At the town gate, numerous adventurers stared in shock at the eerie figure in the distance, causing everyone to unconsciously swallow their saliva.
"How is this possible?! It's actually..."
"The Headless Horseman?! Why is it coming here?!"
"There were rumors that the Headless Horseman appeared in the Southern Territory before. Is this actually true?!"
In an instant, amidst the chaotic voices, Zat and the others mixed in the crowd began reciting lines according to the script they had memorized long ago, as they were well aware that Edward was still filming under such circumstances.
Meanwhile, the Headless Horseman on horseback coughed lightly, feeling a bit nervous as it was his first performance and one that couldn't afford any mistakes. He quickly said, "I am the Headless Horseman who recently moved to the castle nearby!"
"It really is the Headless Horseman!!"
"What should we do? It's my first time seeing an undead being!"
"We don't have a church in the Southern Territory. What should we do in this situation?!"
Contrasting with Edward and the others who knew this was all acting, the rest of the adventurers showed expressions of despair. After all, legendary monsters like the Headless Horseman were at least super-level monsters, while they, mostly first or second level adventurers, were mere cannon fodder.
Seemingly seeing that the situation was too tense, the Headless Horseman hesitated for a moment before continuing with the rehearsed actions, "Every day~~! Every day, someone casts explosive magic at my castle! Who's the idiot with a brain disorder?!!"
As a burst of special effects lightning flashed behind him, the people at the town gate fell silent, then erupted into an uproar.
...
What happened next was almost exactly as Edward had planned. The "extras" of adventurers, though looking bewildered, followed Belldia's lead and found the only person capable of using explosive magic, Megumin (Helena).
Despite feeling extremely anxious inside, Megumin (Helena), who had the habit of putting on a strong front, and the Headless Horseman engaged in a rather subtle verbal exchange.
Ultimately, the Headless Horseman, successfully intimidated by the others, revealed a surprised expression but disdainfully said, "Fine, whatever. I didn't come here to play with you little rascals. I'll be staying in that castle for a while. Don't cast any explosive magic there anymore, got it?"
The so-called castle did exist. It was a dilapidated castle Edward had purchased with the last of his family's fortune. It was used for the scene where explosive magic was continuously released. These expenses were unavoidable. Edward had truly staked the fate of the Durin Family on this filming. If any problems arose during filming that couldn't be covered, the Durin Family would likely go bankrupt.
Meanwhile, in response to the threat from the Headless Horseman, Megumin (Helena), with a calm expression, simply said, "I can't do that. We Red Demons have to cast an explosive spell every day, or we'll die."
"Huh? I've never heard of such a thing. Don't make up nonsense!"
"Yes, it's true! If I don't cast an explosive spell, my whole body will itch with magic, and then I'll die in unbearable pain!"
Although Megumin (Helena) was purely making things up, the Headless Horseman, unaware of this, was left dumbfounded and reluctantly said, "Although I serve under the Demon King, I was originally a knight and didn't want to bully the weak. But since you're so insistent..."
Before anyone, including Megumin (Helena), could react, the Headless Horseman's hand began to gather black death energy.
Witnessing this, some "knowledgeable" adventurers exclaimed in astonishment, "Death's Declaration?! A top-tier spell only usable by high-level undead?!"
"Isn't that a Supreme Magic?! Why can a Death Knight, who isn't a mage, use it?"
"Perhaps because the aura of death is so strong, he naturally comprehended this terrifying ability."
"Indeed, it's no wonder he's an undead monster that's lived for hundreds of years..."
Facing the astounded analysis from the adventurers, Edward, who was secretly filming in the corner, had no idea what expressions they would make if he told them that the curse was actually just a mundane curse that made the cursed person have a string of bad luck for a day, like slipping on a banana peel or finding glass shards in their food.
In any case, as the Headless Horseman was about to unleash such a powerful spell, some of the adventurers couldn't help but act. But before they could react, the Headless Horseman, with a slight wave of his hand, was faster.
"I declare upon you the sentence of death! You will die in one week!"
As Megumin (Helena), still dumbfounded, hadn't reacted yet, Darkness (Daknis) had rushed to her side, shielding her from such a terrifying attack. The visible black energy caused the surrounding adventurers to halt their steps, and it also made Darkness (Daknis), who had been cursed, show an expression of unbearable pain.
In the face of this situation, the Headless Horseman, standing on a small mound, simply said, "Your companion adventurers' high consciousness will only make you suffer more. Listen carefully. This female knight will die in a week. You'll watch as your important companion is tortured by the fear of death, terrified, right!"
The Headless Horseman's words made Megumin (Helena)'s face turn pale. However, in contrast, Darkness (Daknis) wore a completely different expression, as if she hadn't been cursed at all, and said, "H-How can this be! So, you, you've placed a death curse on me, and if I want to lift the curse, I have to obey your orders! Is that what you mean?"
"Huh?"
The Headless Horseman, completely unable to understand what Darkness (Daknis) was saying, showed a subtle expression of confusion, while Darkness (Daknis) continued speaking.
"Tsk—! A mere curse won't make me yield! Won't make me yield...? What should I do, Kazuma! Look, the lecherous look beneath the Headless Horseman's helmet! It's like he wants to take me back to the castle like this, demanding obedience in exchange for lifting the curse, and asking for unimaginable perverted play with those perverted eyes!"
In front of the public, the pitiful Headless Horseman, suddenly called a pervert, muttered dumbfoundedly, "...Eh?"
"Even if you have free rein over my body, don't think you can trap my heart! A female knight imprisoned in the castle, commanded by the minions of the Demon King with unreasonable demands! Ah, what should I do, what should I do, Kazuma!! Unexpected situations! I don't want to go, although I don't want to go, I can't not go! I'll resist to a reasonable extent, so don't hinder me! Then I'm going!"
"Eeeeeeeeehh!?"
"Stop, don't go! Everyone will be troubled by undead!"
Watching the completely immersed Darkness (Daknis), Edward, who was filming from a distance, couldn't help but wipe his sweat, doubting whether he had used too much suggestive magic. Otherwise, how could the subconscious suggestive magic, which could only affect the other party's subconscious, seemingly change the personality of the female adventurer?
The memory of the previous interview portrayed Daknis as quiet and well-behaved, quite a refined girl . But now, after finishing a scene, it's feels like he has awakened something inside the girl.
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