"What!? You come from this town?!" Ina asked, shock laced in her words.
Similarly, the others are also in a state of shock. To think this ruined town used to be her home. Ryker couldn't help but wonder what happened to it.
"Yes, before it was destroyed a year ago, this town was one of the stops made by merchants from Alten City and the capital city. However, even with its location between the two cities, it is still a small town due to how short its founding has been, having been founded around 2 decades ago," Era told them as she remembered what happened in the past.
"How did it get destroyed? No sane bandits will destroy a town for no reason, especially with it being a stop on a path leading to the most important city in the barony?" Ryker asked, wishing to know more about what happened.
"It's a bit long, and it's almost dark, so we should set camp first then I will tell you about it," Era replied, Ryker nodding in understanding before setting out, planning to use the current infrastructure instead of his spatial tool for the night.
The rest quickly helped him, making the entire place more inhabitable as they prepared for the night.
-x-
After dinner and putting the children to sleep, the young adults of the group gathered near Era, intent on hearing her story. She took a deep breath before speaking,
"I will start from the beginning. Akuraz Town is considered to be a recent town, founded 20 years ago or so. My father, once a captain of the baron's army decided to settle down. He gathered a large group of people and founded the town.
Both the baron and the City Lord of Alten City were ecstatic about the creation of the town, as it would safer passage for any merchants from the two cities. Naturally, they gave my father money and the populace to help expand the town.
It soon thrived, the only reason it was a small town was because of how recent its foundation had been. Still, my father was a peak Genesis Condensing expert, a deterrent for any bandits that decided to claim the town.
During the town expansion, I was born. I saw how the town expanded. My brothers and I, who have three older brothers, are considered to be his successor. Even if I was a girl, my father still trained me so I could protect myself, even if he focused on my older brothers," as she said it, her face became melancholic, remembering the dotting she used to receive from her family as the little princess.
"My father had made some preparations for us. My eldest brother would become the next mayor, while my second brother would become the captain of the guards. My third brother would become the advisor of my eldest brother because of his interest in the bureaucracy.
As for me, my father decided when I reached a suitable age, I should get married to a member of a more powerful family, preferably someone that I would like. While he had planned my marriage, he did tell me I could say no if I didn't want to.
But because I wanted to help him, I decided to go with the plan. After all, the town can be called unstable and will need powerful backing to make it safer. Then, it happened," she went silent for a while, her mind showing the event of that day, her body shivering as tears fell from her eyes.
Ryker went to his side, giving her a side hug, the young woman leaning to him, her body trembling as she tried to say something.
"It's okay if you can say it. After all, it just opened a big wound for you. We can wait," Ryker comforted her.
Era couldn't help but feel touched. When she was bought by Ryker, she was expecting to be used as a sex slave. However, things turned differently, mostly for the better as he didn't force her to join him in bed. After she does it with him, he turns her status into his lover, essentially making her a free woman though the contract is still present, he still has no way of breaking it.
She was glad she was bought by him, the man showering her with love and care, except in bed where he was an animal that destroyed her and the other women. She wiped her tears, looking at her lover with a resolute gaze.
"No, I can continue. It still hurts but at least you will know about some possible threats," hearing how she said threats, Ryker's face turned serious, knowing he needed to listen or danger could fall upon his family.
"20 weeks before the destruction of the town, my father and a group of his trusted people investigate a strange anomaly in the nearby forest. No one knew what happened but my father returned with only one of his and they both were badly injured.
He told us that they were ambushed by bandits, leading to their current state. His advisor believed him and life goes on. However, 12 weeks after that, a rumor circulated, saying that my father found some treasures during his excursion. My father denied such things, saying that he didn't find anything except for some Genesis 3rd Grade herbs.
Unfortunately, no one believed him, with some powerful families from the capital pressing him to give the treasure. My father continued denying it and the attempt died down. We thought that they believed him and so our guard was let down.
Then, a year ago, I was woken up by my third brother, telling me the town was attacked. Everything was on fire, some guards were killed and oh-" she remarked once more, Ryker hugging her tighter, letting her know he was nearby.
Calming herself down, she pressed on, "My father gathered my siblings and his most trusted people. He was talking about his plan to defend the town when the man who returned with my father after his expedition attacked him.
While my father is stronger, he was ambushed so he couldn't deal the finishing blow, the man running away after attacking my father. Realizing he couldn't do anything, he told us siblings to run for our lives while he gave us time to run.
My eldest and second brother led me and my third brother away through a secret entrance before telling us to run before returning to our father's side, saying that they would help father buy more time.
At that time, I wanted to follow them but my third brother dragged me away. We were able to get away but the town was destroyed. We saw how the entire town was destroyed. Both my brother and I cried our hearts out before my brother steeled himself and dragged me away.
We spent the next few days running away, hiding from any suspicious people. Unfortunately, one of the bandits spotted us, chasing us to the vicinity of Alten City. My third brother decided he didn't want his sister to be sullied and so acted as the bait while I ran away.
I returned to the spot he ran to and was met with the body of my brother. After burying him, I decided to take refuge in Alten and was later taken to become a slave. That's my story."