The Final Task of the Forsaken Saint: A Command to Marry the Barbarian Count - Chapter 32

I, Rubel de Carbuncle, stood in the forest, ready with my staff topped by an orange-hued crystal. Ahead, Ridder and his knights were luring a herd of two-horned boars, known as Hornboars, into the trap.

When facing Hornboars, the biggest threat isn’t just their powerful charge but their iron-like skulls. Their heads can shatter rocks and, if taken head-on, break swords without a second thought. There have even been reports of these creatures demolishing fortress walls.

So, how does one defeat such a formidable opponent? The answer is simple: let them fall into a pit.

“Lady Rubel!”

Ridder’s call signaled me, and I channeled my magic through the staff.

“Alright, spirits, let’s show off our work!”

At that command, a large pit opened beneath the rushing Hornboars. They had no chance to stop in time and fell straight in. The hidden soldiers emerged to finish the creatures off with arrows.

Just as victory seemed assured, one enormous Hornboar leapt from the pit with a mighty jump. The beast charged at Ridder and his knights, swinging its horns wildly.

But I had already anticipated this move, lifting my staff.

“Take this!”

A bolt of compressed magic shot from the crystal and struck the beast’s temple. Its head snapped back, eyes rolling before it collapsed.

The moment of silence was broken by the soldiers’ triumphant cheers.

“Incredible, Lady Rubel! You’ve mastered sword aura!”

“Yeah, I’ve been practicing in secret. The butcher said not to damage the hides too much, so I had to find a way.”

“To meet the butcher’s demands… You truly are our lady!”

Being called “lady” instead of “Saintess” felt oddly endearing. The gleam in the soldiers’ eyes made me smile shyly.

Since our return from the Deadly Forest, I had joined the patrols alongside the local units.

The day we returned from the Deadly Forest was hectic.
Back at the village, Dirk’s attendants looked visibly relieved, and at Neige Castle, I was practically surrounded by the staff.
Ridder’s relief was palpable, Cook wept openly, and Saria, pale with worry, scolded me. Even the other servants who kept their distance showed visible relief.

The only one who casually asked, “Find anything good?” was the butcher.

“Please, no matter what happens, promise not to leave without telling us first,” Saria pleaded, her voice tight with unshed tears.

It finally dawned on me just how much they had worried. So, I vowed to say “I’m leaving” and “I’m back” from now on, and to inform them of my plans. “It’s called reporting, contact, and consultation,” Dirk had explained, the ‘Hore-sou’ principle.
True to his word, Dirk acted swiftly.

“Lady Rubel, could you accompany the patrol missions? I would have you lead eventually, but for now, I want you to build rapport with the troops. And, of course, handle any emergency situations as needed.”

I had no reason to refuse, and understanding the local methods was crucial. Plus, Dirk’s intention for me to become familiar with the soldiers was clear.

What surprised me, however, was what “patrol” really meant here.

“It’s amazing how frequent monster encounters are!” I said, watching the knights efficiently skin the Hornboars we’d just defeated.

Ridder laughed heartily. “This isn’t even classified as a real hunt. But thanks to your magic, we saved time on digging pits and worked more efficiently!”

His smile was bright.

Unlike what I knew of patrols, in this region, encounters with monsters were almost routine. If we heard reports of monster sightings from the villagers, we’d act immediately.

I had only known a system where requests for aid came through official channels, and a unit would be dispatched. But these knights—these soldiers—were used to hunting monsters as a part of daily life.

“Do you always use traps? I thought you’d fight them head-on with swords,” I asked.

Ridder looked at me, genuinely puzzled. “Why risk that? The safest way is to use their habits against them. Our job is to protect villagers, not play hero.”

In the capital, monster hunting was a means to earn fame. The stronger the beast, the more renowned the victor. Mages would only be dispatched if the beast warranted it.

I had spent many days handling lower-level threats on my own, using brute force or endurance strategies.

But here, their methods were practical. The goal was survival and protection, not glory.

“It’s like a hunt,” I muttered.

“Hunt? It always has been,” Ridder chuckled, bemused.

Their approach was far from the capital’s prideful ideals of combat, but I preferred it.

“The butcher told me meat keeps longer if you freeze it. Should I try?” I offered.

“Can you really do that? Please, Lady Rubel, we’d love that!” Ridder’s former reluctance to magic was gone. Dirk must have chosen men who wouldn’t be repelled by magic.

Their adaptability made me smile as I readied my staff.

When we returned to the village with meat, the headman and villagers were overjoyed.

“We had no idea Lord Dirk’s betrothed was so powerful! You’ve saved us!” the headman praised.

“No, the knights deserve the credit. They handled this hunt skillfully,” I said, hoping to redirect the gratitude.

But the headman’s awe grew, and the villagers even began to bow.
“Hornboars ravage fields and attack storage. When one is spotted, we can only pray we’re overlooked.”

I glanced at the ready-to-harvest fields behind him. Food is everything. Without it, people become desperate, hardened, unable to care for others. Those who cultivate the land are vital.

“Many crops were lost to the summer storms. Though this year’s yield isn’t abundant, it’s still our lifeline. Your help means it’s safe.”

Their gratitude stemmed from knowing hunger and hardship.

“I’m glad we could protect your harvest,” I said with a small smile.

The headman’s eyes brightened. “Please, let us host you tonight! It’s getting late, after all.”

Ridder nodded. “That would be great. We could even cook some of the boar.”

But as I took in the cheerful scene, I glanced at the fields again. It was harvest season—the most vulnerable time. The spirits, still hovering near me from the battle, tilted their heads inquisitively.

“I’m sorry, but I have to return. Thank you for your kindness!” I called, mounting my staff.

Ridder and the headman looked stunned as I took off into the sky.