[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-reincarnated-as-an-elf-prince":3,"chapter-reincarnated-as-an-elf-prince-reincarnated-as-an-elf-prince-chapter-140":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Reincarnated as an Elf Prince",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},267669,538,"Chapter 140 140: Talking Trees (2)","reincarnated-as-an-elf-prince-chapter-140",140,"\u003Cp>They followed the Grathiln in a slow curve through the trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The path wasn't clear. It wasn't even a path. Just the direction the creature moved in, bending branches aside with long limbs that didn't seem to feel weight or cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground didn't crunch under its feet. It didn't make noise at all, really. Like the forest had decided it was part of the design.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lindarion walked behind it. Third in line. Ren led. Lira followed close behind her. Ardan and Meren flanked a bit wider, keeping distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not out of fear. Just practicality. It didn't feel like the kind of thing you wanted brushing against your coat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Still not sure if this is an escort or a trap.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grathiln's back was bent, not from pain, just age maybe. Its bark-body shimmered faintly in places where sap caught the morning light. No moss. No rot. But every step looked a thousand years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren didn't talk. She looked comfortable. Too comfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Of course she's not surprised by walking trees.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira had that same unreadable expression again. Calm. But watching. Always watching. Her hand stayed near the edge of her coat, but not quite touching anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest grew darker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not thicker. Not denser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just… darker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the sun had agreed to step back for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lindarion exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No breath fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too much mana in the air now. Thick and old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It clung to his skin like dust. Not unpleasant. But aware.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, Meren whispered something. Probably to Ardan. The response was a soft grunt. Maybe agreement. Maybe just disapproval at the fact they were following an eight-foot leaf-boned grandpa deeper into the unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They came into a clearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't big.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just wide enough to hold breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center stood a second Grathiln. Taller. Stiller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This one didn't move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its bark was black. Not rotted, but hardened. Like obsidian with grain. Branches arched from its shoulders like a twisted crown. Moss hung from one side, draped like a scarf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its eyes opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren't eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just hollows filled with slow green glow, like the last echo of a candle trapped in glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn't bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn't speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just tilted her head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grathiln spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound wasn't speech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like wind moving through hollowed wood, and somehow that became words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You walk with old names.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lindarion's spine went stiff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound hadn't gone into his ears. It went straight to the center of his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren turned slightly. Her eyes flicked toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira didn't move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice came again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You bear the blood of the Sunbound. Sunblade. Named of Eldorath.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meren made a small noise. Not quite a gasp. More like a confused wheeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ardan didn't react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course he didn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'So much for walking quietly.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lindarion stepped forward once. Only once. His hands didn't move. His posture didn't shift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn't ask to be recognized…sir..? What exactly do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grathiln's branches rustled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not wind. Not breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughter. Maybe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You shine regardless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Doesn't really answer my question.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira spoke next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grathiln's glow pulsed faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We remember.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No title. No bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just memory of…something?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What the hell does it remember?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lindarion felt the weight of that word settle across his shoulders like a second cloak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't speak again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just listened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And waited for whatever came next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clearing didn't move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wind. No animal sounds. Not even the shift of leaves underfoot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just them. The Grathiln. And that green-lit stare that didn't blink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lindarion didn't look away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence stretched too long for comfort. But not long enough for fear. Just enough to make the air feel thinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren spoke, finally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does remembering mean you'll help us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grathiln didn't tilt its head. Didn't shift weight. But something in the glow of its eyes changed. Brighter, maybe. Or just deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You walk paths not drawn. Roads half-closed. Blood wakes old roots.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meren muttered behind Lindarion, \"Cool. That's totally a yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira's hand lifted. Just slightly. Enough for him to shut up again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grathiln turned its face, if that was even the right word, to Lindarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We do not help,\" it said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren's mouth opened like she had something sharp to say. Then closed it again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lindarion stayed quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We observe,\" the voice continued. \"We wait. We remember. And when the remembering is strong enough… we choose a side.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward again. Just one pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We didn't come to ask for help…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grathiln's eyes flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No. You did not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it looked to Lira. The change was subtle. Like watching a shadow lean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You carry forge-sap and iron-memory. Your hands bind flame and oath.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira blinked. Her face didn't change, but her hand at her side curled just once. Thumb to palm. Then loose again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I carry what I made,\" she said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grathiln nodded. Or did something that might have been one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we grant you this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It lifted one long limb. Branches curled inward like a hand beckoning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another Grathiln stepped from the tree line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smaller. Younger. If that word applied. Its bark was pale. Its eyes less steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It carried something wrapped in dull green cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger Grathiln knelt. Set the bundle down at Lira's feet. Then backed away without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader looked at her again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You forged steel from broken season. We give you back the piece you lost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira didn't move right away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren whispered, \"Okay that's actually kind of cool.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meren leaned sideways. \"Is it a weapon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it cursed?\" Ardan asked flatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira stepped forward and knelt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She unwrapped the cloth slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside was a hilt. No blade. Not broken. Just missing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hilt shimmered faintly with embedded ore, something between silver and green glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lindarion leaned forward slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That's not normal metal.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira stood again. Holding it in one hand. Her fingers curled around it like it had never left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grathiln said nothing else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lindarion didn't ask what the hilt meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew better than to ask someone about pieces of their past while it was still unfolding in their hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he stepped forward. Just enough to stand even with Lira.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this the end of the road?\" he asked the Grathiln.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A long pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" the voice said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The road just now begins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The branches rustled again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lindarion wasn't sure if that meant warning or blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just nodded once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then turned toward the path behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wouldn't stay long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could feel it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest had given what it would.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it had already begun remembering too much.\u003C\u002Fp>",1125,"2026-05-29T17:03:12.824Z","2026-06-01T04:29:47.183Z",1,"novelbin.me","b37ce1da6d64564276dfb457b838ee7038d7a75fb82d7f51d8d99f44b2c46def","reincarnated-as-an-elf-prince-chapter-141","reincarnated-as-an-elf-prince-chapter-139",564,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freincarnated-as-an-elf-prince-cover.jpg"]