Chapter 5 I Don’t Want to Call This the Miracle of the Holy Night. This Is the Result of One Family’s Hard Work.
Behind the door it was nothing like the classy candy town. This space was covered in magical patterns.
A zone hidden from the world. The Dark God’s domain.
It was immense. A deep pit with no visible bottom, only a magic circle serving as a floor over the depths.
All around them were magic circles laden with stolen presents. Boxes and bundles, lovingly wrapped. Somewhere in there was the white bag with the presents from their mothers.
It seemed like she was extracting the essence of spoiling from these piles. The magic circles supporting the presents were dropping marshmallow-like objects, and someone was eating them as fast as they arrived.
The Dark God, Mammone.
“Oh, there you are! Hey, hey! Welcome! Make yourselves at home!”
Dark God Mammone waved at them with both hands. She lay sprawled out at the center of the main magic circle, her head resting on the laps of a very confused Santa Mamako and Hahako.
A single horn on her head, six wings on her back, power flowing out of her body and manifesting as armor—Mone was every bit the Dark God. Absorbing this sight, the party stood at the edge of the magic circle floor.
“She seems glad to see us… So what now?”
“Well, at least words work, but I don’t think chatting is gonna help here. Back at the tree, she beat the snot out of the Kings…”
“She did not! We let her off easy.” Amante raised her rapier. “Dark God Mammone! I’ve got a lot I want to say to you—but first, revenge!”
“Hey, doesn’t talking usually come first?!”
Masato reached out a hand to stop her, but Amante nimbly slipped past it, using her explosive speed to cross the circle over to Mammone. “Hahh!” A merciless stab, the sharp tip—
…easily caught between two of Dark God Mammone’s fingers.
Snap. Like breaking a pretzel.
“Wh…that easily?!”
“Please. You’re so slow! Try to take this seriously.”
“Then I’ll just have to overpower ya! Mah!”
Fratello had used Amante to hide her approach, popping out and unleashing her ultimate move—a punch, wrapped in a combat aura, with a high crit rate—
One wing flapped, kicking up a powerful wind that easily pushed Fratello’s fist back. And her entire body. “Mah?!” “Hey?!” And Amante, too—both went flying.
“Crap! We’re gonna fall through—Sorella!”
“I knoooow! Super-uuuurgent!”
As the two went flying over the party’s heads, Sorella hopped on her magic tome, flying after them.
She managed to catch them just before they plunged into the abyss. Barely.
“She did it! Whew! I’ll go heal them!” said Porta.
“Don’t hold off on the buff items, either! No being stingy here!” shouted Masato.
Porta raced off to the Libere Kings. Masato watched her go then drew his sword.
Wise had her magic tome out. Medhi swung her staff a few times. They were ready.
Dark God Mammone had her head on the mothers’ laps, rubbing her cheeks against them in a very spoiled fashion. She gave the party an irritated look and slowly got to her feet.
“Ew, what now? You’re looking for a fight? Why?”
“That’s up to you. If you give us Mom and Hahako back and then return all the presents you stole, I’ll let you off with a single punch.”
“Huh? Give them back? Pfff, what are you even talking about? Everything here is mine. The presents, and these mommies. Right, Mamako-mama? Hahako-mama?”
Santa Mamako and Hahako both slowly nodded.
Looking deeply concerned.
“They’ve been brainwashed, just like we were.”
“Not fully, though. Still…to control those two, both at the same time—she certainly has the power of a secret boss from a top-tier quest.”
“Thank you, thank you. Yes, I’m very strong! But let me correct one thing. I’m not brainwashing anyone! I’m connected to these mommies by the power of spoiling.”
“At least say ‘the power of love.’”
“Oh, are you jealous? If you ask nicely, I could let you borrow one for a moment.”
“Are you serious? We’re the ones letting you borrow them!”
Masato started running toward Dark God Mammone. Not that fast, though.
He was trying to formulate a plan of attack.
First, I’ve gotta free Mom and Hahako…and to do that…
As he reached Dark God Mammone, he swung his blade sideways.
Trying to startle her. Make her flinch and move away from the moms.
“Mm? What?”
But Mammone didn’t move. She just let the blade hit her. “Augh?!” Masato tried to stop the swing, but it was too late. The Holy Sword Firmamento’s honed blade struck the Dark God’s neck…
Clang! It bounced off.
She had no barrier. The skin of her neck was simply impenetrable.
“The heck? How much defense do you have?!”
“Sorry! I’m just that strong. Oh, I know, that’s the Holy Sword of the Heavens, right? How about I do this?”
Dark God Mammone spread her wings, lifting herself into the air. Leaving the mothers unguarded at the center and leaving herself fully exposed to attack. She even beckoned.
“You’re getting pretty full of yourself, but fine. I’ll go all out. Don’t hate me later!”
He focused his mind, raised his spirits and his blade, and swung down! A heroic blow! He unleashed a max-sized, serious-business shock wave!
Dark God Mammone turned her back and stuck her butt out. The shock wave bounced off it, ricocheting to one side.
“Oh no, you split my butt in two!”
“Whaaaaat?! A joke like that, heeeere?! Arghh!” Masato raged, but…
He was pretty calm inside. This situation was what he’d wanted.
Wise! Medhi! Now!
Masato sent out a volley of shock waves, masking the girls’ actions.
Dark God Mammone was busy deflecting the shock waves with her rear, so her eyes were turned away from them. This was their opening. They just had to get to Mamako and Hahako, and secretly…
“Aww, you perv…but obviously, I see what you’re doing. Rompi la testa!”
“Crap! Stop, you two!”
““Huh?!””
Dark God Mammone’s spell activated instantly, ignoring the whole spell chant. A massive blade appeared above Wise and Medhi, stretching as far as the eye could see.
The blade fell. The girls froze in their tracks, unable to dodge, staring upward in horror…
But just before it split their heads and bodies in two, Amante swept in at blinding speed, sending the two of them rolling across the magic circle. A narrow escape.
“Oww…I mean, that saved us, but could you be a bit gentler?”
“Ugh…if that leaves scars, you’re paying my medical bills.”
“Just say thank you, geez!”
Leaving Wise and Medhi where they lay, Amante ran over to Masato.
“Masato Oosuki! Got a sec? I have an idea.”
“Interesting, I had one as well. Seemed like she’s really against anyone getting closer to our moms.”
“Which suggests her unnatural strength is somehow related to them.”
“Yes! I thought that, too! Whoa!” Porta yelped. She was riding on the giant magic tome, and clearly nervous about it. Sorella and Fratello were each keeping a hand on her for safety. “I appraised her! The magic circle below us has an effect that absorbs spoil energy and sends it directly to Mone! The effect is stronger the closer you get to the center!”
“Thanks, Porta! That means…”
“Whaaaat?”
“Sonny, what’s the plan?”
“…Good question.”
He wanted to move Mamako and Hahako away from the center. But Dark God Mammone would be using her full incredible strength to stop that. It kinda felt like they were at an impasse.
Then Amante slapped him hard on the back.
“Just go do something, even if it doesn’t work! That’s how you always do things. Use the power of spoiling or parent-child bonds or whatever. Just get your mom back.”
That got him moving.
“…Can I ask a favor?”
“What?”
“I’ll demonstrate first. But you gotta follow my lead. I’ll need you to get your mom back. Promise me that.”
“Okay, okay, fine, just go…no, wait, whose mom?! You can’t just decide that for us!”
“You already agreed! I’m holding you to it!”
Amante made a grab for him, but he dodged. Then he sheathed his sword and took a step toward Mamako.
“Gah! You busybody hero!”
“High firepower, massive busybody. Like mother like son,” said Wise. “Guess we’d better back Masato up, huh?”
“Will you three help? Deal with Mone, that is,” asked Medhi.
“Humph! I suppose! It needs to be done, after all.”
“Right, riiiight. Leave it to uuuus.”
“Mm. Gotta help sonny out.”
“I’ll make some extra-special items and help that way!”
Porta huffed enthusiastically, and everyone smiled at her.
Their support could make or break this battle.
“Ohhh? Don’t you go sneaking up to my moms! Not one step closer!”
“Mone! We’re your opponents! …Spara la magia per mirare… Alto Bomba Sfera! And! Alto Bomba Sfera!”
“Followed byyy… Spara la magia per mirare… Alto Tornadoooo!”
“Ugh, magic doesn’t work on me!”
Wise’s twin energy balls exploded, scoring a direct hit on Mammone—but as she said, they did no damage at all.
But they were followed by a tornado. The Dark God was enveloped by explosive winds, completely obscured from view. She couldn’t see out of that thing at all.
“Right! Flawless!”
“Now she can’t see Masatoooo. It should buy some tiiime…”
“It didn’t! Hi!”
Dark God Mammone poked her head out of the tornado with all the ease of someone stepping through a bead curtain. Disaster-force winds not even scratching her. Ridiculously OP.
Medhi had just finished casting Alto Barriera, buffing Amante and Fratello’s defense. Looking tense, they prepared for combat.
To one side…
“Will it be good? It’ll be good! A good item…done! Everyone, grit your teeth!”
Porta had a mask on and had successfully performed Item Creation with the green peppers and a mystery fluid. The result was “Green Pepper Perfume.”
The concentrated essence of capsicum was swept up by the winds of the tornado.
“Wait, what’s that weird scent… It’s b-biiiiiittter?! It’s corrupting my sweet spoiling! I hate green peppeeeers! Aiiieeee!”
“Porta’s item was super-effective…”
“We don’t even have to do nothin’…”
“I did it!” Heh!
Her nostrils and tastebuds assaulted, Dark God Mammone was writhing in agony inside the tornado.
They’d successfully bought some time. Time enough to…
Masato reached the center of the magic circle.
“Thanks to my reliable comrades.”
Hahako seemed pretty calm. She was kneeling in the center of the spoil-sucking circle, eyes closed, like she was enduring something…but Masato wasn’t in any state to worry about that.
Because someone was staggering toward him, a Holy Sword in each hand.
Masato did not draw his.
“Yeah, I saw this coming. She’s being mind-controlled, after all.”
“S-sorry! I’m trying to fight it, but…!”
Moving stiffly, Santa Mamako tightened her grip on her swords, raising them aloft.
His mom was attacking him.
An icy grip clutched his heart, the worst feeling in the world…
And both swords swung toward him. The power of Mother Earth and Ocean activated!
“Argh…mm? Huh?”
A number of rock spikes popped up. Several water bullets splattered.
They were definitely aimed at Masato, but he just went, “Hup,” and easily sidestepped them.
“What the… Did she drain so much spoiling from you, it’s made you weak? …No, this is my mom. Even brainwashed, I bet she’s just spoiling her son. Geez.”
Santa Mamako raised her swords again, but Masato closed the gap and grabbed her arms, stopping her.
He could say it now.
“Mom, ever since we started this game…and for a while before that, really…I’ve been grumbling about you. A lot. I’ve been a real unpleasant kid.”
He closed his eyes, remembering.
She would call his name, and he would barely respond. He would be cranky with her, lash out. He would even threaten to sever their familial ties. He’d done so much wrong.
They weren’t pleasant memories for any son.
“Honestly, part of me just couldn’t handle you. Especially how close you wanted to be and how you were all over me. And then there’s the way you look so young that it’s hard to believe you gave birth to me. It’s not a nice way to put it, but sometimes I even wondered if you were actually human.”
“Ma-kun…”
Speaking the truth was making her eyes wet with tears.
But before they could fall…
“But now that we’re adventuring together, I’ve been forced to rethink many things—because you were here with me. And I finally realized…it’s not your fault. I’m the one in the wrong. I couldn’t deal with my own emotions, got all frustrated, and then took them out on you. And I did so because I knew you’d spoil me and forgive whatever I did.”
Masato bumped his forehead against Mamako’s.
“Sorry for all the hardship I’ve caused you. And thank you.”
As he expressed his gratitude, he rubbed his head against hers.
“You’re my mom. And I’m your son. If you’re gonna spoil anyone, it oughta be me. Come here!”
He put his arms around her.
Everything he’d felt since entering this game, journeying together, poured into a single moment.
Softly stepping past his embarassment.
…Yep, that’s my mom.
Holding her tightly against him.
He’d released his grip on her hands, fully aware she might attack. He closed his eyes, trusting her, feeling her.
Feeling his mother’s warmth in his arms…or…
“Mm? That’s more than warm, that’s…hot?! And bright?!”
Feeling a sizzling heat, Masato opened his eyes and still couldn’t see.
“Wait, is this A Mother’s Light? Uh…Mom?!”
“Yes. Mommy is Ma-kun’s mommy. And Ma-kun is Mommy’s son.” Flash!
This luminosity was getting seriously intense, but she dropped her swords, wrapped her arms around his back, and held him tight.
Sheer joy had evolved her mom skill into A True Mother’s Light, and the effects of it freed her from Dark God Mammone’s control!
“You’re back to normal? Victory for family ties! …Okay, Mom, let go of me! That’s enough!”
“No, I want to stay like this longer. Ma-kun, after everything you said…Mommy’s just so happy, I’m ready to burst. Sniff.” Fshh.
“Joy has you so overheated, it’s instantly vaporizing your tears! Calm down, please! Argh! Fine, we’ll do it like this!”
Scalded by love so hot, it had passed the boiling point, Masato started moving, Santa Mamako clinging tightly to him. Basically dragging her away from the center of the magic circle.
“Bitterrrrrr…er, huh? Yikes!”
Beset by the cloud of green pepper fumes, Dark God Mammone suddenly lost her balance, snatched up by the swirling winds. “That stings!” She was even taking minor damage!
“Mone’s weakening! That means…!”
“Masato pulled it off. Well done.”
“Masato is amazing! Our trusted hero!”
Seeing Masato dragging a body of light (Santa Mamako) toward them, the girls all put a hand to their eyes—not wiping tears, just shielding them from the light.
And the Kings…
“…Masato Oosuki did it.”
“Yeahhh…he showed us the waaay.”
“I done made up my mind. Take it away, Amante! It’s all yours!”
“I’d rather you not just dump this all on me! Humph!”
Sorella and Fratello started poking her, which just made Amante even angrier.
But they didn’t have time to goof around. Dark God Mammone came flying out of the tornado.
“Argh! What is this? My strength is…ohhhhh?! Mamako-mama?! Why are you over there? That’s not right! Let’s get you back where you belong!”
“Not happening! Fratello, let’s go!”
“Mm.”
When Mammone started rocketing toward Mamako, Amante grabbed Fratello and threw her like a human projectile.
With her tiny fist fully charged, and the full force of the throw behind it, she readied a super-ultimate punch!
“Mahhhhhh!”
“Oh, that shout is so cute! I mean, wait—!”
Dark God Mammone hastily threw up a jade-colored shield, and Fratello’s fist struck it!
And the missile punch was strong enough to shatter the shield! “Yikes!” With her shield crumbling, Mammone was sent flying!
Fratello was knocked backward on the rebound, but Sorella’s magic tome swooped in and caught her.
“Niiiiice! Another criiiit, you’re on a roll todaaaay.”
“Mm. Porta’s buff item’s workin’ out real good. Ain’t nothin’ beatin’ me now.”
Confidence blazing in her eyes, Fratello raised her fists again, ready for more.
Recovering from the blow in midair, Mammone used her wings to stabilize herself. She might not have been defeated yet, but that blow had definitely done damage.
The spoiled, confident look was gone, and she looked very cross.
“Argh, you’re so annoying! Fine, I’ll just—”
“She’s gonna use a big move! Ha! So obvious. Sage Wise! Cleric Medhi! Defense magic…!”
“I’m just gonna have to get spoiled more!”
“Er, what did she say?”
“Spoils!”
Dark God Mammone’s wings flapped once. And she dove directly to the center of the magic circle.
There, she threw her arms around Hahako—who turned quite pale.
“Hahako-mama! These kids are being mean to me! It’s so unfair! I need you to spoil me more! So much more! Power!”
“Y-yes. I guess I’ll give you…more…”
Hahako didn’t look good. The more Dark God Mammone rubbed against her chest and lap, drinking up the spoiling, the more painful the look on Hahako’s face became…
A moment later, her outline blurred, like when electromagnetic interference blocks the TV signal.
Masato joined the girls, staring in horror.
“What the…? Mom, you’ve gotta let go of me! Get your head in the game!”
“Y-you’re right. That was very bad. Hahako is about to break.”
“Mamako?! Break—how?!” shouted Wise.
“Literally!”
Santa Mamako pulled Masato tight, looking very sad.
“When Mone comes to get spoiled, our strength drains very quickly. We’re not strong enough to resist. But that’s not the hard part—what hurts is our feelings. As mothers.”
“A mother’s feelings? How so?” asked Medhi.
“With our real children watching, we have to call another child ours, and dote on them. And because of that, our real children suffer. You wonder what you’re even doing, and you get so sad, and upset, and…then…”
“Your heart breaks… That’s really bad. Especially for Hahako!” said Masato.
Hahako had a lot of love for the three Kings. It was still one-sided, but it was worth calling genuine maternal affection.
Those feelings were the core of what made Hahako herself.
And if she broke, Hahako would cease to exist.
“Oh no! This is terrible! We have to do something, Masato!” yelled Porta.
“Of course! Come on, everyone! We’ve gotta peel Mone away from Hahako! That comes first!”
At his cry, Santa Mamako, Wise, Medhi, and Porta nodded.
Sorella and Fratello, too. One opened her giant magic tome, the other charged her fist, and they got ready to attack Dark God Mammone.
But Amante didn’t budge.
“Yo, Amante, what are you doing?”
“…What am I doing?”
“Huh? This isn’t the time! Get ready to fight! Even if your sword’s broken, you can help somehow! C’mon!”
But yelling at her didn’t seem to work. She was staring at her feet, not moving a muscle.
“Masatooo! Just leave Amante beeee!”
“Mm. No time to dillydally. I’m goin’ in! Back me up!”
“Tch, fine! This is your show; we’ll support you!”
He glared at Amante one more time, waiting as long as he could, but it was no use. Masato ran off.
Seeing Fratello approaching, Mammone rolled her eyes.
“Argh, what a pain… Fine, I’ll just have to swat you.”
A guillotine appeared. “Nope!” Masato hit it with a shock wave, trying to delay the fall long enough for Fratello to get by, but even more blades materialized, slicing downward. It was impossible to move forward.
Mammone’s attacks kept coming. Her wings opened wide. Gusts of wind, aimed directly at Porta as she tried to get more pepper perfume ready. “Whoa?!” “Oh dear! Porta’s flying away!” Santa Mamako grabbed her, and Wise and Medhi threw up barrier spells, weathering the storm.
They were on the defensive, but Sorella had snuck around from the other direction. She reached out to snatch Hahako, but, “Gotcha!” “Yiiikes!” Failure. One wing smacked her away.
Amante was just watching.
“…What am I doing?”
Watching her friends fight. Staring at the blade Mammone had broken.
Her feet wouldn’t budge.
“Sorella…Fratello…you’re so desperate. If Hahako was gone, would that really be so bad? We can live without a mother. There’s no real need for one.”
She asked, but they couldn’t hear.
“…Aren’t you scared?”
Her whisper was too soft for anyone to hear.
“After all we’ve done, do you really think anyone would just accept us? Just forgive us? Hahako doesn’t know us. There’s nothing there. It’s not like Masato Oosuki and his mom. There isn’t anything tangible connecting us to her.”
Amante’s head was all the way down now. Then…
Hahako’s entire body blurred.
Amante heard the girls scream and looked up—and saw a small booklet floating by Hahako’s chest.
“That’s… She said the casino manager gave it to her.”
The maternal and child health handbook. It was glowing bright, sending waves out around it.
Something similar had happened during the Matriarchal Arts Tournament, but…this was so much weaker, it was downright sad.
Like the final fleeting embers of Hahako’s life, holograms of the memories she’d made that day appeared around them.
Hahako gingerly cradling three babies.
Hahako walking along the beach, holding hands with three children.
Hahako looking thoroughly flummoxed by their wails when they realized they’d been tricked into getting their shots at the pediatrician’s.
Hahako wrapping the first presents she would ever give them, looking so happy, she seemed ready to weep with joy.
Family memories. Bonds they’d built up.
And the children in those images…
“There is a tangible link connecting us to Hahako!”
Amante threw aside her broken sword, slapped her cheeks with both hands, and broke into a run.
She headed toward Hahako as her eyes drank in the memories, the light fading from them. Her pace grew even faster.
“Hey! Clear a path for me! I’m coming in!”
“Amante! Geez, took you long enough!”
“Argh, what a pain… I’m just gonna mow you all down.”
Frustrated, Dark God Mammone finally moved away from Hahako. A violent aura of spoiling swirled around her, and a massive scythe appeared in her hands. She swung it at Masato’s party.
“She’s all buffed up again! If she hits us, it’ll be bad news! We’ve gotta stop her!”
“Ma-kun. Mommy has an idea. What if we get the presents from us mommies back first? Can you do that?”
“I don’t get it, but okay! I’m gonna trust you on this one.”
He looked around at the present-laden magic circles, spotted the white bag on one, and sent a shock wave flying toward it. “Please!” The shock wave turned into a hawk, collecting the target and bringing it back to them.
Santa Mamako caught the bag and removed a present with a green bow from it. She held it aloft.
“From Mommy Santa to Mone! May my precious feelings reach you!”
This present came from Leene, the woman who’d become Dark God Mammone’s mother.
The feelings laden within became a soft glow and a voice: “Mone, your mother believes in you. You’re my daughter, not an evil god.”
“Mommy?! Y-yeah, I’m not an evil god! I’m a good god!”
Dark God Mammone had been about to rampage, but she stopped on a dime, pretending she hadn’t.
An opening!
“Noooow!”
“Mm. Hurry!”
Sorella and Fratello swooped in on the giant magic tome, throwing their arms around Hahako.
Dark God Mammone saw them and turned to drive them off, but…
“Don’t you dare! Hah!” Porta sprang to her feet and started waving a fan she’d sprinkled with pepper perfume. “Ughhhhh?!” A barrier of putrid pepper stench blocked Mammone’s path!
And…
“C’mon, Dumbante! Don’t mess this up! …Spara la magia per mirare… Salire! And! Salire!”
“One more for good measure! …Spara la magia per mirare… Salire!”
With support spells from Wise and Medhi, Amante’s attack was raised through the roof…
And she came rocketing through the hologram memories.
“Maybe we can use the power of family bonds, too!”
She reached out, remembering the first time she’d held Hahako’s hand—her mother’s hand.
Two sabers appeared, linked at the hilts by an umbilical cord–like ribbon.
The parent blade, Genitore—and the child blade, Figlio.
Amante grabbed Figlio’s hilt and landed in front of Dark God Mammone.
“Wha? Wait, wait…?!”
“Dark God Mammone, I’m here to take her back! I don’t have to explain who!”
She thrust the blade forward, and the shock wave pierced Dark God Mammone’s body.
Hahako was lying at the center of the deactivated magic circle.
The blurring that had signaled her destruction had stopped, but she had yet to awaken.
“Damn it! Healing magic isn’t helping, recovery items don’t work, what else is there? …Mom, any ideas? You’re our last hope!”
“Let me see…having all that spoiling energy sucked out of her, and being so upset about it, would have worn her maternal side out. Ma-kun, can you give me a hand? There’s something I’d like to try.”
Santa Mamako took Hahako’s hand in her right hand and, with her left hand, thumped her own shoulder. Did she want Masato to thump her shoulder? “I’m lost, but fine…” He began lightly thumping her shoulder, a time-honored massage technique to ease a parent’s weary bones.
The close-knit family skill Filial Piety activated!
Whatever the effects of the shoulder message might be, parents were always overjoyed when children did something for them. What could be better?
The joy Santa Mamako felt went through her other hand, flowing into Hahako.
“If we can refuel her mother’s feelings, I’m sure she’ll get better.”
“No, wait, there’s no way this’ll—”
“Urp…oh my? I feel so happy all of a sudden. What’s happening?”
“She woke up!”
Hahako’s eyes had opened. Her complexion looked good. “I barely even did anything…” Moms were pushovers, but it was best not to say that out loud.
Santa Mamako helped Hahako sit up. She looked around and saw Masato close at hand.
And right behind him, the three Kings. They were all staring at Hahako, clearly worried, but the instant their eyes met, they hastily turned away. They then slowly looked back and quickly looked away again.
“I don’t remember much after Mone threw her arms around me…but they seem extra-awkward. Did something happen?”
“That’s putting it lightly. But…maybe it’s not for me to explain.”
“We can only push them so far. The rest is up to them. As it should be.”
“Yes…then I’ll refrain from gathering data and reconstructing my memories. And wait for them to speak instead.”
Hahako looked happy. Regardless of how they were currently acting toward her, she’d avoided destruction and was able to gaze upon them again—and that was all she needed.
It was a very maternal look, and Masato breathed a sigh of relief.
“You look after Hahako, Mom. I’ll go check on the others.”
“Yes, please do.”
Masato got up and headed toward the edge of the magic circle.
The girls were standing in a circle—Wise and Medhi with weapons raised, and Porta with a tight grip on a bottle of green pepper perfume.
At the center of the circle was Dark God Mammone, eyes rolled back in her head, sprawled on her back like a dead frog. It was extremely undignified.
“How’s it going here?” asked Masato.
“No change. She ain’t moving,” said Wise.
“She is breathing, so we can safely say she’s alive, but…”
“If she wakes up, she might still be crazy! I’m very worried!”
“Hopefully she’ll be back to the old Mone, but she’s still in Dark God form, so…I guess if worst comes to worst, we can make a cage out of green peppers and carry her out in that…mm? Yo?!”
Dark God Mammone’s body had suddenly started floating upward. Everyone braced themselves. Once she was upright, she released a blinding light.
The horn on her head vanished. The Dark God’s equipment faded away. She was back in Mone’s original costume.
She still had wings, but they’d switched from bat to bird, and were now gold.
And when her eyes opened, they shone with a golden light.
“Whoa! Mone’s all sparkly!”
“What the… This isn’t, like, a second form, is it? Round two?”
“Don’t worry. I’m not looking for a fight. You defeated me, and I’ve thrown aside my past as a Dark God. I’m born anew. Now, I am an angel. The Angel of Spoiling, Spoiel.”
“An…angel?! Is she being serious right now?!”
“If she’s making this up, she’ll have to bear the shame for the rest of her life. So, Mone, have you actually ascended?!”
“…Erk…”
Wise and Medhi shuddered, then added some unnecessary commentary of their own. The angel’s smile abruptly grew very shifty, and then she started crying.
“Hic…Masatoooo! Wise and Medhi are sooo mean! Wahhh!”
“Yikes!”
Angel Mone had thrown her arms around Masato and was rubbing against his cheek. How spoiled. She looked different but was definitely acting just like the old Mone.
“Uh, Mone…I take it you’re back to your old self, then?”
“Yep, it’s me! Actually, it was me the whole time I was a Dark God. I just got a bit carried away! I knew if you defeated me, I’d become an angel, so I pretended to be someone else in the hopes that this would let me get away with it all. I’m a tricky li’l NPC! Wahhh!”
“Um, you totally just admitted to everything. But I respect the honesty, at least!”
“Regardless, we can’t let you get off scot-free,” Medhi said. “Prepare the punishment!”
She snapped her fingers, and Porta held out the green pepper perfume.
“Eeeeeep?! Don’t, don’t! No more peppers! Masato, please! Forgive me! I’m sorry for all the problems I caused!”
“Mm…sure, you put us through the wringer, but you caused problems for the whole world. I’m afraid—”
“You’re kidding! I’m begging you! I’ll do anything you want!”
“Oh-ho? Anything?” Smirk.
“Er…? W-well, by ‘anything,’ I mean… What are you thinking of making me do? It wouldn’t be anything…lecherous, would it?”
Angel Mone swiftly backed away, but Masato’s leer was in hot pursuit!
“Masatooo! This is no way to treat me!”
“You stole the gold star and then lost it. This is your fault. If we don’t want the Christmas event ending prematurely, you’ve got to act as a decoration!”
“Blegh.”
“I wanna hear a ‘Yes, sir!’ from you! We’ll bring you some food and drink once the party gets started, so just hang in there awhile.”
“Yes, siiiir.”
He was tying Angel Mone to the top of the giant Christmas tree, her golden wings folded in the shape of a star.
It was still Christmas Eve.
The Motherest Mountains were all lit up. The transformed trees were glowing brightly.
Red, green, yellow—lights of all colors reflecting on the falling powder snow.
They placed Mammone’s stolen presents beneath these trees, where they wouldn’t be buried in snow or soaked through. Once that was done, Masato stretched, rubbing his stiff shoulders.
“That’s the last of ’em! …Man, there’s a lot.”
As far as the eye could see, every tree had presents piled under it.
Christmas presents drawn from across the world, all gathered here. It was quite a sight.
Shiraaase and Dark-Mom Deathmother approached with hot cocoa.
“You defeated the Dark God and recovered the presents. Well done. Most impressive.”
“Good work, Masato. You’ve earned yourself a break.”
“Thanks.”
He took a sip. Perfectly sweetened. Warmed his body through.
“A bit late for hot chocolate, perhaps. Heh-heh-heh.” Shiraaase snickered.
“Please, no puns now; this is a serious conversation.”
“You wish to discuss the redistribution plan?”
“Exactly.”
The wind on their backs was not nearly as chilly as their stares, but Masato stood his ground.
“It’s progressing smoothly. Deathmother and Porta’s Appraise skills are identifying the presents’ owners, and they’re being sorted by destination.”
“Now we just have to transport them…but the toy shop was a limited-time function, and it already expired, so that transport option is unavailable. The only option left is to transport them ourselves. Which means…”
“…Those, huh?”
They all turned to look at the two giant sleighs standing at the base of the giant Christmas tree. They had reindeer already attached.
“Honestly, I feel like transport magic would be faster…”
“Aesthetic is important. It is Christmas Eve.”
“And the ones delivering the presents are, obviously—”
“Mommy Santas!” Mamako said, as if she’d been wearing that outfit all night for just this moment.
As she came up to stand next to Masato, he glanced over the outfit once more and shook his head.
“Okay, okay, we’ll go with that. I wish it showed a little less skin, and the name needs work, but it’s all…acceptable.”
“Oh, I’m so happy! Ma-kun gave me a compliment! Tee-hee.”
“What’s this? He was so opposed to it at first—perhaps he has grown up after all. How disappointing.”
“I’ve grown up so much, I’m not even fazed by your teasing, Shiraaase. Ha-ha-ha.”
“Really? Hmm…” Dark-Mom Deathmother gave him a quick once-over, clearly in producer mode.
But before she could say anything else…
“Right, everyone. We’re ready to help!”
More delivery workers. Wise, Medhi, and Porta had all emerged from behind the curtains they’d set up in the party area.
They were all wearing Santa outfits. Now they had a cheeky Santa, a clean-cut one, and a super-energetic Santa. Three very different types of Santa girl.
“Yo, Wise, you’re supposed to be a sled. Take this seriously.”
“Yeah, yeah, I figured you’d say that. Speak for yourself.”
“I was disappointed, too, but…if you consider how the children receiving the presents feel, these outfits are much more appropriate.”
“Kids might wake up and see us! I like being Santa!”
“Good point. Fair enough. Wise, I’ll allow you to be a Santa.”
“Um, I wasn’t seeking your permission! Who do you think you are?”
“More important—oh, my adorable Santa daughter! Let your mother gaze upon that out—…Wait.”
Deathmother stopped herself mid-dote-pounce.
The party room curtain had been drawn back completely, and Hahako emerged, dressed exactly like Mamako. And behind her were the Libere Kings.
Amante’s outfit was tiger-striped. Sorella’s had bones on it. Fratello’s a shark. But each of them was wearing a Santa suit Dark-Mom Deathmother had prepared for them.
None of them were smiling.
“We just have to deliver these presents, right? Let’s get started.”
They checked over the map they’d been given, piled presents on the giant magic tome, and flew off.
Santa Hahako wordlessly watched them go.
“…They’re still doing that, huh?” Masato said, shaking his head.
“Yep. Whole time we were changing. All grumpy. Refusing to talk. Not a word to Hahako.”
“They saved Hahako. They changed into the costumes Deathmother made them. They’ve clearly changed. I don’t doubt that, but—”
“Urgh, it’s so frustrating! Why can’t they just let it out? That’s what I do!”
Santa Porta turned to give her mommy a hug. Dark-Mom Deathmother threw her arms wide to hug her back! “Oops, excuse me.” Shiraaase swooped in and got in the way.
A fierce battle ensued, but the rest of them ignored it.
“The rest is up to them. They’ve gotta process their own feelings somehow.”
“Yep. That’s what we decided to let them do. Right, so we’d better get—”
“These presents delivered! Yay!”
“Mm. Yep. Look, I’ve accepted a lot about you, Mom, but jumping all over my heroic speeches every time still rankles.”
Santa Mommy, the Santa girls, and one dude set out…!
“Oh, first, Masato, you get changed.”
“I got you an outfit, too.”
“Ooh, really? What kind?”
Sleigh One was the Santa Mamako team: Santa Wise, Santa Medhi, and Santa Porta.
“…Why…?”
And Snowman Masato. In a snowman costume.
Sleigh Two was Santa Hahako. Her intended backup had flown off, so Shiraaase and Dark-Mom Deathmother were pinch-hitting. They, too, had become Mommy Santas and were helping distribute presents.
“Why…? Why a snowman…? Can’t we have one male Santa?”
“Quit moping around! Smile! We’re delivering dreams, so you gotta look the part.”
“Ma-kun, girls, are you ready? Let’s go!”
Santa Mamako took the reins, bells rang, and the reindeer started running. Their hooves kicked the snow, then the frigid air, and they were off into the skies above.
“Whoa! We’re flying! I’m flying!”
“We’re going really fast, but it doesn’t feel cold. Thanks to the heating effects of the mom skill A Mother’s Warmth, this is quite comfortable.”
“Right, everyone, we’ll be meet up later. Hi ho, Silver!” Ding-a-ling-ling!
“Shiraaase?! That reference is really outdated and—drive safelyyyyyyy!”
“Deathmother, do be careful. You would not survive a fall from this height.”
Stacked high with presents, the other sleigh went off in a peal of laughter, a shrill scream trailing behind. One sleigh went southwest, the other southeast. Headed for the towns and villages of the world.
The children were sleeping, all tucked their beds, their stockings hung with care.
And in the next room, their parents weren’t sleeping, unsettled by the loss of the presents.
In one house in the capital of Catharn…
“We’ll just have to get a different present…no, that won’t work. The shops are closed, we can’t buy anything now…we have nothing for my child…what can I do?”
One mother was sitting at an open window, staring up at the sky.
“If there is a Santa Claus out there, please, bring my child a present! I’m begging you!”
Her words were lost in the frigid wind.
She was all grown up. She knew there was no Santa Claus. She was grasping at straws, letting the words flow unbidden. Feeling sorry for herself, she got up to close the window.
But then…
“…Oh my… What’s this?”
She heard the faint jingle of bells coming her way. From outside. Not believing her ears, she leaned out the window.
A sleigh pulled by reindeer was flying across the sky.
And on the sleigh was a mountain of presents, and several Santas! And also a snowman.
“Huh? But you’re…Mamako!”
“Shh! Don’t wake the children. Quietly!”
Mommy Santa turned to the back of the sleigh, and the snowman and Santa girls scurried around. “This house is…” “Oh, that one!” She picked up a box with a blue ribbon, for a boy.
The Mommy Santa passed the present to the mother.
“It’s this one, right?”
“Yes, it is! That’s it! The present I bought for… No, that’s not right. This…this is a present from Santa Claus!”
“Tee-hee. That’s right. You can proudly tell him it’s from Santa.”
The Mommy Santa winked, and the bells jingled. The reindeer pulled out, and the sleigh flew away, to the next delivery point.
Meanwhile, in a different town…
“Why must we deliver things like this? What is the goal here? Revenge for me driving too fast?”
“Merely following tradition. Hahako, set me down. Gently.”
“Very well. Take care!”
The sleigh stopped in midair, and a Mommy Santa climbed out, clutching a present. White hands lowered her down the chimney below.
A few minutes later, they heard voices coming up the chimney. “I can infooorm you I have returned your present!” “Th-thanks…?” After a brief exchange, she tugged on the white hands, signally the successful present delivery.
“Looks like it went well. Hahako, pull her up! As hard as you can.”
“As hard as I can? Got it. Here we go!”
She yanked, and there was a thud, followed by a painful scraping sound.
A Christmas-decorated coffin emerged from the chimney.
“Hmm. I, for one, feel much better.”
“Deathmother…you certainly have a charming personality.”
The Mommy Santas’ infighting was growing worse, but the second sleigh set off on its course once more.
And in a town on the coast…
“Was that the last house here?”
“It waaaas. There’s no more preseeeents.”
“Mm. All done.”
Three Santa girls on a giant magic tome flew off along the coast.
The town was silent on the holy night. Only the lights strung along the outside walls of the giant tower were busily flashing away.
“…This is where our Rebellion started.”
“Yeah, I remembeeeeeer. If you conquer the tower dungeeeeeon, it’ll grant you any wiiiish. A certain someone ran off alooooone and totally blew iiiiit.”
“Then they called us, cryin’ and beggin’ for help.”
“I have no memory of that. Humph.”
They looked up at the tower, like it was an old memory.
The tome was flying slower. It soon came to a stop.
Bathed in the tower’s lights, for a while, no one spoke.
“I thiiiiink I’ve made up my miiind.”
“Mm. I’m all fired up.”
They turned to the last member.
“…It’ll mean refuting and abandoning everything we’ve ever believed. You’re sure?”
“Ooooh, so that’s what you’re worried aboooout? How seriouuuus. But I don’t think it’s really refuuuuting or abaaandoning anything.”
“Mm. Everyone feels like we do sometimes. Every kid out there goes through it. Parents just accept it. Sonny said so.”
“…Yeah, I know he did. Argh. After all we’ve been through, I hate that it’s Masato Oosuki’s words that got through to me, but…”
She looked up at her point of origin, scowling as fierce as any tiger.
“I am one of the three Four Heavenly Kings of the Libere Rebellion, she who rebels against mothers, Anti-Mom Amante!”
Her voice rang out.
The others were taken aback by this, but then they smiled.
“And I’m one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Libere Rebeeeellion, she who scorns all mothers, Scorn-Mom Sorellaaaaa!”
The final vowel lingered.
And the last of them turned her dazed eyes to the sky above.
“I’m one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Libere Rebellion, the one who threatens the power of mothers, Frighten-Mom Fratello.”
“We’ll leave our titles and Rebellion names here. Come on. We’ve got presents to deliver.”
Three Santa girls headed off to the edge of the world, looking quite reinvigorated.
Time had passed. It was now late at night.
Masato’s party had finished distributing their presents and had regrouped at the base of the giant fir tree (where Angel Mone was dozing off).
They’d plopped themselves down together on the couches in the party area and ceased to move—too tired even to reach for the hot milk Mamako had brought them.
“You must be exhausted, Ma-kun. Can I sit next to you?”
“Go ahead. You’re probably just as tired, Mom. We managed to get everything delivered, but it sure took a while. You on the right, what time is it?”
“I dunno. Ask the one to the right of me. All I know is I’m sleepy. Yawn…”
“Wise, that’s so undig—yawn—o-oh my, what’s come over me?”
“Pfft, even you can’t stop yourself yawning, Medhi. Oh, Mamako, too.”
“Oh dear, you saw that? Tee-hee. It’s been a very busy day. Just look at Porta!”
The older kids had changed back to their normal gear, but Porta was still a Santa girl. She’d been far too sleepy to change, diving headfirst onto a two-seater couch. Her head rested on Dark-Mom Deathmother’s lap.
If the kids were tired, the mothers were, too. Shiraaase had her head down on the banquet table. Her usual hard-to-place expression was gone, her eyes now struggling to focus.
“Shiraaase, that’s giving you a terrifying squint…”
“The fatigue caught up with me…but don’t be alarmed… Before I pass out, I will think of a way to get Hotta back…maybe I’ll viciously wake Porta up or…” Staaare.
“Not happening! I will protect her precious sleeping face!” Hiss.
“Mmph…Mommy’s voice… Whoa, did I fall asleep?!”
“Oh no, did I wake you?!”
“You shouted so loud, you woke her yourself… Mm, not my problem.”
Masato wanted to just sink into the couch and sleep right here, but he forced himself to sit up. He couldn’t sleep yet.
The Libere Kings weren’t back yet.
Hahako was standing out on the snow, waiting for them. There was snow piling up on her head and shoulders, and she was holding an armful of presents, watching the sky.
What are they doing? They are planning to come back…right?
He had to have faith.
They’d been doing their best to brush aside concerns and maintain a jovial atmosphere, but they were running out of steam. It was starting to get awfully quiet.
No one was saying anything.
The log on the fire crackled.
Snow fell.
Then Hahako let out a little gasp. “Oh…”
A giant magic tome was approaching through the falling snow.
“Augh, we finally made iiiiit! That took so loooong!”
“It’s Amante’s fault. If we hadn’t taken that detour, we woulda been back ages ago.”
“I don’t need to explain this again, but we had no choice! We had to get ready! Gimme a break!”
All three had returned, wailing, scolding, and yelling explanations, their moods having taken a complete one-eighty.
Masato was relieved and took a gulp of…lukewarm milk.
“They made us worry for nothing… I’m gonna go yell at ’em.”
“Wait, Ma-kun.”
When he tried to get up, Mamako grabbed his arm. She smiled gently and shook her head.
He glanced to his right. “You can’t interfere now.” “Read the room.” Wise and Medhi chuckled and went back to pretending they were asleep.
Porta really was asleep, and Shiraaase and Dark-Mom Deathmother had their eyes closed and their ears perked.
“…Sorry. Guess heroes can’t solve everything.”
Masato resisted Mamako’s efforts to pull him closer to her, and he let his head rest against the couch, closing his eyes.
Amante, Sorella, and Fratello hopped off the magic tome and lined up in front of Hahako.
Hahako wasn’t sure what to say at first. Then she finally made up her mind.
“Welcome home,” she said.
“…We’re back.”
“We’re baaaack!”
“Mm. Good to be back.”
The greetings were pretty average…
…But that alone was enough to make tears well up in Hahako’s eyes. She fought them back then took a step toward the girls.
“You must be tired. The three of you worked very hard, didn’t you?”
“Not really. We can handle this much work, no problem.”
“Oh, really? That is impressive. Weren’t you cold?”
“We’re fiiiine. These clothes are waaaarm.”
“I’m glad to hear it. But um…aren’t you tired at all?”
“Mm. Not especially. Like Amante said, we’re good.”
“G-good…I asked the same thing twice, didn’t I?”
The Kings didn’t smile or anything, but they were responding normally.
Interpreting that as a positive sign, Hahako took another step closer.
But she seemed at a loss as to what to do next. She opened her mouth, but no words came.
Amante sighed. She glanced at the bundle in Hahako’s arms.
“What’s that?”
“Hm? Oh, these are your Christmas presents. I don’t know if you’ll like them, but—”
“Ohhh! I wonder what’s insiiiide? Can we open themmm?”
“Y-yes, of course.”
Looking nervous, Hahako held out the bundle. Amante took it from her and opened it carefully.
Inside was an album.
They flipped open the cover. It started with pictures of Hahako holding the Heavenly Kings as babies, then with them at age three, then with them as ten-year-olds…and finally pictures from when they’d been active with the Libere Rebellion. Even photos of them fighting Masato’s party and Hahako.
“I dunno how ya took some of these…”
“This is called a Mother-Child Album. It automatically captures photos of particular individuals and adds them to an album. It’s a rare item that was the grand prize in the Matriarchal Arts Tournament, so Mamako had one, and I copied it…”
“And thiiiis is our present?”
“Y-yes, it is. I thought we needed…um…family memories. They’re stored in here, so we can share them… I thought that might be…lovely.”
“I see. Then…”
Amante snapped the album shut and shoved it toward Hahako.
“Um… O-oh, I see. You don’t like it… I’m sorry…”
“No, that’s not it. This is something a mother ought to have. Not her kids. You should hold on to it.”
“Oh…I understand. It’s a mother’s item, so I should…… Hm?”
Hahako looked up at them, stunned.
They all avoided her eyes, turning to Dark-Mom Deathmother.
“Master…no, Saori Hotta! Listen up! We don’t hate you anymore!”
“We have historyyyy, but you gave us more than you tooook. Like this Christmas eveeeent.”
“We’re only here today ’cause y’all made use of us. So we’re good on that. Heck, maybe even grateful.”
“However! We don’t consider you our birth mother. We only need one mom!”
Dark-Mom Deathmother’s eyes went wide, then she bit her lip and hung her head. She nodded several times. Apologetically. Gratefully.
And then the girls turned back toward Hahako.
“Hahako, we’ve got a present for you. Will you accept it?”
Amante, Fratello, and Sorella all reached into their pockets.
Then they took out some ribbons and wrapped them around themselves, tying a bow.
There.
Hahako simply stared wide-eyed at them.
“H-hey! Get the picture?! We’re giving you the gift of children! Don’t make me explain—”
An instant later, the three girls were wrapped in their mother’s embrace. Pressed up against the soft warmth of their mother’s chest, no further explanation was necessary.
Masato’s party opened their eyes just wide enough to see, then closed them again.
It was Christmas Eve—possibly late enough to be Christmas already, but that no longer mattered.
They were all going to have the sweetest dreams.
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