Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent
Chapter 235 - 235: Ch 235: The Surrender- Part 3

Kyle's eyes snapped open, sharp and clear despite his drained state. The moment his gaze landed on the trembling maid, his demeanor shifted from half-asleep to entirely focused.

"What were you trying to do?"

He asked, voice low but firm, like a blade sheathed in velvet.

The maid flinched, wringing her hands as she stammered.

"N-Nothing! I wasn't going to do anything, I swear! That dragon just reacted without cause! I-It's not my fault!"

Kyle's expression didn't change, but he narrowed his eyes.

"Reacted without cause? Interesting choice of words."

He repeated slowly.

The silence stretched. He rose to a sitting position, eyes locked on her face.

"You're too naive if you think you can fool me with that."

The maid's breath hitched.

A flicker of fear passed through her eyes, followed by the unmistakable twitch of someone realizing they had just made a fatal mistake. Her feet moved before her thoughts could catch up.

She turned and bolted toward the door.

Kyle didn't even sigh this time. He simply whistled, short and sharp.

A blur of black and gold leapt from the shadows.

Queen appeared in front of the fleeing maid like a wraith from the night, claws extended.

With a screeching hiss, it slashed across the maid's leg—not deep enough to kill, but enough to tear through muscle and send her crashing to the floor, screaming in pain and panic.

Before she could scramble back to her feet, Kyle was on her.

He pressed his palm against her back and used his mana to pin her down with an invisible weight.

She thrashed and clawed at the floor, but she couldn't rise. The dragon stood behind her, growling in a low, warning rumble.

"Now. Let's try this again. Who sent you?"

Kyle said, crouching beside her.

The maid glared up at him. Her eyes glistened—not from fear, but from desperation. Her lips twisted into a sneer.

"You'll never catch me alive."

Kyle's eyes flashed.

"Don't—"

But it was too late.

The maid bit down hard, trying to crush something hidden in her mouth. Kyle's instincts kicked in.

His hand shot out, grabbing her jaw and forcing it open. He pried her mouth wide, fingers fishing for the object he already knew was there.

A mana bomb—small, perfectly round, tucked under her tongue.

She fought wildly, but Kyle was stronger. He pressed against a point in her throat, triggering her gag reflex.

The orb flew from her mouth and landed on the floor with a dull clink. Kyle covered it with a suppression rune in a split second, sealing its power before it could activate.

The maid froze. Her eyes went wide.

Her trump card had failed.

She was breathing heavily, cheeks flushed with effort and shame.

"You… you're a monster…"

Kyle exhaled slowly, his hand still gripping her wrist as the other maintained the mana restraints.

"I've been called worse."

Tears spilled down her face now, but not from pain. It was the helplessness, the realization that she had gambled everything and lost.

Kyle studied her in silence for a moment before standing upright.

"You're mine now. Try anything else, and I'll let the dragon deal with you."

He said calmly.

Queen growled on cue, its glowing eyes narrowing as it stepped closer.

The maid whimpered and curled in on herself, shivering as Kyle's shadow loomed over her.

Kyle turned to Queen and nodded.

"Watch her."

The creature chirped softly and lowered its body, coiled like a viper waiting to strike.

Satisfied, Kyle walked over to the mana bomb and examined it. It wasn't temple-made, but it bore similarities. Whoever sent her had access to specialized magic—dangerous, suicidal magic at that.

He clenched his jaw.

Another attempt.

Another spy.

Another enemy thinking they could get to him through the people in his home.

He looked back at the dragon on the bed, who had curled around one of his pillows again, dozing peacefully.

Then to Queen, who stood guard with deadly silence.

And then to the maid—broken, trembling, and defeated.

Kyle's voice was quiet when he spoke again, more to himself than anyone else.

"This was a warning."

His eyes hardened.

"I won't ignore the next one."

The maid trembled where she lay, her breath hitching as she finally seemed to grasp the full weight of her situation.

Kyle watched her, cold and unblinking. Her eyes darted toward the door, then toward the dragon on the bed and Queen looming just behind her.

No escape. No death. No options.

With a flick of his hand, Kyle shackled her mana, severing her access to any magic.

The maid gasped, curling inward like a deflated husk. She didn't resist when Kyle signaled for the guards to drag her to the underground prison.

He gave one final command before she was taken away.

"Keep her alive. I'll interrogate her later."

The moment she was gone, Kyle pressed his fingers against his temple and rubbed it in slow, frustrated circles.

"It's not even noon…"

He barely had a second to breathe when a new knock came at the door. Kyle didn't bother asking who it was.

The village chief stepped inside, visibly anxious but trying to maintain a respectful air.

"Young master Kyle, the others… they've started waking up."

He said quickly,

Kyle straightened.

"The soldiers?"

The chief nodded.

"Yes, sir. Most of them. Their condition looks stable, much better than before. But they're confused and—well, scared. Some of them were crying out in their sleep. They need direction, something to calm them. If you don't speak to them soon, I fear the panic will spread."

Kyle closed his eyes for a brief moment, mentally preparing himself.

"Of course. At least that's one good thing today."

He said with a soft sigh.

He grabbed his coat and walked out.

The walk to the medical ward was brisk, but Kyle allowed himself a small breath of relief when he finally saw the soldiers.

Rows of them, once sickly pale and barely breathing, now sat up and alert. Some were leaning on one another, others stretching tired limbs, a few even laughing in disbelief at their own recovery.

They quieted the moment Kyle entered.

Dozens of pairs of eyes turned to him.

Kyle stepped forward, gaze sweeping over the crowd. He noticed one of the younger soldiers saluting him with trembling hands. Another blinked rapidly as if fighting tears.

"You're awake. That means you're strong."

Kyle said, loud enough for all to hear.

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

Kyle's voice grew firmer.

"You survived something most wouldn't. You endured corruption, poison, and even the will of a false saintess. And you're still standing. That's not just survival—that's victory."

The silence that followed was electric.

Kyle gave them a small, rare smile.

"You've all done well. Now rest. You'll need your strength for what's coming next."

And with that, he turned to leave, the weight in his chest slightly lighter.

As Kyle turned to leave, one of the soldiers stood up shakily and called out.

"Thank you, sir… for not giving up on us."

Kyle paused in the doorway, his back still facing them.

"I never will. You're my people."

He said quietly.

The room fell silent again, this time with awe and resolve. As Kyle stepped out into the hallway, he exhaled slowly. The burden was still heavy—but he wasn't carrying it alone anymore.