I Reincarnated as a Shinai

All the rank B and C missions that are somehow related to the northern region were not suited for him…

Of course, he can also just request to have a vacation in the said place and leave the Tower.

However, there would be many benefits if he decided to accept a mission instead…

In the end, he decided to just ask the man working on the desk for the best possible way to visit the north.

It took almost an hour before the people in the room decreased.

"How may I help you?"

Finally, it is now his turn to be assisted.

The officer also appears to be exhausted but he still smiled at him.

"Can you help me find a task where I'm required to visit the Northern Border?"

Rufus asked the man and the Arcanists within the room heard him. 

They didn't think too much of it but they know that it is not a good time to visit the northern border this month. After all, the winter is approaching and it is not a good place for a vacation if they were asked.

"The northern border, huh… Did you check the missions board?"

"Yes… But I couldn't find a suitable one."

"I understand… How about this, the administrator is actually looking for other places where we can build another Arcanist Tower… I can give you a task to just scout the place and find a suitable area. I'll also give you a list of things you should consider when looking for land. How does that sound? I can't think of any other ways since the northern border isn't as peaceful as you think…"

"No… That's the best mission! Please give me that one."

"Alright…"

The officer smiled as he arranged the mission for Rufus… 

"Here it is…"

Rufus checked the details of the mission. It is a rank D mission and the reward is 200 gold coins. It is very low but if his recommendation was selected to be the next Arcanist Tower, he will get a few perks in the new building.

The young man then gave his Tower's Emblem to the officer to confirm his identity and that he accepted the mission…

After getting his Emblem back, he returned to his room and readied all his things.

As a red-robed Arcanist within the Tower, he no longer needs to attend the yearly evaluation so he has a maximum of three years in being out of the Tower.

This means that once he gets outside of the Tower's territory, the administrator would not look for him until the 3-year due date.

'Master... Should I bring my tools for creating Magic Items?'

'Mhmm... That's a good idea... Just bring anything you can, there are still four servants waiting outside aside from Ruthren...'

Reiji replied as he realized that the young man is worried about their luggage.

Of course, Rufus did not forget to inform his friends about his plan. He also learned that Lexi is Chrisome would be together as they'll be visiting the western region.

Perhaps, if his family is also living in that place, he would consider going there... Since that is not the case, he would rather follow his master to get even stronger.

He knows that a single Arcanist like him would not affect the outcome of the war, so it shouldn't be a problem if he leaves the task of fighting against the invader to the soldiers of this country.

"Let's meet again, Rufus..."

"Yes, don't die... Don't overestimate yourself... I heard that the duchy's beast tamers have an overwhelming strength... They're strong not just because of their beasts but because of their arts."

Rufus shared his knowledge with friends.

"Don't worry… I'll protect Chrisome if we're in trouble… Good luck with your journey in the north… Right, it's cold there, so you have to buy thicker clothes!" Lexi replied as he was reminded about the temperature of the northern border.

Rufus acknowledged this and decided to buy new clothes for himself and his servants.

He also learned that Lexi and the others would still wait for their transport before they'll move together with the other soldiers within the city and this might still happen in the next couple of days as it's not easy to rally the soldiers that were scattered around the region.

After getting all the important things, together with potions and other pieces of equipment required for their journey, Rufus bought a carriage with his money and let Ruthren be their coachman while the young man chatted with the four other servants inside…

He decided to buy an experimental carriage made by Chrisome's team as it wasn't that expensive and only cost about 100 gold coins including a couple of horses already.

During the evaluation more than two months ago, the young man presented an enhanced carriage wheel that would increase comfort when traveling. Aside from that, they would guarantee the wheel's durability as well…

They have even advertised it as something that would not be destroyed even if they run it through nails or fire…

'Master… These young ladies, can you introduce me to them? I want to know their names…'

Rufus used his sense link to ask this.

'I don't know their names… You can ask them if they have…' Reiji replied since he doesn't really know.

However, even after Rufus asked the girls, they only replied that they weren't given a name as well... 

In the end, Rufus decided to name the ladies as it feels uncomfortable to call them just "Hey or You".

As he chatted with them, he learned that they specialize in close combat techniques but are also adept at using staff or short blades… 

"We have to practice when I have some time…"

Rufus gave a suggestion. He knows that his master wouldn't accept just anyone as his servant. These ladies must be talented in some way.

Their journey continued peacefully as they leave the Tower's territory to visit the farthest city in the north, the Torsen City…

***

A group of hired mercenaries arrived at Rachdale Fortress. It is the only fortress of the duchy guarding their border to the Chodora Kingdom's territory…

The fortress was not as heavily fortified as one could imagine since there's barely any soldiers you can see and most of the people present were merchants or traders working between the two countries…

The group who just entered wasn't even stopped by the guards to confirm their identity or to inspect their things…

It appears that there are no taxes or payment whatsoever when crossing this place…

Because of the natural mountain formation, this fortress is the only path where a large number of people or carriages can cross… 

Though there are still other paths, a carriage can't be used or it is filled with dangerous Evil Beasts that even Arcanists would have a hard time… Of course, there are also campsites guarding these paths since the war was declared…

"Captain Holt… Do we really have to join this war? I heard that that place is our precious member's home country... Isn't that right, Stella?"

The one who asked is a female in her mid-twenties… Aside from having pale skin, a beautiful face, and body, she has a very unique feature in which her ears are slightly pointed...

That's right, she is one of the mysterious elves living in the mountains of the Erliente Dukedom…

"Lyrei… I already explained this to Stella, you don't have to worry about it… It's not like we will go rampaging once we entered the kingdom's territory. We will only fight against the small units of soldiers lurking around the Greiner's Territory…"

The leader of the group appears to be in his forties and has a bow and quiver on his back as his main weapon… He also has a small blade strapped on his waist but there were barely any times that he would have to use it in a battle.

"Don't worry, Stella… If you know someone in the enemy lines, just let me know so I won't kill them…"

Another member of the group added. His name is Ilphas and the only third-class Arcanist in the group.

Although Stella is also an Arcanist, she was still considered as a Fifth-Class by everyone… After all, she introduced herself as someone who has just summoned her arcana about two weeks ago…

It means that she's probably still exploring how to better use her Vambrace Arcana.

"I doubt it… I don't know anyone working in the army. Anyway, thank you for your concern, everyone…"

Stella replied as she looked around the fortress. It is quite lively with tons of Merchants and people who wanted to make it big in this war.

Captain Holt, the leader of their mercenary group, grinned after hearing Stella. This young girl with an almost unlimited Spiritual Energy is probably the most crucial part of their team right now…

Her sword skills were also superb aside from her impressive mobility and tenacity with his activated Vambrace.

She can easily act as their team's damage dealer or front liner…

"Let's not talk about it now… We accepted the mission to earn money and get a chance to enter the higher ranks of society. The Broken Fang will resound everywhere in this war!"

Captain Holt announced as they continued their way towards the Kingdom's direction.