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

Racheal's hands trembled at her sides. Her breath caught in her throat, and her heart thudded loudly as Kyle's sharp gaze bore into her.

She wanted to say something—confess, explain, beg forgiveness—but the words wouldn't come.

Before she could muster the courage to speak, the head priest stepped forward with a serene smile plastered on his face.

He extended his hand toward Kyle, a gesture seemingly full of admiration and respect.

"Young Lord Kyle. I've heard of your many feats. Your bravery, your defiance against the odds—it inspired me. Gave me the strength to serve as I do. If you would allow it, I would be honored to shake your hand."

He said, voice smooth like silk.

Kyle raised a brow at the unexpected offer but made no move to refuse.

Instead, he offered a cool smile and extended his hand. "Is that so? Well, it's always nice to know someone appreciates hard work."

Their hands met.

For a fleeting moment, nothing seemed out of place. But then Kyle felt it—faint, almost imperceptible tendrils of divine energy curling around his skin.

The sensation was warm, coaxing, gentle as a whisper. Subtle enough to escape an untrained eye. But Kyle had danced with gods before. He knew corruption when he felt it.

So, this was the plan. Influence him through a divine imprint. A quiet seed planted in a handshake, designed to twist his thoughts slowly over time.

Not a bad tactic.

But Kyle was not the average noble the priest had hoped to ensnare.

He let none of his realization show. Instead, he allowed the magic to seep in, cloaking it in layers of his own mana, keeping it from reaching his mind or heart.

He smiled, even as the man across from him believed he had succeeded.

"A pleasure. I'd be glad to welcome you and your companions to our village."

Kyle said, his voice calm and composed.

Racheal's eyes widened in horror, but she bit her lip, not daring to speak out now. The head priest's grin grew wider, his composure exuding victory.

"I knew you were a man of wisdom. My name is Father Eluin, a representative of the Goddess Charrin. I merely wish to share her blessings with these good people. Her light is generous, her teachings peaceful. I believe your village will thrive under her gaze."

He said, placing a hand on Racheal's shoulder.

Kyle's eyes lingered on the hand now on Racheal's shoulder, noting the way she stiffened.

"Is that so?"

He asked.

"Yes. We'll start small. A sermon, perhaps. A few blessings. Nothing too imposing. We don't wish to force our faith—only to offer it."

Eluin said warmly.

Kyle gave a thoughtful nod.

"I understand. Religion is a delicate thing, after all. But I believe people should be free to explore what speaks to them."

The priest's smile deepened, mistaking Kyle's neutrality for submission.

"That is very wise, my lord."

Kyle gave a polite nod and turned toward Racheal. She looked pale, stricken with guilt. He gave her the smallest of glances—nothing accusatory, only knowing. She flinched anyway.

"We'll arrange a place for you and your companions to stay. Feel free to rest and recover from your journey."

Kyle said, already walking away.

As Kyle disappeared around the corner, Eluin turned to his fellow priests and smiled.

"The seed has taken root. Soon, the noble will be ours."

He whispered.

But unknown to him, the seed he had planted was already poisoned—caught in a net of mana more ancient and ruthless than any divine grace he had ever known.

And Kyle, far from falling under divine influence, was already planning how to burn this weed from his soil.

Kyle guided the temple's delegation toward the village square with a polite, unreadable expression on his face.

Villagers paused to watch the newcomers, murmuring amongst themselves.

The head priest, Father Eluin, walked at Kyle's side with a calm, self-assured smile, hands clasped behind his back like a man already claiming ownership of his new domain.

Once they reached the heart of the square, Eluin turned to face Kyle and raised a hand as if dismissing him.

"Thank you, Lord Kyle. We'll take it from here. You've done more than enough already. You may leave now."

Kyle didn't move. His arms folded, he tilted his head slightly, eyes watching the priest with bemusement.

"Leave? I think I'll stay."

Eluin's smile strained, his tone sharpening.

"There is no need for your presence. This is now a matter of spiritual guidance. Your duties end here."

Kyle chuckled softly, as if Eluin had just said something absurd.

"That's funny. I didn't realize my village square had been turned into temple property. Who decided that?"

The other priests behind Eluin looked confused and slightly unsettled. Racheal stood near the back, unable to meet Kyle's eyes. Her hands were clenched tightly in her sleeves.

Eluin narrowed his gaze, voice low with warning.

"Lord Kyle. I'm commanding you to leave."

Kyle's amused expression faded.

"You're giving me a command? In my village?"

He asked slowly, as if confirming he'd heard correctly.

The priest raised his hand, divine light beginning to shimmer faintly around his palm.

"I had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but if you insist—"

Before he could finish the threat, a pressure unlike anything the priests had ever felt slammed down on them.

Kyle hadn't moved a muscle, but the air thickened with raw, suffocating mana. The divine glow around Eluin's hand flickered and extinguished like a candle caught in a storm.

His knees buckled slightly as Kyle's gaze turned sharp and cold.

"You think you can order me around?"

Kyle asked, his tone now razor-sharp.

"You think bringing that corrupt divinity into my home gives you power over me?"

Eluin staggered back a step, gasping under the weight of Kyle's suppression. The other priests stumbled too, falling to their knees. One of them choked on his breath.

Kyle took a slow step forward, his mana tightening like a noose.

"I let you enter because I was suspicious. I shook your hand to see your reaction. I allowed your little trick because I wanted to be sure."

He stopped just in front of Eluin, who was now pale and trembling, sweat beading on his brow.

"But you're crossing the line now. And I don't take kindly to parasites pretending to be saviors."

Eluin finally understood the truth. This wasn't a foolish noble easily manipulated by divine words. This was a predator who had been playing along until the trap closed.

"I see now. It was a trap... all along…"

Eluin whispered.

Kyle smiled, but there was no warmth in it.

"Yes. And you walked right into it."

He said.

Eluin's breath hitched as Kyle leaned in slightly, his voice now a whisper only the priest could hear.

"I wanted to see how far you'd go. How bold you'd become. And now I know."

Eluin's legs gave out completely, and he collapsed to his knees.

The other priests could barely raise their heads, groaning under the pressure of Kyle's mana.

The crowd of villagers looked on in tense silence, unsure whether they were witnessing a holy reckoning or a declaration of war.

Kyle finally turned his back on Eluin.

"This village doesn't need your god. It already has me."

He said coldly.