His Breeding Obsession – Chapter 177

Author: Nikss

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The next day, Mirania and Grecan prepared to leave for another village.

Thud—

The door opened, and the lord entered, carrying a brown leather pouch and a sack.

“You’ve already finished preparing, I see. Take these with you. It’s not much, but I’ve packed some water and provisions. They’ll be useful during your journey.”

Grecan accepted the sack and leather pouch without any pretense of refusal and fastened them to his waist.

The lord looked at the two with a regretful expression.

“I feel bad sending you off like this when I haven’t been able to offer much hospitality.”

“We rested well in the best room.”

Mirania’s response brought a pleased smile to the lord’s face. “Ah,” he said, his eyes widening.

“Have you heard the news? The Migram side sent a messenger hawk. I secretly sent a letter promising support to Migram.”

The Lord spoke with a proud expression.

“They’re building a bridge, I hear.”

“A bridge?”

“Yes. A bridge connecting the First and Second continents.”

The lord couldn’t hide his amazement, continuously letting out sighs of admiration.

Having heard about it directly from Grangel, Mirania wasn’t particularly surprised, but the news that construction had begun was still intriguing.

“It’s still in the early stages, but they’re laying the groundwork for what will become a long-term project. I heard they’re moving cautiously because the imperial palace has been acting suspiciously lately. I’ll need to be careful too. Likewise, I’m still worried about Kenchi, who fled.”

After straightening his clothes, Mirania asked, “Where did you say that place was?”

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The place the lord mentioned was quite far from the castle.

However, with Grecan, whose magic and stamina were limitless, the distance wasn’t much of an issue.

Still, the long flight was taxing even for someone just being carried, and Grecan’s constant complaints about how even the wind could tire him out forced Mirania to wrap herself in a cloak for the journey.

The place they arrived at was once a dock.

Now abandoned, it had an atmosphere of ruin, but there, people were gathered in small groups.

A massive rock served as a table, and chairs made from salvaged ship decks provided seating.

Smith, the person in charge, was both surprised and delighted to see Grecan and Mirania.

“These are the technicians we’ve been training. I also have some skill in crafting, which is why I came here.”

“Isn’t it too early?”

Mirania looked around the desolate dock.

“We haven’t started anything yet. We’re here for what you might call a preliminary survey. We’re discussing whether this is a good place to build the bridge, and if so, how to do it. Since it’s crossing the sea, we’re considering using the well-shaft technique. That’s the level of discussion we’re at right now.”

“I gave Grangel a heads-up. There’s something that needs to be done before building the bridge.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

Smith looked around and then led Mirania and Grecan to a less crowded area.

A building that had once been a resting place for sailors smelled musty, but a bonfire made it somewhat comfortable.

“Negotiations and trade with the Water Dragons and the First Continent are, of course, issues that need to be addressed.”

Smith’s expression grew more serious as he spoke.

“The leader emphasized that the order of operations is crucial. Dealing with the Water Dragons and the First Continent must come after sweeping away the lazy leaders of the imperial palace.”

Here, Smith glanced briefly at Grecan, but when Grecan showed no reaction, he relaxed and continued his explanation.

“No matter how much we prioritize peace, a confrontation with the imperial palace is inevitable. It’s something we must resolve at least once. After that, we plan to proceed smoothly with all our planned projects. As for the bridge…”

Smith scratched the back of his head.

“The leader said it’s too itchy to sit still, so we’re starting a bit early but taking it slow.”

Smith, looking somewhat embarrassed, shifted from his earlier serious demeanor to a more awkward one.

“You’ve changed quite a bit in a short time.”

Mirania’s tone carried a hint of curiosity, which left Smith puzzled.

“Your once-lacking confidence has completely transformed.”

“Ah, that’s… I think so, too. It’s all thanks to the Witch.”

Smith’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Mirania. Grecan, who had been subtly frowning, twitched his eyebrows.

“Smith! Smith!”

Glancing outside, Smith awkwardly got up from his seat.

“Ah, it seems something’s come up. I’ll step out for a moment. Please rest here. You must take a look at the bridge blueprint we’ve designed later.”

After Smith left, Grecan spoke with a puzzled expression.

“Do you really want the bridge to be built?”

“You mean the Bridge of Coexistence? You’ve been watching, so you know, don’t you?”

“I know you’re interested in it. But these are two continents that have been separated for over a thousand years. Why bother connecting them?”

“It’s not me who wants to connect them. Isn’t it a long-cherished project? It’s the wish of those who want to travel between the two continents that moved Grangel’s thoughts.”

Grecan gently smoothed Mirania’s thin, spiderweb-like hair, tousled by the sea breeze.

“Humans are beings who reject those different from themselves. They’re animals, and beasts, yet far more exclusive than other half-humans. They even push out and exclude their own kind. Enough said.”

Grecan’s expression was blank.

“They might pretend to cooperate and act harmoniously for now, out of caution, but how long will that last? A hundred years? Two hundred? Probably not even a thousand.”

“You’re quite skeptical.”

“Do you think I’m wrong?”

After a moment of thought, Mirania shook her head.

“You might not be wrong. Humans develop quickly, and their progress often exploits and suppresses nature. They might even enslave demi-humans.”

“…”

“But they also have a desire to establish their order. They create laws, establish systems, and set up structures. They’ll self-correct to avoid extremes.”

“…”

“Even if they ruin nature, they are still part of nature. I’m just here to watch.”

Mirania plucked a half-torn leaf caught in Grecan’s hair.

“You go around with leaves in your hair while making sure I don’t catch a single breeze.”

Mirania’s faint smile caused Grecan’s cheeks to flush red.

“I wouldn’t mind even a hundred of those stuck in my hair.”

She tousled Grecan’s hair.

“Anyway, I just want to put the continent you ruined back on the right track.”

“…”

“The rest is up to those who will live on this continent from now on.”

Grecan nodded, his gaze lingering on Mirania’s hair.

“I should’ve brought a hat. The sea breeze is rough and damp, and your hair is already tangled.”

Grecan carefully separated the tangled strands of her hair, strand by strand, making sure not to hurt her.

Watching Grecan’s meticulous attention to her hair, Mirania clicked her tongue.

‘He’s doing it again.’

Her pulse quickened. This time, it was his fingers brushing past her earlobe and temple.

The image of him as young and reckless no longer came to mind, leaving Mirania feeling somewhat bewildered.

His face hadn’t changed, but the way he felt to her was different.

The way he approached her felt like a different person. She could vividly understand the countless words used to describe ‘love.’

And that understanding itself was proof that she had come to know love.

It felt as if only the two of them existed in the world.

Just then…

A noise intruded into the space that had felt completely isolated.

“What’s going on!”

Mirania shifted her gaze from Grecan to the window.

The atmosphere outside was chaotic.

Stepping outside, the tension was palpable. Smith and the technicians’ faces were tense.

Mirania observed the situation from the shade of the building.

A group was confronting Smith and his team. Their confident expressions and sneering smiles were unmistakable.

Their abundant tail fur, unable to be hidden, stood stiffly upright toward the sky.

“They’re the noble clan.”

She looked up. Bird-kin with wings of tawny, white, and black feathers were watching Smith’s group, holding spears and swords.

A man at the forefront of the noble clan pointed at Smith and barked loudly.

Mirania’s eyes narrowed, ‘That sly jaw and cunning eyes. He must be Kenchi, the one the lord mentioned.’

“These are definitely the rebels you’ve been looking for! We detected suspicious movements in Paximute Castle. They’ve undoubtedly been in contact with these guys.”

A bird-kin warrior, hovering close to the ground, was assessing the situation.

“What were you all gathered here for!”

He was threatening a human hostage with a spear.

Smith and his group hesitated to act rashly.

“We’re just fishermen trying to make a living. We came here to repair our boat so we could catch more fish out at sea. This person has misunderstood us.”

“Fishing? I don’t see any fishing rods or nets around here.”

Kenchi sneered, and Smith’s expression hardened.

“Your purpose doesn’t matter. Don’t you know the ‘Second Continent Rules’ newly established by Lord Hakan? Cunning humans are not allowed to gather in groups of more than ten.”

A triumphant smile spread across Kenchi’s face. The bird-kin warrior gestured.

“Capture them all.”

The warriors moved immediately. The humans didn’t just stand by and let themselves be caught.

“Run!”

As soon as Smith’s words fell, the technicians began to flee.

Though they had been in chaos moments ago, they didn’t hesitate once the order was given.

However, the bird-kin warriors had a very useful tool: their wings.

Whoosh—

The bird-kin warriors grabbed the humans by their arms.

“Ah!”

“Run! Run!”

The desolate dock turned into chaos in an instant.