Reincarnated Into A World Of Elves As The Only Man-Chapter 52: what lies ahead

The earth around Eren stilled as his concentration broke. He opened his eyes and turned toward them, the last of the stone formations crumbling gently back into sand. His expression was calm and composed, showing no surprise at being discovered.

"Eren, you... like?" Lyra stammered, the words tumbling out in shock before she could compose a coherent thought.

A smile spread across Eren’s face—not the shy, hesitant smile they remembered, but one of quiet confidence. It transformed his features, softening the sharp edges that had formed during their years apart.

"We should walk," he said, his voice low and measured. "There’s much to discuss, and these walls have too many ears." He gestured toward an archway set into the far wall of the training chamber, different from the one they had entered through.

The archway led to a winding passage that gradually sloped upward, eventually opening into a secluded garden unlike any Lyra had seen before. Stone paths wound between pools of water so still they looked like pieces of sky fallen to earth. Flowering vines with blooms of deep indigo and silver climbed trellises of twisted copper, and trees with bark that seemed to shimmer with inner light provided dappled shade.

They walked in silence for several moments, Eren leading them to a small clearing where three stone benches formed a triangle around a central fountain. The water in the fountain didn’t fall but rather rose upward in defiance of natural law, forming intricate patterns in the air before dissolving into mist.

"So," Lyra said as they settled onto the benches, "that’s how you gained the earth element... through TUNA." She shook her head in wonder. "I’ve always thought the prophecy was just a story formed over generations. Mother made me believe it was nothing more than superstition."

At the mention of their mother, Eren’s face transformed. The warmth vanished gradually, like sunlight disappearing behind storm clouds. His jaw tightened, and his eyes, which had been soft with nostalgia moments before, hardened with an emotion Lyra couldn’t immediately identify.

Silence stretched between them. A leaf drifted down from one of the shimmering trees, landing on the surface of a nearby pool without disturbing the water.

Lyra studied her Eren’s face, seeing the pain he tried to mask. She shifted on the stone bench, choosing her words carefully.

"I know Mother has offended you badly," she said at last, her voice gentle yet firm. "Somehow treated you in a way you didn’t deserve." She paused, watching the muscle in Eren’s jaw work as he stared at the ground. "But I assure you, that’s not the mother I knew. Something changed her."

Eren’s head lifted slowly. His gaze locked with hers, and for a moment, Lyra glimpsed the depth of hurt behind his composed exterior.

"Changed her?" The words came quietly at first, then built in intensity. "Changed her?" Eren’s voice erupted suddenly, echoing through the garden. Birds scattered from nearby branches at the outburst.

He stood, agitation evident in every line of his body. "She treated me like a monster!" His hands clenched at his sides. "All because of a prophecy she didn’t want to come to pass."

He paced several steps away, then turned back to face them. "But she and Sorrel—they’ve always known what would happen. They prepared for it while pretending to fight against it!"

The ground beneath them trembled slightly, the earth responding to Eren’s emotions. Small pebbles skittered across the stone path, and ripples disturbed the previously still pools of water. Naia rose and approached him cautiously, placing a steadying hand on his arm. The tremors subsided gradually, though the tension in his body remained evident.

Lyra waited until his breathing had steadied before she spoke again. She rose to her feet, facing him directly.

"I know your pain," she said softly, her voice carrying in the quiet garden. "And I know what you’re going through." She took a step closer, maintaining eye contact. "But listen to me, Eren—I don’t care if you destroy the realm and turn into a monster or save us all."

Her voice caught slightly, and she swallowed before continuing. "You’re still my sister with the good heart that I’ve always known." She reached out, stopping just short of touching him. "And I promise you, whoever is behind Mother treating you this way—whether she’s doing it herself or being influenced—I will bring an end to it."

She stood and opened her arms, a gesture of vulnerability rarely shown by the warrior. Eren stared at her for a long moment, conflict evident in his eyes. Then something broke within him. He rose to his feet and stepped into her embrace. Naia joined them a moment later, her arms encircling them both, and for a brief moment, they were children again—before prophecies and wars and betrayals had torn them apart.

A discreet cough broke the silence. They pulled apart to find Viva standing a few paces away, her posture formal yet relaxed. "I apologize for the interruption," she said with a slight bow of her head. "I thought you should know that the Lens twins have accepted to train you in the earth element, Veilwalker. They’re ready whenever you are."

As Eren nodded and prepared to leave, Naia caught his hand. Her fingers intertwined with his, holding him in place with surprising strength.

"Promise you won’t leave me behind anymore," she said, her voice barely above a whisper yet carrying the weight of years spent wondering, waiting, fearing. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

Eren looked at her for a long moment, his expression softening into a genuine smile that reached his eyes. "Yes," he said simply, the single word carrying the weight of an oath.

Naia’s lips curved upward. "As long as I am with you, I will always ease your pressure, like I did the other day." The words held a private meaning that made Eren’s smile deepen.

As he turned to leave, Eren noticed that Viva’s face had turned a deep crimson. Following his gaze, Lyra realized the cause of her embarrassment—the sash at Viva’s waist had slipped, partially exposing the fitted pants she wore beneath her formal robes. Viva hastily readjusted her clothing, her usual composure momentarily forgotten as she fumbled with the fabric.

Eren departed with Viva, who maintained a careful distance as she led the way, her formality returned but with a lingering flush to her cheeks.

Once they were out of earshot, Naia turned to Lyra, her expression troubled. "If the Great Three are to control the forbidden elves, then who controlled them to attack us that night?"

The question hung in the air between them, heavy with implications. Lyra was silent for a long moment, considering how much to reveal.

"Whatever it is," she finally said, "Eren must not know until she’s performed the second TUNA. Then—"

"I agree with that," came a voice from behind them. "Best not to put too much pressure on the princess."

Lyra’s hand flew to her blade as she whirled around. Captain Diana stood there, accompanied by Elira, both wearing the distinctive armor of the palace guard. Diana’s casual stance belied the alertness in her eyes, while Elira maintained a more formal posture.

"Captain," Lyra said, relaxing her stance only slightly, "next time you try to sneak at my back, I might cut your neck."

Diana’s lips curved into an amused smile. "Sorry, Your Highness."

Lyra turned back, her gaze distant as she considered all they had learned and all that remained unknown. "I hope we understand what we are facing."