I Reincarnated as a Shinai

Aria smiled bitterly after seeing his pitiful little brother.

"How was your injury?" Aria asked as Diether approached them.

"I'm fine… I already drank a potion so I should get healed within the day." Diether answered as he looked at his older sister. 

It has been a while since they've met and he noticed that his sister doesn't seem to age…

Aria should be 22 years old already but her looks were still the same since 5 years ago.

'Is it a side effect of her Legendary Ring?' He mused. 

Then, he noticed that the nearby Knights perked up as they tried listening to their conversation.

Diether sighed as he suggested moving a bit farther away.

The two ladies agreed as they also realized that many of the Knights are doing their best to listen to their conversation which is quite funny.

"Sister… Thank you for your help…" Diether immediately said as they moved away. 

"It's fine. You should also thank her. She's Stella, my travel companion. She wanted to meet you as well."

Aria finally introduced the silent Stella. In truth, Stella could no longer wait to confirm Diether's relation with her master. Though all the clues pointed that he's really a practicing Kendo, there are still some doubts whether his master is also a Sentient Shinai with the name of Reiji.

"Of course… Thank you for your assistance a while ago, Lady Stella. You save a lot of Knights with your actions. If there's anything you would like to ask as a reward, I'll do my best to help you."

Diether said to Stella. However, before the latter could answer, Aria butted.

"What? How about me? Shouldn't I also get a reward?"

"Ugh… Of course, you can just tell me your wish…"

"Haha… I'll think about it for now. Anyway, I'll leave the two of you so you guys can talk." Aria then sensibly left after that. 

Apparently, she's also a bit curious about the Diether's Vice-Captain. The man has a majestic bow and it doesn't seem to be a common-rank at all.

She wanted to at least see it closer.

***

Now that the two are left together, Stella could finally ask Diether her questions. 

"Diether! Are you also Master Reiji's student?" Stella asked with an expectant gaze. 

The young man's face was also excited as soon as he heard the question.

'I knew it! Those moves are from the Two-Sword School of Kendo!' He thought.

"That's right! My master is indeed the Shinai Arcana! Reiji! Wait—did you find me because you also felt something had happened to master?"

"Oh! So you felt it as well! You guess it right…"

"Mhm… Actually, my vice-captain noticed it too. So I could guess that all his students probably lose the mysterious connection as well."

"Your vice-captain? Isn't he using a bow?" Stella asked after recalling the user. 

"Haha… That's what he got when he summoned one. He had no choice since no one can tell what you'll summon anyway."

"Ahhh… You're right. I guess it's good as well since he has abilities to fight in close and ranged combat."

Stella muttered as she glanced in Rufus' direction. She even noticed that Aria was already next to him.

'Did she find him interesting? I didn't know that she would be interested in another guy since she already has Chrisome…' Stella mused but she quickly shook her head to erase these thoughts.

She returned his gaze to Diether and asked more questions about Reiji… Specifically, to the Dark Elf who calls himself Reiji and conquered the Isengard Fortress.

"Haa~ I also wanted to know. However, I haven't met this Dark Elf too… That time when we helped General Julian's forces to escape, that warrior wasn't part of the group chasing them."

Diether explained.

"Is that so?"

"Yes… Anyway, I asked the General about this elf and I obtained some clues…"

"Really?! Can you tell me more?"

"That's fine. However, we must return first to the Fortress. I need to have my men get properly treated. We also have to bring back their corpses." Diether said with a polite tone.

He noticed that the Knights had already finished dealing with the corpses of the enemies and collected the Beast Cores of the mutated phantom wolves.

Stella could only agree with his words as she followed their group and returned to Islefield Fortress.

It didn't take long before the group of Knights managed to safely return to the Fortress. There, they received proper medical treatment and Diether's injuries were also healed. He just needed to rest for at least a day to make sure that his wounds wouldn't reopen.

In the meantime, Stella and Aria received special treatment from the Sun Fire Knights since they have helped them in this fight.

It was already nighttime when they have time to gather on a table again.

Right now, Rufus, Stella, and Diether are discussing the recent events inside a mess hall meant for the Knights. 

It's about their Master's name that had suddenly appeared from the group of Dark Elves the moment they lose their connection to him.

It doesn't feel like a coincidence at all. 

Even though that Dark Elf Warrior named Reiji may not be their master, it doesn't change the fact that he might be involved with their master.

"What if Master Reiji suddenly managed to form a body and became an Elf?" Rufus suddenly asked. 

"Mhmm... I get your point but..."

This is actually what they thought at first after hearing that someone is named after their master.

However, they had known Reiji for a while and learned that the Sentient Arcana isn't some kind of chaotic or cursed Arcana.  It wouldn't make sense that he would attack the innocent when their master hated helping them during their time of need. 

"I guess, we can't really tell until we managed to speak with that Dark Elf."

"But it wouldn't be easy if we are weaker. I don't think it would be easy to meet him, especially now that they have a stronghold."

They chatted for about an hour before they managed to reach a conclusion…

Apparently, the Sun Fire Knight's Knight Champion would come to the Islefied Fortress in a week and will lead the siege on the captured Fortress!

At that time, the three would volunteer to deal with the Dark Elf who calls himself Reiji!