Home/I Became the Emergency Food Supply of the Bear Family/ch58

Chapter 58

Einja, the same age as Ber, had arrived in the capital at sixteen. She worked as a street herbalist for about three months before being kidnapped by Kaien.

Based on the original's descriptions, Einja had come to the capital in late summer. Now it was mid-autumn, with the capital's trees beginning to turn red.

In other words, about two months remained until Einja's kidnapping.

Assuming the story followed the original plot, of course.

If I truly did completely cure Kaien's lung disease that day...

She never would have guessed that the black dog collapsed under the tree two years ago was Kaien.

She'd long accepted that she was Eostre's incarnation. But believing that she had cured that incurable lung disease—which no one but Einja could have improved—was hard to accept.

To prove it, I need to observe carefully.

Her missions over these two months were twofold:

Keep watch around Einja for any suspicious signs. And...

Ber clenched her fist and entered the market.

Saturday afternoon. The alley market was bustling with a variety of people. Passing by capital residents shopping for dinner, people glanced at Ber's uniform.

It was rare for Academy students to visit this typical commoner's street.

Ber made eye contact with each person and nodded. She'd be coming to this market every week for the next two months. It was best to be on good terms with the people in Einja's neighborhood.

Fortunately, the atmosphere wasn't bad. People smiled back at her bow.

Walking through the market, she reached the very back.

The fruit shop under the red awning—unchanged from two years ago. The only difference was that the elderly couple's expressions were noticeably brighter.

"Hello. Five apples, please."

Ordering the same as last time, she held out her coins. The old woman took them and leaned out from under the awning. Spotting Ber's Academy uniform, she looked surprised—then beamed warmly.

"Oh, a pretty student customer. I'll get that ready for you."

The old man beside her put five apples in a paper bag and handed them to Ber. Taking them, Ber pretended to look around the shop.

"Hm? Is there something else you need?"

The old woman caught her customer's glance and asked. Ber smiled awkwardly and got to the point.

"I heard there's an herbalist who gives treatments around here. Would you happen to know where the clinic is?"

"If that's what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."

The old man, who had been sitting quietly on a simple chair under the awning, suddenly leaned toward Ber and answered. Startled, she leaned back—and the old man grinned.

"That herbalist is my granddaughter!"

"...Really?"

When Ber asked, bewildered, the old man gestured to take her to the clinic.

Unable to hide her smile, Ber followed him.

I'm glad you have a warm home now, Einja.

---

Thanks to the letter Ber had given the elderly couple two years ago, the original plot had already changed.

Unlike the original, where Einja had set up a stall across from the fruit shop under the red awning, her clinic was now in a building.

Einja was running her clinic from the elderly couple's home.

As she entered with the old man's guidance, the inside was already full of patients.

The sharp scent of herbs and bitter medicinal plants filled the air. On walls that should have held tapestries, bundles of herbs hung drying in the sunlight.

"Einja, you have a guest!"

The old man called over the crowd, and Einja raised her hand in reply.

"Thank you, Grandfather! Could you wait a moment sitting over there?"

Waving at the old man, Einja pointed to a sofa near the entrance. Whether because she was short or because of the crowd, only her white fingertips were visible—her face was hidden.

After confirming the old man had left, Ber rose from her seat. Finding a blind spot where Einja wouldn't see her, she carefully hid behind a chest of drawers.

"Next is Grandpa Simon's turn. How have you been feeling?"

"Einja, these days there isn't a joint from my shoulders to my toes that doesn't hurt."

Einja knelt to meet the old man's eyes.

"Could you give me some of that herb you gave me last time? It felt great when I crushed and applied it."

"Hmm, I don't think that would be a good idea. Used too often, it can cause redness or swelling. Instead, I'll apply this ointment."

Removing the old man's shoes and socks, Einja began applying a white ointment to his toes.

Her fingers moved slowly and carefully. Applying the ointment meticulously to every crevice, Einja's hands remained on the old man's feet for a while.

"Oh? My feet already feel better! Einja's medicine really works like magic."

"...Magic."

At the old man's praise, Einja looked slightly flustered.

"It's the herbalist's skill!"

But then she clenched her fist and declared—laughter burst from the watching patients.

So that's how she treated him.

Recalling the original, Ber nodded.

Just now, Einja's treatment was likely magic.

The spring's power described in the story—she probably used magic while pretending to apply ointment to the patient's skin. She must have turned back the time of the feet slightly.

"And you're a devoted husband, Grandpa Simon. You should rest a bit when you get home! I heard you fixed a chair yesterday—Grandma was so proud of you."

"Sh-she was?"

"Yes."

At Einja's playful teasing, the group of elderly men laughed.

"More importantly, take this to Grandma. She seemed to have a cold coming on when I saw her yesterday."

"Then I'll have to buy that too. You always make me buy extra things. Einja, you're a born merchant!"

Another hearty laugh followed. Jokes kept flying back and forth.

A smile spread across Ber's face as she watched. The clinic was warm.

Time passed.

After confirming the last patient had left, Ber came out from behind the chest of drawers.

As she approached Einja from behind while she was organizing herbs, Einja sensed her presence and turned.

"Oh, welcome! How did you find..."

Spotting Ber's uniform, Einja slowly stopped.

Most of her patients were elderly—so visitors her own age were rare.

Their eyes met. They were about the same height. Perhaps because she was a squirrel beast-person, she was slightly shorter than Ber, a rabbit beast-person.

Her hair shimmered with a mysterious blend of brown and tawny. Clear, round brown eyes. A youthful face and slender build. And—that sunny smile always at the corner of her mouth.

Finally met you. My favorite character.

Just the two of them alone—her heart trembled, and she nearly clutched her chest.

Calm down. Stay calm.

Ber swallowed and clenched her fist.

She wanted to talk to Einja. To tell her how she'd endured hard days thanks to the comfort she'd received, and to thank her.

But it was too early.

Today, Ber had come to the capital streets—visited the clinic, met Einja—to protect her precious family.

"Do you have any discomfort?"

When Ber remained silent, Einja asked first. Ber took a breath and spoke:

"I watched your treatment. As rumored, your skill is remarkable."

"Th-thank you."

Meeting Einja's bewildered eyes squarely, Ber raised her chin—drawing all the arrogance she could muster.

"But you're not an herbalist, are you?"

"...Pardon?"

"You're a mage."

Uttering the meaningful words, Ber raised one corner of her mouth.

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