Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 195: Ch : The Women of White- Part 4

Chapter 195: Ch 195: The Women of White- Part 4

Kyle sprinted into the village, his boots hitting the earth with practiced silence as he honed in on the pulse of divine energy slicing through the air like a knife.

The forest that had only recently begun to flourish under his efforts now withered in patches—leaves yellowing, grass curling in on itself.

The divine mana wasn’t simply invading; it was consuming.

“Tch. Troublesome avatar. Just had to choose my village.”

Kyle clicked his tongue in irritation.

The oppressive aura wasn’t stationary—it was moving.

Kyle closed his eyes briefly, synchronizing his senses with the mana current.

He could feel it slithering through the trees, corrupting nature, warping life. The divine energy wasn’t flowing aimlessly—it had a purpose. A direction.

Then it turned.

Kyle felt it like a spear aimed at his chest.

He spun just in time to parry.

CLANG!

Sparks scattered through the air as Kyle’s blade met sharp, clawed fingers glowing with divine light.

The sheer force sent a jolt down his arm, but he held his ground. Inches from him stood the white woman—her white hair floating unnaturally, her pupil-less eyes fixated on him with emotionless focus.

Her skin was pale as moonlight, but not smooth. It was covered in intricate, deliberate scars—etched symbols, circular patterns, and faded letters that looked like ancient runes.

Kyle narrowed his eyes.

“You… were sacrificed. Willingly?”

He muttered.

At his words, her expression twisted in rage.

She let out a broken, guttural cry and slammed her claw into his sword again—this time hard enough to send cracks down the steel. Kyle’s eyes narrowed.

“So that is the case.”

She came at him again, fast—her movements primal, erratic, but deeply rooted in deadly instinct.

Kyle grunted, weaving back and raising his hand. A thin shimmer of energy unfolded in the air.

“Mana Net—Deploy.”

The world shimmered around the white woman as silver-blue threads coalesced in the air like woven spider silk, forming a net of mana infused with Kyle’s control and intent.

It wrapped around her mid-attack, halting her momentum.

She struggled, snarling incoherently. Her lips moved, and her throat trembled as if trying to speak—but no coherent words emerged.

Only a garbled, cracked hum that sounded like agony and madness intertwined.

Her power flared.

The scars across her body glowed, the net trembled, and Kyle cursed.

“She’s going critical!”

Before he could reinforce the net, the divine energy inside her destabilized.

The white light flashed, the sound of rupturing flesh cracked through the air—

And she exploded.

Divine energy burst outward like a wave, but it didn’t burn or destroy.

Instead, it scattered into the forest, seeping into the roots, grass, and trees.

It was no longer aggressive—it had been dispersed, absorbed, devoured by the land itself. Kyle stood still, his sword half-raised, breathing calmly.

“She was… a vessel. Not complete. Just a shell.”

He muttered.

He lowered his weapon.

The forest quieted, the corrupted patches already beginning to heal as the dispersed divine mana broke down into harmless strands.

Kyle’s shoulders relaxed. He turned slightly, preparing to head back.

But then he felt it.

Another presence.

His eyes narrowed. The mana was nearly identical—divine, foreign, and focused entirely on him. Like a gaze. Cold. Watchful. Intelligent.

He immediately scanned the tree line, the rooftops, the sky—but nothing.

Not a trace. Whatever it was, it didn’t want to be seen.

Kyle stepped back toward the village with his sword still in hand, eyes scanning every shadow.

“One avatar gone… But something else is already watching.”

He murmured.

Queen, who had returned from its patrol, padded silently beside him, letting out a low growl as it looked toward the dense trees. Even it seemed unnerved.

Kyle reached down, gently stroking its back, then gave the woods one last glance.

“I don’t know who you are, but if you’re anything like the last one…”

He said aloud.

His tone sharpened.

“Stay out of my forest.”

And with that, Kyle turned and walked back toward the village, his unease lingering like a second shadow.

As soon as Kyle returned to the village, Bruce met him at the edge of the plaza, his expression tense and eyes darting toward the forest Kyle had just come from.

“Young Master, what happened out there? That light—it felt like the whole forest was holding its breath. And now…”

Bruce began, voice low. He looked around nervously.

“…it feels quiet, too quiet. What do we do next?”

Kyle didn’t waste time with long explanations.

“We reinforce the village. The usual patrols won’t cut it anymore. From now on, all guards must be equipped with mana sensors and enchanted weapons. I’ll set up perimeter wards myself.”

He said curtly.

Bruce blinked.

“Enchanted weapons? But—”

Kyle raised a hand.

“No excuses. We’ve already seen that brute strength won’t help. The enemies that are coming now… they aren’t the kind you can fend off with a sword and a shield. Divine forces have begun to interfere in this world.”

Kyle’s voice grew quieter toward the end.

He didn’t intend to voice his suspicion yet—not until he understood the scope of the threat.

But inwardly, he was certain. That white entity from earlier wasn’t the last of its kind. Something older, deeper, and far more dangerous was stirring.

“I’ll get the work started right away.”

Bruce said with a bow, though concern lingered in his eyes. He could tell that whatever Kyle had seen out there, it had shaken even him.

Far away from the forest and danger, Grand Duchess Amanda sat with elegance in the center of a bustling city plaza.

Dressed in layered navy silks and adorned with sapphire ornaments that glimmered under the sun, she calmly sipped her tea as though she had not a care in the world.

The tension of war didn’t touch her.

“My lady, is it truly wise for you to be out here? We are technically in enemy territory. If word got out…”

her bodyguard murmured, standing close by with sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

Amanda raised a slender brow, not even turning to face the nervous guard.

“As long as you keep your mouth shut, I will be fine.”

She said.

The guard paled instantly, her lips sealing with guilt and fear. She bowed her head and said no more.

The Grand Duchess swirled her tea with a spoon, her movements graceful and unhurried.

“Let people think what they will. It’s when they don’t talk that you should be worried.”

She watched the world unfold around her—vendors hawking fruits and spices, children running with wooden swords, noble ladies pretending not to notice each other as they whispered gossip.

This city may not have belonged to her formally, but Amanda carried herself like it did.

Just then, a sudden buzz filled the plaza.

The atmosphere shifted.

People turned their heads toward the center where a platform had been set up. Excited chatter echoed through the square.

The Duchess set her teacup down gently on its saucer, eyes sharpening.

“What’s this?”

Her guard looked up quickly.

“A commotion, my lady. I’m not sure what’s happening.”

Amanda stood with fluid grace and took a few steps forward. She didn’t need her guard to move—people naturally parted for her, as though pushed aside by her sheer presence.

At the center of the square, something—or someone—was drawing attention.

Amanda narrowed her eyes, watching the crowd’s reactions rather than the spectacle itself. Murmurs of awe, shock, and confusion reached her ears.

Whatever it was, it had just shifted the direction of the day.

The Grand Duchess allowed a thin smile to stretch her lips.

“Well then. Let’s see what has my city buzzing today.”

She murmured.