The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound
chapter-175

Chapter 175 Anti-Columnist (4)

Dolores. She read the article in the newspaper and thought about Vikir once again. It was an article that went too far, condemning Night Hound as crossing the line. It was a critical and inflammatory piece, and she wasn’t pleased to read it.

What made her even more uncomfortable was seeing Vikir, who she felt indebted to, once again berating Night Hound. Dolores was wounded deeply, more so than when she received insults herself.

‘Do you even know what you’re talking about when you insult him?’ Dolores thought. She understood that common people might insult a hero, but that didn’t mean she blamed them.

Just like the great prophet Rune, who was misunderstood and condemned by the people long ago, Night Hound accepted being a target of misunderstanding and hatred, even though he never intended it.

‘True heroes don’t force people to shed blood,’ Dolores remembered the words of the great prophet.

She bit her lips and clenched her fists. Confronting her juniors and proclaiming Night Hound’s innocence was possible, but it wouldn’t serve her purpose.

‘It’s okay. Even if the world doesn’t understand Night Hound, at least I understand his sacrifice,’ Dolores thought.

A genius and a prophet whom the world couldn’t comprehend. Dolores felt an almost sacred duty to be the one person who truly understood him.

While the rest of the world hated, feared, and despised Night Hound. Dolores was filled with affection, admiration, longing, and a complex, heartbreaking emotion that couldn’t be precisely defined.

She was carrying a unique and uncharted feeling, and as the days went by, it grew even more profound. Now, Dolores could hardly get any sleep at night, all because of this unfamiliar set of emotions she was experiencing.

She had never felt anything like this before, and every day was an unfamiliar journey of new feelings.

Dolores released her hand from the railing and turned away. She had come to meet Vikir, but now she was so angry that she couldn’t bring herself to speak with him. She felt that she had a reason to be angry, and she wasn’t entirely wrong.

It wasn’t the right time to talk, so she had no choice but to turn her back on Vikir.

.

* * *

Back in the dorm room, Dolores took a shower and then sat down at her desk.

“But I still need to talk to Vikir about it.”

Vikir was the only student at the academy who had directly witnessed Night Hound. So there was a definite need to find out what he had seen that day.

And there was one more thing.

“…I need to apologize for the urinating incident.”

Vikir was, to Dolores, a benefactor almost like a guardian angel. He had come to her aid when she was inebriated and made a mistake. Vikir had turned around the slanderous nickname of “The Urinator” for her, despite the embarrassing circumstances.

In a situation where all the eyes of both men and women were on her, it would have been incredibly challenging for the person who urinated to admit that it was her. But Vikir had done it.

Dolores appreciated his selfless act of kindness. Even after the incident, Vikir had never asked for anything in return or tried to make her feel obligated.

‘…As long as he doesn’t insult Night Hound, he’s a very good junior.’

Dolores was experiencing conflicting emotions towards Vikir.

When he sang a military song at the freshman talent show and made the old professors cry, I thought he was an oddball, but…… after that, his image gradually deteriorated due to his frequent tardiness and demerits

[Vikir-Life Attitude Score (Demerit Factor)]

-1 point for using the emergency exit on the 3rd floor of the dormitory building

-1 point for entering the 4th-grade private area of the performance hall

-1 point for using the central staircase on the 1st floor of the blind reading lab building

-1 point for entering the control area of the experimental monster breeding facility

-1 point for using the central staircase on the 6th floor of the Faculty Research Center

-1 point for using the central staircase on the 3rd floor of the Hot lab.

-1 point for entering the fitness center after hours

-1 point for entering the restricted area next to the cafeteria food warehouse.

.

.

.

Vikir’s demerit record was staggering, even when reviewed once again. How could someone achieve these figures just after entering the school? It was hard to imagine for someone who had lived an orderly and virtuous life like Dolores.

‘In particular, the penalty for entering the habitat of experimental monsters was three points…’

Didn’t they say it was polite to turn your arms inward? As a member of the same club, she cut his punishment down to just one point, and that, too, was thanks to Dolores’ leniency.

But his record continued with multiple demerits. As a result, Vikir’s image was completely transformed into that of a delinquent student.

“…However.”

“…Even if I’m not just unfairly labeling him as a delinquent, he did a great job with volunteer work.”

During volunteer work at the orphanage, Vikir had silently and diligently performed various tasks in the unseen corners: cleaning restrooms, dining halls, pipes, laundry rooms, playrooms, playgrounds, and sports fields, among others.

Tiring and grueling tasks, but none of the other academy students, who were not used to such work, could even complete a single person’s workload.

With all the eyes on him, he never seemed to seek recognition or approval for his work. His strange behavior was admirable, and Dolores found it impressive.

Furthermore, at the last minute, Vikir had gone so far as to plunge into a sewer to retrieve the children’s ball. Even after being drenched in filth, he generously returned the ball to the kids.

His actions resembled a martyr’s sacrifice.

How many people could willingly jump into a sewer for the sake of others? Dolores thought.

And Vikir’s actions were not limited to just that one instance.

“I was drunk and made a mistake.”

Vikir’s words at the time referred to himself, but they had been spoken on Dolores’ behalf. At that moment, she remembered feeling the same emotions.

That episode was one where Vikir had defended her, after all. When she tried to confess that she was the one who had urinated, everyone laughed it off, as it would be improbable for anyone to admit such a thing. Instead, they praised her as if she were willing to sacrifice herself on Vikir’s behalf.

From then on, Vikir’s image at the school had only worsened, while Dolores’ image improved.

“Haah.”

Dolores let out a deep sigh.

Dolores realized she needed to apologize and express her gratitude to Vikir for his actions at the orphanage and for taking the urination incident on her behalf. However, she couldn’t help but get upset whenever Vikir insulted Night Hound, given that Night Hound was the most noble and dignified person she had ever known.

“It’s not like I can defend Night Hound in front of people who don’t know anything. What should I do about this?”

Dolores scratched her forehead as she contemplated the issue.

After a while, she came to a decision. She needed to offer her apologies and gratitude to Vikir, regardless of the situation with Night Hound. Additionally, she needed to ask Vikir for information related to Night Hound.

“Right. Let’s distinguish between personal and official matters. I should apologize where apologies are due and express gratitude when it’s appropriate.”

Dolores left her dormitory to find Vikir.

“Apologizing and showing gratitude can’t be done empty-handed. Besides, I need to gather information about Night Hound. Vikir… what does he need?”

Dolores was in a somewhat awkward situation, having never owed anyone in her life.

Just then, she encountered a familiar face: a chubby figure with a cute face. It was Figgy, Vikir’s roommate, who was always with him.

“Hi, Figgy. Do you happen to know where Vikir is right now?”

“Huh? Oh, hi, President! I think Vikir is probably practicing for the practical evaluations! But may I ask what’s going on?”

“Just… I thought I’d take care of our club juniors before the exam. You should take this, too.”

Dolores handed her a summary of key points that she had written during her first year.

Figgy accepted it gratefully, her face beaming with appreciation.

“I’ll watch it with Vikir! Thank you so much!”

“Well, you’re welcome. I need to make sure that Vikir gets a copy as well. I made plenty of copies.”

“Is that so? Then if you go through the forest and cross the hill, you’ll find the area where Vikir is practicing!”

Dolores realized that it was the area where archery lessons were conducted.

“Vikir must be using a bow.”

Nodding to herself, Dolores headed towards the Field, thinking about what to say when she met Vikir.