Assembly.

The party sat in the morning, using the table provided by the guild for their morning breakfast.

Octan and Lena ate their portion, but there was not a word from the two. Kouko, on the other hand, was attempting conversation.

"Kouko," Octan said.

"Yes!" Kouko jumped immediately.

"Eat," He said. "Do not waste your meal."

"I... I will." Kouko said, a crooked weak smile forming. She started her meal.

Lena glanced at Kouko, who sat to Lena's side, usually a neighbor to Octan, she was being less than discrete with her actions.

Kouko noticed Lena's attention and gave her a weak nod.

Lena continued with her meal.

"You asked to join this party, Kouko," Octan said, finishing his meal. "If you are unable to continue, I'm not forcing you."

Octan Left the tent.

Lena glanced at Kouko once again, she then finished her meal and followed.

As she left the curtain she could see Octan sitting on the ground to the side, he sat eyeing the path towards the party's tent. A lonely path his eyes seemed to say. He could see the collection of tents that made up the adventurer's camp in the distance, perhaps this distance gave yesterday's grouping peace of mind.

"I'm not going anywhere," he said, still facing the path. 

Lena nodded to him, taking a stand next to him.

Octan regarded Lena over his shoulder. 

"Are you that clueless," Octan said. "Or are you that trusting?"

Lena cocked her head confused.

"Predictable," Octan sighed.

Lena kept standing, as Octan fidgeted with the grass beneath him. Soon, Kouko joined, exiting from the curtain. Octan and Lena regarded her, their eyes watching her.

"I really wish I could understand the two of you," Kouko sighed. "You waiting for the adventurers?" Kouko crouched down to Octan, sitting beside him.

"I guess," Octan studied Kouko as she carefully placed herself next to him. "And you? What are you doing?"

"Well," Kouko said. "Joinin' the party. You know what they say in the guild; one party, one soul!"

"No one says that," Octan said, facing back at the distant adventurer bazaar. 

"Boooo--you're just not from my side of the guild," Kouko pouted.

"And since when did the guild have sides?" 

"Well since people like you and me existed,"

"The difference being?"

"Knowing and not knowing the saying," Kouko claimed proudly.

"Wouldn't that be completely one-sided, as it would mean anyone on the other side, would immediately convert once they know there were sides?"

"Oh it is fair, you jealous mine grows."

"Grows, perhaps, but it would mean that the other side also pertains to the entirety of those outside the guild," Octan said.

"Not if we advertise it," Kouko sneered.

"Wouldn't that be cheating?"

"Tsk tsk," She swayed her finger. "There is no such in war, Octan," She said.

"Rub that smirk off your face, if what you said had been clever, then the child's a Sage."

"Boooo... Now you're just being mean," Kouko pouted.

Lena glanced at Kouko. It seemed that she had gotten over whatever had bothered her, was that for better or not, was something Lena couldn't decide, not that she was ever able to decide anything. As always, she let the thought dwindle in her mind.

The bunch sat aimlessly conversing, though it had been completely two-sided.

"Oh~ I see 'em" Kouko pointed forward.

"And I saw 'em," Octan snarkily remarked taking a stand.

Octan took a step forward, and Kouko joined by his side. She glanced back at Lena, who just gave a simple acknowledging nod. 

'I'm here,' it said to Kouko.

Kouko smiled at a kid.

The adventurers soon lined up before Octan, this time much more than a few dozen. If Lena would make a bet, she would bet over half the camp was there. This meeting was no longer a grouping, it was an assembly.

Octan looked around for the previous night's adventurers, he couldn't see them anywhere in the front of the crowd. On the other hand, Lena could see the burly adventurer shaking in the back. He had an arm over his chest, a sad attempt for a guard. Not only that but someone else she could see within the crowd, someone who had monopolized her attention from the start.

"The guild is a ploy," Octan started.

"And The Castle Guard is our only hope?" A warrior spoke out. "We are not children, Ranked, we have heard all the maniac rambling of the people."

"I do not speak of the entire guild," Octan said. "I speak of those spearheading the defense effort."

"Hmm, and on what do you base your words?" A towering adventurer spoke.

"On experience and knowledge. I have been around, and I can find patterns when they are to be found."

"Patterns he says..." Another warrior said, doubt in his breath. "Well, if it is not the guild, then who is it you believe is spearheading the effort? The Castle Guard?"

"No, definitely not," Octan nodded. 

"The Consortium?" A tinkerer said. 

"Nah, not any of their works," Octan said.

"And how long are you going to play around it, eh?" An irreverent adventurer stepped forward. "Cause if ya' ask me, ya' ain't nothin' buh a good ol' jester, eh?"

"Jester," Octan asked, taken aback by the comparison. "Quite the comparison, a first if I'm straight with you."

"It ain't no comparison, eh? You ah' one." He closed the distance towards Octan.

"I see... Yes, I do... And who might you be?"

"Meh? I'm the one calling out yah bullshit, mate, eh?" The adventurer said, suddenly pointing a dagger at Octan. "I ain't hearin' to a good-for-nothin' Ranker. How abou' I just kill yah here, eh? Take your rank and status for me self."

"Rank," Octan brought a hand to his chin. "And status... You a special carve."

"Yah think so, eh? Then why not stop ya bull, eh?"

"Now that," Octan said completely closing the distance between him and the adventurer. "Is unreasonable."

"Yeah!" A cheer sounded, "Get him Octan! Woo!" Kouko was hollering for a fight.

Lena looked at her, raising an eyebrow. Was that the kind of reaction she should've been giving all along? 

"Yah, why don't yah get me?" The irreverent adventurer pushed the dagger forward, its tip meeting Octan's forehead.

"Don't overstep," Octan said. "We both understand the guild's words, don't we? Infighting is forbidden."

"forbidden, ya' say? Didn't stop ya from crushing the mate's heart, eh?"

"He had agreed to it, and I had witnesses. I had not killed him, as well, nor planned to at that."

"Rationalization, aye? One hell of a tool--clears ya mind, and gives ya rest--don't ya think?"

Octan eyed the man, staring him down.

The man stared Octan back, eyes unyielding.

Octan, finding the entire ordeal pointless, ended it.

"A Sage."

"Eh?"

"A Sage, I believe the camp is under the manipulation of a Sage."

"Sage...?" The adventurer was taken aback, his furious eyes replaced with questioning. "You better not be foolin', jester."

"Do I look like I'm 'fooling, ya,'" Octan stated.

The adventurer eyes Octan's face. He did look like he wasn't foolin', but neither did he look serious. He simply looked like... A man going by his day.

"Bloody ay..." The adventurer lowered his dagger.

"Booo," Kouko stopped her cheering. "Are you not going to fight?"

"Shut it, woman!" The adventurer barked, glaring at Kouko.

Kouko took a step back startled, then quickly retaliated by throwing her tongue out, "Blegh!"

"Eh..." The adventurer sighed, crouching down and covering his mouth.

"I had told last night's guests of the Sage, it seems they had failed in delivering my words," Octan said, looking around the crowd, once again failing at spotting any from the night before.

Lena looked around, finding only the burly adventurer once again. It seemed he was just as shocked as the crowd around him, perhaps the shock of Octan's showcase left them deaf to his words.

Lena had never heard of any 'Sage' before, so she found the sudden change unnatural. She studied the adventurers, it seemed that they had understood. Kouko next to her kept her tongue out in rebellion.

"Um, e-excuse my intrusion," A magician said, one that Lena had recognized. It was the adventurer The Traveler had been watching. One of his guild members was with him, a heavily armored tank it seemed, she had her helmet off, a hand over the magician's soldier, it seemed she had wished him to not engage in the conversation, however, the magician gave her an affirming nod and continued. "Are you sure, Sir Ranked, that it would be a Sage? Sages tend to operate only under absolute anonymity, and even then, there are no 'patterns' to be found in their works. As not a single Sage is in terms with another, nor is their knowledge and methods ever passed."

"Yes," Octan nodded. "Your words are true. Which is the reason behind the peculiarity of our situation. Not only is a Sage over-stepping boundaries by making use of the guild, but they are also doing so at such a large scale."

"So, So," The magician said. "It could be that you were just mistaken, Sir Ranked."

"No," Octan shook his head. "Here, I will prove it to you."

"Aye?" The irreverent adventurer stood up, raising an eyebrow.

"You there," Octan pointed at a member of the crowd. "Step forward, join me."

"Ah, me?" The ordinary adventurer said. A martial artist; while his body was light-armored--Simple chainmail beneath his tunic and shoulder padding--his arms were clad with heavy-looking gauntlets. An athletic build, but thin at that, quick on his feet it seemed. He did have quite the coat on him, running down to his ankles. Though, he was nothing special, someone your mind would bury away as you entered a guild's tavern.

"Yes, do join us on the stage please," Octan asked the person.

"Ah, Oh," The adventurer sounded.

"You heard him, eh? Come here." The irreverent walked over to the person.

"I will have to humbly decline." The person turned around, attempting to escape into the crowd. He spins, pushing through the first line of adventurers. Yet, he finds himself stuck in place as if his feet were dug into the ground. A grand force holding him still.

"And I will have to insist, mate," The adventurer said placing a hand over the person's shoulder. "Yah oughta entertain the bastard back there, eh?" The Adventurer threw the person over to Octan.

Octan picked the man up from his collar.

"It seems you won't let me go..." The person said.

"Perhaps, just give me a moment," Octan said. He reached an arm into the man's coat, attempting for the breast pocket within. Finding something, he pulled out what seemed like an insignia. Octan eyed it, doubting its meaning. He then faced the man, to whom returned a smile.

"How about," As The man started speaking, Octan paused. "I will just speak, I will tell you."

The man glanced at the insignia, and then back at Octan.

"Convenient," Octan agreed, he crushed the insignia and dropped the man to the ground.

"Yes," The man said, dusting himself as he stood up. "This camp is indeed under a Sage."

The crowds erupted. This time, they had voiced their anger. Screaming, and shouting, they voiced their outrage against the man.

"It can't be..." The magician fell back, hiding behind his tank friend. Lena looked at the Towering woman, her face was warm and calming as she sheltered the magician. Lena turned to the side, where Kouko was watching with a smile. Kouko faced Lena, smiling as she noticed her.

"Octan is amazing," She said. "Don't you think so?"

Lena faced back at Octan.

"What was that insignia?" Octan asked the man, cutting straight to the point.

"Insignia, eh? What ya talkin' about mate?" The adventurer asked Octan.

"Now, Ranked. I have answered one question, don't you think any more would be unfair?" The man ignored the adventurer.

"A question that I hadn't asked," Octan stated.

"Don't ignore me, eh?!" The adventurer threatened the man.

"Perhaps, but the majority wanted. No need for selfishness, yes?" The man continued, ignoring the adventurer even when held by his collar. "Now, I do have one question in return for you, Ranked." The man smiled, eyeing Octan. "How did you know it was me?"

"Ya #*$%, don't ya ignore me presence aye?!" The adventurer raised his dagger.

"I saw you on that night when I delivered the Warmongs' skulls."

"Oh," The man voiced in awe. "Despite how dimly lit it was, me being at the very back of the tent, and you never really paying attention to any of the attendees... As should be expected from a Ranked, simply indomitable." The man nodded the adventurer's dagger to his skull.

"Aye! Answer me ya fucking #@%!" The adventurer shouted.

"It was pleasant conversing with one of your status, ranked," The man continued to ignore the adventurer. "However, I do not trust myself with you any longer. Do please keep your findings to yourself." He gave Octan one final nod of appreciation and faced the adventurer.

The man swiftly let himself away from the man's grasp, took hold of his dagger, and stuck the dagger deep into his ear.

"Eh!" The adventurer watched the corpse as it mangled to the ground.

The crowd went silent, as the corpse soon pooled in its blood.

Octan eyed the corpse. It wasn't something he couldn't stop, but the effort was beyond him. To him, the question was nothing short of filling an agenda. Everything would soon answer itself, that is how schemes tend to be. And when it came to preparation, he believed he had no reason for it.

"Special carving," Octan called for the adventurer.

"Eh?" He answered.

"From now on it's me and you, I will come to you whenever I find something, or feel like sharing something. You will be in charge of driving the adventurers. Now, take care of that corpse, I'm done here." Octan said turning away.

"Aye, ya think I'm goin' to play along with ya wee plan, mate? Haven't even told me of what that insignia bull was abou', eh?" 

"Yes, you will," Octan answered. "And you are going to let go of that moronic accent as well. Any more of your acting and I might just throw up."

"E--... Yes." The adventurer submitted, picking up the corpse. "Ya--... You, magic man, go work your magic shit on the blood. Don't want the glorious ranked getting mad."

A magician nodded in haste, doing as asked.

Octan retreated into the tent, sighing as he did. "That was much more climactic than I thought it would be..."

Kouko tugged at Lena's sleeve. "We should probably go as well..." Her face was still in shock due to the sudden death that had happened. Though, it wasn't something that had fazed her too much. Lena figured death was something regular to adventurers such as her.

"I will come in a moment," Lena told Kouko, who nodded and left.

The adventurers soon all left, each conversing with a party member of their own, or mumbling to themselves. It was safe to tell that the entire camp would hear of tonight's assembly.

Lena waited until everyone had left, that is except for her acquaintance.

"Hmmm... Quite the eventful night, don't you think, Kid?" The Traveler started. "Oh right, you're not a kid anymore... Or wait you are, but you don't look like one... Quite the dilemma."

"You didn't leave," Lena said.

"Of course," The Traveler said. "That was what I had told you after all, no?"

Lena nodded.

"So," The Traveler smiled, Lena immediately expected his following question. "What did you think of the happenings?"

"None," She answered. She had been preparing for the man's question since the adventurers appeared. "I have none. I tried to find one, to understand what I thought of it, but... Everything was just... something."

"'Everything was just something,' hmmm?" The Traveler chuckled. "Yes, indeed. Everything is something. How poetic of you, kid!"

Lena eyed the man as he chuckled.

"Hmmm..., now, you are no fun, Lena. But, yes, do excuse me. There is nothing wrong with your answer," The Traveler said. "Rather, it is perfectly as expected."

Lena found the man's words baffling as usual.

"Now, I will be going back to the camp myself," The Traveler said, Turning around. "Oh, and if you would like a fun conversation, how about this? Do ask the 'Ranked adventurer,' what are Sages. You will find him to be unusually talkative." The Traveler said, strolling away.

Lena watched as the man disappeared from view. She wondered over the meaning of his question. Was she missing something, had she not understood it completely? If Kouko were to be the one asked, would she be able to answer?

Pondering over the anomaly of a person The Traveler was to her, she joined the party back in the tent.

As she crossed the curtain, she could see the duo within. One was clipping her nails, and the other was staring at the oil lantern.

"Ah, Lena, come here," Kouko gestured Lena over. "Let me show you how a lady clips her nails!"

"You do know that generally, there is only one method that is agreed upon by both the Consortium and the Collection, right?" Octan said matter-of-factly.

"Now, Lena, the first step is to never listen to a man, okay?"

"And now we are counting the steps to starving a rural village," Octan continued to eye the oil lantern.

Lena found their banter surprisingly familiar as if forged by a thousand ventures. Perhaps that was the kind of exchange she was expected to have.