Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 74: Ch : Secret of the Fog - Part 3

As the first rays of sunlight break over the horizon, the thick fog begins to thin, revealing the ruined village beneath it.

Kyle watches as the mist coils and fades, and he knows this is their chance.

"It’s time to move."

He announces, his voice calm but firm.

Bruce surveys the horde in front of them and clicks his tongue.

"Damn it. They’re still here."

Melissa grips her weapon tighter.

"Did you really think they’d just disappear?"

Bruce shrugs.

"I was hoping."

The creatures, half-dead and mindless, slowly turn toward them. Their bloodshot eyes reflect nothing but hunger.

Kyle turns to the head knight.

"We’ll have to break through. Stick close, or you’ll die"

He says.

The head knight narrows her eyes.

"You’re getting too comfortable giving me orders."

She says dryly.

Kyle smirks.

"You’re free to stay behind if you want."

She scoffs but doesn’t argue. Instead, she tightens her grip on her sword.

"Fine. I’ll follow your lead this time. But next time, don’t expect me to stay silent."

Kyle rolls his eyes.

"Noted."

Without another word, he draws his sword and channels mana through it. The blade hums with power, a faint glow outlining its edge.

The head knight’s eyes widen slightly.

"You can use internal energy?"

Kyle glances at her.

"Obviously."

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She exhales sharply, momentarily stunned.

’He’s been hiding this? No wonder he isn’t afraid of anything.’

A strange feeling blooms in her chest—something protective, something determined.

’He’s strong, but he’s still just a frog in a pond. He doesn’t realize how vast the world is.’

Her thoughts wander for a split second—imagining sparring with Kyle, training him, standing side by side in battle.

Her heart skips a beat at the unexpected image, and a faint blush creeps onto her cheeks.

Then Kyle’s voice interrupts her.

"Hey, daydreamer. We’re moving now."

She blinks, snapping back to reality, her face burning.

"R-Right."

Kyle doesn’t press the matter and instead gestures ahead.

"Stick close. We don’t waste energy fighting all of them, just enough to clear a path."

Melissa nods.

"Understood."

Bruce exhales.

"Let’s get this over with."

The young assassin, still restrained, watches the battle unfold with a conflicted expression.

Kyle leads the charge, cutting down the first wave of undead with swift, precise strikes.

The head knight follows immediately, her sword carving a path through the creatures. Bruce and Melissa stay close behind, protecting the flanks.

The horde reacts violently to their attack, clawing and shrieking, but the team moves efficiently.

Then, as they finally break past the horde, something unexpected happens.

An invisible force stops the half-dead from following them.

The creatures thrash and snarl, but an unseen barrier holds them back.

Kyle slows his steps, frowning.

’This was a trap. These creatures are being held here with a purpose. Someone wants people to die here.’

His eyes flicker toward the head knight.

’ This trap, it was set here purposely. But for who? Me, or her?’

The head knight clenches her jaw.

"We can’t leave it like this. Someone has to come back and deal with them properly."

She says.

Kyle nods.

"The only way to release them is through a purification ceremony."

The head knight bites her lip.

"I’ll report this to the Grand Duchess."

Kyle’s gaze shifts to the young assassin. The boy is staring at the trapped creatures, his fists clenched.

Kyle raises an eyebrow.

"Something on your mind?"

The boy doesn’t look at him.

"You wouldn’t understand."

Kyle smirks.

"Try me."

The boy glares at him.

"They were people. Someone turned them into this."

Kyle’s expression remains unreadable.

"And?"

The boy’s hands tremble.

"And… it’s not right."

Kyle watches him for a moment.

"No, it’s not."

The assassin flinches, surprised by the agreement.

Kyle turns away.

"Let’s go."

Without another word, the group moves forward, leaving the horde—and the mystery of the trap—behind.

______

As they approach the towering gates of the Grand Duchess’s castle, Kyle slows his horse and surveys the surroundings.

The castle is grand, yet something about it feels… hollow.

The guards stationed at the entrance stand with stiff postures, but their eyes lack discipline.

They seem bored, uninterested in their duty.

Kyle exhales sharply and swings off his horse first, landing with practiced ease.

The moment his boots touch the ground, two guards step forward, their hands on their weapons.

"Halt. State your business."

One of them says.

Kyle raises an eyebrow.

’Do they not recognize the head knight?’

Before he can speak, the head knight strides past him, her presence commanding.

"Stand down. These people are guests of the Grand Duchess"

She orders.

The guards exchange a look, a flicker of amusement passing between them before they lazily lower their weapons.

Kyle narrows his eyes.

’That was disrespectful.’

His suspicions are confirmed when the guards make no effort to formally greet them.

Instead, they seem unimpressed, as if they don’t see the Grand Duchess as a figure worth their respect.

The head knight, noticing their lack of reaction, grips her sword and smacks it against the stone ground with a loud clang.

The guards immediately straighten, their casual attitude vanishing in an instant.

"Welcome, esteemed guests."

One of them says, suddenly formal.

Kyle watches the exchange, his expression unreadable.

’So they don’t respect the Grand Duchess, but they fear power and authority. Well, that is human nature for you. I guess I can’t blame them for it.’

As they walk past the now-submissive guards, Kyle speaks to the head knight in a low voice.

"The Grand Duchess should find better people."

She falters for just a second before sighing.

"I wish she could. But things… aren’t that simple."

She admits.

Kyle hums in thought but doesn’t press further.

Inside, the castle’s atmosphere is different.

The halls are pristine, decorated with fine tapestries and shining chandeliers.

Servants move with silent efficiency, their postures precise and disciplined.

It’s clear that while the guards are lacking, the inner staff is well-trained.

A tall man in formal attire approaches them with measured steps.

His presence is imposing—not due to his appearance, but his aura.

Even without lifting a finger, Kyle can tell this butler is dangerous. His movements are too controlled, his eyes too sharp.

"Welcome back, Head Knight. And welcome, guests of the Grand Duchess. I assume your journey was… eventful."

The butler greets smoothly. He then turns his gaze to the group.

The head knight nods and steps aside, motioning to the young assassin.

"Take care of the child. And see to it that the guests are properly accommodated."

She instructs.

The butler’s eyes flicker toward the young assassin, and for a moment, something unreadable passes over his face. Then, he nods.

"Understood."

He gestures for the others to follow.

Bruce and Melissa exchange a glance before silently falling in step behind him. The young assassin hesitates but follows, though his posture remains tense.

Kyle is about to do the same when he suddenly feels a firm grip on his wrist.

He turns, finding the head knight holding onto him.

The head knight seemed to be holding on to Kyle and her voice sounded a little bit off. So Kyle paused to hear her out. Finally, the head knight opened her mouth.