Don't Panic, Santa-san/Story

### Today's Mission is Santa-san!?

Blossom Hill's proud merchant city of Skane is busy preparing for a festive Christmas. The Knight Commander has taken Azalea and Thunberg Spirea along to help out. They joined up with Frost Aster there, who is acting as a guide, as well as Erica and Tampala who also happened to be there.

Yeah-- It's my long awaited mission with Danchou-san! I'm soo excited! Right, Azalea!
**Azalea:** Y-yes... Danchou-sama. Thank you for selecting me for this mission.
On top of that, it's such a wonderful mission...
**Thunberg Spirea:** Ehehe! That's right, that too! This mission is the best!
Basically...!! We're going to become Santas and hand out presents to the children of Skane!
Kuuuu--! I can't wait--! It's a great honour to be a Flower Knight and create precious Christmas memories for all the children who are doing their best in this world!
Right! Azalea!
**Azalea:** Y-yes...! This is amazing too, I think the people of the city are going to be delighted.
**Danchou:** What's that?
**Thunberg Spirea:** Eeheehee...♪ We need to get to Skane and start!
Hey hey, let's go! Move out!
Ahahaa, this liveliness feels great! It already feels like Christmas.
**Azalea:** Y-yes. I'd like for everyone to forget about the pests and enjoy Christmas...
We need to work our very hardest for all the people of the city...
**Thunberg Spirea:** That's right! Let's get stuck in!
Well, first thing's... We're meant to meet up with a Flower Knight who will be our guide through Skane. Umm...
**???:** Ah... Danchou-sa—n! Over here--!
**Frost Aster:** I've been expecting you everyone. I'm Frost Aster and I'll be helping you on this mission.
I'm affiliated with Bergamot Valley. My speciality is handling poisons. Wait, this has nothing to do with Christmas.
I heard that Danchou-san and everyone is super busy, so I'll support you fully in order to make this mission a success.
**Azalea:** Pleased to meet you, Frost Aster-san. Also... What do we do with this?
**Frost Aster:** Yeah, it's about time that we stood it up.
**Danchou:** That? We're going to stand it??
**Thunberg Spirea:** Danchou-san, this mission is to deliver presents, but...
Moreover! We need to decorate this in the town's square!!
**Danchou:** What is it...?
**Thunberg Spirea:** Look, we're finally able to see it! Look and be in awe!!
It's a giant Nazuna!!
**Frost Aster:** Fufuu, it's great. It really is more festive to have something so flashy♪
**Thunberg Spirea:** Wow, I asked to get it without giving any reasons, but Nazuna is Nazuna! She's the best!
**Azalea:** With Nazuna here, the festive atmosphere is really is stronger.
But...
**Frost Aster:** What's wrong Azalea-san?
**Azalea:** This city has a really great atmosphere... Um, I just got a little worried.
Like what if we somehow fail at being Santas...?
**Erica Christmas Parade:** There's nothing to worry about!!
**Azalea:** Eh? Wh-who might you be...?
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Nice to meet you! I'm Erica Christmas Parade! My full name's pretty long, so please call me Erica!
I'm from Winter Rose and I'm the perfect Flower Knight who makes each and everyone happy! The world revolves around me!
**Thunberg Spirea:** Uo! We're only meeting for the first time, but she's super reliable!
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Yes! Leave it all to me!
Fufu-n♪ After all, I'm the Flower Knight who has it all!
I hate the cold, so I came to the warm Skane and found a fun mission to do! Luck is always on my side!
**Danchou:** You'll help us with the mission?
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Of course I'll help you out!
I overheard you earlier, and it sounds like playing the role of Santa is going to be the most fun.
**Thunberg Spirea:** Eehehehe-♪ An encouraging helper has arrived! Everyone's all OK with having Erica-san join in, right?
**Azalea:** Yes, I agree. I think having more people would be better with this...
**Tampala:** Hm... As I thought, it's Danchou-san. It's always so lively wherever you can be found.
**Thunberg Spirea:** Mumuu, and now another new face! Actually no, I've seen her before... She must be...
Kenraizan!!
**Tampala:** I think there's been a mix up... I'm Tampala. How many times have we been on a subjugation mission together now?
**Azalea:** Y-yes. But we haven't had much opportunity to talk... Will you be helping today too, Tampala-san?
**Tampala:** No. I just came here to relax. Skane has many rare toys from all over that are available at Christmas.
I just heard all of your lively voices as I was wandering around these stalls.
**Erica Christmas Parade:** SO in other words, you want to be a Santo too! How nice, then you should help us out!
**Tampala:** I never said anything like that...
Well, whatever. I'll only do what I can though.
**Azalea:** A-are you sure? You came to relax after all...
**Tampala:** It's no use in resisting in a time like this. Especially with Danchou-san here, although I don't know why.
**Frost Aster:** Thanks Tampala-san! Well, shall we go on our mission with these members?
First, we need to go around the city and deliver presents! After that, we'll meet the children in the town square!
**Thunberg Spirea:** Oooh! Let's get to it!

### The Flower Knights Who Get into Trouble

The Flower Knights act as Santas for Skane's Christmas. The children fell on them with a furious surge and there are numerous issues as well a lack of manpower. Just then, Erica spots the Flower Knight Aerva, who seems to be free, and without any question or chance for refusal, she forces her to join and they overcome the lack of manpower.

**Frost Aster:** ...? Can anyone else see that huge cloud of dust over there?
**Thunberg Spirea:** Gyaa! That's a huge number of kids running straight at us!
**Danchou:** We have no choice but to face them head on!
**Thunberg Spirea:** Th-that's right! Usha! Let's do this!
**Frost Aster:** Yes! As Flower Knights, we need to live up to expectations.
**Thunberg Spirea:** Oooh!!
**Azalea:** U-ummm...
**Tampala:** Hm? Are you not going, Azalea-san?
**Azalea:** How should I put it...? Is it really alright for me to do this?
I always tend to get caught up in weird things.
**Tampala:** What do you mean?
**Azalea:** Whenever I try to do anything, something always happens. Then I get caught up in something weird... Whether you call it bad luck, or maybe trouble, it's like that...
Even when I was becoming a Flower Knight, there were things I got caught up in...
So I'm worried that something's going to go wrong. If Christmas is ruined all because of me...
**Tampala:** ... It's not like I don't understand your feelings.
Although I've never been caught up in things like you, I've been troubled by similar things. “It must be fate, it's something I was born with”...
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Fuu, I wonder what you're worried about...? I'll tell you now, it's impossible. There's going to be absolutely no bad luck for any of us today!
**Tampala:** Your basis is?
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Because you have THE Erica Christmas Parade with you! ... So, it's already decided!
**Azalea:** .........
**Tampala:** ..................
**Danchou:** ...........................
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Even you Danchou-san, what's with that suspicious look!?
I'll tell you now, my luck is maxed out! As long as I'm around, there can't be any trouble!
Even if something happens...
**Thunberg Spirea:** Gyaa!! I have really picky kids who explode with complaints as soon as I give them cake as a present!! “I hate chocolate” or whatever...!
**Azalea:** Not good, we need to sort this...!
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Please calm down! We're all Santas who will make all of your hopes and dreams come true tonight!
Don't panic, Santa-sans! When times are bad, we need to stand strong!
Also, everyone has their own likes and dislikes.
**Frost Aster:** Ah, just in time! I have children who don't like shortcake on my side... Wouldn't swapping it out make things better?
**Thunberg Spirea:** Ooh, perfect! That'll solve it!
Hey, ugege! Ah, now the toys to give as presents are all broken!
**Tampala:** Toys? Can I have a look?
... Aah, it's simply made. I can fix this quickly.
**Thunberg Spirea:** Uoo! Superb, Tampala-san!
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Well, if we go like this, we can solve anything in a flash!
**Azalea:** A-amazing...
**Erica Christmas Parade:** If you know what to do, you can proudly play the part of Santa!
You're a really cute Santa after all, so if you hide away, it would be a real waste♪
**Azalea:** Y-yes! I'll do my best too!
**Thunberg Spirea:** Migyaaa! Not good!
**Erica Christmas Parade:** What's next? Whatever trouble there is, my luck will solve it!
**Thunberg Spirea:** We simply don't have enough people!
**Erica Christmas Parade:** ... Well that's a tough one. Danchou-san, is there nobody we can call on to help?
**Danchou:** To get one immediately would be...
**Erica Christmas Parade:** I see. Hmm, is there any Flower Knights around that aren't doing anything...?
**Aerva:** Yawn--... It's so crowded everywhere. It would have been best to stay locked in my house today.
Then I could just roll around on the floor and fall asleep right there... Ehehe, that would be the best Christmas.
It was the right time to take a day off from the Knight Company today, go out of the way to book an inn in Skane to hide away in, what a fine play by me. Waah, I worked hard, I worked so hard.
**Erica Christmas Parade:** There---!! There's a Flower Knight who has too much free time! No doubt about it!
Hey, you over there! You're Aerva-san right!? The Aerva-san from the same Winter Rose Knight Company as me!?
**Aerva:** Nna? That may be true but...
Nyaa!? Eh, Erica Christmas Parade!? What are you doing here...!?
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Fufuu, it must be my luck for us to meet here. Hey, come and help out your fellow countryman!
**Aerva:** Nya, why!? I'm on my day off!
**Danchou:** I'm sorry, I'll get you compensatory leave...
**Aerva:** What a crazy--! How arrogant!
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Stop complaining! Hey! A helper has arrived! Thunberg Spirea-san! Let this girl help!
**Thunberg Spirea:** Pleased to meet you! Thanks for the help!
**Aerva:** N-no waaay----!
**Azalea:** ......
**Tampala:** ......
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Haahaa... See, it all worked out?
**Tampala:** That was a little heavy handed. Is this really going to be the solution?
**Erica Christmas Parade:** It doesn't matter if I was a little heavy handed! If it all works out, then it works out!
Hey, we should help out Thunberg Spirea too!
**Azalea:** Y-yes...!

### Creeping Shadows in the Holy Night

Erica solves one problem after another using her innate luck and her forceful methods. The shy Azalea is overwhelmed by her presence. Just then a report of pests have appeared comes in...

O-K! I can get a little break after this family! Fuu, I've worked so hard!
**Thunberg Spirea:** Good work! Thank you for helping out all of a sudden! You've done an excellent job!
**Frost Aster:** I'm really surprised. You're really efficient at dealing with children... You really saved us.
**Aerva:** No no, you're welcome.
Well, it was a huge bother. It didn't feel like I could escape, so I tried being serious.
... To be honest, today was meant to be a full day off. I planned to laze around the inn and do absolutely nothing today...
**Danchou:** Leave the compensatory leave request to me
**Thunberg Spirea:** Y-you really saved us! Thanks, thanks...
**Erica Christmas Parade:** I'm really sorry for ruining your day off. I really appreciate your help, Aerva-san.
**Aerva:** Yeah. I really hope so. I'll turn into a monster if you're lying.
See you, I'll be going...
**Azalea:** ......... Fufuu.
**Danchou:** What's the matter?
**Azalea:** Erica-san is so amazing. There's no way I could copy that.
I just get myself caught up in trouble, but Erica-san catches others around her up in trouble, and somehow manages to get everything done.
**Erica Christmas Parade:** That's Erica Christmas Parade! You should learn from my initiative!
It doesn't matter if it's by force! As long as it gets done, it's all OK♪
If you don't want to get caught up in something, then get caught up in it before it gets you caught! Just think that you are the centre of the world!
**Azalea:** Haa, yes!
**Tampala:** I feel that's a bit extreme, but there could be times when such extremes are necessary.
... Ara? It seems like Aerva-san is coming back...
**Aerva:** B-bad news... It seems like a swarm of pests has appeared near the city...
The patrolling Flower Knights are already fending them off, but their numbers are huge, so they might need to call for more...
**Thunberg Spirea:** Wha! On Christmas Eve!? That can't happen--!!
If that's the case, we need to win with our opening move! Let's go before we get called!
**Erica Christmas Parade:** On top of that, these pests had the audacity to come while I was around! I'll crush all of them!

### Malicious Pursuit

The Flower Knights defeated all the pests that were heading towards Skane, but a powerful poison exuded from their corpses and new pests came rushing in. Poison and pests – In order to counter the two threats, the Flower Knights charged. At the head of all of them was Azalea.

**Erica Christmas Parade:** An easy win, an easy win♪ It's great that it wasn't such a big deal.
**Azalea:** Yes, I wondered what we would do for a moment, but...
**Frost Aster:** ... It's strange.
**Tampala:** What's wrong, Frost Aster-san?
**Frost Aster:** We certainly won... But I have a bad feeling.
Call it intuition from a Flower Knight who has been fighting pests for a while now. This seemed all too easy.
**Erica Christmas Parade:** You're thinking about it too much. Instead of saying it was too easy, why not say that we were too strong?
**Frost Aster:** It would be nice if that was true...
...!? Not good! Look at that pest's carapace!
**Danchou:** Has it's colour changed from before?
**Frost Aster:** This discolouration is proof that it's decomposing and releasing poison!
If this progresses... In three hours, these corpses will begin to emit poisonous gasses!
**Erica Christmas Parade:** ... In other words, poison gas is going to come out of these bodies? Grr, bothersome pests!
**Tampala:** If this was a normal poison, then the World Flower would be able to purify this much...
**Frost Aster:** The purifying efficacy of the World Flower isn't going to be enough for this poison. Us Flower Knights will be able to resist it a little but, but normal people won't be able to do that.
The bad thing is that Skane is downwind of here. At this rate, the chance of the poison riding the wind and hitting the city directly is high...
**Tampala:** Then we need to get straight to isolating and destroying it. It's going to be a backbreaking effort to carry these bodies, but if three hours pass...
**Pest's Call:** Kishaaaaaaa!!!
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Ah, new pests! And even more than before!
**Tampala:** ... Now it's a different story. Could it be that they have been attracted by the smell of these rotting corpses?
**Frost Aster:** Yes, that's probably so... They're going to swarm the corpses, so safe transportation is going to be impossible.
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Then, once we defeat these pests... Ah, I don't think we're going to make it in time! Wh-what should we...?
**Azalea:** Ah, um...
**Erica Christmas Parade:** While fighting these pests and protecting the city of Skane, as well as doing something about the poison, what to do, what to do...?
**Azalea:** D-Don't panic Santa-sans!!
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Ah...!
**Azalea:** Everyone, please listen...! I don't know whether it's good or not, but I have an idea!
You're familiar with poisons, right Frost Aster-san? Could you prepare an “antidote” that would render this poison harmless?
**Frost Aster:** ... It would be impossible here, but with a medical lab in the city and a couple of hours... No, I should only need one hour to be able to prepare something.
**Azalea:** Thank you!
Umm... Tampala-san, is it possible for you to make a “spray” to spread this “antidote” over a wide area? Something like...
**Tampala:** It's fine, I understand what you want to try. I have something in mind, so leave it to me.
**Azalea:** Y-yes! Then, could you two go back to the city and make the preparations!?
I'll stay here and slow the pests' advance!
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Wait! That's too dangerous!
I don't know if this anti-poison plan will work, and even so, if it will work in time...
Also, this place is going to be flooded in poison soon. So how are you going to be able to keep fighting against countless...
**Azalea:** I'm sorry for getting you caught up in a risky gamble! But please believe in me and get caught up...!
**Erica Christmas Parade:** ...!
**Azalea:** Da-Danchou-san too... What should we do about this strategy?
**Danchou:** It's the best thing we can do at this moment.
**Thunberg Spirea:** Yosha! If that's the case, I'll join up with Azalea!
I'll stay here and fight beside Azalea and the other units! I'm far more suited for wild rampages!
**Aerva:** Going all the way back to the city and then come back here would be a bother, so I'll stay here and fight with Azalea too. Let's go and crush them quickly so I can get back to my lazy Christmas.
**Frost Aster:** Let's go. I'll have the antidote made right away.
**Tampala:** Can Danchou-san and Erica-san join us as escorts? It would be bad news if only the two of us got attacked on the way back to town.
**Erica Christmas Parade:** ... Everyone, let's get to it.
Okay, I'm pissed off now! Azalea-san! You better stay safe until we get back!
**Azalea:** Yes! Of course!

### Don't Panic, Santa-san

Poison and pests – The two threats that were approaching the city of Skane have been driven away by the valiant efforts and tricks of the Flower Knights. However, the pests don't relent on their attack, so the Flower Knights led by Azalea charge in.

**Pest:** KyuOOAAAA!!!!
**Thunberg Spirea:** Douryaaaaa!
**Aerva:** Smashhhh!
**Thunberg Spirea:** Hehehe... There's no way I could lose so easily. These are our terms...
Uguu...!
**Aerva:** Kuu...
**Azalea:** Thunberg Spirea-san! Aerva-san! Are you alright!?
**Thunberg Spirea:** Hehee, I just got a little worked up... My bad.
They said I had three hours, but it's been a lot faster... The poison has already started running through my body...
**Aerva:** Yeah. Normally, these wouldn't even be enemies worth mentioning, but this poison... Uuu, my head's spinning...
**Azalea:** Haa, haa. Don't push yourselves so hard, you two! Take a rest...
**Thunberg Spirea:** ... You say that, but I can't. You understand too, don't you Azalea?
If we give up, who will protect our freedom? Who will make Christmas a carefree time for everyone?
Our battle is all so we can protect the peace and make it last for even a single second longer.
Even if that one second is taken from our own lives... It has to be.
**Azalea:** Thunberg Spirea-san...
**Thunberg Spirea:** It's truly a world that can't be. Pests get in the way and take, whenever, wherever...
I have to fight because it's that kind of world. If we don't fight, we can't keep our freedom.
**Aerva:** ... You put yourself into crippling fights in the name of freedom? It seems like we're similar.
It's more troublesome to pretend not to see the troublesome things. It's much easier to take that step forward here and now. So...
**Thunberg Spirea:** Uooo! Guts time!
**Aerva:** Over here! Come and get me!
**Azalea:** You two...
Guuu...! I have to do something too!
**Thunberg Spirea:** Owaa! What's this shaking!? A new enemy!?
**Aerva:** Look! There's something coming from the city! That's...
Eeh!? What *is that*!?
**Thunberg Spirea:** G-giant Nazuna!?
**Frost Aster:** Everyone! Are you OK!?
**Tampala:** We kept you waiting. We've prepared the antidote and a spray. It's called...
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Nazuna Christmas Parade!! Here, antidote launch!!
**Nazuna Christmas Parade:** PaoooOOOOOOON!!!!
**Thunberg Spirea:** Ooh! My body, is getting lighter...!
**Aerva:** Yeah, I can move... With this, I can still fight!
**Azalea:** A-amazing! Frost Aster-san! Tampala-san!
**Frost Aster:** What are you talking about? You're the one that suggested it. Doesn't that make the most amazing person you?
... Anyway, aside from the antidote, this device came just in time...
**Tampala:** I was a little curious ever sine I saw it in the town square. I've been dreaming up ways on how to remodel it since then, so it was unexpectedly quick.
**Erica Christmas Parade:** She does it no matter how it looks, that's Tampala-san! I can't believe she made such a flashy thing!
But, was it OK do you think? I got the right to name and pilot it with my momentum...
**Tampala:** It's fine. I'm just an inventor, and without Erica-san's persuasion, we would never have gotten it off of the foundation.
That's why we named it “Christmas Parade”, it's cool and I like it.
**Erica Christmas Parade:** !! R-really? Then I'll nickname you Tampala The Christmas Parade...
**Tampala:** Isn't that nickname a little too long?
**Pest:** Kyuooaaaa!!!!
**Tampala:** Hm... That's right, we're not finished here yet.
**Frost Aster:** We deployed the antidote and sprayer, but the culprit hasn't shown himself. Let's quickly defeat these pests and dispose of their corpses.
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Azalea-san, I leave the standard bearer's job to you!
**Azalea:** Yes! Then everyone...
Charge!

### Epilogue

The pests that were approaching the city of Skane are wiped out and due to Nazuna Christmas Parade, the antidote has completely neutralised the poison. After tidying everything up, the Flower Knights return to the city. They head out for a special night to celebrate each others' achievements.

**Thunberg Spirea:** Yaa--- I'm so tired! That was a really tough fight...
**Azalea:** Uu...!
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Wa! Are you alright Azalea-san!? Here, use my shoulder...!
**Azalea:** Th... Thank you. Ahaha... My knees are shaking and I can't stand...
I'm exhausted and beat up... But for some reason, it was a little fun...
**Erica Christmas Parade:** ... Yeah, it was fun right. Even that big fight.
You focused on yourself and caught up the world. You were so cool and dignified, Azalea-san.
**Azalea:** Th-thank you... Ehehe...
**Frost Aster:** Thank you too, Thunberg Spirea-san and Aerva-san. Because of you guys, we could focus on our jobs.
**Aerva:** It was tough, so don't ask me to do it again... Well, it's our job after all.
**Thunberg Spirea:** Eeheehee! We were amazing!
Well, I only got fired up because of Azalea. She gave clear instructions and jumped head first into the enemy before anyone else...
After showing me how fired up she was, there was no way I couldn't get into it too!
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Fuu... Everyone's so amazing. I only panicked and my mind went blank.
I'm meant to be the Flower Knight of luck, but it all turned out like this... It's so disgraceful.
**Azalea:** ... Isn't all this backwards?
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Eh?
**Azalea:** If we weren't here, then all those pests would have attacked the city tonight.
But, luckily we were all here.
Frost Aster-san, whose speciality was poison. The inventor, Tampala-san. Thunberg Spirea-san and Aerva-san who could stand and fight on the front lines...
We could do something about it because everyone was here. Wasn't all that really lucky?
And the one who invited that luck... Wasn't it you, Erica-san.
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Azalea-san...
**Frost Aster:** I agree. We were super lucky this evening. I don't think we could have won if any one of us wasn't here.
**Tampala:** You're right. If someone was missing, then something wouldn't have worked somewhere. It was like an elaborate machine.
**Erica Christmas Parade:** ... Thanks everyone.
**Azalea:** Umm... By the way... Is it alright to get everyone involved once more?
**Erica Christmas Parade:** Eh?
**Azalea:** We managed to defend Skane and safely complete our mission. So, um... Because we were so lucky...
Why don't we all enjoy this Christmas night together? I just really want to spend some more time together with everyone.
**Erica Christmas Parade:** ... Then shall we go and watch the parade? It's really lively, so it's fun even to watch it from afar.
**Tampala:** That reminds me, they did ask me if they could borrow Nazuna Christmas Parade.
It was originally planned to be a conversation piece, but it would be fun if it paraded around town.
**Aerva:** Hmm, I really wanted to go and sleep at the inn...
But, if it's this, then I could tag along. Or maybe it's like I want to join in?
**Frost Aster:** If that's the case, there's a place we can stop by at. We can watch the parade from the second floor.
How about we relax and watch the parade while we enjoy some delicious dinner?
**Thunberg Spirea:** Uhyo! That would be the best! Please, please!!
You're obviously going to come too right, Danchou-san?
**Danchou:** Of course!
**Azalea:** Well then... Fufuu♪ Let's all have a fun Christmas everyone!