I AM A MAGE BUT WITH MILF SYSTEM

Chapter 252: Raphaelʼs haunting of the past

They then made their way to the city. As they continued their walk through the city streets, the bustling atmosphere immediately struck Julian. The shops were thriving, streets were clean, and there was an air of prosperity that was rarely seen during the ruling of the previous count.

”Seems like Rose has been doing a good job here,” Julian commented with a pleased smile on his face.

Raphael nodded, his expression filled with admiration. ”Yes, my lord. She has had her fair share of challenges, but she doesnʼt give up. She has proven herself stronger than many would have expected.”

Julian raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his gaze. ”Any disturbances?”

Raphael nodded. ”A couple, actually. Bandits and some aristocratic families—viscounts, mostly. They tried to seize power, thinking a woman would be an easy target. But you know me—I took care of them. I also managed to take control of one of the bandit groups while I was at it.”

Julian laughed. ”So, Raphael, you have degraded yourself to becoming a bandit leader, huh?”

Raphael laughed along. ”What can I say? The position isnʼt that bad.”

He gestured ahead, ”Well, let me show them to you, my lord.”

Julian nodded, and he followed Raphael as they left the bustling city behind and ventured back into the forest. After about ten minutes of walking through dense forest, a settlement slowly came into view. Julian narrowed his eyes as he took in the sight before him.

It was completely different from the magical world outside. The settlement looked primitive—small wooden huts, dirt paths, and scattered bonfires.

There wasnʼt a trace of magic, no glowing runes or floating orbs. At first glance, it seemed like a backward human village, untouched by the advances of magic or civilization.

”This... is unexpected,” Julian muttered, his curiosity piqued. ”Are you telling me bandits live like this?”

Raphael chuckled. ”Yes, my lord. I thought the same when I first stumbled upon it. But appearances can be deceiving. They are far more organized than they look. And surprisingly loyal—well, after I knocked some sense into their heads.”

Julian smirked, his gaze scanning the settlement. ”Interesting. Show me what they have got.”

Raphael nodded, leading Julian further into the camp. As they walked, rough-looking men and women stopped what they were doing, bowing their heads in both caution and respect. It was clear that Raphaelʼs authority had been firmly established here.

Julian glanced around the camp for a brief moment before asking, ”So tell me, whatʼs their story? I know these bandits arenʼt simple.”

Raphael smiled, admiration evident in his eyes. ”Well, my lord, I have to give it to you—you really are clever.” He continued, ”My lord, these bandits are the reason behind the separation between Roseʼs father and uncle.”

Julian raised an eyebrow with interest. ”Oh? Thatʼs interesting. Continue.”

Raphael nodded. ”The uncle—the previous count you killed, my lord—agreed to act as a spy for the Apollo Kingdom. However, Roseʼs father refused to accept the conditions set by Apollo, and thatʼs when the separation began.”

Julianʼs expression shifted slightly in amusement. ”So the story we have been told about Roseʼs motherʼs rejection… was all false?”

Raphael shook his head. ”Not quite, my lord. The previous count cleverly used the rejection as an excuse to wipe out and suppress Roseʼs father. The truth is, the conflict had already begun, and her motherʼs rejection was just fuel to strengthen the uncleʼs claim.”

Julian glanced around and asked, ”And what is the role of the bandits in all of this?”

”These bandits are actually royal soldiers of the Apollo Kingdom, carefully trained to suppress their aura and hide their magic. They were stationed here to create chaos and weaken Roseʼs fatherʼs hold on the county.” Raphael replied.

Julian laughed mockingly, his piercing gaze sweeping over the bandits, ”How pitiful,” he said. ”Not only did they fail their task, but even their king is already dead. Now their kingdom is being ruled by an unknown ruler. Itʼs as if their legacy crumbled into nothingness.”

Raphael added. ”Yes, my lord. Apollo is sure to fall into ruins, especially with this foolish banquet celebration going on.”

Julianʼs thoughts wandered for a moment before he asked, ”And do you have any information on whatʼs happening at the banquet?”

Raphael nodded. ”Yes, my lord. Apollo and the kings of the other kingdoms are waiting for the representatives of the Hermes Kingdom.”

Julianʼs gaze turned sharp as he muttered, ”Hermes, huh... Will they finally come out of their hiding?”

His mind raced as he considered the possibilities. The Hermes Kingdom had always been shrouded in secrecy, avoiding interactions or political affairs with other kingdoms. Their strength, their ruler, their citizens—everything about them remained unknown.

However, there were enough rumors floating around. There were tales spoken of strange, cross-species beings and creatures that are not seen elsewhere, living hidden within the kingdomʼs borders. Some believed the Hermes Kingdom harbored powerful ancient races, while others dismissed it as myth.

Julianʼs eyes glinted with amusement. ”Will we see creatures such as elves? Beastmen? Or perhaps something more?” he said with a laugh. ”The world is full of surprises, after all.”

Raphael grinned. ”Well, I donʼt think you will limit yourself to just seeing, my lord,” he remarked with a hint of mischief in his voice.

Julian chuckled at Raphaelʼs remark and replied with a smirk, ”You know me well, Raphael. I have never been one to settle for just observing.”

He paused before adding, ”If elves, beastmen, or any other fascinating creatures truly exist there, it might be time to broaden my horizons… in more ways than one.”

Raphael let out a short laugh, shaking his head. ”I pity the women of Hermes already, my lord. They wonʼt know what hit them.”

Julianʼs smirk deepened as his gaze shifted towards Raphael. ”What do you say, Raphael? Do you want to join me on my hunt in Apollo?”

Raphael hesitated, his smile faltering as he glanced away. ”I... I donʼt know, my lord,” he admitted softly.

Julianʼs expression shifted, the playful glint in his eyes replaced by something serious. ”Raphael,” he said firmly, his voice carrying an unusual weight. ”Are you still haunted by your past?”

Raphael froze, the question hitting him like a blow. For a moment, he couldnʼt meet Julianʼs gaze, his composure cracking ever so slightly.

”My… lord,” he murmured hesitantly, his voice low and uncertain, unlike the man he usually was.

Julianʼs expression hardened, though a hint of amusement still lingered in his tone. ”Is this about you getting rejected by a girl?” he asked.

Raphael said nothing, his head bowed while his usual confidence now seemed absent.

Julian sighed in both frustration and understanding. ”Why do you let yourself be chained down by your past? By something you cannot control?”

Raphaelʼs shoulders tensed, his voice soft as he finally spoke. ”My lord… I want to move on. I have tried putting the past behind me, but every time I do, the vision of her—the way she was—washes over me.”

He swallowed hard, his fists clenching at his sides. ”It pulls me back into my past, like a tide I cannot escape.”

For a moment, there was silence, the weight of his words lingering in the air.

His voice trembled as he continued, the words spilling out with raw emotion. ”My lord... I saw her. She lives here, in this county.”

Julianʼs brow furrowed in curiosity. ”Did you talk with her?”

Raphaelʼs composure shattered, his shoulders shaking as his voice broke. ”My lord… she lives happily… with her family.” He paused, the words catching in his throat as if saying them out loud made them even harder to bear. ”She has… two sons.”

The words struck Julian like a blow. He saw the pain in Raphaelʼs eyes and felt a flicker of a deeper understanding.

Silence followed, heavy and suffocating. Raphaelʼs breathing grew unsteady, the weight of his past pressing down on him like a boulder he could no longer carry. His head hung low; the image of her smile, so full of life, burned into his mind.

”She doesnʼt even remember me,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. ”She has everything she deserves, while I have none.”

Raphael slowly lifted his head, his eyes locking with Julianʼs with a mixture of pain and resolve in them. ”But you know, my lord,” he began, ”even when my heart was nearly torn from the sight, I could not bring myself to feel an ounce of hate or jealousy.”

He took a deep breath. ”All I felt was overwhelming happiness for who she has become.” There was a strange kind of strength in his confession, and the weight of his emotions seemed to lift slightly.

”She deserves happiness… more than anything,” he added quietly, the shadows of his past momentarily dimming in the face of his own understanding.

Julian smiled warmly, his expression softening as he placed a hand on Raphaelʼs back. ”Be proud, Raphael,” he said. ”Not many can love, and even fewer can love unconditionally.”

He gave Raphael a gentle pat. ”You were capable of loving, and unconditionally at that. Thatʼs what matters the most, is it not?”

The warmth in Julianʼs tone held an unspoken depth, as if he saw something in Raphael that the world too often overlooked. In that moment, there was a quiet strength between them, a sense of understanding and brotherhood that transcended their past struggles.