I'm A Dullahan, Looking For My Head Chapter 7

 Chapter 7

Friendly Fire

As expected, we had entrusted Sisti’s money as collateral to the elderly village chief and came to the forest on the outskirts of the village to subdue the goblins. 

This kind of feels like a request doesn’t it? In games, I used to run around all over the place to complete requests like this and level up.

Upon arriving at the village I had to go straight back into the forest again, but I’m still very excited.

I’m originally a Dullahan, so I don’t feel tired.

Right now, just being able to talk to people and take action after a long time is enjoyable.

Although, Sisti seems a little upset.

However, even though the forests are in the same area, the scenery is completely different depending on the animals and monsters that live there.

The trees here aren’t as tall and it’s not that dark, but there are many animal trails that they often use, so it feels like a natural maze.

I couldn’t help but feel like goblins might attack at any moment, using the animal trails and surrounding bushes.

“Here, take this, just in case.”

Sisti, who was walking next to me, stopped and handed me something she was carrying from her waist.

When I unwrapped it from the cloth, a sheath with gold and blue designs appeared.

It was about sixty centimeters, roughly what you’d call a dagger.

The scabbard and handle were carved with intricate gold patterns, and at first glance looked quite expensive.

When I pulled on the hilt to look at the blade, a beautiful white blade was revealed.

The blade glistened in the sunlight.

I then carefully placed it back in its sheath.

“This looks like it’s quite expensive...”

You wouldn’t be able to build a big mansion with just one of these, would you? If that’s the case, I wouldn't be able to use it with confidence.

“It’s not that expensive. But that doesn’t mean you can break it.”

“Really? If I break it, you won’t ask for money later, right? You know I’m broke?”

“I won’t. But more importantly, I forgot to mention earlier, but please stop pulling on my cape roughly.”

Sisti brushed off my doubts and said emphatically as if advising me.

“W-wait, was that cape more valuable than the dagger!?”

When I pulled on it earlier, I didn’t get the impression it was that high-class. No, it might be armor made of special materials or something with magical effects.

After all, this is a fantasy world of swords and magic. I’m sure there are magical weapons and armor.

“No, that’s not it. Moneywise it is less than the dagger. Rather, this cape is my mother’s keepsake, so it’s the most precious thing to me.”

Sisti narrowed her long blue eyes and clutched her cape, the same color as her eyes, as if it were a treasure.

It was probably something her late mother used, or something knitted for her.

Did I violently pull something so important?

I think I understand why Sisti kicked me at that time.

“I’m sorry. I won’t grab it roughly again.”

“It’s... it’s fine. Just be more careful next time, okay?”

When I honestly apologized, Sisti waved her hand from side to side and smiled.

I’ll have to be cautious, especially since people who forgive you easily the first time can be quite scary when you make the same mistake again.

“Ah, thank you. I’ll try my best not to break the dagger.”

“...The possibility of it breaking seems quite high.”

◆

“There they are, the goblins.”

As we were exploring the forest we found the goblins, the target of the request, and watched them from the bushes.

A monster with green skin and a demon-like face. It’s a classic monster in fantasy, characterized by its pointy ears and large nose.

Four goblins were walking down the open road, clubs in hand.

If they had been traveling on an animal trail, it would have been difficult to spot them hidden amidst the foliage and trees, but since they walked casually on the open road, we were able to spot them right away.

The goblins in the Demon Forest were cunning enough to hide by camouflaging with their surroundings, and jumped out from behind the trees when prey appeared.

Apparently, there are different types of monsters depending on the environment.

“Alright, Duke, charge in and distract the goblins. I’ll cast my magic in the meantime.”

“Oh, leave it to me.”

I positioned myself closer, just enough so the goblins wouldn’t detect me, and suddenly lunged out of the bushes.

They’re the same guys I’ve faced many times in the Demon Forest.

There’s no way I could lose to a goblin with low consciousness.

As for me, I can’t help but be curious about Sisti’s magic.

Seeing us emerge from the bushes, the goblins retreated in alarm.

Then, as if trying to motivate themselves, the four of them let out shrill cries.

I drew the dagger I had borrowed from Sisti and brought it down on the head of the goblin in the lead.

It was a straightforward, brute force attack, but the sharp blade dug into the goblin’s skull, smoothly cutting it in half like butter.

Oh, I was able to cut it properly! Or rather, it cut more than I expected. I didn’t think it would cut him in half.

“Oh it’s just as expensive as it looks. The sharpness is outstanding.”

The goblins, perhaps realizing I had killed one of their own, raised their voices angrily.

“Huh? Can you really cut a goblin in half with that dagger? Well, it’s fine for now; we’re still in the middle of battle.”

I could faintly hear Sisti’s voice from behind, but due to the goblins' strange shrieks it was mostly inaudible.

If they had time to shriek, they should have just attacked me.

As I was thinking that, one of the goblins immediately jumped at me.

I was sure that a wooden club wouldn’t damage me, but I’m fast enough to intercept it, so I kicked it like a ball.

A Dullahan's powerful kick hit the goblin in the side-- and the goblin was blown away, spewing vomit.

“...Huh?”

I heard Sisti’s bewildered voice from behind.

The goblins looked at the sight of their friend flying through the air and backed away, frightened.

That’s what happens when you witness your comrade being launched like a ball in front of you.

“Hey, is the magic ready yet?”

I’m itching to see some magic over here.

“I-I know! I’m about to unleash my magic, so get out of the way!”

“Oh!”

As I eagerly moved away from the goblins, they exchanged puzzled looks.

At that moment, Sisti’s voice echoed through the area.

“Crimson flames, gather in my hand and unleash your power! ‘Fireball’!”

“Oh!”

A fireball was created from Sisti’s outstretched hand. It was a  magical spell that’s said to be synonymous with magic.

As I watched in excitement, the fireball headed straight for the goblins...

“Huh?”

It was heading towards them, but it suddenly swerved as if it was being drawn towards me.

Hey, why is the fireball coming to the person who’s avoiding it!?

“It’s a bit dangerous, so stay away!”

No, no, I heard those words earlier too, and I’ve already moved far away from the goblins!

The unexpected fireball that came to me after evading, landed on my side.

The fireball exploded, scattering flames in all directions.

“...Ah...”

At the same time Sisti’s voice leaked out, I felt a slight shock and warmth on my side.

It was one of the worst things to happen in the world of magic. Friendly fire.

“Hey! What are you aiming at to hit your ally? The enemies are over there, aren’t they!? Over there!”

I shouted in exasperation as I shook off the black smoke that spread across my field of vision. 

It's a good thing I’m a Dullahan with high defense, if I were just a human, it would've been a disaster!

It’s outrageous that a magician, who was supposed to cover you from behind, would accidentally fire at an ally and support the enemy.

It didn’t hurt, but relying on a magician like that for cover would be a problem.

"I-I'm sorry! But... you're fine even when hit by a fireball..."

“You casted a Fireball at your ally, and now you're acting like nothing happened? I’m seriously freaked out here!"

“I see...Duke’s full-body armor seems pretty sturdy. It doesn’t look damaged at all, so I wonder if it’s magic resistant?"

Sisti smiles and tries to flatter me.

“Why are you praising me so openly!? It’s hot, you know!”

Well, compared to the wyvern’s flames it wasn’t as painful, it felt more like being hit by something slightly warm. But for my own sake, I should probably exaggerate. Or rather, it should be normal to do that.

"...Normally, it shouldn't just be this much."

"Did you intentionally hit me!?"

“No, no! I really aimed it at the goblins!”

“Then why did the fireball fly towards me when I dodged it!? Didn’t it clearly change directions as if it were targeting me!?”

I can only believe it was intentional with a curve that sharp.

“I-It can’t be helped! I can’t control it!”

I was just asking for a proper explanation, but Sisti’s shoulders trembled and she started to get upset.

Because of her usual calm demeanor, she seems quite mature, but she may actually be more childish than I expected.

What do you mean you can’t control it?

“Wait, how did you travel like that!?”

“...That, um, while following someone else.”

When I asked my most pressing question, Sisti answered quietly while averting her gaze.

“And what happened?”

“...I accidentally hit someone with a fireball. But! The fireballs hit the enemy at least one out of every five times, right?”

Four of those times are really concerning.

Moreover, since it’s a simple fireball, does that mean other magics have even worse control...?

I thought she was an excellent mage because she gave off the aura of someone capable, but she turned out to be a ridiculously crappy one.

Isn’t this a scam?

I want my expectations for magic to be returned.

“...Huh? By the way, where did the goblins go?”

“...Maybe they ran away?”

Oh, come on!

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