Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 130: Ch : Here to Check - Part 2

He allowed the man to lead him deeper into the building.

They passed narrow hallways filled with hanging bundles of dried leaves and bottles filled with suspicious liquids, the air growing thick with the scent of crushed herbs and something faintly metallic.

In the back, the herb master motioned toward a small wooden stool.

"Please, Young Miss, sit. You've come all this way, I'd be a terrible host if I didn't offer something to refresh you."

From a nearby shelf, he took down a small flask, its surface lined with runes. He poured its contents into a tiny ceramic cup and offered it with both hands.

"This tonic is quite special. Good for vitality... strength... I insist you try it."

Kyle didn't move to take it. Instead, his sharp gaze fell to the cup.

He didn't need to taste it to know—it was laced with mana, likely a blend of paralyzing herbs and suppressive energy.

The effect would work on any ordinary woman, maybe even a moderately trained knight.

But not on him.

Kyle gave the man a cold smile and stepped back.

"Do you take me for an idiot?"

The herb master froze, his smile faltering.

"P-pardon?"

Kyle let the smile fall from his lips, revealing the cold sharpness in his eyes.

"I'm done playing games."

In a flash, he pulled his sword from the folds of his dress, its tip gleaming with deadly precision. He pointed it at the man's throat.

"You're under arrest. You'll be coming with me. We have questions, and you're going to answer every one of them."

The herb master stared in disbelief, the false charm draining from his expression.

Bitterness twisted his features as he took a step back.

"So I was right. You're not just some noble brat."

He growled.

The Herb master snarled and yanked a small pouch from his belt.

"I should have taken care of you the first time you stepped into my warehouse!"

Before Kyle could advance, the man flung the pouch to the ground.

A sudden cloud of thick, pungent smoke erupted in the room, mixing mana and powdered herbs.

The blast blinded the room, choking the air and dulling the senses.

It wasn't dangerous to Kyle—he'd prepared for it—but it gave the herb master the moment he needed.

Footsteps pounded across the floor as he slipped out a back exit, coughing as he fled into the trees.

He ran as fast as he could, his mind racing with plans.

'Let them search all they want. I've memorized the route out. I just need to make it to the ruins. I can escape, start over. Leave this cursed village behind.'

To his surprise, no one followed him.

He kept glancing over his shoulder, expecting angry villagers or even that fake noblewoman to come storming out after him.

But no one came.

He let out a relieved, ragged laugh.

"Fools… you played the wrong hand—"

Then everything stopped.

His breath caught as he felt a cold hand close around his shoulder, and his access to mana was severed in an instant.

"What—?!"

Before he could turn around, his body locked up, frozen by an overwhelming presence.

"I thought you might try to run. You should've run faster."

Came a soft, melodic voice.

The herb master's eyes widened as a tall elf stepped in front of him, long hair glowing in the dappled sunlight, her beauty sharp and inhuman.

She smiled sweetly at him, but there was no warmth in it.

"W-who are—"

She didn't let him finish.

With a small flick of her fingers, she struck the side of his neck with surgical precision, and the herb master collapsed into her arms, unconscious before he even hit the ground.

The elf looked toward the village with narrowed eyes, Kyle's mana still faintly glowing on her fingertips.

"Phase one complete,"

She murmured, and vanished into the trees.

______

Kyle stepped out of the herb master's house, pulling off the wig with a relieved sigh.

The breeze tugged at his now unbound hair, and he ran a hand through it, feeling the last traces of the heat from the disguise fade.

Silvy was the first to rush to him, her sharp eyes scanning his face.

"You handled that perfectly. Honestly… you looked convincing enough to fool even me…Not that I got fooled or anything."

She said, a small smile creeping onto her lips.

Kyle raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Oh? I thought you were supposed to recognize me no matter what."

Silvy's cheeks reddened, and she looked away for a brief moment.

"I—well, you pulled it off well, alright? I'll admit it. But if you ever need something like that again, you can count on me. For anything."

She lifted her chin, the blush still lingering.

Her voice was steady, proud even, and that confidence made Kyle smile as he gave her a small nod.

"I'll remember that."

Behind them, Melissa clenched her jaw, fists tightening at her sides.

Her eyes narrowed, locked onto Silvy like a predator spotting a rival.

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"Tch. Getting way too ahead of herself for doing the bare minimum. She thinks she's special now? That opportunity was handed to her on a silver platter, and she had the audacity to act like she earned it."

She muttered under her breath, but just loud enough for Bruce to hear.

Bruce, standing just a step behind her, gave her a sidelong glance.

"Come on, Melissa. Maybe you should give her a chance. She's still growing, yeah? Might surprise you."

He said cautiously.

Melissa turned on him in a flash, her eyes blazing.

"Excuse me? You want me to give her a chance? After all she's done is latch onto the young master and get in the way?"

Bruce held up both hands defensively, backing away just slightly.

"I'm just saying—"

"No. Don't say it. You don't get to defend her when you've barely seen what she's capable of."

Melissa snapped, voice ice-cold.

Bruce sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Well, someone woke up on the jealous side of the bed…"

Melissa glared at him again, but didn't deny it. She just crossed her arms tightly and turned her attention back to Kyle and Silvy, her gaze sharp and possessive.