Bab 577: Keajaiban di Hari Natal (1)
Aku sudah lama tahu bahwa rusa itu bukan makhluk biasa.
Bukan hanya makanan yang dibawanya setiap musim dingin sebagai pembayaran memiliki efek luar biasa, ia bahkan dilengkapi kemampuan teleportasi.
Apakah ia lemah dalam hal kekuatan tempur? Tentu saja tidak. Rusa itu cukup kuat untuk mengirim hiu banteng yang menyerangnya secara mendadak di sungai langsung ke alam baka dalam satu pukulan.
Ditambah lagi, ia punya keberanian luar biasa untuk mengunjungi tempat perlindungan kami secara rutin. Meskipun ia memang menunjukkan kesopanan terlebih dahulu, perilaku seperti itu mustahil dilakukan tanpa keyakinan mutlak pada kekuatannya sendiri.
Bagaimanapun juga, sebagian besar hewan yang menghuni Forest of the Four Seasons sangat teritorial. Tidak peduli sekuat apa pun seekor rusa, menerobos masuk seperti ini adalah kegilaan murni.
Jadi meskipun aku sudah lama tahu ia makhluk yang luar biasa, aku tidak pernah menyangka ia adalah rusa peliharaan Santa, Rudolph.
Aku tidak bisa begitu saja mempercayai bahwa ia Rudolph tanpa bukti. Pemeriksaan fakta sangat penting untuk memastikannya.
'Meskipun mengesampingkan pemeriksaan fakta, ia benar-benar terlihat seperti aslinya.'
Dilihat dari penampilannya, tidak salah lagi itu Rudolph.
Namun, hidungnya tidak pernah merah seperti ini sebelumnya. Awalnya, hidungnya tidak berbeda dari rusa biasa.
Aku perlu memastikan apakah hidungnya berubah merah saat musim tertentu atau apakah ini makhluk yang sama sekali berbeda.
"Kau rusa yang sama yang mengunjungi tempat perlindungan kami setiap musim dingin, kan?"
"Muu-oh."
Mendengar pertanyaanku, rusa itu mengangguk. Mendengar jawabannya, aku menoleh untuk melihat Bbareumbo dan Lackey.
Meskipun aku tidak mudah membedakan penampilan hewan, rekan-rekan hewanku berbeda.
Tidak seperti manusia yang menilai hanya dengan penglihatan, hewan bisa membedakan satu sama lain melalui penciuman, naluri, dan perspektif hewani mereka.
"Master. Memang benar itu rusa yang mengunjungi tempat perlindungan kami."
"Berdasarkan apa? Hidungnya berubah merah terang."
"Apa Master tidak bisa tahu hanya dengan mendengarkan suaranya?"
"...."
Omong kosong macam apa itu, seperti rusa air yang menyanyikan lagu merdu?
Seperti yang semua orang tahu, rusa air terkenal karena berteriak seperti orang mabuk liar.
Yah, mengingat aku benar-benar bertemu singa yang bernyanyi di padang rumput sebelumnya, aku memutuskan untuk menerima saja.
Mengingat ini adalah Forest of the Four Seasons, menganggap segala sesuatu mungkin adalah pendekatan yang lebih masuk akal.
"Jika kau bilang begitu... Lalu kenapa hidungnya berubah merah?"
"Muu-oh-oh."
"Hidung kerabat kami berubah merah ketika waktu tertentu tiba."
Dengan tercengang mendengar terjemahan Lackey, aku menatap rusa itu cukup lama.
Jadi setiap musim dingin—lebih tepatnya, sekitar Natal—hidungnya berubah merah?
Aku bahkan tidak bisa membayangkan monster hibrida macam apa yang diciptakan manusia Bumi. Aku meragukan apakah ini bahkan mungkin secara genetik.
[Lihat ini! Bukankah sudah kukatakan berulang kali?! Santa itu nyata!]
Tidak seperti aku yang tidak bisa menyembunyikan kebingunganku, salah satu anggota kelompok kami hampir melompat-lompat karena kegirangan: Cain.
Paladin pertama yang kemungkinan besar telah menanggung lebih banyak kesulitan dan cobaan daripada Ludwig sekalipun.
Keajaiban seperti anak kecil yang tersimpan di hati paladin itu sedang terwujud dalam kenyataan. Tentu saja, ia tidak bisa menahan kegembiraannya.
Melihatnya melompat-lompat dalam wujud patung batu memberiku... perasaan yang agak pahit, membuatku canggung untuk memarahinya.
"Tenang. Ini belum 100% terkonfirmasi."
Natal sendiri adalah hari libur yang berasal dari peradaban Bumi.
Di tempat lain, orang-orang akan berteriak, 'Rusa ini adalah hewan yang menginspirasi Rudolph!'
Tetapi manusia Bumi benar-benar menciptakan rusa ini hanya untuk mewujudkan Rudolph.
Itu prestasi yang sungguh tidak masuk akal, sekilas gambaran betapa transendennya teknologi mereka.
"Biarkan aku bertanya satu hal lagi. Apakah kau punya majikan?"
Rusa itu mengangguk.
"Apakah majikan itu kebetulan memiliki janggut putih lebat?"
Rusa itu mengangguk sekali lagi.
"Apakah kakek tua itu membagikan hadiah atau memberikan berkah?"
Rusa itu mengangguk dengan ekspresi yang seolah berkata, 'Kenapa repot-repot bertanya?'
"...Apakah nama kakek tua itu Santa?"
"Muu-oh-oh."
"Tepatnya, ia dipanggil Santa Claus Saint Nicholas, Master."
[Lihat! Bukankah sudah kubilang Santa itu nyata!]
"...."
Apakah lebih baik berhenti berpikir sama sekali? Aku tertawa getir, kontras dengan kegembiraan Cain.
Siapa sangka Santa Claus di sini bahkan punya nama keluarga. Itu mungkin nama keluarga dari tokoh sejarah asalnya.
Bagaimanapun, karena aku punya terlalu banyak pertanyaan yang ingin kutanyakan, aku mengatur pikiranku selangkah demi selangkah.
Sementara itu, karena aku tidak bisa membiarkan rusa itu kedinginan di luar, aku menyalakan api unggun besar.
Mengingat ukuran makhluk itu yang sangat besar, membawanya masuk ke dalam rumah tidak mungkin dilakukan, jadi tidak ada pilihan lain.
"Baiklah. Biarkan aku bertanya beberapa hal lagi kalau begitu. Boleh?"
"Muu-oh."
Makhluk itu mengangguk untuk mengatakan tidak masalah. Sebelum melanjutkan, aku memberikan ubi jalar panggang yang mengepul panas kepada rusa itu.
Rusa itu menatap tajam ubi jalar panggang yang mengepul itu sebelum menggigitnya.
Merasakan bahwa itu cocok dengan seleranya, rusa itu memakannya dengan lahap meskipun tampak menyipit karena panasnya.
Setelah mengatur pikiranku selama itu, aku mengajukan pertanyaanku.
"Dilihat dari apa yang terjadi, sepertinya kau keluar dari Forest of the Four Seasons sekitar waktu ini setiap tahun... Benar begitu?"
Jika Rudolph milik Santa Claus memang seekor rusa yang tinggal di Forest of the Four Seasons, itu berarti legenda yang disebutkan Cain juga benar.
Meninggalkan Forest of the Four Seasons setiap Natal bersama Santa untuk memberikan berkah.
Dengan kata lain, Santa dan rusanya tahu jalan keluar.
"Muu-oh."
"Master tahu jalan keluarnya."
"...."
Aku sudah menduganya, tetapi mendengarnya langsung memenuhi pikiranku dengan berbagai pikiran rumit.
Anehnya, Santa tahu cara keluar.
Masalahnya adalah bagaimana caranya aku bisa bertemu Santa.
"...Apakah mungkin meminta Santa membantu kami keluar?"
"Muu-oh-oh."
"Itu bukan untukku putuskan."
Pada akhirnya, itu berarti aku harus bertemu Santa. Dan apakah bertemu Santa itu mungkin atau tidak tetap menjadi variabel yang tidak diketahui.
Merasakan percikan harapan yang baru saja menyala hancur menjadi debu, aku menghela napas dalam-dalam.
[Lagipula, tidak ada salahnya menanyakannya untuk berjaga-jaga, kan? Dengan cara tertentu, rusa ini bisa dianggap sebagai koneksi pribadi.]
Cain menyarankan saat aku tersenyum pahit.
Menyebut rusa sebagai koneksi pribadi memang cukup lucu, tetapi kata-katanya masuk akal.
"Bantuan macam apa itu? Aku hanya ingin keluar dari hutan sialan ini, bahkan jika hanya selama Natal. Bagaimana denganmu, Lackey?"
"Aku ingin makan ubi gula sampai kenyang sampai perutku meledak."
"Keinginan itu sangat khas dirimu."
Di musim dingin, tanah membeku keras, membuat kebun sayur tidak bisa digunakan.
Bahkan jika dicairkan dengan api unggun, tanaman tidak akan tumbuh di cuaca yang sangat dingin.
Jadi aku bisa sepenuhnya memahami mengapa Lackey menginginkan hal seperti itu.
'Karena anak-anak sedang tidur sekarang....'
Musim dingin telah tiba, jadi semua anak-anak sudah memasuki hibernasi. Mereka tidak dalam kondisi untuk membuat keinginan.
Kalau begitu, aku harus bertanya kepada yang lain dulu. Setelah Lackey, giliran Dolsoe.
"Dolsoe. Bagaimana denganmu?"
"Aku ingin makan ubi gula bersama anak-anakku."
"...."
"Master. Aku akan mengubah keinginanku juga. Aku ingin makan ubi gula dengan betina yang kulihat terakhir kali."
Mendengar keinginan Dolsoe, Lackey buru-buru mengubah keinginannya sendiri.
Tentu saja, apakah keinginan-keinginan itu akan dikabulkan adalah cerita lain. Bagaimanapun juga, kami berharap untuk keajaiban Natal.
"Bagaimana denganmu, Ahjussi Ludwig?"
"Aku berharap bisa menghabiskan satu hari saja bersama keluargaku."
Ludwig berbicara dengan tenang. Tetapi meskipun nada bicaranya tenang, aku melihat kerinduan yang terjalin di dalamnya.
Meskipun bertahun-tahun telah berlalu dan ia telah beradaptasi, ia pasti masih merindukan wajah-wajah keluarganya.
Terutama karena Ludwig menyebutkan memiliki anak-anak yang sudah dewasa, semakin terasa. Aku dengar ia menikah muda, seperti yang diharapkan dari seorang militer.
"...Kau tidak punya foto mereka juga, kan?"
"Tidak punya."
"Aku akan minta Hero nanti untuk mengambil foto mereka untukmu."
"Terima kasih."
Senyum melunakkan bibir tegas Ludwig.
Bahkan sekarang, jantungnya pasti berdebar-debar memikirkan mengirim surat.
"Bbareumbo, kalau kau..."
"...."
"...Aku hanya perlu memberimu banyak Pil Puasa, kan?"
Bbareumbo mengangguk pelan. Dia jelas yang paling tidak serakah di sini.
Meskipun dia tampak hidup seperti pemalas, dia berkontribusi saat dibutuhkan, jadi dia layak diperlakukan dengan baik.
[Aku tidak perlu apa-apa. Karena aku sudah menerima hadiah dari Santa semasa hidupku.]
"Bukankah itu sebenarnya orang tuamu, bukan Santa?"
[Ehem. Itu Santa.]
Aku terkekeh dan masuk ke Galeri.
Tidak pasti apakah Santa benar-benar ada, tetapi setidaknya Rudolph itu nyata.
Judul) Kalian tahu Rudolph itu benar-benar ada?
Wild Grylls
(Foto 1 rusa yang terlihat identik dengan Rudolph)
(Foto 2 rusa yang terlihat identik dengan Rudolph)
Hebatnya, rusa yang mengunjungi tempat perlindungan kami adalah Rudolph gemetar gemetar
Dari apa yang kudengar darinya, dia menarik kereta luncur yang ditumpangi majikannya sekitar waktu tertentu setiap tahun?
Aku tidak tahu apakah majikan itu Santa atau bukan, tapi bagaimanapun Rudolph benar-benar ada!
ㄴ Heavenly Demon) Rudolph. Maksudmu rusa yang konon bepergian dengan Kakek Natal (Santa).
ㄴ Sword Matstar) Apakah Santa Claus benar-benar orang sungguhan?
ㄴ Wow. Berarti aku akan dapat pacar kali ini?
ㄴ Bahkan Kakek Santa pun tidak bisa mengabulkan yang itu...
ㄴ Rusa yang dengan berani berkeliaran di Forest of the Four Seasons adalah Rudolph? Kenapa syarat untuk menjadi Rudolph tinggi sekali lololol
ㄴ Justru karena itu r
Chapter 577: Miracle on Christmas (1)
I had known for a while that the deer was no ordinary creature.
Not only did the food it brought every winter as payment have extraordinary effects, but it was even equipped with teleportation abilities.
Was it weak in terms of combat power then? Not at all. The deer was strong enough to send a bull shark that ambush-attacked it in the river straight to the afterlife in one blow.
On top of that, it had the sheer audacity to visit our shelter on a regular basis. While it did show courtesy first, such behavior wouldn’t be possible without supreme confidence in its own strength.
After all, most animals residing in the Forest of the Four Seasons were insanely territorial. No matter how strong a deer was, barging in like this was pure madness.
So while I had long known it was an extraordinary fellow, I never expected it to be Santa’s pet deer, Rudolph.
I couldn’t just blindly believe it was Rudolph without proof. Fact-checking was essential to be certain.
’Though fact-checking aside, it really looks like the real deal.’
Judging strictly by appearance, it was unmistakably Rudolph.
However, its nose hadn’t been this red before. Originally, its nose was no different from any ordinary deer’s.
I needed to confirm whether its nose turned red during specific seasons or if it was an entirely different creature.
"You’re the same fellow who visits our shelter every winter, right?"
"Muu-oh."
At my question, the deer nodded. At its response, I turned my head to look at Bbareumbo and Lackey.
While I couldn’t easily distinguish between animal appearances, my animal companions were different.
Unlike humans who judged merely by sight, animals could tell each other apart through smell, instinct, and their animal perspective.
"Master. That is indeed the deer that visits our shelter."
"Based on what? Its nose turned bright red."
"Can you not tell just by listening to its voice?"
"...."
What kind of nonsense is that, like a water deer singing a sweet song?
As everyone knows, water deer are famous for screaming like drunken lunatics.
Well, considering I had literally met a lion singing in the grasslands earlier, I decided to just roll with it.
Considering this was the Forest of the Four Seasons, assuming anything was possible was actually the more reasonable approach.
"If you say so... Then why did its nose turn red?"
"Muu-oh-oh."
"Our kin’s noses turn red when a specific time comes."
Dumbfounded by Lackey’s translation, I stared at the deer for a good while.
So every winter—more precisely, around Christmas—its nose turns red?
I couldn’t even begin to fathom what kind of hybrid monstrosity the people of Earth had created. I doubted whether this was even genetically possible.
[Look at this! Didn’t I tell you time and time again?! Santa is real!]
Unlike me, who couldn’t hide my bewilderment, one member of our party was practically bouncing with excitement: Cain.
The very first paladin who had likely endured far more hardships and tribulations than even Ludwig.
The childlike wonder that the paladin harbored in his heart was unfolding in reality. Naturally, he couldn’t help but be excited.
Seeing him jump up and down in stone statue form gave me... a somewhat bittersweet feeling, making it awkward to scold him.
"Calm down. It’s not 100% confirmed yet."
Christmas itself was a holiday originating from Earth’s civilization.
Anywhere else, people would have shouted, ’This deer is the animal that inspired Rudolph!’
But the humans of Earth had literally created this deer just to bring Rudolph into existence.
It was an utterly absurd feat, a glimpse into just how transcendent their technology had been.
"Let me ask one more question. Do you have a master?"
The deer nodded.
"Does that master happen to have a bushy white beard?"
The deer nodded once more.
"Does that old man hand out presents or bestow blessings?"
The deer nodded with a look that seemed to say, ’Why even ask?’
"...Is that old man’s name Santa?"
"Muu-oh-oh."
"To be precise, he is called Santa Claus Saint Nicholas, Master."
[See! Didn’t I tell you Santa is real!]
"...."
Would it be better to just stop thinking altogether? I let out a hollow laugh, contrasting with Cain’s excitement.
Who knew Santa Claus here even had a surname. It was probably the surname of the historical figure he originated from.
Either way, since I had far too many questions I wanted to ask, I organized my thoughts step by step.
In the meantime, since I couldn’t just leave the deer freezing outside, I lit a large campfire.
Given the creature’s massive size, bringing it inside the house was out of the question, so there was no choice.
"Alright. Let me ask a few more things then. Is that okay?"
"Muu-oh."
The fellow nodded to say it was fine. Before proceeding, I handed the deer a piping-hot roasted sweet potato.
The deer stared intently at the steaming roasted sweet potato before taking a bite.
Sensing it suited its palate, the deer ate it deliciously despite winced at the heat.
Having organized my thoughts in the meantime, I posed my question.
"Judging by what’s happening, it seems you go outside the Forest of the Four Seasons around this time every year... Is that right?"
If Santa Claus’s Rudolph was indeed a deer residing in the Forest of the Four Seasons, it meant the legend Cain mentioned was also true.
Leaving the Forest of the Four Seasons every Christmas alongside Santa to bestow blessings.
In other words, Santa and his deer knew the way out.
"Muu-oh."
"Master knows the way out."
"...."
I had anticipated it, but hearing it directly filled my mind with complicated thoughts.
Surprisingly, Santa knew how to leave.
The problem was how on earth I was supposed to meet Santa.
"...Is it possible to ask Santa to help us get outside?"
"Muu-oh-oh."
"That is not for me to decide."
Ultimately, it meant I had to meet Santa. And whether meeting Santa was even possible remained an unknown variable.
Feeling the barely ignited spark of hope crumble into dust, I let out a deep sigh.
[Still, wouldn’t hurt to bring it up just in case, wouldn’t it? In a way, this deer could be considered a personal connection.]
Cain suggested as I offered a bitter smile.
Referring to a deer as a personal connection was pretty comical, but his words made a fair bit of sense.
"What kind of favor even is that? I just want to get out of this damn forest, even if it’s only during Christmas. What about you, Lackey?"
"I want to eat my fill of candied sweet potatoes until my stomach bursts."
"That wish is so typical of you."
In winter, the ground froze solid, making the vegetable garden unusable.
Even if we thawed it with campfires, crops wouldn’t grow in the severe cold.
So I could fully understand why Lackey wished for something like that.
’Since the kids are sleeping right now....’
Winter had arrived, so all the kids had entered hibernation. They weren’t in a condition to make wishes.
In that case, I should ask the others first. After Lackey comes Dolsoe.
"Dolsoe. What about you?"
"I want to eat candied sweet potatoes together with my children."
"...."
"Master. I will change mine too. I want to eat candied sweet potatoes with that female I saw last time."
Hearing Dolsoe’s wish, Lackey hastily changed his own wish.
Of course, whether those wishes would even be granted was another story. After all, we were hoping for a Christmas miracle.
"What about you, Ahjussi Ludwig?"
"I wish I could spend just one day with my family."
Ludwig spoke calmly. But despite his composed tone, I noticed the underlying longing woven into it.
Even though long years had passed and he had adapted, he must still miss the faces of his family.
Especially since Ludwig mentioned having fully grown children, all the more so. I heard he married early, as expected of a military man.
"...You don’t have a picture of them either, right?"
"I do not."
"I’ll ask the Hero later to take a picture of them for you."
"Thank you."
A smile softened Ludwig’s stern lips.
Even now, his heart must be pounding at the thought of sending a letter.
"Bbareumbo, what about you..."
"...."
"...I just need to give you plenty of Fasting Pills, right?"
Bbareumbo nodded his head slowly. He was definitely the least greedy one here.
Even though he seemed to live like a slacker, he pulled his weight when it counted, so he deserved good treatment.
[I have no need. For I received a gift from Santa during my lifetime.]
"Wasn’t that actually your parents, not Santa?"
[Ahem. It was Santa.]
I snickered and logged into the Gallery.
It wasn’t certain whether Santa really existed, but at least Rudolph was real.
Title) Did you guys know Rudolph actually exists?
Wild Grylls
(Photo 1 of a deer that looks identical to Rudolph)
(Photo 2 of a deer that looks identical to Rudolph)
Amazingly, the deer visiting our shelter was Rudolph trembling trembling
From what I heard from him, he pulls a sleigh ridden by his master around a specific time every year?
I don’t know if that master is Santa, but anyway Rudolph really exists!
ㄴ Heavenly Demon) Rudolph. You mean the deer that the Old Man of Christmas (Santa) is said to travel with.
ㄴ Sword Matstar) Was Santa Claus really a real person?
ㄴ Woah. Does that mean I’m getting a girlfriend this time?
ㄴ Even Santa Gramps can’t grant that one...
ㄴ The deer boldly roaming around the Forest of the Four Seasons is Rudolph? Why are the qualifications for Rudolph set so high lololol
ㄴ Wouldn’t it be precisely because it’s a deer from the Forest of the Four Seasons that it was selected as Rudolph?
ㄴ Don’t fairy tales say Santa travels with multiple Rudolphs?
ㄴ How strong must Santa be to command Rudolph as his subordinate shudder shudder shudder
ㄴ At the very least, he’s definitely at the Grand Master realm lololol
ㄴ Don’t Abandon the Hero) Rudolph is real?! I should host an even grander event this Christmas!
ㄴ Is the Hero gonna dress up as Santa during this event?
ㄴ Wasn’t that originally an annual event?
ㄴ (Photo of a suggestive Santa outfit) Might the Hero wear this for us?
ㄴ Kyah... A person of true culture!
ㄴ He-eung... Santa-noona...
ㄴ The Hero’s gonna freeze to death, you bastards lololol
ㄴ But it’s still hot, right?
ㄴ Don’t Abandon the Hero) The Hero does NOT wear such vulgar clothes!!!
Naturally, posting it to the Gallery turned the forum upside down.
Posting a photo of Rudolph on Christmas Eve, it was only expected.
I understood that even the Central Plains, where religious faith was relatively faint, celebrated Christmas.
It wasn’t a combination that particularly fit together, but since Christmas itself was a designated holiday by the gods, they had no choice but to abide by it.
"By the way, why hasn’t Santa gone outside until now? Is there a reason?"
"Muu-oh-oh."
"The forest was too tightly sealed to leave. However, the seal was recently partially released, allowing him to venture out."
The forest’s seal was partially released. Hearing those words, the World Tree immediately sprang to mind.
The entrance of the Forest of the Four Seasons opened the moment we made contact with the World Tree. It had to be closely linked to that.
One might ask what about Cain, but since he was connected to the Holy Sword, it was proper to consider him an exception.
Furthermore, Cain adopted a ridiculously crude method of literally blasting through the stratosphere.
That was an action only possible because his body was absurdly durable; even I wouldn’t dare try it right now.
Even if one endured with Body-Protecting Gangqi, penetrating the stratosphere at that speed meant enduring temperatures of at least 1,000 degrees Celsius.
’I’d rather jump into lava.’
After chatting with Rudolph—no, the deer—I slowly made my way inside.
Even if Santa really existed, whether he would be active this Christmas was an unknown.
It was better to spend the day quietly without clinging to expectations.
Komentar Chapter (0)
Login buat ikut berkomentar.
Belum ada komentar di chapter ini. Jadi yang pertama!