Chapter 40: Down with the Barrier and out with the Ogres

What great tidings! You found a way to breach the fortress' barrier, good work, Aldo! Now we can unleash a head-on assault on those wretched ogres!

That's right. I think the Ogre Key might be the only thing capable of breaking that barrier.

With that being said, Vares, how fares the sharpening of the King's holy blades?

All should be ready for Your Highnesses' use once more. Allow me to go check on the progress.

Wait, Vares? Why are you here?!

I couldn't merely sit by fruitlessly as the day of reckoning comes for the wretched ogre clan. Although, I was very close to being stringed up by Miglance's guards when they mistook me for a remnant of the beast army.

I do believe that they were not, in fact, mistaken. Are you not exactly that--

Cyrus, let us leave this discussion for another time. It could get, complicated, n'est-ce pas?

Regardless, it gladdens me to see His Majest--I mean, Master Guildna, in such good health.

I am thankful that the misunderstanding was resolved. I would have been deeply saddened if any harm were to have come to your friend. And such an interesting friend at that! It warms my hearth that, even in grave times like these, there is still joy to be had.

You are too kind, Your Majesty. It was an honor to be granted an audience with you.

Vares, did the Thunder King just say something about sharpening the holy blades?

You better not be planning anything sneaky!

But of course not! I was merely following the advice of a certain wise individual. I will go retrieve them immediately.

Well, with that matter out of the way, I will venture outside to take in some fresh air.

My Lord?

Ah, Aldo, it is you. My thanks again for retrieving the Ogre Key.

Don't mention it, we have to rescue our friend from the ogres as well. It won't be long until we'll have to go out and face them.

Verily, it has been many harsh years of fierce war. We must, for the sake of all, seek culmination in this approaching battle.

Good luck out there! We'll do everything we can too.

Do not endanger yourself unduly. I also wonder what will become of that blade of yours. It is possible that upon entering the fortress it will resonate with the ogres, bringing forth as yet unseen powers.

......

Aldo, you remind me of my son. About the same age and... Well, looking upon you brings back memories of him.

I didn't know you had a son. Will he be joining you at the battle?

He will not. As much as I may want it.

I see... It must be tough being parted from your family.

It is. But, before long I will be reunited once more with them, my son and wife. Just one last push, one last battle, and I will soon be with them again.

......

Aldo, there is no inherent meaning in the lives of humans born into this world. They themselves must find meaning in the existence that has been bestowed upon them.

......

Whether our lives hold worth or not--we must be our own judges. It is not decided by others, nor by any almighty Creator. Only you may deem your life to be of value. I want you to remember this.

Your Majesty... Okay, I'll do my best to live by your word.

......

Thunder King, Aldo, here you are. I have been looking for you. It seems preparations are complete.

Forgework on the two swords is now complete. I have brought them with me.

My than--What in the?!

You're from the Gallery of Dreams!

Oh, yes. I never mentioned, did I? The individual who suggested the sharpening was no other than this man!

Come, young beast, bring the two blades here.

Right away.

My kings, wield once more your swords.

......

......

Now go. Kings of the land separated by time. You too, Aldo. The final note of the Gyre Melody will be played at Ogres Spike.

The final note of the Gyre Melody?

He was certainly an odd individual. But, he has done fine work with the holy blade. The time of culmination is upon us! Let us cleanse the world of the wretched ogres, once and for all.

Send orders to the knights! To the Ancient Battlefield!

Zennon Ogre, on this day, I shall at last bring an end to this long conflict.

Hey, ain't this the same ogre clan that got wiped out 3000 years ago? Don't that mean that we win? It's already history and all that, so we can't go wrong?

Can't be sure there. Fact is, they've traveled through time and what have you. Who's to say history ain't changed as well. We ain't gonna find out who wins 'til the fight's all over. All I know is, if ya don't wanna die, you better fight fer ya life!

The peace and wellbeing of the people is at stake here, defeat is not an option. For the glory of the crown!

So, the time of reckoning has finally arrived. This should be amusing.

Poor lil' lost ogrey-wogries. Let's help 'em get back home.

Just you wait, you rotten ogres! Today's the day that we get payback for all the good men you've killed!

That's right! We gonna wipe every last one of them out! Let's smash 'em back to hell!

Hold on, Altena! I will crush all ogres that stand in my way until I have you back safe again.

Altena! Just hold out a little bit longer, okay! We're coming to get you!

Everything is in place. I believe it is time to knock on the ogres' door.

Verily! Everyone, take a step back.

Whoa, what's happening to the ground?!

We did it! The barrier's down!

Siege vanguard, advance on the fortress! All out attack!

Hooraaaaaahhhhhh!

Our fate lies in this last stand! Now fight, fight to the last tooth and nail!

Hooraaaaaahhhhhh!

Search for a chink in their defense, and get the siege towers on to them!

My liege, reports are that we have found three separate points to breach, straight on and on both flanks.

Very good! We shall commence a simultaneous three-pronged attack. My knights will break into two vanguards. One group will take the fortress head on with me, the rest on the left flank.

Yes, my liege. I'll let your orders be known right away.

Get the Thunder Lion Soldiers to do the same. One vanguard with me and the other to breach the right flank. Watch yourselves out there.

Understood! Just don't go defeating the enemy single-handed again, please leave some for the rest of us!

Okay, we'll take the front as well. Thunder King, King Miglance, we're with you all the way!

Okay, let's do this!

Fasten your helmets, tighten your armor! We face a mighty foe this day!

The ogre clan's continued existence in this era significantly increases the probability of serious time complications.

We must resolve the conflict between the ogres, and the three swords, and send the fortress back to its own time.

All that needs to be done is to crush Zennon Ogre, and retrieve the Elemental Greatsword.

Come on let's go, Aldo! Altena needs rescuing.

Climb the siege tower! Do not let your guard down!

Looks like it's finally time to show those wretches the wrath of humanity!

For such a puny race, you did well to break our seal. So, you maggots really wanna die that badly, eh?!

Looks like there's gonna be plenty of fresh feed for us! Gwahahahaha!

Garf garrrf! Garararrrf!

Hmph! I did not come here to hear the whines of the pitiful. Just the annihilation of filth. The time has come to eradicate that filth from this land!

Advance! Take the fortress in one fell swoop!

Give them no room for maneuver! No mercy!

Huzzaaaaaahhhhhhh!

There's just so many of these guys. Where're they all coming from!

Your Majesty, proceed into the fortress, leave this area to us!

I'm counting on you! Out of my way scum!

We're coming too! What do you say?

Of course, I have no intention of wasting any more time with these curs!

Hold on, Altena, I'll be with you soon!