The Final Task of the Forsaken Saint: A Command to Marry the Barbarian Count - Chapter 29

Dirk took a moment of silence to collect his thoughts before speaking slowly.

“Yes, exactly,” he confirmed.

So, that was it. Everything finally made sense to me.

I stared down at the dusty floor, scuffing it lightly with the sole of my boot. This place was likely built directly over a ley line. If such a powerful device was still active, it would be drawing in all the surrounding magic, even with the help of the spirits. This concentration of magic would leave other areas depleted, which explained why the rest of Rostok had been so barren.

Magic, I knew well, wasn’t limitless.

In other words, this relic was responsible for Rostok’s lack of magic.

“But, Dirk, doesn’t it bother you that the spirits stayed here and didn’t come out, even though they were so close by?” I asked.

Not that holding a grudge would make much of a difference—spirits, after all, were what they were. They existed solely to follow their whims, favoring places that made them feel comfortable without regard for human concerns. Even though they could have left the Deathshade Forest at any time, they had chosen to stay within the magical safety of this ancient relic.

I’d come to terms with that reality long ago, but Dirk’s reaction, one of awe rather than resentment, puzzled me.
He responded with a faint, wry smile.

“You’re right. It’s complicated, especially considering the hardships our ancestors faced. But precisely because of that, seeing that ‘the spirits hadn’t abandoned Rostok’—that the old belief has substance—is a source of hope. And it’s happening in the best possible way.”

The phrase “best possible way” left me blinking, trying to fully grasp it. Dirk turned to look back at the flourishing fields visible beyond the doorway.

“It’s only a tale now, but there are stories of Rostok being a fertile land, once rich in grain and produce. To this day, there are still people who till the soil, hoping it might one day yield as it once did. Maybe, someday soon, their hopes will be rewarded.”

I realized then just how long Dirk and his people must have carried that uncertainty.

Proud and self-reliant, they had defended their homeland against monsters and built their lives with their own strength. Yet the absence of spirits, who were seen as a blessing in other lands, had always weighed heavily on them. The spirits hadn’t stayed hidden because they resented Rostok; they simply found contentment here in the magical ruins and the forest.

Dirk was relieved because he saw this as proof that Rostok was not abandoned after all.

What moved me most, though, was that he instinctively thought of his people’s joy first.

A wave of warmth welled up within me, and I looked up at Dirk’s gentle profile as he gazed at the gardens. He was kind, thoughtful, and devoted to his land and people.

This was the heart of a true leader.

I might not know if I was cut out to protect a land like he did, but—

I found myself wishing for his happiness.

Turning back to the strange device that pulsed with stored magic, I assessed it closely. The structure resembled an ornate stone sculpture, covered in crystal growths that indicated it was saturated with power. Control over it must have been lost ages ago.

“Dirk? Should we just destroy this thing?” I suggested, lifting my staff.

“What?” Dirk’s shocked reaction took me aback. Was my idea really that surprising?

I paced around the device, explaining my reasoning.

“This relic is the reason Rostok has so little magic. The spirits like this place but seem uninterested in the device itself. Destroying it might be the best way to bring balance back to the land.”

The spirits, having finished presenting their gifts, had dispersed and were now merrily playing about, proving they weren’t attached to the device. If they were, they’d likely have already wreaked havoc with its magic, turning Rostok into a monster-infested wilderness. I’d seen enough spirit-touched relics gone wild to know that.

“Besides, if we dismantle this device, we’ll have to do it carefully to avoid any harm to the nearby villages,” I added, noting the defensive wards layered over the machine with my staff.

Just as I was calculating the complexity, I heard Dirk’s voice behind me.

“Can you truly destroy it?”

“Yes, though safely dismantling it would probably take me a day or so. We should evacuate the villagers, just to be safe,” I admitted, wishing I could have boasted, “I’ll have it down in an hour!” But these wards were intricate.

Before I could finish my thought, Dirk swept me up into his arms. Surprised, I let out a little yelp as he spun me around effortlessly. He was stronger than I’d imagined, lifting me as though I weighed nothing. When he finally stopped, his expression held a mix of relief and elation, eyes glistening.

“You are truly my savior,” he said, voice filled with genuine emotion.

The raw gratitude in his gaze rendered me speechless, heat creeping up my neck.

“I-I mean, I am a saint, after all,” I stammered.

“You offered to resolve a problem that has plagued Rostok for centuries in just one day. That alone is extraordinary. Thank you, truly—from me and from Rostok,” he said with sincerity.
I had saved a country before, but this straightforward expression of thanks was rare and touching. My heart fluttered.
Setting me back on the ground, Dirk’s tone softened as he continued, “But I’d like to treat this as a last resort, if possible.”

His sudden caution cooled my enthusiasm.

“Why?” I asked.

“We need to prepare. The chimera we faced in the forest was likely a guardian of this relic. Without the device, I can’t predict how they, or other creatures, might react. Plus, disrupting the flow of magic could have unforeseen effects on the entire region. While it might restore fertility, it could also create instability. I’d rather take time to study this and dismantle it carefully.”

“True, but what if word gets out? The mages will swarm in, and they won’t care about the consequences,” I argued.

Unclaimed relics attracted mages like honey drew flies. They’d tear this place apart for research, disregarding the land and its people.

“They might even make things worse,” I warned.

Understanding my concern, Dirk’s expression tightened.
“Do you distrust mages?” he asked.

“Yes! There are plenty in the royal court I’d love to punch!” I exclaimed, recalling all the times they’d tested my limits.
Despite the fact they had saved and raised me, their obsession with magic often made them disregard human life. They’d thrown me, a child at the time, into a monster-infested forest to see if spirits would protect me. They did, but I’d returned to punch the responsible parties myself. And now, after being assigned to marry, they had the nerve to ask me back to their research labs.
“They think everything is fair game as long as it’s for magic. I was grateful they saved me, but I can’t stand their mentality,” I said firmly.

Dirk swallowed, as if he’d been about to say something but changed his mind. Finally, he spoke, eyes full of resolve.

“Rostok will remain protected under my watch. Not even the royal mages will have their way here.”

He meant every word. This wasn’t a boast; it was a declaration of intent.

“I never planned to rely on the royal court, not more than necessary. Until we’re ready, I’d like this place to stay between us,” he said.

“Understood. I won’t tell a soul without your consent. Should we seal it with an oath?” I offered.

An oath, a binding magical agreement, would ensure the promise was kept under penalty. It could range from a simple child’s pact to a severe consequence like losing an arm.

But Dirk quickly declined, speaking a little too fast.

“No need. If anyone should make an oath, it’s me. This is technically part of your territory now, Countess Rubel de Carbungks.”

He said the title with a playful glint. I grinned and tapped my staff on the ground, making the orange spirit stone at its tip gleam with magic. Spirits buzzed excitedly around us.

“I’m not letting any court mage get the better of us,” I replied.

“I trust you with all my heart,” Dirk said, his voice as steady as the land he vowed to protect.

He respected me, not as a tool but as an equal. He valued the spirits, was strong, reliable, and had responded to a wild spirit adventure as eagerly as I did.

Wait… isn’t he my ideal husband?

“And thank goodness you’re not a mage!” I exclaimed.

“I’m glad you’re here in Rostok,” he said softly, something deep flickering in his eyes before he turned away.

“Let’s head back. The staff will be arriving at the estate soon,” he reminded me.

“Oh, right! The sun’s already up!”

Even though we’d had leftovers from the night before, breakfast was still due. My stomach growled, too honest for its own good. Dirk chuckled.

“Let’s gather some fruit from the grove before we go. They can wait a bit longer.”

“Great! I’ve been wanting to try the mirabelles! Spirits—show us the tastiest fruits!”

With that, I dashed off to gather fruit, calling out to the spirits. I didn’t see the look on Dirk’s face as he watched me run ahead.