Ryo stood with his fiancées—Selena, Seyra, Ai, Lilith, Lyra, and Hilda—near the carriages, waiting for the final member of their group to arrive. The academy's long-awaited trip to Eldoria was about to commence, but Ryo found himself rather uninterested. After all, the trip was to his own nation, a place he governed. There was little excitement in visiting somewhere he was already familiar with, especially when compared to the enthusiasm displayed by the students.
As they waited, the council president approached, wearing a somewhat nervous expression. "Lord Ryo, regarding the last member of your group..."
Ryo raised an eyebrow. "What about them?"
The council president hesitated for a moment before sighing. "To be frank, all of the students were too afraid to join your group. So..."
Selena and the others chuckled at the revelation, while Ryo simply nodded. "I see. That's fine. I don't mind."
"Thank you for understanding," the council president said, relieved. "As a result, the elf headmaster has decided to join your group instead. He wanted to ask you many things."
"A headmaster?" Ryo asked, slightly surprised.
At that moment, a dignified elf approached, his robes flowing with each step. His presence was calm yet commanding.
"Yes, that would be me," the elf headmaster said, smiling warmly. "I apologize if an old man like me is disturbing your time with your lovely fiancées, but I have many questions about Eldoria. My sister, the Elf Queen, was greatly impressed when she visited and insisted I see it for myself. I couldn't help but wonder what could make her so excited."
Ryo sighed inwardly. "Alright, I don't mind answering your questions."
The elf headmaster nodded, pleased. "Much appreciated."
With that settled, the council president signaled for all students to board their carriages. "Let the journey begin!" he announced.
As the carriages rolled forward, conversations filled the air. The excitement of the students was palpable, with many discussing their expectations for Eldoria. Ryo, however, remained relaxed in his seat, his arm casually resting on the window frame. His fiancées sat around him, and the elf headmaster took the seat across from him.
"So, Lord Ryo," the headmaster began, "I have heard rumors about Eldoria's unique developments. Could you tell me more about them?"
Ryo smirked slightly. "That would ruin the surprise, wouldn't it? It's better if you see everything with your own eyes."
The headmaster chuckled. "You are quite the enigmatic ruler, I see. But I suppose I shall wait."
Despite his words, the elf headmaster continued to probe. "At least tell me about this thing called a 'bath house and café.' My sister wouldn't stop talking about it."
Selena and the others giggled at the mention, while Ryo simply shook his head. "Again, I can't spoil the fun now, can I? You'll understand everything once we arrive."
The headmaster sighed in amusement. "Very well. I shall practice patience."
As the journey continued, Ryo suddenly tensed, his gaze shifting toward the dense woods lining the road. He had sensed movement—several creatures lurking in the shadows. However, a quick assessment told him that they posed no real threat. Just a few monsters, likely drawn in by the scent of so many travelers.
Selena, noticing his change in demeanor, leaned in. "Something wrong, Ryo?"
"Just some monsters in the woods. Nothing to worry about," he replied calmly.
Hilda, always battle-ready, grinned. "Want me to deal with them?"
Ryo shook his head. "No need. They aren't a threat."
The journey continued uninterrupted, though the slight tension from the lurking creatures added a faint thrill to the students' chatter. Ryo remained relaxed, knowing that the true challenges of this trip lay not in monster attacks but in dealing with the curiosity of those around him.
The trip to Eldoria had only just begun, and yet Ryo could already tell—this was going to be an exhausting experience.