52: The Journey Begins

Chapter 52: The Journey Begins

As morning came and they began their journey to Lathunia, the mood was light but filled with anticipation. **Division 1, 2, and 12** had already set off earlier in the morning, leaving **Division 10** to prepare for their departure.

**Dred:** (stretching) "Ah, looks like we're the late ones again."

**Meth:** (smirking) "We're not late, they just left early. No need to rush."

As they mounted their horses, **Synoh** glanced around, searching for **Captain Elara**, only to be caught by **Aloy**.

**Aloy:** (grinning mischievously) "Looking for your *lover*, huh?"

Synoh blushed and laughed awkwardly, waving her off, but before he could respond, **Ursa** overheard and approached with a curious expression.

**Ursa:** (curiously) "What's this about a lover?"

Aloy immediately froze under Ursa's gaze, choosing to remain silent while Ursa stared her down. Not wanting to get involved, Synoh chuckled and turned away, only for his eyes to widen as he finally spotted **Captain Elara** stepping out from a nearby tent, her face glowing and her short navy-blue hair neatly combed.

**Princess Akane** stood beside her, proudly admiring her work. Akane had taken it upon herself to personally help Elara get ready for the journey, and the transformation left everyone stunned. Elara looked radiant, her usual fierce aura softened by her newly polished appearance.

**Synoh:** (wide-eyed, muttering) "She looks... amazing..."

Everyone in the division, including the knights, were equally taken aback, whispering to each other as they saw Elara.

**Aloy:** (teasing) "Oh, *someone* has his eyes wide open for the captain today."

**Dred:** (grinning) "Here we go again."

**Princess Akane** smiled proudly, then gestured toward a luxurious carriage that awaited them. She was bringing along her powerful maid, **Yana**, who was known not only for her strength but also for her close bond with the princess.

**Princess Akane:** (cheerfully) "Let's go, everyone! Captain Elara, you'll be joining me and Yana in the carriage."

Captain Elara, still slightly flustered from all the attention, nodded and followed Akane. **Synoh**, however, couldn't stop staring at Elara, blushing harder with each passing second. His mind raced as he tried to shake off his nervousness.

**Synoh:** (thinking) "Why can't I stop blushing? Pull it together, Synoh..."

As Elara sat in the carriage with Akane and Yana, Synoh found himself assigned to ride alongside the carriage, much to the amusement of his fellow knights.

**Knight 1:** (teasing) "He can't even look her in the eyes!"

**Knight 2:** "Blushing so much, are we?"

As Synoh rode alongside the carriage, trying to keep his composure, the teasing continued. The knights laughed as Synoh struggled to keep his mind off Captain Elara, but deep down, the feelings brewing inside him were becoming more obvious with each passing day.