The Freed Slaves Are Obsessed

Merry Christmas.

The last holiday of the year.

A day for extroverts to revel in being extroverts.

You might think, “What’s Christmas doing in a world that isn’t Earth?” But that’s how most games are.

Pepero Day, Halloween, Christmas—they celebrate it all. Complete with themed costumes and in-game currencies. For gamers, it’s just another day to collect goodies.

Of course, TaoSoul, the otaku-targeted bishoujo game, has Christmas too.

And since I’ve been isekai’d into TaoSoul for almost three years now, I’ve confirmed it hosts a Christmas festival every year.

No Jesus here, though, so I’m not sure who it’s for.

The important part is that Christmas comes with an event storyline, and one of them is specifically Ashies’ Christmas episode.

It’s not mandatory, but Christmas—being far more sentimental than other holidays—is the perfect trigger for Ashies’ emotions.

I can’t afford to miss it.

‘You have no idea how hard I worked to make it in time.’

If freeing the other slaves had been delayed, Christmas would’ve slipped past like it never happened.

But now it’s time to reap the rewards of my efforts. I’m taking Ashies to the starting point of the Christmas event.

It’s been a few days since Ashies heard the music box and cried. There’s been no dramatic lifting of the curse since then.

But she’s been lost in thought more often. Sitting curled up on her bed, replaying the music box endlessly—it looked like someone trying to reclaim their memories.

A good sign. No matter how much I tried to push her, it wouldn’t mean a thing unless she figured it out herself.

“We’re here.”

We had arrived at the office of Urgudar, the Iron Law, near the Heart of Magmar.

“Oh, it’s been a while! I heard you two had gone up north.”

“Yes, just took care of some business.”

“I see. And how about you, Princess? You’ve grown even more beautiful since I last saw you. That pendant suits you perfectly.”

“Mm.”

Urgudar’s eyes briefly widened at Ashies’ reply before he smiled like a doting uncle.

“So, what brings you both to my office?”

“We just stopped by out of boredom, but you seem troubled, Urgudar. Something on your mind?”

“Oh dear... Did it show that much? I apologize.”

“No need to apologize.”

As if I didn’t already know.

Urgudar forced a bitter ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) smile and began explaining the situation.

“I actually received an urgent message from an acquaintance. There’s some work that must be done around this time, but a problem’s come up. I’m not sure how to handle it.”

“I see. Is there anything we can do to help?”

“You two? Help?”

“Yes. We happened to have some free time. It’s good to help each other out, isn’t it?”

Urgudar looked genuinely touched. The gratitude in his gaze was palpable.

“If you’re willing to help, Karami, then this might just work out. All right. I’ll entrust this task to you.”

*****

A quiet winter breeze carried snow into the forest.

Snowflakes danced down like soft whispers, blanketing the trees in a thin white sheet.

The forest in winter was cold, but after enduring the northern winds of Aisengar, this felt more like a crisp autumn evening.

“Rami... where is this...?”

Beside me, Ashies walked through the snow-covered forest.

Thanks to the pendant, we were just one step apart rather than an arm’s length. We hadn’t even discussed it—Ashies had simply fallen into step beside me.

“This is the Silver Veil Forest. According to Urgudar, his acquaintance is here.”

“Ah, I see...”

Ashies nodded like she understood, but I wasn’t buying it.

I’d explained it when we left, explained it again when we arrived—and now this made three times.

She was the type who’d say, ‘I completely get it,’ and then not get it at all.

I suppose that airheaded charm was part of Ashies’ appeal.

I looked up at the snow-filled sky and exhaled. My breath rose in a pale, white puff.

‘Another Christmas already.’

For me, it had always been just another holiday.

While the world outside bustled with holiday cheer, I used to curl up in bed, peeling oranges and cycling between novels and games.

Not much had changed since being transported here. Enjoying Christmas was a luxury—I was always too busy preparing for the next main storyline.

But now, walking through a snowy forest with someone at my side felt... different. Almost special.

The thought of it lingered, and I grew curious about Ashies.

“What do you think, Ashies? Walking here with me?”

“...?”

“I’m asking how it feels. Any thoughts?”

Ashies tilted her head, clearly not understanding the question. I figured I’d asked another pointless one—

“It’s... natural?”

“What’s natural?”

“This.”

“...?”

Now it was my turn to tilt my head. What did she mean by ‘this’?

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

But that’s not natural.

It shouldn’t be.

It never should have happened in the first place.

The natural thing would be for Ashies to break free of Skadia and reclaim herself.

“Rami. Lights. People.”

Ashies pointed into the forest, where an unnatural glow stood out against the moonlit trees.

“Looks like we’re in the right place.”

We headed straight for the lights.

Rustle.

“Who’s there?!”

Startled, a man warming himself by the fire jumped to his feet.

Round and plump, with a bushy white beard and a red suit, he looked like Santa Claus straight out of a storybook.

And surprisingly, he wasn’t just dressed like Santa—he was Santa.

“Greetings. I’m Karami, sent by Urgudar from Doomheim. Are you Sir Nicolau?”

“Oh! Urgudar sent you? I was just wondering what to do about this situation. You’re a sight for sore eyes!” 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

His wariness vanished instantly, replaced by an enthusiastic welcome.

“Nicolau Snowsong. I only just sent the letter, and you’re already here.”

“Your situation seemed urgent, so we hurried over. What exactly is the problem?”

Nicolau began to explain.

“Our Snowsong clan has always delivered presents to children on Christmas. But this year, our sleigh-puller, Rudolph, is injured.”

Nicolau’s gaze shifted to the sled resting beside the fire.

A large red sleigh stacked high with presents.

In front of it sat Rudolph, his red nose dim and his posture slumped with exhaustion.

“You don’t look so good.”

“He caught a cold...”

Rudolph. With a cold.

I thought it the first time I saw this Christmas episode, and I’ll think it again—this guy’s a failure as a Rudolph.

“The problem is that Rudolph is the leader of the reindeer herd. Without him, the other eight won’t follow orders.”

And the reason Nicolau keeps this useless Rudolph employed is simple.

She’s one of the most beautiful female reindeer in the herd, and the other eight are madly in love with her.

With Rudolph injured and unable to move, the others won’t budge either.

She’s basically a queen bee.

No—a queen reindeer.

“Please, I’m begging you. Help me deliver these presents. If we don’t get them out in time, the children’s dreams will be crushed. If they stop believing in Santa...”

[Merry Christmas!

Christmas isn’t complete without presents.

The Snowsong clan gains strength from spreading joy to children.

But with Rudolph down with a cold, the reindeer won’t cooperate.

Help Nicolau deliver the presents and save Christmas!]

If this were a game, a quest notification would’ve popped up. No [Penalty for Failure: Death] tag this time, but there was no reason to refuse.

“All right. I’ll help.”

“Really? Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Ignoring Nicolau’s gratitude, I turned to Ashies and asked her for magic.

With a flick of her hand, the reindeer began to form.

Bodies as clear as ice.

Horns gleaming like crystal.

Eyes glowing an ethereal blue.

Eight ice reindeer knelt before Ashies, exuding an air of majesty as they awaited her command.

“Incredible! Such noble and beautiful reindeer!”

Even the reindeer looked stunning—just like their master. So much so that the real ones couldn’t stop staring.

Not that it mattered.

Those lazy, lovestruck fools abandoned their duty, and this was the price.

Well, not that I minded. It gave us this chance, after all.

“Looks like the ice reindeer won’t listen to me. I suppose I’ll have to pass the role of Santa this year.”

Nicolau didn’t look the least bit disappointed.

Whether it was because the crisis was resolved or because he just scored himself a vacation, Nicolau hummed merrily as he dug through the sack of presents.

“Oh, lovely benefactor! Wear this! A Santa outfit!”

What he handed Ashies was a red Santa girl costume. She took it and stared blankly.

“Santa...?”

“Yes. Today, you’ll be the Santa Claus who delivers the presents.”

“Hmm... Okay.”

She nodded, seemingly understanding.

Then, right in the middle of the forest, she started stripping down to change.

“Wait, wait, wait! Didn’t we agree to change clothes somewhere private?”

Ashies had no concept of shame.

This wasn’t the first time either. She’d shocked me plenty at first.

She clearly didn’t get it again this time, but after a glance at my face, she conjured an ice wall to make a temporary fitting room.

Rustle.

The faint sound of fabric brushing against skin teased the imagination.

Then the ice wall collapsed, revealing Ashies in her Santa girl outfit.

“Ohhh! Magnificent! I’ve never seen such a beautiful Santa!”

“I agree. It looks great on you, Ashies.”

The red Santa dress was a refreshing change from her usual blue-and-white short dress. Though, let’s be honest—there probably wasn’t a single outfit that wouldn’t suit that face.

‘Yep. Spending money on skins is never a mistake.’

Watching her in that outfit only reaffirmed it.

While Ashies changed, Nicolau attached the sleigh ropes to the ice reindeer, finishing the preparations.

I settled down by the campfire.

“Well, good luck. I’ll stay here and look after Rudolph.”

“...? Rami, you’re not coming?”

“Ha! No way. I’m terrified of heights.”

Good luck.

*****

Cold winds swept through the skies before dawn.

Shadows danced across the moon’s surface as the ice reindeer soared through the night, scattering icy crystals in their wake like winter’s final breath.

A pair dressed as Santa took to the skies to deliver Christmas.

“Why the hell do I have to come along...?”

It wasn’t Santa Claus in the sleigh—it was Santa Boy and Santa Girl.

Karami, who’d somehow ended up playing Santa, grumbled at Ashies, but she just tilted her head with a blank expression.

“It’s... natural.”

As far as Ashies was concerned, Karami staying behind was the strange thing.

Because having him by her side—that was only natural.

“Huff... huff...”

Below them stretched a city glowing with lights—an undeniably beautiful sight.

But Karami didn’t have the luxury to enjoy it.

He focused on steadying his breath, clutching the sleigh ropes as though they were his lifeline, eyes squeezed shut.

He didn’t even dare look up.

The moon was far too close for comfort.

A ridiculous sight—Karami trembling in fear as he clung to the sleigh.

And beside him, close enough for their shoulders to touch, Ashies quietly watched.

“......”

A faint curve formed at the corner of her lips.

So faint that no one would have noticed.