His Breeding Obsession Chapter 172 - The Bridge of Coexistence

Grangel pointed to the single line floating above the sea with his index finger.  

 

“Migration to the First Continent. Though they crossed the sea to reach the Second Continent, their eternal spiritual homeland is the First Continent.”  

 

“Huh?”  

 

“It’s not just the beast folk of the Second Continent. While beast folk and humans are superficially divided between the First and Second Continents, they are, in fact, inseparable. Even Hakan, the leader of the Zoin tribe, who dislikes humans, doesn’t seek to exterminate them entirely. For example, the Bat tribe on the First Continent needs humans to increase their numbers, don’t they? And it’s not just the Bat tribe. Even the Witch tribe, your kin, Great Witch, cannot sustain their numbers without humans.”  

 

“…”  

 

“Two continents that have never been connected before. If a bridge is built, many things will change. First, the symbolic significance of a connection between beast folk and humans. Second, the practical harmony between humans and beast folk. Increased interaction will make it impossible for either side to ignore the other’s influence.”  

 

Mirania dragged her finger across the surface of the parchment.  

 

The black line representing the First Continent smudged, spreading ink across the page.  

 

“Interesting. It’s something I hadn’t considered. But building a bridge between continents comes with many challenges. What about the Water Dragons?”  

 

Grangel answered as if it were no big deal.  

 

“The Water Dragons are divine beasts. If I become the true representative of humanity, I will gain the authority to form a contract with them, ensuring they don’t harm travelers. Leave it to me.”  

 

“You’ll need the consent of the leaders of the First Continent.”  

 

“I’m already working on a way to communicate with them. I’m confident I can persuade them.”  

 

“A bridge spanning the vast sea. Is it physically possible?”  

 

“The technology already exists. Many important texts were lost in the frequent battles and flames, but the library I prioritized in the Resistance holds many books. We also have skilled engineers. All we need is manpower, and that’s being gathered gradually.”  

 

Mirania had no more questions. She lifted her finger from the parchment.  

 

“You’ve put a lot of thought into this.”  

 

Grangel smiled wryly, “I’ve spent the entire week focused on this idea. Milgram. It will become a symbol of our Resistance’s beliefs and ideals, and after the war, it will serve as a tangible bridge to peace.”  

 

“…”  

 

“This is a long-cherished project that many hybrid beast folk have desired but lacked the ability to pursue.”  

 

Mirania felt her heart stir.  

 

It wasn’t just a desire for humans to suppress the beast folk and reverse the current situation. 

 

There was genuine sincerity in Grangel’s eyes.  

 

‘He must have thought deeply about this, as he said.’  

 

From suppressing his hatred for beast folk to envisioning true coexistence.  

 

After sending Grangel and his group away, Mirania fell into thought. She glanced at Grecan, who was looking at her with curiosity.  

 

“Mirania. You’re not thinking of returning to the imperial palace, are you?”  

 

At the sudden question, Mirania raised an eyebrow.  

 

“No.”  

 

Grecan nodded, as if he had expected that answer. Mirania stared at him intently.  

 

‘Grangel may have asked for my help, but what he truly desires is Grecan’s silence.’  

 

The fact that he came repeatedly to ask for help without specifying exactly what he needed to be made it clear.  

 

“If it’s not the Chancellor, no one can stand against him.” 

 

In other words, if the Chancellor steps forward, the plan cannot proceed.  

 

“Are you not angry today?”

 

Grecan tilted his head slightly and met her gaze. After a moment of thought, he nodded.

 

“Yeah. It’s strange. It wasn’t bad.”

 

“Why? Because I was there?”

 

“That’s part of it… but you’re different from the royals I’ve met before.”

 

“I told you. Not all humans are cunning and wicked. Some are wise, intelligent, and tolerant. Betrayal is common, but no other race understands the concept of empathy as well as they do. That’s the nature of humans.”

 

“Humans are dangerous.”

 

“True. They are dangerous. But as Grangel said, wiping them out is no easy task. If they survive, they’ll always find a way to gather strength and fight back. And some other races can’t maintain their power without humans.”

 

It was unclear whether Grecan understood or still found it hard to accept, but he slowly closed his eyes and then opened them again.

 

Mirania muttered in a somewhat weary, calm voice.

 

“I hope there will come a day when humans and beast folk can smile more than they do now.”

 

“…”

 

“The continent is tired.”

 

Grecan took Mirania’s hand and pressed it against his cheek. Like a marking dog, he smeared his scent on her hand and kissed her palm.

 

Mirania flinched in surprise, and a soft voice escaped him.

 

“I may never come to like humans. But if I think differently, the solution is simple.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“You know that human Grangel kept trying to say something but swallowed his words several times.”

 

“What was it?”

 

Grecan raised his head and met her eyes.

 

“My death.”

 

Mirania’s face quickly hardened. She stared at him. His expression showed no trace of hesitation, and his tone felt almost refreshing.

 

She thought the faint smile on his lips was irritating. Her insides were boiling.

 

“Are you seriously saying that right now?”

 

Grecan, who had been staring at her as she suppressed her anger, suddenly sighed.

 

“Good. I was worried you might take it seriously.”

 

The sharpness in Mirania’s eyes softened.

 

“What?”

 

Grecan held her hand tightly and sat back comfortably.

 

“I don’t mean actually dying. It’s about me disappearing.”

 

“I don’t understand.”

 

“You know. The current imperial palace, their power—it’s all tangled up with me as the focal point without a proper system. If I disappear, they’ll scatter and find their order.”

 

“…”

 

“Just like nature. They are beings of nature. So are humans.”

 

Grecan spoke slowly, showing no regret even as he talked about abandoning the imperial palace where he had stayed for so long.

 

“We just need to watch. The leader of the Resistance said it too. They can manage without me. If they can do as he said, I won’t have any regrets. I’m curious to see if they can do well without me.”

 

“Then what do you plan to do from now on?”

 

“First, I need to distance myself from the mundane world…”

 

Grecan furrowed his brow and sank into thought. Despite his serious expression, his actions were suspicious.

 

He held her hand tightly, kissing each knuckle and her palm, leaving Mirania conflicted. Should she pull away or let it be?

 

Finally, Grecan even nipped the smooth tip of her thumb with his front teeth.

 

“What are you doing?!”

 

“Shall we walk the sky path?”

 

Grecan’s answer came at just the right moment.

 

“What?”

 

“I haven’t gone up there since I returned. Except for when you fled to the First Continent.”

 

“Fled? What a disgraceful thing to say. It wasn’t fleeing, it was just assessing the situation…”

 

Mirania coughed awkwardly and muttered, while Grecan looked at her with a strange expression.

 

“Mirania, you tend to obsess over unnecessary things.”

 

Mirania was speechless.

 

“Now you’re even trying to lecture me.”

 

“Come here.”

 

Grecan, holding Mirania tightly, leapt out of the window before she could even react. Her body shot upward, and the crisp air rushed into her nostrils.  

 

The sky, cleared after the heavy rain three days ago, felt refreshing just to look at.  

 

Grecan flew swiftly, then slowed down as they reached a mountain with two towering peaks.  

 

Mirania, still dazed, found herself nestled in Grecan’s arms.  

 

Belatedly realizing she was clutching the fabric of his chest, she let go of her grip.  

 

“Look down.”  

 

“What on earth…”  

 

Though she muttered in disbelief, she followed his words and glanced downward.  

 

Green forests and fields. Blue rivers and the waves of red rooftops lining the streets.  

 

Even places that were ruins up close now blended harmoniously with nature, appearing quaint and serene from above.  

 

The two silently observed the world below.  

 

“From here, everything seems like nature itself.”  

 

The scene was peaceful and beautiful.  

 

“A journey.”  

 

“What did you say?”  

 

Grecan, who had been gazing down alongside Mirania, met her eyes and grinned.  

 

“Let’s go on a journey, Mirania.”  

 

“What kind of journey can we take in this situation? I have no desire to wander aimlessly through streets that are nothing but a mess.”  

 

“Mirania, you’re always too bothered by everything. That’s the problem.”  

 

“Oh, now you’re really trying to lecture me.”  

 

Mirania, knowing he wasn’t entirely wrong, pretended to be annoyed.  

 

But Grecan, unfazed, responded smoothly, as if he already knew she’d come around.  

 

“I’m not suggesting this journey just for my sake.”  

 

“Then?”  

 

“Even if things will work out without me, staying cooped up is boring, don’t you think?”  

 

Grecan pointed to a spot on the ground with his fingertip, then gestured broadly around it.  

 

“Aren’t you curious how much this land has been ruined? Who’s suffering because of me? Doesn’t it bother you? We can meet them. If we help them, it’ll lighten the burden on our hearts. Let’s see it for ourselves. That’s the kind of journey I’m talking about.”  

 

Mirania nodded unconsciously, then suddenly frowned, realizing something was off.  

 

“Why should I care about the mess you’ve made?”  

 

“Come on, let’s go.”  

 

“Are you ignoring me?”