Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 160: Ch : The Arrival - Part 3

Chapter 160: Ch 160: The Arrival – Part 3

Silvy’s instincts screamed at her to retreat.

Every fiber in her body told her that if she didn’t back down soon, her life could very well end in that room.

The Grand Duchess’s blade was steady, her mana oppressive, and her expression unreadable.

But Silvy’s pride refused to yield.

Even with the tip of a sword pressed to her throat, the elf looked up defiantly.

“Even if he’s your fiancé now, Kyle already slept with me. According to elven custom, that makes us married. You’re the one who needs to back off.”

She said through clenched teeth.

For a heartbeat, Amanda froze. A flicker of surprise crossed her face.

Then she laughed.

It wasn’t a cruel or mocking laugh. It was genuine, almost amused, as if she’d just heard the punchline of a particularly absurd joke.

When the Grand Duchess finally stopped laughing, she exhaled and shook her head before leaning down slightly, her blade still unmoving.

“You poor thing. Mana tells more about a person than their words ever could.”

She said with a cold smile.

Silvy’s brows furrowed.

Amanda tilted her head, as if listening to something only she could hear.

“And yours? Screams ‘virgin’ loud enough to echo across the mountains.”

She clicked her tongue.

The elf’s face turned red in an instant.

Amanda raised an eyebrow.

“Let me guess. ‘Slept with’ just means you shared a bed, doesn’t it? Did you even touch him?”

She leaned in a little closer.

Silvy remained silent, her lips pressed into a thin line.

“That’s what I thought. Sharing a bed doesn’t make you his wife. And even if it did by your customs, we’re not in the Elven Glades. You’re in human territory now.”

Amanda said, her expression triumphant.

Silvy’s eyes flickered with wounded pride, but Amanda wasn’t done.

“Even if something had happened between you and Kyle. I wouldn’t have broken off our engagement.”

Amanda said calmly,

Silvy blinked, stunned.

“Because this isn’t a love match. It’s a political arrangement. Do you know what that means?” She leaned back just enough to give the elf a little room to breathe. “It means loyalty is a luxury, not a requirement.”

Amanda continued.

“You don’t care what he does with others?” Silvy snapped, her voice rising.

Amanda shrugged. “I care more than I admit. But no, I wouldn’t stop him. I wouldn’t try to leash him like some insecure noblewoman. That’s precisely why I like him.”

Silvy’s jaw clenched in frustration.

She wasn’t getting through to her at all.

No matter what argument she made, no matter how boldly she spoke, Amanda remained firm. Unshaken. Impossibly composed.

“This human morality system is bullshit. You talk like you’re okay with it, but deep down, you’re just as messed up.”

Silvy spat.

Amanda raised an eyebrow.

“Of course it’s bullshit. But unlike you, I’ve learned how to survive in it.”

The Grand Duchess finally removed her sword, stepping back with a cool grace that made it clear she still saw herself as the victor.

“You can pine after Kyle all you want. Fight for his attention, even. But next time you try to attack me, I won’t just pin you to the floor.”

Silvy sat up slowly, rubbing her neck where the blade had rested, her face burning with a mix of humiliation and anger.

Amanda turned toward the door, but paused just before opening it.

“I don’t hate you, elf. But I’m warning you—don’t cause more problems if you know what’s good for you.”

She said without turning around.

With that, the Grand Duchess kicked Silvyu out of the room.

For the first time since meeting Kyle, Silvy realized there was an opponent she couldn’t push through with pride alone.

And that fact burned worse than any blade.

Silvy sat alone, her legs curled beneath her as the fading echoes of the confrontation replayed over and over in her mind.

The Grand Duchess’s aura still lingered in the room like a pressure pressing down on her chest.

Every instinct told Silvy to avoid that woman at all costs, to steer clear and not provoke another clash—because next time, Amanda might not hold back.

But that fear only made Silvy clench her fists tighter.

She hated this feeling. Hated the weakness. Hated how easily she had been overpowered.

It wasn’t just her pride as an elf, or as a magic user—it was the shame of having someone else tower over her in every way.

But rather than run, Silvy made a decision.

She would push through this fear, confront it, until it no longer had power over her.

Meanwhile, Kyle returned to his quarters, walking with measured steps.

He didn’t need to look back to know that he was being followed. Mana signatures flickered faintly behind him—at least a dozen of them.

They were careful, trained. But they didn’t belong to his elite mercenaries, nor to anyone under his command.

Which meant one thing.

They were after the mana stone.

He sighed inwardly.

Greed was a powerful motivator, especially with rumors about his auction and the quality of the mana stones spreading like wildfire.

These people wanted to know where he was keeping it—probably so they could steal it before the bidding even began.

Kyle smirked.

‘Amateurs.’

He made an abrupt turn and walked toward the edge of the village, where the land dipped into a narrow, forested valley.

This area, discovered just days ago during one of his solo surveys, was dangerous.

Not because of terrain—but because of the monsters.

They were silent predators, blending into the shadows and striking with sudden ferocity.

Even experienced adventurers would hesitate to tread here, especially without preparation.

Kyle stepped into the valley without hesitation.

He walked deep enough to feel the shift in the air—the subtle prickling that came from predatory gazes locking onto him.

The brush rustled faintly, almost like whispers.

But Kyle did not panic. He merely adjusted his path, making just enough noise to draw attention… then turned and calmly walked back out.

The bait had been laid.

The footsteps behind him wavered as the fools tried to follow, still thinking he carried the mana stone on him.

But Kyle didn’t need to look back to hear their screams—short, panicked, and then silenced.

The monsters didn’t let anyone leave once they crossed too far in.

By the time Kyle stepped back into the village, he was alone.

Bruce was already waiting outside his quarters with a tense expression.

“Young Master, we’ve noticed suspicious movements among the gathered guests.”

He greeted with a slight bow.

Kyle raised an eyebrow.

“Suspicious how?”

Bruce leaned in slightly.

“Several parties seem unusually organized. They’re not here just to bid. Some are scouts. Observers. I believe a few are tied to the other auction houses.”

Kyle’s eyes narrowed, but he showed no sign of concern.

“They’re planning something. Likely tonight. A break-in, maybe even a coordinated theft of the mana stone before the auction begins.”

Bruce added.

Kyle chuckled softly.

“Let them try.”

Bruce blinked, uncertain.

“I already have a plan. These types think with muscle and impulse. I’m counting on that.”

Kyle said, brushing the dust from his sleeves.

Bruce gave a short nod.

“Shall I alert the mercenaries?”

“Have them keep a perimeter. But tell them not to intervene unless absolutely necessary. Let the rats enter the trap first.”

Kyle instructed.

“And Queen?”

Bruce asked.

Kyle looked up at the sky where the shadow of a birdlike figure passed overhead.

“It’s already watching. It will let me know the moment things go wrong.”

Kyle said with a smirk.

Bruce’s shoulders relaxed slightly, reassured by Kyle’s calm.

“Understood. Then I’ll go finalize the security measures for tomorrow.”