Home/I Became the Emergency Food Supply of the Bear Family/ch92

Chapter 92

"Y-you... do you know how high up we are...!"

"I can't just wait here doing nothing."

Unlike the stunned Alexei, Einja kept her eyes fixed outside the window.

Her gaze soon turned slowly toward Alexei.

"With my power, I could definitely help the knights. So..."

"No."

But Alexei shook his head again.

"I was ordered to keep you confined. I absolutely cannot let you go."

Just as rejection piled upon rejection, Alexei didn't notice the subtle shift in Einja's expression.

"Fine. Be honest with me—you don't want to protect Ber, do you?"

At Einja's mocking question, Alexei's expression finally turned cold.

He released her and stood up.

"...I also want to fight. Perhaps even more than you. So don't speak out of turn—"

"Then we'll fight together."

As Einja cut him off as if it were obvious, Alexei was struck silent.

"...What?"

"Let's go fight—right now."

Declaring as if the conclusion was already reached, Einja grabbed Alexei's arm and began pulling him. But no matter how hard she tried, he wouldn't budge.

Still, she kept grunting and refusing to give up.

"You said you want to fight together. Even more than me—you want to protect Ber! Then we should go!"

"L-listen—His Lordship confined you to protect you...!"

"I know!"

Einja shouted, clinging to his arm.

"I know—but I don't want to stay here doing nothing. I... don't want to have regrets."

"...You."

At her heartfelt voice, Alexei quietly looked at her.

Her fingertips, gripping his arm, trembled.

The moment she felt Alexei's gaze, Einja raised her head. Her face held no hesitation or fear—rather, she was smiling.

"Well, if it gets dangerous, we can always run."

"...Pardon?"

"I know the capital streets like the back of my hand. I could help if we need to escape with Ber—and you're a capable knight! We're both needed by Ber. So let's go—okay?"

"Hah..."

Listening to Einja's words, Alexei suddenly let out a laugh.

His laughter grew louder. Once it started, it wouldn't stop. Wiping the tears forming at his eyes, he murmured:

"You're really stubborn."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Puffing out her chest, Einja smiled brightly—and Alexei, closing his eyes, said:

"Fine. Let's go. Let's just go!"

"Yes, great!"

As if she'd been waiting, Einja clapped her hands and grabbed the canopy, charging toward the window.

"Hey—!"

Alexei grabbed her and pulled her back inside.

"I told you it's dangerous!"

"S-sorry, I thought we were going out the window..."

"Wouldn't that draw more attention? And you could die."

"Good point."

Nodding obediently, Einja turned to Alexei.

"So there's another way out besides the window?"

"We could slip out quietly. The castle is in disarray right now."

"Oh, that's perfect. Then first, can you get my bag?"

"Got it. But why the bag— Ah! Miss Oakley, you're a mage—can you teleport?"

Alexei's face suddenly brightened—but Einja shook her head.

"No. I have herbs in my bag. A herbalist needs her supplies."

Alexei's expression darkened again. Einja realized he'd thought the bag contained mana stones—needed for long-distance travel.

"Ah, I don't have any, so I'd need to buy them. And with that scale of teleportation, Grizzly Castle probably doesn't have spares."

"I see."

Nodding with a hint of disappointment, Alexei's eyes began to dart around—planning their escape.

"Anyway, now that you know—let's move."

At her impatient patting, Alexei gave a questioning look—Einja narrowed her eyes.

"I mean, how long are you going to keep holding me?"

"Ah, s-sorry...!"

Releasing her with a shriek-like apology, Alexei backed away. His ears seemed slightly red.

Tap tap. Ber reached out and tapped his shoulder—he turned in bewilderment. Einja pointed at the door and ordered:

"My bag. Get it now."

"...Yes, yes."

Sighing deeply, Alexei walked to the window, closing and locking it before heading toward the door.

"Fine. Just stay put and wait."

What a commanding tone.

Alexei chuckled again.

---

Heinz, apparently having other orders, turned away from the palace with a few Imperial Knights.

Ber could guess what those orders might be, but she couldn't be sure. Hoping everyone would be safe, she followed the Chancellor through the labyrinthine corridors.

He navigated the maze-like palace as if it were his own home.

After countless turns, she felt they had entered the inner sanctum. The maids and attendants they passed were notably poised—fitting for those serving the highest ranks.

They all bowed deeply to the Chancellor. His casual wave in reply showed how deeply involved he was in palace affairs.

After a few more turns, the Chancellor finally stopped.

Before them stood a massive door carved with countless birds and flowers.

"This is His Majesty's bedchamber. Show proper respect."

Turning to Ber, the Chancellor gave a brief instruction.

His Majesty—the Emperor of the Albero Empire's bedchamber.

So the imperial command was indeed to heal the Emperor?

Just as Ber, gripping her sweaty hands, fell into thought, the Chancellor opened the door without knocking.

The Emperor's bedchamber—a place where, as a subject of the Empire, she should show utmost respect. Yet the Chancellor's words and actions contradicted.

Ber hesitated at the door, but the knights behind her pressed her forward.

As the Chancellor, Ber, and six Imperial guards entered, the door slammed shut.

The room was pitch-dark. Only after her eyes adjusted did she make out its contours.

A large sofa and table. And an enormous bed occupying over half the room—its interior hidden by thin canopy.

Is the Emperor on the bed?

As Ber looked around, the Chancellor spoke.

"Not long ago, I received an anonymous tip—that you, Verdiana Grizzly, adopted daughter of the March Count, are Eostre's incarnation."

Ber swallowed dryly. Straight to the point.

"Well? Is it accurate?"

"...Did you summon me to confirm that?"

"Yes. Confirmation comes first."

Nodding as if it were natural, the Chancellor approached one of the guards—drew a dagger from his bosom and stabbed the knight's thigh.

"......!"

Ber covered her mouth, barely suppressing a scream.

There was no warning, no hesitation. Even with a dagger, it was a deep wound through the armor's gap. The knight groaned and collapsed.

The Chancellor showed no reaction to the writhing guard. He calmly pulled out the dagger—blood gushed from the wound.

Flicking the blood off the blade, the Chancellor turned to Ber with a smile.

"Now—heal him."

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