“We are here,” Aria announced. “-The Castle of Dullahan, the Headless King.”

“It’s huge.” Emily was fascinated.

True, I had seen a lot of castles in my games, anime and manga but this is the first time I see an actual castle. It’s like looking at one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The castle sat at the top of a cliff with magnificence. Fortified by defense, it was only accessible by a two bridge; one at the front facing the ocean and the other at the side also serving as an escape route. Enclosed by a stone wall, a large building is installed at the middle supported by four giant pillars.

“This is so cool.” I was mesmerized, like a child going to his first time trip to an amusement park. “Emily, this is so amazing”

“Hiiro, is there something wrong?,” Emily spoke.

“Nothing. It's just that, my family always took me to the amusement park when I was a child. Still, this is the first time I have seen a real castle.”

“Hiiro, what’s an amusement park?” Emily and Aria asked with puzzled looks in their eyes.

“O-Oh. Sorry it's…”

How do I explain this again?

“Yeah. It’s a... a beautiful place I went to before I died.”

“O-Okay,” Emily replied.

Sorry Emily. I don’t know how to explain a place that does not even exist here.

We walked towards the castle until we made it to the bridge where Aria then shouted, “I am Aria Silvermoon, daughter of a necromancer named Oliver Silvermoon. The girl beside me is also a necromancer named Emily Scarlet. Beside her is a skeleton knight named Hiiro Akira. Our village was attacked, so we came and fled to this castle.”

A few minutes later, the barrier disappeared. We then crossed the bridge towards two massive wooden doors. The air was chilling, my bones felt a bit more brittle. Yet, it wasn’t painful, rather, it felt good. As I look around, I saw the waves from the ocean crashing into the rocks near the castle.

Ahh. This is so amazing.

Normally in this situation, people would be scared but the feelings of excitement overwhelmed the feelings of fear, all while hearing the song of the tides creating a graceful tune. Living once in two countries surrounded by water, I became that type of guy who loves the ocean.

This feels so nostalgic.

It was like that time I was walking from the chairs to the stage when I graduated middle school.

As we reached the doors, they opened, allowing us to pass through. We then traveled a few more meters until we reached the door of the main castle.

As I stepped inside, I felt the coldness of the marble floor through my bony feet. My excitement came back as I looked into the crystalline tiles. Looking around the hall I noticed portraits of a headless knight riding a horse with a flaming head. He was also holding a round object that seemed to be a human head. There were also a lot of sculptures of him, each in a different position and angle.

To see real live portraits and sculptures carved from stone and not plastic like those in the amusement park, this is so cool.

A man then came to us wearing a white tunic with a sword latched in his waist. “A pleasant day to you three,” the man spoke. “My name is Satrillo Stradivarius. Please, come with me. The King wants to meet you.”

The man took us to the throne room. In front, there he was, sitting in some sort of royal throne---the same being we saw in the portraits and statues. The detached head stared down at us from its lap.

“It’s a real live Dullahan,” I shouted in my mind for saying it out loud would be rude.

Aria bowed as she gestured for us to do the same. “King Dullahan, Your Highness. I am the one called Aria. We came here from the village of the necromancers.”

As soon as Aria was done with her introduction, a servant came to Dullahan, lifted the detached head and whispered something in its ear.

Dullahan then stood up in a fit of rage. “How dare you?! You may be a daughter of Oliver but to bring a human in my castle, this is unacceptable!” Everyone was startled, especially the three of us. We knew he was pertaining to Emily. “Guards, surround them!” We were then encircled by small creatures—goblins I assume—each armed with a sword and wearing silver armor.

“Emily, stand behind me.” Immediately, I steeled myself in front of Emily, protecting her in case they attacked us.

This is bad. This is definitely bad.

“Your Highness, please. Allow me to explain everything,” Aria pleaded.

With all these guards, we won’t stand a chance if we retaliate. What should I do?

Though outnumbered, I was prepared to protect Emily even with the cost of my life.

“I don’t want to hear your excuses,” Dullahan shouted, pointing his sword at us. “Your insolence will never be forgiven!”

“At least, please read this letter.” Aria handed out a wax-sealed letter that came from her pocket. One guard cautiously took the letter from Aria. After ensuring that it wasn’t dangerous, they gave it to Dullahan, who began to read its contents.

“I see... So you’re the adopted daughter of Marina.” He then looked at Emily. “Necromancer, what is your name?”

“E-Emily. Emily Scarlet, y-Your Highness,” Emily stuttered as she looked at Dullahan.

Anyone would be frightened if a headless king would point a sword at you. It’s okay Emily. It scared me too.

“Tell me. Why do you wish to live here?”

“B-Because...” Emily looked down. As I noticed her shaking, I held her hands to ease her anxiety. “B-Because I am looking for my mother. A-and also…”

You can do it Emily. You can do it.

“I wish to keep Hiiro safe.” Shocked, I never expected that. My heart screamed in happiness.

Woah. Woah. Woah. Good thing I have lots of self-control or this serious talk with Dullahan might turn comedic.

“Hoh...” Dullahan smiled. “In that case, you first need to pass the trial.”

“T-Trial?” Emily asked.

“Yes. Three days from now, there will be a three way battle between you and three of my warriors,” Dullahan explained. “To make everything fair, each of you will draw from this basket. You will battle the one whose name was written on the ball you draw.” Dullahan paused. “However, it seems there’s only two of you.”

Maybe Dullahan thinks I’m a familiar. Well, he’s not technically wrong.

“I will fight as the third person, Your highness,” I shouted.

“H-Hiiro?” Emily and Aria stammered. Everyone around us whispered.

“You? A skeleton?” Dullahan paused for a bit. “Hahaha. You amuse me young lad,” Dullahan laughed “Very well, I approve you as one of the fighters.”

“Hiiro, are you sure?” Aria grabbed my hand.

Actually, I’m not. But if I can help Emily then I will fight for her.

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Very well. Emily, will you accept the trial?” Dullahan asked.

“I-I accept the trial,” Emily replied..

We each drew a ball. Each had a name engraved in it: I got “Lucie Dreizehn”, Emily got “Satrillo Stradivarius” and Aria got “Robyn Accalia”.

So Emily will fight that butler we met earlier. Based on the reaction of that girl who came to Dullahan, Aria will fight her. As for me, I don't have a clue who my opponent is.

Looking around, I saw a girl winking at me.

My experience as an otaku is telling me that there's a big probability it’s her.

“Now it’s decided, I look forward to your battles,” Dullahan announced.

Dullahan then instructed his guards to show us to our single room. However, there were only two beds in it.

Wait a minute, something’s definitely wrong with this...

Before the guards could go away, I ran up to them. “Wait, wait, wait... At least give me a separate room, I’m a guy you know!”

I can’t help it. I’m a perverted gentleman. I’d like to respect Emily and her “sister” who saved our lives.

“It doesn’t matter since you’re a skeleton. Don’t worry,” the guard said as he winked at me and shoved away my hand.

Don’t give me that “if you know what I mean” look. Really guys? Really? I know it’s okay for Emily but Aria…

“Hiiro, what are you doing there? We need to rest since we traveled quite far. We also need to plan our strategy tomorrow,” Emily called out to me.

“Coming,” I replied as I stepped inside the room.

“Hiiro, you can sleep in the other one. Since the bed is big enough, I will sleep beside Aria,” Emily requested.

As I lay down, I looked at Aria, who seemed to be talking to me. “If you do anything perverted, I’ll break your bones.” She was not letting a sound but I could read her lips.

I knew it. Girls are scary, really scary.

That night I couldn't sleep; I was thinking.

What should I do? This is will be my first official fight. Can I really do it? With my current skill? What if… I lose? What if… I just become a burden?Can I… really protect her?

After we woke up, the guards came to our room and instructed us to follow them. They took us to a large hall. Estimating its size, it was capable of holding at least two hundred people. A number of monsters: goblins, zombies, mummies, demons and many more filled the room; it was like a gathering of them. The guards then instructed us to sit beside one of tables and wait for further instructions. Moments later, Dullahan came in front and had a speech.

“Good morning, my dear servants...” After Dullahan’s wonderful speech, we then ate---I mean, Aria and Emily ate.

This is sad.

Eating is impossible to me for I am but a skeleton with no stomach. Looking around, I noticed something; they were eating worms, live worms.

Thank you, skeleton body.

“What’s wrong, Hiiro?” Emily asked.

“Oh. Nothing. Anyway, come to think of it, yesterday, they were just trying to kill us but now it seems everything turned 180 degrees.”

“You’re right,” Emily replied.

“I don’t know what father wrote in that letter but it seemed to be have calm His Highness yesterday,” Aria added.

“Now, I’m curious.” My eyes turned to Dullahan.

After eating, we then went back and talked about our strategy.

“Ok, so based on our line up, Hiiro will go first, I will go second and Emily will go last. Hiiro, how many spells do you know so far?” Aria asked..

“Sorry, I can only use six spells.”

I can’t help it. Drawing is not my forte. Even though I’ve been practicing a lot, drawing a really good image is not that easily attainable. I wouldn’t have any problems in my art classes if it were. Water magic runes are quite easy though… Or maybe I just love water magic.

“I can use , , , , and . Also, is mainly used to disarm the opponent. If my opponent doesn’t have a weapon, it's pretty much useless leaving me with only five spells.”

“This is a problem then,” Aria held her chin.

“It’s okay,” Emily spoke, looking at Aria. “I know Hiiro can do it. I believe in him. Also… learning those in two months is already an achievement.” It made me happy been having complimented by her.

Emily, why are you so cute?

“Then, I will also believe in him,” Aria replied.

After three hours of strategizing, the three of us trained; I created combos so I could use my spells effectively in battle, I also experimented on some runes.

“I hope this water whip works.”

This continued for three days.

Three days passed, the day of the trial came. The guards went to our room and instructed us to follow them to the arena. We then sat in chairs provided for us. Dullahan then made his opening speech.

What’s going to happen now?

Nervous, I couldn’t even hear them talking. My hands were shaking.

What should I do? What should I do? What should I...

“It’s okay Hiiro. I believe in you,” Emily held my hands.

“Emily.” The shaking slowly disappeared.

I’ve been doing this to Emily, but I never thought holding hands would have this much effect.

“Thank you.”

“To start with the trial, at round one, we have Hiiro Akira against Lucie Dreizehn!.”

Round one started.