Home/I Became the Emergency Food Supply of the Bear Family/ch101

Chapter 101

What Einja pulled from the magic bag was a sled.

"I've got it!"

She set it down quickly. Alexei barked Arf! toward Louis. Louis, as if waiting, rushed to Heinz and dragged him to the sled.

Heinz's face already looked calmer. His breath against Louis's arm was steady.

Einja's treatment was clearly working.

After laying Heinz on the sled and leaving room for Einja, Louis bowed deeply to her.

"Lo-Louis Philippe?"

"Truly... thank you, Miss Oakley. I'll repay this debt."

"I-it's fine. I just saw someone injured..."

"It's a matter of Grizzly family honor. I insist."

His tone made it clear he wouldn't rise until she agreed.

Flustered, Einja placed her hand on Louis's shoulder.

"Ah, okay! I get it—so please raise your head! We're still on the battlefield!"

The moment she agreed, Louis straightened and grinned.

"It's a promise?"

"Y-yes."

Only after giving her flustered answer did Einja feel a flicker of annoyance. Why is he so good at changing expressions? How embarrassing!

"No more delays! Louis Philippe, pick up your sword! Alexei, let's go!"

Arf!

When Einja snapped at Alexei, the Malamute barked smartly as if obeying a command.

Anna, who had reverted to human form and dressed, approached and fitted a leather harness to Alexei's body.

...When did she humanize?

Half-stunned, Einja saw that Anna and Alexei were already ready to go. The harness lines were securely attached to the sled.

"But it's not snow—will it work?"

Arf!

Alexei answered, but she couldn't understand.

"It's a summer sled—no problem."

Looking underneath, Einja saw small wheels instead of blades.

Arf! Woof!

As Alexei barked, asking where to go, Einja climbed onto the sled and said:

"To my clinic. I'll guide you—just drive well. Turn around and go straight!"

Woof!

At her firm command, Alexei barked and turned, running swiftly. She seemed to know that sled dogs respond well to decisive orders.

Watching them disappear, Anna and Louis stood side by side.

"Ber's best friend indeed—she's got a temper."

"Could you maybe tone down the acting, Young Master Louis?"

"Why should I? You know you have to repay favors. And it's fun to see the reaction."

Anna knew the last part was his true reason—she narrowed her eyes at her master's brother.

On the sled, Einja looked back at the distant palace and closed her eyes.

Goddess. Please protect Ber.

Recalling the stained glass image of the goddess in the Great Hall, she prayed.

She would have liked to stay as a medic, but saving this man seemed more important.

He was as old as her grandparents—she needed to stay with him until he recovered.

Sorry I couldn't help more.

After mentally apologizing to Ber in the palace, Einja opened her eyes and stared at the palace gate.

If you don't protect her, I'll curse you forever, Goddess.

Not Ber—Eostre's incarnation—but you. The legendary goddess Eostre.

With that threat, Einja turned away from the palace.

The bustling capital streets were empty—the palace battle had cleared them.

The sled, pulled by Alexei, raced through the vacant streets.

Einja looked at Heinz's peaceful face and said:

"See? I told you—both of us are needed by Ber. And now we've protected someone precious to her!"

Arf! Arf!

Alexei barked loudly, as if agreeing.

The wind felt cool against her face.

---

Before the palace gate.

Protected by the three bears, Nuke, Olsen, Ferdinand, and Adrian, Pallas had reached the barrier surrounding the palace.

Occasionally, enemies inside attacked—but from their position, it was difficult; they had to fire from within the gate. And the strong barrier often deflected attacks back.

Dodging enemy fire and shielded by the Sled Dog Knights, Pallas began drawing the barrier-breaking spell.

Before long, he let out a troubled hum.

"What's wrong, Lady Pallas? Is there a problem?"

Olsen, fighting beside Nuke, asked. Pallas called out:

"The spell requires enormous magical power. I don't know if I can activate it with what I have left."

The aftermath of the large-scale teleportation had drained his reserves, despite using mana stones.

Just as Pallas was calculating a way out, a horse rode up beside him.

"Lady Pallas!"

It was Ferdinand.

"Would it matter if there's more than one caster?"

Dismounting, Ferdinand continued:

"I'm a mage too. I can help."

"...Yes. You saw the spell through the mana stone. Have you already memorized it?"

"Of course. I'm your top student, aren't I?"

Grinning playfully, Ferdinand smiled—and Pallas smiled proudly in return.

"Yes. I need your help. Please, Ferdinand."

Hearing his master say "please" for the first time, Ferdinand's eyes widened as he nodded.

He began helping Pallas complete the spell. It was finished quickly, but time was the problem.

The spell was less complex than the mass teleportation, but it required a long incantation—they needed time.

"We're beginning the incantation! Give us everything you've got!"

Shouting to the bears and knights, Ferdinand began chanting with Pallas.

All remaining forces focused on protecting them.

But the enemy was overwhelming.

The Sled Dog Knights' line was steadily pushed back. An arrow grazed Theodor's side—another flew toward Ferdinand's back, but Nuke deflected it.

Relief was brief—a spearman appeared from a blind spot, aiming at Pallas's head.

"Lady Pallas! Watch out!"

Nuke shouted—but the two mages, focused on their magic, seemed to hear nothing.

At that critical moment—

"It's okay, Nuke!"

Louis, riding hard, stabbed the spearman from behind.

"Young Master Louis!"

"If I cried over every little thing, Nuke—you're the Captain. Ah, incoming arrow!"

"I'll handle it!"

The white-haired woman beside Louis swung her rapier, splitting the arrow.

"Annaaaaa!"

Nuke was practically wailing. Even so, he was still cutting down enemies—a true Captain of the Sled Dog Knights.

And just then—

A dazzling light began to pour from the palace barrier.

Everyone stopped fighting and turned—then—

The barrier vanished without a trace.

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