This was the worse kind of job for Ittindi, no doubt it was one that would lead to fame and fortune. He was trying to learn how they got sand out of their houses in Luluhawa island when he received a message from HQ. There apparently was a possible danger of a coup occurring in the country and they were asking nearby high-level Rune Knights to investigate. Apparently Colonel Tōga was in the area as well. Ittindi assumed they’d meet at the outskirts of Aina forest. Walking to the nearest garrison ready to flash his tongue apparently they were already notified of his by his eccentric appearance he’d be on island. Ittindi’s habit of wearing a tuxedo with a top hat had spread over the Rune Knights and the ones who weren’t aware were often given his description with a couple lines about how serious this message was.

He told the private to deliver his instructions to Colonel Tōga gave a couple salutes then headed off himself. He hadn’t been to Luluhawa island more than 3 times in his life, a shame that his first visit to the forest would be under such dire circumstance. Still, it would be nice to see Colonel Tōga had apparently been declared his Young Master’s rival so in a way Ittindi was linked to all of them. The stone pillars of friends around him were tall, but not insurmountable. He’d crack the Colonel Tōga’s the same as his Young Masters.

It was as he was heading out that one of the privates would tell him that actually Colonel Tōga was with the island’s chiefs daughter Kohana Wailani and that’s where he should go. Ittindi would mumble about not needing a guide to scout while moving towards the Chief’s hut in this village. The people seemed friendly enough waving at Ittindi and he didn’t see any jeer’s or mocking as he passed. The weather and background seemed to always be cinematic, as Ittindi would randomly pause to just take in the sights.  As a result he’d arrive at the hut of Kohana in 15 to 20 minutes, just in time for her to begin speaking about the current situation they found themselves in.

”Thank you for coming Rune Knights, my people are under attack from the evil Herman Schwarz. He has a mercenary camp out in the forest and I need proof so I contacted the council for help…….”

It was as Ittindi had surmised from the report thought they didn’t mention a culprit behind it. It was possible that this Kohana was taking a stab in the dark about the culprit. Probably someone with he motive but necessarily proof. He wanted to see what Colonel Tōga thought of the situation. After she finished speaking he’d walk over to his companion. With the eager smile of someone prodding a friend he’d give him a very strong salute while speaking loud enough that Kohana could overhear.

”Greetings Colonel, permission to speak?”

WC: 495

Colonel Tōga would remark that it was odd to see him in a full suit in a tropical island paradise, but in a less hostile way than other Rune Knights. Ittindi always appreciated that about the colonel, his kindness was why they ended up having similar friends. Colonel Tōga had changed out the typical suits of the Rune Knights to the local populace’s wear. Truly a sacrifice that Ittindi wasn’t willing to make, all to build camaraderie with the citizens.

”If they’re in the forest lets go do a quick reconnaissance before we start any planning.  With how fast we both are it’s unlikely we will get caught even if discovered. That way we’ll be able to draw up more accurate plans on how to take down this group.”

Ittindi didn’t favor doing scouting work, but if he waited for others to do it then he’d be stuck on this island for weeks. While Colonel Tōga preferred that, Ittindi would be able to solve this case quickly and get straight to his vacation. Or at least solve parts of it through the day and partake in sights at night and early in the morning.  Either way he didn’t plan on letting something like a coup attempt ruin his vacation.

Once they finished up their conversation in the hut, Ittindi would check that Kohana was satisfied and then they’d head out to the forest. There wasn’t anything like that first glimpse of a wall of trees, it hit still pinged a phantom pain of his old nature affinity. Naki would always sigh louder than usual whenever Ittindi felt that way, he understood that it hurt their feelings that they weren’t enough. That’s when Ittindi would hear the brushes near them rustling, luckily his senses hadn’t been alerted so whatever it was wasn’t a danger. Ittindi would be ready to summon his Naginata just in case, not to mention whatever Colonel Tōga was doing.

It turned out to be some boy named Keanu Mahoe as he introduced himself in a jumble of words to him and Colonel Tōga. Up ahead the shade of the forest almost seemed to be swallowing people whole and it was his and Colonel Tōga’s turn.  Before they can leave Keanu speaks up again more clear this time.

”I can lead you there misters, you helped me so let me help you.”

Ittindi didn’t really understand what they saved him from, but  would look over apathetically at Colonel Tōga on the final decision.

WC: 415/910

Ittindi had a feeling what Colonel Tōga would say when the boy happened upon them, but the soul crushing confirmation still took Ittindi by surprise. Even worse he gave him that look, and not the one that indicated someone wanted to do a deep cleaning of the estate. Responsibility came in a variety of packages, Colonel Tōga’s shown through in situation like this, Ittindi’s was preferably one where you didn’t even know he existed. The same goal all the same, as they walked down Colonel Tōga’s path on an island that he loved, Ittindi could see it in the way the town’s people looked at him and vice versa.

”I can’t tell you guys how many times I’ve taken people here you’re going to love it.”

The kid would say, almost shouting, Ittindi was surprised that he didn’t have more noise discipline. Something that most boys would fail even when they are trapped in a war for their very existence.  Luckily as he took them through vines and forest they’d hear the camp long before Ittindi could worry about their noise. To be this brazen, Ittindi wondered what gave the men such confidence.  A question he’d rather not have the answer too, as they cleared through another bush the camp of the mercenaries was directly in front of them. The boy had taken them to the flank of the camp. You could see in the center the leadership camps, as well as on the outskirts various small bands of troops split up into small divisions.

Ittindi was surprised by the sheer scale of the invading force, if it had been any lower ranked Rune Knights this whole island likely would have been couped before Era was even aware. The reality of just how easy it was to topple a government laid bare in front of their eyes. He’d look over at Colonel Tōga and make hand signals just to be safe.

Larger camp than I expected, I’m ready to head back when you are.

Simple messages weren’t very hard to convey in signals, though Ittindi wondered if Colonel Tōga thoughts were like his. With how many there were here, they’d have to result killing to make sure this attempt was thwarted. If Colonel Tōga was against that, it meant that Ittindi would have even more problems to work with.

WC: 389/Quest WC complete

Ittindi had a couple questions about how the Rune Knights had ended up letting so many schemes go unanswered. Seeing Colonel’s Tōga’s reaction Ittindi finally understood, the officers of the Rune Knights were a major part of the problem. This man with no knowledge of troop numbers, if this was the only camp, was the leader here? How many patrols were out of the base right now? He would attack not knowing the answer to any of these questions and inevitably give up both their element of surprise and give them knowledge of Rune Knights on the island. How many troops would they even be able to muster on such short notice. Best case scenario the mercenaries go into hiding, worse case scenario they instigate their plans early. While Colonel Tōga and Ittindi could take on any force they couldn’t be multiple places at once, how many would die in that bloodshed that could have been avoided by proper planning.  Ittindi would turn to the child getting down on a knee and talking in his sterner voice.

”Run back to the village, if you see anyone on the way unfamiliar just run back towards us and scream our names out. GO NOW!”

Colonel Tōga’s fiery rampage spread through the entire camp, and the screams were short. Ittindi didn’t have much chance scouting through the smoke and blaze of the battlefield, he wouldn’t be able to verify if all the mercenaries were taken out or not. He probably wouldn’t even have an accurate body count, though it was possible that Colonel Tōga’s flames weren’t at a level to melt through bone.  As the flames subsided and Colonel Tōga finished up Ittindi would walk across the charred battlefield.

” Colonel Tōga, in the future we need to scout and gather intelligence. We have no idea what we’ve even accomplished today. What are we going to report that we wiped out a band of X people? Did we even hurt their command structure? You might have just hurt the people of Luluhawa Island more this way, I’m not ok with risking the lives of innocents for some emotional gratification. We’re supposed to be held to a higher standard, it’s one thing to not care about rank, another to risk the citizens who employ us through their hard-earned labor. Remember that next time you feel a little angry, if I wanted to be in a childish organization I would have stayed in a guild. ”

Ittindi would say to Colonel Tōga harshly before turning his back to walk off. It was obvious what the Rune Knights needed and Ittindi had been so busy with his butler duties that he had neglected his duties as a major soon to be Colonel. He’d take over the Ministry of Communication and fix the children’s mistake from the dark.  It just meant he needed more strength; he couldn’t rely solely on others.  As he walked back to the chief’s hut expecting to see Colonel Tōga there or along the way.

502/Complete