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GUILT AND SHAME. Those were all the words Solene could ever think of as she solely reported to Julius the next day about the events that happened in the Quicksand Dungeon. Her head hung low, her voice downcast.
“I see. So you’ve successfully captured Perpetua Forsythe as well as obtained the ancient magic item she had—one that has the ability to manipulate time and space in the dungeon, is it?” Julius said.
“But we failed to protect the stone tablet, sir. Not only did the fall of the Quicksand Dungeon was caused by my helplessness, but it was also because of me that Lord William is now convalescent.” Her eyes ventured to her Golden Dawn crest. “If anything, I can't accept nor do I deserve to receive a promotion. Lord William did most of the work, not me.”
Julius walked towards her, grabbing her arm. “That's not true, Solene. You were amazing. You held your own against Perpetua and you showed great partnership with William. Besides, you know how kind and responsible William is to his comrades, he’ll never leave them. He wouldn't like it if you blame yourself for something he chose to do. So don't waste his resolve to prioritize you first before himself.”
Solene straightened up, giving him a salute. “Yes, sir!”
“Anyway! I am still going to promote you.” He said, taking a medal from Marx. “Solene Amberdawn, with your courageous and marvelous performance as a Magic Knight for only two weeks, I am promoting you as a 2nd Class Intermediate Magic Knight.”
Solene was still very reluctant to take it, so Julius himself hung it on her neck. “You deserve it.”
“Besides, it's not often Lord Julius gives promotions like this. We always conduct our award ceremonies annually. You should be honored.” Marx said.
“Thank you very much then, Wizard King! I will make sure to become a responsible Magic Knight to the best of my abilities!”
However, Solene prepared herself for what would happen to her when she went back to the headquarters. After learning what happened to their captain, the whole Golden Dawn was shocked, devastated, and concerned. It wasn't like their captain would go down unconscious just because of a dungeon mission, he was more capable than that. So someone… must be holding him back, and put him in this current situation.
Vice-captain Yuno summoned all of them in the assembly hall, by the grand staircase. The Golden Dawn wasn't very much welcoming upon seeing her arrival. As usual, they were chatting in groups, whispering gossip, and their mockery infiltrated her ears.
Solene, a peasant rookie, was responsible for the injuries William had.
“It’s her fault that Captain Vangeance is still unconscious.”
“Yeah! She must've been so weak he had to protect her with his life. Seriously, he should've just left her there to die! It's not like her death would have a great impact.”
