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.
Chapter 171
12 min read