Today's Enemy

This place is sooo nice! Your hometown's the greatest, Aldo!

Really? It's just a normal village... But I'm glad you like it.

It's so relaxing here. Even watching the scenery is so calming. And the mayor we just met seems a thousand times nicer than Grandpapa.

Haha. Trust me, he can be pretty scary when he's angry, too.

So your hometown was in the mountains?

Mmm... I guess you could say that. Grandpapa and I spent our time in the mountains, so I guess I'd call it home.

Although... Ah!

Hm?

Aldo! It's good to see you again.

And you, Darunis. Orleya... My friend here was saying she wanted to visit, so I thought I'd show her around.

Oh? Are you sure she wants to be here? She's shaking like a leaf.

Huh? Orleya?

...... Just pretend I'm not here.

Umm, all righty then...

So... Darunis, are you on patrol? Anything strange happen lately?

No, nothing like that. Baruoki is the picture of peace. Though I'm sure you can tell that just by looking at it

It does seem that way. Grandpa didn't mention anything, either.

......

Well, I'd better go give my report. I wouldn't want to be a third wheel.

What are you talking about?

What do you think I'm talking about? If you're bringing a lady back home and introducing her to your family... Then, y'know...

Give me a break, Darunis. That's the second time you've made that joke.

Bah, used to it already? You're no fun. That's a real shame.

Sorry for not giving you a juicy reaction, I guess.

What?

Oh...

No, you've got it all wrong! Orleya isn't...

I know, I was merely teasing.

Darunis! Give me a break!

If you have time, let's talk. I'm sure Nomar and May would love to see you, too.

Honestly, that guy...

......

Orleya?

Ack!

Are you okay? You're as stiff as a statue.

Ahaha. I'm not very good at talking to strangers. I really envy you, Aldo.

You do? Why?

You've been friends with him ever since you were little, right? I can tell from the way you talk with each other. There was a real "old friends" air about you.

You think? I hadn't really noticed.

There definitely was!

You're similar ages, you can talk about anything, you can tease each other and tell each other off... I bet you even know each other's secrets, don't you?

Well, I think that applies to everyone in Baruoki to be honest.

So I was right! Must be nice to have a childhood friend. What I wouldn't give for one...

But you still have close friends, don't you?

Huh? Oh, haha. Yeah.

After that battle, when Miyu asked to be friends, I was overjoyed. I didn't think I'd ever be able have friends of my own.

I see... It's just been General Goliadus and you, your whole life?

That's right. I hardly ever left the fort.

That's why I'd love to have even more friends, like you!

And I'd love to be able to ask someone to be my friend, like Miyu did with me.

But strangers terrify me...

I get that. So if you don't like talking to people you don't know... How about going back to Thundering Fortress?

Wh-Why would I do that?

To practice talking to people.

T-T-Talking to people?!

Just the thought of it makes me so nervous, I feel like my heart could leap right out of my chest!

I won't force you or anything! But I thought it would be easier somewhere familiar to you...

And you said you wanted to have friends from home. Maybe you'll find someone you hit it off with?

Umm... That won't be easy. There's still another problem.

What's that?

Erm, how do I explain?

It will be quicker if show you. Will you be coming with?

Of course! Let's head that way.

Okay, we made it to the fortress. But...

All I see are brawny soldiers.

Right. Exactly.

I guess that's only normal for a battlefield. Come to think of it, I only ever saw soldiers last time we were here, too.

Just checking, is there any chance of you befriending the soldiers?

I highly doubt it...

No dice, huh?

I really do like everyone. And I feel like we got a little closer after the fight with the Chaos Ogre.

But everyone's so big and loud, they're more like Grandpapa's followers than they are my friends.

"Followers"? That's a bit...

And there's the issue of our positions. To them, I'll always be "General Goliadus's granddaughter."

I see. Do we call it quits, then?

Erm... Well...

No. We came all this way, so I should at least try. I need to get better at talking to the soldiers anyway.

Okay. I'll be here.

All right. I can do this. Just be bright and cheerful, like Miyu...

Ah?!

What's wrong? Get out there!

Ngh!

(I'll take that as a no...)

Ngh!

She ran away?! Hey, Orleya! Where are you going?

There you are! Why did you run away like that?

I don't even know myself. The moment they started speaking to me, I panicked.

But I thought you said you'd gotten closer after the battle?

W-Well yeah, but... That only makes it harder to know what to say.

Hmm... You could talk about anything. Like the weather, or what you've been up to...

Nice weather we're having.

Hm? Yeah, I guess so.

I recently took part as a judge in a mechanical bee contest, known by most as drones.

I know, I was there with you.

......

What?

Ugh... I was right! I can't do it!

Wait, were you practicing on me just now?!

There's no point if you do it with me.

Why does it have to be so difficult? I guess I should just stick to playing tag with the animals in the mountains...

(This could take a while...)

The time for tag is over.

Eeek?! That voice! That's...

Who are you?

Teacher?

Y-Yes?

Um, I... A test? I may or may not have heard of it.

Um...edible grasses?

Eep! I'm so sorry! I remember, I remember now!

Ahh! There's an ogre army hiding in the bushes over there!

There she goes again!

Looks like she's giving you trouble, too.

She must be around the fortress somewhere... I guess there's nothing left to do but chase after her. Again.

Phew. I should be safe here.

I always feel so bad about running away... But whenever I hear the word "test," I see Grandpapa's face and my legs make a break for it.

That said, I've been told the hierarchy of ogres so many times, I know it by heart. Just this once can't hurt, right?

So now what? I can't leave without Aldo. And my teacher's probably looking for me, so I'll have to avoid him...

I should disguise myself, just in case. And if I do happen to get spotted, there's always my secret escape route. Problem solved!

All right. Let's do this!

Teehee. My trusty hood, one of my seven escape tools! It's the perfect disguise! Now, no one will...

Eeep! Wh-What's going on?!

Be quiet, will you?! Just gimme that for a sec!

Eek?! Th-That face...

Ahhhhh!

Whoa?! Keep your voice down! And gimme that!

Score! This really is the perfect disguise!

And you're lot stronger than you look! I had to go all out.

Sniffle...

Hey, quit your crying! It's not like I hurt you!

M-My disguise...

You mean the hood?

Hah! You're cryin' over somethin' as trivial as this? Don't be such a wimp! But don't worry, I only need it till I've escaped the fortress.

Escape?

Didn't you say somethin' about an escape route? Show me.

Hey, wait! Where do you plan to go once you've left?

Huh? The king's castle, obviously.

Oh!

Heeey! Orleyaaa!

Friend of yours? How annoying. Don't go lettin' the cat out the bag, got it?

G-Got it!

Are you okay? I heard a scream...

Hm? Who are you?

Don't go threatenin' me. I'm an old friend a' hers. We just ran into each other.

Ain't that right, Orly?

Is that true?

Um... Yes. That. Is. Correct. This. Person. Is. An. Acquaintance.

Why are you talking like that?

You dare doubt her friend? How cold of you!

Of course I doubt someone who turns up out of nowhere is cloaked head-to-toe in a hood! What's your name?

My name? Um, erm...

Call me Reego!

(Reego? Where have I heard that name before?)

(Whoever they are, they're acting incredibly suspicious...)

Do you have business in this fortress, Reego?

Nope. I'm just try'na get outta here. Don't wanna get found by these fortress folks. So Orly here's showing me a secret escape route.

There's a secret escape route? I never knew that.

Yup. Ain't that right, Orly?

Huh? Oh... (Wh-What do I do? I can't actually take her there!)

Hey! Whatcha playin' at, Orly? You are listenin' to me, aren't 'cha?

Eeep! I-It would be an honor to take you there! You can get to the escape route through the forest. Allow me to lead the way...

I knew I could count on ya, Orly! After you!

Orleya, are you really okay?

Y-yup, never better!

Okay then. You must know the fortress pretty well, so I'll leave this to you. But if things get out of hand, I'm cutting in.

Hey! Quit dawdling! Let's gooo!

Right! After me, everyone!

(This stranger may have a coarse way of talking, but she doesn't seem dangerous.) (But her face just now...)

I guess it's up to me to stop her.

I can do this! At times like this, I can be brave. Like Grandpapa!

Ah! So this is the secret escape route?

Shhh! You're talking too loud, Reego!

This was easier than expected. We've not even run into a single soldier.

I chose a path I knew would be unmanned. I know all the lookout points and patrol routes in the fortress.

Good on you, Orly!

But this looks like a dead end. How do you get out?

Huh? Oh, you climb.

It looks like a dead end, but it flattens out at the summit, and leads straight to the foot of the mountain.

Impressive! I'm seein' you in a whole new light, Orly!

Then I'll be off! 'ppreciate the help.

Haha. It's no problem at all.

......

(Wait, yes it is! This is a massive problem!) (If I knew I had to stop her, why did I lead her all the way here?!)

(What do I do? If I let her go, who knows what she'll do with this knowledge?!)

Orleya? You've been acting pretty strange. Is there something you want to say?

......

Hey, Reego?

What?

Tell me something. What will you do once you've gotten out of the fortress?

Where'd that come from?

I ain't obligated to tell you that!

No, you are. She did you a favor, taking you here.

Besides, I thought you were old friends. Pretty unfeeling to keep secrets from your friends, isn't it?

Wha-?! ...Hmph, you've got me there.

......

Tch... Fine. You seem decent enough, so I guess there's no harm in tellin' you... But don't go tellin' anyone else, you hear?

There's someone I wanna see out there.

Oh!

Wait! Do you mean like a lov...

Hey, shut up! Don't you even THINK the rest of that sentence! Anyway, there, I told you. Now I've gotta get outta here before anyone finds me and starts causin' trouble.

Found you.

Wha-?! What are you doing here? I thought you went to the fortress!

There's that many?! And to track them all down... You are one tenacious teacher!

Um, they're...

Orleya...

Tch... Fine.

Hey, mister high n' mighty! You've got it all wrong! These guys found me when I was try'na sneak in, and they chased me here.

What? Reego?

Th-They did?!

Y-You put guards out just for me?! That's more than tenacious, that's downright scary...

This doesn't look so good!

Stop it! She's...

Yes, halt! How dare lowly humans like you lay their hands on the likes of her! Such disrespect!

Eeek?!

Ogres?! Within the fortress walls?!

What plan?

"Princess"?

No, you can't take them alone!

Aaah!

What did you say?! As if we'd let that happen!

Oh no... This is all my fault.

Orleya! Pull yourself together! We need you right now!

The fortress we protected from the Chaos Ogre... Everyone, Grandpapa... I'm so sorry!

...st...

I said get lost! I don't ever wanna see your faces again! I'm just goin' to meet Alfa... He's the only reason I'm here!

What? Reego?

Don't you dare say my name!

You call yourself a raid party? With these cowardly tactics?! I HATE ogres like you!

Get up, Orly! This ain't time for tears!

Ngh!

I'll handle those guys over there! But I'm leavin' these ones to you!

Right! You can count on us!

Heh. Let 'em have it!

I'm sorry. I almost ran away again. But this time, I won't run! I have to protect this fortress, and all the soldiers in it! Are you with me, Aldo?

Of course! I'll always have your back.

Phew... Looks like we managed to drive them back.

Honestly... Hardly a moment's passed since our last battle, and they're already sending out raid parties? Thank goodness there weren't more of them, or we wouldn't have gotten away with such few casualties.

How are your injuries?

We'll be fine. We may have been caught unaware, but we're not so poorly trained as to fall to a couple of ogres.

Haha. Glad to hear it!

Me too...

Also...

......

I believe I owe you an apology. Please forgive my rudeness from earlier.

Huh?

"Apology"? So you're not gonna capture me?

No. It would seem I was mistaken. You did risk life and limb to protect us, after all.

I wouldn't go that far. I just didn't like 'em. I came here to sneak out, but they had the nerve to follow me and put a damper on my plans.

(Reego! Shhh!)

Eh? Relax, Orly.

And Orleya.

Eep! I'm sorry. I should never have...

Stand proud. You truly are your grandfather's granddaughter...

Huh?

The sight of you wielding that ax in our defense...

It was a beacon of hope for us. That is what it means to be a hero.

Oh!

Not at all! Haha. It was nothing, really.

In that moment, I vowed to myself... To train that ray of light, so that it may shine even brighter on the battlefield.

Huh?

So let us continue with our lessons right away! It won't end until you get full marks!

Wha-? What do lessons have to do with the battlefield?!

Come on, quickly now!

......

Pst. Orly, follow me.

Gladly!

Hey! Orleya! You're not being a good hero right now!

*sigh* Left behind. Again.

Phew! We should be safe here. Wait, didn't I say last time, in this very spot?

Whoa, you're fast! To think you can outrun even me!

Huh? I know this place... Ain't this where we first met? When I borrowed your hood?

"Borrowed"?

I thought you were a bandit! I was so scared, my heart stopped beating for a second there!

Ha! Come on, I could never be a bandit! That'd be way too dull!

Anyway, you're pretty fast, you know. Never thought I'd find someone as fast as me.

Well, I'm only really confident in running away...

What're you talkin' about? I saw you fight, and boy, are you somethin'. When you're that strong, what d'ya need to run away for?

Well... Umm...

You see, I...

So you're the general's granddaughter who protected this fortress?

Yeah. Sorry for not telling you.

No need to apologize. We've both got our own stuff goin' on. Sounds like you've had a tough time of it, too.

"Too"? You're in the same boat as me?

Yeah. See, my old man's pretty similar. He's strong n' scary, and everyone around him does whatever he says.

Oh...

But my uncle's even worse. He won't keep his nose outta my business, always bossin' me around.

I swear, everyone I come across treats me like a little kid.

Heehee!

Why're you laughin'? Did I say somethin' funny?

Oh, sorry. I was just thinking you and I have a lot in common.

......

Hey, do you... Do you know who I am?

Yes. I saw your face before you put on that hood.

Then why did you go along with everythin' I said? In your position, when you can fight that well... Why didn't you try to chase me away or knock me out me or somethin'?

Well, at first, it was because I was scared. But for some reason, I could tell you weren't a bad person.

So, at the last minute, I decided to ask your intentions, then decide whether or not to stop you.

My intentions?

Mhm. You said there was someone you wanted to see, right? Your voice was so gentle when you said it.

......

Tch. I shouldn't have asked!

Hey, Reego? I have a question for you.

What is it?!

This person you wanted to see, was it...

The prince?

Yeah... You got me.

Whoa! Really? I was right?! You're close with the prince? I had no idea!

I-It's not like that!

Is that so? Your cheeks are bright red!

Grrr!

Quit dartin' around!

Heehee! Over heeere!

There you are! I've been looking for you for ages!

Wait, are you two fighting?

Hey, cut it ou, !

We're not fighting! We're playing tag!

You there! Help me catch her!

You're joking, right? You still have energy to run around after all that?

Regardless, it looks like you two have gotten close.

What were you talking about before I got here?

Hm? That's...

A secret!

You're sure I can take this hood?

Of course! It really suits you... And you'll be needing it later, right?

Orly... You're the best!

And I can really get outta the fortress up this cliff?

Yep! Up and over. This is one of 70 routes out of the fortress that only I know.

70?! I thought there were 12!

That was before. But there's always room for improvement!

(Her poor teacher...)

Don't tell anyone, okay? It is a SECRET path, after all.

I won't. And you don't go tellin' anyone what I told you before. Got it?

Welp, this was short, but sweet. Take care of yourself, Orly. Same goes for you. You know, you kinda remind me of 'im, ya big softy.

Haha. Safe travels, Reego.

......

Aw yeah! Time to get outta this place!

But first... Hey, Orly.

Yes, Reego?

I hate this war. I just want it to be over an' done. I know he feels the same.

......

But once started, a war ain't gonna end until one side loses. So... Next time we meet, it might be as enemies.

I'm afraid so. But, if this war does ever come to an end, and we both survive...

......

Heh! You bet I'll be comin' back so we can hang out again.

Heehee. Maybe I'll get scared and run off again.

Then it's just a matter of chasin' you. And THEN we'll find out who's faster, once an' for all!

You're on! I won't lose!

Same here. Catch ya later!

Was it really a good idea to let her go?

I think so. So you knew this whole time? That I didn't actually know Reego?

I mean... She said she was an "old friend." That's a pretty obvious lie.

But she fought alongside us. That's more than enough for me.

Yeah, I guess you're right.

Good for you, Orleya. It looks like you finally made a friend from home.

No, Reego isn't a friend.

Huh?! But...

You're similar ages, you can talk about anything, you can tease each other and tell each other off... I bet you even know each other's secrets, don't you?

So I was right! Must be nice to have a childhood friend. What I wouldn't give for one...

I know, I know. We're similar ages, we can talk about anything, we ran away together, we know each other's secrets.

But... She can't be my friend. Not yet.

That so? Well, I hope that day comes quickly.

Me too. Once the war is over, if I see Reego again... Then I'll ask her to be my friend.

We'll definitely meet again, Elrigaag, princess of the ogres.