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

"I… I was hired! Hired by the Temple of Moras! Not just me. Lots of us. Drivers, merchants, guides—all of us planted to lure powerful individuals into isolated spots."

The driver cried.

"For what?"

Bruce asked.

"To… to extract mana. They're collecting it. From mages. Warriors. Anyone with strong life force. They use it in rituals. Blood mana circles. It's all for their god—they're trying to summon Moras into the world."

The driver said, face pale.

Kyle's eyes narrowed.

"So they've already started."

The driver nodded frantically.

"Y-Yes! They've been active for months now. You must've seen the signs—strange disappearances, mercenaries going missing during travel. This is all part of it!"

Bruce gave the man a cold look.

"And you were happy to help them."

"No! I swear—I didn't know at first. They said it was just transport jobs! It was only after I was trapped, blackmailed! They threatened my family—!"

"You could've refused. You still could have warned us."

Bruce snapped.

"I didn't know who you were at first!" the driver whined.

"But after seeing how strong you are, I realized—I'm better off switching sides!"

Kyle sheathed his sword slowly.

"Then start proving it."

The driver nodded vigorously.

"I-I can lead you to one of their camps! A small one, near the edge of the river valley! They keep a supply of harvested mana there for their rituals. It's not far from here."

Bruce looked to Kyle.

"Should we trust him?"

Kyle's gaze didn't waver.

"No."

The driver paled again.

"But we can use him. For now."

Kyle added, voice colder now.

Bruce gave a sharp nod.

"Then we move before they regroup."

Kyle turned toward the woods, his mana quietly pulsing under his skin.

"We won't give them time. Let's go crush a cult."

The air between the trees hung thick with tension as Kyle and Bruce stood still, absorbing the information the carriage driver had just spilled.

"The Temple of Moras… targeting nobles like Father, the Imperial Princes, and even Amana?"

Bruce muttered, his brows drawn together in a frown.

The driver nodded quickly, noticing their interest.

"Y-Yes! That's why I wanted to switch sides! I'm telling the truth, I swear! You can check for yourself—other nobles have had similar attacks. Disguised as accidents, ambushes, disappearances… they're getting bolder."

Kyle remained silent, his eyes distant. He seemed to be thinking far beyond the current moment, weaving implications and future moves in his mind.

After a pause, he finally spoke. "Bruce, keep him alive. He might prove useful."

Bruce nodded, grabbing the driver by the collar and dragging him along without any gentleness.

"Try to run again, and I'll make sure your next breath is your last."

They continued their journey without incident and arrived at the village just as the sun was beginning to set.

As the carriage rolled in, villagers paused their work to bow and greet them, their respect for Kyle growing by the day.

Melissa was the first to greet them near the manor steps. Her expression lit up when she saw Kyle, and she ran up with unrestrained joy.

Though she still wore a healing robe and her steps were slower than normal, her spirit was vibrant.

"Welcome back, Master Kyle! How was the visit? Was it dangerous?"

She beamed.

"A bit more eventful than expected. But seeing you up and moving is a nice surprise."

Kyle replied with a tired smile.

Melissa grinned.

"Seloise has been taking excellent care of me. If this keeps up, I'll be joining you on missions again soon—just wait, I'll protect you even better than before!"

Kyle chuckled and ruffled her hair gently.

"You don't need to push yourself for that. Just focus on recovering. That's all I ask for."

Melissa pouted playfully.

"But I'm not a child anymore."

"No. You're more important than that."

Kyle replied softly.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly turned away.

"I-I should get going. Seloise told me not to stay out for too long anyway."

She started walking back toward the house, but Kyle's eyes narrowed the moment he saw her legs tremble. She tried to hide it well, but both he and Bruce noticed.

As soon as she disappeared inside, Kyle turned to the quiet elf standing nearby. Seloise had watched the reunion in silence, her hands folded in front of her.

"How is she really?"

Kyle asked.

Seloise's expression turned grim.

"The outward signs are improving, but the curse is still active. She's losing energy—drained slowly, like a leaking vessel. At this rate, she might last a few more weeks, but no more."

Bruce looked sharply at the elf.

"There's no way to stop it?"

"There is. A remedy native to the inner swamps of Moras's territory. Rare. Protected by monsters corrupted by divine mana. And only harvestable during a short seasonal window. We're approaching it now."

Seloise replied.

Kyle's eyes darkened.

"Then we don't have time."

"No. If you want to save her, you'll need to move soon."

Seloise said firmly.

Kyle looked back toward the manor, toward the direction Melissa had gone. His fists clenched.

"Then we'll go there. And if Moras or its cult tries to stand in our way… they'll regret it."

Bruce exhaled, his posture tightening.

"We'll need to gather supplies. Train the new recruits while we're away. I'll also screen our own staff—if the Temple planted someone here…"

"They didn't. The priests would've sniffed them out. Still, be cautious.

Kyle cut in.

Bruce gave a small nod, then glanced at the driver they'd dragged along.

"What about him?"

Kyle looked at the man, who now sat silently, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Put him in a holding cell. Treat his wounds, feed him. But keep him watched. If he tries anything, cut his legs."

The driver paled.

"I'll prepare everything."

Bruce said, turning toward the manor.

As he walked away, Seloise stepped closer to Kyle.

"You care deeply for her."

"I do."

Kyle replied, voice quiet.

"Then hurry. Because her time is running out faster than you think."

Seloise said.

Kyle remained silent for a moment, his gaze distant as the wind swept through the village. He clenched his fists, feeling a strange tightness in his chest.

He had seen too many people fall—lost too many he couldn't save. He would not let Melissa be added to that list.

"I'll leave by tomorrow."

He said at last, his voice firm.

Seloise nodded.

"I'll prepare the necessary maps and guides. The swamp is dangerous—not just because of beasts, but because of the divine corruption. Even your mana might not behave the way it should inside."

"That's fine. I'll make it behave."

Kyle replied.

He turned away, his mind already spinning with preparations. Supplies, formations, possible ambushes. He would go with a small party—fast and mobile. He couldn't afford delays.

As he reached the manor steps, Queen's small form fluttered into view, landing gently on his shoulder. Her warm presence offered silent support, and Kyle reached up to stroke her scales.

"Let's go save her."

He whispered.