Alberius

Village Child: I'm ALBERIUS! If you're not afraid of my DRAGONBLOOD, then COME AT MEEE!
Village Child: Hah! Yaaah! Hee-yah!
Female Villager: Come now, what are you doing? I said you could play outside AFTER you finished cleaning your room!
Village Child: Is Alberius not back yet, Mom? He's still off fighting with Dad?
Female Villager: That's right. And if you clean your room and be a good boy, I'm sure they'll both be back very soon.
Village Child: But I haaaate cleaning my room... C'mon, everybody! Let's go play more!
Female Villager: Honestly! When the hero finally returns, I'm going to have him give that child a stern talking-to.

High Midgardsormr: ROOOOAR!
Alberius: Victory is ours! Let any who still do not fear the dragonblood step up and face me!
Imperial Commander: We can't take any more of this... Retreat! RETREAT!
Militia Soldier: We did it! We won the day!
Militia Soldier: I'm shocked at how easy it was to repel the Dyrenell Empire! Three cheers for the hero of the day, Alberius!
Alberius: We were merely lucky our strategy played out so well this time. And remember, our war with the Empire isn't over yet. Let's make sure we don't get complacent.
Militia Soldier: Ever with your own spoonful of humble pie, eh, Alberius? C'mon, let's hurry back to the village and tell everyone of our hero's courageous deeds!
Alberius: Our hero...

Male Villager: But then, who should appear like a bolt from the blue, but the wielder of the sacred sword, the great Alberius!
Male Villager: As the mighty hero cut through wave after wave of enemies, the imperials all turned tail and ran like cravens!
Male Villager: All that to say, we kicked their tails from dusk to dawn! Bwaaa ha ha ha!
Female Villager: Your tale remains as gallant as the first three times you told it today.
Village Child: Yaaay, Dad! Tell it again!
Male Villager: Oh, you know I will! Our hero Alberius is the most amazing man I've ever met, and I'm going to sing his praises until my voice is gone!
Alberius: Hah, you exaggerate, my friend. I'll never keep pace with the tales of my exploits if you continue those stories.
Male Villager: Do you see?! Alberius has achieved glory beyond all measure, yet is humble as a lamb in spring! Truly, he is the savior we have all been waiting for!
Male Villager: Even the Other won't be able to stand against us with Alberius at our side!
 ???: I fear that may prove difficult.
Male Villager: All right, who's interrupting me in the middle of a story?!
Faerie: That was I, good sir. I am an emissary of the Faerie King himself, and come bearing a message for the wielder of Dragalia.
Faerie: O great hero Alberius! Our king beseeches you to bring your sacred sword and might to our Faerie Kingdom!
Alberius: The Faerie Kingdom? Yes, I remember hearing about that place from Midgardsormr at some point...
Humanoid Midgardsormr: It is a kingdom in North Grastaea hidden away from the world through magic. Evidently, none may enter without express permission of the faeries.
Male Villager: Wait, all the way up in North Grastaea? It'd take ages to get there from here!
Faerie: If your ultimate goal is to defeat the Other, you may simply consider it a necessary expenditure of time for the cause.
Alberius: And if I make this trip to your kingdom, what will you do to aid our cause?
Faerie: I am told our Faerie King will confer upon you a secret rite which will permit you to defeat the Other.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: What manner of secret rite?
Faerie: I am but His Majesty's humble messenger, and not informed as to the particulars.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Then tell us what you DO know, as vague as it may be.
Faerie: It is a rite known as the Blood Casket.
Faerie: With it, anything can be sealed away. However, it is not a technique to be used by the fainthearted.
Faerie: And to seal away a creature as strong as the Other will take a person of exemplary physical and mental ability— a person much like you, Alberius.
Faerie: However, once the Blood Casket is used, the caster will suffer an endless agony akin to death itself—or so I am told.
Alberius: Well that's frightening.
Faerie: I can guarantee the magic's effects are great enough to be worthy of the pain.
Male Villager: Thought you didn't know the details about this, friend.
Faerie: That is true—yet I know the Faerie King body and soul, so believe me when I say he is not the sort who would dispatch an envoy to a foreign nation on a whim.
Faerie: His position prevents him from easily leaving our kingdom, but his feelings of disgust for the Other's crimes are quite the same as everyone's.
Faerie: Yet with all due respect, feelings alone will not deliver victory against the fiend. If you would win, you must use the rite.
Alberius: ......
Faerie: I have said all I came here to say, and must now return to the kingdom. And while hope you will see fit to accompany me, I will not coerce you.
Faerie: The rite is meaningless if you lack the will to use it. The choice is up to you.
Faerie: If your resolve to defeat the Other stands firm, pray make your way to us anon.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: What will you do, Alberius?
Alberius: Hmm...
Male Villager: Don't go, Alberius! If you leave, the Empire will slaughter us!
Male Villager: Please! We need you!
Alberius: ...Don't worry. I won't abandon you.
Alberius: Though the faeries claim there's no way to beat the Other without their rite, they offer no more than their words as proof.
Alberius: I have fought and bled beside all of you, and I believe in the power of that bond far more than some pretty talk!
Alberius: We may lack this secret rite of theirs, but if we combine our strength—all of us—I know we can defeat the Other. So put your trust in me and follow!
Male Villager: Huzzah for Alberius the savior!
Villagers: Huzzah, Alberius! Huzzah, Alberius!
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Is this truly the correct path, Alberius?
Alberius: I told you, don't worry. Er, and I hate to ask this, but could you tell everyone to keep this business about the faeries' secret rite to themselves?
Alberius: I don't want to cause undue anxiety for anyone else.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Where are you going?
Alberius: You worry too much, Midgardsormr. I'm just overheated from all the loud talking. I'm going to get a little night air.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Alberius...

Humanoid Midgardsormr: Welcome back, Alberius.
Alberius: The village... What happened to it?!
Humanoid Midgardsormr: A detachment of imperials attacked it while you were fighting in the rearguard to secure our retreat. By the time we returned here ourselves, it was already too late.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: We drove off the occupying imperial force, but the damage to the village is severe. We have no choice but to abandon it.
Alberius: I see...
Humanoid Midgardsormr: What happened out there, Alberius?
Alberius: I fought the Other.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: What?! Explain!
Alberius: After I took on the role of holding back the enemy to buy time to retreat...

Imperial Commander: Advance, loyal soldiers of the Other! Bring down the hammer of his judgment upon those who would rise against our mighty Dyrenell Empire!
Imperial Army: Dys fahr Dyrenell!
Militia Soldier: Damn, look at their numbers... We're going to be overwhelmed!
Messenger: A large number of enemy reinforcements have appeared to the northeast, sir! Requesting immediate reinforcements to prevent the collapse of the front lines!
Midgardsormr: The imperial army appears to be approaching from the south, as well. What will our course be, Alberius?
Alberius: We must withdraw. I want everyone to follow Midgardsormr through the forest to the west and make for our base.
Midgardsormr: And what will you do?
Alberius: I will take up the rear and stop the enemy in their tracks. I will protect you all!
Midgardsormr: I know better than to try and sway you when your mind is decided. But I must warn you, Alberius: Do not die on us.
Alberius: I've not plans of doing so today.
Midgardsormr: Inform all forces immediately.
Midgardsormr: The allied army will proceed through the woods west of this location and withdraw to our garrison. All troops, follow me!
Alberius: Time for me to be off.
Alberius: Come at me, Imperial scum! Haaah!

Imperial Soldier: Uwaaagh!
Imperial Soldier: Blimey, this guy's attackin' us all on his lonesome! Must be that Alberius dog we've heard so much about!
Imperial Soldier: He's a bloody idiot with a death wish, so let's grant it and go home already!
Alberius: I shall take you all on at once!

Imperial Fiend: Graaagh!
Alberius: *pant* *pant* What's wrong? That all you got?
Imperial Soldier: What the...? He's just one man! How can this be happening?!
Imperial Soldier: This guy ain't human—we brought enough soldiers to take out an entire CITY!
 ???: Not human? Heh. A fitting turn of phrase.
Imperial Soldier: Who the hell are you?!
Alberius: Cardinal Lambert... Or should I say, Morsayati?!
Other Lambert: It has been some time, Alberius. As the chosen hero of the sacred sword, word of your commendable deeds has found its way to me.
Alberius: Then prepare to witness my deeds firsthand, and know they will be the final thing you ever see!
Other Lambert: Aaaaah ha ha ha! Wonderful! The hero has added comic timing to his list of meritorious traits!
Alberius: Aaaaaaaugh!
Imperial Soldier: Damnation! He killed the hero in one blow!
Other Lambert: It matters not what caliber of hero you are; in the end, you are still a mere human. Opposing me was folly from the start.
Alberius: I'm...not finished yet...
Other Lambert: You live? Fascinating. Well, no matter. There won't be a second time.
Alberius: You're right—because there's no way I'll let you hit me with that again! Haaaah!
Other Lambert: Heh, I see "hero" is not merely a title. Your sword might even reach me someday...but that just makes you all the more pitiable.
Alberius: What?
Other Lambert: Your power has begun to transcend human limits. You are deviating from the way of this world, and transforming into a being of...this side.
Alberius: Fiends! And so many!
Other Lambert: Heh heh heh. Let us see now if you are a hero for true. Go, my servants!
Alberius: There's no end to them!
Other Lambert: Has the truth begun to sink in now, hero? Do you see how very alone you are?
Other Lambert: You may have thought to fight alongside your comrades, but such notions are naught but a fevered delusion.
Alberius: That's not true!
Other Lambert: Then look about you. Do you see anyone? Any hide or hair of comrades with whom you could stand together?
Other Lambert: None of the fellows you so desperately try to protect can keep up with your strength.
Other Lambert: Have you not realized it in your heart? The comrades fighting alongside you are nothing more than an impediment!
Alberius: Enough of your pretensions, Morsayati! I have defeated all of your minions, and now your turn has come!
Other Lambert: Do you really believe that trifling number of pawns was my final gambit?
Other Lambert: This is the difference between us: I am o'erflowing with minions such that I can use them and toss them aside, while you are utterly alone.
Alberius: Hrk!
Other Lambert: It would be a simple matter indeed to set my fiends upon you and watch them put you in the ground, but I will beg off.
Alberius: What is your game here, devil?
Other Lambert: Surrender to me, solitary hero. Surrender...and then serve me.
Alberius: You know the answer without my even having to speak the words!
Other Lambert: You would refuse readily now, perhaps. But next time, who can say?
Alberius: Explain yourself!
Other Lambert: You will come to learn the extent to which humans are selfish, foolish creatures.
Other Lambert: In the near future, you will be betrayed by humans and have them reject you. Such is the fate of all with great power.
Alberius: ......
Other Lambert: Heh heh. What a spectacle it will be to see what one extolled as a hero chooses. I look forward to the next opportunity to speak with you.
Alberius: My...choice.

Humanoid Midgardsormr: That is quite the tale.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: At any rate, I am relieved to see you safe. You must be tired—and while the village has been destroyed, we still have a provisional barracks at the ready.
Child's Voice: ...Alberius?
Village Child: It's Alberius! The hero who protects us all!
Alberius: You are from the village...
Village Child: Why didn't you protect my dad?!
Alberius: ?!
Village Child: Dad said you were amazing! He said you'd beat the Other and save everybody!
Village Child: But now he's gone! Why didn't you save him?! Why?!
Villagers: What's going on over here?
Villagers: You! You were supposed to protect our village! Why didn't you?!
Villagers: We only got attacked because of you! Better that you had never come!
Humanoid Midgardsormr: How dare you!
Alberius: Enough, Midgardsormr.
Alberius: I'm sorry, everyone. I thought I could save you all, but I wasn't strong enough. And now you are paying the price for that failure.
Alberius: I swear to you this: I WILL make amends. Pray just give me a little time.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Hear me well, Alberius...

Humanoid Midgardsormr: It is unwise of you to apologize to them. Doing so only solidifies the false notion that you are somehow to blame.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: The villagers are caught up in their emotions now, but with time, they will regain their normal sense of judgment. You need not shoulder that guilt.
Alberius: It's...

Other Lambert: You will come to learn the extent to which humans are selfish, foolish creatures.
Other Lambert: In the near future, you will be betrayed by humans and have them reject you. Such is the fate of all with great power.

Alberius: ...It's the fate of all with great power, perhaps.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Fate? Just what do you mean?
Alberius: My apologies; I am tired, and my mind goes where it will. I'll go get some rest in those barracks you mentioned.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Something is amiss with you, Alberius...

Imperial Commander: This guy's still wet behind the ears! How the hell is he beating us?!
Alberius: Hraah!
Imperial Commander: Ngaaah!
Alberius: ......

Humanoid Midgardsormr: Welcome home, Alberius. It seems you repelled the imperials alone yet again.
Alberius: I just took the most appropriate steps to win. But enough on that—I have a favor I need to ask you.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Speak, and let us see if I will grant it.
Alberius: I want to leave the allied forces in your command for a while.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: You can't mean to...
Alberius: Yes. I make for the Faerie Kingdom.
Alberius: You recall how I fought the Other recently? The power I saw on display that day was overwhelming. I cannot defeat him as I am now.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: And so your mind turns to the sorcery the faerie emissary spoke of. But as you said, we have no basis for believing them.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: What happened to the power of the bonds you forged fighting at the side of others? Would you discard them in favor of some baseless promise?
Alberius: I will face down the Other by myself; if there is something I can do to increase my chance of victory, I must seize it.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Then you lack faith in your companions.
Alberius: You misunderstand. My fighting alone is simply the best chance for victory.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Do not make so close a companion of your hubris, Alberius. It does not watch your back as I do!
Alberius: Hrk?! Midgardsormr?
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Come at me, Alberius, that I might stamp this arrogance out of you!
Alberius: Where is this coming from?!
Humanoid Midgardsormr: If you think to fight the Other alone, I would first put you to the test!
Alberius: ...All right. But I don't want to hear any complaints when I beat you!
Humanoid Midgardsormr: THIS is your best? If this is all you have to offer, you ought to spend time reflecting on the foolishness of fighting alone!

Together: *pant* *pant* *pant*
Alberius: I am the victor. Are you convinced now?
Humanoid Midgardsormr: How could I be?
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Why do you not put your faith in us? Are you trying to suggest that we are no longer your comrades?
Alberius: Not at all.
Alberius: It is BECAUSE I have faith in my comrades that I will learn the faerie's secret rite.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: ......
Alberius: I will defeat the Other—alone. If what the faeries claim is true, their magic will make it possible.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: They claimed it is a power no ordinary person can handle; that only one of your caliber could successfully seal the Other.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Supposing that this rite actually CAN defeat the Other, then—in theory— you could best the creature alone.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: But theory does not bear the weight of practicality, and I cannot assent to you fighting by yourself on such a basis.
Alberius: The Other's power is immense—far beyond anything that could be surmounted with sheer numbers. I'd rather not have us make unnecessary sacrifices.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: You may not intend your words to carry this meaning, but they sound as though you consider us but a hindrance.
Alberius: That's not what I'm trying to say. All of you have a role—a critical one— that I cannot hope to manage myself.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: What do you speak of?
Alberius: I can defeat the Other by myself, but I cannot do what comes next: The building of a peaceful world.
Alberius: After I'm gone, I wish to leave the world in everyone's capable hands.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: After you're gone?
Alberius: Apparently, using the rite means one will suffer a pain equal to that of death itself— a pain that continues without end.
Alberius: Obviously I'm not planning on dying any time soon—so when I say "when I'm gone," I don't mean right away. But I'm talking about things beyond that.
Alberius: Still, this is a watershed moment, one when we determine if the world I seek and hope for can be realized!
Humanoid Midgardsormr: I see.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: That part of you is ever unchanging; it has been so since first we met.
Alberius: Then I've convinced you?
Humanoid Midgardsormr: You have not. However, you clearly will not hear what I have to say.
Alberius: Ha ha ha! Perhaps you're right, at that. Regardless, Windwyrm, I would ask you to abide my selfishness for a little longer.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: I suppose I've no choice in the matter. Now go, before others can question you.

Humanoid Midgardsormr: You jest overmuch, having just returned from the Faerie Kingdom. If the price of this Blood Casket magic is what you say, then its use is out of the question.
Alberius: We knew this right from the very start, didn't we, Midgardsormr? The one who invokes the rite will suffer a pain akin to endless death.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: No, Alberius. It is not that simple. Do you truly understand what you hope to do?
Alberius: I understand perfectly well. How could I have explained it to you otherwise?
Humanoid Midgardsormr: That is not what I mean. You do not realize the meaning of the cost you just described.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: ...The cost of sealing the soul of the Other into your very own blood.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: The matter is not only a problem for you; the effects will extend down to all who share your bloodline.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: It is a curse that will taint all who come after you forever—and it means the Other will live on inside your descendants.
Alberius: If that is necessary, so be it.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Then you would sacrifice your entire future for the sake of the world?!
Alberius: My friend...
Alberius: Do you remember when I said we faced a watershed moment before I left for the Faerie Kingdom?
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Yes. You claimed you could defeat the Other alone, but that the work of creating a peaceful world after that was something you could not do yourself.
Alberius: You know, Midgardsormr, after the battle with the Other is over, I'm going to found my own kingdom and have children.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Well, this is rather sudden.
Alberius: I speak of the future, Midgardsormr— a future I have no intention of discarding.
Alberius: I told you I want to leave the world that is to come in everyone's capable hands.
Alberius: Defeating the Other is not the end. We still require a light to guide people— a hope so they can come together as one.
Alberius: I will become that hope, and then my children will see it carried on.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: But if you use the Blood Casket, your children will also end up inheriting the soul of the Other.
Alberius: I understand well the danger this course of action poses to my descendants.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Then why?
Alberius: Because I believe my offspring will never give in to the soul of the Other.
Alberius: I know there is risk; I know one of them could even have their own soul taken over by that fell creature.
Alberius: But I also know that my descendants will have the strength to endure, unyielding, until the Other is eradicated utterly.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Have you any idea the magnitude of what you are saying?
Humanoid Midgardsormr: You are forcing your descendants to be heroes—demanding it of them, in essence.
Alberius: I imagine anyone descended from me will be willing to take up that mantle.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Hmph. You burst with parental pride.
Alberius: Of course, first things first, I need to find myself a partner.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: For you, that may be a task even greater than bringing down Morsayati.
Alberius: Well that's no good. Have any ideas? Like maybe you could show up and—

Alberius: This is all a bit showy, don't you think?
Myriam: On the contrary, I think some flash will serve you well here. The more attention you earn, the more it will raise everyone's spirits.
Alberius: If that's what you think, I will trust you.
Alberius: The fighting will be ever more fierce from this point out, so anything I can do to aid our cause must be done.
Humanoid Midgardsormr: Just so. Now, hero, let everyone behold your gallant visage.
Alberius: Very well.

Leonidas: Those are the protocols for the restoration. Given the current situation in the nation, this is likely our best course of action.
Euden: I'm always impressed at how you're able to anticipate things so far ahead, Brother.
Chelle: Well, you know I am ALSO coming up with these protocols, so be certain to include me when doling out praise.
Euden: Oh, um, right. You...never fail to impress.
Leonidas: Enough tomfoolery. Chelle. Those travel preparations of yours—are they finished?
Chelle: It takes time for a lady to prepare, and all the more so on a long journey.
Leonidas: I have also received reports suggesting you might be plotting some sort of meddlesome project of your own?
Chelle: Whatever could you mean?
Leonidas: I won't investigate closely—for now. But refrain from doing anything that would add to our current difficulties.
Chelle: I will do my level best not to cause you any trouble, dear brother.
Euden: Leaving that aside, I wanted to bring up the matter of the food distribution to the villages we previously discussed...
Midgardsormr: The hero's bloodline... The descendants of Alberius...

Midgardsormr: Your will certainly has been passed on in these young people.
Midgardsormr: I shall serve as your agent and watch over the hope you bequeathed unto your kin.
Midgardsormr: It appears I shall accompany you just a little longer, Alberius...