Consolation Ceremony (8)

Once we reached water shallow enough to stand in, Commander Cyril let me down from his back.

Soft sand had gathered underfoot, and since I hadn't realized it was sand, I wobbled as soon as I took my first step.

Commander Cyril immediately caught me by the arm and let me hold on to him.

Commander Curtis followed a few meters behind, as if escorting me.

As I splashed through the water, I spotted the residents packed along the beach, waiting for us.

My, what kindhearted people. They must have come to check on us because they were worried about me and the knight who fell off the cliff.

Thinking that, I hurried through the water as quickly as I could.

Just then, it seemed dawn had arrived, and the sky began to grow faintly brighter.

The vivid light of the rising sun began to illuminate the dark sea.

"It's dawn. If only it had come a little sooner, it might have lit up the dark sea."...