Resurrection Port

So this is Rinde... Looks like it's still having trouble getting back on its feet after that last attack.

Yeah, I wish people'd get their acts together. The Beast King's no longer a threat!

Whoa, where'd you come from?!

Sorry. I'm Miir, a town guard...trainee. Hey, you're the guy who defeated the Beast King, right? You're a hero, man! We can live in peace thanks to you! But a lot of folks here are still on edge. Why can't things go back to the way they used to be? This used to be such a happy, bustling town.

You're absolutely right. A port just doesn't seem right when it's this quiet.

Exactly. I need to prove that the danger has passed, that we're free to live our lives again. I was thinking maybe we could make our defenses more visible. If the town has enough protection, maybe people will feel safe enough to reopen their businesses.

That'd go a long way to getting things back to normal, for sure. Anything I can do to help?

Actually, there's a group of bodyguards I want to join our town guard for a while. Can you accompany me to my meeting with them? Compared to fighting the Beast King, it should be a walk in the park.

I guess any extra protection is good for the town. Where are you meeting them?

The Karek Swampland. Feel free to take the lead, I'll bring up the rear.

Hello! You must be the bodyguards who are going to protect Rinde for us.

Aye, good t' meet ya. Now, about our pay... How does this figure sound?

Aye, we've nae been doin' this job very long. Right now we're focusin' on building trust wi' our clients.

I can't believe my luck! Sure, if this is your price, welcome to...

Miir, can I talk to you for a second?

There's nothing wrong with getting a bargain, but this is too good to be true. Plus, why did they insist on meeting here?

You worry too much, Aldo. I don't have a lot of money to throw around, a deal like this is surely a gift from the gods!

Tha's right, lad. Put yerself in oor hands and ye'll have nothing tae fear. Plus, we got a... special connection wi' Rinde. We'd defend that place fer free if we had to.

See? These folks are saints! They probably have friends or family in town or something. A chance like this doesn't come along every day. We can't afford to lose it!

It's a deal, let's shake on it! Welcome to the town guard.

Heh heh heh... I knew ye'd see it oor way. If ye just guide us tae town we'll git started right away.

Hmm, I don't like the looks of this. Maybe I should check up on them...

Aldo, thank the stars you're here! It's an emergency!

What?! What happened?

The bodyguards I hired are busting up the town!

What?! Take me to them!

Excuse me... Do you think I could get past?

Hey, how about this one?

Aye, grab anyone ye can git yer hands on. The more hostages, the better.

I don't know what their deal is, but there's no excuse for hurting innocent townsfolk.

Hey, cut it out, you guys!

Oi, looks like someone wants t' be a hero. What do we do wi' him?

Obvious, ain't it? Kill him where he stands!

Waaargh?!

They were really beastfolk in disguise?

Ha, running rampant through this pathetic little town is too easy. Their defenses are a joke! We were only planted here as spies, but we may as well take over the whole place ourselves. Thanks for the help, Miir!

What have I done? I led a beastfolk raid party right into the heart of our town...

Somebody, help!

Keep quiet, human, unless you want to be cut down like the others.

Let her go!

Maybe I will. At this point I doubt we even need hostages. This town is ours for the taking!

Are you all right?

Y-Yes...

Phew, we're safe... I can't believe we didn't see through those disguises...

They said they were only spies. Odds are they've got a main party to back them up somewhere nearby.

Is there still time to cut them off? Oh, but someone needs to stay back here and protect the townsfolk...

Leave that to the town guard. We'll take out the main force ourselves if we have to.

Thank you! I think they ran off toward the Serena Coast!

Wait... I know I'm not a great fighter, but will you take me with you? It's my fault they were able to do this much damage. I have to take responsibility somehow...

...... All right. Let's get going.

Right!

Hold it right there!

Persistent, aren't you? No matter, now we have reinforcements, there's no way we'll lose to you again! We are the Rinde Invasion Battalion, appointed by His Majesty the Beast King himself. We will never back down!

Invasion Battalion?

This town is a promising center of trade, and in a good strategic position, too. We cannot allow humans to remain here. That is why His Majesty formed this squad. And if we cannot conquer the town, we will destroy it!

The king's already fallen, you know? I almost admire your loyalty. But I won't let you harm Rinde anymore!

Wait... You! You're the villain that slew our beloved king! Heh heh... How fortuitous. We can capture this town and avenge His Majesty all in one fell swoop!

Graaah! What a shameful end... Long...live...the king...

So much for the Invasion Battalion. This ought to make the beastfolk think twice about threatening Rinde again.

Thank you... You've saved our town from ruin. Let's head back and see if anyone else needs help.

Here we are. And everything looks fine, given the circumstances.

Yeah...

I don't know how I can thank you for everything you've done.

I shouldn't have been so quick to trust those guys. I was in such a hurry to revive the town, I ended up making things worse...

Hey, this is no time to feel sorry for yourself.

We may have thwarted this attack, but there will be other parties, other threats. Even now the Beast King's gone, he still has plenty of followers.

There was nothing wrong with your idea, Miir. Just make sure you think things through next time. This town is going to need all the help it can get. And it's your job as a town guard to keep it safe. If the citizens don't have you to protect them, where else can they turn?

You're right. We'll face this new challenge head on. I'll do whatever it takes to protect Rinde, to keep my home safe.

That's what I'm talking about! As long as you hold on to that resolve, this town will come back stronger than ever.

Yeah! Thank you for everything, Aldo. I'll let you know if I ever need your help again. See you around!