From Prisoner to Si Chen..

Chapter 318 Christmas

'The so-called "ticket" turns out to mean this...'

Ji Lan looked at the exquisite yellow ticket in his hand and thought to himself.

There are silver snowflake patterns on the four sides of this ticket, and the four corners are the patterns of the sword, the Holy Grail, the pentacle, and the scepter. Surrounding the four ancient Xilu cursive characters in the middle——

"welcome".

Santa’s Workshop…

Germaine Nicholas's HOS house is not actually in the "lower" area. The same goes for Krampus' hut.

Both are located in the "Cloister" area.

If they were to trek on foot alone, it would be difficult for ordinary mystics to set foot in that area in their lifetime.

The reason why Gilan was able to reach the Krampus cabin was purely due to luck, and he took the "Silent Station" of a certain "dedicated line" by chance.

Dawn churches in various urban areas of Muse City were crowded with people from early in the morning.

They also worked overtime on Christmas Day, so the Empire naturally expressed its reaction.

...

He held the visit ticket in his hand and thought, maybe he could try to see it tonight.

'Are you ashore from the other side...'

The voyage went surprisingly smoothly.

...

December 12th, Christmas.

...

Gilan drove to the Triumph Building as usual to "check in" for work and received today's escort assignment. And his workload increased again.

After his consciousness sank, Gilan landed on the island of his mind.

After landing on the coast of the Land of Gods, he found that the salt flat he set foot on was not the scene he had last time.

By the time the mission ended, it was late at night.

But even at Christmas, the official staff of the empire did not get a day off, but became even busier.

After reporting on the mission, he received a "Christmas bonus" distributed by the Investigative Committee. The bonus is quite considerable, a full 500 Caesars.

Fortunately, as a third-level mystic, he was energetic and not too tired.

Before heading deeper into the swampy area known as the "Olive Withered Land," Gillan discovered a group of black centaurs.

Today's official duties are over, and Gilan is in a good mood.

Whether they are aristocrats, wealthy businessmen of the upper class, the middle class or the lower class, they all go to church to pray with blessings, follow the priest to say Mass, sing hymns, eat Holy Communion (unleavened bread), and drink Holy Blood (red glucose syrup water) …

But I am also glad that Christmas has given people who were originally desperate a glimmer of hope.

He didn't waste a moment, he stood directly on the shore, summoned his spiritual boat, and immediately chose to set sail.

After get off work, then go home and dream...

He drove back to the rental apartment, washed briefly, and lay down on the bed to fall asleep.

This group of centaurs seemed to be hunting something and patrolling around. Gilan hid in a bush and observed secretly.

I just hope that I, my family and my friends can be safe and not be infected by the hateful miasma that is everywhere.

This time, Jilan did not need to correct the direction at all. He followed the guidance of the "Shenxiang Brand" in his heart and drove the boat directly towards the Shenxiang.

It was not that Jilan had never encountered sea monsters, but whether it was because he possessed the "Brand of Shenxiang", those sea monsters only showed their heads from a distance and stared at him quietly, but did not come forward to attack him.

According to the secret records in the yellow booklet, the destination of each "Silent Courier" can actually be known by observing the inscriptions on the edge of the carriage door.

...

Ji Lan secretly thought.

This is his compensation for being the committee leader and gravedigger, plus working overtime every day during this period.

It's snowing heavily and covered in silver.

The entire Muse City was shrouded in a white world.

This also made Ji Lan secretly relieved.

When treating "civil servants", we must not exploit capital. Otherwise, how could outstanding talents be willing to sacrifice their lives for the empire?
In addition, Gilan also received an additional 200 merit points as reward, and the staff updated his "investigation book" in a timely manner.

They have the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse, holding long spears or short bows. There are men and women, all naked, and their eyes are indifferent.

Today is a special day, and it is also a festival that the people of the empire take very seriously.

It was just the first time Ji Lan met him and he had no idea about it... he boarded the carriage in a daze and went to the "corridor" of the Land of Gods.

Following the experience of his last exploration, he walked into the black forest.

Of course, not everyone can take so much.

On this day in previous years, the entire empire would be immersed in reunions, celebrations, joy and happiness... However, now the atmosphere is slightly depressed due to the miasma natural disaster.

He judged that this was probably the Shenxiang ethnic group named "Cruse" recorded in the yellow booklet.

The Cruz Centaur is extremely warlike and bloodthirsty, and is quite fast and agile in the jungle swamps. It is a natural hunter. If someone encounters them, it is difficult to get rid of them and a fierce battle is inevitable.

Gilan followed Chairman Parra's warning and did not show up rashly. Instead, he chose a detour to avoid the centaur group.

He passed through the land of withered olives and came to the wheat field area, which also has a name, called "Golden Border".

According to the yellow booklet, the "Golden Border" is the only place where the "Silent Coach" must pass, and it is easy to meet passing carriages here.

Gilan walked along the path in the middle of the wheat field, waiting for the arrival of the "Silent Coach".

He didn't wait long.

Soon a headless old horse came from behind him, dragging a boxy carved carriage.

Wheel wheel wheel wheel...

Not long after, the carriage stopped in front of him.

Jilan glanced at the lower edge of the carriage, and sure enough, there was a place name engraved in ancient Xilu script:
"Endless Bronze Mountains."

This place was also recorded in the yellow booklet. The mountain range was covered with various giant bronze vessels, including humanoid, animal and plant forms... It was as if the entire mountain range was made of bronze.

The yellow leather booklet stated that the "Endless Bronze Mountains" are quite dangerous, and "dream landslides" often occur, causing people to fall into the "corridor" area and narrowly escape death.

Gillan took out the "Santa Claus Workshop Visiting Ticket" and handed it to the headless old horse.

This time, the headless horse finally responded.

hiss-

I saw a small square opening suddenly opened in the horse's abdomen, and the skin and flesh were opened, revealing a dark cavity.

Immediately, a blood-stained hand stretched out from it and spread it flat in front of Gilan.

Ji Lan was startled at first.

He took a deep breath and then placed the ticket on the palm of his hand. He held the ticket in his palm and took it back, and the horse's skin and flesh recovered.

Gilan silently remained silent and climbed into the carriage.

bang.

The carriage door closed on its own.

Gilan made no more useless attempts and relaxed his body, lying on the cold hardwood bench.

Bang bang, bang bang...

The carriage started to drive slowly.

I do not know how long it has been.

The surrounding temperature dropped again.

Ji Lan could still faintly hear the crisp sound of wind chimes coming from outside the carriage.

The carriage finally arrived at its destination. The carriage door opened, he stepped out, and stepped into the deep snow, up to his knees.

Ji Lan exhaled white air and looked up, looking quite shocked.

I saw a huge square building standing on the snow directly in front of me, with the eaves protruding in a circle. The outer wall is entirely red, but there is a green cross pattern in the middle.

It looks like a gift box magnified countless times...

There are two ceramic sculptures of deer-headed men in suits and leather shoes standing at the door. The one on the left is holding a tray and extending his hand to pretend to enter the door, while the one on the right is stroking his chest and bending down to salute.

hiss-

At this time, the square opening in the belly of the headless horse was torn open again, and the human hand handed the ticket back.

After taking it, Jilan found that the ticket was stamped with a red seal, distributed in a circular shape in ancient Xilu characters, with the words "The post train has been delivered (the ticket is invalid)" and other words.

Immediately, the headless horse pulled the carriage and turned around to leave.

Gilan looked away and walked towards the red and green gift box-shaped building. But as soon as he arrived at the door, the two deer-headed ceramic sculptures turned their eyes and stared at him. Their mouths slid open and closed like puppets, and they said:

"Visitors and idlers are not allowed to enter the workshop."

"This is a 'visit ticket'."

Ji Lan handed out the coupon in his hand and tried to put it on the tray of the deer-headed pottery sculpture on the left.

"Oh...it turns out to be a guest from afar. Welcome to the 'Santa Claus Workshop'. Please come in."

The tone of the two deer-headed man sculptures immediately became friendly, and they chuckled.

creak-

The house's double doors open on their own.

Ji Lan held the brim of his hat, saluted the two pottery statues guarding the door, and then stepped in.

As soon as he entered, his expression became extremely surprised and his eyes glanced around.

Inside the workshop, Christmas pine trees are everywhere, hung with decorations and flashing with all kinds of dazzling lights.

Multiple wooden conveyor belts, like factory assembly lines, are winding and winding among them, carrying red and green gift boxes of various sizes.

Hundreds of palm-sized ceramic sculptures of deer-headed men are sitting on high stools beside the assembly line, assembling and packaging various gifts with a dazzling hand speed.

Jilan's arrival did not attract the attention of these pottery sculptures. As he walked inside, he secretly marveled.

The scene in front of me is really like a fairy tale.

Clang!

Suddenly, a gift box half as tall as a man fell from the "fireplace" on Gillan's left.

Then the reindeer pottery sculpture on the side was like a "mouse toy". The rollers under its limbs and hooves slid, and with a whooshing sound, it came quickly, then bit the silk strap of the gift box and brought it to the assembly line in front.

The entire workshop was running rapidly and in an orderly manner.

"How about it? Isn't it interesting?"

At this time, a young man's voice suddenly came from behind Gilan, with a gentle tone.

He quickly turned around and looked.

He saw a young man with short gray hair standing behind him. His facial features are very handsome, his nose is high, his gray eyes are deep and friendly, he is holding a twisted and slender oak staff, barefoot, and wearing a large red cloak.

"You...you are 'Santa Claus'?"

Gillan asked hesitantly.

"I think so." The young man smiled. "I am Germaine Nicholas...Is it different from what you imagined?"

"Well, a little bit." Jilan nodded.

In his mind, "Santa Claus" should be the image of an old man with a white beard. Wearing a Santa hat and Christmas clothes, all dressed in red and white, it is very festive.

But the young man in front of him was completely different.

"Welcome to my workshop, this is also my residence, Mr. Guillain Iros... Every year I invite the 'good children' of the world to visit here and give them a sweet dream as an extra reward."

Germaine smiled.

"plz follow me……"

As he spoke, he waved the long oak staff in his hand.

Jingle Bell.

The bell on the handle of the staff shook, making a clear and pleasant sound. At the same time, a chill swept through, and countless snowflakes as small as starlight danced.

In Jilan's stunned eyes, the ground instantly formed a carpet of blue and translucent ice crystals.

When he stood on it, he slid forward unconsciously. And Germaine raised his long staff, turned around and smiled brightly at him, his red cloak raised, revealing his thin figure.

"Look over there..." Germaine pointed, and Gilan looked in the direction he pointed, and saw gingerbread men the size of fingers lined up, happily jumping into a gift box, neatly. Lie down.

"That will be a gift for the 'good girl' Yimamu. She is very filial and kind, but she lives in poverty and has never eaten sweets since she was a child..."

Germaine pointed in another direction, where a ceramic sculpture of a deer-headed man wearing a monocle was assembling a building block doll.

"That was a gift from 'good boy' Royce. He was hit by a carriage while trying to save a dog and could never stand up again. And he has always longed for a building block toy..."

Santa Claus introduced the owners of seven or eight gifts to Gillan in a row, and his tone was quite approving.

"Are these gifts for next Christmas?"

Gilan asked softly while gliding on the ice carpet.

After all, Christmas Eve has come and gone.

Germain smiled, nodded and said:
"Yes... there are many 'good children', and the workshop needs a year of preparation in advance to make the gifts."

"You want to distribute all the gifts to the 'good children' in one night?"

Ji Lan suddenly thought of something and said in surprise.

Germain was a little strange and asked doubtfully:

"Why do you have to give it to me personally... There are many dolls in the workshop, all of which can walk the earth for me."

Ji Lan was startled.

"Then last night..."

"I went there myself last night."

Germaine chuckled.

"There is something special about you, Mr. Gillan. And if I don't go, Krampus might attack you..."

"Are you and Krampus enemies?"

Gillan took this opportunity and asked.

Germaine sighed sadly and shook his head.

"Actually, he and I were the best companions, and we were both apostles of the original Si Chen's 'Noon Dawn'."

"?!" Jilan's eyes widened.

Santa Claus and the Christmas Devil are both apostles of Omer?

"It's not appropriate to say more about this matter."

Germaine glanced at Gillan and whispered.

"Nowadays, the world is becoming more and more chaotic. I can't stop this alone. I really live up to Lord Omer's expectations. All I can do is bring some comfort to people."

Ji Lan felt awe-struck when she heard the secret.

He thought of something again and asked again:

"Then Krampus and Windmill Cat have the same surname as 'Solomon', you know..."

"He is actually Pal's 'self'."

Germaine said calmly.

(End of this chapter)