Reeve's eyes went wide as he heard this statement. So, this meant that Soren's family ruled Sky City? No wonder the 'honest' bandits kidnapped him! After learning about that sort of background, who wouldn't want to? This probably explained why Soren lied to him, and why he denied it when he was asked by the carriage driver.
Gaur continued, "Rumour has it that the family was the ruler of the Sky empire, before it dwindled, leaving only Sky City, which was once its capital. However, no one has managed to prove these rumours, so everything I just said now is only hearsay and speculation. By the way, where did you meet Lady Rizaneth?"
"Oh, we met in the Southern Earth tribe."
"Is that so? Since you're her guest, then you're the family's guest as well. If there's anything you want, please, feel free to ask me. As long as it is within my power, I will try to help you", offered Gaur.
"Thank you very much. Speaking of which, there's something I might need your help with", said Reeve, as they went inside a large room.
After washing up and changing clothes, Reeve went into the dining hall, where food had been prepared and set on the table. It looked like a feast of sorts. There were various dishes prepared. Some of these included potatoes, soup, and bread. There were small jars full of wine as well. Rizaneth was sitting down on the table, and it looked like she had just finished eating.
"So, how did you escape from the bandits?" asked Reeve, as he sat down as well. Besides the two of them, no one else was around. The butler and maids were nowhere to be found.
"That girl and I were separated when an old man with tattoos under his eyes saw her. He said if he sold her in the capital, he'd make a fortune, since she was young and whatnot. He took her right then, leaving me alone in the cage. There was nothing I could do about that. However, when night fell, one of the bandits tried to harass me. I knocked him down easily and escaped. After that, I went into one of the houses, and stole the robe. I also ended up eavesdropping on the bandit leader", she took a break.
After thoroughly analysing Reeve's facial expressions, she continued, "I found out that a person called Pride who's the leader of a group called the Seven Cardinal Sins, is looking for young girls. Apparently, he's selling them as slaves to people in other countries!" As she said this, her hands had formed a fist subconsciously.
"Anyway, when are you going to start teaching me the combat method?"
Reeve grumbled when he heard this. How could she even start thinking about something like that at a time like this? Was it her own way of coping? Or was she deliberately trying to lighten up the mood? Anyways, she was doing it all wrong! It wasn't helping!
"First things first, we need to find Eskaria. When she's fine, then we'll go to Artemine. There, I'll teach you karate. However, for now, our focus is on finding Eskaria before she gets sold outside the country!" replied Reeve, with a firm determination. He continued, "Right now, we need funds to get to the capital. Do you have any money, right now?"
"I don't have any. I doubt my parents will agree to lend us any", she replied.
"Is that so? Are there any pharmaceuticals around?"
"Some what?"
"You know, the place where people buy and sell medicine", Reeve had to clarify.
Rizaneth seemed to think about it, before her eyes suddenly brightened. "I know an alchemist who once worked for Lord Saedis. However, with his social standing, and his arrogance, I doubt he will agree to lend you any money."
"I don't want to borrow money. I want to make medicines instead, and sell those. That way we can raise the money we need to go and rescue Eskaria", spoke Reeve.
"But what if we're too late and she's already been sold?"
Reeve couldn't reply to this question. Well, it's not like he couldn't, but he didn't even want to think about it. If that really happened …
"No! That's not going to happen! How long will it take to get to the capital from here?"
"About four days."
"So, this means that they have a five-day head start. What we need to do is to find a lot of money so that we can actually buy her back. That seems to be the safest way to get her back, don't you think?"
"Do you have any idea how much money is required to buy a single slave?" asked Rizaneth, as she looked at him with disbelief.
"I don't know. How much is required?"
"At least one thousand gold coins! Where are you going to get such a large amount of money?"
"What does this much amount of money buy around here?" asked Reeve, with a puzzled expression.
Rizaneth was slightly taken aback by this question before she seemed to remember that this person was a zombie summoned from somewhere. She sighed before answering, "Around here, it's enough to buy a plot of land and building a few houses."
Now it was Reeve's turn to suck in a breath of cold air. He began regretting using his money in the construction of Bernice. If he had kept it, then this wouldn't have happened. Actually, no. If he had kept it, then he'd have been robbed either way, and his losses would have been worse than the way they are.
As he was contemplating what to do, Riza asked, "I can try to introduce you to the alchemist. However, that's all I can do."
"Fine. I guess I can apply my high school chemistry and try to get some social standing", he replied with a sigh.
"Wait, what? You keep mentioning this chemistry! What is it? Is it some sort of alchemy?"
"No, those are different things. The main goal of alchemy is to change metals into gold. However, the goal of chemistry is to understand nature. Well, more or less something like that."
"And where did you hear this? What are you exactly?" asked Rizaneth with a puzzled expression.