The Final Task of the Forsaken Saint: A Command to Marry the Barbarian Count - Chapter 12

As Lord Teodoric made his entrance, all the soldiers present hastily bowed in respect. Ritter and his two companions were already pale, and Sarina also stiffened, lowering her head and clutching her skirt in reverence. I too, began to bow, but before I could, Lord Teodoric’s sharp violet eyes swept over the scene.

“What is going on here?”

His voice was low, but the pressure it carried was enough to make it feel as though he would crush anyone who didn’t respond immediately. While there was no malice in his eyes, his expression resembled that of a tyrant from a story, casting a cold, imposing gaze over his subjects.

No one spoke. Everyone froze, until Lord Teodoric turned to me.

“Calbunkus Viscount, could you explain why you’re sparring with the knights?”

“…Huh?”

I blinked, confused. Then it clicked. He was referring to me, as “Calbunkus Viscount,” and I felt a brief wave of embarrassment, unsure if that name even felt like mine yet.

Feeling self-conscious, I cleared my throat and answered.

“Sarina’s been showing me around the castle since this morning.
She brought me to the training grounds to see Rostock’s finest warriors, and I ended up having a sparring match with them.”

“…Since this morning, even after you defeated the wyvern, without resting?”

His words echoed, and I tilted my head, puzzled.

“I took a nap and had a hearty breakfast this morning.
Everything’s been normal. Oh! And Sarina told me that, if properly prepared, monster meat is edible! The steak at breakfast was delicious, and I was surprised!”

As I spoke, I noticed a murmur of surprise in the background. I was so caught up in my excitement that I didn’t notice the strange look on Lord Teodoric’s face until now.

He looked at me as though I were some oddity, a frown settling deeply between his brows.

“Did you enjoy your tour of the castle?”

“Umm… quite a lot?”

I answered hesitantly, and Lord Teodoric’s gaze shifted to Sarina, who was still bowing, her head low.

“Sarina, I ordered that Calbunkus Viscount should rest unless she requested otherwise. Do you have an explanation for this?”
Sarina flinched slightly, but her voice remained firm as she answered.

“Based on what the messenger said, there was a possibility that the arrival of the Saintess was not desired. I thought it best for her to understand Rostock as soon as possible. I thought that if I acted, and she could be turned away with a single disapproval from me, it would protect Rostock’s pride and the Lord’s reputation.”

Sarina’s eyes flickered nervously, but she didn’t falter in her explanation. As she spoke, I noticed the tension in her posture, and I couldn’t help but feel a little surprised at how candidly she spoke, especially when she could have easily said nothing.
Lord Teodoric, still calm, leaned in slightly.

“And what did the messenger say about me?”

I couldn’t help but cut in, sensing an opportunity for clarity, “What did the messenger say about me?”

Sarina hesitated, biting her lip. At Lord Teodoric’s insistence, she finally spoke.

“The messenger described you as someone who flaunts your magic, oppresses those of lower rank, and who deeply resents coming to Rostock as a bride.”

“Did they mention anything about using soldiers as target practice for my magic? It seems they didn’t give me much credit.”

I felt the surprise in Sarina’s expression at hearing this, and the pieces of the puzzle clicked. So that was why the servants and officials had greeted me with such unease. The message had spread, and they had assumed I was just another insufferable noble.

I could understand why they might have expected that of me, but it was still strange to hear Sarina speak so frankly about the messenger’s attitude.

Lord Teodoric didn’t seem upset, though. His voice remained steady as he spoke.

“Did you not consider that it would tarnish my reputation and that of Rostock to ignore the welfare of a guest, to push them so harshly, especially after a long journey and a wyvern hunt?”
Sarina froze, her face turning pale. The regret was apparent in her expression, though she still kept her head bowed.

Lord Teodoric turned his gaze toward the knights, slowly scanning each one.

“You have not only misjudged your opponent’s skill, but you also dared to challenge the result of a match already decided. This is conduct unbecoming of knights of Rostock.”

“I deeply apologize!” Ritter, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke up, bowing deeply.

The other knights also trembled in silence. Lord Teodoric gave Ritter a cold look, before addressing the group in a voice that rang with authority.

“It is admirable that you take pride in Rostock, but to dismiss someone solely based on hearsay, to shun them without seeing for yourselves, is an act of weakness. We, who protect against the beasts of death, do not permit ourselves to be tainted.”

The calmness in his tone was like the winter mountains—cold, firm, and unforgiving. Everyone, myself included, bowed their heads, feeling the weight of his words. There was no one pretending to bow out of politeness.

I had been watching all this unfold when Lord Teodoric turned his attention back to me.

“I apologize for the actions of my subordinates. I swear they will face appropriate consequences.”

“Lord, you needn’t apologize. It was all my fault. I know very well I wasn’t exactly the most desirable person to be brought here.”

I responded before Lord Teodoric could further insist on his own apology. Sarina knelt down at my feet, her face pale with shock.
“No! It was my decision to instigate this! I’m the one who encouraged Ritter and the others! I’m so sorry, Saintess!”

Ritter, too, seemed to feel the need to defend Sarina. “I’m the one who challenged her to the match, not Sarina! Please, don’t punish her because of me!”

As they both looked at me, pleading, I felt a little overwhelmed.

I didn’t want to make a scene, but I couldn’t help but try to ease the tension.

“Please, there’s no need for any apologies. As I said, I really enjoyed Sarina’s tour. I knew she wasn’t fond of me from the start, and I was fine with that.”

“…What?”

Lord Teodoric’s brows furrowed in confusion.

I quickly explained myself, “I mean, I wasn’t sure if I was being harassed or not. But after meeting Ritter and his men, I can see it was more of a typical initiation than anything malicious. I’m perfectly fine with it, really!”

The knights, still unsure of how to respond, stared at me in bewilderment. I continued, realizing I had rambled a bit too much.

“Honestly, I’m more excited to see what other monster meats taste like! I’m also curious about that sword technique Ritter used to send out that sword pressure—very impressive!”
Lord Teodoric stared at me, his face unreadable.

I realized I might have overstepped, but before I could apologize, my stomach let out a loud growl.

I flushed with embarrassment, trying to cover up my discomfort.

“I… um, I was wondering… would it be alright to have lunch soon? I’m… really hungry…”

Lord Teodoric blinked at me, then his lips twitched into a small smile.

“Ah, I’ll have it prepared. But, may I join you?”

I was caught off guard, blinking in surprise.

“Wait, you want to join… me?”