Chapter 159

**Merry Christmas.**

The last celebration of the year.

A day when the insiders are in their element.

You might wonder what Christmas is like in a world that isn’t Earth, but most games are originally like that.

They celebrate Pepero Day, Halloween, and Christmas, showering costumes and resources that fit the occasions. It’s one of the days when gamers get fed.

Of course, Christmas is also present in “TaoSl,” the cute girl game.

It’s the same with being possessed. It’s been almost three years since I’ve been possessed in “TaoSl,” and I’ve confirmed that a Christmas festival occurs every year-end.

I’m not sure who we’re honoring in a world without Jesus.

The important thing is that there is an event story for Christmas, and among them, there is a dedicated Christmas episode for Asies.

It’s not mandatory, but Christmas, filled with emotions more than other celebrations, is perfect for stimulating Asies’ feelings.

I don’t want to miss it.

‘How hard I’ve run to make it on time.’

If the liberation of the other slaves had been delayed, Christmas would have passed by in vain.

It’s time to receive the reward for my efforts. I’m on my way to the starting point of the Christmas event with Asies.

It’s been a few days since Asies cried listening to the music box. There hasn’t been any dramatic change where the curse disappears suddenly.

However, she has spent more time in contemplation. Sitting crouched on the bed, endlessly replaying the music box, she resembled someone trying to recall memories.

It was a good sign. No matter how many times I try to stimulate Asies, it means nothing if she doesn’t realize it herself.

“We’re almost there.”

We visited the office of Ulgdar, the Iron Law-Meister, next to the Heart of Magmar.

“Oh, you two. It’s been a while. I heard you went to the North.”

“Yes, we went to take care of a few things.”

“I see. How is the princess? She has become even more beautiful since I last saw her. That pendant suits you very well.”

“Mm.”

Ulgdar’s eyes widened in surprise at Asies’ response, but soon he smiled like a kind uncle.

“By the way, what brings you two to my office?”

“I just came because I was bored, but it seems like your expression is dark, Ulgdar. You appear to be worried about something.”

“Oh… Did it show on my face that much? I apologize.”

“Haha, no need to apologize.”

I already knew why he was like that.

Ulgdar, who seemed to be embarrassed at having shown a poor appearance to his guests, began to explain the details.

“Actually, I received urgent news from an acquaintance. There’s a task that must be done around this time, but there’s been a problem. I was just pondering how to handle it.”

“Oh dear. Is there anything we can help with?”

“You two are offering to help?”

“Yes. It just so happens that we were free. We should help each other out, shouldn’t we?”

Ulgdar looked genuinely moved. His gaze towards me was filled with deep gratitude.

“If Carami can help, it might be resolved smoothly. Very well. Then I will trust and leave this matter to Carami.”

***

A quiet winter breeze brought snow to the forest.

Snowflakes danced and lightly descended. The trees in the forest seemed to wear a thin white blanket, quietly cradling the accumulating snow.

The winter forest is cold, but to me, who has endured the northern winds of Isgangar, it felt more like a refreshing autumn.

“Lammi… where is this…?”

Beside me, Asies walked alongside through the forest.

Thanks to the pendant, our distance was just a step apart, rather than an arm’s length. Without us even having to say anything, Asies found her way here.

“This is the Forest of Silver Strands. According to Ulgdar, there is an acquaintance here.”

“Ah, ha…”

Asies nodded as if she understood, but I didn’t entirely believe her. She had mentioned it when we set off and when we arrived, so this was the third time.

She has that kind of excessiveness. She says, ‘I completely understand,’ but in reality, she doesn’t understand at all. If that cluelessness is her charm, then so be it.

I looked up at the falling snow and exhaled. My breath arose in white puffs.

‘Christmas is coming again this year.’

For me, it was just another ordinary holiday. While the world was bustling to celebrate Christmas, I was peeling tangerines under a blanket, reading novels and playing games.

Not much had changed since I possessed this world. Enjoying Christmas was a luxury; I was busy preparing for the upcoming main story.

For someone like me to stroll through a snowy forest with someone was something special, unlike the past. It could be quite picturesque.

As I was lost in thought, I suddenly became curious about Asies’ feelings.

“Asies, what do you think when you walk with me?”

“…?”

“I’m asking for your thoughts. Do you have none?”

Asies tilted her head, seeming not to understand the question. I thought I had asked her a pointless question again.

“Of course… it’s normal…?”

“What do you mean it’s normal?”

“This…”

“…?”

This time, it was my turn to tilt my head. I didn’t understand what she meant by normal.

‘Is she saying it’s natural to walk with me?’

But that’s not something to take for granted.

It shouldn’t be seen as something normal.

It was something that shouldn’t have happened in the first place.

Asies regaining herself after being liberated from Skadia should be seen as natural.

“Lammi, lights. People.”

Asies, conveying the necessary words in fragments, pointed with her finger to a spot in the forest. In the woods, only illuminated by moonlight and starlight, an alien light was visible.

“It seems we’ve found the right place.”

We approached the light directly.

Rustle.

“Hey? Who, who are you?!”

Startled by our sudden appearance, a man warming himself by the campfire jumped up.

He had a round physique. The elderly man wearing a bushy white beard and red clothing resembled Santa Claus from storybooks.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t just his appearance; he was indeed Santa Claus.

“Greetings. I am Carami, sent by Ulgdar. Are you the noble Nicholas?”

“Oh! Ulgdar sent you? I was just pondering what to do, and you’ve arrived at the perfect time!”

His caution toward me vanished like snow melting away, and he gave us a warm welcome.

“I am Nicholas Snowson. It hasn’t been long since I sent a letter, but you’re already here.”

“Given the urgent situation, I had to come quickly. I heard there’s a problem, what kind of problem is it?”

Nicholas began to recount his lengthy story.

“Since ancient times, our Snowson clan has distributed gifts to children at Christmas. We need to distribute gifts this year as well, but Rudolph, who pulls the sleigh, has gotten hurt.”

As Nicholas said this, his gaze landed on the sleigh on the opposite side of the campfire.

A large red sleigh piled high with gifts.

In front of it sat Rudolph with a red nose, looking weary.

“He doesn’t look well.”

“He caught a cold…”

A Rudolph with a cold.

I’ve thought this since the first time I encountered a Christmas episode; he is disqualified as Rudolph.

“The problem is, Rudolph is the leader of the reindeer herd. If Rudolph is out, the other eight reindeer won’t listen.”

The only reason Nicholas hires such a useless Rudolph is one.

He is a top-tier beautiful female reindeer among the reindeer, and the remaining eight reindeer chase after Rudolph because they are infatuated with her.

Since Rudolph is unable to move due to her injury, the other reindeer also won’t budge from their place.

She’s truly the queen bee.

No, she’s the queen reindeer.

“Please, help us so we can distribute the gifts. If we don’t hand out the presents in time, it will hurt the children’s hearts. If you think there’s no Santa…”

[Merry Christmas!

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without gifts.

The Snowson clan shares gifts with children and gains strength from their innocent hearts.

However, Rudolph has caught a cold and the reindeer won’t listen. Assist Nicholas and successfully deliver the presents, and keep the spirit of Christmas alive!]

If it were a game, I would have recalled a quest like this. [Penalty for failure: Death] isn’t there, but there’s no reason to decline.

“I understand. I will help.”

“Really? Thank you! Truly, thank you!”

Without paying any heed to Nicholas’s words of gratitude, I asked Asies for magic. Asies began to cast her spell, and the reindeer started to appear.

With bodies as transparent as ice.

With antlers as clear as crystals.

And shining blue eyes.

Eight ice Rudolphs bowed their heads before Asies, as if obeying their master.

“Such handsome and beautiful reindeer!”

Maybe it’s because they take after their owner, even the reindeer are beautiful. The reindeer watching over Rudolf couldn’t take their eyes off us.

But you all are out of luck.

You’re scum who abandoned their duties for a woman.

Well, thanks to that, we got our chance.

“It seems the ice reindeer won’t follow my orders. I’ll have to pass on Santa’s role this year.”

Despite claiming that, he showed no signs of disappointment.

Perhaps he was grateful to have avoided a crisis or because he got an opportunity for unpaid leave, Nicholas rifled through his gift bundle, swaying his butt in excitement.

“Beautiful benefactor! Please wear this! It’s a Santa outfit!”

What Nicholas handed to Asies was a red Santa girl costume. Asies looked blankly at the outfit she had received.

“Santa…?”

“Yes. Today, Asies will transform into a temporary Santa Claus who hands out presents.”

“Hmm… mm….”

Asies seemed to have a rough understanding and nodded her head. Then, she attempted to change clothes in the middle of the forest, which I promptly stopped.

“Wait a minute. We promised to change clothes where there are no people, right?”

Emotionless Asies feels no shame.

This isn’t the first or second time.

How shocked I was at first.

This time, she blatantly showed her lack of understanding, but after noticing me, she erected an ice wall to create a makeshift fitting room.

Rustle— The sound of clothing brushing against skin, which stimulates the imagination, soon fell silent as the ice wall crumbled, revealing Santa girl Asies in her cute appearance.

“Oh! That suits you so well! I’ve never seen such a pretty Santa!”

“Indeed. It looks great on you, Asies.”

The red Santa outfit is refreshing, a contrast to her usual blue and white shorts dress. There shouldn’t be any outfit that doesn’t suit that face.

‘Indeed, spending money on skins isn’t wrong.’

Seeing that, I realized anew.

While Asies was changing, Nicholas managed to harness the ice reindeer to the sleigh and prepare for departure.

I settled down next to the campfire.

“Well then, off you go. I will wait here while taking care of Rudolph.”

“…? Lammi, you’re not coming…?”

“Haha, of course not. I have acrophobia.”

Good luck.

***

A cold wind passed through the heights of the high dawn sky.

Shadows were cast upon the surface of the moon. As the ice Rudolphs pulled the sleigh, ice crystals scattered the remnants of winter.

A couple dressed as Santa sets out to adorn Christmas.

“Why do I absolutely have to go with you…?”

In the sleigh were not Santa Claus but a Santa boy and a Santa girl.

Having unexpectedly become Santa Claus, Carami blamed Asies, who dragged her along, but Asies merely tilted her head with an impassive expression.

“It’s normal…”

It’s strange that Carami doesn’t want to go with her.

For Asies, having Carami by her side is a natural occurrence.

“Phew, phew, phew…”

Looking down at the ground, the sparkling city view entered her eyes. It was a beautiful sight, but Carami had no leisure to appreciate it.

Breathing deeply to calm her racing heart, she gripped the sleigh’s strap as if it were a lifeline and squeezed her eyes shut.

She couldn’t bear to look up.

The moon was just too close for that.

Carami, writhing in fear, kept glancing sideways at Asies, who was observing her with a blank expression.

“……”

A faint smile curled at the corners of her mouth.

So subtle, it was perhaps impossible for anyone to notice.

---