#971 Christmas Eve’s Crusade

t’s me. Or rather, I’m not quite my ordinary self tonight.

I’m Santa Claus.

Yes, the one and only, bringing dreams and gifts to children around the world.

I’m Santa Claus.

I arrived in town to deliver presents and was greeted with weapons drawn.

I’m Santa Claus.

I’m Santa Claus.

Santa Claus…!

“Now’s not the time to be sad, Master! These humans are firing at us like crazy. Not that they can reach our altitude.”

Here I am, Santa Claus, getting attacked while delivering presents.

“Uooooooooooh! Fire! Fire! Shoot them down!”

“None of the arrows are hitting! They lose momentum and fall!”

“The dragon’s flying higher than arrows can reach! We need more power! Where’s the catapult?!”

“We don’t have one! This isn’t a fortress city!!!”

Everyone’s glaring up at us like we’re their worst enemy, weapons in hand.

Why?

I brought gifts out of goodwill, so why am I being attacked?

Is humanity simply incapable of understanding me?

“I mean, if a dragon just suddenly appears out of nowhere, of course, regular people are going to freak out like someone just kicked a beehive. Honestly, I kind of admire the ones who don’t run away and actually try to fight us. I call that brave.”

Dragons like bravery.

But today, bravery is the last thing we need!

Isn’t Christmas supposed to be a day of kindness and peace?!

“Whatever the true meaning of Christmas might be, I think the real problem lies in the process. I mean, if a dragon suddenly bursts in during the middle of the night, it’s only natural to assume we’re under attack!”

No! I’m Santa!

It’s no exaggeration to say I’m the ambassador of peace!

Doesn’t this red suit scream ‘goodwill’ to anyone?!

“It’s the way you’re saying it that’s the problem.”

Quiet, Veil.

This calls for the ultimate strategy: persuasion! Everyone can understand through conversation!

“Listen up, everyone! I’m Santa Claus! I’ve come with gifts for the children!!!”

“What?! His target is the kids?! Unforgivable! Don’t let that red lunatic near them!!!”

The rain of arrows intensifies.

It’s no use. My ultimate strategy of persuasion is failing!

Are humans really beyond understanding each other?!

Has it been impossible since the fall of Babel?!

“I think there’s a different issue here...”

Damn it, at this rate, I can’t deliver the presents to the kids.

I’ve only managed to give one gift—a telescope to a child whose smile I’ll never forget.

I want to see that smile on more children’s faces!!!

“Hahaha, struggling, aren’t you, Saint?”

What?!

Who’s calling my name?!

No, wait. My name isn’t Saint. Tonight, I’m Santa!

That’s not the point.

The only one who calls me ‘Saint’ is...!

“Letasreit?! Why are you here?!”

“Ohhhh-hohoho! I followed you, and look at the fun you’re having!”

Letasreit, with her princess-like laugh, has appeared…?!

I know she’s a real princess, but she’s never laughed like that!

“Helping the common folk… that’s quite a noble act. My royal blood is stirring! Let’s assist these peasants together!”

“Wait, what…?!”

“Yes, tonight, I shall also become Santa!!!”

Wh-Wh-Whaaaat?!

One Santa is enough for this world, and now Letasreit wants to join in as the second Santa?!

A Santa Claus with a 2P color scheme?!

“Fool! Santa isn’t a title just anyone can claim!”

To become Santa, there are many conditions to meet!

First, the red suit!

Yes, a Santa must have a crimson outfit!

“Then, I’m already dressed.”

“A mini-skirt Santa?!”

Is this another Christmas tradition, the mini-skirt Santa?!

How did that make its way to this fantasy world?!

“Batemy made it! She also made those clothes you’re wearing, right? She must’ve been hit with a burst of inspiration when she made yours and took it to the next level!”

Batemy...!

Who would’ve thought she’d create a mini-skirt Santa outfit in another world from a traditional Santa suit...!

Her genius in making clothes never ceases to amaze!!!

“But just having a Santa suit doesn’t make you Santa! You can’t be Santa without a reindeer, right?”

That’s why I had to beg Veil to play the role of the reindeer!

So, Letasreit! Do you have a reindeer?

Do you have a partner by your side?!

“Hah, you don’t understand, Saint. I always have a partner who’s inseparable from me...”

“What...?!”

Amid my confusion, the townspeople on the ground are also scratching their heads, wondering what we’re up to.

“...Of course! Letasreit has her partner Horkosfon...!!!”

“Exactly, tonight, Holly will be my reindeer and pull my sleigh!”

True to her word, the angel Horkosfon is dressed as a reindeer, pulling Letasreit’s sleigh through the sky!

So that’s why she’s floating around up there!

“I am... a reindeer.”

No, you’re an angel.

What a sight. Red outfit, trusty reindeer partner—she’s got everything to become the next Santa Claus!

“Ngh...! Bird-brain, are you really stepping into my domain...?!”

“Don’t think reindeer are your exclusive thing. In fact, one reindeer is enough. Let’s see who the true reindeer is right here, right now.”

The reindeers (?) spark off in a clash.

Looks like we need to decide. Who is the true Santa Claus?

“Hmph, it’s settled that I’m the winner. Because I excel in what’s most important for Santa Claus.”

“The most important thing for Santa Claus...?!”

Can Letasreit, who just learned about Santa Claus and Christmas yesterday, really grasp the essence of Santa Claus?

More than me, who spent over twenty years in my world, watching Christmas from the lonely side...?!

“Listen, Santa Claus is... someone who delivers presents! So without presents, you can’t be Santa! It’s the presents that make Santa!!!”

“Th-That’s...!”

That might actually be true...!

A Santa without presents is just a trespassing weirdo!

“So I’ve prepared presents! The best gift everyone will love! That makes me the ultimate Santa! Best gift equals best Santa; it’s an unbeatable equation!!!”

“The best gift?!”

Oh no.

I can see where this is going.

“Master, I can see where this is going.”

Veil has figured it out, too.

I mean, with how things have been, it’s not hard to guess.

“All right, everybody! Here’s my gift to you! Accept it gratefully! These beans!!!”

Beans!

I knew it!

Letasreit would never give out anything but beans!

“This is bad, Master! The amount of beans she’s scattering is insane!!!”

Just like Veil said, the present sack she pulled out is very Christmas-like, but the beans pouring out are overwhelming!

Are those soybeans?! How basic!

From high above, beans pour out of Letasreit’s sack like Niagara Falls, covering the ground below!

“Don’t hold back, eat up! I brought forty million beans from the farm for you!”

“How does all that fit in the bag?!”

Is that bag distorting space?!

A 4D pocket?!

At this rate, the town will be buried in beans!

A town buried in beans instead of snow in the middle of winter is no joke!

Stop it, Letasreit! Bean-throwing festivals are two months away from Christmas!

And lately, it seems like they’re being replaced by people eating whole sushi rolls!!!