Chapter 37 – “Makes Me Think Strange Thoughts”:
I bowed lightly at the captain’s high praise.
“Thank you.”
“Could you draw five more copies of the same map? It would be best to give one to each of the other members.”
“Of course. Please wait just a moment.”
It wasn’t often that he praised someone this much, so I couldn’t help but feel good about it.
Right there on the spot, I drew five more maps and handed them out to the other members.
Karl and Elma, holding the maps, each let out words of admiration.
“This is very detailed. Did you really figure out the island’s topography purely by intuition and draw it so accurately?”
“My goodness… At this level, isn’t this practically an ability? Like some kind of detection power. How is this even possible?”
Right after Karl and Elma marveled at it, Oscar spoke up next.
“This is amazing. Not only that you sensed the island’s geography so precisely, but your drawing skills are incredible as well!”
Oscar’s sky-blue eyes sparkled as he spoke in awe, and as soon as he finished, Maximilian, with his usual weary face, grumbled.
“But we can’t guarantee that this map is truly accurate, can we? If it’s wrong, then…”
It was the first negative comment so far, but it didn’t particularly bother me.
Maximilian was well-known in the order for always complaining about something.
What concerned me more was Caroline’s reaction.
“I’m not going to look at the map. I’ve seen too many people die relying on inaccurate information.”
Caroline’s bright red hair was tied high, making her stand out.
For some reason, Caroline often opposed my suggestions.
Maybe she was jealous that I, who was the same age and gender, had a higher position than her.
Either way, as vice-captain, I couldn’t just let this slide.
“Yes, relying on inaccurate information is dangerous. But that’s only when the information is actually inaccurate.”
“…”
“My sense has proven accurate and sharp enough to predict monsters’ positions several times. So you can put away your worries about this map being wrong.”
At my words, Caroline’s expression twisted slightly, and she tucked the map away into her uniform.
Seeing her finally close her mouth, I let out a small sigh.
I was already feeling tired.
If discipline were stricter, someone like Caroline—a mere member—wouldn’t dare talk back to me like this. But unfortunately, the Silver Order wasn’t like that.
The reason was that the “awakeners” who made up our order were far too valuable.
People who had fully awakened an ability were so rare in the Empire that they were nearly irreplaceable.
Because of that, I couldn’t freely discipline or enforce strict order when members like Caroline acted a bit arrogantly.
Still, at least I could guarantee there’d be no embarrassment from a faulty map.
I had drawn it exactly as I remembered it—even down to the shape of the river.
“Let’s move.”
Right then, the captain said so and began leading us toward the river.
We followed quietly behind him.
Of course, along the way, I kept providing him with information.
“There’s a swamp area just ahead. I’ll freeze the ground solid so we can cross over it together.”
The captain stepped forward and pressed down on the ground with his boot before replying.
“It’s true, the ground starts softening from here. If we had kept walking, the swamp would have drained our stamina.”
Listening from the side, Elma added,
“At this point, I’m starting to suspect the vice-captain really has awakened a second ability.”
“I wish I could awaken a second ability too. Anyway, since I’ll need to freeze the ground, everyone step back for a moment. Captain, you as well.”
I moved all the members behind me and walked to the start of the swamp.
Then, I froze the ground, making it firm.
Even when I jumped on it lightly, it didn’t sink—this should be solid enough.
Thanks to that, everyone was able to cross the swamp safely.
It really helped that I’d been here before.
If I hadn’t come here prior to my regression, I wouldn’t have known about the swamp.
Back then, it had drained a lot of my stamina.
Using that past experience, we overcame the first obstacle and reached the riverbank much faster than expected.
“This is it—the river on the map.”
Hearing my explanation, the captain checked the map.
He studied the river and the surrounding terrain before nodding.
“The map is accurate.”
At those words, Caroline looked away awkwardly.
She probably remembered saying earlier that the map might be wrong and was feeling embarrassed.
Then the captain turned to me and asked,
“Can you also sense if there are monsters living under the river?”
“Yes, I can. There are a few, but they’re not dangerous. Still, since it’s getting late, it would be better to wait until morning and cross after sunrise.”
“Impressive. You can even gauge the danger level of the monsters you detect.”
Since I’d been providing him with useful information for a while, the captain now seemed to trust most of what I said.
Giving me a nod of approval, he ordered the others,
“Prepare camp. We’ll spend the night here and cross tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir!”
We then moved into a cave a bit away from the river to set up camp.
Of course, I had also told them about this cave’s location.
When I informed them there was a safe cave nearby, the members were astonished again.
Some even asked if I had really awakened a second ability and wanted me to be tested again.
After that commotion, we finished setting up camp and having dinner.
Now, I found myself walking toward the river, a little apart from the others.
It was partly to digest my food and partly to take a short stroll nearby.
The monsters under the river weren’t dangerous, and they stayed deep underwater, so walking near the bank was safe.
I was supposed to keep an eye on the members to make sure they didn’t smuggle monsters, but after doing that all day, I was exhausted.
I just wanted a moment alone before going back.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who thought that way.
“Captain, you’re here?”
The captain, already sitting by the river before me, turned to look when I spoke.
Bathed in moonlight, his face looked especially pale—like a white marble statue.
For a moment, I stared at that godlike face, as though sculpted with the utmost care, then lowered my gaze.
“Sorry if I disturbed your rest. I’ll go somewhere else.”
“No. You didn’t disturb me. Since you’re here, why not talk for a bit?”
Instead of telling me to leave, he patted the spot beside him.
I had no reason to refuse, so I gladly sat next to him.
From there, I could see the beautiful river glistening under scattered moonlight.
As I quietly took in the scene, he suddenly spoke.
“You were truly impressive today.”
I turned to look at him, but he kept his gaze on the river.
Without looking at me, he continued quietly,
“The only reason we made it here without getting lost was thanks to you.”
“You flatter me.”
“No need to be modest. You really played a huge role—enough to make my past doubts about you seem ridiculous.”
His words carried a hint of self-reproach, so I quickly replied,
“It’s fine if you doubted me before, Captain. The circumstances made it inevitable.”
If I were in his place, I would have doubted me too.
A knight appointed directly by the Emperor—a man the captain despised—would look suspicious to anyone.
To him, I must have been like a thorn stuck in his side.
“You can doubt me as much as you like. I’ll work harder to earn your trust.”
“No.”
He shook his head firmly, finally turning to face me.
His golden eyes reflected my entire image as he said with emphasis,
“I don’t doubt you anymore.”
“…”
“I trust you.”
I had never known that having someone trust me could feel so sweet.
This was the same captain who had openly declared that he didn’t trust me, now showing me his unwavering faith.
Suppressing the emotion rising in my chest, I asked,
“Even if I danced with His Majesty the Emperor?”
