His Breeding Obsession Chapter 170 - The Resistance

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The next day, Horus returned. This time, he didn’t bring the school group with him. 

 

Instead, he was accompanied by someone else.  

 

“A new face, I see?”  

 

Mirania gestured with her eyes toward the person beside Horus.  

 

“I told you. The higher-ups are very interested in you.”  

 

Mirania led them to the reception room and silently observed the new guests.  

 

There were two new visitors with Horus, and one of them was a familiar face.  

 

Smith, whom she hadn’t seen in a while, had his wrist bandaged, as if he’d been injured somewhere.  

 

The other man was someone she’d never seen before.  

 

The ‘higher-up’ Horus mentioned couldn’t be Smith, so it had to be this man, but he looked surprisingly young. Perhaps in his thirties?  

 

He had a sharp appearance and a serious demeanor. His skin was quite fair, though slightly uneven as if he’d been sunburned.  

 

When their eyes met, the man politely smiled. Mirania, having finished her observation, gestured toward an empty table.  

 

“My apologies. I can’t offer you tea. This isn’t my home, so I’m not sure if there’s any tea here.”  

 

“Please don’t worry about it.”  

 

The young man, who seemed to be the higher-up, stared intently at Grecan, who was sitting beside Mirania. 

 

Mirania didn’t miss the glint of interest in his eyes.  

 

“Is this gentleman Mr. Kan? He looks as strong as I’ve heard.”  

 

The young man rubbed his hands together and composed himself. He seemed accustomed to leading conversations, likely holding a higher position than Horus.  

 

“Ah, I’m an aide to the leader of the Resistance. I’ve heard about you both from Horus beforehand.”  

 

With a friendly smile, the man got straight to the point.  

 

“I heard you declined our invitation to join.”  

 

“That’s right.”  

 

“As you might have expected, I’ve come to extend the invitation once again.”  

 

“You’ve wasted your time. My mind hasn’t changed. The Resistance is your concern. I have no intention of joining.”  

 

The man’s expression turned regretful.  

 

Though his face changed as skillfully as clay being molded, it somehow felt artificial.  

 

“The situation in the imperial capital is gradually improving. It’s a shame to hear that someone who’s contributed to that considers it only our problem. Helping us would mean helping everyone on the second continent.”  

 

His voice was full of appeal and persuasive, but Mirania didn’t bat an eye.  

 

“Perhaps. But the Resistance is a human-led organization. I simply wish to help the world under the name of Milgram, not to side with the Resistance or humans. Besides, if I, who once resided in the imperial palace, were to join the Resistance, the symbolic significance would be enormous. Isn’t that what you’re aiming for?”  

 

“…My, you’ve seen right through me.”

 

The young man, his expression stiff, let out a hollow laugh.  

 

“We don’t outright reject beast folk, but we do want to create a world where humans are the dominant force. I won’t deny that.”  

 

“…”  

 

“That’s why we need you to join us, Witch. With your ideals and philosophy, you could help reconcile those who are at odds with each other, couldn’t you?”  

 

The man glanced at Grecan.  

 

“Moreover, we need your exceptional abilities. More than the corrupt imperial palace, we need them for the Resistance. We may not be able to offer as much as the palace, but we can create a better future than what we have now.”  

 

“…”  

 

“This is a small gift, but please accept it.”  

 

The man pulled out a long rectangular box.  

 

For the first time, a smile appeared on Mirania’s lips—though it was closer to a sneer.  

 

“Is this a bribe? Humans really are quick with their calculations, aren’t they?”  

 

“Well, if you could consider it a token of our earnest feelings, I’d be grateful.”  

 

The man smiled smoothly, unfazed. Mirania responded indifferently.  

 

“Hmm, I doubt accepting a gift will change anything. I despise troublesome matters.”  

 

“This is also a gift of gratitude for what you’ve done so far. It will be of help to you, Lady Witch.”  

 

Mirania stared at the gift the man offered.  

 

The rectangular box, resembling a jewelry case, looked expensive and was clearly a typical artifact storage box.  

 

It’s probably an artifact storing offensive magic, she thought. 

 

As she reached for the box, she had no expectations.  

 

Until it opened.  

 

“…”  

 

Mirania’s eyes froze. Grecan, who had been watching cautiously in case it was something dangerous, adjusted his posture.  

 

Pleased by the shift in the atmosphere, the man spoke confidently.  

 

“This is a wand our agents were fortunate enough to acquire in the past. Made from lightning-struck birch, it’s an artifact coveted by anyone who can wield magic.”  

 

An artifact coveted by anyone. Of course, it would be.  

 

This was Mirania’s wand.  

 

“Then we’ll take our leave now.”  

 

As if he had accomplished his mission, the young man stood up without further pressing the invitation.  

 

Mirania took the wand out of the box.  

 

A magic wand that allowed her to wield her magic more powerfully and efficiently.  

 

The moment she held it, a refreshing wave of magic enveloped her like a gentle breeze. She had used it for a thousand years. 

 

The familiar object felt like it had melded into her palm.  

 

While Mirania felt a piece of her puzzle fall back into place, Grecan exuded a fierce aura.  

 

“…That man.”

 

Grecan growled, his sharp gaze fixed on the retreating figures of the three men.  

 

Mirania, gently gripping the wand’s handle, turned to look at the young man opening the reception room door.  

 

A strong barrier could be felt. Peering through the gaps in the magical barrier, she saw a heart pulsating with intense magical energy.  

 

By the standards of humans a century ago, he would have been worthy of the title ‘Archmage.’ His face felt familiar. 

 

Countless faces rose and faded in her mind.  

 

Faces of the imperial family she had met in the past. “

 

The Emperor. The Empress. The Crown Prince. Evan, Alice’s lover…  

 

Ah…

  

“It’s Evan.” 

 

Mirania muttered softly under her breath.  

 

The young man, unaware, turned around as he opened the door.  

 

“Well, we’ll take our leave for today. We’ll visit again another time.”  

 

Just as he bowed lightly and turned to leave—  

 

“You said you were the leader’s aide, correct?”  

 

“Yes, but…”   

 

The moment she saw his puzzled expression, the image of a frail face flashed before her eyes. 

 

Mirania let out a soft sigh.  

 

“I see. You’re Grangel, aren’t you?”  

 

The man froze. The smooth, merchant-like demeanor evaporated in an instant.  

 

He stared intently at Mirania, whose expression remained unchanged.  

 

Their gazes locked in a silent exchange. The certainty in Mirania’s eyes made the man’s face twist.  

 

After a moment, a suspicious voice slipped through his slightly parted lips.  

 

“How did you know?”  

 

‘Oh ho.’  

 

So it was true. Just as she was about to respond—  

 

Growl—  

 

A low, menacing growl, as if rising from the depths, echoed through the room.  

 

‘Oh no!’  

 

Mirania hurriedly turned to look at Grecan.  

 

The ferocious aura that had been seeping out of Grecan since the lightning-struck birch wand was revealed burst forth like a flood the moment the man admitted to being Grangel.  

 

“What is this?!”  

 

Clang!

 

Horus, alarmed, drew his sword from his waist.  

 

Grecan’s aura filled the reception room, and Smith also tensed, forming a defensive stance.  

 

Horus shouted furiously, his face filled with rage.  

 

“Kan! What are you doing? You’re being disrespectful!”  

 

“Disrespectful?”  

 

A cold voice escaped Grecan’s lips. At the same time, a concentrated surge of energy exploded toward Horus.  

 

“Ugh!”  

 

Horus staggered back two steps, his face filled with shock.  

 

“Who’s being disrespectful to whom?”  

 

“W-who exactly are you…?”  

 

He had thought Grecan was strong, but this was far beyond his expectations.  

 

“Leader, you need to retreat.”  

 

Despite Horus’s urgent words, Grangel didn’t take his eyes off Mirania and Grecan.  

 

Mirania placed her hand on Grecan’s knee.

 

The sharp, beast-like aura wavered for a moment.  

 

“Calm down, Grecan.”  

 

Mirania locked eyes with him. His dark, rage-filled eyes clashed with her golden ones. Her face reflected in his eyes.  

 

“…Mir.”  

 

“I’m fine. No one here is a threat.”  

 

“But he’s dangerous.”  

 

“He poses no threat. Not while you’re here to protect me. Who could possibly threaten me?”  

 

The intensity of his anger began to subside. The murky look in his eyes gradually cleared, returning to their usual sharp black. Grecan blinked.

  

‘That was close to becoming a disaster.’  

 

Mirania sighed and gave him a gentle smile as if to say, ‘Good job.’

 

The tension in Horus and Smith’s shoulders also eased as they slowly lowered their guard.  

 

Mirania tightly gripped Grecan’s hand.  

 

“How did you know?”  

 

Grangel was uncharacteristically cautious and serious.  

 

“Knowing who you are isn’t that difficult. In an era where the Magic Tower has vanished, being able to cultivate this much magical power and bearing the bloodline of the Leanna Imperial Family—it’s only natural you’d become the leader of the remaining humans. If someone like you exists, it would be stranger if someone else became the leader.”  

 

The mention of the imperial bloodline seemed to be a secret, as Horus’s expression visibly hardened.  

 

Meanwhile, the young man, Grangel, had a strangely shifting expression. He looked both astonished and incredulous, unable to hide the emotions in his eyes.  

 

“I heard the description from Smith and thought it couldn’t be true…”  

 

Grangel let out a faint sigh, his voice barely above a whisper.  

 

“But it’s true. The Great Witch from a hundred years ago has truly returned.”  

 

Grecan growled.  

 

The Great Witch from a hundred years ago.

 

Aside from the imperial palace, this was the first time someone had brought it up.  

 

If he truly bore the bloodline of the Leanna Imperial Family, he would know more than the average person.  

 

Since it wasn’t unusual for someone to recognize her identity, Mirania didn’t react particularly strongly.  

 

However, Grecan couldn’t take his fierce eyes off Grangel, as if every move the man made displeased him.  

 

“I heard from Kan that you carry the bloodline of the Crown Prince from that time. Is that true?”  

 

“…”  

 

“Strange. The Crown Prince was incapable of having children.”  

 

Grangel’s eyes widened.  

 

“That’s a secret of the imperial palace. How do you know that?”  

 

“I heard it directly from the Empress. Whose descendant are you?”  

 

Grangel, deciding there was no need to hide it, broke his silence and confessed readily.  

 

“Her Majesty the Empress. To be precise, I am the second-generation descendant of the second prince, her legitimate son.”  

 

Mirania tapped the back of Grecan’s hand.  

 

Even without hearing what she wanted to say, Grecan understood, though his gaze remained icy.  

 

“The Empress also conspired with the Crown Prince to harm you. Even if he’s not of the Crown Prince’s bloodline, this isn’t something we can overlook.”  

 

The gazes of the three men turned to Grecan.  

 

Horus and Smith looked at him with a mix of confusion and wariness, unable to comprehend his words.  

 

Grangel, however, observed Grecan with a calm, calculating expression.  

 

“Why would you say such a thing…”  

 

Unable to hold back his question, Horus spoke up. 

 

Grecan narrowed his eyes, scanning Grangel and the other two.  

 

Though he remained still for Mirania’s sake, his eyes betrayed his desire to deal with them immediately.  

 

The answer to Horus’s question came not from Grecan or Mirania, but unexpectedly from Grangel himself.