A Merry Christmas

Elizabeth, there's still dust here. Did you actually wipe it?

I'll wipe it again...!

Bedivere. Your sense for decorations is hopeless. Is this the best you can do?

Eek! I-I'll fix it right away!

Uh, look... I get that sales matter this time of year, but maybe we should take a breather...

You are the biggest problem.

How long ago did I put you on prep? And you're still stuck peeling potatoes?

If you don't hurry, you'll be sleeping outside in this cold.

...I'll do it faster.

Estheria... she's way scarier than before.

I thought once she regained her true form she'd relax and be more benevolent...

Even if she's found herself again, Estheria still wants to fulfill her duties as innkeeper.

She's a perfectionist.

That's true. But... whew, I didn't think I'd be doing hard labor on Christmas...

Hey! No chatting!

Y-Yes!!

...Call it what you want, but slacking off won't fly.

If you're just here to waste my time and food... I'll have to punish you.

Hweh?! I-I'm sorry!

I get that an innkeeper wants to seize the holiday rush, but why are only we working? Why is Morgana free?

...Morgana is doing her part in her own way.

How do you figure...? Look at her right now and say that again.

I put her in charge of handling leftovers. She finished her task marvelously, so I'm letting her rest.

That counts as work...?

You talk too much. Do you think I didn't divide the work properly? Just follow orders.

Hmph, explaining it won't help. Ethan won't understand anyway. He's just a pig.

Right now you look more like the pig...

So what? What can you even do? Hurry up and trim the carrots and peel the onions!

Argh! The Christmas feast isn't even here yet! Why do we have to get chewed out and work this hard!

Are you saying you don't want to work...?

T-That's not it... we could rest a little.

Haa...

Because when Christmas comes, I have jobs for you. Now is the only time to prepare.

Jobs?

What is it?

...A one-day Santa gig. You'll hand out gifts to our companions.

So something good was waiting for us!

Right. As expected, you had it all planned, Estheria...! Sounds fun!

I'm not thrilled...

Ethan. It's a chance to do good without burdening anyone. We've been relying on everyone, remember...!

Mmm...

Do the work well, and I'll make a Christmas feast for you.

You're going to charge us anyway, aren't you?

It's on the house.

Oh? In that case I'm motivated. I'll knock this out!

Hmph. Humans really are simple.

Well... I'll join the feast as a special exception. I'll handle the eating, so hurry up.

How sneaky...

All right! Let's finish this junk in one go!

Good work. This will do.

Wow! We did it, Princess!

Yeah! It's thanks to everyone working together.

As promised, I'm entrusting you with delivering the gifts.

By the way, Estheria, where did all these gifts come from?

All prepared for this Christmas. At least for this season... it's better to give than to save.

This many...?

It's Estheria's sincerity. We've been indebted to everyone.

Exactly. If you're a human who knows gratitude, you should know how to repay it.

Right... since we're doing it, let's do it right. I'll be the perfect Santa Claus.

Yes, Ethan. I'm sure everyone will love it. I'll join you...!

Me too!

Hmph, if we can't eat until the work is done, then the sooner the better. I'll help, just this once.

Hm...?

What is it, Estheria?

Soldiers are coming this way. Brimming with hostility.

Don't tell me... Imperial troops?

Why? This town is in the Alliance's sphere. The Empire shouldn't be able to come here?!

A scout unit must have slipped in. Imperial forces chasing us are deployed all over the continent.

Why so suddenly? There's no reason to rush.

M-Maybe... because of that?

They mistook us delivering gifts for moving munitions...

How stupid is that! How sloppy is their surveillance? Are those Imperial idiots serious?

It means they were watching us that closely. We'll have to break through.

Ah... I suddenly feel sleepy, so I'll just... hyeek!

Don't you dare run now, Morgana!

...I'll hold the town. You break the encirclement and deliver the gifts.

Honestly... even in a rush, I didn't think they'd just storm in like that.

Looks like they're desperate too. No results means a scolding, no matter which side you are on.

P-Princess... I don't think it's over yet.

There are more soldiers...!

Ah... so there was a main force.

Pigs that never get tired.

Maybe they didn't just mistake it for munitions and attack on impulse.

Then what?

Who knows. Maybe they want to snatch us before the year's out. It'd be the perfect Christmas present for Vortigern.

Unforgivable! I'll protect the Princess...!

Yeah... either way, we're not letting them take us.

I hate dragging things out. Let's finish this fast and eat.

We strike first before they arrive!

Yeah. Let's show them what we can do.

That one's the commander...?

Heh! Long time no see, cutie.

That's... Lucy.

Yeah. I knew she got pushed out of the central Britannia, but... to find her loitering out here.

Come quietly. I already know what you're up to.

Yeah? And what's that?

You're hauling munitions for the Alliance.

Knew it...

Well, it's exactly the kind of mistake you'd make. Then why bring so many troops?

If you won't listen, I'll cut off your arms and legs and drag you in. I know you've gotten stronger.

Hmph. Even a cocky pig knows quality when she sees it.

Smelly little brat, talking big. Attack! Hack everyone to pieces except the cutie!

D-Don't say such horrifying things!

Just you wait! I'll behead you all and chew you to bits! Except the cutie!

Leaving lines like a third-rate villain... Tone down the obsession, Lucy.

Kyaaah!

Hoo... what are they doing, ruining a joyful Christmas.

At the end it looked more like obsession with you than a battle.

Must be nice to be so popular... ahem...!

That's what happens when you're a bad man.

You can chatter all you want. Most who approach me start by putting a blade to my throat.

If that's what a popular man looks like, I'll pass!

Since it's settled, we should move. We have to deliver the gifts before Christmas ends.

There's a long way to go, can we hit every stop...?

We can't visit every kingdom in the Alliance, but luckily there's a secret meeting in the village down the hill.

If we make it there, we can handle it all at once.

I see!

Huh? A secret meeting... who told you that?

A messenger came by the inn this morning. We said we'd go if we had time...

We'll be going as Santa Claus!

That's it...!

Yes?

I thought it was a lot of troops for a sudden raid... They know about the Alliance's meeting!

Looks like the messenger who brought the news was captured. Humans... so sloppy.

Then... don't tell me...

Right! The meeting place might be in danger.

W-We have to hurry!

I'm probably the only adult getting dragged around on Christmas, getting roped into incidents. Honestly... no easy days for me.

You're one to talk... you ate and napped more than anyone. Have some shame.

I'm in charge of lying down, you know?

That's not a thing!

Ahaha... calm down. This isn't the time.

Mm... the intel's fresh, so they won't have prepared much.

As long as we don't get careless, we can finish this smoothly.

Exactly. If we rout them early, they won't think to send reinforcements.

Let's get that cart moving!

Looks like nothing's happened yet.

Phew, that's a relief.

Mmm. I smell something delicious all around. Everyone's faith is so strong.

Not sure how dinner prep connects to faith... and it's not like they're worshiping you, so what are you so proud about?

We can't let our guard down. If they've mobilized troops, they'll want something to show for it.

Once they realize they're a step behind us... they'll regroup and strike, for sure.

You're right. We should inform the militia and the soldiers escorting us, too.

Fighting nonstop even on Christmas...

But if it's for protecting the Princess... there's no room for regret...! I'll go check if the enemy's coming!

Thanks, Bedi.

Then I'll be in charge of resting.

Don't say you're going to rest so proudly...

Can't be helped. You're not planning to hand out gifts right now, are you? We don't know when this place will turn into chaos.

Of course not. I'm saying we should be ready. Anyway...

Does the Empire not have Christmas? It's a holiday the whole continent celebrates.

We do. But... this isn't exactly the mood for it, is it?

I see. The way they're throwing themselves at us, I thought they'd been totally brainwashed by the Tiamat Church.

Like someone with zero romance, you mean?

...Why are you looking at me? Believe it or not, I used to be a functional member of society. I knew how to have fun.

Liar! You definitely lazed around like an idiot back then too.

No, I didn't?!

In the world you lived in, Ethan... how did you spend Christmas?

W-Well... people would go to parties... or go on dates with their partners...?

The details are different, but the vibe's similar to here. Including the inn's deep clean.

I also... wanted to enjoy Christmas with you, Ethan...

Huh? Elizabeth, what did you say?

N-No, it's nothing...

Anyway, those Imperial soldiers... their organization is a mess, but they're way too eager.

Princess! Ethan!

Bedi!

Back already? Don't tell me...

The Imperial soldiers are gathering! I think they're going to attack this place soon!

This fast?!

Elizabeth was right. Since they started this, they want to win no matter what.

For them, that'd be the best Christmas.

We need to warn everyone...!

Yeah. We'll go out first and slow their advance.

If we can, we should capture their commander. Then the Imperial soldiers gathering around will retreat on their own.

Good idea!

You mean that barbarian woman. Ugh, I can't stand ignorant pigs.

There's no guarantee it's only Lucy. It might be an even tougher fight, so steel yourself.

Let's move.

If they'd just pull back like this, it'd be great...

I know. I'm starting to run out of strength too...

As if it would end that smoothly. Any second now, that savage sow will show up...

You fought pretty well, but this is as far as you go, cutie...!

See? I was right, wasn't I?

Sheesh... I'll give her this, she's persistent.

Lucy... that's enough. We're not going to just let you have your way.

Oh yeah? We've got reinforcements on the way too. Let's see if you're still smiling when it's over. Heh!

I don't think words will work.

Yeah. If you won't talk, we'll just have to force you to back down.

Force who to back down? Get them!

Yes!

I won't let you lay a hand on the Princess!

Ugh... getting beaten by you lot again, here...

This is where you quit. Go back and enjoy Christmas.

S-Shut up...! Easy for you to say.

You think I... have anywhere to go back to?

This battle didn't even start on Vortigern's orders. There's nothing good waiting for you at the end of it.

Out here, the commander's judgment comes first. I know you're gathering the Alliance scum to deliver supplies...!

That's a misunderstanding. It's true that key Alliance figures are gathering... but it's a ceremonial, private meeting.

E-Ethan... if you say that...

It's fine. Their intelligence network isn't something we can ignore. And I don't want to lie on Christmas.

Hmph. I knew it. Then all the more...

You hold tactical meetings too, don't you? If you try to interfere anyway, we'll stop you with everything we've got.

Grr...! You...!

And supplies? That's another misunderstanding. The cart we're hauling is full of gifts.

Gifts...?

I told you. It's Christmas! What's wrong with hosting an event to hand out gifts on Christmas?

Now that you mention it... my wife's at home preparing dinner...

Same here. I promised I'd play with my son... sigh.

Listen up. Vortigern is probably welcoming Christmas with a lavish feast right now.

Working hard is fine, but shouldn't you take care of yourselves and your families too?

That's true... I should go back and say my prayers...

I promised I'd spend time with my family. I don't want to fight any more today!

Y-You idiots...

Don't get worked up, Lucy.

Here.

...? What's this?

What do you think? It's a gift. I told you, it's Christmas. Merry Christmas.

Ethan?!

Ethan, when did you...?

Giving the enemy a gift. Pathetic. You should've given it to me...

A Christmas present... you...

Don't want it? Then I'll just take it back.

W-Who said I didn't want it? You're so impatient!

Next time... I won't let you off like this, so be ready...!

I'm looking forward to it.

All right, shall we go hand out the gifts too?

I can't understand what you did... but it ended, somehow.

Yaaawn! If it's over, it's over. Let's hand out the gifts and go back.

Yes! I'll become the greatest Santa Claus on the continent!

Tsk...

...Whatever happened, it's still just an excuse, but I'll let it slide this once.

Th-Thanks...

But... giving the enemy the gift I prepared was unforgivable.

You're on toilet-cleaning duty tomorrow.

Ghk!

Heh. A fitting end for a pig.

Sigh... what can I do. It's my karma.

But it was strange. Why were you suddenly kind to the enemy?

Normally you'd be shouting for us to finish them and cut them down in one stroke.

What am I, some battle maniac...?

I was puzzled too. Even if it's Christmas... it felt impossible.

I don't even know why. I guess... I just thought they were having it rough too?

Christmas is supposed to be warm and happy. But not everyone gets that...

We had the upper hand, so I just wanted them to stop pushing and go home quietly.

I see... just for today...

Hmm...

I'm sure you had your reasons. They're enemies, but... they probably have things they have to obey too...

Right. We were exhausted anyway...

So you wanted to be the bigger person. I was going to blow them all away... but I saved my mana, so I don't care.

Says the one who begged to be carried because she was tired...

Anyway, it's Christmas. How about we take it easy, at least until New Year's?

We even did some cleaning for once.

That's surprisingly sensible of you, but let me add one thing,

There's still work to do. No time to rest.

Of course there isn't...

Fine. Then how about we at least enjoy dinner tonight and sleep well? We can work hard starting tomorrow, right?

...And

Come by my room later. You completed the mission... I'll reward you.

Oh, really?!

I'm not doing this because I like you. Don't get any closer than necessary.

Yeah, yeah. Haha, did you hear that, Elizabeth? Estheria just... huh?

The others stepped out for a moment. You're so dense you didn't even notice.

Idiot.

You guys said you were looking forward to dinner, so where did you... now...

Y-You guys... those outfits...!

Merry Christmas, Ethan.

Thank you for all your hard work this year, Ethan!

Mmm... it's a Christmas special service. You don't get to see my transformation often, so be grateful.

Sniff... I'm glad I stayed alive!

E-Ethan?!

Ethan, are you crying? You're not, right? Um... if you don't say anything, this is kind of awkward...

Sniff... I'm just so happy...

We haven't properly thanked you during our adventures. Today is our way of repaying you. So...

Please accept our Christmas present...!

I can't believe you'd give me such a great gift... I'll remember today as my best day.

Merry Christmas to you too.

If I'd known, I would've prepared something too...

If you knew, you should've brought something...! Pathetic.