Home/I Became the Emergency Food Supply of the Bear Family/ch96

Chapter 96

"What...?"

Hearing Ferdinand's bewildered voice, Louis asked in surprise, following Ferdinand's golden gaze.

It was true.

Crimson hair and teal eyes. He looked unfamiliar without his Academy uniform and black robe, but it was unmistakably the same face that had faced Ferdinand in the magic duel.

"Why is Senior Adrian here...?"

"Hm? I didn't expect the Crown Prince to appear."

"Wh-what?"

An unbelievable remark came from Pallas, who had been watching Adrian beside Ferdinand.

"Y-you just said Crown Prince?"

"Yes. The Crown Prince... what did that red-haired one call his family name?"

"Renard. The red fox beast-person family."

"Renard—the late Empress's house. The Emperor hid the Crown Prince there."

Ferdinand and Louis stared at each other with wide eyes.

It felt like puzzle pieces clicking into place.

The Crown Prince's name was Lucian. While the current Emperor had inherited the middle name Maximilian from the previous emperor, the Crown Prince had inherited the name Adrian from the Emperor's grandfather.

Moreover, the Crown Prince never appeared at imperial balls or events, so even high-ranking nobles didn't know his appearance or beast type.

But the late Empress was different.

She was from the Renard family—a red fox beast-person, said to possess a special lineage even among red foxes, making her a worthy match for the Emperor.

Some said her beauty remained undiminished even in middle age, due to the mythical blood flowing through her veins.

Her crimson hair, like a single flower even from afar, and her teal eyes, sparkling mysteriously like turquoise.

Perhaps because of their different genders, different names, or the Emperor's thorough concealment—why had no one recognized someone who looked so much like the late Empress?

And it seemed the same was true for the other noble forces who had come under imperial command.

"To block a sacred battle to eliminate His Majesty's enemies! You must have a legitimate reason, Viscount Balan."

At the enemy's call, Theodor turned sharply to the left.

Beside the crimson-haired vanguard stood a familiar face—the head of the Balan family, one of the few central nobles to maintain relations with the Grizzlies.

Seeing the brown bear's large golden eyes, Viscount Balan looked momentarily surprised, then returned a look of recognition.

But his smile soon faded.

"To fail to show proper respect before His Highness the Crown Prince—you are the one who needs a legitimate reason, Viscount Vertier."

"...The Crown Prince? What nonsense—"

"All of you, cease battle and show respect! The one before you is His Highness Lucian Adrian de Albero, Crown Prince of the Empire."

Viscount Balan announced solemnly, reaching toward the young man on his right. As if on cue, the crimson-haired youth drew his sword.

Srrreeng!

With a sharp sound, the blade emerged—glimmering.

"Th-that's...!"

Viscount Vertier gasped, unable to close his mouth.

What was presented before them was the Golden Hilt Sword—the symbol and proof of the imperial bloodline. Its golden blade shone brilliantly in the sunlight.

The young man was a stranger. But that very fact seemed to support his claim—the Crown Prince was so well hidden that even high nobles didn't know his face.

And more than anything, the Golden Hilt Sword left no room for doubt.

The sword was forged only for the Albero imperial family—golden blade and sheath. Only the Emperor and the Crown Prince possessed one.

Before the golden sword, the vanguard and knights lowered their heads in respect.

Confirming the battle had ceased, Adrian sheathed his sword and called out to all facing the palace:

"I trust this sufficiently proves I am His Majesty's son."

"......"

At his dignified, low voice, Baron Ritten cautiously raised his head.

The face was youthful—naturally. It had been nineteen years since the Empress's death, meaning the Crown Prince was only nineteen.

Nineteen—a young, untested Crown Prince who had been hidden in the palace. One who couldn't even build his own power, let alone secure the throne. He'd been more of a figure of insecurity—if anything, people had wished for the Emperor's reign to last as long as possible. Yet he...

How did he gather this many forces?

Baron Ritten's expression was incredulous as he scanned the faces behind the Crown Prince.

Viscount Balan. Baron Annelka. The Claire Knights. Count Hugo.

All were from the neutral camp, caught between the Imperial faction and the nobility.

Among them were even knights from the Renard Marquisate.

The Renards refused to support the Crown Prince after the Empress's death.

What on earth was happening?

Just as Ritten frowned—

The Crown Prince spurred his horse and rode toward the enemy lines.

"Viscount Vertier."

Stopping before the Viscount, he addressed him.

"You said there must be a legitimate reason to halt the battle, did you not?"

The Crown Prince's voice carried a sharp edge.

"Haha—my apologies if I offended you, Your Highness. None of us have ever seen your face..."

As Vertier laughed placatingly and looked up—the air seemed to fall silent.

He found himself murmuring:

"...His Majesty."

How alike.

"Her Majesty the Empress."

Up close, the Crown Prince's face bore an uncanny resemblance to the late Empress.

"......"

At that moment, Baron Ritten was certain.

The Crown Prince hadn't been hiding in the palace—he'd been protected by the Renard family, unknown to anyone.

The Empress's death was tragic—but could one truly be angry before this child, who so clearly carried the Emperor's blood?

Young as he was, the Crown Prince had grown enough to challenge the old, ailing Emperor.

"If you need a reason—then open the palace gates, and end this useless battle."

"...Pardon?"

"There is a traitor within the palace."

---

At the Crown Prince's assured voice, commotion spread among the knights. Unfazed, Adrian continued:

"You all received edicts bearing His Majesty's golden seal. You came to uphold your vows with His Majesty—never imagining the edict itself was a lie."

"That's—impossible..."

"The traitor is Viscount Serpierre."

Again, the Crown Prince declared. This time, resistance erupted.

"Absurd! The Chancellor has been devoted to His Majesty—searching for spring's power at any cost to save him!"

"And His Majesty is currently at a villa, not the palace, we heard. If Serpierre were truly a traitor, shouldn't he have headed for the villa, not the palace?"

As each voiced their doubts, Viscount Vertier surveyed the Crown Prince and his forces.

Even if they sided with the Grizzlies, the battle wasn't unwinnable.

The Grizzlies weren't the only house bound by vow to the Emperor. With time, new allies would come.

Even if the edict were false—there was no proof now. To defy an imperial command on the uncertain word of the Crown Prince and suffer the vow's backlash would be the end.

"This makes no sense! Without proof, we cannot believe you. It would be equally plausible that you—not the Chancellor—are seeking His Majesty's life!"

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