As control over the Stonemason Clan gradually solidified, the passage through the Rocky Mountains to the grasslands was officially opened, providing Lakeheart Town with the key conditions needed to advance into the heart of the grasslands.
On this foundation, Lakeheart Town began formulating a comprehensive campaign to encircle and suppress Alba and his ruling Royal Tent, aiming to completely eliminate the threat posed by the grassland forces to the surrounding regions.
According to the plan, the full-scale offensive would proceed simultaneously along three routes, forming a pincer around the Royal Tent. The western offensive would be undertaken by the Grassland Legion under Andrew's command. The legion had already successfully occupied the western fringe of the grasslands centered around Blackwater Lake and would advance from west to east, gradually compressing the Royal Tent's room to maneuver in the west. The central route would be led personally by Paul with a large army. Taking advantage of the newly opened passage, they would advance through Mountain Throat Fortress and the Stonemason Clan's territory directly into the heart of the grasslands. This route would serve as the main offensive force, driving straight toward the core region of Alba's Royal Tent.
The eastern offensive had originally been planned for the Watchers Legion, but due to orders from Crystal Radiance, the Watchers Legion could not conveniently leave the country to participate in the fighting, leaving the eastern route without a force.
At this point, Chief of Staff Schroeder recommended a potential force to Paul—the "Free People." This faction roamed the vast region east of Watchman Fortress, where the grasslands met the desert. Its origins were complex, and its members came from multiple races, including both orcs and humans. Among them were rebels unwilling to endure oppression by the nobles of their homelands, as well as vicious