Chalice relegated the information she had gathered the night before to Luke and Levi. She decisively waged her innocence and deflected Levi's suspicious looks. As for the culprit who banned her from her precious desserts, Chalice ignored him altogether. Which only earned her an eyebrow raise.
Through Chalice's infiltration, they learned that the syndicate goes by the collective name of Black Water Organization. They mainly dealt with human trafficking and slave trades. However, Chalice suspects that there is much more to them than that. Also, their base at Wyndham City was a relatively new one. Which further proved that the said organization had other bases of operation.
Since they were unable to make any crucial moves against them for the mean time, Chalice and her fief inspection squad continued their trip. They were going full circle around the territory. Freyr City at the heart of Zeru Mountains was their last stop. And to reach it they would need to go through Eldoris City and then to Tal-El City of the Guthrie Plains.
---
Chalice looked around taking in the rustic view of Eldoris City. Compared to the bustling Wyndham, it was relatively subdued. There was a lesser traffic of people but it was evident that the city enjoyed a simple lifestyle and genuine peace.
However, it would have been more pleasurable for her if she could skip around and sight-see by herself. That was merely wishful thinking though. Helicopter Nanny Luke was on it again with his bondage fetish. (Erase that thought. It is totally unsuitable for children.)
Chalice's wrist was tied up with his again. The worse thing was she didn't dare complain for she was still in hot waters brought about by her last adventure. Even the ban on her desserts wasn't lifted yet. She was afraid that if she even make so much a squeak of protest, it might never be lifted at all. That would spell death for her. In this sort of way, Luke was really scary.
She was internally grumbling when Chalice saw a flash of color fluttering behind a house. She stretched her neck to see it clearly. That color. She was familiar with it.
"Luke, can we go check that out?"
Chalice asked him cautiously. Luke frowned a bit before reluctantly leading the way. Oh, she knew what was going on in that brilliant mind of his. He was suspecting her of another mischief. She sighed resignedly. She refused to acknowledge that this was her fault.
As they got closer and closer to the house, a sprightly young lady looked up at their direction. She was tending to the plants vigorously growing at the yard of the house. Chalice beamed at her with a cheer. The poor gal was blinded.
Luke shook his head. He could sympathize with the girl. This particular princess of his was ignorant of her looks. Not just ignorant, she was uncaring of it as well. He really had his work cut out for him. Never in his life did he imagine that one day, he would be worrying about a certain someone's skincare, haircare, fashion and even make up. But alas, such is the fate of a man in love.
"Hello there, pardon the intrusion. May I inquire about something?"
Chalice politely asked the young girl who shyly hid her hands full of dirt from tending to the plants.
"If it is within my knowledge, I would gladly answer the lady."
The girl's cheery and bird-like voice tinged with shyness answered her.
"What are those?"
Chalice pointed at the fabric flittering with the wind peeking from behind the small house. The girl followed her finger and understanding flashed in her eyes.
"Oh that, my lady? Those are fabrics that my family have personally dyed. That dye color is exclusive to our Eldoris city."
Chalice eyes brightened. She knew it. That particular fabric with that unique shade of indigo was something she saw on one of her trips to Japan. If she didn't remember it wrong the process of making that particular color was called aizome, or indigo dyeing.
This indigo color is basically synonymous with the samurais. They wore indigo dyed fabrics under their armor as protection from infections and wound inflammations. Not to mention, this dye also has flame retardant properties making it an ideal garb for firefighters.
Chalice was so fascinated with this that she bought a lot of garments authentically indigo dyed. She was thoroughly surprised that she encountered it here in this world.
She looked down at the plants the girl was caring for. She scrutinized it closely and confirmed that it really was the Japanese indigo plant, Persicaria tinctoria.
Her mind whirred nonstop at the face of this new prospect. She couldn't but stare down at the young girl.
"Say, by any chance do you sell those fabrics? Is there a trade for them?"
Chalice asked excitedly. However, the dejected answer of the young girl dampened her emotions.
"To have a trade for it would be a dream come true, my lady. However, only the citizens of Eldoris are fond of this colored fabric. Aside from that, the process of creating the dye and dyeing the fabric itself is quite tedious. If we are to sell it, I'm afraid no one might even buy because the price would be steep. Hence, we only make this for own use."
Chalice could understand where the girl was coming from. She knew how difficult the process of aizome was. Not to mention, the glaring fact that the people are not aware of its other benefits aside from the aesthetics. Chalice wasn't surprised that such a treasure was overlooked.
But not this time. She was here. She found it. And Chalice wasn't the type of person to let go of something so profitable.
"I am quite fascinated with your fabric. It's one of a kind. Could I perhaps buy even just one bolt? I'll pay whatever price."
Chalice glared at Luke who nudged her lightly. Her expression must have illuminated how serious she was about it that Luke just sighed helplessly.
The girls surprised expression soon turned ecstatic. She asked for them to wait while she called for her father. Soon enough, a middle-aged man with an amiable face went out from the back to meet them.
"Is this the lady who wishes to buy our fabric?"
He asked corteously with a bow. Chalice smiled and nodded.
"Yes. That would be me. I really like your fabric sir. If you could spare me a bolt then it would be truly wonderful."
The man smiled proudly. It was evident that they put a special sentiment to this fabric of their. And Chalice could seriously emphatize as to why.
"Our family would gladly sell you a bolt, my lady. We will give it to you for four silver notes. Though this price may be a lot higher than other textile, ours has been handled differently, the color solely found here in Eldoris. You will also realize soon enough that it is a lot more exquisite compared to others."
Chalice nodded kindly at him. In her opinion, four silver notes were still cheap. One silver note basically equated to around three dollars on Earth. The indigo fabrics she bought in her last life were even five times more expensive.
"I understand, sir. No worries. I believe you."