Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 225: Ch : An Invasion- Part 2

The news from the villagers was urgent, but Kyle had been expecting something like this. As he leaned back in his chair, he clicked his tongue thoughtfully.

"So Clertion made its move earlier than expected."

He wasn’t particularly shocked by the attack itself. In fact, he had been preparing for the eventuality for some time.

What caught him off guard was the timing.

Clertion should have been focusing all its attention on the Grand Duchess Amanda, especially if it believed her to be a threat to their sovereignty.

That they had chosen to strike the village instead could only mean one thing.

"They know she’s here. That can’t be a coincidence. There must be a spy among her people."

Sasha said grimly, reading his thoughts. She had been standing quietly in the corner, but now her fists were clenched.

Kyle nodded.

"That’s what I’m thinking too. For Clertion to move this quickly and precisely, someone had to feed them information. We need to be careful—especially with who we trust going forward."

Sasha’s eyes narrowed.

"Then what do we do now?"

"We hold the fort. Until the others wake up and join the battle, it’ll be just you and me."

Kyle replied calmly.

Sasha blinked.

"Just the two of us? Against an army?"

Kyle smirked, rising from his chair and adjusting his cloak.

"Usually, it wouldn’t be enough. But I’ve changed. After that mana absorption, I’m confident I can take on anyone who comes knocking."

Sasha stared at him in disbelief for a moment.

"How strong... did you become?"

He didn’t answer, only gave her a knowing look before walking past her.

"Handle things in the village. Keep the people calm. Strengthen your ruins. You’re our last line of defense if they get through me."

He said, his voice quiet but firm.

Sasha exhaled, frustrated but determined.

"Fine. Just don’t die out there."

Kyle gave her a wry smile.

Without another word, he left the building and made his way toward the outskirts of the village, stopping briefly at the edge of the house where his familiar, Queen, had built its nest.

The familiar, ever vigilant, lifted its head at his approach and let out a sharp chirp, almost as if it had been expecting him.

"I’ll be out for a while. Watch over things here. That egg especially."

Kyle said softly.

Queen chirped again and shifted slightly, revealing the egg nestled beneath it.

Kyle’s breath caught in his throat as he spotted it—cracks had begun to spread across the surface of the egg.

Faint pulses of mana radiated from within, growing stronger by the minute. He knelt down, gently placing his hand over the shell.

"You’re close. You might even hatch today."

He murmured.

He closed his eyes, letting a stream of mana pour from his palm and into the egg. It glowed softly in response, absorbing every bit of energy hungrily.

Kyle could feel it—a heartbeat, steady and strong. A creature born of magic and fire, waiting to emerge.

A smile spread across his face.

"Perfect timing. Let’s make sure there’s a world worth hatching into."

He stood up and looked at Queen.

"Protect it until I’m back."

Queen gave one last nod before curling protectively around the egg.

Kyle turned and began his walk toward the edge of the forest, where the enemy would be arriving soon.

His hand gripped the hilt of his sword, and his aura pulsed with quiet strength. The mana he had refined within him surged eagerly, ready to be unleashed.

War was coming—and Kyle would meet it head-on.

______

The Grand Priest’s voice carried over the ranks of faithful soldiers as he looked to the Saintess standing atop the platform beside him.

"Do you feel any hesitation, Saintess, now that we are so close to battle? The Grand Duchess will not fall easily."

The Saintess turned to face the crowd with an unwavering smile, her golden robes catching the sunlight like a divine flame.

"Hesitation? None. This is the path laid out for us by the goddess. It is her divine will that we triumph over the Grand Duchess. When divinity commands, we obey. To question is to fall behind."

She said with quiet strength.

Her conviction echoed through the soldiers like thunder, and a wave of cheers followed her words.

Soldiers clutched their weapons tighter, pride swelling in their hearts. Paladins bowed deeply. Even the robed priests behind her murmured prayers in reverence.

The Grand Priest smiled with satisfaction, his chest puffing slightly as he lifted his arms in praise.

"As expected of our Saintess, the one true messenger of the goddess. May her words become our shield and her faith our sword."

After basking in their cheers a moment longer, the Saintess inclined her head and whispered,

"Excuse me, Grand Priest. I must pray before the battle."

"Of course. We will hold the line until you are ready."

The Grand Priest replied, nodding.

She stepped down from the platform, vanishing behind the priestly tents.

The Grand Priest, curious and faintly concerned, followed a short distance behind. As he reached the back of the camp, he stopped in his tracks.

The Saintess was leaning heavily against a tree, her chest heaving.

She clutched her side and coughed violently, crimson dripping between her fingers. Her skin, usually radiant and flawless, looked pale and cracked, like porcelain about to shatter.

"Saintess! Are you all right?!"

The Grand Priest gasped, rushing forward.

She didn’t even look at him.

"Do I look fine to you? I’m dying, you blind old man."

She snapped, her voice raw.

The Grand Priest froze.

"But your divine connection—"

"Is the only thing keeping me together. The goddess’s power is too much for my body. I was not chosen because I’m strong, old man. I was chosen because I’m disposable."

She hissed.

She gritted her teeth and forced herself to stand straighter, hiding the shivers that wracked her frame.

"But I don’t care. I will fulfill this mission. For her."

The Grand Priest opened his mouth, uncertain whether to speak comfort or protest, but before he could, a panicked guard ran into view.

"Your Holiness! Saintess! There’s someone—someone approaching from the enemy village!"

The Saintess straightened, all signs of weakness vanishing behind a cold, serene smile.

"Is it the Grand Duchess?"

"No. It’s a young man. He’s walking right toward our army. Alone."

The guard panted.

The Grand Priest narrowed his eyes.

"Alone? A scout?"

"No, sir. He’s not hiding. He’s walking like... like he owns the place."

The Saintess’s lips curled.

"Then perhaps he is the one they’ve whispered about. The demon behind the Grand Duchess."

She stepped forward, gathering her holy robes around her with practiced grace despite her trembling limbs.

"Let us greet him, then. It would be rude not to welcome our first guest."

As the sun climbed higher, casting long shadows across the battlefield, the army stirred at the sight of the lone figure approaching—calm, unarmed, but radiating such pressure that even the air seemed to bend around him.

Kyle had arrived.

Kyle’s expression was unreadable as he approached, each step deliberate, steady.

The soldiers instinctively parted, uncertain whether to attack or retreat. The divine aura around the Saintess clashed subtly with the pressure Kyle emitted, the atmosphere crackling with tension.

The Saintess narrowed her eyes, whispering.

"So, the demon walks in daylight now."