Reincarnated Into A World Of Elves As The Only Man-Chapter 25: Secret review

The morning sunlight filtered through the ancient trees surrounding Eren’s chambers, casting dappled patterns across the floor as he paced restlessly. Sleep had eluded him since his conversation with Lyra, his mind replaying her carefully chosen words and the doubt that had lingered beneath them. When a soft knock interrupted his thoughts, he moved to the door with unexpected eagerness.

"Naia," he said, relief evident in his voice as he stepped aside to let his sister enter. "I didn’t expect you back so soon."

Naia’s expression was guarded as she studied her sibling’s face, noting the unusual silver gleam in Eren’s typically emerald eyes. "You look terrible. Have you slept at all?"

"I can’t," Eren admitted, returning to the window where the distant aqueduct was just visible through the morning mist. "Something’s still not right, Naia. I can feel it."

"Lyra said they found nothing," Naia reminded him gently, her long fingers adjusting the intricate leather bracer at her wrist. "The water tested pure."

Eren’s fingers tightened on the ornately carved windowsill. "I need to see for myself."

"What?" Naia’s delicately pointed ears flicked backward in surprise. "Eren, you can’t seriously be considering—"

"I am," he interrupted, turning to face her. "Will you help me?"

Naia’s posture stiffened, the leaflike patterns etched into her skin seeming to darken with her mood. "Mother specifically ordered increased patrols. You won’t make it past the sacred gardens without being questioned."

"That’s why I need you," Eren said, his eyes bright with an intensity that made Naia uneasy. "I need to understand what’s happening to me, Naia. These visions—they’re becoming clearer, stronger." He hesitated before adding, "And if I’m wrong, at least I’ll know."

"And if you’re not wrong?" Naia challenged, the ancient wooden beads in her braided hair clicking softly as she tilted her head. "What then?"

Eren had no answer for that.

Naia paced the length of the room, conflict evident in every line of her lithe body. "This is madness, Eren. Lyra would never approve."

"I’m not asking Lyra," Eren said quietly. "I’m asking you."

Their eyes met across the room, years of shared secrets and silent understanding passing between them.

"If we’re caught—" Naia began.

"We won’t be," Eren assured her with more confidence than he felt.

Naia sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping in resignation. "I can get you to the stables without notice. After that, you’re on your own." She fixed him with a stern look. "Promise me you’ll be careful. No heroics, no confrontations. You look, you confirm what you need to confirm, and you return immediately."

Relief flooded Eren’s face. "Thank you."

"Don’t thank me yet," Naia muttered, her fingertips instinctively brushing the ceremonial dagger at her hip. "I already regret this."

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

The ride to the western aqueduct took less time than Eren had anticipated. His mount, an elegant silver elk chosen for speed rather than combat, carried him swiftly through the scattered moonblossom groves that separated the elven palace from the ancient water system. As he approached, he slowed, noting the increased patrol presence that Elysia had ordered.

’Too many eyes,’ he thought, dismounting in a small copse of luminous trees. ’I’ll need to be careful.’

Tethering his elk securely, Eren moved on foot, using the trees and crystalline undergrowth for cover as he made his way closer to the stone structure. From his vantage point, he could see two elven guards stationed at the main access point, their iridescent armor catching the afternoon light as they maintained vigilant postures.

Eren closed his eyes, focusing his senses as he had been trained. The familiar pressure built behind his temples as he extended his awareness, seeking that elusive void he had sensed before. For several moments, there was nothing—just the natural flow of energy through enchanted stone and sacred water.

Then—there. A subtle disturbance, like a false note in an ancient melody, sending ripples through the energetic field. Subtle, but unmistakable.

’I wasn’t wrong,’ he realized with a mixture of vindication and dread.

A commotion near the guard post drew his attention. A third figure had joined the guards—an elven woman in the simple clothing of a lower city resident, her ears adorned with the copper rings that marked her as a water-keeper. Even from a distance, Eren could see the agitation in her gestures as she spoke to the guards, one of whom was shaking her head.

Curiosity overriding caution, Eren shifted his position for a better view, careful to remain concealed. As he moved, his foot dislodged a small cascade of crystalline pebbles, the sound seeming impossibly loud in the quiet afternoon.

The guards’ heads snapped toward the noise, hands moving to moonsilver weapons. Eren froze, breath held, as they scanned the treeline. After a tense moment, they returned their attention to the water-keeper, though their posture remained alert.

Eren weighed his options. He could remain hidden and hope to overhear, or he could reveal himself and use his position to gain information directly. The second option was risky—word would certainly get back to Elysia—but potentially more fruitful.

Decision made, Eren straightened his ceremonial robes and emerged from the trees, adopting an air of casual authority that he’d learned from watching Lyra.

"Is there a problem here?" he called as he approached, noting how the guards immediately stiffened in recognition, their right hands moving to their hearts in formal salute.

"Your Highness," the senior guard said, surprise evident in her voice. "We weren’t informed of your visit."

"That was intentional," Eren replied smoothly. "I wished to observe the new security measures without... preparation." He turned his attention to the water-keeper, whose eyes had widened in recognition. "What brings you to the aqueduct?"

The woman bowed hastily, her copper rings catching the light. "Begging your pardon, Your Highness. I came to report—well, it might be nothing, but several families in my district have fallen ill. Nothing severe, just stomach ailments, but it’s strange. And the water..." She hesitated, seemingly embarrassed. "It tastes different. Metallic, almost."

The guards exchanged skeptical glances, but Eren felt a chill of confirmation.

"How many families?" he asked sharply.

"Five that I know of, Your Highness. All drawing from the same sacred well."

Eren turned to the guards. "Has anyone tested the water today?"

"Not since yesterday’s inspection, Your Highness," the younger guard admitted, her leaf-like markings flushing slightly in embarrassment. "But that showed nothing unusual."

"Test it again," Eren ordered, his voice brooking no argument. "And send someone to collect samples from the affected well." He addressed the water-keeper directly. "Show them where. And thank you for coming forward."

As the woman departed with one of the guards, Eren approached the aqueduct itself, placing his palm against the cool stone etched with ancient elven runes of purification. The sensation was immediate—a subtle wrongness, a corruption that hadn’t been present in the water yesterday.

’Too late,’ he thought grimly. ’Whatever they planned, it’s already in motion.’

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

In the shadowed throne room of Thornvale, Queen Elena received her visitor with cool detachment. The chamber was adorned with twisted roots and darkened crystals, an inversion of the light-filled halls of Elysia’s court. Commander Maria stood at her side, her battle-scarred face betraying nothing as the hooded figure approached and knelt before the obsidian dais.

"My Queen," the messenger murmured, head bowed in deference. "I bring news from Elysia’s court."

Elena leaned forward slightly, interest sparking in her pale violet eyes. The ancient crown of thorns upon her brow seemed to pulse with an inner light. "Speak."

"Queen Elysia’s offspring has seen through our deception," the messenger reported. "She has given the information to her mother, but we were one step ahead. By the time they investigated, there was nothing to find."

"And yet," Elena said softly, her voice like the whisper of dying leaves, "you seem disturbed."

The messenger hesitated before continuing. "The child returned today, alone. She sensed the second phase of our plan despite our precautions."

Commander Maria’s expression hardened, the war markings on her face seeming to deepen. "Impossible. The contamination is undetectable even to our most sensitive water-seers."

"Not by conventional means, perhaps," the messenger agreed, finally raising their head to meet the queen’s gaze. "But Eren is... different."

Elena’s lips curved into a smile that held no warmth. "So it is true. Queen Elysia’s daughter can indeed see beyond what others perceive." She rose from her throne, descending the steps with deliberate grace, her movements fluid as shadow across water. "The prophecy takes shape before us." frёeωebɳovel.com

Commander Maria shifted uncomfortably, her armor of blackened moonsilver making no sound despite the movement. "My Queen, we cannot be certain—"

"Can we not?" Elena interrupted, circling the still-kneeling messenger. "The signs align too perfectly to be coincidence. A child born between worlds, gifted with sight beyond sight." She paused, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. "A bridge—or a harbinger."

The messenger remained perfectly still, though their eyes tracked the queen’s movement. "What would you have me do, My Queen?"

Elena returned to her throne, tapping her elongated fingers thoughtfully against the ancient wood. "Continue as planned. But I want more information about this... Eren. Observe, but do not interfere." Her eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity. "If this is truly the one from the prophecy, events must unfold precisely as foretold."

"And if they deviate?" Commander Maria asked cautiously.

"Then we adjust accordingly," Elena replied with chilling simplicity. "One way or another, the cycle will be completed."

As the messenger rose to depart, Elena added, "And ensure our agents in the lower city remain vigilant. I want to know exactly how their water supply responds to our... addition."

Once the messenger had withdrawn, Commander Maria approached the throne. "You believe this child is the fulfillment of the prophecy?"

"I believe," Elena said coldly, "that power recognizes power. And if this Eren can sense our movements from a distance..." She trailed off, her gaze distant, as if seeing beyond the stone walls of her fortress. "The old texts speak of one who walks between worlds, whose blood carries the memory of ancient pacts."

"A dangerous assumption to make," Maria cautioned, her hand resting on the hilt of her ceremonial blade.

Elena’s laughter was sharp as broken glass. "What is rulership if not a series of dangerous assumptions, Commander?" She rose once more, moving to the narrow window that overlooked the harsh landscape of Thornvale. "Besides, there is a simple way to confirm our suspicions."

"My Queen?"

"In dreams," Elena said softly, "all barriers thin. If the connection is real, I will know soon enough."