Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 68: Ch : A little kindness goes a long way - Part 2

The morning sun had barely risen when Kyle and his group finally left the village.

The air was crisp, and the dirt road stretched before them, winding through the countryside toward their next destination.

As they rode, Bruce suddenly spoke up, his voice filled with caution.

"I heard a few people talking about ambushing us just outside the village. We should stay on guard."

he said, glancing at Kyle.

Kyle, completely unfazed, just smiled.

"Let them try. We’ll deal with it if it happens."

he said casually.

Bruce furrowed his brows, but he knew better than to argue with Kyle’s confidence.

Melissa, riding beside him, scoffed.

"They’d have to be idiots to go up against our Master."

The Head Knight, who had been silent for most of the journey, finally spoke.

"It’s still best to remain cautious."

And so, the group continued forward, their eyes scanning the surrounding landscape.

The ambush spot was easy to identify—a narrow passage between thick clusters of trees. If someone wanted to attack travelers, this was the perfect location.

Kyle’s fingers lightly tapped against the reins as they passed through. But nothing happened.

No attackers.

No sudden movement.

Nothing.

Bruce, who had been on edge, glanced around in confusion.

"…Did I mishear?"

he muttered.

The Head Knight, riding slightly ahead, smirked.

"No. They changed their minds."

Bruce turned to her.

"Why do you think that?"

The Head Knight shrugged, her armor gleaming in the morning light.

"Because even commoners have common sense and survival instincts."

Bruce frowned, deep in thought.

He already knew that his young master was strong, but to be able to completely deter an ambush with just his presence? That was something else entirely.

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Melissa, on the other hand, looked smug.

"Hah! Serves them right for underestimating Master."

Kyle, amused by their reactions, merely rode on in silence.

______

Meanwhile, back at the village, an entirely different scene was unfolding.

A group of would-be bandits and mercenaries—those who had planned to ambush Kyle and his party—were being rounded up by the villagers.

The thugs shouted in outrage as they were forcibly restrained.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

One man growled, struggling against the ropes binding his wrists.

"Let us go! This is our last chance to get money from those foolish nobles!"

An older villager, his expression firm, stepped forward.

"No. We won’t allow it."

Another villager, a woman with a determined gaze, nodded.

"Lord Armstrong was merciful. He didn’t demand compensation after what happened yesterday. We’re not about to let you ruin that."

The bound men gawked.

"Are you serious?! Just because he let you off easy, you’re going to throw away a chance at real money?"

"You don’t get it. He didn’t let us off easy. He showed us respect. He could have destroyed our village, but he didn’t."

Another villager snapped.

The captured men still didn’t understand.

But the villagers weren’t about to let them interfere with Kyle’s journey.

One of the villagers gripped his farming tool tightly and looked down at the captured men.

"Listen well. From now on, you are not to lay a hand on that young noble or the Grand Duchess’s Head Knight."

He said coldly.

"And if we do?"

One of the thugs sneered.

The villager’s grip on his weapon tightened.

"Then you’ll regret it."

______

As Kyle’s group crossed the first checkpoint without incident, Bruce and Melissa finally began to relax.

Bruce let out a relieved sigh, running a hand through his hair.

"I must have misheard. Maybe I was just being paranoid."

Melissa rolled her eyes.

"Took you long enough to figure that out."

Bruce shot her a glare before looking to Kyle.

"Apologies, my lord. I gave you a false alarm."

Kyle, as usual, remained indifferent.

"It doesn’t matter."

Bruce frowned, but before he could ask for more details, Melissa leaned over and patted his back mockingly.

"Face it, Bruce. Our young master is terrifying. Even his presence was enough to scare those idiots away."

Bruce grumbled something under his breath but didn’t argue.

They traveled for the entire day, passing through rolling hills and open plains.

The further they went, the more the terrain changed—the simple countryside giving way to dense forests and signs of noble rule.

By late afternoon, they caught their first glimpse of the Grand Duchess’s castle in the distance.

The towering structure stood atop a hill, its spires piercing the sky like the fangs of a beast.

Even from a distance, the castle radiated an air of authority—a fortress belonging to one of the most powerful figures in the kingdom.

The Head Knight turned to the group. "We’ll reach the castle by tomorrow at the earliest. We should find a good place to set up camp for the night."

Kyle, however, felt something off.

A presence.

It was subtle—almost imperceptible—but Kyle’s instincts screamed at him that something was in the forest.

His gaze drifted to the darkening treetops. The rustling of leaves, the distant calls of birds, and the faint smell of damp earth filled the air.

Turning to the Head Knight, Kyle asked.

"Is the forest safe to camp in?"

The Head Knight gave him a brief glance before nodding.

"It’s as safe as it can be. The worst we might run into are regular beasts, but nothing we can’t handle."

Kyle considered her words for a moment before giving a small nod.

"Fine."

He said.

But his unease didn’t fade.

Even if the Head Knight believed the forest was safe, Kyle wasn’t one to ignore his instincts.

Reaching up, he gently stroked Queen, who had been resting on his shoulder.

The hawk’s sharp golden eyes snapped open at his touch, and Kyle murmured softly.

"Go."

With a powerful beat of its wings, Queen took off into the sky, vanishing into the dense canopy above.

Melissa and Bruce watched the bird disappear before looking at Kyle.

"Sending Queen to scout?"

Bruce asked.

Kyle didn’t answer immediately.

After a moment, he said.

"Do you want to join Queen? You can if you insist."

Kyle’s words made Bruce back off quickly.

"On second note, perhaps I will just shut my mouth now."