Don’t Look for the Resurrected Villainess - Chapter 12

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 12

When I said I wanted to look around the forest alone for a while, Nesi showed more concern than Jeon.

[There are many dangerous things in the forest. Make sure to scream. You are a temporary member of my pack, so as the leader, I will protect you.]

My heart felt reassured by that steadfast voice.

I gave up my determination to definitely lure something, but it was still a shame. Ah, Nesi. This wolf with such fatal charm.

“Are you really sure you’ll be alright?”

“I memorized the map.”

I also bought several smoke orbs that Jeon had. I packed a short sword even though I don’t know how to use it. My developed five senses would also help detect danger in advance.

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

“You said Nesi has an excellent sense of smell. Even if I get lost, Nesi will find me.”

At my carefree response, Jeon let out a bewildered laugh.

“I’m really envious of Nesi receiving such unlimited trust.”

“No need to be envious. I trust your cooking skills too.”

“…I definitely warned you.”

Perhaps sensing he couldn’t dissuade me, he readily stepped back. It was fortunate he didn’t make a fuss.

If it had been Samuel instead of Jeon, the situation would have been very different.

Come to think of it, what is that man doing now? He must be looking for me, right?

“I’ll finish my business and come back as quickly as possible. I want to leave far away as soon as possible too.”

It would be great if I could gain some fortune and receive a dragon’s cooperation.

With such fanciful thoughts, I walked with shuffling steps. As I walked focusing on the sound of stepping on leaves, I suddenly raised my head to find lush trees all around me.

The presence behind me had disappeared, and I had somehow entered the forest alone.

* * *

I ventured deeper into the forest, experiencing the chattering of mountain birds and the curiosity of rabbits and foxes.

I had been warned that monsters might appear, but I hadn’t seen any signs of that yet. If there had been monsters in the first place, such small and fragile creatures probably wouldn’t have been able to exist here.

Still, just in case, I occasionally asked the animals I met about the identity of animals living in the vicinity.

[My mom told me not to go to the center of the forest!]

[Dad said there’s something scary beyond the forest!]

I walked while listening to the mountain birds chirping and chattering without exception. Even that gradually disappeared as I went further.

The foxes and rabbits that had been following behind me with curious eyes also disappeared at some point. As the trees became denser, sunlight didn’t penetrate and the air became eerie.

It felt like something might jump out, but it was frustrating that nothing particularly noticeable was visible. Should I have just lured one of the foxes or rabbits that were following me earlier?

After seeing Nesi, I seemed to have developed a desire to find a magnificent animal like him. Animals like Nesi probably aren’t common though.

I stopped my aimless walking and let out a long sigh. Considering the way back, I had to stop around here. It didn’t seem like there would be any animals even if I went further.

The small animals said the center of the forest was dangerous, but they didn’t seem to know exactly what was there. There was no need to rush toward unknown dangers.

“Let’s not think impatiently.”

I was consoling myself like that and turning around when it happened. At that moment, a strong chill wafted from behind me.

Feeling goosebumps rise on the back of my neck, I slowly turned around to see a black horse that I had no idea how long it had been standing there.

“…”

Someone was sitting on the black horse. He had a good build and was dressed all in black, and he had no head.

Wait, what?

“Head…”

I could see something like black smoke curling up from the cross-section of his severed neck. Uh, it’s true I wished for fortune, but… I didn’t wish for a Dullahan to suddenly pop out.

As I stood frozen speechless, a heavy voice echoed in my ears.

[You have finally appeared, Captain.]

Captain, me?

With the hope that it couldn’t be, I hurriedly looked around. But there wasn’t even an ant in sight that could be called captain by a Dullahan.

[I have waited a long time.]

Did I become a Dullahan’s captain just because my head fell off and reattached?

“I think you have the wrong person.”

I’m not sure if using the expression “see” is appropriate for a headless Dullahan though…

When I carefully answered while swallowing dry saliva, the Dullahan gave an unexpected response.

[I have been waiting for rest.]

“Rest?”

[Yes, Captain will restore our rest.]

The resonating voice echoed not in my ears but inside my head. The giant Dullahan lightly jumped down from the black horse, approached me, and knelt down.

[The ninth knight who wanders searching for his lost head, Nadab greets you.]

Wandering in search of his lost head.

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

Usually, Dullahans are said to carry their own heads under their arms. But this Dullahan kneeling before me wasn’t holding anything. He looked somewhat threatening, but I didn’t sense any killing intent.

At least for now, he seemed to have no intention of harming me. But would that continue to be the case?

“Nadab? Why am I your captain?”

[Because you are the Captain.]

For a moment, it became difficult to manage my expression.

Oh no, we can’t communicate.

“…Fine. If you’re the ninth knight, there must be other Dullahans too?”

[There are twelve knights who sat at the round table, two of whom have fallen into eternal darkness, and the remaining ten will wander unable to see the rest before their eyes, so the one who will illuminate the chaos is you, Captain.]

What nonsense is that? It’s harder than an oracle.

Grimly pondering Nadab’s words, I counted on my fingers and organized things step by step.

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

[The others must have sensed Captain’s presence and awakened too. Please forgive them for not being able to come directly because they have no heads.]

Could this be related to my resurrection? Otherwise, there would be no reason for this Dullahan to sense me.

“What do I need to do to give you rest?”

[By serving Captain, the knights will regain their light and finally find the right path to reach rest.]

“…Don’t beat around the bush, let’s organize this simply and clearly.”

I moistened my dry lips with my tongue and asked, desperately hoping it wasn’t the case.

“Are you asking me to find your head right now?”

[That is correct.]

…So you’re saying I was resurrected to find the heads of ten Dullahans?

I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t speak. No, God. You said evil was rampant. But they awakened because I was resurrected.

“Do you obey my words?”

[Of course, Captain.]

“Then to commemorate our meeting, shall we start by destroying the temple?”

[…Pardon?]

Sounds like something a resurrected person would say. I don’t need any of this. I’m going to be a non-believer.

Nadab turned out to be a Dullahan who thoroughly respected religion. He very politely and seriously dissuaded me, saying that the temple was a sacred altar for serving God and shouldn’t be destroyed.

I was genuinely disappointed. Why is he so gentle for a monster? Now even monsters are better than people, not just animals?

He who had been wandering in darkness declared that now that he had met me, he would follow me around.

Unable to bear breaking his firm belief that he could find his head by being with me, I merely created a makeshift escape route by saying there was no set time.

Since there was no way to shake off the Dullahan who wanted to follow me, I essentially had no choice in the matter.

“So, is there a way to hide?”

[I cannot hide completely. But I can transform.]

“Transform?”

…And so, a little later, I returned with Nadab.

“Lady Anelli?”

“Yeah.”

“You brought an animal I haven’t seen before?”

“Oh, I met it in the forest.”

“That wild horse?”

“Yeah.”

I calmly glanced at Nadab, who had transformed into a black horse. Nadab, who seemed to have merged with the black horse he had been riding, silently approached my side.

I thought Nesi might notice something strange, but he didn’t seem particularly wary.

[I’m glad you returned safely.]

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

However, it seemed he couldn’t hide from Jeon’s senses. His gaze toward Nadab was filled with suspicion and distrust.

Did he say that detection was possible even with sealed magic power?

“Do you sense something?”

“Yes.”

“Strongly?”

“Not strongly, but it’s enough aura that someone of that skill level could detect.”

Does that mean most mages we encounter would notice? That’s quite troublesome.

“Then how should we hide it?”

“Pardon?”

“How do we make this aura appear like an ordinary horse?”

At my serious question, Jeon subtly frowned. While maintaining a proper distance from Nadab and showing wariness, he answered in a displeased tone.

“Sorry, but could you first tell me what exactly you’ve brought here?”

If I told him I brought a Dullahan, wouldn’t Jeon immediately contact the Magic Tower with his communication device? That the revived one was actually a witch who commands monsters.

“…My subordinate.”

Unable to find an appropriate expression, I hesitated for a moment, then suddenly recalled what Nadab had said earlier and quickly answered.

Then Nadab, who had been standing obediently beside me, snorted and stamped his front hooves.

[To think you would acknowledge me. Thank you, boss!]

Pretending not to hear Nadab’s excited exclamation, I glared at Jeon.

No matter how skilled a mage he was, he probably hadn’t heard of a Dullahan that transforms into a horse.

So he wouldn’t recognize Nadab’s true identity at first glance.

Though he seemed to sense some kind of dark aura, if we could just hide that well, I was confident we could travel around with the horse-transformed Dullahan without issue.

“So hurry up and tell me. A way to make my subordinate look like an ordinary horse.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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