Surprising Heroes
Imperial Territory The Forest Near Hertz Village
Imperial Commander: They must be here somewhere! Find them, and show them the might of the Empire!
Kirsty: They're almost in position... Now!
Joachim: Right!
Imperial Commander: Are those... Logs?!
Imperial Soldiers: AAAAAH!
Kirsty: They're disoriented! Now's our chance!
Joachim: Whew... We managed to drive them back.
Joachim: But we've been hiding in this forest for five days now. I'm starting to get sick of eating fruits and berries.
Kirsty: Stop complaining. Evading them would be trivial, but if we do that...
Joachim: They'll turn their anger on the people of Hertz for defying them in the first place.
Kirsty: Yes. Eventually, they will realize their continued pursuit here is only wasting resources.
Kirsty: We need to hold out until then, and keep drawing them into this forest in the meantime. Now, prepare the next round of traps.
Joachim: Yes, ma'am! Right away, ma'am!
Kirsty: What's got you so cheery? You didn't eat anything strange, did you?
Joachim: Heh. I just still can't believe you cast our mission aside to help those villagers.
Kirsty: Yes... That may prove shortsighted. However...
Joachim: Wait, do you smell something burning?
Kirsty: They couldn't have...!
Kirsty: They're going to burn this whole forest down with us in it!
Joachim: This is bad... We're surrounded by flames!
Kirsty: We have to be able to break through somewhere!
Joachim: No dice—the flames are too strong! *cough* *cough*
Kirsty: Blast... Is this really the end?
Joachim: Water magic?! Who did that?!
Thaniel: Kirsty and Joachim, right? We've been searching high and low for you.
Kirsty: Who are you? You don't look like imperial soldiers...
Thaniel: We can make introductions later. For now, just know that we're here to help!
Alain: We've secured an escape route. Follow us!
Joachim: What should we do, Commander?
Kirsty: We don't have time to press them on their identity.
Kirsty: We'll just have to trust them. With me, Joachim!
Alain: You'll be safe here. There don't seem to be any imperials around.
Kirsty: Thank you both. We owe you our lives.
Thaniel: If anything, you owe those brothers back in Hertz. They asked us to help the travelers who saved them.
Joachim: That was kind of them indeed—but if the imperial army thinks we got away, that whole village will be in danger.
Alain: Fret not! They have all retreated to the Halidom's lands.
Thaniel: With the soldiers caught up searching for you, we were able to lead the villagers to safety with ease.
Kirsty: The Halidom? Then you must be with the prince Noelle mentioned in her report.
Alain: Indeed we are. Now, we should make a hasty retreat to the Halidom ourselves; this is still imperial territory.
Kirsty: A party of this size would no doubt draw unwelcome attention. We're all wanted by the Empire at this point.
Kirsty: We should part ways here.
Thaniel: Well... If you insist.
Kirsty: Wait! Before you leave, I have one question.
Kirsty: You are enemies of the Empire, yes? Why did you take the risk of entering their territory?
Thaniel: Oh, that's quite simple.
Alain: The Halidom doesn't turn its back on people in danger. That's just how we are!
Kirsty: ...I see. That is admirable indeed.
Joachim: What should we do now, Commander?
Kirsty: I think it's clear that an alliance with the Empire would not be in our country's best interests.
Kirsty: If their army's leaders are as wretched as their soldiers, they would no doubt betray us in time. We should return home to report as much at once.
Joachim: Agreed. A "breakdown in negotiations" sounds about right.
Kirsty: Yes. And when we're inevitably sent back to open talks again, I intend to visit the Halidom on the way.
Joachim: Oh? Why is that?
Kirsty: The king may insist on allying with such an openly evil power, but I won't stand by and watch our home march itself to ruin.
Kirsty: However, this journey has taught me that I still lack the knowledge necessary to fight for what is just.
Kirsty: And if Victor is to be believed, the best place to gain it may be at the Halidom.
Joachim: I see. ...Hm?
???: ......
Kirsty: Ah, hello Noelle. Are you here with new orders from HQ?
Noelle: N-no... Actually, I...
Kirsty: It's all right. Just give me the message.
Kirsty: ...What?!
Joachim: What does it say?
Kirsty: It's...an invitation. The sender claims to be recruiting rebels to help cleanse our nation of the corruption that has taken root there.
Joachim: You can't mean...
Kirsty: A revolution, yes. Whoever wrote this says they only sent these invitations to those who "truly love our nation."
Noelle: *nod* I-I gave one to Victor, too.
Joachim: Mm, and how did he respond?
Noelle: He... He pretended not to care. But I think deep down, he really cares a lot!
Joachim: Hmm. Well, either way, the timing is suspicious.
Kirsty: Agreed. It's impossible to tell from this letter alone whether the sender is a well-intentioned patriot or simply hungry for the king's power.
Kirsty: ...But I have every intention of finding out.
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