Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent

The heavy doors to the royal chamber creaked open, and Crown Prince Mikalius groaned theatrically from his seat, rubbing his temples.

He was slumped sideways on his throne-like chair, a silk cloth draped lazily over his eyes as if he were shielding himself from light that wasn't even there.

"Oh, gods above, why did I drink so much last night?"

He muttered.

Grand Duchess Amana arched a brow at the pitiful display.

"Because you're an idiot, that's why."

Mikalius peeked out from beneath the cloth and grinned.

"And here I thought you'd offer some cousinly sympathy. Alas, it seems even my own blood has turned against me."

"If your blood is as saturated with wine as your brain, then yes. Honestly, if you were just a little more careful about what you put in your mouth, you wouldn't be suffering now."

She snapped.

Still reclined, the prince waved a dismissive hand in her direction.

"Bah, I'm immune to poison. That includes regrets."

"You're not immune to headaches."

Kyle remarked dryly as he entered the room beside the duchess.

At the sound of Kyle's voice, Mikalius perked up immediately. He sat up straighter, the hangover seemingly forgotten, and grinned with exaggerated delight.

"Kyle Armstrong! My soon-to-be brother-in-law and the man who murdered a goddess. Welcome!"

Kyle gave a small nod.

"You're loud for someone who was dying of a headache two seconds ago."

The Grand Duchess sighed.

"Could you please act your age for once in your life, Mikalius?"

The prince smirked.

"I'll think about it. But first—"

He leaned forward, steepling his fingers beneath his chin as the grin slowly faded

"—there's something more pressing I want to ask your fiancé."

Kyle took a seat across from the crown prince, posture relaxed but eyes sharp.

"Ask."

For a moment, the room stilled. Mikalius's earlier cheerfulness dropped, and a tense silence replaced it. The only sound was the distant chirping of birds outside the palace window.

Then, quietly but clearly, Mikalius asked.

"Are you on our side, Kyle? Or are you going to be your own agent in this war?"

Amana turned toward Kyle, expression unreadable. Though she said nothing, her hand briefly brushed against the hilt of her sword—out of habit or worry, it was hard to tell.

Kyle stared at Mikalius for a long beat, gaze calm, nearly bored.

"Take a guess."

He said finally.

Mikalius blinked at him.

"That's not an answer."

"You're just hoping it's the one you want to hear."

Kyle replied evenly.

A long breath escaped from Mikalius as he looked away. He rubbed his jaw, thoughtful, frustrated.

"Damn it. I hate when people talk like that. You sound like one of the damned prophets."

He muttered under his breath.

Kyle smiled faintly.

"If I did, your guards would've executed me already."

The prince snorted despite himself.

"Not wrong."

Amana stepped forward, folding her arms.

"What's this really about, Mikalius? You were cheering for us at the feast last night, and now you're questioning Kyle like he's already betrayed us."

"I'm not accusing him. I just need clarity. The gods are rallying. If Charrin could fall, the others are panicking. The divine realm's going to retaliate, and when they do… I want to know that the man who can kill them is not going to turn his back on the rest of us."

The crown prince said, sitting up straighter.

Kyle's gaze didn't waver.

"I never said I'd turn my back on you."

"But you didn't say you wouldn't."

"I'm not going to lie. My priority has never been loyalty to a flag. It's been to people. To those who fight and bleed and die just to live their lives freely. If your kingdom fights for that, then I'll fight beside you. If not, then you'll know my answer."

Kyle said, his voice even.

Mikalius met his gaze for a few seconds longer before finally leaning back and letting out a heavy sigh.

"You're impossible, you know that?"

Kyle gave a soft chuckle.

"You should get used to it. We're family now, apparently."

Amana shook her head, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

"He's always been this way. At least now he says what he means."

The crown prince rubbed his temples again.

"I should've eaten something before this. Politics and a hangover don't mix."

"That's your fault too."

Amana muttered.

As Mikalius groaned and reached for a jug of water, Kyle leaned back in his chair, eyes momentarily drifting toward the windows.

He could feel the air shifting—calm for now, but heavy with coming storms. If the gods thought their war would be simple, they were wrong.

And if the humans wanted to survive it, they needed to stop worrying about his loyalty—and start worrying about their own resolve.

The crown prince exhaled slowly, letting the tension roll off his shoulders.

"For now, I'll trust you. You haven't given me a reason not to."

He said, looking Kyle in the eye.

Kyle gave a small nod, accepting the words without ceremony.

Mikalius leaned back, resting his arms on the sides of his chair.

"That also means I'll share what I've gathered so far. You deserve to know."

Amana arched a brow.

"Is it about Okla?"

Mikalius nodded.

"Exactly. Given everything that's happened—Charrin's fall, the chaos in the temples, the divine backlash—I expected Okla's leadership to finally come to the table. All this disruption would usually shake even the most stubborn regimes."

Kyle's expression sharpened.

"But they haven't."

"Not even a word. Not a whisper of surrender. Not even an attempt at negotiation. It's like they're waiting for something. Or someone."

The prince confirmed.

Amana frowned.

"Could be divine backing."

"That's the most likely theory. But it's not just that. It feels… tense. Like something's boiling beneath the surface, and we just can't see it yet. Whatever it is, it's big. And dangerous."

Mikalius agreed.

Kyle folded his arms, his voice steady.

"We'll need to keep an eye on them. If something explodes from under the surface, we'll need to act quickly."

"Exactly. That's why I'm telling you now. You and your army should be on alert, just in case. I'll keep feeding you updates."

The prince said.

Kyle gave a slight nod.

"If any new information surfaces, get it to me as soon as possible. The faster we respond, the more casualties we can prevent."

Mikalius smirked, some of the tension easing from his features.

"Spoken like a commander."

"Spoken like someone who's seen enough death."

Kyle corrected.

There was a pause—brief, heavy with unspoken memories—before the crown prince nodded again.

"I'll have my messengers ready. If I hear anything—divine movements, Okla's change in position, anything suspicious—you'll be the first to know."

"Good. Then we'll be ready."

Kyle stood, his tone resolute.

Amana stood beside him.

"And if something does break out… you won't be facing it alone."

The crown prince managed a small smile.

"That's reassuring."

As Kyle and Amana turned to leave the chamber, the shadows outside the windows began to stretch long, cast by clouds rolling in.

Storms were coming. But now, they would be ready.

Mikalius watched them go, his fingers drumming against the armrest.

"Let the gods bring whatever they have left. We'll stand our ground."

He muttered to himself.

Outside, Kyle glanced at the darkening sky and spoke without turning.

"Tell your people to be ready, Amana. The calm never lasts long before the storm hits."