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Chapter 98

"A vow."

"Hm? What did you say?"

"...Before healing His Majesty, I'd like to make a vow with you."

At Ber's words, the Chancellor frowned but withdrew his hand.

"A vow? Can an Arctic hare beast-person make a vow?"

"Of course."

It had already been confirmed.

A beast-person who cannot make a vow also cannot accept another's vow. Since Theodor had succeeded in vowing with her, she could also vow with others.

"What's your reason?"

"Making a vow with you will strengthen my spring's power. I want to heal His Majesty. For the safety of my family."

The Chancellor smiled faintly again.

"I told you—even if you fail, there will be no punishment."

"I don't care about punishment."

"......"

"What I care about is my family."

The Chancellor's expression changed.

This girl knows the Grizzly Count is before the palace.

"I vow to you that I will heal His Majesty. In return, you must vow not to harm the Grizzly family."

"Hmm. If the Grizzlies try to harm me, I'd lose my defense. And you're asking me to make that vow?"

"You can add a condition. 'As long as Verdiana Grizzly successfully heals His Majesty.'"

"...Hm. Fine."

The Chancellor shrugged and gave his assent.

The gate wouldn't open, and the barrier wouldn't break—time was plentiful. Making a useless vow was of no consequence.

"Then let's do it quickly."

Urging her, the Chancellor extended his hand—to make a vow, one must touch the other's bare skin.

"......"

Ber nodded silently. Closing her eyes, she took a breath, then slowly opened them.

I've bought time. This is my only chance.

Kneeling before the Chancellor, she took his hand and slowly began:

"I, Verdiana Grizzly..."

As she recited the vow's words, her body began to emit a white light.

The light's shape was slightly different, but it resembled the vow's glow.

"They say the light of a vow is the light of one's soul."

"Yours is a pure white."

"To His Imperial Majesty, the Sun of the Albero Empire, Cieldor Maximilian de Albero..."

The same light was emanating from beneath Ber's hand.

It was not the light of a vow.

She had never intended to make a vow with him.

Because she had already made one with someone else.

"I, Verdiana Grizzly, swear that I will return to Grizzly Castle alive."

Her vow partner was Pallas Manul.

"Ugh...?!"

A groan escaped the Chancellor.

Sensing something wrong, he glared at Ber—but she only gripped his hand tighter.

The moment spring's power pierced the Chancellor's body—

"Stop!"

Someone threw themselves at him.

"......!"

The Chancellor and the man rolled to the other side of the room.

Ber lost her balance and fell.

Crash! The armor collided with the Chancellor with a loud noise. A helmet rolled across the floor and stopped before Ber.

The face beneath it was familiar.

"Senior Kaien...?"

The one who had tackled the Chancellor was Kaien Noirel, clad in Imperial Knight armor.

---

Meanwhile, fierce fighting raged before the palace.

"Get Lady Pallas to the gate! Cover him!"

"Don't let them through! Focus fire on the brown bear!"

Swords clashed with swords, swords with shields, spears with spears—arrows flew like wind.

"Wait—not yet! We need to save Heinz!"

Louis shouted, blocking soldiers trying to advance.

They were near the front. Heinz had fallen behind, surrounded by enemies—not an easy path.

Theodor, at the front, saw and quietly shook his head. As Louis's eyes filled with despair, Ferdinand placed a hand on his shoulder.

"...Louis. We have to move forward. We can only save Ber by breaking the palace barrier."

"I know. But Heinz is also our—Ber's precious..."

"So I'll leave it to you."

At Ferdinand's unexpected words, Louis fell silent.

"I'm trusting you with Heinz."

"Right...! Leave it to me, brother!"

Louis beamed and pounded his chest with his fist.

"I'll go with you, Young Master Louis!"

Someone cried out, following Louis as he turned his horse.

"Anna?"

Anna, a former Sled Dog Knight, had joined the battle. Everyone had tried to stop her due to her previous injury, but her resolve was unshakable.

"I want to see her smiling when we meet again. I can't bear to see the young lady sad."

At her determined gaze, Louis nodded firmly.

"...Okay. Let's go together, Anna!"

The two headed to the rear to rescue Heinz.

The remaining vanguard advanced toward the palace gate.

The magical barrier, weapons, armor—the bears blocked attacks with their own hides, and the allied forces slowly but steadily pushed forward.

"Arrgh!"

Just then, an enemy thrust a spear at Ferdinand as he swung his sword from horseback. Ferdinand dodged nimbly—but the enemy's state was strange.

"Hah...! A-arrgh...!"

His unfocused eyes stabbed wildly, as if possessed by battle frenzy—making his attacks unpredictable.

Just as Ferdinand finished off the spearman, another enemy shadow fell behind him. He turned—

"Hah...!"

A blade flew toward his face. He reflexively tried to cast magic, but it was too late. He squeezed his eyes shut—

The enemy coughed blood and fell. Trampled by both sides, he was dead.

"Ferdinand, are you okay?"

The golden blade, pulled from the enemy's back, was stained with crimson blood.

"...Senior Adrian."

Ferdinand glanced at Adrian—the Crown Prince—who had come to his side, then turned away. He was grateful, but he didn't want to thank him.

"Hm, wouldn't a word of thanks be appropriate?"

Adrian wore the sly smile Ferdinand often saw at the Academy. Ferdinand's face twisted.

"You have no right to expect thanks. You're the one who gave Ber's information to the Imperial Court."

"...!"

At the sharp remark, Ferdinand continued coldly:

"Injuring me during the Harvest Festival was also deliberate—to test Ber's power."

He'd been certain from the moment he learned Adrian was the Crown Prince.

The imperial command had come right after summer break—meaning someone in the Imperial Court had learned Ber's identity. Someone had reported it or witnessed her power.

But Adrian had appeared before the palace, fighting on the Grizzlies' side—meaning he wasn't a complete enemy.

In other words, Adrian had used Ber as bait.

"...You're right. But I had no choice. I needed the Chancellor to let his guard down for a surprise attack. I intend to save Verdiana—"

As Adrian continued, head bowed, Ferdinand reached out behind him. A spearman screamed and fell—Ferdinand's magic.

"Th-thanks..."

But Ferdinand's stern expression didn't soften. At his cold gaze, Adrian bowed his head again.

"I know it's just an excuse. I'm sorry, Ferdinand."

"No apology will help. I can't forgive you. You put my sister in danger."

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