Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent
Chapter 237 - 237: Ch 237: The Elves- Part 2

Bruce stood beside Kyle in the quiet courtyard, arms folded tightly as if bracing for bad news. He studied his young master's face, trying to read the unreadable.

"What exactly are you planning, young master? I've got a bad feeling about this."

Bruce asked at last, his voice low.

Kyle didn't look up from the documents he was skimming.

"I'm not planning anything… yet."

Bruce sighed.

"That doesn't help. What are you going to do next?"

Kyle placed the papers aside and leaned back in his chair.

"The elven forest."

Bruce's brow furrowed.

"You want to go into the elf lands? They're a secretive race, my lord. They barely trust outsiders. Without a connection, they'll never let you in."

"I have a connection. I still have Silvy."

Kyle said calmly.

Bruce blinked.

"Silvy? That—That elf girl? The one who tried to scam you?"

He caught himself before calling her what he truly wanted to.

Kyle nodded.

"Exactly. And to be more precise, I am the one who scammed her."

Bruce looked unconvinced.

"She only does what she wants. She's proud, temperamental, and she doesn't follow orders. You think she'll lead you into her homeland?"

"It's that exact pride that'll make her useful. If I ask the right way, she'll come running."

Kyle said, smiling faintly.

Bruce sighed again and muttered

"You say that like manipulating people is a hobby."

Kyle's eyes didn't waver.

"I don't manipulate. I offer people choices. What they pick is up to them."

Bruce gave him a sideways look.

"And if she says no?"

"Then I'll use my backup plan."

Kyle said smoothly.

Bruce hesitated.

"Dare I ask what that is?"

Kyle's smile widened slightly.

"No."

That answer made Bruce's shoulders slump.

"Understood, young master. I'll pretend I never heard that."

"Good man."

Kyle said, already reaching for a quill and parchment.

"Queen."

The golden creature perched on the windowsill lifted its head and gave a questioning chirp. Kyle glanced over his shoulder.

"Deliver this to Silvy. You know what she looks like."

Queen fluttered her wings, took the letter delicately between its claws, and soared into the sky.

Bruce watched the creature disappear.

"I don't know what you wrote, but I hope she doesn't come back breathing fire."

"She won't."

Kyle said.

______

Silvy was in the middle of her usual act—tears welling in her eyes, hands clutched to her chest, and a trembling voice as she told a wide-eyed merchant that her caravan had been attacked and all her belongings stolen.

It was an act she had perfected to the point of art, and the merchant was just about to offer her coin and shelter when a sharp shadow passed overhead.

She froze mid-sentence, her pointed ears twitching.

"No… not now…"

The merchant looked up, confused.

"Is… something wrong, miss?"

Silvy's eyes darted toward the sky. She cursed softly and turned on her heel, muttering something about needing fresh air as she began walking quickly in the opposite direction.

The merchant blinked and called after her, but Silvy was already weaving through the crowd.

Overhead, Queen circled once before diving.

"Oh no, no, no—!"

Silvy hissed, trying to duck into an alley.

But it was no use. Queen was far too fast.

A blur of gold streaked down, and Silvy yelped as claws gently dropped a rolled parchment directly into her arms. She stumbled back, scowling at the dragonling.

Queen landed on a nearby rooftop, eyes glowing as it watched.

"Ugh. I hate that smug bird."

Silvy muttered as she unrolled the letter. Her annoyed expression shifted as she read.

"…That bastard. What does he want now?"

Silvy stared at the golden feathered creature hovering in front of her like a tiny warden of fate.

Queen chirped once, her eyes narrowing as she flapped her wings with forceful insistence.

With a heavy sigh, Silvy snatched the letter out of the dragonling's clawed grip and muttered,

"Fucker…"

Tearing open the seal, her eyes scanned the parchment, her smug expression slowly turning unreadable.

A breeze blew past her face as she stood on the roof of a local merchant's house—one she had just scammed out of several silver coins by claiming the power to divine fortune using "elven wind magic."

Queen hovered beside her silently, as if waiting for a decision.

Down below, the merchant was still shouting about his missing coin purse.

Silvy ignored the noise.

She folded the letter with tense fingers and tucked it into her robe. Her tail, concealed beneath her long outer cloak, twitched in agitation.

"So he finally needs me, huh?"

She muttered.

Queen chirped again, this time more pointedly.

Silvy glared at the creature, though it didn't help much—it was impossible to hold any sense of superiority when being stared down by something that could singe your eyebrows with a sneeze.

"I'll go. But not because he asked. I just want to see the mess he's gotten himself into this time."

She muttered, biting out the words like they tasted sour.

Queen gave an approving flap and darted into the sky, her task complete.

Back in the village, Bruce stood beside Kyle in the newly cleared courtyard, arms folded.

"She's really coming?"

Bruce asked skeptically.

Kyle, who had returned to feeding the baby dragon wrapped in a blanket on his shoulder, gave a small nod.

"Queen delivered the message. She'll come."

"You say that like you're certain."

"I am. Silvy's pride won't let her ignore a challenge. Especially not from me."

Kyle gave a wry smile as he held up a small mana crystal for the baby dragon to nibble.

"Besides, I know her better than she thinks."

Bruce rubbed the bridge of his nose and muttered.

"That's what worries me."

Kyle glanced at him.

"You're free to say what's on your mind."

Bruce gave a sigh that sounded far too old for his age.

"It's just… I know you're always five steps ahead of the rest of us. But the elves? They're a different game entirely. Their politics, their history—if we offend them even slightly, it could bring war. Silvy may open the door, but stepping inside? That's another thing entirely."

Kyle didn't respond right away. Instead, he stared down at the baby dragon curling against his chest. The dragon gave a soft purring growl, full of warmth.

"I'm not seeking a throne, Bruce. I just want to keep the people here safe. And to do that, I'll need someone who understands mana better than any human doctor ever could."

Kyle said at last.

"…So you're planning to bargain with the elves."

"I'm planning to offer them something they can't refuse."

Bruce raised a brow.

"And what would that be?"

Kyle smiled faintly.

"Hope."

Before Bruce could ask further, Queen returned, chirping triumphantly as she landed beside Kyle. A tiny scrap of green cloth fluttered from her claws—an unmistakable piece of Silvy's clothing.

"She's on her way. Better start preparing."

Kyle said, pocketing the cloth.

Bruce gave him a long look, then finally turned away with a sigh.

"I'll go inform the kitchen staff."

As Bruce walked off, Kyle turned toward the edge of the village where the wind blew stronger, where old trees whispered of ancient things. His eyes narrowed.

"Time to meet your people, Silvy. Let's hope they're less troublesome than you."

He murmured.