The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound

Chapter 197 Festival Preparation

After the completion of midterms, a brief period of relaxation found its way to the Colosseo Academy. Following the philosophy of “study hard when it’s time to study, and play hard when it’s time to play,” the Colosseo Academy organizes a grand festival every year to soothe the weary minds of students after midterms.

As the festival season approaches, there is a tendency among professors to shorten class hours and extend break times. This is to encourage students to think about and discuss festival activities. However, not everyone agrees with this approach.

“Shortened classes? Ridiculous.” Banshee Morg, for example, was one of those straightforward individuals. Known for his strict and sensitive nature, he becomes even more irritable during the festival season.

“Shortening classes in the name of festival preparations? That goes against the duty of a professor. Students pay hefty tuition fees to attend classes, and reducing those classes infringes on the rights of students. I simply cannot understand how canceling classes in the name of benefiting students is just a selfish and convenient act driven by the professor’s own desires…”

Professor Banshee muttered discontentedly, looking out the window at banners, flower arrangements, makeshift stages, tents, sound equipment, and fireworks facilities.

“In that sense, today’s class is extended. It will be one hour longer than the usual lecture time, so please bear with it,” Professor Banshee announced in a chilly tone, and no one dared to object.

Tudor in the front row grumbled with a fake smile. “Darn it, I’m on the festival preparation committee! I already have to leave 30 minutes early even during regular class times…”

“Heh, is this for real? I heard from seniors that Professor Banshee does this every festival season.”

“He clearly never enjoyed his school days.”

“Yeah, it seems like he only studied.”

Even Bianca, in a similar situation, seemed frustrated and agreed with Tudor’s opinion.

At that moment, Professor Banshee spoke up, “Hey, what’s with all the grumbling? If you’re on the festival preparation committee, is it worth the tuition? And who hasn’t had a good time during his own school festival?”

“…,” Tudor and Bianca fell silent, and Professor Banshee chuckled lightly when they had nothing to say.

“Don’t get carried away just because it’s festival season. This is the season with the most accidents throughout the year.”

Having finished speaking, Professor Banshee deducted one point each from the attitudes of Tudor and Bianca.

Eventually, when Professor Banshee tried to resume the class, loud music from outside interrupted.

“Ding-dong ♩♪♬”

The Imperial Army’s dispatched military band was tuning their instruments before their performance. Elsewhere, a dance team invited to the festival was rehearsing their choreography before taking the makeshift stage. Additionally, the excited cheers of students who had come out for festival preparations during their free time mixed with the chaotic noise.

Despite using soundproof curtains and even employing silence spells on the windows, Professor Banshee sighed lightly at the outside commotion.

“…This is why I hate festivals.”

* * *

Eventually, even the renowned Professor Banshee had no choice but to end the class a bit early. The student’s concentration on the lecture was not what it used to be.

“Heh! If you’re going to listen to the class like this, just go out and have fun. It might be better that way,” muttered Professor Banshee as he packed up his materials and left the classroom. Only then did the spark return to the eyes of the students.

Professor Banshee’s lecture was a joint integrated class attended by all the students of both the Cold Department and the Hot Department. This made it the perfect time for discussing festival plans, as all students were present.

Leading the festival this time were Tudor from the Cold Department, and Granola from the hot department.

“Alright, friends! Let’s decide on the theme for this festival!”

The festival concept refers to the system of generating revenue during the festival. This involved setting up makeshift facilities where students could engage in business activities such as serving, cooking, or gaming to raise funds. Traditional pubs, haunted houses, and hunting clubs were commonly popular revenue models.

“However! No matter which one we choose, there’s one ‘unwritten rule’ that we must all follow!”

All students nodded in agreement to Tudor’s words. There was an unwritten rule during the academy’s festival that transcended grades.

That rule was ‘TS.’

Trans-Seggsual. It usually meant males dressing as females and vice versa. During the festival at Colosseo Academy, it was a trend for all male students to dress as females and all female students to dress as males.

Always cheerful, Sinclaire clapped her hands and laughed. “Wow, this will be fun. How about we try a test run before the festival?”

“Of course.”

Granola immediately agreed with Sinclaire’s suggestion, and before they knew it, students responsible for props had brought in various disguises they had prepared during their spare time.

Sinclaire attached a mustache to her nose and chuckled. “Look, Bianca! I look like the boss Pringles from work, don’t I?”

“Indeed. Did you tear that mustache off Pringles?” Bianca, with thick eyebrows on her chin, a long regent wig, and a loosely inflated balloon muscle suit, kicked back and laughed.

Looking at Bianca’s disguise, Sinclaire awkwardly laughed. “Wow, sis, your disguise is intense. Are you going to do this during the festival?”

“Are you crazy? You have to make it look neutral and sexy, of course.”

“Fair enough. Let’s do it together.”

“Shall we? Oh, right. We need to dress up the guys as well.”

Bianca’s expression turned mischievous. She approached Tudor, who was choosing disguises.

“Hey! If you’re dressing up, let me, the master, help you!”

Before long, Bianca had used makeup and disguises to transform Tudor and other male students. Tudor had golden partial wigs attached, turning him into someone with long hair. However, due to his naturally handsome features, it didn’t suit him very well.

“Ugh, his face is too defined, so cross-dressing doesn’t suit him.”

Bianca shook her head and turned her gaze. “Haha-”

Next to her, Sancho Barataria laughed with his fist clenched. “This guy… he looks weird”

“Haha! It’s my first time cross-dressing, but I don’t look half bad.”

“Really? Surprising. I thought you wouldn’t like cross-dressing since you usually prefer more masculine things.” Bianca asked Sancho

“What nonsense! Cross-dressing is the most manly thing one can do! Women can’t cross-dress, so it’s a truly masculine action! That’s why in the Northern warriors’ community, there’s often a contest for the best cross-dresser!”

Well, if you think about it, that’s true. Since women can’t cross-dress in the North, only men can, then ultimately, cross-dressing becomes a masculine action.

Sancho nodded, looking at his transformed face in the mirror with a wig and white-painted face. “With makeup, I look just like my sister. Blood really can’t be deceived!”

Then, a slightly awkward atmosphere spread around as people took in the scene.

However, surprisingly, Figgy admired Sancho’s sister with sparkling eyes.

“Wow, Sancho’s sister is really beautiful. I personally prefer a strong female image.”

“Oh, really? How about going on a blind date later? My sister likes someone smaller and cuter than herself.”

“Uh, really? Can someone like me dare to meet Sancho’s sister?”

“Haha- Why not?”

It was indeed a lively blind date arrangement typical of Northern warriors. However, the interest of the girls had already shifted away from them. No, their interest had been unified into one thing for quite some time.

“…’Him.'”

“Where is he?”

“Where did he go?”

“Where is he!”

“Find him quickly!”

“Hurry!”

“Find him right now… BAM!”

Girls were searching for someone with various makeup tools, wigs, dresses, one-pieces, stockings, rings, necklaces, and other accessories. They were holding chokers, garter belts, and more. Their determination to find someone rivaled the search units of the Imperial Army Special Forces.

‘The most handsome guy in the academy.’

‘The coolest guy in the academy.’

‘The sexiest guy in the academy.’

‘The cutest guy in the academy.’

‘The guy you want to cuddle the most in the academy.’

‘The guy you want to fist bump the most in the academy.’

‘The guy you want to bite the most in the academy.’

‘The guy you want to hug and sleep with the most in the academy.’

‘The guy you want to dress up the most in the academy.’

In a survey targeting academy female students (and some male students who suddenly joined the vote), this male student had claimed all the first-place rankings. The unofficial hero of various honors.

Makeup artists, hair stylists, and fashion fans who had long admired his beauty were now unable to control their raging desires and artistic spirits as they actively sought ‘that male student.’

And soon…

“…”

The predators were drawn to the prey, who was dozing in a corner by the window.

Vikir.

This man with an always expressionless face.

* * *

Vikir used to rarely fall asleep. Recent frequent meetings with scholars, commendation ceremonies, midterms, and even sporadic assassinations had worn even the mighty Vikir down. Perhaps as a result, Vikir, who usually hid his face behind bangs or glasses, now revealed his face as he dozed off, capturing the attention of countless female students.

“We found him! Over there!”

“Wow, he’s pretty!”

“I’m already excited!”

“I’ll proudly show off my skillfully prepared makeup for today!”

“I also brought a specially ordered dress!”

“I made a wig from my hair, which I’ve been growing for ten years! I used to be a hair model in Venetior!”

“Ah! Why hasn’t the rare underwear set I ordered four weeks ago arrived!? I’ll just give Vikir my underwear to wear!”

A horde of female students gathered to transform Vikir into a girl. Surprisingly, this crowd not only included freshmen but also sophomores, juniors, and even fourth-year students from the graduating class.

Infiltrating the first-year classroom naturally during break time, they showcased unique talents compared to the freshmen.

“Move aside! What does a freshman know about makeup!”

“Oh my, look at this! Do you even know what kawai underwear is? Have you ever seen a mirror?”

“You made a wig with that rough hair? Get out of here! The wig I made with my hair is much better! I’m the Rapunzel of the continent!”

“Give me that! Little 1st year girl, I’ll shade his nose much better than you!”

“I’ll do the cheek touch! I have around 5 trillion pieces of color cosmetics~”

“Hey, I think the eyeliner would be better if done by me, right?”

“If that’s the case, let’s divide the face! Let’s do makeup by section!”

“Humph! I’ll choose the color of Vikir’s lower lip! Don’t interfere!”

“…What? The lower lip? What the hell, what is my brother doing here…”

Various unknown makeup tools were spread out. An assortment of accessories. All kinds of dresses, one-pieces, uniforms, and more. And various extravagant accessories. Some items like garter belts and chokers aimed at specific tastes were also present.

Countless female students (and some male students) extended their magical hands towards Vikir.

And then…

“…”

The moment Vikir woke up, he was surprised to see numerous palms covering his field of vision. A collective madness that even the soulless who had lived through the era of destruction would find astonishing.

In an instant, Vikir recalled the nightmare of being arrested just before execution. In that moment, he abruptly stood up.

Whoosh!

As Vikir urgently moved away from his seat, the female students started to follow him.

“He must be dressed up as a girl!”

“That’s the rule of our academy!”

“Let’s enjoy the festival!”

Gradually, the female students chased Vikir through the corridor, turning corners. However, somehow Vikir was nowhere to be found.

Like the saying “A dog chasing a chicken only looks at the rooftop,” the female students wandered around aimlessly with blank expressions.

However…

Hack, hack, hack…

In the corner of the locker room, a black puppy nonchalantly strolled across the corridor.

* * *

Vikir, currently wearing the Picaresque mask. Transformed into a black dog, he weaved through the legs of female students who were searching for themselves, eventually making his way outside the main building.

“Even if I’m tired, dealing with these little ones…”

Had the comrades who came through the age of destruction, seen him jump back in surprise at the sight of the palms of the female students, they would have been amazed and burst into laughter.

“Sorry, friends. Seems like I’ve been too lazy lately.”

Caught up in living with young children amidst midterm exams, he ended up genuinely getting along with them, though he couldn’t match their age.

The day is drawing to a close, but there is still much work to be done.

Baskerville, Hugo, Traitors to Mankind, The Ten Corpses, The Demon Realm…

Sura’s path, where one must advance by killing and killing again. Ghost of vengeance.

Vikir clenched his teeth, familiarizing himself with the heavy meanings of the words ‘era of destruction’ and regressor once more.

Chong-chong-chong – Trot-trot-trot –

A small black puppy headed towards the academy’s outer wall. To prepare for such moments, he had hidden clothes outside the city. Choose a suitable opening, retrieve the clothes, and that’s it.

Vikir, who usually roamed the restricted areas (accumulating quite a few demerits), found a secluded spot he had kept an eye on.

The outskirts of the outer wall, sparsely populated, were rarely visited by people. Vikir had prepared a hole just the right size for his small body when he had transformed into a dog.

“If I go through this hole, I can put on my hidden clothes and enter the city. And…”

CindiWendy’s information floated in his mind. The demonic triangle, the only area her information network which was spread throughout Venetior, couldn’t access – the cursed triangle where infiltrators would disappear.

That place was right near where Dantalian had hiding.

“The Royal Martyrs Cemetery.”

A common burial ground for heroes who had protected the empire. According to CindiWendy’s information, many of her agents investigating that area had recently gone missing.

Vikir recalled a newspaper article he had read relatively recently.

[Emergency] The Worst Villain ‘Night Hound,’ How Far Does His Villainy Go? / Views: 89,269

The Night Hound has caused another major incident.

In the early hours of the morning, the ‘Central Clock Tower’ was destroyed by the Night Hound, and shortly thereafter, around dawn at 4 a.m., the ‘Royal Martyrs Cemetery’ was reduced to rubble.

The Royal Martyrs Cemetery, a sacred place where the heroes who unified the empire and mighty warriors rest, was attacked. This fact is nothing short of a declaration of war on the entire empire, if not all of humanity… Meanwhile, the exact number of casualties from the damage caused by this recent terror attack, including the damaged or lost remains, is still not accurately assessed…

It was an article related to a copycat imitating the Night Hound.

“…Maybe the imitator isn’t necessarily trying to imitate me.”

It was just the world calling him an imitator without knowing the true purpose. Even CindiWendy couldn’t figure out what the imitator’s real goal was.

And now, Vikir was almost certain that this so-called imitator was somehow connected to one of the Ten Corpses.

“Alright. Should I start the investigation right away?”

Vikir licked his dry nose decisively and rushed towards the hole in the bushes.

Dodo-dodo –

However, Vikir couldn’t escape through the hole.

Bung-bung-bung –

“…?”

His agile legs were just flapping in the air, accomplishing nothing.

Because someone was lifting Vikir from behind, wrapping their arms around his back and waist.

“Oh my, Choco~ We meet again?”

A familiar voice echoed in his ears. It was the Student Council President Dolores L Quovadis, with a broad smile, holding onto Vikir from behind.

“Are you wandering around here too? There are many stray cats and dogs in this area. Maybe there’s even a hole for dogs like you.”

“…?”

Vikir, caught off guard, half-opened his mouth in bewilderment. Why was this woman here? He had become complacent after checking multiple times that there were rarely any people around, if any.

Dolores, seemingly reading Vikir’s confusion, took the initiative to explain.

“I often come here. Stray cats and dogs roam around here a lot. Maybe there’s a hole somewhere.”

“…”

“So, I sometimes feed the little ones here. It might cause trouble if I do it near the dormitories where other people are.”

Indeed, Dolores was a kind person. Doing volunteer work without gaining any recognition in a place where no one knew.

She laughed lightly, “Lately, there are a lot of puppies and kittens abandoned near the dormitories. After the freshmen come in, the number increases for a few months. Some kids abandon their pets because they fight with roommates or simply get tired of them.”

“…”

“While I love pets, I sometimes wish there was a law prohibiting pets in the academy dorms. So, I plan to push for it before my term as the Student Council President ends.”

“…”

“But there’s strong opposition from those who want to keep pets. Some even see me as a pet hater. Even though it’s not true…”

She spoke while gently petting Vikir’s head.

“By the way, were you abandoned by your owner? Or do you have a separate owner?”

“…”

“You seem to be always alone. Want to come with me?”

Dolores seemed to have a somewhat absurd misunderstanding. She probably thought Vikir was a pitiful stray dog…

‘Hmm, come to think of it, she’s not completely wrong.’

‘Even though I killed Seth, or rather Andromalius, the mastermind behind it… the Baskervilles and Hugo remain on the list of targets for vengeance.’

Vikir suddenly realized that his situation wasn’t that different from what Dolores was thinking.

Tossed away, overturning all the baseless and dirty accusations, a discarded hunting dog. How was that different from being a stray pet, betrayed and abandoned after trusting its owner, even facing execution?

“Well, anyway.”

Dolores, for some reason, seemed to be making an unreasonable assumption. Maybe she misunderstood Vikir as a poor abandoned dog…

“Ah, I should get you neutered, Choco!”

It was because of Dolores’ unintended but not malicious wickedness.

Huffing away like the wind, the black puppy fled again. Dolores, who couldn’t help but lose him due to his swift movements, watched the disappearing black figure with a regretful expression.

Did she know that she almost intentionally turned Vikir into the ‘(✿ ◕‿◕) ᓄ✂╰U╯’?

“Ah, he ran away again. He doesn’t really stay close. Seems quite shy.”

However, oblivious to this fact, Dolores sighed as Vikir disappeared into the bushes like an arrow.

“…What a weird dog”