His Breeding Obsession

At the sound of his exhausted voice, Mirania slowly opened her eyes and met Malandor’s gaze.

 

He ran one hand through his long hair, starting at his face. He looked tired and worn.

 “After what happened that day, neither I nor the bat pup nor the wolf pup… could have stayed awake, but Grecan went beyond that, and I still don’t understand how he can wield such power.” 

Mirania remembered the Grecan she had met.

 

‘He was strange, yes.’

 

But, but still. 

 

Mirania muttered, confused,

“He wasn’t so bad, I suppose, though I thought his aura and demeanor had changed a great deal, he wasn’t inherently denatured, and he wasn’t so wicked or mean-spirited as to go mad with rage.” 

Malandor’s face twisted as he listened for a moment.

 “If you say so, I assume you were with him?” “…” “Surely he wouldn’t fail to recognize you now that you’ve been resurrected, and yet here I am, thinking, bloody hell, I must have taken a hit because of him.” 

Malandor gritted his teeth bitterly.

 “If he seems better than he looks, it’s because you’re here, Mirania.” “Of course, Grecan and I are close in our own way. But, Malandor, even if I have made him angry and sad, that is no reason for his behavior. Nor is he a human man enamored of Selena.” 

Selena was a member of a clan of witches, a half-breed of a female of the clan and a human male who exuded a pheromone that attracted mates.

 

When she set out on her journey to the Second Continent, the men who fell in love with her would duel to the death.

 

Malandor did not hide his disapproval. Their eyes met, and Mirania was puzzled.

 “Why do you look at me like that?” “I’m not going to point out that Mirania is dull, because I’ve always known that.” “…” “What’s clear is that he’s crazy, a son of a bastard who’s crazy about you.” “…” “Because wolves are a canine family.” “You call that a joke?” 

Malandor shook his head, his face expressionless.

 “I used to think he was a subtly insane man, but after everything that happened after that, wow, I was wrong. Not subtly insane, but unthinkably insane. If I had known, I would have nipped it in the bud.” 

Malandor’s heavy voice crunched on the dusty floor.

 “The thought of seeing him again made me lose all desire to go out into the human world, so I stayed here.” “…” “I hate him.” 

There was silence for a moment. Then Mirania rose, and Malandor’s gaze followed her.

 “It was worse than I thought.” “…” “I will take care of it.” “How?” “I understand the situation now. Two continents destabilized, all humans enslaved, lands scorched by fire. And then there’s you. The cause of all these problems is Grecan, isn’t it?” “…” “We cannot undo what has already happened. However, we can solve the future by restraining him. Somehow, I’ve strayed from the laws of nature. I had planned to stay in the mountains and wait for nature to call me back, but your story reminds me that I still have a mission.” 

Malandor’s words convinced Mirania.

 

Grecan. He was the reason she was alive and not dead.

 “You’re trying to talk him out of it?” 

She shrugged.

 “At least he seems to be listening to me.” “Don’t go.” 

Malandor said again to Mirania, who looked at him like,

‘What are you talking about?’

 “You can’t subdue him with force. Don’t go.” “So you’re just going to stay locked up? You liked the human world, didn’t you? Don’t you want to get out?” “Not really.” 

Malandor looked helpless, and spoke softly.

 “You mean it’s not suffocating?” 

Mirania looked around at the dusty surroundings in disbelief.

 

No matter who lived here, it was an environment that lacked any sense of fun or will to live.

 “It doesn’t matter, I was only staying in the outside world because of you.” “…” “Stay here, Mirania. If you go, I won’t let you go.” 

Speechless for a moment, Mirania frowned.

 “You can’t, you’re stuck in here, and you don’t know it, and it’s bad out there. I can’t even get into the Witch Forest in my current form, much less the Wolves, and I can’t help but feel that something is wrong just by stopping here, and I can’t stay still. There are too many things that have happened to the Second Continent to enumerate, and I cannot leave it as it is.” 

Malandor shook his head as if to say no, leaving Mirania speechless.

 “What difference does it make if you go?” “…” “Don’t go.” “…” “I said, don’t go.” 

After taking a few steps, Mirania finally gave in and turned away with a scowl.

 “I said no. Do you think Grecan and Leverianz are going to let you go, as well, that kind of coercion?” 

There was no point in delaying, she was about to leave for good.

 Thump! Thud! 

A cage descended from the ceiling, trapping Mirania.

 

Instantly trapped, Mirania blurted out through her glittering golden eyes.

 “What a Grecan thing to do!” 

Malandor frowned.

 “What kind of exclamation is that?” 

Mirania replied sarcastically, gripping the cold bars.

 “I just made it up. It’s a word you use when something is too ridiculous.  “Hahaha, so does that mean it’s like something happened to you Mirania? It’s a word you use when something miraculous happens, and it’s good?” 

She said blandly as he grinned at her, his face as bright as ever.

 “Open it.” 

Malandor replied, his face expressionless.

 “No. I won’t let go now.” “…” “Don’t go, stay here.” 

Mirania pressed her hand to her forehead. It wasn’t an illusion.

 

Uncomfortably, she could see Grecan and Leverianz looming over Malandor.

 “Why.” 

Since they are intelligent beings, let’s at least try to talk to them.

 

Waiting for Malandor’s answer, hoping that he would not use the same illogical force as his two enemies.

 “You don’t want to send the woman you love to a dangerous man, do you need a reason?” “…” “That’s the reason. Because I love her.” 

What a line from a soap opera.

 

Mirania was stunned at how unabashedly Malandor spat out the words.

 

It was astonishment, coupled with a bit of irritation, as to why he was doing this now.

 

After all, hadn’t that conversation concluded that she and Malandor were never going to be more than friends?

 

When I told you that it only takes three seconds to fall in love.

 “I thought we were done talking about that.” “It is, but.” 

Malandor stepped closer to the bars and locked eyes with Mirania. He smiles innocently, his eyes dark and cloudy.

 “It’s good to see you back here, Mirania.” “…” “Looks like we’re not done yet, love.” 

Mirania tries to hit Malandor over the head with her broomstick.

 

If Malandor hadn’t quickly ducked back, she would have gotten a good cut.

 “Mirania,”

Malandor said pleadingly to Mirania, who was looking disappointed.

 “You’re in here, Mirania, in the Dark World, in my space. With your own feet.” “…” “You think I’d pass up an opportunity like this?” 

‘Remember, Malandor is an untrustworthy squire.’

 

But at least for now, she realized as she looked into his pleading eyes, Malandor was sincere.

 

It’s disturbing.

 

Malandor blurted out something to further aggravate her.

 “It’s so lonely here, Mirania.” “…” “For a hundred years, angry and lonely and sad.” 

He laughed dryly.

 “I’ve worn myself out.” “…” “So I need you to stay with me.” “…” “I wouldn’t enjoy myself next to that monstrosity, and even though I am what I am, I think I can find some pleasure in your presence.” 

In the desolate, devastated tower of the Dark King, Malandor spoke his words of promise.

 “I will make you happy.” 

It sounded sadly hollow. Mirania didn’t say the words,

‘So why do you want me?’

 

How arrogant of him to expect anyone to be happy when he doesn’t seem happy himself. 

 

Such arrogance. I clicked my tongue, but I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the broken promise.

A hundred years alone and lonely.

 

Malandor looked tired, and sad. It was cold to say no.

 

But…

 “How long.” “Huh?” “How long? I assure you, not for long.” 

What needs to be said needs to be said. Throwing candy at a crying child won’t solve the problem.