Home/I Became the Emergency Food Supply of the Bear Family/ch113

Chapter 113

As Ber looked at them with a puzzled expression, Helena spoke.

"The Folle family will now restore order in the Arctic. No more poor children will be sacrificed. As long as I live—no, as long as the Folle family endures—never again."

"......"

At Helena's words, Ber recalled the past.

The silent Arctic hare village.

And the days when her mother had been warm and smiled at her.

Yes—if the polar bear family Folle stepped forward, tragedies like those rabbits dying in the palace dungeon would never happen again.

"Thank you so much, Grandmother."

"It's something I should have done long ago. I'm sorry it took so long."

Ber smiled and shook her head at Helena's apology. Rib and Helena smiled bitterly at her expression.

"Mother, Grandmother. Would you come with me?"

"Hm?"

"Do you want to take a walk? Anywhere is fine. Let's go together."

Rib and Helena took Ber's hands and walked down the corridor, stopping before the grave prepared in the palace garden.

Just as Einja had mourned in the original, Ber had also built a grave for the fallen rabbits.

The three bowed their heads in silent prayer for the small lives.

---

A few days later.

"Your Majesty."

Sunlight filled the Emperor's bedchamber.

Unlike before, the room had a warm atmosphere, with two people inside.

"Are you truly sure about this?"

Kneeling on one knee, Einja carefully raised her head.

"That's the second time you've asked. Are you always this cautious in your practice?"

The Emperor raised the corner of his mouth with a playful remark.

But Einja's expression remained grave.

"However, Your Majesty—merely turning back the time of your legs will not..."

"I know. That my remaining lifespan is short."

The Emperor's face and voice were still bright. Einja sensed it—he had long accepted his own death.

"There are rumors among beast-people about mythical species. The nine-tailed fox Empress and the griffin Emperor—they say the imperial bloodline is different, that they live near-eternal lives."

"......"

"The truth is no different from you, Miss Einja Oakley. No one is immortal. When the time comes, they depart—whether mythical, Emperor, or commoner."

Speaking as if it were someone else's affair, the Emperor grinned at Einja's serious expression.

"To be honest, I've lived longer than most. This is enough. I'd even like to go soon."

His gaze turned out the window.

Toward the blue sky beyond.

"Sometimes I miss my wife so much I feel I might go mad."

Turning back to Einja, the Emperor wore a wistful smile.

"But I must pass the throne to my son first. If you can fix my legs, the transition will be much easier."

"...Understood."

Slowly nodding, Einja rose.

"Turning back the time of your knees should resolve the issue. I've treated my grandmother's knees as well—she can even run around now."

As Einja rolled up her sleeves, the Emperor let out a hearty laugh.

"That's certainly reassuring."

---

Ber, Kaien, and the entire Grizzly family had recovered.

Though Heinz's wounds had been deepest and still required observation, he was well enough for daily life.

Einja would continue to monitor Heinz's progress.

The day before everyone was to leave the palace, at the Emperor's request, all participated in an imperial event.

The event was broadcast nationwide through mana stones—a special, commemorative announcement that all citizens of the Albero Empire needed to hear.

"To the honored guests here and to all watching across the Empire—you've likely heard the rumors. I am ill."

After speaking with a grave expression, the Emperor paused, then smiled.

"Well, after living this long, it's about time I got sick. Being a griffin, I suppose my durability was better than most."

He shrugged and laughed heartily.

"Many of you must have worried about the Empire's future. The Emperor is ill, and the Crown Prince is still young. But worry not—I have found a successor who will rule this Empire wisely."

His expression turned serious again.

"The recent attempt to rebel against me—the one who rescued me from being sealed with the help of noble houses and protected the Albero Imperial family—was none other than Crown Prince Lucian."

As the Emperor looked at the Crown Prince with pride, the noble factions' reactions were mixed.

"Contrary to your concerns, Lucian has grown quickly. He is more than ready to ascend the throne even now."

"...!"

"But I cannot pass the throne to him just yet."

Scanning the shocked nobles, the Emperor smiled mischievously.

"Because I'm still alive."

With that, he rose and walked to the podium.

"Lucian Adrian de Albero."

Spreading his arms, the Emperor called the Crown Prince's name. As Adrian knelt before him, the Emperor declared:

"From this moment, you are the Moon of the Albero Empire. Lucian—as Vice Emperor, rule alongside me."

"With joy, I accept."

As Adrian bowed deeply, the Emperor lifted a crown from the podium.

A large ruby gleamed at its center as it settled upon Adrian's head.

As Adrian rose and stood beside the Emperor, applause erupted—from within and outside the palace, reaching the podium.

Adrian raised his hand to greet the audience and the people beyond the mana stones.

Just as the Vice Emperor's investiture seemed to conclude, Adrian spoke:

"Before I fulfill my duties as Vice Emperor, I wish to express my gratitude."

Receiving the Emperor's permission, he stepped onto the podium and began naming them:

"Renard. Balan. Grizzly. Hedwig. Noirel. Oakley. Manul. And the Sled Dog Knights. Without your help, His Majesty could not have been saved. I offer my sincere thanks once again."

Adrian's voice was clear and strong.

The investiture was being broadcast nationwide through mana stones. In that moment, the Crown Prince—the future Emperor—had publicly named those who had stood by him and the Emperor.

"......"

Gazing at the mana stone before him, Adrian turned his head toward the Grizzly family—specifically, where Ferdinand stood.

Their eyes met.

Adrian's gaze conveyed a clear message.

I did well, didn't I?

Meeting Adrian's eyes, Ferdinand thought:

Certainly, Adrian was making a good impression.

Before the investiture, Adrian's first act as Vice Emperor had been to make a vow.

With two people—Einja and Ber.

To keep Einja's time-reversing ability and Ber's spring's power secret, and to protect any future bearers of "Eclat Chronique" and "Eostre's Power"—the vow would last until Adrian's death, until the end of the Albero Empire.

Afterward, Adrian had added to Ferdinand:

"Please wait a little longer regarding title promotions. I won't disappoint you."

"I won't disappoint you."

It seemed that promise held true. With the entire nation watching, the Crown Prince had named the families aloud—raising their reputations in an instant.

The next Emperor is more capable than I thought.

Ferdinand grinned and quietly raised his thumb toward Adrian.

Only then did Adrian sigh in relief and step down from the podium.

Back   Next