I Became the Emergency Food Supply of the Bear Family - Chapter 42

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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 42

“Since it is a Covenant passed down through generations, the current head of the family, Count Theodore, is also bound by that promise. The longer the binding lasts, the stronger the blessing of the Covenant becomes. Because His Majesty’s commands have been faithfully carried out all this time, Count Theodore has been able to become the mightiest of knights.”
A double-edged sword, truly. And to think it was a Covenant spanning generations.
“…So then, the Covenant will continue until the current Emperor passes away, I take it.”
So this was the reason Theodore had come to be called the Emperor’s bear. She’d never suspected it might be this.
It wasn’t loyalty to the Emperor—it was the Covenant. He couldn’t refuse an Imperial Command, not when the Backlash would come crashing down upon him, cursing him just as it had his wife.
Ber bit her lower lip. Her hands, gripping the folds of her dress, had begun to sweat.
Would Pallas be able to heal the head of the household if he fell under a curse? She paused, then shook her head.
She only had to look at how many years his wife had spent confined to bed to know the answer. Even a Grand Mage found it no easy task.
And if the Covenant spanned generations, there was no telling how devastating the Backlash might be.
“Miss.”
Heinz spoke to Ber, who was lost in thought with her head bowed.
“Do not worry. His Majesty is not the sort to place a valued servant in jeopardy.”
“…”
But in the original work, that’s exactly what happened.
The words never left her lips. Ber clamped her mouth shut instead.
Was there no way to sever the Covenant with the Emperor?
…There must not be—otherwise the Grizzly Family wouldn’t still be bound by it all this time. His wife had likely received her curse because she couldn’t break free.
‘Then the only way is to gradually distance the Grizzly Family from the Imperial House?’
That’s right. If Theodore stops receiving Imperial Commands, it’s solved.
Create distance between the Imperial House and the Count’s family…but how? Could I even accomplish something so enormous? Or is there anything I can even do?
The only thing that seems remotely possible is…
“…”
Ber gazed up at Heinz, who had begun his earnest explanation, turning the thought over in her mind.
Pushing grandfather out of his position as the Grizzly Family’s tutor.
That would create at least some distance between them and the Imperial Knight Order.
Just as Ber was swallowing hard—
“Hm?”
Heinz looked back at her.
“Is there something difficult about this part, miss?”
Ber flinched and pulled back. She hastily shook her head, and Heinz’s expression darkened slightly.
“Or is there something else troubling you?”
“…”
“Now that I can hear your voice again, come now—tell me what’s on your mind.”
“…”
“Well? Go on.”
She swallowed a groan and avoided Heinz’s gaze.
His worried yellow eyes were making her resolve crumble far too quickly.
What was this? When had he become so gentle? This wasn’t his character at all in the original!
Even back when she was a voiceless rabbit, it was Grandfather who understood her best—not her words, but her body language.
‘…I know. I know that.’
He’d always taught her diligently, and both Ferdi and Louis followed him like a real grandfather. He’s a good person.
Keeping her distance from such a man might actually be a loss.
“No, no, I just wanted to move on to the next lesson faster.”
Ber quickly shook her head with an excuse, and Heinz’s face brightened at once.
“Heh, don’t be so impatient then. Let’s go through this carefully.”
Yes, she answered, and her resolve hardened.
That’s right. This is the right choice.
Maintaining a friendship with the future master-at-arms isn’t a bad option. Even if he one day tries to issue a difficult command, Grandfather might step in and talk the Emperor down.
It’s fine. I may not have seen the ending, but I’ve read nearly all of this work anyway.
‘A rabbit doesn’t forget the kindness she’s received.’
Addressing Theodore, who was not in the room, Ber gripped her pencil tightly.
At the sight of her small fist clenching, Ferdi laughed softly.
“Full of enthusiasm, aren’t you, Ber?”
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
Louis yawned halfway through and delivered his vapid praise. Watching him, Heinz narrowed his eyes.

***

Six winters had passed.
Ber had turned fourteen.
“Thank you, Anna!”
Ber smiled at Anna once her hair was arranged. Anna smiled back, turning her gaze toward Ber. The plump cheeks that had once been round with youth now showed a defined jawline.
In the mirror behind the girl, time’s passage was visible. Anna was barely taller than Ber’s waist when they’d met, yet Ber had grown until now she reached Anna’s shoulder.
Why did this ache in her chest feel so bittersweet? Six years had passed far too quickly.
“I don’t have anything scheduled today, right?”
Yes, Anna answered reflexively, though her eyes were drawn to the tree reflected in the window.
Anna quickly spun Ber’s shoulders away from the window and picked up a shawl.
“The leaves are already turning. It’ll be cold in the morning—you must wear this.”
“Sure, sure, I understand.”
Ber answered offhandedly and snatched the shawl from Anna’s hands. She draped it haphazardly and dashed from the room.
“I’ll be back!”
Tap-tap-tap-tap! The sound of Ber’s footfalls echoed from the Corridor into the room. Anna leaned out the door and called after her urgently.
“Miss! I’ve told you countless times not to run in the Corridor—it’s dangerous!”
“I will, I promise!”
But the moment the words left her lips confidently, Ber collided with someone in the Corridor.
“Oh my.”
A brief voice came from above her head. When she quickly looked up, she found a familiar face.
“Oh, Grandfather.”
“It is Master Heinz.”
Heinz spoke with a stern expression, but his face softened almost immediately.
“You must listen to Anna, miss. How did you grow to be such a contrary thing? You’re becoming just like Louis.”
“Hehe.”
“That is not a compliment.”
Heinz narrowed his eyes at her embarrassed laugh as she scratched behind her ear.
“Your health does seem much improved, so I suppose we can resume lessons as normal starting tomorrow, yes?”
Ber nodded eagerly—Yes, I’m curious about the next lesson—and Heinz smiled warmly at the thought, but his expression faltered just as quickly.
“No, wait. Not starting tomorrow. Not for a while.”
“…I beg your pardon?”
“Sorry, Grandfather!”
Ber abandoned the dumbfounded Heinz where he stood and dashed down the Corridor.
Her tied-up hair swung like a tail as she ran. Watching her figure disappear into the distance, Heinz murmured to himself.
“Announcing her truancy so brazenly, no less.”
She’s becoming more and more like Louis.

Before long, Ber had slipped out of the manor and was running down the Garden path that led to the Arcade. She soon arrived at the Training Grounds beside the Arcade.
Clack, crack!
As she drew near the Training Grounds, the sound of wooden swords clashing filled the air ceaselessly.
At this hour, it was usually those two—Louis and Alexei—sparring in the Training Grounds.
With a sharp sound and a spray of sand beneath his feet, Louis stumbled backward and wiped sweat from his hand with a laugh.
“Looks like you’ve been building some muscle lately. Come on, teach me your training method!”
Louis rushed forward with a shout.
Crack! The sound of wooden swords colliding filled the spacious Training Grounds.
“That’s a secret!”
Alexei parried Louis’s attack with a mischievous shout. Just as Louis had relentlessly continued swinging his wooden sword, he suddenly looked toward the Arcade.
“How cowardly—wait, is that you, Ber?”
“…!”
The moment Louis spoke the youngest daughter of the Grizzly Family’s name, Alexei’s grip weakened.
“Ah…!”
Louis seized the opportunity and swung his sword. Alexei’s wooden sword spun through the air and fell with a soft thud to the ground.
“I won.”
Louis laughed annoyingly and dashed toward the Arcade. Alexei made no move to retrieve his sword, merely watching as Ber took steps toward Louis.

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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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