Chapter 41: Ogres' Last Stand: The Deathly Colosseum

Ogre Baron looks like another real pain in the neck. Seriously where do all these guys come from?

It matters not how many they are, none will stand in my way.

Huh!

Hm? What troubles you?

Ogre Rancorem's going crazy again!

This ancient battlefield, this fortress, the resonation with the ogres-- I feel my power welling. Aldo, you have been a fine puppet until now.

What now?

It's time for the Thunder King to... ...meet his end.

Wh-What! You can't be serious about this again?!

A grand scheme, eh, Rancorem! Was this your wicked intention from the get go?

Hmph, does it really matter? Aldo, I require your help one last time.

Whoa! What's happening?

Gah! What are you?! Ogre Rancor--

Aldo?!

Aldo!

Aldo!

Brain activity is showing a rapid change from theta to delta waves. Estimating that he has entered into a deep sleep or hypnotic state.

I've got a reeeeeeal bad feeling about this.

Aldo! Can you hear my voice? Oi, Aldo?!

Will you lower your voice you insufferable frog? I can hear you just fine!

I have shut out Aldo completely, his body is now mine...completely!

What! That cannot be?!

......

Aldo, what's happened to your face?!

Snap out of it, Aldo! You mustn't lose sight of yourself!

Your attempts to reach out to Aldo are futile. I control every pore of this body now. I will cut down the Thunder King! However, you need not fret. Zennon will not escape. He will meet the same end. Without the annihilation of the wretched ogres, I would cease to exist.

Quit this folly! There's no call for this madness!

Madness? Thunder King is the bane of our existence! He is the reason I was destroyed! You think I can let that go unpunished? If you plan on interfering, I will gladly begin my cleansing with you!

Aldo! Please, stop!

Girl, you dare stand in my way? Do you so wish your allies to be bathed in your blood!

Aaaaaahh!

Ngh! Aldo, you continue to resist!

Hmph! It matters not. If you value your pitiful lives, you'd be wise not to stand against me.

Aldo!

That accursed sword! How imprudent we were to play right into his scheme!

Yet another pain in the neck!

Aldo...

Don't worry, Feinne. We'll get Aldo back somehow!

Quite! Now is not the time to be panicking! We need to show some positivity!

You're right! Thanks guys.

Let's stop dawdling! That Rancorem has cost us precious time already.

Where are we?

We appear to be outside the fortress. Nothing but blue sky above.

You mean, like a fortress garden or something? Don't really see the ogres as the type for nature walks.

I doubt it will be anything quite so pleasant. This place reeks of spilt blood and death.

So much blood... So much death...

My liege, at last, we've caught up with you! Those damned ogres are putting up a serious fight. ...Huh? What is this vile place...?

Arrrgh!

What was that!

Welcome to the ogre clan's beloved Arena of Agony!

And what will soon be you maggots' graveyard! Hahahaaa!

I thought I recognized that stench, Hell Ogre, Death Ogre!

It's been a while, eh? Thunder King. How's you beeeeeen?

Aren't yer glad fer such a great day to die in terrible pain, eh? Nice weather 'n' all! Ha ha!

Quite a claim. It is you wretches, however, that will not leave this place alive. I will claim my vengeance for Alfaldo here and now!

Alfaldooo? Ahhah! That son of yers, was it? He was a right delicious morsel, that one.

We had fun chewin' him down right ter the last bone, we did! Grahahaha!

Y-You... Monsters!

This cannot go unpunished!

The Thunder King had already lost his son...

Grah! If that measly brat of yers hadn't got himself involved with Lord Zennon's girl, things woulda been different!

Grah! If that measly brat of yers hadn't got himself involved with Lord Zennon's girl, she mighta been alive now.

But we ain't suppose to talk 'bout that 'n how she went mad or disappeared, or nuthin' like that!

Is that all you cretins have to say? You can prattle all you want in the depths of infernal flame.

Thunder King, leave this to us. You go find Zennon... There's no need for you to sully your sword with these guys! We'll make them pay for your son's pain and sadness!

But I...

Thunder King, I understand your grief, but let us do as Aldo says. We cannot know how powerful Zennon has become since acquiring the Elemental Greatsword. For now, let us prepare ourselves for the grueling battle ahead, and not waste energy unduly. (Let us also not forget you fight with an ailing body.)

Hmph!

Thunder King, I beg you, let Aldo and the others handle this!

Very well. Your reasoning is sound.

I leave my son's vengeance in your hands, Aldo. I trust you will see it done.

It is decided, we will push ahead. Aldo, I doubt I need to say this to you, but be careful!

Right! Time to get rid of these two. Hell Ogre, Death Ogre, you're gonna to have to deal with me!

Wretched ogres, no matter who faces my blade, I know no mercy. Make your peace before you die!

Insolent lil' runt! Who d'ya think you are, eh?! I'll skewer all your corpses and roast 'em whole!

Den we're use ya bones as toothpicks 'n suck tha marrow clean out! Grahahaha!

We'll make you pay for all of the people you've eaten, and for the memory of Thunder King's son!

Hmph! What deluded fools! You ain't nothing but talk. I'm almost disappointed.

Aah, these ogres! I hope at least we have eased the spirit of Thunder King's son now.

Quite a show indeed! To beat down the supposedly undefeatable fortress guards, is no small feat.

And who would you be? Another pitiful ogre who's come for a quick death?

This ogre appears to be of a different ilk to the others.

I am Ogre Baron, 7th generation of the noble House Hauzagawst, a family of supreme prestige. I see now why Lord Zennon referred to you as a strange gathering. Truly, a curious flock, indeed. And is that it? The iniquitous blade prophesied to bring an end to the entirety of the ogre clan.

I will shatter that blade, and perhaps, shatter all of your bones as well--a fitting punishment, no? Do you not just find the excitement of battle after battle irresistible? That constant struggle for life, muahahaha!

It seems that not a single ogre in this infested fortress values their pitiful life. Very well. I had no intention on resting until every last ogre was slain anyway!

Gfaw! Quite a mouth on this one. But how long before it produces nothing but screams, eh? Now, who shall I send to oblivion first? Need I say that begging for your lives is futile? Enough time squandered, allow me to demonstrate what it means to face a true ogre.

Baron! Lord Zennon has summoned you. Immediately.

Damn it! I cannot ignore a summons from Lord Zennon himself. Looks like I will have to postpone your deaths. Do me a favor, will you? Try not to get eaten by any of these lowlifes before then!

Puny humans, we'll soon wipe every last one of ya from our fortress! So don't get too comfy living here!

Ogre Baron, huh...