7th Night: Attack! The Alter Next Door

At last, it's time, Fujimaru. Tonight shall be our last and greatest work.

The last "Dear Santa" letter is from an Alter, address unknown.

An evil Servant, crawling in the abyss of a curse... In other words, like me.

Her present request is for "A board game everyone can have fun playing together."

It's a game like the Japanese sugoroku, where you roll the dice to advance your piece, and buy up properties on a game board.

The players buy land, charging tolls and usage fees to strip the other players of their fortunes and become rich.

There are many ways to clear the game, but the most common is to reach a certain amount, or bankrupt all the other players.

Below us is a Servant who would desire such a game. Exciting, isn't it?

Let's go. Don't forget to smile. Don't forget to pray. Don't forget to be sadistic.

As Evil Santa Claus, it's time for me to perform my last job!

I have arrived! Santa Clause descends to the sound of jingling bells!

This is awful. This is the worst. The worst possible woman who could've come.

I thought it was just that disgusting Servant, but you're here too, huh Fujimaru?

What does a pure-hearted Master want with a fallen woman like me?

How? What part of all this is luxurious?

The spirits did this on their own. It's not my taste. I would've used a burning stake motif.

Or what? Will you be my straw doll Fujimaru?

A straw doll, crucified and burning. I like that. It's enticing.

If you will, I'll forget about what happened before. It won't matter, because you'll be dead!

？！

Don't you dare bite my Master, rabid dog. You're the one who sent me a letter.

HehI was shocked when I saw the name on the envelope. A girl who's nothing but hatred towards what is good, making a wish?

Also, the handwriting was very easy to read. I thought you couldn't write.

I studied! Is that bad!? Those scribblings I made were so ugly it made me retch.

Heh. That's just like you, getting rid of anything you don't like.

And why does it matter if they're ugly? No one will see them.

Humph. You're not thinking hard enough. I'm a perfectionist. You know, if you sign a contract with bad handwriting

...Enough about that.

Why are you calling yourself Santa? Bring out the real Santa.

Are you blind? Or just stupid? I've brought many presents to children.

I may not be a Saint, but I'm a real Santa Claus. Fujimaru's trust is proof of that.

The reason I started this was to fling this present in your face, but now this is my real job.

I can't be a Saint, but I'm not a fake. Right, my Reindeer?

Indeed. You may deny my words, but not those of Fujimaru. Right, Dark Jeanne?

I don't know if there are veteran Santas. But maybe you're right.

？！

Hah I see. This is an elaborate way of pranking me, huh?

You probably thought I was spending Christmas lonely by myself, right?

But too bad! I'm having fun every day!

I've got so many wonderful friends here with me!

"Help me!" "Help me!" "Help me!" "Help me!" "Help me!" "Help me!"

A horde of spirits? You haven't been using them to

That's right! We're all having fun playing a board game! Games are fun! Games are great!

The weak endlessly trod the path of the weak, and the strong endlessly take from the weak

Stealing the flesh and blood off the other players as they scream and cry is wonderful.

Yes I am in first place by far! I have the most capital! Monopoly is fun! Monopoly is great!

Hmm? It doesn't seem like that much of a difference... There's about a 10,000 dollar difference between 1st and 2nd place

"Help me!"

!

？！

Oh, I'm sorry. My hand slipped. Let's start over. Too bad!

"Help me!"

...How wicked. You haven't repented at all, have you?

You'll never make any friends like this, and you definitely won't get to be a Servant.

Humph. I don't want to be a Servant.

I don't need a Master. Why would I want to join you, anyway?

...I'm fine being alone. I'm fine being alone. I should atone for my sins all by myself.

I don't want anyone's helpleast of all the help of Fujimaru, the one who defeated me.

Oh, are you sympathetic? Or disgusted? It doesn't matter. You're annoying me anyway.

How rude. I play fair! Wait, is that what you're thinking about here!?

I just used Jeanne Rule #3: Jeanne gets to do whatever she wants three times!

？！

I guess nothing we say matters... We'll have to fight.

That's just what I want. Pierres, get ready. You want to work off some of that stress, right?

Torture them. Just like the trials you gave to me in life! Torture them slowly!

Humph, by the way... I've been wondering, but did you forget how to talk like a Saint?

Oh, I haven't forgotten. This is just for today. I mean, you wouldn't want me using fancy words, right?

Can't you tell? I'm trying to match you. I'm trying to use words your puny, violent brain will understand!

It must be hard. I understand your pain. I recognize your frustration myself.

Because I was trying to match your level, and it's been making me want to throw up.

？！

Would you shut up!?

Humph. I guess that's all you can expect out of spirits. The only ones I can rely on are Gilles and the wyverns.

So, what will you do? Keep playing?

I spend my days doing nothing but cursing at the bottom of the Earth. I'll fight as much as you like.

？！

That's right, Fujimaru. The battle will continue until we defeat her mentally.

Losing won't teach her anything. She'll just try and claim we never won.

This particular child needs an especially nasty punishment.

...What? Do you have some kind of trump card?

Of course. Will you still talk about staying down here forever after you get this present?

？！

How does it feel to look at your light... Light? Well, I guess it's light.

This is what will happen if you stay down here. At this rate, there might even be Jeanne Lily.

I'm going back to purgatory. I've got better things to do than play here.

I'll build up my Spirit Origin and become a Servant, and next time I'll impale that stupid wannabe Saint!

"Oooh!" "We're free!" "We're free!" "We're saved!" "Thank you!" "Thank you!"

Oh, but first, I forgot something.

Let's go, Bishop. You're going to help me with my trials in purgatory, okay?

"Help me!" "Help me!" "Help me!" "Help me!" "Help me!" "Help me!"

...All right. That's the last of the Dear Santa letters. We've handed out all the presents.

My job is done. Good work, Fujimaru.

I couldn't have finished this without you.

Without you, I would've given up after the first person.

...I may not look it, but I get bored easily and have a short temper. I'm sure you didn't notice.

？！

I like that. It's good for a Master to be able to get along with their Servants.

... ...

...Hmm. So even that's not enough to get my point across, huh? Fine. Get on your knees and lower your head.

I will point my sword at your shoulders, but I won't cut you. Just bear it for a moment.

Once again, I recognize you, Fujimaru. I won't forget what has happened over these last 10 days.

You are my knight, my follower, and my leader.

Please keep your light shining into the future.

...Now then, the time has come, it seems. Our busy Christmas is over.

I have one final present for you. A justly deserved reward. Take it.

...In other words, a new fighter. I don't need to say anything more, do I?

Chaldea's system has its flaws, so you'll have to start over from scratch. But that's all right.

Thanks to its flaws, and its vagueness, so many encounters are possible. It's a good thing.

My blade is with you! You can ride on my sleigh any time you want!

Farewell, my Master! Merry Christmas!

Senpai!?

Doctor, it's Senpai! They suddenly appeared in an unoccupied bathroom!

What! Did that bathroom have a hidden room or something?

？！

Good, you seem like you're okay. Oh, but this is

Senpai is REM-REM-ing and looking very tired.

Is that right? Long-term Rayshifts are mentally draining, so it's good to get a lot of sleep, but...

Oh, their health looks okay.

I was worried when you grabbed me and told me Chaldea was in trouble. I'm glad it was nothing.

And disappearing only to reappear later is quite the Prestige! It'll be a great trick for the party!

？！

Yes, it's Christmas, Senpai.

Everyone's waiting for you in the conference room, Christmas cake in hand.

...Master? Is something bothering you?

？！

I look forward to that. I was a little worried it would just be Da Vinci's magic tricks.

There are only a few days left in the year. Our battle continues, but for tonight, let's enjoy Christmas!