Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent

As Kyle and Bruce stepped back into the village, the weight of battle still clinging to their clothes and posture, they were met with a surprising sight—smiles.

Warm, genuine smiles from the villagers and servants alike.

Despite the lingering fear, relief had spread through the people like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.

"Thank the stars you're safe!"

One of the older servants exclaimed.

"You saved us, Young Master. We're alive because of you!"

Another added with tearful gratitude.

Even those who had previously been too wary to approach now offered shy bows or hushed words of thanks.

Kyle lifted a hand and gave a calm, composed nod.

"I understand your gratitude. But it's late. Everyone should return to their rooms and rest. There may still be work ahead of us tomorrow."

His voice, gentle yet firm, soothed the crowd.

The villagers and servants began dispersing, bowing one last time before shuffling off under the guard of the Margrave's knights.

Margrave Ricca remained behind, her arms crossed as she studied Kyle.

"I must thank you properly. You saved not only the village, but my people. I owe you more than I can express."

Kyle arched a brow.

"Words are nice, but I believe in actions more."

That earned a light laugh from her.

"Then I shall act. Consider this: a formal treaty between us. You will have my support—military, strategic, and political—should you ever need it."

"I'll take you up on that. And... some financial backing as well. I have a few plans in motion that could use funding."

Kyle said without hesitation.

Ricca blinked, clearly caught off-guard by the bluntness.

"You don't waste time, do you?"

"I don't believe in pretending I don't need help."

He replied simply.

She shook her head, half amused, half impressed.

"You're the first person I've met who's asked for money from someone already complaining about being broke."

Kyle offered her a faint smirk.

You haven't seen my greed yet."

A sudden chill tickled the back of Ricca's neck.

She wasn't sure if it was the breeze or something more ominous behind those words.

"Noted. Well, I think I should get back to my room before I end up agreeing to give you the estate too."

She murmured, coughing politely.

Kyle said nothing, merely inclining his head with that same calm look. Ricca excused herself quickly and disappeared into the manor.

But before Kyle could enjoy the quiet, Melissa and Silvy practically materialized at his side.

"Young Master! Are you hurt?"

Melissa asked, her voice urgent as her eyes darted toward his bandaged arm.

"You shouldn't be moving around in that condition."

Silvy added, though concern softened her usual cheekiness.

Kyle sighed inwardly. He could already feel the tension rising between the two, like a storm brewing behind polite smiles.

"I'm fine. Your concern is noted, but I need some peace right now."

He said flatly.

Melissa looked like she wanted to protest, but Kyle cut her off with a look.

"Bruce, take them back to their rooms."

He ordered.

Bruce, who had just caught up, groaned.

"Why do I feel like I'm the one always stuck with peacekeeping duty?"

"Because you are. Get going."

Kyle said without humor.

Bruce gave a lazy salute.

"Come on, ladies. Let's not make him regret saving the village."

Melissa muttered something under her breath, while Silvy gave Kyle one last worried glance before turning away.

Once Kyle was certain that everyone had gone to their rooms and the manor halls were quiet, he turned away from the main corridor and headed toward the dungeon.

The flickering torchlight barely reached the bottom of the steps, but Kyle's footsteps were steady as ever.

He didn't need the light to guide him—his purpose lit the path.

The herb master sat shackled to the wall, his head resting back against cold stone.

When he saw Kyle approaching, his lips curled into a twisted smirk.

"Ah… the young lady again… or should I say, the monster behind the mask?"

Kyle didn't react, merely coming to a halt in front of the bars. He met the man's eyes, and the herb master's grin widened.

"Did you like my little present? The ruins… the barrier? A gift, really. Just a taste of what's coming."

The man asked mockingly.

"I've dealt with your gift."

Kyle said, voice as calm and cold as steel.

That wiped the smirk off the herb master's face.

"What nonsense are you—"

"The barrier is gone. The ruins are broken. Your beasts have retreated. Your curse failed."

Kyle continued.

The herb master stared at him, wide-eyed.

"Impossible."

Kyle unlocked the cell and stepped in.

"You're lying. It shouldn't have fallen so soon—"

The man said, scrambling to his feet as far as his chains would allow.

"Come."

Kyle said simply, grabbing him by the collar and yanking him forward.

The herb master resisted at first, but one look at Kyle's expression shut him up.

He let himself be dragged, stumbling behind the young man as they ascended the stairs and emerged into the courtyard.

As soon as the herb master stepped outside, he froze. The air was still, clean. No oppressive pressure.

No curse. And most of all, no glowing ruin barrier enclosing the village. It was gone.

Completely gone.

His knees gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.

"N-No… this can't be…"

Kyle stood over him, arms crossed.

"I-I didn't mean it! I swear! I didn't think it'd go this far! Please… forgive me…I'll never do it again! I was forced—!"

The man begged, groveling on the stone path.

Kyle didn't flinch.

"That's not why I brought you out here."

The herb master stopped.

"Then…?"

"I want to know how you learned about ruins. How you manipulated mana the way you did. That's not knowledge common in this world—not even among scholars.""

Kyle said.

The herb master's face twisted into panic.

"I—I can't say. I'm under a contract. I'll die if I say anything."

Kyle knelt beside him, his eyes narrowing.

"Say it anyway."

"I can't—!"

"Say it!"

Kyle repeated, his voice dipping into something darker, weightier. Even the air seemed to thicken under his words.

The herb master whimpered.

"You don't understand. The contract—it'll kill me—"

"I'll stop it if you speak.""

Kyle said.

Shaking, the man swallowed.

"It… it came from—"

The words never finished.

Suddenly, mana flared violently inside his body, surging like a firestorm.

The herb master screamed and clutched his chest as light poured from his eyes and mouth.

His skin began to glow, the veins beneath the surface boiling with mana.

Kyle's eyes widened.

He immediately placed his hand on the herb master's chest and pushed his own mana in, trying to suppress the flare.

But the backlash was wild—designed to kill anyone who broke the contract without mercy.

From behind him, a screech pierced the night as Queen flew down in a blur of feathers. It circled high above them, sensing the mana spiraling out of control.

All it took was one second and all the progress Kyle had made evaporated in thin air.

It left him feeling disappointed but it also made him sure that the person behind what was happening was meticulous and not easy to find.

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You can check out my story - Tyrant's return: Reborn as a Good-For-Nothing Rich Young Master for WPC.