Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 132: Ch : It is too late - Part 2

Bruce muttered.

"No complaints. Block my attacks. That's all."

Kyle said as he unsheathed his blade.

What followed could only be described as a one-sided assault.

Melissa and Bruce tried their best, coordinating defense and parrying techniques, but Kyle's movements were too fast, too precise.

Despite holding back, his strikes left them panting, bruised, and flat on the ground.

After what felt like an eternity, Kyle sheathed his sword and stepped back.

"Not bad. You've both made progress. Still…"

He looked down at them, his expression neutral.

"There's plenty of room to improve—for all of us."

Melissa forced herself up, sweat matting her hair.

"But why? You're already so strong, young master. Stronger than anyone I've ever seen."

Kyle looked away, his smile faint but bitter.

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"There are people out there who make even the strongest look like children. I haven't even touched the feet of the truly powerful ones… but I might face them soon. And when I do, I need to be ready. Power… influence… they're not luxuries. They're necessities."

Silvy, lounging on a nearby tree branch, had watched everything with mild amusement—until Kyle spoke those last words.

Her breath hitched, and her thoughts immediately returned to Tirakos—the monstrous being they'd barely survived.

The memory alone was enough to send a chill down her spine. She leapt down from the tree and dusted off her clothes, intending to join the group.

But just as she took a step forward, the ground rumbled beneath her feet.

Kyle's eyes narrowed as a sudden tremor rocked the village.

"Brace yourselves!"

A powerful quake shook the land, catching everyone off-guard.

Buildings groaned. Dishes shattered. People stumbled out of their homes in confusion, clinging to nearby walls and poles for support.

Melissa cried out as she lost her balance, Bruce stumbling beside her.

Silvy managed to brace herself against a tree trunk while Kyle stood calmly in the center of the chaos, unaffected by the tremors.

The earthquake didn't end in a few seconds—it dragged on for nearly five minutes.

Trees cracked and fell. The earth tore in places, and the villagers' panicked voices filled the night air.

When it finally ceased, a deep silence followed. People stood still, stunned by the sheer force of nature—or perhaps, something far more unnatural.

Kyle's gaze turned toward the forest that surrounded the village. His instincts screamed.

This wasn't natural.

Soon, the other worke rs of the castle came out running.

The frightened murmurs of the workers filled the cool night air.

Some clutched rosaries or talismans close to their chests while others knelt and whispered prayers, trembling with fear.

"The wrath of the gods…We've angered the heavens!"

A man cried.

"What did we do wrong? What sin did we commit?"

Panic spread like wildfire as villagers stumbled over one another, driven by fear.

The earthquake had shaken more than just the earth—it had cracked open their sense of safety.

Margrave Ricca stepped forward, her long coat fluttering slightly in the breeze, her voice rising to address the crowd.

"Calm yourselves! You're safe! The tremors have passed! Help is on the way—stay where you are and breathe!"

She called out.

But her words seemed to do the opposite.

More people began crying, voices raising in confused panic. No one was listening. Her authority was being drowned beneath their terror.

Then something shifted.

An invisible weight settled over the square as a low pulse of mana vibrated through the air.

It wasn't overwhelming—but it was commanding.

Every person, down to the youngest child, froze and looked in Kyle's direction.

Though they couldn't see what had changed, they felt it. Something primal inside them recognized power.

Kyle stepped forward calmly, his voice firm but composed.

"You are not going to die. No wrathful god is here. But danger is. And that's why you must listen."

He said.

The villagers stood silent, captivated by the sense of safety his presence seemed to bring.

Their shaking hands stilled. Their wide eyes, though still filled with fear, were now focused.

But just as peace began to settle over the crowd, Kyle's gaze sharpened. He felt it.

Queen.

Above him, the hawk soared in wide, urgent circles, its feathers glimmering faintly under the moonlight. It's voice echoed inside Kyle's mind, sharp and warning. At the same time, Kyle felt it's mana stretching toward him.

Without hesitation, Kyle reached back with his own mana and bridged their senses.

In an instant, he could see through Queen's eyes—hovering far above, gazing down at the dark forest encircling the village.

And then he saw it.

Pale light shimmered unnaturally through the trees.

Dozens of magic ruins, previously dormant, were now glowing with a sickly violet hue. They pulsed in rhythm, like a heart pumping out corruption.

These ruins—cursed with ancient, foreign mana—were activating. Worse, they were spreading.

And as they crept closer to the outskirts of the village, the curses began to take hold.

A nearby farmer doubled over in pain, his skin blooming with blackened veins. Another worker collapsed, eyes glassy and breath shallow.

Kyle's expression darkened.

The entire perimeter was slowly being encircled.

He was about to dash off toward the nearest ruin when the ground shook once more.

Another quake, stronger than before, slammed through the area like a tidal wave.

People screamed, clinging to one another or falling where they stood. The shaking cracked lantern posts and sent loose tiles crashing down from rooftops.

Kyle gritted his teeth as his connection with Queen faltered. He was forced to break his focus and steady himself.

"Everyone! Head to the village plaza! Now!"

He shouted, raising his voice above the chaos.

Startled but obedient, the villagers hesitated only for a moment.

Kyle stepped forward again, his tone sharp.

"Move! The forest is cursed—the mana ruins are active. If you stay near the edge, you'll be cursed too. The plaza is the safest place right now."

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

"Mana ruins?"

"Cursed…?"

"What is he talking about?"

Kyle's eyes burned with unwavering resolve.

"You don't need to understand it—just trust me. You'll be safe if you do as I say. I swear it."

His words, backed by the weight of his presence, settled over them like a protective veil.

One by one, the servants began to move, guiding their neighbors and loved ones with them. No one dared question him again.

Even the Margrave, though momentarily surprised, nodded and began directing her soldiers to escort and protect the people as they gathered.

Kyle turned his gaze back toward the dark forest, his jaw clenched tight. The ruins pulsed like a living organism—an infestation ready to consume everything.