Sages.

Lena munched on her breakfast, once again a meal provided by the guild. She had started thinking that she might forget how to cook for herself at this pace.

"Do you think the entire camp of a couple hundred adventurers eats this good?" Kouko asked, poking at her steak.

"No," Octan said, making sure to swallow first. "Most definitely not, but I doubt the guild would pull any shortcuts when it comes to their adventurers, they are enjoying a good meal at the least."

"Didn't you say that this was not the guild, though?" Kouko asked.

"Yes, however, it is someone pretending they are."

"Would they be that detailed?" Kouko asked.

"Yes. I would bet they have the guild's staff fooled." 

"You mean..." Kouko attempted to extract more information from Octan, as she didn't understand.

"Not the entire staff is under the Sage. Some are wholeheartedly just guild staff." Octan said.

"Woah... And how are we to differentiate?" Kouko asked.

"Differentiating? Give up. If there is any way to tell a difference, it won't be physical or noticeable. Sages are perfectionists, they would never cut such corners."

"Sounds like a hassle to deal with..." Kouko went back to her food.

Lena looked at Octan, the traveler's words plaguing her mind.

"What," She said, taking his attention. To him, the child's talking was unusual, so it had caught him by surprise. "Is a Sage?"

"..." Octan frowned at Lena. "Kid, what brought the interest?"

"The situation," Lena lied.

"The situation..." Octan frowned.

"Woah, Lena, how do you not know the Sages?!" Kouko exclaimed. "How could you not tell her of them at the very least, Octan!" She faced him with hostility.

"There wasn't a reason to."

"Really...?" Kouko sighed.

Lena watched Octan, who simply went back to his meal. Perhaps The Traveler was wrong, he had never seen Octan, as far as Lena knew, so that shouldn't have been unexpected.

Lena continued with her meal.

"You..." Kouko said, then gave up, returning to her meal.

Lena tried to make up some thoughts of the Sages by herself. Collecting words and sentences the adventurers and Octans had used the other day, she tried to create an image.

"The Sages," Octan started, swallowing the last of his food. "They are ambitious people, too ambitious you can say. People who fully dedicate themselves to the study of the world and mana. Do not confuse them with mages, who study instant manipulation for combat or utility purposes... Or, actually, you could, as the works of mages are based on the discovery of extremely old Sages. The same as most discoveries and inventions really."

"Yeah," Kouko said. "Mana-fueled light sources and mana-driven machinery are creations of the Sages!"

"Though, the more widely used tools, such as mana lanterns or mana engines, are developed by regular people based on the work of Sages," Octan said.

"Then, why fear the Sages?" Lena asked.

"Because, they are ambitious people, Lena. They are people who care only for their work, people who do not care about the means for their ends. Sages vary, from people who simply study mana to an extreme level, to people who would stop at no end to find their results. While some had been humble people, bringing out simple discoveries, others have not stopped at genocide for their works. For example, the mana weapons;" Octan said, raising an index. Lena could see that even Kouko was listening intently, perhaps the Sages weren't as commonly understood as Lena expected.

"A weapon crafted with catalysts as materials, boosting a warrior's offense, and control over his and the mana around him. Such a powerful tool, do you think humanity had simply stumbled upon it? That a humble craftsman's curiosity had brought it out? No, it was the result of a Sage's thirst. One that had left over a hundred corpses in its path."

"Grim..." Kouko said, her expression backing her words.

"You see, much like a catalyst, a mana weapon requires some kind of 'host,' a being to bring forth its reserve. Unlike a catalyst that would be safe as a naturally formed material, the nature of the original mana weapons, human-crafted and imperfect, had made them dangerous. They wouldn't simply extend to the host's mana reserve, they would break it down, making it run amok. Now, you would wonder; then how is it that mana weapons are so widely used on battlefields, and by high-ranked adventurers, how did humanity figure that out? How did they eventually reach a breaking point, understanding the method to bring forth usable, or even perfect, mana weapons? Well, trial and error that is. 

"The Sage behind the original mana weapons would crudely craft a weapon, then force a victim of his into hosting the said weapon. Of course, that would kill them, he would then study their death; how their mana boundary acted, how fast their mana depleted, and how it compared to the previous victim... etc. He didn't care for the person before him, as all the Sage could see, was the perfected mana weapon just a little further ahead."

"Just so... Grim..." Kouko said ruffling her head. "To think something so cool, had such a depressing tale behind it..."

"If you think that was grim, then you don't want to hear about the one behind ground magic," Octan said.

"!" Kouko jumped back. "Y-yeah... Let's not hear of that... How do you even know all that?" Kouko asked Octan, then quickly waved the question away with a gesture. "Don't answer, probably something to do with you being Ranked, no?"

Octan looked at Lena.

Lena shrugged at Octan.

Octan looked back at Kouko.

Kouko shook her head confused.

Octan Looked back at Lena.

Lena shrugged once more.

Octan sighed.

"Okay but, if we know how bad Sages are, why let them be?" Kouko asked. "Back in my village, the general opinion was positive on the sages. While, yes, the authorities did try to pin down any gratification the people had showcased, I had never seen or heard of any actions taken against the Sages heads on."

"The Sages are elusive. You could search your whole life, and never even learn of one's name. As I said, there is nothing concrete about a Sage, only a vague description of their beliefs and behaviors. Not only that but rarely do any take-up apprentices, as they rarely show any care for others. So, to find a single man--a maniac genius at that--acting in absolute anonymity, I do not believe it an easy task." Octan said. 

"Then how did you figure it out? With the way you explain the sages, the magician's words do make more sense now... 'The sages work under no patterns.'" Kouko quoted.

"Yes, which is why I find it unnatural. But, I'm certain. The way the camp is set up, the actions of taking over another operation for a study's purpose. The idea of hiding behind such an elaborate scheme, can't be anything but a Sage." Octan nodded.

"Hmm... And, would you have any idea what their goal would be? What the study's goal is?" Kouko asked, driving the conversation in Lena's steed.

"No, though... With the collection of adventurers, and the approaching demon lord's army... I do not believe it to be anything simple." Octan said. 

Octan then stood up, finding that the conversation had no reason to continue.

"Leaving for the morning meeting?" Kouko asked.

"No, I have no reason to answer to them anymore, as they are not under the guild's management. I have to meet up with the special carving. Give him a couple of tips to provide the adventurers." Octan said, ruffling his hair with a yawn as he stepped out of the tent.

Lena quickly followed behind Octan.

Kouko watched them leave and then sighed to herself.

"Just what did I get myself into..." She mumbled within the lonely tent.

"And," The Special Carving adventurer said. "What brings you, O' great ranked."

"I see you're doing just well without the 'mate,' and the 'eh,' eh?" Octan mocked without any actual care.

"Haha, Funny you are, scum. Just say what you came to say, I hate your company," the adventurer pointed a thumb over his shoulder, "And so does the rest of the tavern."

"That so? Wouldn't have guessed." Octan said, the entire tavern side-eyeing him. "Still, I'm surprised by how obedient you're being."

"It's preservation. You call it obedience once more, and I will make sure you understand the difference." The adventurer spat. "Even the special carved understand the difference between us, and you. Though, that difference won't be for long, not for myself."

"Hm, you wish to challenge a Ranked for their title?" Octan asked, circling the tankard in his hand, as always he had opted for water.

"Yes. That is how this system works, no? The only way to get ranked yourself is to beat one that is."

"Mhm. That is correct." Octan brought the tankard to his mouth, chugging down the rest of the water.

"That is why I ask, what is your rank?"

"Me?" Octan asked, putting the tankard down on the bar. "Rank 9."

"Eh?!" The adventurer sounded amused. "Then you are my opponent, eh?!" His act of an accent returned.

"Drop it," Octan said. "That method of speech, it isn't yours, nor is it anyone's. Do not mimic it before me again."

"...Alright," The adventurer clicked his tongue. "I will make sure you swallow those words once we are done here."

"Hm? A coward I see? Skipping on the rigid champion?" Octan mocked the adventurer.

"Huh?! Coward?! I'm no such, I'm going by the rules." The adventurer sounded agitated. 

"But, before nine comes ten, no? So shouldn't you be fighting the rigid champion first? Or are you scared?" Octan asked.

"Scared?! I'm fucking terrified! Don't you there play stupid, you clearly understand the rigid champion's placement within the ranked, don't you?! He might be ranked 10th, but he could most likely take down even Everett."

"Everett, you say? The 1st ranked, taken down by the 10th? If you ask me, sounds foolish, childish even," Octan said.

"Damn you," The adventurer surrendered. He gestured the barman over, pointing at the tankards they had been making use of.

The barman swiftly came to, placing away The adventurer's, Octan's, and Lena's, tankards. Lena sat at the right of Octan, a silent bystander.

"Thanks," the adventurer thanked the barman with a polite nod.

"Hm? Appreciation from one such as yourself?" Octan asked.

"Shut it, he is a true guild's staff, I've seen him at the home branch back in the local city. The guild's staff deserve our appreciation and more, they are nothing short of great."

"That so," Octan said. "And what if he had been planted by the Sage from that long ago," Octan stated, his words clearly heard by the barman.

"Then..." the adventurer glanced at the barman, then lowered his gaze. "Then... I would've been played."

"Surprisingly naive."

"And surprisingly stuck up. Or, actually, not. Expectedly stuck up." The adventurer said glaring at Octan.

"Have you recruited any more adventurers to our side?" Octan suddenly jumped into the topic.

"I didn't have the time. I did tell those who had appeared yesterday to converse with the members of their parties who had not, but..." The adventurer trailed off.

"But?"

"They had mentioned that they would be leaving instead," The adventurer said.

"Hm, and why would that be?" Octan asked.

"Since this camp is under the operation of a Sage, doesn't that mean that there is no army? That we are simply here to fulfill some sadistic goal of a Sage?"

"No," Octan said. "There is an army. Definitely, that is."

"Anything to confirm your words this time around, O great rank nine?" The adventurer asked. "Oh, and make sure this time it doesn't involve a corpse."

"Simple, my appearance. Think back to my proof of status, the mana-trace letter." Octan said.

"It was directly from the guild!" The adventurer exclaimed. "So, the camp was set up by the guild?! Then, where exactly did the Sage come to play?!"

"Confusing, isn't it? Such is to be expected from a Sage. Quite the cunning and sly being." Octan said, glancing at Lena, who glanced back with similar indifference.

"You say that, but you seem quite on top of it. If you ask me, I would bet you are hiding their identity; some grand reveal for later." The adventurer clicked his tongue.

"No, I'm not. I genuinely have no idea who it might be, for all I know, it could be one of my party members." Octan said.

Lena thought back to Kouko... It couldn't be, she thought to herself.

"To say that as one sits right by your side, how cruel," The adventurer said.

"Simply making a point," Octan shrugged.

"Then, how about I give you one," The adventurer said.

"Oh? You got any hints? Perhaps you have already found them?" Octan asked.

"It has to be that guy, the one camping outside the camp. Jumping every adventurer he runs by." The adventurer said. "The one with the bizarre long-wrapped stick."

Octan thought back to the cadaver of a human that was. He remembered the said 'bizarre long-wrapped stick.' An unusual item it was, especially to one with his vision.

"Possible... But I wouldn't bet on it." Octan said. He remembered the dawn he had returned from the warmongs' slaughter. He hadn't found the cloaked man anywhere, perhaps he had already left... Or somehow snuck into the camp. However, he quickly dismissed the thought, due to that someone such as that man would stick out in a camp of adventurers.

He had found himself another mystery to add on top of it all.

"What about the camp's head?"

"Really? We just discuss how cunning Sages are, and your second thought is the very head of the camp? I question how you even made it to special carving." Octan sighed.

"I-I'm trying my best here!" The adventurer barked. "I don't see you offering anything, O ranked, O I know it all, O look at me, I'm strong boo-hoo-moo-like-a-cow!"

"?" Octan raised an eyebrow at the man.

"Bah! Just leave me alone. You clearly have nothing. Find me when there is actually something of meaning." The adventurer said, storming out of the tavern. He did make sure to leave his pay behind to the barman, though.

"Polite," Octan remarked, leaving himself. 

Lena followed, watching Octan's back.

"You not going to question me, kid?" Octan asked.

Lena kept silent.

"I see. Back to that. Alright, I will just explain myself, so that you do not find the wrong idea. All I did was confirm our position with the adventurer. Made sure both sides, me and the adventurers, understood how our standpoint was at the moment. We couldn't have them leaving, and we couldn't have them underestimating the Sage. Though, from now on... It might be difficult to even find a clue to the Sage, let alone a trace." Octan said.

Lena cocked her head behind the man. She questioned the man's need to justify himself. She remembered something the traveler had said to her. 

'You will find him to be unusually talkative,' He had said. 

Many nights later.

"Is that all?" The Special Carved adventurer sat, him and Octan the only company within the tavern.

"Yes," Octan said. "We will most likely have to wait until the day of the raid in a week. Until then, make sure every adventurer is ready, even the ones who have joined today. From tomorrow onwards, they will start with the strategizing phase of the camp, we should be housing the entire adventurer camp now."

"Of course," The adventurer said, pounding his chest. "Do not think we will be ones to fall hands tied behind our backs!"

"Good," Octan said. "I will make sure to provide the last of the needed intel by tomorrow."

Octan stood up, leaving the tent.

"Hey," The adventurer called. "Look, I'm starting to get the way you work... But, I don't get why you don't just question one of the Sage's people. That feels like it would help answer some questions at the least."

"What happened the last time I questioned one of the Sage's?" Octan asked.

"Oh... Right... They pierced their own skull with my dagger," The adventurer exasperated slouching forward.

"Now, go make sure the adventurers rest well," Octan said, leaving the tavern.

"'Rest well,' he says..." The adventurer mumbled to himself.

The days had been mostly spent understanding who was on who's side, finding out which adventurers to trust, which guild staff worked for the guild, and which were for the Sage.

Of course, that had barely helped in finding out the actual Sage, nor did it progress them into stopping whatever the Sage had in mind. Though, at the very least, sides were made.

Octan strolled back to the tent. He had remembered when he had first walked the path, it was tiring, having the entire camp eye you with contempt, it was something even he found to be a bother to deal with. Yet...

"Good night, Octan." An adventurer called.

"Oh, Octan. don't miss dinner, even the ranked eat don't they?" Another joyfully chuckled.

"Octan, we're counting on you." A tinkerer raised a thumb.

Octan never replied to any of their calls, not even turning to acknowledge any of the adventurers. Yet, they continued to call and greet him.

What the Special carved had told him before came to mind.

'You won't believe this, but some of the adventurers are starting to cheer for you, hell they have even started openly fighting against those who criticize you,' the adventurer said sneering. 'What's even more mental, is the reason behind it. Hear me out, apparently, since you could kill them at any moment--cause of your crossing boundaries thing--yet decide not to. To them that was some kind of weird trusting relation. Now, they see you as a fellow adventurer, and the "they" is largely growing in number.'

'Why tell me this?' Octan said.

'Meh,' The adventurer smirked. 'Thought perhaps even you would cozy up if you heard of the change.'

Octan found the change irritating. It was the very thing he worked on avoiding, yet it seems to have manifested anyhow.

"How troublesome..." Octan mumbled to himself, reaching the tent.

"Oh, Octan, welcome back," Kouko greeted him.

Octan gave her a nod and sat watching the oil lantern. It was something he found asylum in. Whenever he focused his being on simply the lantern's ambiance, he could escape everything around him. He could think clearly, and most importantly, he could organize his thoughts. Not the ones about the Sage, but the ones that kept blurring his thoughts... The ones that created hypocrisy within his actions.

"Lena, back already?" Kouko asked as the child crossed the curtain.

The child nodded to Kouko, maneuvering over to the table, dinner in hand. It seemed she had gone to collect it.

"Come on Octan," Kouko called Octan over. 

Octan simply stood up and joined the party.

"So, the plan is still to await the day of the raid?" Kouko asked.

"Yes, our only hope of ever fighting back, is being prepared against what the Sage has in mind," Octan said, only talking after when he had swallowed. "Even if that preparation is a simple: know it's going to happen. The Sage has no reason to move before that."

"Hmm, why's that?" Kouko asked, munching.

"As I had previously said, the camp was seized by the Sage, not made. Whatever he has in mind, has the demon lord army's in mind as well." Octan said.

"Which is in a week's time..." Kouko said.

"Indeed," Octan said. He glanced at the child, who was staring at him. Not simply gazing, they were staring. The eyes were watching him. As if in... disagreement. The child, she eyed Octan intently. Holding back her words, the child fixed her sight on Octan.

Octan glanced at her, then went back to his meal. The child's eye in mind.

Despite himself, he found that the child did disrupt his thoughts.

Did I miss something, he asked himself. Was it something I said...?

Octan finished his meal, attempting to push the thoughts into the back of his head. He didn't believe the child would have anything of validity to add at any rate.

He finished the day with a sigh.

As he retreated to the mattress, courtesy of the guild, he pondered.

"The guild's invitation... Wasn't that an untainted source...?" He mumbled, his body surprisingly weak. "Strange..." He mumbled. "I feel... Tired... Unusually... Tir..." His consciousness faded. And so did the party.

And the entire Camp.