Chapter 167: Good Dog, Bad Dog (4)

At first glance, the current appearance of Sion was truly nothing short of divine.

Her silver hair, glowing white in the moonlight, radiated such holiness that it could naturally inspire even the most lacking of faith.

However, Sion’s true feelings were far from what appeared outwardly.

‘Hah, hah… …………! That was a close call…!!’

Sion mumbled inwardly, sweating cold in a panic.

The corners of her mouth, forced into a fake smile, twitched slightly.

At first, she was at a complete loss, her mind blank.

She never imagined that she would encounter a dog she used to own all the way out here.

Not to mention, the fact that it saw right through her transformed identity.

Was it because of her origins as an ethereal being, with a high sensitivity to souls? That seemed to be the only explanation.

For whatever reason, once she came face to face with the dog she used to raise, Sion’s options for what to do were limited.

Ignoring it and killing it on the spot was out of the question.

Perhaps in her demon lord days she might have, but now, as a human with a human heart, Sion couldn’t make such a ruthless choice.

On the other hand, she couldn’t simply run away either. If she fled in front of everyone, her reputation as a hero would plummet terribly.

In the end, the only option Sion had was to accept the Spirit Hound and weave a convincing story to explain how it had come to be.

She had to make up a quick story on the spot, using even a forced plot twist like the ‘voice of the heart,’ but fortunately, no one seemed to doubt it.

Ultimately, the result justified everything, and since it ended well, everyone chose to overlook the doubts and became moved, saying, “The hero performed a miracle.”

On the contrary, if she hadn’t been the hero chosen by the gods, Sion would have been suspected in some way.

This was the moment when the image she had built up so far shone.

-“Well, at least I got my investment back. Or should I say, this is more of a blessing in disguise?

The saying that there’s always an opportunity in a crisis really is accurate.”

-“You really are quick-witted, aren’t you…”

Exia muttered with disbelief from the side.

-“I never imagined you’d spin a lie right there. I thought for sure the plot would lead to your identity being exposed.”

-“Heh, as someone who once ruled as the Demon King, this level of improvisation is basic.

If I couldn’t handle unexpected situations, I would have fallen from grace long ago.”

Sion smiled confidently.

The Spirit Hounds, sensing their master’s good mood, also seemed to be in a better mood.

[Woof! Woof! Woof! (Master! Play with us! Play with us!)]

“Alright, alright. Calm down and wait quietly.

Once the situation is settled, we’ll have a chance to share in the joy of reunion…

For now, the first priority is treating injuries. I need to reattach the arms of the guards and the Spirit Hounds.

Once that’s done, we can play with them again, just like before.”

“Heh, what good pups. I never expected you to recognize her even after her appearance changed.

Is this the power of bonds? I’m so happy.”

Sion smiled contentedly as she looked down at the Spirit Hounds, who were performing tricks for her.

Unlike her earlier fabricated smile, this one was full of genuine joy.

Meanwhile, Dorothy, who had belatedly chased after Sion, was doing something else entirely.

“How dare you! What do you think you’re doing, attacking me! You’re just a monster, how rude!”

[Woof?!]

She was holding down another Spirit Hound with one hand and tossing it around.

The forest around Anatolia’s outskirts was complicated.

With identical trees stretching endlessly, anyone who didn’t know the way would easily get lost.

That’s exactly what happened to Dorothy.

She boldly set off after Sion, but after losing her way for just a moment, she became lost.

Then, she was attacked by a Spirit Hound that happened to be wandering nearby.

If she had been a normal girl, she would have already been a meal by now.

But Dorothy wasn’t a normal girl—she possessed enough strength to easily deal with a Spirit Hound.

Even if a wolf bit her with full force, it wouldn’t even leave a scratch.

Not being able to use aura was no disadvantage for her.

The moment the Spirit Hound materialized to bite her neck, she could just uppercut it.

“Are you an intruder? Are you the one who broke through the barrier?”

[Growl…!]

“Don’t bare your teeth at me, you mutt!”

[Wuf!?!]

The Spirit Hound, trying to hold onto its pride, was rewarded with a sharp slap to the face.

It yelped in pain and, unable to withstand the accumulated shock, fainted.

Having perfectly subdued the monster, Dorothy flashed a satisfied smile.

“Hmm, good! I got a little lost on the way, but in the end, problem solved!

Now, no matter how the vote turns out, people will surely look up to me more, right? Hehehe♬”

Even being crowned MVP of the sports festival would ultimately just be for fun.

There was no bigger accomplishment than personally taking down an intruder who broke into the school.

Now, all she had to do was take this wolf and show it off, and everyone would look at her with admiration.

The embarrassing scene from earlier would be forgotten, and only her achievement would remain.

At that moment, Dorothy was absolutely certain of this.

“Alright.”

She threw the fallen wolf over her shoulder.

Although it weighed several tons, to Dorothy, it was light enough to carry with one hand.

Of course, due to their size difference, most of the wolf’s body, excluding its head, dragged on the ground, but that couldn’t be helped.

“Now then, where’s the exit?”

Dorothy, still carrying the wolf, looked around. She noticed movement to her right and headed in that direction.

Soon after, a large clearing appeared where many people, including Sion, had gathered.

“Heh, too bad, Hero Sion! Unfortunately, you were one step too late!

The intruder who broke through the barrier and invaded the school has already been dealt with… by me, Dorothea, no—Dorothy!”

As soon as she appeared, ready to declare her victory with a smug face, Dorothy froze, wide-eyed in shock at the scene before her.

Not just one, but five Spirit Hounds—ones she had defeated—were now there, playfully engaging with Sion.

They were licking, biting, and showing affection toward her, and Sion, with a beaming smile, was playing with them without hesitation.

The sight was holy and sacred, in stark contrast to Dorothy, who was dragging the unconscious wolf along the ground.

In fact, everyone around was looking at Sion with eyes full of admiration.

“What… what is that…!?!?

Wasn’t the intruder just supposed to be one? And now they’re already playing together as if they’re friends? How is this even possible??”

No one knew the reason.

It was a phenomenon that couldn’t be explained by anyone’s common sense here.

They could only accept it because the hero was involved.

But there was one thing that was certain.

When comparing Sion’s and Dorothy’s current appearances, there was one undeniable truth—clear as day.

Dorothy, throwing the wolf to the ground, screamed in frustration.

“Damn it, I’ve lost again!!”

She collapsed onto the ground, clutching her head.

No matter how many wolves she took down, whether it was ten or even a hundred, she could never beat that.

Slaying monsters was something anyone with strength could do, but making them follow you like Sion did?

That was something only Sion could achieve.

People would forget about Dorothy’s efforts and only remember Sion’s great achievement, spreading it everywhere.

Naturally, that was how it would go. Dorothy herself would do the same.

“Ugh, ugh…

Why do I keep losing… I’m supposed to be a dragon, but… why…?

Why can’t I be the one to be happy…? Why can’t it be me…”

Dorothy sat next to the fallen wolf, slipping into a gloomy mood.

With the exposure of her chest already pushing her to the edge mentally, being hit with another blow like this left her unable to bear it anymore.

Her mind began to get sucked into an increasingly dark black hole.

And then, at that moment.

-“Master, Master.”

A telepathic message flew into her head from a distance. It was Philia.

-“Master, be happy. I have some good news for you.”

-“What is it? Are you messing with me again? If you are, please drop it, because I’m really not in the mood right now.”

-“It’s not that! It’s real good news!”

Philia replied in an excited voice.

-“The host just ran out, so I sneakily checked the result sheets. You, Master, have won first place for the cheerleader award, surpassing even the hero!

It seems that all your efforts were not in vain. Congratulations sincerely.”

-“……”

-“How about it, happy? Should we throw a celebration party tonight? Since it’s a special occasion, I’ll prepare all your favorite dishes.”

-“………”

-“Master?”

Grinding teeth

Dorothy ground her teeth fiercely. Then, turning toward Philia beyond the doorway, she shouted at the top of her lungs.

-“I don’t need it!!!!!!!!!!”

-“!?”

Philia, caught completely off guard by Dorothy’s unexpected outburst, fell backward.

This time, she looked utterly confused, unable to understand what was going on.

-“What the heck?”

Dorothy was angry even after being told she won first place. What in the world was this strange mood swing?

Truly, she was the hardest master to please in the world.