His Breeding Obsession

 “Think differently, in what way?”

asked the Empress.

 

The Empress, who hadn’t opened her mouth except for the first few times, looked intrigued by Mirania’s advice.

 “On the Great Continent, there is a small race of people called the Luddants. They are a very instinctive clan.” “…What?” “They seek out younger individuals to reproduce with. The females seek out young males who have just come of age, and the males seek out healthy, young females. They follow the instinct that is imprinted on their bodies to reproduce.” “Wait a minute, Great Witch. What are you talking about…” “I know you humans see nature as a field of minerals to be mined, but you have not strayed from the truth of nature.” “…” 

Mirania continued,

“All living things are driven by the instinct to leave offspring. In human terms, women prefer mates who are capable of sustaining and raising young, and men prefer women who are fit to bear and raise healthier offspring. I think you’ll find it comforting to think that all things work that way.” 

Of course, she was mistaken about the Emperor’s betrayal.

 

‘I can’t tell you, as the party is desperately hiding it, but it’s a frustrating greeting.’

 

The Empress was never one to be forgiving, but it wouldn’t hurt to throw in a little advice to end this conversation.

 

The empress’s face was like an apple about to rot, even though she had spoken at length and with great intention.

 

“Why do you look like that?”

 

‘That’s called advice…’

 

Hiding her fed-up expression, the Empress forced a smile.

 “It’s just that I’ve come to a new realization that the Great Witch is not human.” “…” “If you had a lover, I would offer my deepest condolences, and perhaps some heartache.” “I don’t know what you mean, is something wrong?” “No, there’s nothing wrong with it. The problem is that suddenly everything I’ve said so far seems hollow. I should have said something appropriate for the person I was talking to. My mistake.” 

The Empress had deflated like a popped balloon, a far cry from the enthusiastic way she’d released her restraint.

 

Mirania wasn’t thrilled, but she was glad that the Empress didn’t seem to be in the mood to talk more.

 “It’s a very strange feeling, but anyway, I feel better now that I’ve spoken to you, and I don’t think I’ll be able to do the same for you next time, but if you ever find someone you love, you must tell me…” “Well, I have questions of my own.” 

The Empress looked a little taken aback by Mirania’s sudden comment, but she smiled softly.

 “Feel free to ask me anything.” “Why are you taking so much time?” 

Mirania wondered.

 

‘According to the Chancellor, there must be some reason why a woman who is supposed to be quite intelligent would summon me to talk about something so unimportant.’

 

The Empress covered her mouth with her handkerchief and stared at Mirania.

 

She blinks away salty tears that have turned her eyes blue. Then she smiles brightly.

 

The mood had changed drastically. Her gaze turned cold as she reverted to her true self, a woman sharing small talk with a close acquaintance.

 “They say you stole Adensha’s mirror and ran away.” “…” 

The voice was as hard and cold as forged lead.

 “I’m sure you already knew that she was in possession of the Mirror of Adensha. Since you are no stranger to the world, let me explain, a sorcerer’s artifact is a national treasure, and stealing it is grounds for summary execution.” “…” “I see now that you didn’t know about it either, Great Witch. Quite a gutsy one, that woman.” 

Looking at the chuckling Empress, Mirania frowned slightly.

 

A human artifact that Alice had asked to be destroyed.

 

‘You’ve been a fool, but you didn’t take them back.’

 

Alice had done something foolish, but the Empress’s amused expression made her realize something.

 “Have you been waiting for it?” “What do you mean?” “Did you wait for Alice to run away with Adensha’s mirror?” 

Blinking, the Empress folded her reddened eyes and smiled,

“Not that I didn’t know.” 

Admitting that she did know, but willfully ignored it.

 “I assume the reason is the ‘reason for summary execution’ you just mentioned?” “Well, it’s nothing to hide now.” 

Looking at the Empress, who seemed to be focusing all of her energy on Alice, Mirania wondered what kind of human she was.

 “I’ve never fully understood you humans, but I’ve never known one as oblivious to your position as you are. Do you care about the Crown Prince?” 

The battle for the imperial throne in this great empire has become an unrelenting hellhole where human flesh and blood are torn to shreds, and the slightest hint of weakness could result in a stranglehold.

 

The Empress’s eyes twitched slightly at the corner of her mouth as if to say, ‘Do you think this is the time to kill or spare Alice?’ and Mirania shot her a sly glance.

 “With the Crown Prince, it’s more of a temporary alliance.” “…” “I’ve agreed to help him ascend, on the condition that he designates my son as the next in line to the throne.” 

Mirania was silent for a moment. She was dumbfounded.

 “…You believe that?” 

Humans are a race that would do anything imaginable to gain the Emperor’s throne, including deceit, intrigue, betrayal, and murder.

 

It shouldn’t be too hard to lie a little.

 

But the Empress’s answer was surprisingly straightforward.

 “I believe it.” “…” “Oho, I don’t believe it because I’m a fool. It’s a fact that no one knows, but the Crown Prince’s body is incapable of bearing children.” 

The Empress spoke casually, as if the news that would turn the country upside down if it got out was not as important as the news about her love.

 “The Crown Prince wouldn’t dare aspire to the throne if it came to light, but I’ve agreed to turn a blind eye for the time being.” “So it came to pass.” 

Understanding, Mirania nodded, but upon further reflection, the Empress’s words felt somewhat out of place.

 

If she used the Crown Prince’s flaw at the right time, she could win this battle. She’d capitalized on his fatal weakness.

 “And what did the Crown Prince promise you in return?” 

The Empress smiled and answered,  “You’re quite intelligent, knowing as much as you do about human physiology. I’m glad you’re not as belligerent as your predecessor, though I’m not sure why you’re so ignorant of male-female relationships.”

 

Mirania had no desire to continue this fruitless and tedious conversation.

 

Talking to this woman felt like wading through a damp, slimy swamp.

 

When Mirania didn’t respond, the Empress pouted her lower lip and spoke casually.

 “As you might have guessed, there was a deal with the Crown Prince.” “…” “We agreed to kill her.” 

The voice was dry, despite the words.

 “Alice, that wench, running off with her lover, now, with Adensha’s mirror, without knowing the subject, what a fox she is, using her innocent face to lure other men.” 

Now, as she sharpens her sword with a venomous smile, the Empress does not realize that Alice’s lover was her husband’s hidden son.

 

She vents her hatred in vain.

 

‘She really doesn’t know.’

 

The worst of all was not the Emperor. To think that due to his guilt and longing, he neglects her.

 

Mirania felt a small pang of sympathy for the Empress, who was distrusted by those she loved.

 

‘Of course, if she knew, she would have killed him.’

 

The Emperor’s son, not Alice.

 

The Crown Prince was not a man who would tolerate another powerless prince, even if he had no choice.

 

It made sense that the Emperor would keep everything a secret, even to the point of resentment from her, if he loved this human woman…

 

Her curiosity was satisfied, and Mirania prepared to leave.

 

There had to be a reason why the Empress had been so forthcoming.

 

‘Perhaps she thought she had stalled long enough.’

 

Mirania’s mind raced, trying to figure out why Alice had run away and where she might be now.

 

‘She must have sensed danger and fled.’

 

She had sought the Crown Prince’s assistance, and he might be threatening her.

 

‘Who would Alice turn to for help in this crisis?’

 

The first thing that comes to mind would be the Emperor.

 

But the Empress, who has made such a mess of things, probably doesn’t have the Emperor in mind, so he may not be able to help her.

 

That left me with…

 

‘I’m the only one left.’

 

She and her group were the only ones on two continents currently free of the Imperial threat.

 

Mirania wasted no time in rising to her feet.

 

‘They’ll be waiting for my help.’

 

She patted Grecan on the back, and he jumped to his feet and joined her at her side.

 

The Empress glared up at her as she rose wordlessly, then smirked.

 “If you’re going to look for them, you’re late.” “…” “Because the imperial army went to execute the man who fled with the national treasure.”