"We're finally here." Catherine stood up happily and walked to the edge of the basket. Looking down, Sedona City appeared as a small black speck on the ground.
She could finally see Lord Lucas again.
"Elisa, will Lord Lucas really agree to let me study this flying apparatus?" Euphy asked anxiously once more, standing on her tiptoes and gripping the edge of the basket with both hands while peering down.
"Alright, stop agonizing over it," Elisa said impassively. In truth, she wasn't certain if Lord Lucas would let Euphy research the hot air balloon either. After all, it was Sedona City's secret weapon. A vessel capable of conquering the sky would cause a massive stir if the outside world learned its secrets.
"Look! On that mountain up ahead, someone is flying!" Catherine cried out in wonder.
"That's a hang glider—another type of apparatus that allows people to take to the skies," Elisa introduced calmly. She had already started practicing with them herself.
"Wow! That is absolutely magnificent!" Euphy's eyes shimmered with little stars. A hang glider was exactly the kind of flight apparatus she had envisioned in her mind.
"It truly is incredible," Lucy mused. She realized now that she hadn't understood the depth of Lucas's capabilities during their last meeting.
As they marveled, the hot air balloon drifted over the Air Force base and slowly descended to the ground.
"We've landed. Everyone, out you get," Elisa said, stepping over the edge of the basket with her long legs.
"Okay!" Euphy gripped the basket's edge and vaulted out with ease.
"Where is Lord Lucas?" The moment Catherine stepped out, she began scanning the area, but she didn't see the familiar silhouette. Her heart sank slightly; she had imagined her secret crush would be there waiting the moment they touched down.
"Jones, we're here," Lucy said, looking at the still-crouching leopard-eared girl, unable to suppress a small smile.
"Mm." Jones pursed her lips and took a deep breath before standing up with forced composure. Her face was pale, and her lips were bone-dry.
"Are you alright? Do you need to rest?" Lucy asked with concern.
"No, I'm fine," Jones replied, waving her off coolly.
"Oh? Amelia, why are you here?" Catherine asked in surprise, noticing the young girl walking toward them.
"You've arrived," Amelia said, her eyes sweeping over Catherine, Lucy, and the others.
"Where is Lord Lucas? Is he busy?" Catherine asked immediately.
"Father went to the medicinal garden," Amelia said simply.
"Medicinal garden?" Catherine was confused; she had no memory of such a place.
"He's here," Amelia said, looking up at a hot air balloon drifting across the sky.
"What's here?" Catherine blinked, followed Amelia's gaze, and a joyful smile instantly lit up her face. She knew who it was.
"Is Lord Lucas coming?" Lucy's eyes flashed with a peculiar light. She would finally see that unique man again. Before, she had thought of him merely as a talented and handsome noble; now, in her eyes, he was a mystery that she felt a desperate urge to unravel.
"Is that Lucas?" Euphy clenched her hands, staring wide-eyed at the balloon in the sky.
"Euphy, don't be rude later. You can't just rush up and start pestering him with questions," Durin hurriedly reminded her. He was genuinely afraid his daughter would charge at him, which would be incredibly disrespectful. They were now relying on this man's hospitality; they couldn't afford the same arrogance they had in the capital.
"I..." Euphy started to protest, but seeing her father's stern face, she sighed and nodded. "Fine," She pouted.
"Get settled first, then we'll ask politely. That way we won't seem uncouth," Durin said kindly.
"Fine," Euphy grumbled, her pout long enough to hang a bucket on.
The balloon landed shortly after. Lucas stepped out of the basket carrying Annie, and he saw Catherine and Princess Lucy walking toward them.
"Catherine, you've made it!" Annie climbed down from Lucas's arms, her face flushed as she grabbed Catherine's hand. "Are you alright? Nothing happened, right?"
"I'm fine," Catherine shook her head, but her eyes were fixed squarely on Lucas. Annie rolled her eyes—Could she be any more direct?
"Ahem... Welcome, everyone," Lucas cleared his throat, feeling a bit self-conscious under Catherine's gaze. He turned his attention to the two small figures standing nearby.
"Lord Lucas, these are my friends: Durin of the Dwarf Tribe, and his daughter, Euphy," Lucy introduced them quickly. "Because of me, they could no longer remain in the Capital."
Dwarves?
Lucas raised an eyebrow in surprise but didn't let much emotion show. He didn't want to seem unfriendly. Annie had mentioned before that dwarves hated being called short, so he maintained a calm, neutral expression.
"Welcome to you both," Lucas said politely.
"We are sorry for the intrusion," Durin said, pulling Euphy into a quick bow.
"You are friends of Princess Lucy; there's no need for such formality here," Lucas said warmly. He noticed Euphy's eyes were staring intensely at him, which he found rather curious.
"Euphy!" Durin tugged at his daughter's sleeve. It was terribly rude to stare so openly at someone's face.
"Rhea, Elisa—thank you for your hard work," Lucas said, turning to the elf and the birdkin girl. "Write up your mission reports and take two or three days off. Consider it a holiday."
"Understood," Elisa nodded eagerly. She planned to use the break to show Catherine, Lucy, and Euphy around Sedona City. Rhea gave a cool nod; she wasn't one for sitting still and planned to head back to Stone Mountain to wrap up matters there.
"You all must be hungry," Lucas said, looking at the group. "Let's head back to Sedona City for a meal and some rest. We can discuss everything else tomorrow."
"Alright," Lucy nodded, swallowing the words she had been eager to say. It wasn't so urgent that it couldn't wait until morning.
The group left the Air Force base and boarded carriages, heading toward Sedona City.
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