5th Night: Little Gilgamesh

This is the address of our next letter-sender, but

My letter should be arriving soon. Not that I normally take any notice of Christmas or whatever it is

That wretched Saber is sure to dress in that manner of getup. Such frivolity... Who would've thought she would answer to such needs so faithfully.

It is praise-worthy for a king to endeavor to meet his subjects' expectations. Even I could perhaps learn from her example. But of course, I won't.

No, that is not the vital point in this. What I should truly take note of is the institution of Christmas!

It is said that however reserved and modest a woman can be, on Christmas, she cannot help but speak the truth of her heart!

Ahh, I can't imagine any future but one in which she will confess her feelings for me! Very well. I shall allow it! Thank me for the good service!

Now, come quickly, Dark Santa! I shall make you understand our difference through my treasury!

Fwahahaha! And then, perhaps I will say something like, "You, yourself, are my Christmas present, aren't you?"

We're leaving, Fujimaru. This house appears to be empty.

？！

Reindeer! We have the night off thanks to Gilgamesh's grand delusions.

And we happen to be floating above a great city. What don't we enjoy ourselves in its entertainment quarter?

Though there are but rustic eateries here in ancient Uruk, they should have good, simple food to dine upon.

I, myself, favor that dish of wheat flour mixed with water and stuffed with various fillings that is then baked upon an iron plate and then basted with sauce afterward.

I imagine even you could make something like th What?

We've been encapsulated by a strange space! Don't leave my side, Fujimaru!

!!! ...Where are we? This does not appear to be a normal place...

...Pardon me... Hello there. Miss, are you Santa Claus?

You are Santa, aren't you? I mean, you're carrying all those presents, after all.

Yes, I am Santa. And what manner of beings are you? Are you the ghosts that haunt this place?

We...are not ghosts or phantoms, I think... But I don't think we are human either...

Yes... Neither Jack nor I really know what we are...

We didn't have names either... All we could do is lie here and look at the town...

But tonight, um...

Since it's...Christmas... We were thinking we'd like something warm too.

...Yeah. That's why, even though we knew that it was wrong...

...we forcefully summoned you here "inside" ourselves.

...I see. You must be the unfulfilled spirits of young girls. Your lives ended while still innocent, and ignorant of love.

I see you've gained a sense of self under the light of Christmas. ...Though only due to your sense of loneliness.

We aren't that complicated. But Alice only had memories of the hospital, so...

What? Well, you only had memories of a dark sewer, Jack. I don't think that's a good thing. Not at all.

That's why... At least for one day today, we... We wanted to feel "chosen" by someone too...

...I see. So you've never had your names called, or have never been chosen by another?

Upon this extraordinary day, the two of you felt that you, alone, were not special?

？！

That I cannot do. I cannot give presents to any who have not written me letters.

...

However! If you wish it from the bottom of your heart, declare it! Wanting something just because you're lonely means nothing!

You should want something because it looks like fun, or simply because you want it! There, now. Show some courage!

OOkay. T-to be honest, we...

We want to play like everyone else does! We want a dream that's more fun than this!

Please, Santa Claus! Please give us presents too!

Well spoken. I shall answer to this courage. If you have no letter, then come take your presents by force!

Apologies for keeping you waiting, little ones. Now, let us begin this merry party!

Aww... We...lost... I guess there won't be...any Christmas for us...

...

？！

Augh! Ihavebeendefeated!

...Huh?

Well fought, my brave little ones! As promised, I shall now give you Christmas presents!

Ms. Santa!

Ah... Ohh... Presents... So many presents!

Your face says, "So you do have some good points," Fujimaru. ...Of course, I do. I am the ally of all children.

Do not call me, "Alter-chan!" Know your place as a reindeer and show some restraint!

？！

Thank you... Thank you, Santa Claus! But is it really okay for us to have so many presents?

Th-that's right... Aren't there many other children waiting for their presents too?

Heh. You needn't worry about that. I have only one more stop to make.

What's more, these are merely the spoils of your victorious battle. Now, what shall I give you for your actual, individual presents?

Here, take this! These are the presents I have chosen especially for you!

Ohh... Ohhhh! This... This is...

Hurray! It's a reindeer! A humongous, humongous reindeer!

Two little girls running in gleeful circles around Asterios... Heh! That's what a proper Christmas should be.

Fool, that one is only for show. If Asterios were to start running, lightning would streak the sky.

Which would frighten all the little children. The best thing for this prince is to have him do nothing.

Certainly not. If that wicked goddess were here, she would turn these pure, young girls into demons!

？！

...In any case, our work here is done. Even if it is only a dream for one night, enjoy yourselves heartily.

Ah... Wait, Santa!

...Thank you. Never mind me, but thank you for granting Alice's wish.

Yes, thank you, Santa, and thank you, Jack. Even though I was scared at first, the party was fun!

But I'm glad. It was only because we waited patiently like the fake Santa told us to...

...that we got to meet the real Santa Claus.

Wait. What do you speak of?

...Right. Before you came here, another Santa Claus came too. But...

...while that Santa was talking with us, they suddenly said, "Uh-oh. This won't do!"

"Since I'm not the real Santa Claus, I won't be able to fulfill your wishes. But the real Santa Claus is sure to show up soon."

"Please be good girls and wait patiently until then. What? If you can't do that, I'll try to do something for you next year."

And after saying that, that Santa disappeared somewhere. She may have been a fake, but she was a cool Santa too!

Well, good-bye, Santa! And Santa's reindeer! Thank you for bringing presents all the way out here!

...A fake Santa. I'd been ignoring it, but now it seems a showdown is inevitable.

Before I deliver my final present, I must punish this insolent cur. Fujimaru, next up - a showdown!