Final Round: Santa Claus's Gift

(Exhaling sharply with his punches)

Hmph. That was pathetic, Karna.

...What did you say?

It's clear you still have no idea why you weren't able to so much as scratch Vritra.

For someone supposedly more devoted to learning and growing than usual, you've failed to change at all.

That's why you haven't been able to become a true Santa Claus.

What do you know about Santa?

Not much, I admit, but I do at least know this.

The idea that the Hero of Benefaction...

...a man who desires nothing for himself, and would gladly give away all he owns if asked, can become Santa Claus...

...is pure fantasy.

!!!

You'll need to go beyond that to truly become Santa Claus. And you'll never get there as you are now.

(Exhaling sharply with his punches)

？！

？！

Oh, Master. Of course.

I hope you don't mind if I train while we talk. What's up?

？！

...Do you know what he was talking about, Master?

Unfortunately...I don't.

I'm sure he was mocking me for being a poor excuse for Santa, but I also don't think that's all there was to it...

？！

I would normally never even think of asking you to do this, Master...

...but I'm afraid you're the only one I can trust with it.

After all...nobody else knows me like you do.

I meant every word I said to Karna.

I truly do think he's been an idiot, and a failure as Santa.

But under these circumstances, I can't just leave it at that.

So while I know it's presumptuous of me to even ask... Do you think you could check in on him for me, Master?

If he still hasn't figured it out, then I'll take responsibility for this and go defeat Vritra myself.

I swear it on my father, Indra.

Maybe he meant there's something besides a lack of training that's stopping me from becoming a true Santa.

But if there is, I don't know what it could be.

Why is being the Hero of Benefaction alone not enough?

I've watched the other Santa Clauses, and I thought I knew what I had to do.

Santa is supposed to deliver presents and rule Christmas as its strongest warrior, right?

...Master, you've known the other Santa Clauses for a long time.

Can you think of anything they have that I don't?

If you can, please tell me. Maybe it'll help me find the answer I need.

？！

？！

...!

？！

...I see. So Santa Claus also needs fun and joy.

A gift he gives not just to others, but also to himself.

Of course. Anyone who can't even give himself a present could never hope to give them to children around the world.

The very idea of such a person claiming to be Santa is ridiculous. Now I see. So that is what Arjuna meant.

However, I don't find any joy in serving as Santa.

All I have is my desire to be strongto be a true Santa.

？！

Impossible. I don't have that in my sack. I'd have to be a true Santa before I could give myself that gift.

？！

!!!

...I see.

For my own presentmy own benefactionI can give myself the gift of wanting to learn and grow.

And to do that, I'll also need to allow myself to receive benefaction from others.

If there's something my sack of presents is missing... I should just ask others for it.

？！

You're right. I thought being Santa was something I had to do on my own.

But what I really want is the strength to become someone else, like I did when I was studying under Droṇa.

Aśvatthāman, Duryodhana, Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhima, Arjuna...

Some of them were enemies, but I may never have become as strong as I did if it wasn't for them.

So...maybe I should do the same thing now. If I can't do this all on my own, I should probably ask for help.

Help from someone who may be able to make me stronger.

？！

...So that's why I've changed my mind.

My goal is still to become a true Santa, but now I'm not going to avoid things that will help me reach that goal.

From now on, I'm not only going to deliver presents. I'm also going to accept them.

That's why I'm here now.

Sounds good to me! Believe me, if there's any way we can help, we're happy to do it.

Sounds good to me! Believe me, if there's any way we can help, we're happy to do it.

I feel the same way. I'm happy to keep supporting you as best I can from here!

So, what exactly do you need from us?

What I need is to defeat Vritra.

Will you lend me your power so I can achieve that?

Of course. I've already got other dragon-slayers lined up, so all you have to do is say the word.

Let's see. There's Siegfried, who still hasn't had a chance to shine... And there's also

Of course. I've already got other dragon-slayers lined up, so all you have to do is say the word.

Let's see. There's Siegfried, who still hasn't had a chance to shine... And there's also

No, that won't be necessary. I remembered something important... Something Arjuna must have realized, too.

If we're going to defeat Vritra now that she has the power of a Holy Grail, we're going to need a plan of our own.

So instead of a dragon-slayer, I'd like you to call on...

You do know authors only write stories about dragons, right? We don't actually go and hunt them.

Were my specialty nonfiction, I might consider research that's less...exciting than fighting dragons, but unfortunately for you, I write fairy tales.

But, all right, fine. I just hope I don't end up as an author-sized snack...

A dragon? That sounds absolutely dreadful. Are you sure I'm not going to die?

Um...those are the two you want helping you?

That's right. Though I'll also need help from more combat-focused Servants as well.

Then allow me to accompany you until the very end.

As the one guiding this journey, I am responsible for seeing it through to completion.

The other me entrusted me with eradicating evil on this mission, and I have not yet finished doing so.

Of course I will be there to wield my purging sword...

Fortunately, our destination isn't inside an occluded Singularity anymore...

...so we only have the usual Rayshift restrictions to worry about now.

That said, our resources are still limited, so we do have to consider how many we can afford to send and how well they work together.

In this case, more isn't necessarily merrier. Are you sure this is the team you want?

Fortunately, our destination isn't inside an occluded Singularity anymore...

...so we only have the usual Rayshift restrictions to worry about now.

That said, our resources are still limited, so we do have to consider how many we can afford to send and how well they work together.

In this case, more isn't necessarily merrier. Are you sure this is the team you want?

I'm sure.

(...I doubt Arjuna will come along. Even if he does, it won't be until he sees how I do in this battle.)

(But then...)

(...why would he send his Alter along instead? It can't possibly be to help me.)

(There must be some other reason...)

All right, let's get this briefing started. Karna, there are a few questions we'd like to ask you.

Now I see. You're right, your strategy does seem like it could work.

All right then, if everyone's ready...

It's time to head to the Himalayas and make Vritra give back everyone's presents!

Now I see. You're right, your strategy does seem like it could work.

All right then, if everyone's ready...

It's time to head to the Himalayas and make Vritra give back everyone's presents!

Ugh, when are they going to get here? I'm so booored.

Hurry uuup. I'm so tired of waitiiing.

Um... Master, is that...?

？！

Aah! ...So, you've finally come.

Wh-why are you looking at me like that? I wasn't doing anything strange.

I like keeping clean, so I was just using the snow to bathe. You should try it sometime. It's very refreshing.

Well, at least we know she doesn't hibernate.

Well, at least we know she doesn't hibernate.

Hmm? I see the godlike one who bears the face of Indra's child is here, but I don't see the child himself.

And after I went out of my way to honor his request and wait before killing you.

Does this mean you know what it is I truly want too then?

No. We're only here to defeat you once and for all.

... Well, no matter.

So I take it that means you've found a way to defeat me, even though I've gotten used to this Holy Grail thing's power?

(Her magical energy is incredible! I can already tell they'll never be able to get past her defenses just by fighting like they usually do. But)

I know. The secret to why our attacks didn't reach you...

...is that the Holy Grail's power drew out the protection you possessed in your legends.

You may not have had it when you first materialized, but I'm sure the Holy Grail changed that.

After all, that protection was something you always possessed.

One of your stories says you formed a contract with the gods that said you could never be slain during the day or night, by weapons of wood or stone, or by anything wet or dry.

Of course, some people say that story actually originated with the demon Namuci, even though you're frequently treated as the same being.

One of your stories says you formed a contract with the gods that said you could never be slain during the day or night, by weapons of wood or stone, or by anything wet or dry.

Of course, some people say that story actually originated with the demon Namuci, even though you're frequently treated as the same being.

Now we know it wasn't simply some defensive power or a magical energy barrier that stopped our attacks from reaching you.

It is because of a trait ascribed to you in myth, which means we have ways to get around it.

Keeheehee. So, you knew about my contract with the gods. Well, that's all right.

After all, surely you don't still think you can defeat me with your fists alone, do you?

True. My sword had no effect on you, but Sir Karna and Sir Beowulf's fists did, at least by comparison.

I understand now the reason for that is they were weapons that were neither wood nor stone, neither wet nor dry.

Of course, we haven't forgotten that their attacks never quite reached you.

Which is why we've gone further today.

We've recreated the same circumstances that enabled Indra to defeat you, even bound by your contract.

First, he chose to fight you at twilight, which is neither night nor day.

And second...

...Ha! He killed you with something that was neither wet nor dry: foam!

I do think as twists go, that could use a little more foreshadowing, but I can't deny that fantastical leaps of logic can sometimes be quite engaging for readers!

The very idea of fighting a dragon myself is too terrible to consider, but if this is all you need from me, I should be able to manage...

I'm no Shakespeare, but wrapping you guys up in foam should still be pretty easy. Especially since I won't have to do any editing passes.

Enchant! Go ahead, take all the tragic foam you need!

Allow me to tell you a story. The queen of serpents once said,

"If I am to be boiled in a pot, collect the first layer of foam that spreads upon the water in a bottle, and drink the second layer yourself..."

So we're going to do the same thing, and defeat you with foam.

For foam is something that is neither a weapon, nor wet, nor dry!

Could you apply some to my sword as well?

It may not work as well on that as it does on fists, but I'm certain it will still be helpful!

It doesn't matter what form the sword of purging takes. All that matters is that evil is eradicated...

Keeheehee! Excellent! That's more like it!

Maybe you really will be able to grant my wish after all.

Go on then, let me hear your agonized screams, your pitiful sobs. Let me watch you struggle and fail like the insignificant little specks you are!

Andersen and Scheherazade's foam enchantments have been applied to everyone in the front line!

Everything's ready, Master!

？！

Tch!

It's working! We have the advantage!

？！

Thy dragon, originating from sin! Ascalon!

We've got you pinned in the corner. Now we're going to put you down for the count!

Arrrgh! I felt that one under my scales!

The blow was not as deep as I would have liked...but it was enough to throw her off balance! Now, finish her off!

...!

...?

What are you doing, Arjuna!?

I thought something felt strange. Now that I wield saṃvartakalpa's sword of recursion, meant to eradicate all evil...

...its blade has come into contact with this being's very life. I understand now.

Master, I need to tell you something. This dragon is not evil.

She's not...?

B-but, all of Vritra's legends describe her as an evil dragon...

...and isn't what she's done with this year's Christmas presents incredibly evil!?

...

...Maybe it's just an indication that she's not entirely evil after all.

What do you think, Fujimaru?

Given that you don't exactly seem shocked here...

...I'm guessing you already heard what's going on from Arjuna?

...

...Maybe it's just an indication that she's not entirely evil after all.

What do you think, Fujimaru?

Given that you don't exactly seem shocked here...

...I'm guessing you already heard what's going on from Arjuna?

？！

Let me just say this.

Vritra is said to be an evil dragon...but in one sense, she's also just a natural phenomenon.

She's the incarnation of obstacles for humanitya being whose purpose is to dam up the world.

Let me be as clear as I can about this, Master.

As far as humans are concerned, Vritra is both an obstacle and a trial. No more, no less.

As the legends say, she was responsible for numerous widespread droughts, and each time, Indra killed her.

But I don't think she caused those droughts with the goal of eradicating humanity.

While she did cause them great distress, she also always met her end at Indra's handsalmost like she was fated to do so.

This is only conjecture on my part, but...

...arrogant as she may be, I think she's only giving ushumans and gods alikeobstacles to test us.

That is where her true objective lies. At least, that's what I think.

...What is that true objective, you ask?

Respectfully, Master, you've seen enough yourself that I'm sure you can figure it out on your own.

S-so, did you, Master? Figure out what Vritra's true objective is, I mean?

？！

？！

？！

Keeheehee! Yes, I do!

I love seeing both weak, insignificant humans and proud, arrogant gods struggle, persevere, wail...

...and ultimately rise up to prevail over an obstacle they have to overcome. It makes my scales quiver in excitement!

Think about it. Humans are tiny and weak and live for barely an instant, right?

And gods are powerful and pompous as hell, right?

So what could possibly be more entertaining...

...than seeing them huffing, puffing, and working themselves to the bone to take back something I've blocked off!?

Of course, the best part is the moment when they finally manage to overcome whatever obstacle was in their way.

There wouldn't be any point if they were to simply give up and walk away.

No, I want to see you lot struggle and despair before finally rising to the challenge.

And I'll gladly be that obstacle myself as many times as I have to if it means getting to see that.

Not even death can stop me. I'll keep coming back to life over and over to stand in your way!

Well, she's definitely a huge sadist, not that we didn't already know that...

But I guess this means she also has a masochistic streak, since she wants the people she torments to overcome her.

Seems like a fetish only gods, demons, and other nigh-invincible beings can really participate in.

All right, I understand why she's been doing all this now...but don't her actions still qualify as evil?

That might actually not be so easy to answer. It really depends on how you define evil.

If Vritra is just symbolizing natural cycles, like water growing scarce before becoming plentiful...

...then the question is one of whether the cycles themselves are seen as evil.

Humans might think of a drought as evil, but that's not necessarily true for the world as a whole. It's just another natural system.

Maybe that's why Arjuna Alter doesn't consider things like that to be evil.

I guess there could be other reasons he said she's not evil, but who knows? He's not exactly chatty.

...

(Yeah. Now that I think about it, I do get the sense there's at least one other less obvious reason.)

(Something we still don't know that gets to the heart of who Vritra really is...)

Well, she's definitely a huge sadist, not that we didn't already know that...

But I guess this means she also has a masochistic streak, since she wants the people she torments to overcome her.

Seems like a fetish only gods, demons, and other nigh-invincible beings can really participate in.

All right, I understand why she's been doing all this now...but don't her actions still qualify as evil?

That might actually not be so easy to answer. It really depends on how you define evil.

If Vritra is just symbolizing natural cycles, like water growing scarce before becoming plentiful...

...then the question is one of whether the cycles themselves are seen as evil.

Humans might think of a drought as evil, but that's not necessarily true for the world as a whole. It's just another natural system.

Maybe that's why Arjuna Alter doesn't consider things like that to be evil.

I guess there could be other reasons he said she's not evil, but who knows? He's not exactly chatty.

...

(Yeah. Now that I think about it, I do get the sense there's at least one other less obvious reason.)

(Something we still don't know that gets to the heart of who Vritra really is...)

Be that as it may...she is still tainted with sin.

Evil or not, the fact remains that she must be defeated. That is simply what it means to be a dragon.

That's right. Whatever your intentions, what you're doing here is still wrong.

And what I need to do hasn't changed.

Yes, that's right.

I don't care whether I'm evil, or even whether I'm a dragon.

I'm just me, and I'm not about to hold back now.

I want to see you tiny beings put everything you have into defeating me. I want to see you really struggle.

And that can only happen when you're fighting me at my full power. Taking a dive would suck all the fun out of it.

Well I'll be damned. You almost sound as if you've written some serialized fiction yourself.

Generally speaking, a good author should try to pit their protagonists against the strongest enemy they can think of. The more hopeless their prospects of victory seem, the better.

Then you leave people wondering how they could ever overcome such a foe.

However you square that circle, there's nothing more dramatic than having your future protagonists triumph over seemingly impossible odds.

Though of course, if you can't pull that off convincingly, you'll just end up with a book that's barely worth the paper it's printed on!

That is not an option.

I want something entertaining. I want to see something truly wonderful.

I want you to defeat me, and to see you weeping tears of joy when you reclaim what you so desired.

So what are you waiting for? If you're hoping I'll surrender, you haven't been paying attention!

The only way you're getting your presents back is by prying them out of my talons!

You're right. It doesn't matter whether you're evil or not. I have to defeat you, so I will.

As both this year's Santa Claus, and Fujimaru's Servant...

...my job is to win this battle with a decisive KO.

This may no longer be the Age of Gods, and you may not have stolen our water...

...but, with these fists, I'm going to prove that humans are just as capable of overcoming your obstacles as ever!

You may not be descended from Indra, but it seems you do have ties to him.

Will you be able to defeat me like he did!?

It's time we found out! Hraaah!

I can, and I will. That is who I am.

If there is something you want, it's my job to give it to you.

That's what it means to be Santa Claus.

So if what you want is to see us surpass you, then that is the gift you'll get!

Now, get ready for my other Noble Phantasm.

This is a killer punch that only Santa Claus can unleash.

A single cross-counter guaranteed to KO any opponent...

Graharaja Santa Cross!!!

Guh...

That...is my Christmas present to you.

？！

Then it seems this is finally over.

Well done, Sir Karna. It was an honor to witness the birth of a new dragon-slayer.

...Huh? What's going on with these readings?

...Huh? What's going on with these readings?

Da Vinci, do you think these might be

Something just shattered!

Does this mean...there was something else blocked off inside this occluded Singularity?

Something just shattered!

Does this mean...there was something else blocked off inside this occluded Singularity?

It's said that Vritra sealed the world's water inside the Himalayas...

...so something here must have made it possible for her to seal away other things.

And now that seal has been broken? Then

That's right. At long last, we've broken the seal I've been searching for this whole time.

Oh maaan, I wanna read that new manga volume so badlyyy! Imamediately, if not sooner!

Partly because I just straight up want to read it, but also because it's gonna affect what I draw for the next con!

Now that it's finally here, I might as well ride the wave of its popularity and make my own doujin based on it!

But if I read it just before the con, I know I'll be so inspired to create that I'll end up wanting to make posters and bonus booklets too...

...and then I'll have even more trouble meeting the deadline than usual!

So please! Pleeease let me read yooou! (Rubbing her cheek against the box)

Wait. Did that work? It kind of looks like the box is glowing...

Kya! It opened! It actually opened!

Well then, without further adoWait. Chotto a minute. Is this

？！

Is that what this Singularity is supposed to look like? It's beautiful...

I knew it.

Knew what?

Knew what?

This is one of the reasons I knew the dragon not to be evil.

I sensed that whenever Vritra builds her dams in the world, or stops something from behaving as it should...

...there is something else that goes along with those deeds.

Though unfortunately, as a child of a god who has lost most of his humanity, I lack the words to describe it.

To be honest, I noticed this something of what you're talking about as well, though only faintly.

The few pictures I've taken on this journey are proof of it.

They are too magnificent for words, and it's nothing to do with my skill as a photographer.

No, it's because the landscapes we've witnessed are truly something special.

I'm not entirely sure why, but there was something about them that simply shone brighter than usual.

So I think what this means is that, whenever Vritra traps something, it also results in something even better being created.

That is admittedly only my personal interpretation. Still, I cannot help but feel it is the case.

Really? Is that even possible?

Keeheehee. It's not something I set out to do; it just happens.

？！

Her Spirit Origin has started to collapse. At this point...I think talking is all she can manage.

There's a case to be made that, in mythology, adversity and obstacles exist to give people a chance for growth.

After all, you can't overcome an obstacle without growing and changing.

If you cut off access to something essential, like water, of course people aren't gonna be happy about it.

But...the same way the energy stored up over winter goes into making plants bloom en masse in spring...

...it could well be that the land itself has to be sealed away to make scenery this beautiful.

Maybe the concepts Vritra really embodies are about growing through overcoming adversity...

...and being the kind of necessary evil to prompt further progress.

But hey, that's just my own interpretation!

There's a case to be made that, in mythology, adversity and obstacles exist to give people a chance for growth.

After all, you can't overcome an obstacle without growing and changing.

If you cut off access to something essential, like water, of course people aren't gonna be happy about it.

But...the same way the energy stored up over winter goes into making plants bloom en masse in spring...

...it could well be that the land itself has to be sealed away to make scenery this beautiful.

Maybe the concepts Vritra really embodies are about growing through overcoming adversity...

...and being the kind of necessary evil to prompt further progress.

But hey, that's just my own interpretation!

I don't know about any of that. All I know is that I enjoy seeing people try their best to accomplish something.

That said...

Since I do this sort of thing regularly, it is more entertaining if you get stronger every time.

That much is true.

Which is why I'm going to keep tormenting you, and the world you live in.

All you have to do is show me how much stronger you've become. You'll need to, because when I come back, I'll be even stronger too.

？！

Of course. I'm an indestructible demon. Not even Indra could get rid of me for good.

？！

Master is right. The truth is, we're already stretched pretty thin, so you would really be doing us a favor if you didn't cause problems for a while.

Oh? So there's another formidable obstacle out there besides me? Hmm.

If this threat is so great that humans, gods, and the world itself are banding together to fight against it...

...then it might be kind of novel to watch that struggle from the sidelines for once.

？！

Keeheehee! What a strange thing to say. You do know I'm a demon, yes?

Still, now that we've formed this connection, maybe I will drop by. You know, if I feel like it.

Just make sure you don't succumb to this threat before I've had a chance to come and watch, you powerful little weakling.

？！

Vritra's signal has completely disappeared. Mission accomplished, Master!

Well done. I must say, this whole experience has only reinforced the fact that dragon hunts rarely go as expected. It was a fine experience.

Evil still runs rampant throughout this world...

...but at least there is none to be found here. That is a good thing.

Does that mean I no longer have to worry about dying? That is music to my ears if it is true.

I only came in at the end to help with the foam, but this still turned out to be good research.

I never thought I'd get to see an actual dragon slaying for myself. If nothing else, it should make for a good set piece if I ever write an adventure story.

...Come on, let's go back. I still have another job to do.

？！

That's right. It's time to deliver everyone's presents.