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

The new recruits stood at attention under the scorching sun, their expressions a mix of anxiety and curiosity.

Kyle's sharp gaze swept over the mass of soldiers now under his command. He turned to his own elite forces and said.

"Divide them into manageable units. Assign a commander to each. Watch them. If anyone so much as breathes betrayal, I want to know before they blink."

His soldiers responded instantly, moving like a disciplined tide as they began grouping the new soldiers, issuing orders and designating campsites.

Kyle's authority weighed heavily over the field, and none dared question it.

Melissa stepped up beside him, frowning slightly.

"Young Master, this is dangerous. There are too many unknown variables. We barely have enough trusted men to oversee them all. If even a fraction of them turn on us—"

"It's a risk we'll have to take. We're no longer dealing with petty wars and corrupt nobles. This is a divine enemy. They'll burn the world down if we don't stand in their way."

Kyle replied without hesitation.

Melissa bit her lip but nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

Kyle crossed his arms.

"We need people who can craft runes and construct barriers, not just swordsmen. Train those with potential. Divide them further by specialty—combat, defense, support. These black mana creatures are only the beginning. I can feel it. Bigger threats are coming."

As if to confirm his words, a guard sprinted across the camp, his face pale and clothes drenched with sweat. He stumbled to a stop before Kyle, dropping to one knee.

"Young Lord! Urgent news from the western outskirts—there's been an anomaly reported in one of the villages."

Kyle's expression darkened.

"What kind of anomaly?"

"A large amount of black mana appeared out of nowhere. The entire area became distorted—like it was cut off from the world. Birds won't fly over it. Scouts we sent in have not returned."

The guard said breathlessly.

A hush fell between Kyle and his aides. Melissa's face tensed.

"Could it be… another breach? Like the ones before?"

"No. This sounds worse."

Kyle muttered.

Bruce stepped forward, summoned by the urgency.

"Want me to head out?"

Kyle shook his head.

"No. I'll go myself. I need to see it with my own eyes."

Melissa's eyes widened.

"Alone?"

"I'll take Rean and a few others. I need my best here managing the new troops. If something's devouring entire areas now, we're out of time."

He turned to the soldier who brought the message.

"Prepare a fast transport. I'll depart immediately."

"Yes, sir!"

As the soldier ran off, Kyle looked toward the training soldiers.

"Keep this quiet. No need to let fear spread. If any word about this anomaly leaks, I want to know who spoke first."

Melissa and Bruce nodded firmly.

Kyle then added in a lower voice.

"And if the gods are testing the limits of their interference… we'll show them just how far I'm willing to go to fight back."

Kyle stood at the center of the training camp, the morning mist still lingering as the soldiers went through their drills. His eyes scanned the field before turning to Melissa.

"Get ready. We're leaving soon. I want to see this anomaly for myself."

He said calmly, though the weight behind his words was unmistakable.

Melissa blinked.

"We're going personally?"

"I won't trust secondhand reports for something like this. Whatever's festering out there… it's not normal. We need to act before it spreads."

He replied.

Melissa gave a quick nod.

"Understood. I'll prepare immediately."

Kyle turned to the nearest officer and issued his orders.

"Keep the recruits in line. Split them into three divisions—combat, defense, and support. Make sure they're training under direct supervision. I want them capable enough to be deployed within two weeks."

"Yes, Lord Kyle!"

Kyle offered a brief nod before heading toward the royal palace. Time was running short, but he needed to inform the leadership before departing.

—

Inside the palace, Crown Prince Mikalius and Grand Duchess Amana were seated in a private chamber, going over the latest reports.

The mood was tense, but both looked up as Kyle entered.

"I figured you'd come. Is it true? Another incident in the outskirts?"

The crown prince said with a sigh.

Kyle nodded.

"Confirmed. Melissa and I are going to check it out personally."

The prince's brows furrowed.

"This keeps getting worse. Honestly, I should thank you for going, but part of me feels like I should be apologizing instead."

"For what?"

Kyle asked.

"For the fact that this situation has delayed your wedding. It seems every time we try to settle into peace, another disaster pops up."

The prince replied with a rueful smile.

Kyle offered a dry chuckle.

"If you want to blame someone, blame the gods. They're the only ones profiting off this chaos."

Grand Duchess Amana, seated to the side, crossed her arms.

"Are you sure it's wise for both you and Melissa to go?"

"She's strong enough to keep up. And I trust her with my back. That's more than I can say for most."

Kyle replied.

The crown prince nodded.

"Fair enough. But Kyle, be careful. Whatever this is, it doesn't feel like a coincidence."

Kyle's expression turned grim.

"It isn't."

—

Meanwhile, high in the divine plane, a fierce argument brewed.

God of War Kratos leaned back on his throne, arms crossed and a maddened grin on his face as he watched the chaos unfold in the mortal world below.

Swaths of corrupted mana poured into forests, hills, and towns, spreading like oil set ablaze.

Behind him, the God of Harvest stormed in with frustration written on his face.

"You're out of your mind, Kratos! If you keep flooding the world with that cursed mana, there'll be nothing left to reap. You're ruining centuries of cultivation and divine effort!"

The Harvest God barked.

Kratos turned his gaze toward the complaining god, expression calm and unmoved.

"So what if I am?"

"What do you mean 'so what'? Without balance, this realm will collapse. The humans can't sustain it, and you're draining it faster than they can rebuild!"

Kratos stood, looming over the smaller god, his divine power crackling faintly in the air.

"This world is already doomed. The moment Kyle Armstrong rose again, we lost our grip. You want to harvest your crops and sit in your temple in peace? Fine. But don't expect the rest of us to play nice while that human burns down everything we've worked for."

The Harvest God clenched his jaw.

"If we don't find a way to deal with him properly—strategically—then yes, we've lost. But brute force will only backfire again."

Kratos laughed, voice deep and violent.

"You think I'm afraid of one man?"

"No. I think you're afraid of what he reminds you of. You lost once, and now you're trying to erase that fear by burning the whole board."

The Harvest God said darkly.

Kratos' eyes flashed with silent fury but he did not respond. Instead, he turned his gaze back toward the mortal world, where dark clouds now loomed over the distant mountains.

"This world's already cracking. Let's see if Kyle Armstrong can hold it together when it shatters."

He said.

The Harvest God turned away with a grim expression, knowing full well that Kratos' recklessness might doom this world far sooner than expected.