I Reincarnated as a Shinai

Chapter 157: Sword Slave Marker I

Reiji didn't think that his visit to the port city would be this quick. 

Before going there, he actually had the thought of observing various people and learn their culture aside from seeing the rumored sword. 

It wasn't a very urgent thing but it may help him find a worthy person that could help him finish his last couple of missions

"What are your plans now?" The Kris Sword named Felix asked Reiji

"I'm planning to visit the Losea Kingdom" The wooden sword answered. 

A while ago, Reiji bump into the two necklaces Arcana as they went in the same direction, it seems that they also have plans to visit the northern part of the kingdom

They have also realized that the southern region was getting more and more dangerous as the Orcs started their massive offensive together with the threat of the Erliente Dukedom's Beast Tamers

Unless they were looking for an unsafe environment, they wouldn't choose to visit the Kingdom's southern area

"Are you protecting these two?" Felix suddenly asked as he pointed at the two other Arcana

The Beaded and the Gold Chain-Link Necklace weren't fast in their flight ability so Felix who left the city last still managed to catch up with them.

The sword assumed that Reiji was the leader of the three for some reason. 

"No, not really We're just going in the same direction so I decided to join them" 

"Ahh Felix, Reiji We need to hide." The Beaded Necklace named Jaymie suddenly dropped on the ground and remained unmoving within the cover of the tall grass

The Gold Chain-Link one did the same as they did their best to hide their presence. Reiji could feel that even though they did not turn invisible, their presence somehow merged with the surroundings like a camouflage. 

"Jaymie, Yerin Are you guys worried that the people riding those carriages would see us?"

Reiji asked as he wanted to make sure what was happening. He can't sense any danger using his ability so he's unclear for the reason they needed to hide. He can only guess that it might be the humans at the carriages.

They're not too far from the main road as they floated about a meter off the ground.

Felix seemed to be having the same thoughts with Reiji as he remained cautious and decided to find the danger as well

"That's right!"

"We can't be found by wielders yet We won't be able to live freely if we got forcefully controlled by their abilities"

Reiji was so confused but Felix seems to have an idea of what they were talking about. 

"I see So you guys were only Common-Rank right now and haven't learned abilities to fight against wielders yet" The Kris Sword muttered.

"Correct" The two Arcana replied.

"Very well Since the two of us are here, and we're not in hurry We'll help you two get a bit stronger to protect yourself." Felix said as he already decided that Reiji would help.

"Eh? Fight with wielders? What's going on?"

Reiji asked in confusion 

Felix and the other two went silent before they realized that Reiji was indeed special. His confusion seemed to be genuine and it only means that he didn't experience the same trouble they had.

"I guess you're not summoned like us. Are you an Epic Rank? No, perhaps Legendary Rank when you are initially summoned?"

"No I'm not What do you mean?"

"Haa~ Arcana like us who started at the bottom is not capable of fighting against wielders or humans Once we're found or summoned, any person with the power of a wielder can bound us on our current state."

As Felix answered. Reiji realized that they are referring to the Arcanists It seems that being wielded by the Arcanists wasn't to their liking.

'Ahh Wait I'm different I can choose my wielder whenever I wanted and discard them if I no longer needed them.' 

He then clarified his guess and learned that his thoughts were right. They were truly incapable of choosing their wielder if they were just summoned or ranked very low

It seems that his method of being summoned here was truly special Aside from that, he also recently learned that Albeiron had him as His eleventh Blessed Arcana which shouldn't be possible based on the other Blessed's words.

'Well, one of the other 9 Blessed must've died or something, or maybe Albeiron decided to take back his blessings in one of them and they just kept quiet about it'

After all, no one would easily admit that their blessings were taken back by the Deity especially if it was known by the public

It must be considered that being a Blessed Arcana had a weight on it and their reputation can already be used as a deterrence.

"Aaahhh!!"

The coachman in one of the carriages suddenly screamed in pain as he was shot by an arrow. The horses were also hit as they tried to run away

However, as the horses were hit on their legs, they suddenly stumbled causing the carriage to get flipped

"We're under attack!"

"Sword Wave!" 

"Wind Barrier!"

There were a total of three carriages and only the one in front was taken down 

The other two at the back managed to quickly raise their defensive measures. However, they have to defend their area which is disadvantageous for them. 

Unfortunately, they can't move forward immediately as the first carriage was blocking their path 

Reiji and the others saw what was happening as they further distanced themselves to avoid being implicated in their battle.

They saw that the carriages were under attack by twenty or so bandits. There weren't fully armed as they didn't have proper armor or shields and only has bladed weapons with them.

Reiji also realized that most of the bandits were only using Enhanced Weapons but five of them seem to be using Magic Weapon or perhaps even an Arcana 

Boom! 

One of the hired guards protecting the carriage sent out a light signal to the nearest city. It was similar to a firework and the city guards should've seen this

"What should we do?"

Felix asked as they waited behind a tree

They weren't too far from the city but due to the current attacks of the cult, they wouldn't have any manpower to send some rescue to these people. 

"Let's just ignore them" 

"That's right The bandits seem to be well prepared. I don't think that our help would change anything"

Jaymie and Yerin commented. They know what is right or wrong but it doesn't mean that they would have to be righteous and help any people that are in trouble. They wouldn't survive long if they have that attitude. 

However, Reiji has a different idea

"Well I'm planning to use one of my skills and I just found a suitable target"

"Are you going to help the merchants?" The wavy steel sword beside Reiji asked. 

"Do you know them?" Jaymie inquired.

"No As I said, I just plan on using one of my skills Don't worry, just stay here and hide."

Reiji said as he moved forward. It seems that his new companions were worried.

Nevertheless, he didn't join the battle immediately and just observed what was happening.

He saw that the carriages were protected by 10 hired guards together with 6 merchants 

Because of the surprise attack and the terrain they are in, the merchants were at a disadvantage 

Clang! Clang! Clang!

After the bandit's arrows were exhausted, they started to fight in melee. 

The bandits may not be wearing leather armor and only has a single weapon in hand but their number was bigger

"Ahh!" 

"Stop! What do you want?!"

As soon as one of the guards died, the merchants shouted as they feared that they would be next

"Give us everything you have!" The leader of the bandits declared He's aware that they would suffer heavy casualties if they really pushed too hard on this battle. Luckily, they managed to kill one of the guards due to the confusion allowing them to have an easy negotiation

The merchants were unable to just give everything as they would surely go bankrupt once they did so 

'Our life is more important. We can still earn this as long as we're alive' 

'But this is too unfair We worked so hard in this for the past six years and everything is about to end just like that!' One of the young merchants, perhaps at the age of 18 or so, couldn't accept their fate.

He's looking in the direction of the port city but there seems to be no reinforcement coming to help them.

The hired guards looked at their employers. They have been together for several months now and they can be considered good friends already. They know how kind and hard-working these merchants are. If they decided to fight to the death, they would do so as well for their honor

Bang!

As the leader of the merchants was about to give up on their products and run away, they suddenly heard an explosion

One of the bandits that were replenishing his arrows from afar was suddenly attacked. They didn't know where it came from but it feels like a catapult was used to attack that poor guy 

"Ehem I'll take care of this Please get the injured treated. The bandits won't be able to move for a moment"