I Reincarnated as a Shinai

Stella Fennette, his second Kendo student, should've visited that dukedom to have her identity as an Arcanist verified.

After all, she received her Arcana through his imperfect Ancient Arcane Stone and she's not listed in the Kingdom who attended the Arcana Bestowal Ceremony.

'I wonder how strong she has gotten by now…' 

Reiji started thinking about her… Stella isn't a simple practitioner as well since she's mastering the nittouryuu or the two-sword school. It has complicated sword techniques that require good body coordination… 

Now that she doesn't have a teacher watching over her, it would be quite difficult to progress unless she would always bring herself into battle.

Of course, Reiji also wonders how she would feel now that her home country would fight against the Dukedom…

After pondering about this, Reiji suddenly recalled an important piece of information.

"Felix… As far as I know, the Greiner Family owns the territory at the west border… They will be the first ones to suffer if the Dukedom started their attack… What happened to them? Also, what triggered the duchy? They haven't declared war all these years, why now?"

Reiji quickly asked as he knows that he's missing vital information about this war.

Felix thought for a moment as he tried to recall Rory's words. However, he couldn't remember related to this.

"Well, it's better to ask Rory instead… I'm not interested in their war so I didn't ask her many questions."

Yerin then decided to call for the Folding Fan Arcana to enlighten them about this war and to ask what they should be doing in response to this… They also curious about it now that Reiji has shown his interest.

It didn't take long before the precious fan shining with luxurious jewels arrived in their gathering hall…

'Hello, Reiji… Thank you again for giving us the two third-class Arcanists to our organization. They are a great addition to our assets in these troubled times.' Rory greeted the shinai as it floated in front of him.

The room is meant for humans so there are couches for everyone and a table in the middle… But they aren't seated on it, as they were hovering instead…

'It's my pleasure… Those Arcana you gave were also helpful with my advancement… Right, I have questions about the war…'

Then, Reiji mentioned his concerns as the Folding Fan Arcana listened.

Luckily for him, the Arcana patiently explained what truly triggered this war to happen...

Apparently, the Greiner Family was torn into half as part of the family has joined the Dukedom's forces... 

It was said that they have found concrete evidence that the Apothecarists of the Kingdom have spread the disease to the warriors of the duchy in the past. 

It wasn't an epidemic that took their lives but a poisonous substance that was mixed within their food...

However, as per Rory and the Mind Collection's information, they have learned that this war is all about money and resources... Apparently, one of Dukedom's precious ore mines has started to decline throughout the years. 

There are also concerns about the drought and farms that were being destroyed by flying Evil Beasts.

Although the other duchies have no such issue, they were also unable to provide assistance as they are worried that they may suffer the same concerns in the future.

In the end, the abundant and many untapped resources of the Kingdoms were eyed by the duchy.

In exchange for the Greiner Family's help, who has been friendly with the Grand Duke, the Erliente Dukedom will give the family a higher noble status and access to the secrets of summoning an Arcana...

Aside from that, they will also allow the family to learn the Beast Tamers Arts and increase their strength...

"Eh? Why would they help the Dukedom? They have powerful Arcanists and large territory already, they are also not lacking money if I remember correctly."

Reiji asked curiously as he recalls that Alexander Greiner has Mythical Arcana while they also have the old and living legend General Maximillian on their side.

"Well, it seems that aside from those two, there no more significant Arcanists within their family... They have truly declined and Alexander's Arcana can be said as a miracle... However, it would probably take 10 or 20 more years for the young man to become a major power in the kingdom. But if they gained access to the secrets of the summoning and the beast arts, they will be able to increase their wealth and power within just a couple of years..."

Reiji was impressed that the Collection has gathered so much information about this. He can only imagine that there are several Sentient Arcana lurking around the mansion of the Greiner Family or perhaps they are even disguising themselves as normal Arcana...

Nevertheless, he still felt that they did a reckless decision... The Kingdom has four Knights Order and Three Army Generals... Though it would only become Two Generals, now that General Maximilian has joined the Dukedoms side...

'Perhaps there's another family or perhaps force within the kingdom that will betray the royalty?' Reiji suddenly had an idea...

If they have planned this for a long time and the Greiner Family has already allowed the Duchy's forces to enter the Kingdom secretly, it means that they have already completed all their preparations before announcing the war... Perhaps, there are already damages done somewhere in the kingdom.

"What's the situation of the war?"

"Aside from the loyal members of Greiner Family being killed, the Duchy has already taken control most of the key places within the western region." 

Rory answered as if she was expecting him to ask the question.

"Are they planning to destroy the whole kingdom?"

"I don't think so… Fern informed us that the Duchy might be willing to negotiate with the kingdom after they firmly established their forces. After all, the Duchy wouldn't have enough manpower to manage the vast lands of this kingdom. Nevertheless, we all have to be careful… The Execration's base of operation is at the Erliente Dukedom. They might decide to sneak into this land through the Duchy's soldiers…"

All the sentient Arcana on the upper floor were discussing the ongoing war while Rufus was left chatting with the servants.

At the very least, the butler of the mansion accompanied him and even informed the young man about the ongoing war.

"Is this city going to be engulfed by war?" Rufus curiously asked the old butler. He realized that this is a serious matter…

"No… Not yet. At the moment, the Chaos Knights are dealing with it and they are really doing a great job to suppress the enemy."

"The Knights Order? How about the army?"

"They should be helping the Order soon… As you know, General Julian can't leave the North as the Losea Kingdom might take advantage of his absence. As for the other General, he's trying to push back the Orcs a little bit more to the southern lands before going to the Western Region to help…"

The butler explained really well and Rufus couldn't help but be surprised.

'Why is this place so updated? Master, just where did you bring your student?' Rufus couldn't help but be curious about this mysterious mansion that his master is very interested in… 

As a matter of fact, he wanted to know what his master is doing right now.

'Anyway, I just hope that I wouldn't have to join the war… I still have a lot more to learn.' 

Although he has been practicing together with his master for over two months now, it is still a short time and he felt that he would be able to improve even more if he would be able to pass the Advanced Level Hanging Wood first… At the moment, he can only perfectly clear the basic Hanging Wood pole…

As for his concern about joining the war, it is justifiable… As an Arcanist, he might be enlisted to participate in the war since they can be considered as an Elite with their ability to use Magic Items and Arcana to help them in battle.

Although he is still young, as long as he's recommended by the tower, he would have to follow their orders… Unfortunately, this should be a part of the oath they've taken…

'Sigh~ Maybe this is why Master visited this place? Is he already aware of the war and wanted to do something about it…'

Rufus smiled wryly at this. 

It didn't take long before his master appeared and decided to return to the Tower… 

'Master… I heard about the ongoing war…'

'Yes… You have to accept a mission in the tower. Perhaps, one with the task to visit the North.'

Reiji instructed the young man. 

The resources within the Tower indeed are Top-Class and he might not be able to find them in other places except here… 

The tools to make potions, devices, arcane circles, and arrays were something that this tower can boast throughout the kingdom and neighboring countries…

However, he also wanted to give Rufus some real experience and there is no way for it to happen within the Tower where all his practices are simulation and his training partners were also too reliant on their Magic Items…