Albert (Dragalia Lost)

Euden: Hraah! *pant* *pant*
Fiend: Grrrrrr!
Ranzal: Damn it! They just keep comin'!
Elisanne: We have more this way, as well!
Notte: Oh man, we're surrounded!
Albert: Come forth, lightning!
Fiend: Graaah...
Elisanne: Did that knight over there just summon lightning?
Albert: Is anyone hurt?
Euden: We're fine. Thank you for saving us.
Albert: Think nothing of it. Still, it is dangerous here. You should take your leave.
Fiend: Raaagh!
Albert: Curses! I missed a few! My apologies—leave this to me.
Euden: We won't let you fight alone. Dragon, I invoke thee!
Albert: What?!
Ranzal: Pick yer jaw up off the dirt and start fightin' these fiends already!

Elisanne: ...That appears to be the last of them. Everything should be well now.
Euden: Thank you again for your help. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't come along.
Albert: It is I who should be thanking you. That second wave of fiends might have been too much for me.
Ranzal: We ain't the types to turn our backs on someone in need. So what's yer handle, pal?
Albert: Albert.
Elisanne: Albert... That name feels familiar... By Ilia! The Thunderswift Lord himself?!
Albert: There are some who call me by that name.
Ranzal: Er, should I know this Thunderswift Lord?
Elisanne: He leads the Knights of Levin who protect a kingdom of the same name to the north. He can bend lightning to his will, and has used it to save the kingdom from peril many a time—which is why he's known as Levin's Champion.
Ranzal: So what's this cat doin' here?
Albert: Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but might I ask your power?
Euden: Sure, ask away.
Albert: I pray I'm mistaken, but is such a power related to the seeds of the abyss?
Euden: The seeds of the abyss? That's not a name I've heard before.
Albert: They're a kind of fiend that absorbs people in order to grow larger. I came to this continent in search of one of them.
Euden: I don't think my shapeshifting has any connection to that. Mine is a power of dragons.
Albert: Perhaps you're right. And yet...
Notte: Hey! Don't just show up and start accusing people of weird fiend junk! I know this guy, and he'd NEVER use a power like that!
Albert: I apologize if I have offended you, but the power is truly dangerous. So long as the slightest doubt exists in my mind, I must act.
Elisanne: I feel as though we are going around in circles.
Euden: Then let's try something else!
Ranzal: No need to yell! We're right here.
Euden: I have a proposal, Albert. Why don't you come with us until you're convinced we're telling the truth?
Ranzal: Look, I know ya love everybody and all that noise, but are we really gonna let some guy what thinks ya have evil powers pal around with us?!
Euden: If he suspects me, nothing we say here will change that. The fastest way to convince him of my innocence is for him to experience more shapeshifting first-hand.
Albert: If you are proposing this for true, I accept.
Euden: Then let's head back to our castle.
Notte: You're such a softie sometimes, Euden!
Elisanne: Don't be so harsh on him, Notte. This is just how he is.
Ranzal: I still don't like anything about this. What if he gets up to funny business? Or monkeyshines?!
Elisanne: Then we will simply ensure His Highness is kept safe.
Ranzal: Yeah, I still don't like it.
Elisanne: Regardless, we should get moving before the two of them leave us behind.

Euden: Do you understand shapeshifting better now? It's a power that's only possible through a mutually agreed pact with a dragon.
Albert: I admit it seems fundamentally different to that of the seeds I search for.
Elisanne: Then you accept His Highness's innocence in this matter?
Albert: Yes. My apologies for doubting you.
Euden: Hey, don't worry about it.
Albert: ...Thank you.
Euden: Come to think of it, you haven't told us about these seeds beyond the name. Maybe you can fill us in?
Albert: The seeds of the abyss are terrifying fiends that absorb humans, increasing significantly in size as they do. At first, they look like a small fleshy lump, but as they ensnare humans in their tentacles, they become massive.
Elisanne: And you know this for true?
Albert: I cannot doubt what I have seen with my own eyes. For I saw one of the fell beasts absorb many people in Levin.
Euden: A seed attacked Levin?!
Albert: Yes. And though the knights banded together to stop it...it was too late. Large portions of the kingdom had been destroyed, and countless citizens perished.
Elisanne: But why do you still search for the fiend if you have already defeated it?
Albert: Because there is yet another seed. We kept it under the tightest of guard, but it was stolen nevertheless.
Euden: Now I understand why you've come so far in search of it. I can see why people call you a champion. You certainly have the spirit of one.
Albert: I do not deserve that title.
Euden: That's not true at all. You're—
Albert: Enough. I am tired and must rest.
Euden: Er, of course.
Notte: Aw, man! Look how sad he looks as he walks away! His little shoulders are all slumped over and everything.
Euden: ......

Albert: Haaah!
Notte: Heya, Albert. Whatcha doing?
Albert: ...Oh. You. As I find myself unable to relax, I came to do some training.
Euden: Perhaps we can train together, then. I'd love to see how I fare against the famous Thunderswift Lord.
Albert: Of course.
Notte: Oh man, awesome! Fight, fight, fight! Er, but I'm gonna watch from over here.

Euden: Hraah!
Albert: Nicely done, Euden! Now...try this!
Euden: Ugh!
Albert: Impressive. I did not expect you would be able to withstand that blow.
Euden: Withstanding it was the best I could do. I see now how you got your name.
Albert: Your skills are impressive as well. I'd love to recruit you as a knight.
Notte: Well, you BOTH looked great from here. That was some seriously intense training!
Euden: Heh. Thanks, Notte.
Albert: I think we ought to stop for today.
Euden: Before we do...
Albert: Yes? What is it?
Euden: I want to go back to what we were talking about this afternoon. Is there something you're still keeping from us?
Albert: What makes you think that?
Euden: Just a feeling I got.
Albert: ......
Euden: If something is worrying you, you can share it with us.
Albert: You are kind, Euden.
Euden: I'm not trying to be kind as such. But now that we've met, if there's anything I can do to help you, I'd be happy to.
Albert: In that case, I shall reveal all. The one responsible for first bringing the seeds of the abyss into Levin was my father—head of the knights at the time. He was tempted by their immense mana, and wanted their power for his own gain.
Notte: Wait. Your DAD did all this?!
Albert: In the end, one of the seeds absorbed him and turned him into a fiend. It was my slaying him that led to me being called Levin's Champion. Yet I am no hero. Not at all. My hands are stained with blood.
Euden: And that sense of guilt is what drove you to try and find the missing seed... Honestly, this just makes me respect you all the more.
Albert: And why is that?
Euden: I've been fighting for a long time, but it's only because I've had friends at my side. But you've been fighting in a strange land all alone. That's a feat worthy of respect.
Albert: I...
Euden: Anyway, what do you say to us helping you find the last seed? A burden shared is a burden halved, after all.
Albert: I appreciate the sentiment, but why go so far for me?
Euden: Because you're in need of help. Is there any better reason? That's why you helped us, right?
Albert: Heh. I suppose this is true.
Notte: Great! It's settled! Now let's all get some sleep already, yeah? If we stay up much later, Cleo's gonna have some choice words for us.
Albert: All right.

Elisanne: Gah!
Euden: Are you all right, Elly?!
Elisanne: Yes, but be careful!
Albert: I will stop their movement with my lightning, Euden! Use that opening to shapeshift and annihilate them!
Euden: Got it!
Albert: Come forth, lightning! Answer my call!
Fiend: Eeeeeerk!
Euden: Midgardsormr! I invoke thee! Haaaah! You're FINISHED!
Fiend: Graaaagh!
Euden: That's the last of them, Elly.
Elisanne: I appreciate the assistance.
Notte: Boy, that was amazing! You two were in PERFECT sync with each other!
Euden: I don't deserve any of the credit. It's all thanks to Albert.
Albert: And I believe the credit is yours.
Euden: Heh. Thanks.
Albert: Still, there is something I've noticed about you in the time we've spent together. Your true strength does not lie in your ability to shapeshift.
Euden: What do you mean?
Albert: You carry justice in your heart— THAT is your greatest strength. No matter how much power you gain, you will always walk the path of good.
Euden: Thank you for saying so, but I don't know if I'm special in that regard.
Albert: Oh, I disagree. There are many people in this world who allow power to steer them toward terror and ruin. ...Yurius was one of them.
Euden: Yurius?
Albert: A close friend of mine—or he used to be. He was fascinated by the seeds' power just like my father, and ended up stealing one from the kingdom's storehouse.
Euden: So HE has the seed you're looking for?
Albert: That's right—although he does not possess it in the sense you are thinking of. Rather, he allowed the seed to absorb him and became a fiend of his own free will.
Euden: That's... I can't even imagine. Do you intend to fight him?
Albert: If I wish to destroy the seed, I have no choice.
Euden: That's hard, Albert. Are you having second thoughts?
Albert: ...No. My mind is made up. I must be the one to end this. As his former friend and leader, I have a duty to atone for his mistakes—even if it comes at the cost of my life.
Euden: I understand.
Albert: There is one thing I can't help but wonder, however. If I take the life of both my father and my friend, will I still be the man I am now? ...Heh. Perhaps I have more hesitations about this plan than I first thought.
Euden: And there's nothing wrong with that. You're going to battle your friend— it would be odd if you DIDN'T hesitate.
Albert: I'm relieved to hear you say as much.
Euden: I know I've had my fair share of doubts over the months. But my friends accepted me despite that, and it's allowed me to grow stronger. So stay and become stronger with us.
Albert: Thank you, Euden.
Albert: (Accepting myself as I am, doubts and all... All this time, I've thought of nothing but fulfilling my duty while lying to myself about my true feelings. But perhaps accepting my hesitations is true strength, in the end.)

Euden: What do you have there, Albert?
Albert: A letter from a fellow Knight of Levin.
Notte: You keep in touch through letters?
Albert: That's right. Once I let them know my whereabouts, they send them regularly.
Elisanne: Sounds like they're a good bunch.
Albert: They are better than I deserve.
Euden: So what does the letter say?
Albert: I have only just opened it. Let me see... Ah!
Ranzal: What's wrong? I don't think I've ever seen you look so surprised.
Albert: They have located Yurius.
Elisanne: They have?!
Albert: It seems one of the knights learned where he is hiding.
Euden: Will you go there?
Albert: Yes. It is time to end this.
Euden: Then we're coming with you.
Albert: My former friend is nothing to be trifled with. Your life will be in danger.
Euden: Which is why I can't let you go alone. We promised to aid you in your fight, did we not?
Albert: Then let us be off. ...Ho there! We have come. Is everyone well?
Knight of Levin: Yes, sir—although we still haven't made contact with the enemy. But he's here. We're sure of it.
Albert: Then it's time to enter after him. Stay on your guard. We move on my signal.
Euden: Got it.
Albert: FOR LEVIIIIN! ...Huh?! It's...empty. He must have realized we were on to him and escaped. Fie and fie again!
Elisanne: It looks as if someone was here recently. We may have only missed him by a matter of minutes.
Euden: Actually, what IS this place? And why are there old books scattered around?
Albert: I imagine Yurius was using it for his experiments. Damn you, Yurius... What are you planning to do with that seed...? ...Eh? Look out!
Fiend: Graaaah!
Elisanne: What are fiends doing here?!
Albert: That cunning devil! He didn't just flee, he left a trap behind!
Euden: Let's take them out!

Fiend: Guuuuh...
Albert: That was the last of them. But I fear this turned out to be a waste of our time.
Euden: So long as everyone's all right, that's all that matters. It's too bad we missed Yurius, though. This was our perfect chance.
Albert: Yet much as I hate to admit it, I feel...relief. Relief I don't have to fight him.
Notte: Are you SURE about this plan of yours, Albert?
Albert: ......
Notte: I mean, this guy's still your friend, even if he is all fiend-y now. The idea of you fighting him is just super sad.
Albert: Yes, little faerie. It is.
Euden: Even if you're able to eradicate the seed by killing Yurius, you're just going to end up feeling guilty all over again.
Albert: Yet I cannot permit such a foul thing to exist in this world.
Euden: You said the seeds grow by absorbing people, right? Isn't there some way to destroy JUST the seed and return Yurius to normal?
Albert: I have considered this possibility. But no matter how many old texts I looked through, I found no such means. Which means my only option is to slay Yurius.
Notte: If you can't find a way on your own, maybe we can find one together! Two heads are better than one, right?! ...Well, unless they're both yours, which has gotta be SUPER awkward.
Euden: We'll help you however we can, Albert.
Albert: Are you absolutely certain?
Euden: Of course. So long as even the slightest hope exists, we have to try.
Albert: Yes, I suppose you're right. Thank you, Euden.

Notte: Heya, Albert. Any new leads on Yurius?
Albert: None, I'm afraid.
Euden: That's a shame. Still, there's no rush. Take all the time you need.
Albert: ......
Albert: (They're all so kind—and I doubt they'd have any problem with my continuing to take advantage of that kindness. Yet I cannot indulge myself like that. I cannot cause them any more trouble than I already have. I think it's time. ...Thank you, everyone. I will never forget what you did for me.)

Notte: Hey, you seen Albert anywhere, Euden?
Euden: No. Why?
Notte: I've been looking for him all morning and I can't find him.
Euden: I'm guessing he's just practicing his swordsmanship somewhere like always.
Notte: Yeah, I hope you're right.
Euden: ...Hmm? Is that a letter on the table? This looks like Albert's handwriting.
Notte: Well, don't just stand there and make me wonder about what the heck is inside! Open the dang thing already!
Euden: I have a bad feeling about this...
Albert: (I did what was best. Settling things with Yurius is my issue, and mine alone.)
Fiend: Grrrr!
Albert: Any fiend who stands in my way will face my lightning!
Ranzal: Hey! Did Albert really fly the coop?!
Euden: That's what his letter said.
Ranzal: Gya! And after we spent all that time tellin' him not to go it alone!
Notte: Grumble about that later, big fella. We need to track him down!
Euden: Let's hurry—he can't have gone far!
Elisanne: Wait! This looks like...
Ranzal: Fiends. We got scorch marks all over the place, too.
Elisanne: Like those made by lightning. Is Albert fighting fiends as we speak?
Ranzal: If so, he's been busy. This is a hell of a lot of scorch marks. Seems crazy to take on that many fiends all by yer lonesome.
Euden: ...Did you hear that? It sounds like a fiend! It came from over there! Let's go! Where are you, Albert?! Say something!
Fiend: Grrrrr!
Notte: Euden! Watch out!
Albert: Come forth, lightning!
Euden: Albert! You're all right!
Albert: Naturally. But what are you doing here?!
Euden: What do you think we're doing? We came after you!
Albert: Ah!
Fiend: Graaaagh!
Albert: Talking can wait—we need to take care of these fiends first!
Euden: Got it!
Albert: ...That was the last of them.
Euden: Thank you, Albert. ...Again.
Albert: It was a simple task.
Ranzal: Simple?! There were so many of 'em, I damn near dulled my axe! Ya really are on a different level, Mr. Thunderswift Lord.
Albert: Heh.
Notte: Enough butt-kissing, Ranzal!
Albert: Hey! What are you doing?!
Notte: What are YOU doing, mister?! You just ran off and left the castle without saying a word to anyone! We were really worried about you!
Albert: H-hey! Easy!
Elisanne: We are all with Notte on this one. Walking off and leaving your friends like that is cold-hearted indeed.
Albert: I am sorry. But I thought I had caused you more than enough trouble already.
Ranzal: It ain't trouble if yer a friend! Ya shoulda just stayed with us until this whole thing was over.
Albert: ......
Notte: What's wrong, Albert?
Albert: I was just thinking that friends are good things to have.
Euden: They sure are! So there's no need to bottle everything up any more— just rely on us when you need to.
Albert: Very well. But in return, I will help you as YOUR friend.
Euden: We'll happily accept.
Notte: Well, let's get back to the castle! I've asked Cleo to make loads of food to welcome you back.
Ranzal: NOW yer talkin'!
Euden: Shall we go, Albert?
Albert: Indeed.
Albert: (One day, I hope you can come to our castle, Yurius. If you do, I feel you can change as I did— and choose a different path.)