Home/I Became the Emergency Food Supply of the Bear Family/ch89

Chapter 89

His younger brother died.

The cause was a heart attack—sudden death, with no warning and no time to prepare.

In truth, he'd long been estranged from his family, so he felt little attachment or affection for his brother. It had been a long time since he'd returned to Hedwig Castle. When was the last time? Perhaps when his father passed away.

"Is it that you cannot accept the natural principle that to protect someone, you must take another's life?"

Born as the eldest son of Hedwig, Heinz had been held to great expectations. He'd wanted to meet them—but it was impossible for him.

As a member of the Imperial Knights, he'd followed his father, the Knight Commander, into battle.

Beyond the western mining region, near the border. In the sweltering heat and desertification, foreign tribes crossed the border every summer. They were a small, weak tribe—their raids were no more than sneaking into granaries to eat some grain.

His father intended to annihilate them.

Unable to strike a terrified child, Heinz fled.

"Weakling. You have no right to carry the name Hedwig."

And so Heinz was cast out.

But it wasn't as painful as he'd feared—rather, he felt as free as if flying through the sky.

He made his living as a tutor for young beast-people.

The work suited him well.

When he focused on teaching, he could forget—if only for a while—the eyes of that child, looking up at him in terror.

Years passed. His father died, and his brother succeeded him.

Since the Hedwig family had served as the Knight Commander of the Albero Empire for generations, his brother became both the head of Hedwig and the Knight Commander.

He felt no jealousy—nor any emotion at all.

He had no interest in honors won by taking the lives of children.

And yet, I've become Knight Commander.

Staring out the window, Heinz gave a bitter smile. The badge on his chest glinted in the light.

His brother had a son. The title and position should have passed to him—but he was still young. It would be about two years before he could assume the role.

For just two years, Heinz was interim head of Hedwig and Knight Commander.

That was all.

...I never expected my first imperial command to be this.

Gazing at the golden seal on the edict, Heinz sighed deeply.

His first command as Knight Commander—to bring Verdiana Grizzly to the Imperial Court. And if Theodor Grizzly refused to hand her over, to strike the Grizzly family.

"Heinz—when you make it big later, don't forget us, okay?"

"I think good people succeed, Heinz."

He'd never imagined that her innocent joke would come true this way.

His fingertips, clutching the thin paper, trembled.

The edict crumpled—just then, a knock came.

"My lord, the young viscount of Noirel has come to see you. Shall I let him in?"

Heinz frowned.

The Noirel family of the South—a swordsmanship house that had grown powerful through maritime trade. But they had no particular ties to Hedwig.

Noirel... the young viscount of Noirel.

Come to think of it, the student who defeated the second Grizzly son in the Harvest Festival swordsmanship tournament bore the surname Noirel.

Though he'd long since left his post as the Grizzly family's tutor, he still received letters from Ber—so he knew the news of the three Grizzly siblings.

"Send him in."

The black-haired, gray-eyed youth who entered the waiting room didn't even introduce himself or sit down—he spoke urgently.

"I learned from Louis that you were once the Grizzly family's tutor."

Heinz's eyes widened at the unexpected opening word.

"Louis and the other Academy students don't seem to regret having been taught by you. Your reputation is that of an excellent, principled educator who cares for children."

"...You."

Heinz's brow furrowed slightly. Reading his confusion, the young man bowed slightly and explained further:

"I've investigated you. I apologize for the rudeness—but given the situation, I had no choice."

"Situation?"

At the remark suggesting knowledge of the imperial command, Heinz asked in surprise.

"Yes. That's why I came here—to find someone who could help me. And I believe you are the most suitable person."

The youth met Heinz's yellow eyes squarely and said:

"You surely do not wish to obey this imperial command."

"......"

He knew about the command—more than knew. He'd even seen through Heinz's desire to protect the Grizzlies rather than follow orders.

Of course, that wasn't particularly difficult.

A man who'd lived most of his life cut off from the Hedwig family—suddenly thrust into the role of Knight Commander, and only temporarily. Anyone could guess that such a person would not want to follow this command.

But few would come all the way to Hedwig Castle to voice that guess to the Knight Commander himself.

As the eldest son of the Noirel family, he had much to lose. Yet he'd come here, saying Heinz wouldn't want to obey—words that could be reported as insulting the Knight Commander or even the Imperial Court.

He was willing to risk that for something he valued.

"...So. What exactly are you trying to say?"

Instead of answering, the youth pulled something from his inner pocket.

"Yesterday, this was in my pocket without my knowledge. Someone must have sent it by magic."

A letter.

On the envelope were the recipient's name—Kaien Noirel—and the sender's. In a neat, rounded, and adorable handwriting that was all too familiar:

Verdiana Grizzly.

Seeing that familiar name, Heinz quickly tore open the envelope and read the letter.

Written in hasty script, yet the contents were polite and careful.

It was filled with earnest, considerate pleas to protect the Grizzly family and her friend Einja Oakley.

But not a single sentence asked for herself—Verdiana Grizzly—to be protected.

As if she'd known what command would come to him as Knight Commander.

Just then, the youth—Kaien—spoke:

"Perhaps you desire to protect Verdiana and the Grizzly family even more than I do. So I'll speak plainly."

Heinz slowly raised his head. Their eyes met. Kaien's gray eyes seemed to hold a deep devotion.

"I was born with a lung disease—declared incurable. Verdiana healed it. To repay that debt, I would do anything."

That was surely his feeling for Ber.

Bowing respectfully, Kaien said:

"I beg you—please grant my request."

"If I grant it—what can you do? Can you protect her?"

Kaien straightened.

"Yes. Without fail."

His answer was swift.

"Even at the cost of my life."

Not long after they'd secretly joined forces, Heinz received an urgent report and mobilized.

Ber had arrived in the capital.

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