Prologue/Broken Present

You're here again, huh? You really don't have any friends, do you?

So, what do you say? Are you ready to celebrate ?

Normally, you not knowing wouldn't be a problem.

But now that you've been chosen, you need to think long and hard about it.

Anything less would just be cruel to her.

I'm glad to see you're in good spirits, Senpai.

Fou fou fou... Fou?

And not just you. Everyone in Chaldea seems to be in a terrific mood.

Oh man, there's so much to do, and so little time!

Hahaha. You know, in my home country of Japan, December is known as "Shiwasu" and is written with the characters for "teacher" and "run."

I am told that is because it is a season where mentor monks like myself tend to be running around frantically.

Oh yeah? Then how about keeping the tradition alive and lending me a hand.

Indeed. I would be happy to assist in any way I can.

That said, I am but a Servant and I doubt there is much I can do besides carry heavy objects.

Fine with me. That'll still be plenty of help.

Don't forget us, Da Vinci. Senpai and I would also be glad to help out

No, that's okay. Christmas is just around the corner, so all I want you two to do is remain on standby.

We all know there's no telling what could happen around Christmas here!

Look, Senpai! What an enormous, yummy-looking cake!

Oh no, you don't. It's still not done yet. That goes for you too, Fou. No sneaking a bite on my watch!

Fooou.

After all, Christmas is coming up very soon, right? Oh, that reminds me.

There's one thing I wanted to talk to you about.

We don't have a Santa.

I see...

And by Santa, I assume you mean one of the numerous Santa Servants we've had over the years?

That's right.

Usually, by this point, we'd have a new Santa saving up magical energy for presents...

...or the Santa from last year would already be on the lookout for a new one.

That's true...

？！

Hello? Do you guys have a minute?

It looks like my suspicions were right on the money. We've got a new minute Singularity, and I don't mean in the seconds or hours sense.

So we've got an emergency? Then I guess I'd better get ready for comba

Ooh, there you are! Hiya, Boudica!

Hm? That voice...Huh?

Here I go! Kapween!

Wha? Huh!? What's this lightAaah!

So, here's the location of our latest Singularity.

...I'm sorry, where is it?

Exactly. We haven't been able to pin it down.

I do think it's around the year...2017? And it also looks to have weather pretty close to your average winter.

I was hoping you could put on your snowsuit and go check it out pronto...

...but the problem is, there's something strange about it.

How so?

All the Servants who were stationed here at Chaldea are already there, or on their way.

...

Don't worry about how they all managed to Rayshift for now!

The point is, after they Rayshifted there...they all started fighting.

Wha

Th-that sounds horrible!

？！

Whoa now, take it easy.

They might all be fighting, but so far, there's been nothing lethal.

They've all been stopping before anyone's Spirit Origin disappears, so at least for now, we're still at zero casualties.

That said, having Servants fight among themselves is still a big problem.

Throw in all the Rogue Servants who've been summoned there too, and it's clear we need to do something about it ASAP.

I was going to call on a Santa Servant to help out, since they're naturally a good fit for winter, but

They've all Rayshifted there too, haven't they?

Yep.

For the moment, I guess we can put out a call to all the Servants who are still here, then

One moment.

If I understand you correctly...

...a large number of patients is awaiting aid at this Rayshift destination.

？！

Nightingale!

It is my duty to help the injured, wherever they may be.

Very well then...

Let us be on our way, Master.

...

Uhh...

？！

Yes, I am Florence Nightingale.

W-well, we already knew that!

But I'm pretty sure that isn't your usual outfit!

Oh, this?

No, I suppose not. I am uncertain when my wardrobe change occurred.

But no matter. My combat style may be different now, but I am still me.

Please, pay it no mind.

？！

Hm?

I don't understand. Isn't Santa Claus supposed to be a jolly old man?

Yes! Yes, he is! Finally, someone addressed the elephant in the sleigh! Uh, room!

Never mind that now, though. That's just how things work around here.

Anyway, now that we've got a new Santa Servant, that makes things nice and simple.

You're just the Servant we need to help out on this mission. Everyone! Get ready to Rayshift!

I'll be monitoring you from here just like always, Master.

I wish I could accompany you myself, but...

？！

Thank you, Senpai. I can't wait!

You're here again, huh? You really don't have any friends, do you?

So, what do you say? Are you ready to celebrate ?

Normally, you not knowing wouldn't be a problem.

But now that you've been chosen, you need to think long and hard about it.

Anything less would just be cruel to her.

I'm glad to see you're in good spirits, Senpai.

Fou fou fou... Fou?

And not just you. All of the Servants seem to be in a terrific mood.

Oh man, there's so much to do, and so little time!

Hahaha. You know, in my home country of Japan, December is known as "Shiwasu" and is written with the characters for "teacher" and "run."

I am told that is because it is a season where mentor monks like myself tend to be running around frantically.

Oh? Interesting turn of phrase. Does that mean you're going to lend a hand?

Indeed. I would be happy to assist in any way I can.

That said, I am but a Servant and I doubt there is much I can do besides carry heavy objects.

Hey, that's plenty! Pretty much seventy percent of the end-of-year cleanup is just manual labor, after all.

Don't forget us, Da Vinci. Senpai and I would also be glad to help out

Oh no you don't. You two stay on standby. Christmas is just around the corner, right?

And I've seen enough in the database to have a pretty good idea of just how crazy Christmas at Chaldea gets.

Captain also certainly seems to have a lot on his plate...

You two. What are you looking so giddy about?

Can't you see that everyone's busy getting ready to deal with the Lostbelts?

Get back to your standby positions at once. This is no time to be sitting around twiddling our thumbs.

I suppose you're right.

By the way, Director Goredolf, may I ask you where you got that cake?

Fou...

Fou fou fou!

Ah! Fou is taking strong issue with that proposed course of action!

？！

Hm? You've got it all wrong, you little bacon thief. My snack here is all part of my emergency preparation regimen.

Thanks to all these bizarre little events that have been taking place on top of the already strenuous Lostbelts, my stress levels are at an all-time high.

And considering the toll they were found to be taking on me during my last physical before this nonsense, I don't even want to think about what my next one will be like if this keeps up.

Which is why my technical advisor officially prescribed me a strict sweets quota to aid my mental health.

If you don't believe me, go ahead and ask Da Vinci yourself.

Suffice to say, this cake is mine alone. And before you ask, I'll have you know there was not a single (overt) bribe involved.

Fou. Fooou? (Sniffing for anything "under the table.")

Okay... But, um, I have to ask, Director Goredolf: Are you sure you're okay eating that cake?

I mean, considering that there was that, well...poisoned cake incident...

Oh, yes, that. Naturally, I'm still dealing with some PTSD from that unfortunate incident.

Fortunately, I oversaw every step of making this cake personally, so I have complete confidence in its safety.

Ahahahaha. I don't think I've ever baked with such an...attentive audience before.

But I'm still happy to do it. Especially if it can help you overcome your cake PTSD.

...(Munch)...

Ordinarily, it would be a tremendous waste of magical energy... (Munch)

...to employ a Servant, who is basically like a familiar, for anything besides combat...(Nom nom)

But considering how few hands we have to spare, as well as the need to let our staff get the rest they deserve...(Gulp)

...I'm afraid I simply had no choice but to have you attend to more menial matters.

Really, it's okay. Like I said, I'm happy to do it.

Although, speaking of things one's happy to do... There's something I wanted to ask you about, Master.

？！

...Did I not just get done telling you this cake is mine!?

？！

All's fair in food and war!

Besides, you don't look like you've ever been stressed out a day in your life!

Now, now, don't worry about that. I'll bring you some cake of your own later.

What I wanted to say was, it's getting to be that time of year, isn't it? What was it again...? Oh, right! Christmas!

Yes, it is.

It's been wonderful seeing all the Servants in such high spirits.

Is that what you call it? It all seems like a bunch of idle frivolity to me. Hmph, some heroes this lot turned out to be...

Don't be ridiculous. Everyone knows a commander's penchant for tea or coffee has nothing to do with their ability to lead. Why should cake be any different?

Boudica, my apologies for interrupting, but would you mind not being so quick to dole out excess calories to our resident Master!?

Oh, sorry. He just looked like he wanted it so badly. I couldn't help myself.

？！

Anyway, I think it's great that everyone's excited about the holidays, but there is something I found odd.

Odd, you say?

We don't have a Santa.

I see...

And by Santa, I assume you mean one of the numerous Santa Servants we've had over the years?

(Numerous Santas? Oh dammit. My mustache just lost all its luster.)

(That's a sign of A-rank danger if ever I saw one. I'd best live up to that Phoenix nickname and fly the coop while I can.)

That's right.

Usually, by this point, we'd have a new Santa saving up magical energy for presents...

...or the Santa from last year would already be on the lookout for a new one.

That's true...

？！

Hey guys! Oh? I don't see Gordy anywhere... Guess he made a break for it, huh?

Oh well, never mind him. Would you guys mind coming to the Command Room? Like, right now?

We've got a minute Singularity on our hands that needs to be taken care of posthaste.

？！

You know it!

So we've got an emergency? Then I guess I'd better get ready for comba

Ooh, there you are! Hiya, Boudica!

Hm? That voice...Huh?

Here I go! Kapween!

Wha? Huh!? What's this lightAaah!

Okay, so this latest Singularity is right here.

Um... Here where, exactly?

Well, that's the thing. We haven't been able to pin it down.

I think it's around the year...2017? And it also looks to have weather pretty close to your average winter.

I was hoping you could put on your snowsuit and go check it out pronto...

...but the problem is, there's something strange about it.

How so?

All the Servants who were stationed here at the Wandering Sea are already there, or on their way.

...

Don't worry about how they all managed to Rayshift for now!

The point is, after they Rayshifted there...they all started fighting.

Really?

Th-that sounds horrible!

？！

Easy there. It's not as bad as it sounds.

They might all be fighting, but they're not trying to kill each other.

They've all been stopping before anyone's Spirit Origin disappears, so at least at this point, we're still at zero casualties.

That said, having Servants fight among themselves is still really, really bad.

Throw in all the Rogue Servants who've been summoned there too, and we've got a recipe for serious potential disaster.

I was going to call on a Santa Servant to help out, since they're naturally a good fit for winter, but

They've all Rayshifted there too, haven't they?

Yep.

For the moment, I guess we can put out a call to all the Servants who are still here, then

One moment.

If I understand you correctly...

...a large number of patients is awaiting aid at this Rayshift destination.

？！

Nightingale!

It is my duty to help the injured, wherever they may be.

Very well then...

Let us be on our way, Master.

...

Uhh...

？！

Yes, I am Florence Nightingale.

W-well, we already knew that!

But I'm pretty sure that isn't your usual outfit!

Oh, this?

No, I suppose not. I am uncertain when my wardrobe change occurred.

But no matter. My combat style may be different now, but I am still me.

Please, pay it no mind.

？！

Hm?

I don't understand. Isn't Santa Claus supposed to be a jolly old man?

Yes! Yes, he is! Finally, someone addressed the elephant in the sleigh! Uh, room!

Never mind that now, though. That's just how things work around here.

Anyway, now that we've got a new Santa Servant, that makes things nice and simple.

You're just the Servant we need to help out on this mission. Everyone! Get ready to Rayshift!

Unfortunately, Sion and the rest of the staff have their hands full with the Lostbelt situation...

...so I'd like you to back Master up from here. Can you do that, Mash?

Yes, of course. That was my job back in Chaldea too, after all.

Master, it looks like I'll be handling your existence verification this time.

I wish I could accompany you myself, but I guess that's just not in the cards this time...

？！

Thank you, Senpai. I can't wait!