Dusk gilded beautiful Long Lake Town.
Cooking smoke rose from the peaceful lakeside town, its reflection shimmering in the blue water.
It was such a lovely place that no one would want to destroy it.
That day, a strange band of Cavalry arrived outside town. They wore fine but ill-fitting Plate Armor and carried odd weapons that looked like fire pokers.
They had only meant to pass through, but a Woodcutter coming out of the Coniferous Forest with Firewood on his back recognized them. "Are you the Blade of Freedom?" he cried.
The soldiers exchanged glances. One quietly circled behind the Woodcutter and drew a dagger from his leg—
"Wonderful! You're finally here!" The Woodcutter slapped his thigh in delight.
"That's right, I'm the great— Ahem. I'm a Free City soldier!" Their leader cleared his throat. "Old man... sir, are you from this town?"
"I've been a Woodcutter in Long Lake Town for over ten years... Look at you, all dusty from the road. You must be exhausted. Come on in..."
Rad eagerly led them into Long Lake Town.
"The Blade of Freedom is here!"
The Woodcutter's shout made them tense. They nearly cracked the old man's skull with a Magic Musket, but the smiling townsfolk coming to greet them put them at ease.
The soldiers received a warm welcome.
Their leader began to suspect why. "You... got the leaflets too?"
"Yes, we all read them. We were just wondering when you'd arrive—"
"I want to fight alongside you!" a boy said, squeezing through the crowd.
The friendly townsfolk laughed. One soldier glanced at the boy, and the coldness in his eyes left him speechless.
The town had only a few Militia and the Town Chief's private guards to defend it, and just one Mage.
The Town Chief welcomed them