. What about you?”
I was the final report.
“I infiltrated Seorn and have been building a reputation as an instructor. Gaining their trust. Things are proceeding smoothly.”
John Doe’s mission was simple.
He specialized in infiltration, disguise, and assassination, so unlike the others, his task was smaller in scale.
After I finished speaking, I fell silent as if my report was done.
I expected the meeting to move on—but then Nicolai spoke.
“Hm. I’ve heard quite a bit about you lately, John Doe. They say you’re performing quite admirably as a teacher.”
“......”
I glanced at Nicolai.
Though he appeared only as black flame, I could still sense the emotion behind his gaze.
“But it’s strange. You’re gaining fame far too quickly—unlike your past self.”
There it was in his tone—suspicion.
“I keep hearing the name Rudger Cherish. ‘Rudger Cherish developed a new form of magic.’ ‘Rudger Cherish achieved this.’ Most wouldn’t think twice—but I hear that name far too often.”
“So what are you trying to say?”
My voice came out laced with irritation.
Nicolai raised his hands innocently.
“Me? Ahaha. I’m not saying anything in particular. Just that your recent behavior doesn’t feel very... you.”
“Not like me,” huh.
He said it casually—but the other First Orders were now quietly watching me.
Nicolai’s point was clear:
Are you really the John Doe we know?
Tch.
Zero Order merely observed the scene, clearly amused.
He had no intention of interfering—no mediating, no support.
A perfect spectator.
How amusing.
He knows the truth—and chooses ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) silence on purpose.
Zero Order’s intent was painfully obvious.
In that case, I had no choice but to respond just as bluntly.
“John Doe. Why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t tell me you really are—”
“Nicolai.”
I cut him off, eyes fixed on his black flame.
“Your babbling is starting to disgust me. Why is your tongue so damn long?”
My venomous words shut Nicolai up.
The atmosphere around the round table turned ice-cold.
