Chapter 158: Merry Christmas (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 158: Merry Christmas (1)
Merry Christmas.
The last holiday of the year.
A day for socialites to socialize.
You might wonder why a world that isn't Earth would celebrate Christmas, but that's how most games are.
They celebrate Pepero Day, Halloween, and Christmas. They hand out themed costumes and goods for the holidays. For gamers, it's just another day they get fed.
Naturally, a bishoujo otaku game like TOS has Christmas too.
The same holds true even after I was transmigrated. It's been almost three years since I was pulled into TOS, and I've confirmed that a Christmas festival is held at the end of every year.
Though I have no idea who they're celebrating in a world without Jesus.
The important thing is that Christmas comes with an event story, and among them is a Christmas episode exclusive to Azyeth.
It's not mandatory, but the emotionally charged atmosphere of Christmas, more so than any other holiday, is perfect for stimulating Azyeth's emotions.
I don't want to miss it.
‘Just how hard did I rush to make it in time?’
If the liberation of the other slaves had been delayed, Christmas would have passed by in vain.
Time to be rewarded for my efforts. I'm on my way to the starting point of the Christmas event with Azyeth.
A few days have passed since Azyeth shed tears listening to the music box. There was no dramatic change, no sudden disappearance of her curse.
However, she began to spend more time lost in thought. The sight of her huddled on the bed, playing the music box on repeat, was that of someone trying to recall a memory.
It was a good sign. No matter how much I tried to provoke a reaction from her, it would all be meaningless if she didn't realize it for herself.
"We're here."
We arrived at the office of Ulgdar, one of the Meisters' offices next to the Heart of Magmora.
"Oh, the two of you. It's been a while. I heard you went to the North."
"Yes, we just went to take care of some business."
"I see. And hello to you too, Princess. You've grown even more beautiful since I last saw you. The pendant suits you very well."
"Mm."
Ulgdar's eyes widened for a moment, as if surprised by Azyeth's response, but he soon broke into the gentle smile of a kind uncle.
"So, what brings you two to my office?"
"We were just bored and decided to stop by, but you look troubled, Ulgdar. It seems you have some worries."
"Oh dear... Was it that obvious on my face? My apologies."
"Haha, not at all."
As if I don't already know why he's acting like that.
With a wry smile, as if he'd shown his guests an unseemly side of himself, Ulgdar began to explain the situation.
"The truth is, I received an urgent message from an acquaintance. There's a task that must be done around this time of year, but a problem has come up. I was just wondering how to handle it."
"Oh, dear. Is there anything we can do to help?"
"You mean... you two?"
"Yes. We happen to have some free time. We should all help each other out, shouldn't we?"
Ulgdar looked genuinely moved. His eyes, fixed on me, were filled with deep gratitude.
"With your help, Karami, this matter might be resolved smoothly. Very well. I'll entrust this task to you."
*
A quiet winter wind brought snow to the forest.
Snowflakes danced down, landing softly. The trees of the forest embraced the quietly accumulating snow, as if covered by a thin white blanket.
The winter forest was cold, but to me, who had endured the northern winds of Eisengar, it felt like nothing more than a cool autumn day.
"Rami... where... are we...?"
Beside me, Azyeth walked through the forest.
Thanks to the pendant, the distance between us was not an arm's length, but a single step. I hadn't said anything, but Azyeth had found her way to this spot on her own.
"This is the Silver Fringe Forest. According to Ulgdar, his acquaintance is here."
"Ah... ha..."
Azyeth nodded as if she understood, but I didn't believe her for a second. I'd told her when we left and again when we arrived. This was the third time.
She's that type. The kind who says, "I completely understand," but in reality, understands nothing. I suppose that air of charming cluelessness is part of her appeal.
I looked up at the snowy sky and exhaled. My breath plumed white in the air.
‘So Christmas is coming again this year.’
For me, it had always been just another unremarkable holiday. While the world bustled in preparation for Christmas, I'd be under my blanket, peeling tangerines, reading novels, and playing games.
Not much had changed even after I was transmigrated into this world. Enjoying Christmas was a luxury. I was too busy preparing for the upcoming main story.
For someone like me to be strolling through a snowy forest with another person felt special, different from my past. It was actually quite atmospheric.
As I savored the moment, I suddenly wondered what Azyeth was thinking.
"Miss Azyeth, what are you thinking about as you walk with me?"
"...?"
"I'm asking for your thoughts. Do you not have any?"
Azyeth tilted her head, as if she didn't understand the question. Just as I thought I'd asked her another pointless question...
"It's... natural...?"
"What's natural?"
"This."
"...?"
This time, it was my turn to tilt my head. I didn't understand what she meant by "natural."
‘Does she mean walking with me is natural?’
But it's not.
It shouldn't be taken for granted.
Because this is something that never should have happened in the first place.
What's natural is for Azyeth to be freed from Skadia and find herself again.
"Rami, light. Person."
Conveying only the necessary words, Azyeth pointed to a spot in the forest. An unnatural light glowed in the woods, which were otherwise lit only by the moon and stars.
"Looks like we've come to the right place."
We headed straight for the light.
Rustle.
"Huh? Who-who goes there?!"
Startled by our sudden appearance from the woods, the man warming himself by the campfire jumped to his feet.
A portly figure. With a bushy white beard and a red suit, the old man looked just like the Santa Claus you'd see in a storybook.
Surprisingly, it wasn't just his appearance—he was the real Santa Claus.
"Greetings. My name is Karami. I've come from Doomheim at the request of Ulgdar. Are you Nicholas?"
"Oho! Ulgdar sent you? I was just wondering what to do. You've come at the perfect time!"
His wariness toward me vanished in an instant, like melting snow, and he gave me an enthusiastic welcome as if greeting an honored guest.
"The name's Nicholas Snowsong. I only sent the letter a short while ago. I didn't expect you to arrive so soon."
"The situation seemed urgent, so we had to come quickly. More importantly, I heard there was a problem. What is it?"
Nicholas began his long-winded story.
"Since ancient times, our Snowsong family has given out presents to children on Christmas. We have to deliver presents this year too, but Rudolph, who pulls the sleigh, has been injured."
As he spoke, Nicholas's gaze fell upon the sleigh on the other side of the campfire.
A red sleigh, piled high with a large sack of presents. In front of it sat a red-nosed Rudolph, looking exhausted.
"She doesn't look well."
"She's caught a cold..."
A Rudolph with a cold. It's a thought I've had since I first encountered this Christmas episode, but that one is disqualified from being Rudolph.
"The problem is, Rudolph is the leader of the reindeer herd. Without her, the other eight reindeer won't listen."
There's only one reason Nicholas employs such a useless Rudolph.
She's the prettiest female reindeer of the bunch, and the other eight are a bunch of simps who follow her around because they're smitten.
Since this Rudolph is injured and can't move, the other reindeer won't budge from their spots either.
A true queen bee.
No, a queen reindeer.
"I beg you. Please help me deliver the presents. If I don't deliver them in time, the children's innocence will be shattered. If they start to think Santa isn't real..."
[Merry Christmas!
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without presents.
The Snowsong family is a special clan that gains power from the innocence of the children they give presents to.
However, Rudolph has caught a cold, and the other reindeer won't listen. Help Nicholas successfully deliver the presents and save Christmas!]
If this were a game, a quest like that would have popped up. There's no [Penalty for Failure: Death] or anything, but there's no reason not to accept.
"Alright. We'll help you."
"Is that true? Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Ignoring Nicholas's words of gratitude, I asked Azyeth to use her magic. As she cast her spell, reindeer began to form.
Bodies as transparent as ice.
Antlers as clear as crystal.
And glowing blue eyes.
Eight ice Rudolphs showed off their brilliant forms, bowing their heads before Azyeth as if in submission to their master.
"Such gallant and beautiful Rudolphs!"
Perhaps because they resembled their master, even the Rudolphs were beautiful. So beautiful that the other reindeer, who had been fawning over the original Rudolph, couldn't take their eyes off them.
But there's no turn for you guys.
You contemptible fools, abandoning your duty for a girl.
Well, thanks to you, we got this opportunity.
"It seems these ice Rudolphs won't listen to me. I suppose I'll have to pass on the role of Santa this year."
He said this, but he didn't look the least bit disappointed.
Whether it was because the crisis was averted or because he'd gotten a chance for paid leave, an excited Nicholas wiggled his butt and rummaged through the sack of presents.
"My beautiful benefactor! Wear this! It's a Santa outfit!"
What Nicholas gave Azyeth was a red Santa girl costume. Azyeth just stared blankly at the clothes in her hands.
"Santa...?"
"Yes. Today, Miss Azyeth, you will transform into a one-day Santa Claus who delivers presents."
"Mmm... Mm..."
Azyeth nodded, seeming to vaguely understand. Then she tried to strip right there in the middle of the forest to change, but I stopped her.
"Hold on. We promised to change clothes where no one can see, right?"
An emotionless Azyeth feels no shame.
This wasn't the first or second time it had happened.
I was so shocked the first time.
This time, she openly showed she didn't understand, but after reading my expression, she erected a wall of ice around herself, creating a makeshift fitting room.
Sarak sarak— For a moment, the imagination-stirring rustle of clothes could be heard. Then the ice wall crumbled, revealing Santa girl Azyeth in all her adorable glory.
"Ooooh! It suits you perfectly! I've never seen such a pretty Santa!"
"I agree. It looks great on you, Miss Azyeth."
The red Santa outfit was a refreshing change from the blue and white short dress she usually wore. Though, with a face like that, is there any outfit that wouldn't suit her?
‘As expected, spending money on skins is never wrong.’
Seeing her, I was reminded of this truth once again.
While Azyeth was changing, Nicholas hitched the ice Rudolphs to the sleigh, finishing the preparations for departure.
I took a seat by the campfire.
"Well then, have a good trip. I'll wait here and look after Rudolph."
"...? Rami, not... coming...?"
"Haha, me, go with you? I have a fear of heights."
Good luck.
*
High, high in the dawn sky, a cold wind swept past.
A shadow fell across the surface of the moon. In the wake of the sleigh pulled by the ice Rudolphs, ice crystals scattered like a winter afterimage.
A man and a woman in Santa outfits set off to adorn the Christmas night.
"Why in the world did I have to come along...?"
Riding the sleigh wasn't Santa Claus, but a Santa boy and a Santa girl.
Karami, who had abruptly become Santa Claus, blamed Azyeth for dragging him along, but she just tilted her head and said with a deadpan expression,
"It's... natural."
It was Karami who was strange for not wanting to come.
For Azyeth, Karami being by her side was the most natural thing in the world.
"Huu, huu, huu..."
Looking down, the glittering cityscape spread out below. It was a rather beautiful sight, but Karami was in no state to appreciate it.
He focused on his diaphragmatic breathing to calm his heart, clutching the sleigh's reins like a lifeline with his eyes squeezed shut.
He couldn't even look up at the sky.
The moon was far too close for that.
The ridiculous sight of Karami struggling in terror.
Azyeth, watching him intently from right beside him, their shoulders touching,
"......"
drew a faint arc with the corners of her lips.
A very, very faint arc that no one would have noticed.