Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 157: Ch : Holding an Auction - Part 3
Chapter 157: Ch 157: Holding an Auction – Part 3
The moment Kyle’s name and the existence of the mana stone were whispered in the jewel shop, the news spread like wildfire.
Every noble lady, merchant, and visiting dignitary carried the rumor further.
In less than a day, it reached the ears of Duke Armstrong himself, sitting in the comfort of his sprawling estate.
High Inquisitor Charles, the Duke’s second-in-command and a man known for his merciless ambition, stormed into the Duke’s private study, his boots thudding heavily against the polished marble floor.
“Your Grace, did you hear? Your son—Kyle Armstrong—has uncovered mana stones. The entire region is buzzing with it. And yet…”
Charles said sharply, bowing with only the bare minimum of courtesy. Charles’ eyes narrowed dangerously.
“I hear nothing of it from you. No reports. No tributes.”
The Duke leaned back in his high-backed chair, lazily swirling a glass of brandy in his hand.
His tired eyes flickered toward Charles but he said nothing for a long moment.
Finally, with a bored tone, he answered.
“I have heard no such thing from Kyle himself.”
Charles’ face turned red with barely contained anger.
“Your Grace, this is insubordination! Anything discovered within your lands should be offered to you first. That is the law of nobility! Especially something as valuable as a mana stone!”
The old butler standing quietly near the door cleared his throat.
“If I may, Sir Charles, that particular land was granted to Young Master Kyle. As such, the Duke’s ownership over it is no longer applicable. It is Kyle Armstrong’s right to decide what to do with any discoveries made therein.”
He said, voice calm but firm.
Charles turned a furious glare on the butler, but before he could say anything, he scoffed and spun back toward the Duke.
“It is not fine! That boy doesn’t know what he’s dealing with! If he sells those stones on the open market, enemies of the Duke Dome might acquire them! I will go personally.”
Charles declared, slamming a fist against his chest.
“I will ‘reason’ with Kyle Armstrong and remind him where his loyalties should lie. And make sure those stones are properly… redistributed to strengthen your holdings.”
The Duke said nothing to stop him. He only continued sipping his brandy, a small amused smile curling at the corners of his lips.
Once Charles had left the room in a flurry of righteous anger, the old butler turned to the Duke, exasperation clear in his wrinkled face.
“Your Grace, Why are you letting Sir Charles act so recklessly? Should we not recall him?”
The butler said.
The Duke chuckled, finally setting down his drink.
“No, I think we’ll let this play out. Charles is greedy. Kyle is… clever.”
“And the mana stones, Your Grace?”
The butler asked.
At that, the Duke’s smile deepened. He opened a drawer beside him, revealing a gleaming, massive mana stone—almost the size of a man’s fist—nestled inside.
“My son has already paid his tribute.”
The Duke said smugly.
The butler let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples as if trying to stave off a headache.
I see.”
Once dismissed, the butler returned to his own quarters and immediately penned a letter in neat, urgent strokes.
He had served the Armstrong family for generations, and his loyalty was first and foremost to the young master he had watched grow.
Young Master,
Beware. High Inquisitor Charles has caught the scent of the mana stones and now seeks to interfere. He is heading toward you with intentions that are far from honorable. Please prepare accordingly.
Sealing the letter, the butler summoned a trusted courier hawk, attaching the message securely before sending it into the afternoon sky.
He watched the hawk fly off with grim eyes.
“You will need to be ready, Young Master. The real battles are about to begin.”
The butler muttered under his breath.
______
Kyle received the butler’s letter just as he was reviewing the auction preparations.
Opening it quickly, he scanned through the neat, urgent handwriting.
His sharp eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of High Inquisitor Charles. Folding the letter, Kyle called Bruce and Melissa into the room.
Bruce, sensing the atmosphere, immediately asked.
“Young Master, is something wrong?”
Kyle tossed the letter onto the table casually.
“The Duke’s second-in-command, Charles, is coming. Apparently, he believes the mana stones belong to the Duke, not me.”
Melissa’s brows furrowed in concern. Bruce, meanwhile, stiffened.
“Should we be worried, Young Master?”
Bruce asked carefully.
Kyle gave a small, confident smile.
“There’s no reason to be worried. I have no intention of bowing to anyone.”
His words were calm, but the steel in them made both Bruce and Melissa straighten with renewed determination.
“Bruce, carry on preparing for the auction as usual. Make it even grander if you can. We want to lure them all here properly.”
Kyle continued.
Bruce placed a fist to his chest and bowed.
“Understood, Young Master.”
“As for me, I’m going to fetch another mana stone. It’ll serve as a backup in case the bidding goes even higher than expected.”
Kyle said.
Leaving Bruce and Melissa to their duties, Kyle slipped away from the village and headed toward the hidden mana stone cave he had discovered.
Moving carefully, he observed the surroundings for any signs of spies or hidden enemies.
Once he was certain the coast was clear, he entered the cave.
Inside, the crystals still gleamed under the faint light, pulsing faintly with contained mana.
Kyle approached the crystalline walls, feeling the rich energy soaking the air.
Finding a stone about the size of an apple embedded halfway in the wall, Kyle drew out a small blade and carefully pried it free.
Satisfied, he placed it into a secure pouch at his waist and began heading back toward the village.
On his way back, Kyle noticed a group of elite mercenaries—men he had personally vetted and hired on strict, airtight contracts—escorting a handful of ragged prisoners.
From the look of it, another batch of fools had tried to sneak into the village, probably hoping to steal some of the treasures being gathered for the auction.
One of the mercenary leaders saluted him as Kyle approached.
“Young Master, more intruders. Caught them trying to scale the northern cliffs.”
Kyle barely spared the trembling prisoners a glance. free𝑤ebnovel.com
“Dispose of them. Let everyone see what happens to those who overstep.””
He ordered coolly.
The mercenaries bowed, dragging the prisoners away without hesitation.
Watching them go, Kyle nodded to himself.
‘Hiring them under strict contracts was a good move. Bound by both payment and magic seals, betrayal is not an option for them.’
He thought
Still, Kyle was cautious. Trust was a luxury he couldn’t afford in his position.
With swift efficiency, he summoned Queen, who fluttered down from the rooftops and landed on his shoulder, puffing itself up proudly.
“Keep an eye on the surroundings, Queen.”
Kyle instructed, patting its head lightly.
Queen chirped, pleased with the attention, before taking to the skies once again.
From his vantage point near the outskirts, Kyle watched the nearby town and felt a grim satisfaction.
The streets were teeming with people, merchants, nobles, and adventurers alike—all drawn by the rumors of his mana stone auction.
Tensions were already fraying. Heated arguments broke out every few minutes, and in some places, outright brawls were starting.
‘Greed brings chaos. And chaos makes it easier for me to control the flow of power.’
Kyle thought, folding his arms.
He turned back toward the village, his mind already moving several steps ahead.
The arrival of High Inquisitor Charles would only add more fuel to the fire, but Kyle welcomed it.
After all, he wasn’t some naive fool who thought he could climb without stepping on a few heads.
No, Kyle Armstrong was ready to carve out his own place—and anyone who thought otherwise would learn that the hard way.
______
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