Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 212: Ch : The Clash- Part 1
Chapter 212: Ch 212: The Clash- Part 1
The Grand Duchess staggered through the edge of Kyle’s village, barely upright as her legs threatened to give way beneath her.
Her once-pristine cloak was torn, blood dried across the hem, and her hair hung loose from its usual meticulous style.
Gritting her teeth, Amanda slapped her cheeks lightly to shake off the creeping numbness in her limbs. Now was not the time to collapse.
She needed to find Kyle.
Only he would understand the weight of what had happened—and only he could help her act swiftly enough to stop whatever danger those white-haired attackers heralded.
She weaved through the outer paths of the village, unnoticed by the civilians preparing for the day.
Though her body screamed at her to rest, her instincts screamed louder. There was something off.
A whisper of movement made her stop.
Amanda didn’t hesitate.
She reached for her sword, her exhausted fingers wrapping around the hilt with reflexive familiarity.
“Enough games. Show yourself. I’m not in the mood for cat and mouse.””
She growled.
A soft, almost amused chuckle echoed from the shadows behind her.
“How brave.But bravery is often just foolishness wearing a mask.”
A voice said silkily.
Amanda spun, her blade ready. From the veil of shadows emerged a beautiful woman—long dark hair, elegant robes, and sharp eyes that gleamed with subtle amusement.
Amanda blinked, struggling to place the woman’s face. It didn’t match any noble she knew, nor any enemy.
But something else caught her eye.
Ruins.
Gleaming symbols fluttered across the woman’s wrist, subtle but unmistakable.
Amanda didn’t lower her sword, but she did soften her tone.
“I’m not your enemy. I’m here to see Kyle. That’s all. I have no ill intent toward anyone here.”
She said.
The woman’s lips curled into a smirk, but her eyes stayed cold.
“That’s quite the story to tell for someone sneaking into the village through the back while covered in blood. Not very polite, intruder.”
Amanda’s heart sank. So this woman was mistaken about her identity.
“And unfortunately, you’ve triggered our village’s warding system. Which makes you, by our rules… an intruder”
The woman continued, brushing her fingers through the air, glowing ruins flaring to life behind her.
Amanda’s sword rose.
“I don’t want to fight you.”
“That’s a shame because I really don’t want to ‘take care’ of someone as cute as you… but orders are orders.
The woman replied with a sigh.
Without further warning, the runist lashed out, a wave of glowing energy slicing toward Amanda.
The Grand Duchess grit her teeth and raised her sword, infusing it with mana just in time to block the blow. Sparks flew from the impact, the pressure forcing her back a step.
‘Amanda’s legs nearly buckled.
Not now. I can’t lose now.’
She hissed in her mind.
Her opponent’s expression remained unreadable.
“Impressive… for someone half-dead.”
Amanda exhaled sharply, adjusting her stance.
“You’ll find I’m harder to kill than most.”
“Oh, I’m counting on that.”
The woman said, raising her hand again.
As another wave of ruin-powered force surged toward her, Amanda’s blade sang through the air—its arc full of desperation, precision, and strength that only a seasoned warrior on the brink could muster.
This wasn’t just about defending herself anymore. She needed to reach Kyle. She needed to warn him.
Because if there were more of those white-haired things coming… then not even this well-fortified village would be enough.
______
Sasha Brande narrowed her eyes as she watched the woman before her block another of her ruin-infused attacks with a blade that moved with expert precision.
The clash sent sparks flying into the darkening sky, the sharp ring of metal against mana echoing through the village’s edge.
For someone in such a worn, blood-stained state, the intruder held her ground far too well.
‘She’s good.’
Sasha admitted silently, flicking her wrist to summon another ring of glowing ruins.
‘Too good.’
Still, Sasha’s expression remained calm, even as her body tensed under the pressure of the confrontation.
She offered the intruder a sardonic smile.
“I must say, for a so-called ‘intruder,’ you’re remarkably competent. You’re lucky I’m the one who found you. Anyone else might’ve killed first and asked questions never.”
The woman straightened slightly, her breathing heavier now. Her eyes studied Sasha’s carefully before she responded,
“I’m not an intruder. I’m the Grand Duchess of the Western March.”
Sasha’s eyes flickered, just for a moment. The title hung in the air like a sharp blade.
There was a resemblance. But it made no sense. Why would the Grand Duchess—the infamous Amanda—be sneaking through the back paths of the village like a thief?
Even so, Sasha didn’t let down her guard.
“That’s quite the claim. And even if I chose to believe you, sneaking in like this makes you suspicious by default. The real Grand Duchess wouldn’t crawl in through the dirt in the middle of the night.”
She said flatly.
Amanda grimaced, but said nothing.
Her pride wouldn’t allow her to admit the truth—that her appearance was less than fit for public display.
Her clothes were torn, her face and hair dirtied by travel and blood. She looked like a bandit, not a noble.
She clenched her jaw in frustration. She had no rebuttal.
The silence stretched for a beat too long.
Sasha took it as confirmation.
“No explanation? That’s what I thought.”
Their mana surged again—Amanda’s flaring with potent force, Sasha’s weaving with ruin patterns that hummed with deadly precision.
When their next clash came, it was far stronger than before.
A pulse of raw power burst between them, and with a shuddering boom, the nearest empty house collapsed under the pressure, sending wood and dust flying into the air.
The explosion echoed through the village like a thunderclap.
______
Elsewhere, inside the manor, Bruce tensed.
“That sounded close.”
He muttered, already rising to his feet.
“I’ll check it out.”
He said quickly.
But Kyle, seated calmly with a teacup in hand, raised a hand to stop him.
“No. You stay here. I’ll handle it.”
Kyle said, standing smoothly.
Bruce hesitated, surprised.
“Are you sure?”
Kyle nodded, already heading toward the door.
“Yes. I have a feeling I know who’s involved… and I’d rather resolve this before the entire village wakes up in panic.”
Kyle stepped out into the night, his mana already rippling faintly in response to the pressure he felt in the air.
It was unmistakable—two powerful forces were clashing not far from the village center. He could feel the destructive pulses clearly now, one of them unfamiliar, but the other…
“Sasha.”
He muttered under his breath, recognizing the distinct pattern of ruin-based mana.
He moved quickly, and as he neared the source, he saw the aftermath of their battle—a house half-collapsed, scorch marks gouged into the ground, the air thick with the smell of charred wood and burning mana.
His eyes immediately found the two figures in the distance. Sasha stood firm, expression hard, ruins floating like serpents around her.
Across from her, a battered but still regal figure gripped a sword tightly, her face drawn with exhaustion.
Kyle’s eyes narrowed.
“Amanda.”
He whispered.
He stepped forward calmly, projecting his voice with authority.
“That’s enough. Both of you.”
The mana between them stilled, just for a moment.
Sasha blinked and turned.
“Young master?”
Amanda nearly dropped her sword.
“Kyle.”
Kyle sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“What is it with powerful women and trying to destroy my village on arrival?”
