I Became the Emergency Food Supply of the Bear Family - Chapter 19

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 19

Theodore examined the wax seal bearing the faint imprint of tiny paw pads and slid the documents across to Demirun.
“See it’s handled before I enter Hibernation.”
“Of course, sir. There’s no question of refusal.”
He really does put people to work right away, doesn’t he.
Even as Demirun thought it harsh toward a loyal servant, his expression remained cheerful.
Taking the documents back from Theodore, Demirun opened his mouth again.
“In any case, this eliminates the danger of Na Bom running away while we’re in Hibernation. She’s now got a new purpose in life — Adoption.”
Theodore merely looked at Demirun without answering.
Though, if Na Bom really did try to run, His Excellency wouldn’t let it slide, nor would the young masters. She’d have to contend with the loyal hounds of Grizzly House first, after all.
Picturing a rabbit threading the needle between pursuing dogs and bears, Demirun let out a quiet laugh.
Theodore’s brow furrowed in confusion at Demirun’s expression. Demirun cleared his throat and opened his mouth again.
“Sir.”
His tone had grown quite serious.
“Once the procedure is complete, Baek Rang will soon learn who has taken Na Bom under his protection.”
“…….”
“Should we not move first?”
But as if anticipating Demirun’s question, Theodore shook his head immediately.
“Whatever invites scrutiny becomes a problem. Right now, it’s more important not to leave a scent.”
“Understood.”
Though brief, Demirun nodded at once.
It was a sound judgment.
Until now, everything Grizzly House had been associated with was dogs and bears. Adoption would be a first occurrence, but they’d assume it was another bear. Distinguishing one animal from another by paw prints alone wouldn’t be easy.
The later they discovered Na Bom’s existence, the better.
This time, she would be protected.
“…….”
Theodore gazed silently out the window, his golden eyes seeming to look toward distant horizons.
South, beyond the Northern Region’s border, lay the Central Region.
The Imperial Capital itself.

***

In the depths of an underground chamber where not a ray of light entered.
Before a massive cage barred by thick iron grates, the Mage pulled back his hood.
“Then I shall commence.”
After confirming his superior’s nod, the Mage withdrew a Mana Stone from his pocket. As he brought the red stone before his eyes, his pupils began to glow crimson.
With eyes stained red, the Mage slowly scanned the interior of the cage.
How much time passed like this?
The Mage’s careful gaze soon dropped to the floor, and the crimson light faded from his eyes, returning them to their natural color.
“I regret to report, but no power was detected this time either.”
“I see.”
At his superior’s curt reply, the Mage released a small sigh and spoke cautiously.
“And… from next time onward, I shall arrange for a different Mage to be sent.”
“Ah, because of your eyes. Yes, we can’t have you going blind.”
The superior spoke with utter indifference to concern or sympathy. The Mage kept his head bowed, jaw clenched.
His superior was also a Mage. He could have confirmed things himself, but instead he tasked others with this work.
Repeated use of Mana Stones to enhance one’s vision inevitably carried the risk of blindness. That was something he simply didn’t wish to risk.
But there was no helping it. The promise of promotion to Imperial Court Mage awaited. If only he could endure until then. The Mage pressed his eye sockets.
“You’ll send someone trustworthy, won’t you?”
“Of course.”
The Mage answered quickly, and his superior nodded, his mouth curving into a smile.
After the Mage left the underground chamber, the superior slowly turned around.
The two men who had been kneeling behind him the whole time flinched as his shoulders shifted.
“W-we’re truly sorry!”
The man on the left cried out in a trembling voice, his head bowing so low it nearly touched the ground. In the next instant, he forced down the head of the man on the right, who was trembling beside him, pinning it to the floor as well.
“Whether killing this fool would ease your mind, I cannot say, but please…….”
“Tch.”
He cut off the man’s words with a click of his tongue.
The white hair of the man on the right was already disheveled. Blood still dripped from his forehead, suggesting he’d been beaten during the journey down to the Capital as well.
“Barbaric wolves.”
His mutter was drenched in contempt.
Drawing near the men’s heads, he spoke coldly.
“Does killing this one solve anything? Your task is simply to find the rabbit as soon as possible.”
“…….”
“If you cannot capture her alive, then at least bring back her corpse. Understand?”
Along with those cold words, he pressed his foot down hard on the man’s hand.
“Ugh……”
The man’s involuntary groan escaped his lips, but his superior cared nothing for such suffering.

In the spacious Bedroom, the man entered quietly.
In the silence, only the soft sound of his footsteps echoed.
Stopping before the bed, the man dropped to one knee.
He could not tear his gaze from the veiled bed—more precisely, from the person lying upon it.
Again, no specimen had awakened power. Still, the Spring Power remained unfound.
An aging Emperor. An Empress departed from this world. An impossibly young Crown Prince.
Clenching his teeth, he bowed his head.
Yes. Perhaps—no, surely all of this was the fault of “him”.
“Your Majesty Emperor Cielidor.”
His voice came out strained and fractured. There was no answer. Of course there wouldn’t be. The Emperor would have no awareness of his presence in the chamber. And yet he spoke on.
“I am only ashamed. But I swear to you again. The Spring Power—I shall find it, no matter what it takes.”
The man lifted his head, gazing at the black silhouette immobile upon the bed, drawing in a deep breath.
“All is for my sovereign.”
Hand placed over his right chest, he spoke in an unwavering voice.
Thus the Prime Minister swore his oath.
For a moment, his eyes fixed on empty air as if looking at someone else, then returned to themselves.

***

“Na Bom.”
As evening fell and the sky turned pitch black.
At Anna’s call, Na Bom poked her head out from beneath the blanket.
“Actually, the master has invited you to dinner this evening.”
Master. Dinner. At those two words, Na Bom’s ears perked up.
Truth be told, whenever she heard “dinner,” Na Bom couldn’t help but remember that day. The memory of being suddenly placed on the table and subjected to Theodore’s piercing gaze.
It had felt like just yesterday that she’d fled frantically out the window, convinced she was about to be devoured.

“You were never an emergency ration from the start.”

If only he’d said so from the beginning!
With a face like that—a predator through and through—it was only natural for a small prey animal like her to assume she was food!
“The young masters will be attending as well. Would you care to join us for the meal?”
Na Bom’s toes trembled slightly as she gripped the bedside rail.
Theodore, Ferdi, and Louie? Would Louie’s mother be dining with them too?
‘An evening meal with the entire Grizzly House gathered together…….’
She’d grown accustomed to Ferdi and Louie, but they were predators nonetheless. Dining alongside predators was bound to make a tiny rabbit like her anxious. However.
“……Would you prefer to eat alone?”
At Anna’s somewhat crestfallen question, Na Bom quickly shook her head. Anna’s face brightened at once, and she scooped Na Bom up into her arms, saying, “Then let me bring you there!”
It had been about a month since arriving at Grizzly Castle. Such nervousness was second nature now!
Besides, being invited to a family dinner after receiving a proposal of Adoption was hardly a negative signal.
‘Even if they might be mistaken about me possessing Spring Power.’
Even so, Adoption was an opportunity she couldn’t afford to lose.
It would be difficult to slip out of the castle undetected, and even if she managed to escape the Northern Region safely, finding a kind-hearted beastman willing to keep her as a pet was far from certain.
And if it became known that she had no power at all, someone from the Grizzly House—if not Theodore himself—might seek retribution.
So to secure her future, she needed to maintain good relations with Grizzly House from now on!
Held in Anna’s arms as they passed through the corridor, Na Bom clenched her little paws tightly.

Upon arriving in the Dining Room, she found Theodore, Ferdi, Louie, and Demirun, Theodore’s aide, already seated.
‘……Louie’s mother isn’t here.’
Come to think of it, she’d always been propped up silently in bed, expressing her will only through head movements.
Perhaps she wasn’t feeling well?
“Come on, Na Bom!”
At that moment, Louie waved frantically from his chair, looking as though he might tumble out of it entirely. Ferdi gave a nod of acknowledgment and smiled warmly.
“Let me place you here, Na Bom.”
Anna set Na Bom down on the table and stood beside her with her hands clasped behind her back.
As Na Bom lifted her head, feeling slightly nervous, she noticed something placed at the table beside Louie.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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