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

Sasha watched from the shadows, her fingers twitching at her sides as Racheal pushed open the grand wooden doors of the Temple of Goddess Charrin.

A mix of frustration and worry swirled in her chest.

"Idiot girl. What are you doing here again?"

Sasha muttered under her breath.

She slipped in through the entrance moments later, keeping her steps light, silent.

The temple was still and dimly lit, with soft golden light pouring from enchanted braziers lining the inner halls.

Statues of the Goddess stood tall on either side of the walkway, their carved eyes watching in silence.

Sasha's eyes narrowed as she spotted Racheal ahead, walking purposefully toward the altar.

Racheal didn't notice her.

She moved slowly, almost reverently, her gaze fixed on the glowing symbol of Charrin that shimmered above the altar like a living flame.

Sasha followed carefully, ready to call out if needed—but held back, curious about what the girl intended to do.

When Racheal finally reached the altar, she paused. Her shoulders trembled slightly before she spoke.

"Today will be my last visit," she said softly to the head priest waiting nearby.

"I… I've come to realize that this isn't the place for me. I thought I found something here, but… I was wrong."

The priest, an older man with calm eyes and a kindly expression, smiled.

"You are free to leave, child. The Goddess is merciful. Whether you walk with her or apart from her, she will always keep you in her light."

Sasha, still hidden behind one of the pillars, let out a quiet sigh of relief. Maybe Racheal had come to her senses. Maybe she wouldn't have to lecture the girl after all—

But then something shifted.

A flicker of movement behind her. A footstep too soft to be one of the temple priests walking the halls.

Sasha turned.

Too late.

A flash of light. Pain burst across the back of her head, and her vision blurred as she stumbled.

She reached for her dagger, but another strike came faster than her reflexes, and darkness swallowed her.

—

Racheal turned from the altar, ready to leave, her heart surprisingly light. She had made her decision.

She would walk away from this path—walk back to Kyle. She would face him properly and apologize. And maybe, just maybe, she could start again.

But the head priest raised a hand.

"Before you go, there is one last gift I would like you to see."

He said, his voice smooth as ever, Racheal blinked, hesitating.

"A gift?"

He nodded.

"A farewell offering, from us to you. Please, humor me."

She didn't like it. Something about the way he smiled unsettled her. But she couldn't exactly refuse—not without looking suspicious or disrespectful. So she nodded, slowly.

"Alright. What is it?"

The priest turned to one of his subordinates standing nearby and said.

"Bring in the intruder."

Racheal's heart skipped a beat.

The back door to the altar room opened, and two robed acolytes stepped in, dragging someone between them.

The figure's head lolled, hair covering her face, but Racheal recognized that outfit. Those twin daggers strapped to her thighs. That unmistakable presence.

"Sasha?!"

Racheal's voice rang with disbelief and horror. She ran forward, but one of the acolytes held up a hand to stop her.

"What—what are you doing?! Why would you bring her here like this?!"

Racheal turned furiously toward the head priest.

The older man didn't look the least bit remorseful.

"Your master trespassed into sacred ground. This temple may be open to those who walk in peace, but intruders with blades drawn are another matter entirely."

"She didn't know. She followed me, that's all. Let her go!"

Racheal snapped.

The priest's expression darkened, though his voice remained composed.

"Intruders must be eradicated. That is one of the rules of the Temple. I am only abiding by the divine laws, child, as I always have."

Racheal's fists trembled at her sides. She looked at Sasha—unmoving, unconscious—and felt something cold and sick twist in her chest.

"…What do you want?"

She asked finally, her voice low.

The priest's expression softened once more.

"Ah, nothing unreasonable. You are a bridge between worlds, Racheal. We ask only that you help us walk across it."

"What do you mean?"

"Let us in, child. Help us enter your village. Let us speak to the people, spread the word of our Goddess. We do not seek harm—only salvation."

He said gently.

Racheal stared, her mind racing. Everything about this felt wrong, manipulative. But… Sasha's unconscious form was still being held like a warning.

And somewhere deep inside, Racheal felt guilty. She had come here of her own will. She had been tempted by the divine light. This… was partially her fault.

So maybe, just this once… to make it right…

"…Fine. Just this once. I'll help you get in."

She whispered.

The priest smiled, radiant and warm.

"Thank you, child. You've made a blessed choice."

Racheal didn't respond. Her eyes were on Sasha—her master, her mentor, her reminder of where her loyalty truly belonged.

And in that moment, as guilt clawed at her insides, Racheal made a silent vow.

Just this once.

Then never again.

She would pay this price… and then cut herself free.

Even if it meant lying to everyone until the very end.

That evening, the sun dipped low, casting long shadows across the village gates as Sasha approached with three robed figures in tow.

The cool air whispered through the trees, brushing against her skin like cold fingers. Her heart pounded in her chest, each step forward heavier than the last.

The village guard at the gate straightened up as she approached.

"Sasha? What are you doing out so late?"

He asked, confused but relieved.

She smiled tightly, brushing a few strands of hair from her face.

"I had some errands to take care of. These are some acquaintances of mine… friends from outside the village. They've heard a lot about the work we're doing here and wanted to see it for themselves."

The guard blinked, glancing at the strangers behind her.

Their robes were clean and plain, but something about them made his instincts twitch. Still, it was Sasha. Kyle's trusted ward. That was enough.

"Alright. Just make sure they don't wander off on their own."

He said with a shrug.

"Of course."

Sasha murmured, offering a grateful nod before leading the three men through the gates. She didn't look back. She couldn't.

The man at her side—one of the temple's senior priests—leaned close and whispered.

"You've done the right thing. We only seek peace and truth. You're helping your people."

Sasha said nothing. The words settled like stones in her stomach.

As they passed the training yard and made their way toward the central square, she suddenly froze. A pulse of mana tickled her senses—a familiar, unmistakable pressure.

Kyle was nearby.

Before she could even brace herself, he stepped into view, dressed casually, his hands tucked into his coat pockets. His usual lazy smile curved his lips, but Sasha felt a chill shoot down her spine.

"There you are. Bit late for a walk, isn't it?"

Kyle said warmly, stopping just a few steps ahead. His gaze flicked from her to the men behind her, then back.

Sasha tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat.

"Who are your guests?"

He asked, tone still mild, but the sharpness in his eyes cut through her like a blade.

"I—They're… they're just visitors. From… a temple I passed by. They wanted to see our village."

Sasha stuttered, looking back at the priests, then to Kyle again.

The head priest stepped forward, bowing slightly.

"We are humble servants of the divine, sir. We seek only to witness the beauty your people have built."

Kyle's smile didn't waver. But his mana flared, ever so slightly, and Sasha's legs nearly gave out.

She'd brought the enemy into his home. And Kyle already knew.