Day 2

Another day, another route safety secured. I think we've been working very efficiently, if I do say so myself.

By the way, Senpai, have you been to the exchange shop yet?

The Marines stayed behind on the Border to run it, and they've been doing a great job.

It's nice to hear the gift exchange is going well.

I've been worried about what kind of trouble the Marines might get themselves into with the rest of us gone.

I know, right? It matches Ms. Nightingale's, too. I'm really fond of it.

I'm so grateful to Saint Martha for choosing us to be this year's Santa. Oh, but I'm getting off track.

？！

Hello, Fujimaru. Mash.

I just wanted to stop by and say a proper hello, since I hadn't gotten around to that yet.

And of course, Leader is here with me, too.

Pardon the intrusion, but I just want to make sure: Have you both been taking it easy?

？！

I see. Good to know.

Leader, do we really want to keep Fujimaru and Mash confined to their rooms during Christmas?

I know. Why don't you two take a virtual trip somewhere nice and safe in the simulator, where you know you won't be hurt?

Oh, incidentally, we covered the rest of Britain today, and began making headway on France as well. Here's the delivery slip and receipt.

And this is for you two. It's a gift from Habetrot.

She said these earmuffs will help keep you warm in the cold and go great with your Santa Claus outfits.

Thank you, Nurse. So, you visited Habetrot today?

Yes, and she asked us to give you both her regards. And you'll never guess who she was hanging out with...

I'm so sorry! I had no idea you were actually Santa Claus!

When this place suddenly turned into a tundra, I thought it was the work of an evil wizard! That's why I fought so hard!

But I should have known better. Christmas and snow obviously go together, and Santa's defined by his red hat and sleiuh, vehicle...

I can't believe I messed up yet again...

Oh, right! I know it's a little late to be asking this, but are you okay!?

I'm fine. As you can see, I'm a consummate professional Santa.

I account for these sorts of...misunderstandings ahead of time, since I am mistaken for a burglar at one in every three places I visit.

Anyway, I'm surprised to see you here, Habetrot. Is this your hometown, too?

It sure is! We all originally hail from the British Isles!

I actually invited Britomart and Oberon here for a homecoming tea party.

Britomart's been saying she wants to hear more about Morgan for a while now...

...so I, her old tea-drinking buddy, and Oberon, who claims to be a Morgan expert, have been telling her everything we know!

That's right. This seemed like a good opportunity for a visit, especially when I heard there would be delicious biscuits.

I wouldn't say I've been covering EVERYTHING I know about High Queen Morgan, though. Only true facts that won't destroy Britomart's image of her.

Besides, while I do know Faerie Britain quite well, I've never had a chance to see the real British Isles before.

Really, in a way, I'm kind of a Proper Human History fairy myself, so there can't be any harm in visiting at least once, right?

Having said that, there's not much here to be seen just now thanks to the whole Bleached Earth Phenomenon! Hahaha!

I feel so ashamed. If only I were as strong as my mother, I could bring back the Land of Fairies, even just temporarily...

...and then you would've been able to see how beautiful the original Britain truly was, Lord Oberon.

Don't worry about that, Britomart. Come on now, chin up. Fairies have no business being all dejected.

I can get a very good idea of how beautiful this place must have been just by looking at your own fair visage.

I have no need to see this land for myself today.

Besides, if we succeed at bringing it back, then I can look forward to touching it with my own two hands.

...!

(He just took Britomart's hand in his own to help her up like it was the most natural thing in the world!)

(Yeah. And he did it just as he gave her that line about touching the land for himself.)

Now then, if you're here, Sir Santa Claus, I expect it's because you have something for Habetrot?

That's right. She's the one I'm here to see. I didn't expect to run into you two as well.

Would you mind giving us some privacy? A Christmas gift can be a very personal matter.

Huh? You only brought a gift for me? What about Oberon and Britomart?

They weren't on my list. I think that means there's nothing they want right now.

That's true! I'm still in training, so I'm not going to wish for anything until I've become a true Tam Lin!

And as far as I go, well, I want more things than I can count.

Maybe that's why I don't have anything on your list; I couldn't narrow it down.

I see... Well then, if there are lots of Christmas holidays still to come, then you should have lots of wishes granted in the future!

...

Good point. Having more wishes than I can count improves my chances of at least one of them coming true.

Okay, now that it's just us... Here you go, Habetrot. Merry Christmas.

Thanks, Santa Claus. Mind if I open it now?

Go ahead. Make sure it's what you really want. I can't have people thinking Santa is incompetent.

Well then, don't mind if I do...

Oh!

Did I get it right?

You sure did! I've been wanting one of these! You know how I'm a spinning wheel and spinster faerie, right?

I have to lick a lot of thread, which isn't good for my lips. This lip balm'll make it way easier to do my job.

Although...maybe I could also use it as a sort of makeup, too. Even if I am a long way from being bride material myself.

Don't be silly. You're not a long ways off from that at all. And why be stingy with it? Use it proudly.

Y-you think I should? But, what if everyone laughs at me?

They won't. It'll look great on you. You have Santa's guarantee.

Anyway, while I can't tell you exactly what the present was, that's more or less how it went down.

So Habetrot went home for the holidays, too.

I'm sure she must have gotten along with Oberon and Britomart swimmingly, since they're all originally from Britain.

？！

Nothing to speak of. I chatted a little with Habetrot, then began my trip back here to Chaldea.

Come on, Nurse, we should get going. Tomorrow's going to be another busy day.

Make sure to stay alert. This is when our mission really begins.

Of course, Captain. I know we still have a long voyage ahead of us.

All right, see you later, Fujimaru and Mash.

Try not to stay up too late or have too many midnight snacks, okay? Early to bed, early to rise.