Reincarnated Into A World Of Elves As The Only Man-Chapter 103: pre TUNA 2

Kaida’s kaleidoscope eyes fixed on one of the guards standing at attention near the chamber’s perimeter—the one wearing the fox mask. With a languid gesture of her hand, she beckoned the figure forward.

"Sarah," Kaida called, her voice a melody that seemed to linger in the air long after she’d spoken. "Escort our... Veilwalker... to Number Five’s chambers." The pause before and after "Veilwalker" hung heavy with meaning, the title simultaneously honorific and mockery.

The guard stepped forward immediately, her movements fluid and precise. She removed her fox mask, revealing features of striking elvish beauty—high cheekbones, almond-shaped eyes of deep emerald, and skin like polished alabaster. Her hair, a rich auburn cascading in intricate braids interwoven with tiny silver beads that caught the light, framed her face in an elaborate pattern that spoke of rank and station among Kaida’s forces.

"As you command, Master," Sarah replied, her voice carrying the lilting accent common to the eastern forests. She bowed deeply, the gesture practiced to perfection.

Kaida’s lips curved in that same predatory smile. "Ensure he arrives... safely." Her kaleidoscope eyes swirled with mischievous colors as she added, "Number Five has been... anticipating... this meeting with particular... interest."

Eren’s expression remained carefully neutral, though inwardly he calculated his options. ’Another piece moves on the board,’ he thought grimly. ’And I’m still not sure what do or think try now .’

"This way, Veilwalker," Sarah said, gesturing toward a different archway than the one through which he’d entered. Her tone was formal, but there was an undercurrent of something like reverence that caught Eren’s attention.

Without looking back at Kaida, Eren followed the elven guard. As they passed through the archway, he felt a subtle shift in the air—like crossing an invisible threshold where one type of power gave way to another. The corridor beyond was narrower than the grand hallways he’d traversed earlier, the walls closer, more confining. Luminous veins of mineral pulsed within the dark stone, providing just enough light to navigate by while casting strange, elongated shadows that seemed to move independently of their owners.

They walked in silence for several minutes, the only sounds their footsteps and the distant, rhythmic dripping of water. Occasionally, they would pass other guards or robed figures who would immediately press themselves against the wall and bow deeply as Eren passed. The deference was unexpected, and Eren found it more unsettling than reassuring.

"They’ve heard about you," Sarah said suddenly, breaking the silence as they turned down yet another corridor. "We all have."

Eren glanced at her, noting the way her eyes darted nervously to his face before returning to the path ahead. "What exactly have you heard?" he asked, voice carefully neutral.

Sarah’s pace faltered slightly, her braids swaying with the movement. The silver beads caught the light from the mineral veins, creating tiny constellations of reflection on the dark walls.

"That you’re the one," she replied, her voice dropping to a reverent whisper. "The Veilwalker who will bring balance to our world." Her emerald eyes brightened with emotion. "Master Kaida has been preparing us for your arrival for years. In our nightly assemblies, she speaks of the great wonders you are capable of—how you will usher in a new age where the elements no longer war with one another."

There was such naked hope in her expression that Eren found himself momentarily taken aback. Her fervor had the quality of religious devotion.

"Forgive me," she continued, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. "It’s just—to actually walk beside you, to guide your steps..." She placed a hand over her heart, the gesture unconsciously graceful. "My parents died in the Sundering when elemental forces tore through our village. I was only a child. Master Kaida took me in, trained me, showed me how the imbalance of elemental forces causes such suffering."

They turned another corner, and Eren noticed they were now descending a spiral staircase, the steps worn smooth from centuries of use. The air grew cooler, danker.

"When she speaks of you," Sarah continued, her voice thick with emotion, "of how you will seal the nexus points and bring true balance—I see my parents’ faces. I see all the villages that might be saved from what happened to mine."

Eren studied her face as they walked, noting the absolute conviction in her features. ’She truly believes,’ he thought. ’Not just obedience or fear—this is faith.’

"I think," he said carefully, "your Master may have misled you—though perhaps in the right direction." He watched her expression closely as he spoke.

Sarah’s steps faltered, her braids swinging forward with the sudden motion. "Misled?" The word seemed to physically pain her.

"If I may ask," Eren continued, his tone conversational, "why did you and your colleague cross your spears when I approached? Is that how you typically treat your... mentor?"

Sarah’s cheeks flushed a deep rose against her pale skin. She stammered for a moment, fingers nervously adjusting one of her braids. "I—we were just—" She took a breath to compose herself. "Tomas and I simply wanted to speak with you. To hear your voice directly." Her emerald eyes shone with earnest emotion. "To exchange words with the Veilwalker—it is perhaps the greatest achievement of my life."

They had reached the bottom of the spiral staircase and entered a wide corridor lined with ornate doors on either side. The mineral veins in the walls glowed brighter here, pulsing with a steady rhythm that reminded Eren uncomfortably of a heartbeat.

"I appreciate your candor," Eren replied, his voice gentle despite his circumstances. "Your dedication speaks well of you, Sarah."

Her flush deepened at his words, the tips of her pointed ears turning pink. She opened her mouth to respond, but the sound of marching feet interrupted her.

From a connecting passage emerged a formation of warriors moving with disciplined precision. Their armor, crafted from a metal Eren didn’t recognize, gleamed with an inner light that seemed to respond to their movements. Each bore a spear tipped with crystalline points that hummed with elemental energy. Their faces were set in expressions of fierce determination, eyes forward, jaws clenched.

As they approached, the formation parted seamlessly around Eren and Sarah, never breaking stride. Each warrior bowed their head slightly as they passed Eren, a gesture of respect that seemed at odds with their militant bearing.

"What’s happening?" Eren asked, watching as the warriors disappeared down another corridor. "They look as though they’re preparing for war."

Before Sarah could answer, another contingent appeared—larger than the first, perhaps fifty strong. They too marched with the same precision, the same determination etched into their features. And like the first group, they parted around Eren and Sarah without breaking formation, each offering that same slight bow.

"It’s nothing," Sarah said quickly—too quickly. "Just routine exercises. The guards maintain strict training schedules."

Eren caught the flicker in her emerald eyes, the subtle tension in her posture. ’She’s lying,’ he realized. ’Not very well, either.’

"Sarah," he said, his voice softening as he stopped walking, forcing her to stop as well. "What is your full name?"

She blinked in surprise at the unexpected question. "Sarah Silverbrook," she answered, her braids shifting as she tilted her head in confusion.

Eren nodded thoughtfully. "Sarah Silverbrook," he repeated, as if tasting the name. "Do you know the ancient myth of the Silverbrook sisters?"

Uncertainty flashed across her features. "I... don’t believe I do."

"They were twin guardians of truth," Eren improvised smoothly. "It was said that lies spoken by a Silverbrook would cause the waters of their namesake brook to run dry." He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a confidential tone. "The myth teaches us that those who share your name carry a special burden—the burden of honesty, especially in times of great change."

He lied.

Sarah’s emerald eyes widened slightly, her lips parting in surprise.

"So I ask you again," Eren continued gently, "what’s happening with those warriors?"

She glanced nervously down the corridor, then back at Eren. "Master instructed no one to speak to you about it, Veilwalker," she whispered, bowing her head in apology. "I’m sorry."

Eren reached forward, his fingers gently tilting her chin upward. His hand brushed against her intricately braided hair, the silver beads cool against his skin. A faint blush colored her cheeks at his touch.

"Just tell me," he murmured, holding her gaze. "It’s just a word. And if I hear it, it’s not as if I have anything to do with it." He leaned slightly closer. "But what if there’s an intruder? I should be prepared to fight and guard you." His eyes held hers intently. "Particularly you."

Sarah’s blush deepened, her emerald eyes wide and vulnerable. "Do you mean that, Veilwalker?" she whispered.

"Yes," Eren replied, his voice low and sincere. "With all my heart."

She paused, glancing around nervously before leaning closer. "The Thornvale and Moonlight forces are here," she whispered, the words barely audible even in the quiet corridor.

Eren couldn’t quite hide his surprise. ’Mother and Elena, here? How ?’ Relief flickered through him momentarily. If outside forces were gathering, perhaps there was hope for intervention in Kaida’s plans.

’I will be with you all soon, I promise,’ he thought, though his expression revealed nothing.

They continued down the corridor in silence, Sarah leading him through an increasingly complex maze of passages. Finally, they arrived at a door unlike any Eren had seen in the palace thus far. Carved from what appeared to be a single piece of obsidian, its surface was etched with an elaborate skull design, the eye sockets inlaid with gems that seemed to track their movement. Faint wisps of silver energy curled around the doorframe, occasionally forming symbols that disappeared almost as soon as they formed.

"Kiran’s chamber," Sarah said unnecessarily, her voice hushed with what might have been fear.

Eren stepped forward and knocked firmly on the door.

"Veilwalker, Veilwalker!" Kiran’s voice called immediately from within, as if she had been waiting just on the other side.

Sarah stepped back, her complexion paler than before. "Good luck on your TUNA with Lady Kiran," she murmured.

Eren turned to look at her as she began to move away. Something in her voice—a note of genuine concern perhaps—caught his attention. Their eyes met briefly, and then she turned, her braids swinging with the motion.

As Eren prepared to step through the doorway, a strange sound made him glance back. Sarah had stopped a few paces away, her hands suddenly clutching at her head. Her body went rigid, her back arching unnaturally.

’What in the—’ Eren’s thought cut off as he watched in horror.

Sarah’s head began to swell, expanding impossibly, her features stretching, her emerald eyes bulging from their sockets. Her mouth opened in a silent scream as her skull continued to grow, the skin straining, veins prominent against the stretched surface.

Eren took an instinctive step toward her, but before he could move further, the impossible happened.

With a sound like a wet cloth tearing, Sarah’s head burst open in an explosion of blood and matter, spattering the corridor walls with dark red.