The aircraft descended toward a private airfield outside the city of Cape Mistam.
Soldiers wearing dark green uniforms stood in rows beside the runway, while flags belonging to Veronoth and Conjora moved in the coastal wind.
Ning could see several government vehicles, mounted royal guards, and a line of officials gathered beneath a decorated platform.
"This is more elaborate than what I was expecting," Stonewall said as she leaned toward the window, looking outside.
The plane landed.
The moment its doors opened, music began playing outside.
President Morstell exited first, accompanied by the foreign minister and her immediate security detail.
Ning followed with the other heroes, remaining close enough to the president to intervene if anything happened.
A young man walked forward to welcome them.
He appeared to be in his late twenties, with shoulder-length golden-brown hair and bright green eyes.
