The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound

Chapter 208 Night of the Festival (3)

Vikir, disguised as a witch, was stir-frying vegetables and meat. Limited quantities and a variety of ingredients. However, the number of dishes that could be created with these combinations was endless.

‘It brings back memories. These are the dishes we often had in the field.’

Vikir reminisced about the past before his regression while dunking bread into milk. As the era of destruction prolonged, food became scarce. Supplies transported to the front lines mostly burned in surprise attacks by demons. The small amount that managed to arrive was often pilfered or hoarded by higher-ups. Consequently, what reached the hands of the frontline officers and soldiers was either withered or spoiled.

In the face of anger, the warriors on the front lines had to savor the extremely limited food as best they could. In this process, Vikir learned a lot from his comrades. How to prepare and eat inedible ingredients, which parts to remove from poisonous vegetables, how to restore the freshness of spoiled meat, how to make bitter or sour vegetables palatable, how to neutralize the overpowering taste of strong spices – boiling, cooking, grilling, steaming, frying.

Currently, Vikir was applying the experiences from back then, using limited space and ingredients to maximize flavor.

‘These few simple cafe snacks will undoubtedly surpass the chefs of this era.’

Some signature dishes of the old soldier Vikir, who had roamed the battlefield for a decade, still surpassed many chefs. Of course, this was possible due to the advanced cooking techniques of the previous era and the taste developed over a long time in the field.

“Potatoes grown in Morg clan (Also called Morg potatoes) have a strong earthy smell and no taste. The texture is like chewing sand…”

However, Vikir finely chopped the potatoes, seasoned them with salt and vinegar, and then added mandrake leaves and sabbath tree fruits to the wok, stir-frying over a strong flame.

“This way, the earthy smell completely disappears, and the sweetness and texture come alive.”

Come to think of it, he had handled potatoes this way once before.

“Don’t you have these kinds of things at home?”

Suddenly, the face of a young girl from Morg flashed before Vikir’s eyes.

“…”

Staring at him with teary eyes.

“Hey, want to come to my house and cook? I’ll take you in.”

“By the way, when are you going to enroll in the academy? Let’s go together. I might enroll early in 1 or 2 years. If we become first-year students together, it’ll be fun…”

And then, like it was a matter of course, the two children were glued together, planning their future.

“Where are you and what are you doing now?”

Vikir thought briefly to himself. Surprisingly, he still had the luxury of thinking about others.

“Did I retain this kind of sentiment?”

Vikir shook his head, dispelling all the reflections and focusing on the modest reality.

‘We’ll meet soon.’

When lost in thought, keeping busy is a good way to distract oneself.

Sizzle—

After stir-frying chicken and potatoes, he poured red soup seasoning over them. This nameless dish, which mercenaries on the front lines would eat while sitting on demon corpses in the era of destruction, crossed eras and became a hugely popular new menu at the academy festival cafe.

“…”

Vikir turned his head while holding the wok.

On the tables outside the kitchen, people were enjoying drinks and snacks. The delicious food brought smiles to everyone’s faces as they savored Vikir’s cooking.

‘…It was the same back then. Even comrades who were no longer with us enjoyed my cooking.’

Whether it was the cook, the eater, or the landscapes being enjoyed, the results had changed dramatically over time, but the taste had not. In a slightly different way, even comrades who were no longer with them were still alive during this time period.

Squish—

Vikir tightened his grip on the wok.

He had to give his all today, in this moment, for them. Killing more demons, crossing more battlegrounds, and growing stronger.

Vikir immersed himself in the cooking in front of him, as if it were a solemn mission.

He would put aside personal thoughts and deal with each small task at hand with a clear focus on the present.

Meanwhile,

“…”

Dolores stared blankly at Vikir in the kitchen.

“Wow…”

Even though she tried to suppress it, her lips involuntarily parted. Truly, his appearance was worthy of admiration. She had always considered herself someone who valued inner qualities over outward appearances. However, it didn’t mean she completely ignored external factors. The reason she had never been captivated by a man’s face until now was not because she didn’t value looks but simply because she had never encountered a face that genuinely captivated her.

Dolores only realized this significant fact now.

“Such a face with such sacrilegious attire. Why is he a witch of all things…”

Regaining her senses belatedly, she deliberately averted her gaze. A witch (마녀) was the opposite of a saint (성녀), so it was natural for Dolores to feel repulsed by such attire. However, the opinions of other female students standing behind her seemed a bit different.

“…He’s incredibly handsome.”

An unabashed expression of admiration.

Dolores was startled, thinking she might have accidentally spoken her thoughts out loud, but that wasn’t the case. When she turned her head, she saw a crowd of female students outside the cafe, unable to enter and gathered around the fence, peeking into the kitchen. Most of them were in zombie cosplay, creating a rather apocalyptic scene.

“How can a guy be this pretty? This is cheating!”

“Vikir-oppa! I adore you! Please look back just once! Please! Seriously! This is for real!”

“Ah, really, the decadent beauty award and the rookie award in the golden sexy category for the 20th class this year – all of it should just go to our Vikir~ I remember when he gave his acceptance speech, the audience turned into a boiling hot pot of tears, and he made soup out of it!”

“…Yeah. Vikir’s sexiness has caused all of the world’s walls to crumble. He smashed through the ancient border walls and brought the country together. Can he win the Nobel Peace Prize? Certainly possible!”

“Wait a second. Vikir is so hot that when people think of him, the Empire’s territory folds in half, and my friend and I high-five as we travel outside the Imperial borders!”

The crowd of zombie cosplayers gathered around the fence, all wanting to catch a glimpse of Vikir, resembled a scene from an apocalypse.

“Hooray, sales are booming!”

“Bro, you’re the best!”

Tudor and Sinclair, excited, began distributing numbers to the customers outside.

Despite adding a zero to the prices on the menu, Vikir’s dishes, created from leftover ingredients, were selling like hotcakes. Most customers were noble-born students, so despite the high prices, they opened their wallets without hesitation.

“Hey!? Look at this, guys! Another new menu is out! How did they make such a delicious snack with leftover ingredients? What’s the name of this? What? None? Just made with whatever was left? Well, then let’s quickly add it to the menu! It’s the 32nd special new menu release!”

As more male customers flocked in, drawn by Vikir’s appearance, and when Vikir was revealed as a man, the number of female customers surprisingly surged. Moreover, the male customers did not decrease; instead, they increased.

“Ugh, look at all these girls. Men just have to be hot, and girls would be heads over heal for them~”

“Hey! Amazing turn of events! That guy is a man!”

“Seriously, as long as they’re pretty~”

“Maybe, I like men…”

“Was there such a person in our school?”

“This new freshman for the Cold Department seems to be quite famous. He’s called the Colosseo’s Hottie..”

“I heard this place is famous for its delicious food.”

“Can you take our order? We’ll prepay for our meals. Oh, and since it might disturb our enjoyment, could you please clear away the food and drinks?”

Urgle- The professors and students formed a harmonious blend of humanity.

“Hey, Vikir-oppa? Sorry to bother you while you’re busy, but can I add toppings to this? And I’d like to try the newly added menu.”

Even Professor Banshee joined the fray, occupying a table and continuously placing additional orders.

At that moment, Bianca, who had just finished promoting the event, entered the kitchen.

Seeing Vikir holding a pot and ladle, she was surprised and shouted, “What? Why are you in the kitchen? Hurry up, go outside, and attract customers! Why let that face rot in the kitchen!?”

Hearing this, Vikir nodded, placing the ladle down.

And then, at that very moment.

“No! The kitchen can’t survive without Vikir’s touch! Don’t take him away recklessly! Do you know how many gourmets have fallen in love with Vikir’s taste right now!”

Tudor rushed in, defending Vikir. Thus, the kitchen faction Tudor and the customer attraction faction Bianca began a lively quarrel.

“No! Vikir is an essential talent in the kitchen! Don’t take him away casually! Right now, many gourmets have fallen for Vikir’s taste!”

“Are you kidding me? Making a stew with that perfect witch costume? If that beauty steps outside, our sales will double, easily!”

Upon hearing this, students from the kitchen faction gathered behind Tudor, and students from the customer attraction faction gathered behind Bianca. They started a heated physical confrontation.

“Don’t underestimate the kitchen!”

“The festival’s highlight is customer attraction!”

Led by Tudor and Bianca, students from both positions fiercely battled over Vikir’s job.

Right at that moment.

“Why are these kids fighting?”

Someone pulled Vikir into a hug and helped him stand up.

Suddenly.

“?”

Vikir’s expression changed slightly, looking somewhat bewildered.

A familiar face.

…Why would this person, who should be in the outskirts, be here in Venetior right now?