Chapter 12: Homecoming and Dark Clouds Gather: Ogre Rancorem Roars

I'd know this place anywhere, it's Moonlight Forest! I'm finally back in my own time.

Confirmed. This is your native time period, the year 300 AD. Humans have yet to move to islands in the sky and live instead on terra firma, correct?

Hm. Even compared to the forests I know, things have clearly changed by no small degree... Much time may pass, however I dare say the hearts of people living their day-to-day lives don't change.

Now we're here, I want to stop by my house in Baruoki. Grandpa must be worried about me.

Aldo! Thank the stars you're safe! You just up and disappeared, I had no idea what happened to you, laddie!

Sorry, Grandpa. I wanted to let you know, but I got caught up in some real crazy stuff. I don't have time to go into details, but I will tell you the whole story later. It'll knock your socks off!

Pleased to meet you. I am Riica, a KMS all-purpose android. Aldo is a kind and courageous young man. It has been a privilege to assist him in his endeavors.

I am called Cyrus. I am honored to make your acquaintance, good sir.

Well now, that's fine, fine indeed! I can't thank you enough for all you've done for my boy here... When all this is over, you'll come back with Aldo and Feinne to celebrate, won't you?

It would be my pleasure. Upon my word, we shall meet again.

Understood. I swear on my memory chips that Aldo will return victorious!

Okay. Well, we'd better get going. See you later, Grandpa!

Can I help you?

I am Cyrus, a wandering swordsman. It is a great honor to be allowed in your presence, Your Majesty.

I am Riica, a KMS all-purpose android. If I can assist you in any way, please do not hesitate to ask.

My, my. You certainly are a...colorful group of travelers. I've already received word from Baruoki's Mayor. Is he all right? My father used to regale me with stories of his and the Mayor's valor when they were young.

Alas, yes. It seems they are prepared for all-out war this time. So be it. It would have come to this anyway. We were already preparing to march to their stronghold and settle things.

This just means we'll save time, and our forces will be in a stronger position to defend themselves. Pah!

Your Majesty, I have news! A beastfolk scouting party has been spotted in the Karek Swamplands.

No doubt about it, sire. It's Mobecha and Pepori, two of their strongest warriors.

Hm... Defense of the town needs to be our priority right now. I don't know if I have the soldiers to spare.

Your Majesty, we're doing nothing right now. We could go take a look, if you want?

Are you sure? Thank you. You would be doing me a great service.

Sure, no problem.

We will be fine. I can handle a little scouting party by myself.

Very well. I entrust this mission to you. Go observe the situation in the Karek Swampland and report back.

Above all, don't put yourself in unnecessary danger.

Ah, Aldo. There you are.

Yeah. Where's this beastfolk scouting party?

What the, ?! So it was you all along!

Calm down, okay? I know you must be angry, but I needed to talk to you personally.

With me? What's so important?

First, intro time! I'm Mobecha.

And I'm Pepori! Nice to meetcha, bub.

Just once I'd like to meet someone normal on this adventure...

What kind of creatures are you?

The Pepori and Mobecha clans are listed in my encyclopedia as peaceful offshoots of the beastfolk genus.

That's right! And we're pals with Feinne, too. How's that for credentials?

Huh? You know my sister?!

Why, sure. In fact, I'd say it won't be long till we're more than just friends. Tee hee!

(I'm gonna have to have a talk with Feinne about the people she chooses to hang out with...)

Whatever. Is Feinne all right? If you've done anything to her, I swear I'll, !

Don't freak out, she's fine! She's got the two of us taking care of her, after all.

Anyhoo, since you're Feinne's big bro and everything, there's something you need to know.

Enough dilly-dallying. Out with it!

Our warning concerns the sword you wear at your hip even as we speak. Ogre Rancorem.

What about it?

Just that the sword's lying to you, using you for its own ends.

What makes you think that?

To answer that, we have to talk about the great war between ogres and humans some 3000 years ago. At that time, the Thunder King, the leader of the humans, wielded a legendary sword of prodigious strength. After all ogrekind was wiped out, their lingering resentment and hatred attached itself to that very sword. That is the true story of how Ogre Rancorem came to be. Any questions?

Hold on a minute. Ogre Rancorem told me the ogre clan was wiped out by the beastfolk. Besides, isn't it considered a sacred artifact by the Miglance royal family?

That was all a bold-faced lie, bub. It had to gain your trust somehow. When the ogre clan fell, it was undoubtedly at the hands of humans, not beastfolk. Ogre Rancorem seeks to extinguish all life, but it wishes you humans to suffer the most of all. I admit, the continued existence of the royal sword still baffles me a little.

This sword wants to destroy all life?

The accursed thing has no shortage of hatred against you personally, either.

Why would Ogre Rancorem have special reason to resent Aldo?

That, I still don't know... But it came to Baruoki knowing you would find it. When the sword has carried out its schemes for revenge, it'll most certainly turn on you.

Nibblin' nematodes! It's an ogre!

Blasted insects, sticking your noses where they don't belong!

This thing is Ogre Rancorem?!

Hmph! This has ruined my chance to exterminate those fools of Miglance and the beastfolk.

So you really have been lying to me all this time? Well, I've had it! I'm not just some tool for you to use to get your revenge!

Ungrateful whelp! If not for me, you'd have been killed by the Beast King long ago.

I don't care! I'm not going to let you use me as a tool to massacre innocent people!

If that's how you want to do this, bring it on! Three thousand years is too long to carry a grudge. I'm laying it to rest here and now!

Grr... To think the curse of the ogre clan could endure all these centuries, only to be destroyed by a mere child! I will honor my word. For now, I will put aside my dreams of vengeance. The full extent of my power is yours to command. You may take Ogre Rancorem in hand, and use the might of the ogre clan as you see fit. But this is not over...

Yay for Aldo! You did good, bub.

For real! That's what happens when you mess with our cool and strong bro!

Hey, I'm not your brother! No matter how well you know Feinne, that is not happening.

Dang, that's cold, bub. You need to loosen up a little.

At least we won't have to worry about Ogre Rancorem for a while. Feinne would've been so sad if we'd failed. I couldn't bear to see that!

That's all from us, bub. I'd hurry back to the castle if I were you... The main army'll be there by now. His Majesty the Beast King is crazy strong, you know? Don't underestimate him.

You're leaving already? Well, uh... Thanks for your help and everything.

No problem, bub! What are bros for, am I right?

That was strange... We'd better head back. If the beastfolk army really is attacking, it could mean big trouble.