I'm A Dullahan, Looking For My Head Chapter 2

 

Chapter 2

The Headless Knight Adventurer: Run! Purple Flame!!

(TN: The original name given for the horse in the translation is Coach-A-Bower, meaning Death Coach in mythology. It is used more like a title for the mode of transportation used by a Dullahan than for the specific name of the horse. In this chapter I will Instead use the name Koshta Bauer to shorten it and make it feel more like the species' name or the horse's name since he refers to just the horse when talking.)

Having succeeded in defeating the wolves with the physical specs of a Dullahan, I am now trying to figure out my power while advancing through the forest.

I spot a fairly large rock within my field of view and approach it. It must be around fifty centimeters in height, a size just right for sitting and resting.

This rock would be difficult for an adult to lift, let alone break with a fist, but--

“Hmph!”

I give it a solid strike with my fist, causing it to shatter into two with a loud sound.

The loud noise of the breaking rock and the impact startle nearby birds, causing them to flutter away. I can't help but be amazed by my immense power. Being a monster certainly has its advantages.

I check my fist, half-expecting it to be injured, but not a scratch is to be found. 

“Wow, I really have ceased to be human,” I mutter, shaking my head. I adjust my red mantle and resume walking down the path.

I try crushing a stone that fits in the palm of my hand with just my grip, sprint down the path at full speed, and jump as high as I can. All of them show extraordinary abilities.

The pebble crumbles as easily as a sand ball, and my running speed is quite fast.

I'm not out of breath, and I don't feel tired, so I end up running around like an idiot.

I feel like I’ve run quite a distance already.

When I jump as high as I can, I manage to reach a considerable height. About three meters, I think.

Overall, my body’s capabilities are absurd, but compared to simple power and defense, things like agility and speed seem lower. Maybe it’s because my body feels sluggish.

Originally, Dullahans have high defense and power, and the Coach-a-Bower compensates for things like speed.

It’s probably a racial trait. Even so, compared to humans, I’m far beyond.

By the way, while I was sprinting at full speed, I encountered quite a number of animals and monsters.

There were small childlike demons with green skin.

Goblins.

There are even typical monsters like goblins around.

I witness various mysterious creatures, sometimes fleeing and sometimes fending them off with just my fists.

My inner otaku spirit is heating up, but this is a dangerous world where magical creatures exist.

It's a fantasy-like alternate world, which brings about mixed feelings.

Finally, the possibility of being in Japan has completely faded away...

I think about how it would be nice if I were at least in human form, but then I remember that if I hadn’t been a Dullahan, I would have been attacked and killed by the wolves.

For now, I have to accept that I’m a Dullahan and try to learn about this world and myself. I can’t really accept it, but there’s no other choice.

Also, if I still have a head, I want to search for it.

◆

“...I’m getting tired of walking.”

Having been born a Dullahan, I continue to wander through the forest.

Even though I have covered quite a distance by running from the lake, there isn't a single soul in sight.

Could it be that I’m still not near any human settlement?

Even with a tireless body, I, Kubinashi Sousuke, remain a human at heart.

To put it simply, I’m tired of walking in the forest.

Sure, at first I was intrigued by the unfamiliar plants and animals, but the scenery itself hasn’t changed at all.

Walking, walking, and all I see are trees. It’s getting really frustrating.

Maybe I should give it my all and sprint to escape from this forest as soon as possible.

With my endurance, I should be able to run non-stop without getting tired.

“Alright, if that’s the plan, let’s make it an endurance marathon!”

As I am about to start running with high spirits, something strikes me.

When it comes to Dullahans, they’re often depicted riding on a headless horse called Koshta Bauer.

Well, there are exceptions, but that’s the basic image.

If that’s the case, could I also ride Koshta Bauer?

Even though I don’t feel tired, running for an extended period is mentally taxing.

After all, humans are creatures that prefer the easy way out!

Well, I’m not a human anymore, though.

However, at this moment, I don’t have Koshta Bauer by my side.

I didn’t notice it earlier either.

It’s just like with the absence of my head, there are so many things I’m missing. Not having a sword as a Dullahan is strange as well.

This world feels rather unfriendly towards me.

Maybe if I summon or call out, it will come to me.

I have a vague feeling that it might work. I don’t know the proper reasoning behind it, but I have an intuitive sense that it might just happen.

With a secret conviction in my heart, I let my cape flutter and extend my hand while shouting at the top of my lungs.

“Come forth! Koshta Bauer!”

Yelling with even more enthusiasm than usual, the ground in front of me starts shimmering with a dark color.

From there, a headless horse emerges along with flickering purple flames.

“Wow! It actually came out!”

With its rugged red mane, black coat, and eerie purple flames flickering at its feet.

It is a perfectly sinister looking horse, suitable for a Dullahan to ride.

The headless horse lets out a whinny from nowhere, lifting its front legs high.

Then, Koshta Bauer snorted in satisfaction.

Yeah, it's quite a cool entrance.

I observe the headless horse standing before me once again. Koshta Bauer is already equipped with stirrups, a saddle, and reins so that I could ride it right away.

Of course, being a Koshta Bauer, it didn’t have a head.

Cleanly and completely absent, as if that's perfectly normal.

There is a sense of camaraderie between beings without heads.

The reins float where the mouth should be, and the horse’s armor that covers its face floates there too, which is mysterious, but I decide not to dwell on it.

After all, it’s pretty cool.

“Um, this is my horse, right? Is it really okay for me to ride it?”

I’m afraid it might kick me if I try to get on.

As I’m hesitating, Koshta Bauer approaches me and rubs against me, as if saying, “Exactly.”

Unconsciously, I stroke the jet-black body of Koshta Bauer.

It’s an incredibly smooth sensation. The hair doesn’t catch on my hand and slides through smoothly, almost like fine silk thread.

I feel like I’ve been comforted for the first time since coming to this world.

My heart, which was alone in the unfamiliar forest, might have worn down more than I expected.

“From now on, if I summon this guy, I won’t be alone!”

In response to my words, Koshta Bauer lets out a short neigh.

It seems to have reacted to my words. Perhaps this headless horse is quite intelligent.

“But really, it’s a hassle to keep calling it Koshta Bauer. Maybe I should give it a name.”

I want a name that captures some physical characteristics and is easy to call...

I cross my arms and observe it closely. Its black body, red mane... Well, something simple like “Kuro” isn’t cool enough. And its mane is only half-length.

As my gaze moves downward, I suddenly notice the flickering purple flames.

...Purple Flame. Yeah, isn’t that not bad? It actually sounds quite cool.

“How about ‘Purple Flame,’ inspired by the purple flames at its feet?”

“Neigh!”

Timidly making the suggestion, Purple Flame rubs its head against me playfully.

“You like that name, huh? That’s good.”

Having satisfied Purple Flame with the name, I then cautiously put my foot on the stirrup, thinking of trying to ride it.

Of course, I have no experience with horse riding.

I’m still anxious about whether I can ride a horse and even if I can make it walk.

I’ve heard that horse riding is quite challenging.

“Goooaaarrrgh!”

As I’m hesitating like that, something suddenly passes over us in the sky.

A massive shadow that’s incomparable to birds.

Since I don’t have a head, it’s difficult to look straight up, but when I bend my body and manage to raise my gaze upwards, I see a creature with spread wings like a bat flying there.

Its reptilian body is covered in countless red scales, with a long tail covered in spikes.

From its body sprout a pair of legs that resemble those of an eagle.

In the realm of fantasy, they are known as a dragon or wyvern.

In terms of size, it could be as big as a house, but its body is a bit slender and compact, so it might be a young dragon or a wyvern.

“Oh, a wyvern!”

Seeing this creature, which can be considered a staple in fantasy worlds, I excitedly raise my voice.

Since I’m viewing it from below, I can’t confirm details like its face, but I’m satisfied to have seen such a rare creature.

As I’m casually thinking about this, the wyvern flying away suddenly starts to make a wide arc and turns back.

Facing its front, I can now see that it has a triangular, lizard-like face with large horns extending outwards.

That facial structure indeed confirms it as a wyvern.

“...Huh?”

The wyvern seems to be descending in altitude and is directing its snake-like yellow eyes towards. Me.

Its vertically slit pupils move curiously, fixing their gaze on me.

“Oh no! Did it spot me and turn around? It’s not like an undead Dullahan like me would taste good to it, right?”

As I shout out this sort of retort, I immediately mount Purple Flame.

Now is not the time to be afraid of riding a horse.

If I were to be attacked by the wyvern, even with this body, I might get injured!

“Run! Purple Flame! At full speed!”

Upon my command, Purple Flame neighs and tries to rear its front legs.

“Right now is not the time for showing off!”

I interject, giving it a light tap to urge it forward.

Previous | ToC | Next