DLRV 12

When I said I wanted to take a brief walk alone in the forest, it was Nesi, not Xenon, who expressed more concern.

[There are many dangers in the forest. Make sure to call out if anything happens. You are a temporary member of my pack, so as the leader, I will protect you.]

Hearing that steadfast voice made me feel reassured.

I had given up on trying to lure him away, but it was still a shame. Ah, Nesi. You, with your fatal charm as a wolf.

“Are you really sure about this?”

“I memorized the map.”

I also bought a few smoke bombs that Xenon had. I even took a dagger, though I didn’t know how to use it. My heightened senses would also help me detect danger in advance.

“Memorizing the map doesn’t mean you won’t get lost.”

“You said Nesi’s sense of smell is exceptional. Even if I do get lost, Nesi will find me.”

At my carefree response, Xenon let out a small, incredulous chuckle.

“I envy Nesi, receiving such boundless trust.”

“There’s nothing to be jealous of. I also trust your cooking skills.”

“…I did warn you.”

Perhaps sensing that he wouldn’t be able to stop me, he backed off without further argument. I was glad he didn’t make a fuss.

If it had been Samuel instead of Xenon, things would have gone very differently.

Now that I thought about it, what was that man doing right now? He was probably looking for me, wasn’t he?

“I’ll be back as quickly as possible. I want to leave this place as soon as I can.”

If I were to stumble upon a fateful opportunity and gain the cooperation of a dragon, that would be ideal.

Entertaining such an outlandish thought, I strolled forward aimlessly. As I focused on the sound of leaves crunching underfoot and lifted my head, I found myself surrounded by dense trees.

The presence behind me had vanished, and before I knew it, I was alone in the forest.

***

As I ventured deeper into the woods, I encountered the chirping of mountain birds and the curious gazes of rabbits and foxes.

I had been warned that monsters might appear, but there was no sign of them yet. In the first place, if monsters were around, such small and fragile animals wouldn’t be here either.

Still, just in case, I occasionally asked the animals I met about the creatures inhabiting the area.

[My mom told me never to go near the center of the forest!]

[My dad said there’s something terrifying beyond the woods!]

The mountain birds chirped noisily, all talking at once, as I continued walking. But the deeper I went, the quieter it became.

Even the fox and rabbit that had been trailing me out of curiosity had disappeared at some point. The thicker the trees grew, the less sunlight filtered through, and the air became eerier.

It felt like something could jump out at any moment, but since nothing was actually appearing, I felt frustrated. Maybe I should’ve tried to lure one of those foxes or rabbits earlier?

After seeing Nesi, I must have developed the desire to find a magnificent creature of my own. Though I doubted there were many like Nesi out there.

Stopping my aimless steps, I let out a long sigh. Considering the walk back, I had to stop around here. Going further wouldn’t increase my chances of finding an animal.

The small creatures had warned that the center of the forest was dangerous, but they didn’t seem to know exactly what was there. There was no need to rush headlong into some unknown danger.

“Let’s not be impatient.”

I reassured myself as I turned around.

At that moment, a chilling cold surged up my spine from behind.

I felt goosebumps rise on the back of my neck and slowly turned around—only to see a black horse standing there, its presence unnoticed until now.

“…”

Seated atop the black horse was a large man, dressed entirely in black.

He had no head.

Wait, what?

“His… head…”

From the severed neck, something like black smoke slowly rose. Uh, I did wish for a fateful encounter… but I didn’t expect a Dullahan to suddenly appear.

As I stood there, speechless and frozen, a deep voice resonated in my ears.

[At last, you have appeared, Captain.]

Captain? Me?

No way… right? Hastily, I looked around. But there wasn’t a single creature in sight that the Dullahan could be addressing as “Captain.”

[I have waited for a long time.]

Wait, did I just become the Dullahan’s captain because I died and came back to life?

“I think you’ve got the wrong person.”

I wasn’t even sure if “seeing” was the right word to use for a headless Dullahan…

Swallowing dryly, I carefully replied, but the Dullahan’s response was completely unexpected.

[I have been waiting for rest.]

“Rest?”

[Yes. Captain, you will grant us our rest.]

The deep, resonating voice didn’t come through my ears—it echoed inside my head.

The massive Dullahan lightly dismounted from his black horse and approached me before kneeling.

[I am Nadav, the ninth knight, wandering in search of my lost head.]

Wandering in search of his lost head…?

Only after hearing his introduction did I recall the commonly known information about Dullahans.

Typically, Dullahans were said to carry their heads under their arms. But the one kneeling before me held nothing. He did seem somewhat intimidating, yet I couldn’t sense any killing intent.

At least for now, he didn’t seem to have any intention of harming me. But would that still be true in the future?

“Nadav, was it? Why exactly am I your captain?”

[Because you are the Captain.]

For a moment, I struggled to keep my expression in check.

Great. He doesn’t understand logic.

“…Alright. If you’re the ninth knight, that means there are other Dullahans, right?”

[There were twelve knights at the Round Table. Two have fallen into eternal darkness, while the remaining ten wander, unable to find their rest. Only the Captain can illuminate the chaos.]

What kind of nonsense was that? This was harder to decipher than a prophecy.

Feeling exasperated, I carefully went over Nadav’s words, counting on my fingers.

“So, out of the twelve, two are dead, and ten Dullahans are wandering. And you’re one of them?”

[The others have likely sensed the Captain’s presence and begun to awaken. However, please forgive them for not being able to come in person—they have no heads.]

Could this have something to do with my resurrection? Otherwise, there was no reason for this Dullahan to have sensed my presence.

“So, what exactly do I have to do to grant you rest?”

[By serving under the Captain, the knights will reclaim the light, find the right path, and ultimately reach their rest.]

“…Let’s cut the cryptic talk and keep it simple.”

Licking my dry lips, I asked, desperately hoping I was wrong.

“You want me to find your head, don’t you?”

[That is correct.]

…So what you’re saying is, I was brought back to life just to find the missing heads of ten Dullahans?

I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t even speak.

No, dear god. You said evil was running rampant. But you’re telling me I was resurrected, and now these guys have awakened because of it?

“Do you obey my commands?”

[Of course, Captain.]

“Then, to celebrate our meeting, should we start by destroying the temple?”

[……Pardon?]

What kind of resurrection nonsense is this? I don’t need any of it. I’ll just be a non-believer.

Unexpectedly, Nadav was a Dullahan who held deep respect for religion. He very politely and earnestly dissuaded me, saying that a temple was a sacred altar for worshiping the gods and must not be destroyed.

I was genuinely disappointed. Why was a monster acting so dignified? First, animals, and now even monsters were better than humans?

Wandering in the darkness, he had now met me, and so he declared that he would follow me from now on.

I couldn’t bring myself to shatter his firm belief that staying with me would help him find his head, so I weakly created an escape route by saying there was no guarantee.

Besides, I had no real way to shake off a Dullahan who insisted on following me, so I didn’t actually have a choice.

“So, is there a way for you to hide?”

[I cannot hide completely. However, I can transform.]

“Transform?”

…And so, a little while later, I returned with Nadav.

“Lady Annelie?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve brought back an unfamiliar animal?”

“Oh, I found it in the forest.”

“That wild horse?”

“Yeah.”

Casually, I glanced at Nadav, who had transformed into a black horse. It was as if he had fused with the very horse he had been riding. Silently, he stepped closer to my side.

I wondered if Nesi would sense something strange, but he didn’t seem particularly wary.

[It is a relief that you have returned safely.]

“For a wild horse… it’s quite… ominous.”

However, it seemed Nadav couldn’t fully conceal himself from Xenon’s sharp senses. His gaze, filled with suspicion and doubt, was locked onto Nadav.

Even with his magic sealed, he could still sense things?

“Do you feel something?”

“Yes.”

“Strongly?”

“It’s not strong, but with skills like mine, I can sense its presence.”

So, any magician I encountered would probably notice as well? That could be a problem.

“Then how do I hide it?”

“…Excuse me?”

“I mean, how do I make this aura look like an ordinary horse’s?”

Hearing my serious question, Xenon frowned slightly. He remained on guard, keeping a cautious distance from Nadav, and responded in a disapproving tone.

“Apologies, but could you first tell me what exactly it is that you brought back?”

If I told him I brought a Dullahan, wouldn’t Xenon immediately contact the Mage Tower using his communication device?

He’d say the resurrected one was actually a witch who commanded monsters.

“…My subordinate.”

Unable to find a more suitable term, I hesitated for a moment before recalling what Nadav had called me earlier. I blurted it out on the spot.

At that, Nadav, who had been standing obediently, suddenly stamped his front legs in excitement.

[To be acknowledged by you… I am honored, Captain!]

Ignoring Nadav’s enthusiastic outburst, I stared intently at Xenon.

Even as a magician, he probably had never heard of a Dullahan that could transform into a horse.

Which meant he wouldn’t be able to recognize Nadav’s true identity immediately.

He might sense some sort of dark energy, but as long as I concealed that properly, I was confident I could keep a transformed Dullahan around.

“So hurry up and tell me—how do I make my subordinate look like an ordinary horse?”