Prologue: The Dark Santa

I must say, Senpai, it's a great day for gift-giving and Chaldea is in Christmas mode!

Fou, fooou!

...Huh? Senpai's gone, Fou.

Are you taking a shower, Senpai? Or using the toilet?

How... ...Nowhere to be found... But there's no doubt Senpai was in this room...

There's no record of a heat signature leaving this room in the last hour either It's as if...

Clearly, there's been some kind of foul play here! Let's go get the Doctor!

？！

Emerging from the Rayshift tunnel, your eyes were met with the sight of a field blanketed in snow...

A most literary beginning. The use of the second-person lends a certain subtlety to the sentence. Don't you think, Fujimaru?

？！

Ha! A lively response. I am possessed of a sudden desire to kick you in your arse.

Though our contract is but a temporary one, any Master seeking to transport me must be as so.

...No. This is my first meeting with you. Can you not tell from my attire?

I've certainly never been defeated by you, and have, under no circumstances, been brooding over it.

I was simply in a foul mood, especially my stomach. All because Archer wouldn't cook a sound meal.

...No, that is not it. I am precisely as you see me to be.

...A m-miniskirt, you say? Well, I suppose one could see it as such.

But mind it not, and allow me to say this in advance. One who would be Santa is unbothered by the cold!

？！

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Santa Alter. I am a Santa Claus of Evil who slashes apart the icy breath of Midwinter!

...You seem to misunderstand me. I merely wish to express my daily gratitude by delivering presents to all.

However After going through the trouble of gathering presents, I have lost my means of transporting them.

The reindeer that I had hired previously to pull my sleigh have all run away in fear.

What a bunch of cowards. All I did was use Excalibur Morgan as a jet engine to propel us into the stratosphere.

I could pull the sleigh myself, but such a thing would tarnish the dignity of Santa Claus.

I cannot capture the heart of children everywhere without a reindeer. Which is why You understand, don't you, good Fujimaru?

It is for that purpose alone that I have unsummoned you here by force.

As a part of my daily gratitude to you, I bestow upon you the honor of being my reindeer.

No. I am not a king here, but a Santa Claus! Kindly refer to me in those terms.

That is untrue! Of those I considered there was one, at least, with promise!

But they were rather hesitant, and worse yet, extremely frail. Thus, I sent them packing.

However, their eyes were so bright they would have made a perfect red-nosed reindeer...

Honestly... Even if it is Christmastime, one should have limits to how much one lets loose.

？！

...No, wait a moment. It seems the presents have drawn some uninvited guests.

And I was in the middle of my presentation... But there's nothing to be done about it. Take up your sword, Fujimaru.

Your body shall know what it means to go into battle with Santa!

As you can see, many try to target Santa Claus. Reindeer must be as strong as their master.

Now then, you understand what I'm saying, don't you? You are now my reindeer. I won't hear any objections.

Rest assured, I am a Santa and not a demon. If you work hard, I shall grant you your life, at least

？！

Humph! That was a quick response! Are you a lion cub, unschooled in fear? How promising!

Nonetheless, it was a good answer. I am pleased. Now, let us start immediately.

First, let us storm this house nearby. As Santa, I must attack from the skies.

Now, board the sleigh, Master! I shall enlighten you on the ways of Santa!