I AM A MAGE BUT WITH MILF SYSTEM

Seraphine rolled her eyes. “We’re exactly what my husband said we are—hunters looking for supplies. Nothing more complicated than that.”

“If you say so, if you say so!” Skreek didn’t sound convinced, but he seemed willing to play along. “Well then, mysterious definitely-just-hunters, what can Skreek do for you? I know everyone in this market, know all the best deals, and know which merchants are honest and which will try to cheat newcomers!”

Julian studied the crocodile-man carefully. Despite his annoying mannerisms and squeaky voice, Skreek seemed genuinely knowledgeable about the market and its people. Having a local contact could be useful.

“Information,” Julian said simply. “We’ve been in the wilderness a long time. What’s the news? Anything interesting happening in the Hermes Kingdom?”

Skreek’s expression changed dramatically.

“You… you really have been in the wilderness for a long time, haven’t you?” he said slowly. “If you don’t know what’s happening.”

“Why?” Lyanna asked sharply. “What’s happened?”

Skreek looked around nervously, as if checking for eavesdroppers. Then he gestured for them to follow him to a quieter corner of the market, away from the main crowd.

When they were alone, he spoke in a much more serious tone.

“Three months ago,” he said quietly, “something changed. The capital city—Luminos—suddenly sealed itself completely. No one in, no one out. The royal family made an announcement that they were conducting ‘important research’ that required absolute isolation.”

He paused.

“Since then, strange things have been happening. Magical disturbances. Animals acting strangely. And people have been disappearing—not many, just one or two per town, but enough to notice. Enough to worry.”

Julian felt chills. This was it. This was what he’d been brought here to discover.

“Disappearing how?” he asked carefully. “Kidnapped? Running away?”

“Nobody knows,” Skreek admitted. “They just… vanish. One day they’re here; the next day they’re gone. No signs of struggle, no bodies, nothing… Just gone.”

The four of them exchanged glances.

This was definitely not a coincidence.

“Thank you for the information,” Julian said. “That’s very helpful.”

Skreek studied them carefully.

“You’re not just hunters,” he said—not a question this time. “Whatever you really are, whatever you’re really here for… be careful. Something bad is happening in Hermes Kingdom. Something that scares people who’ve lived here all their lives.”

He paused, then added in a whisper:

“And if you’re planning to investigate what’s happening in Luminos… may the gods protect you. Because I don’t think anything else will.”

Julian reached into his pocket and pulled out a leather bag that clinked heavily with the sound of coins. He held it casually in one hand, waiting for Skreek to react.

The crocodile-man’s eyes locked onto the bag like a predator spotting prey. His earlier concern and seriousness evaporated instantly, replaced by an expression of pure, undisguised greed. His long tongue darted out, wetting his lips.

“I am in need of information,” Julian said calmly, letting the bag swing slightly. “Let’s do a deal.”

Skreek’s entire posture transformed. His back was now bent forward in a submissive bow, his tail curling around his legs.

“Oh! Oh, of course, Sir! Absolutely, Sir!” The words tumbled out rapidly. “Skreek is always happy to help distinguished gentlemen such as yourself! Whatever information you need, whatever questions you have, Skreek knows everything! Everything! Just ask, Sir, please ask!”

He was practically rubbing his clawed hands together now, his yellow eyes darting between Julian’s face and the coin bag.

“Skreek has lived in Hermes Kingdom his whole life! Knows every city, every town, every important person! No one knows more than Skreek! And for such a generous, handsome, clearly very intelligent gentleman like yourself, Sir, Skreek will provide only the finest, most accurate information!”

Behind Julian, all three of his daughters burst into laughter.

Seraphine covered her mouth with one hand, her shoulders shaking. “Oh my gods, the transformation! From concerned citizen to groveling merchant in three seconds!”

Lyanna wasn’t even trying to hide her amusement, laughing openly. “Did you see his face? The moment he saw the money, his entire personality changed!”

Cassandra, usually so reserved, was giggling behind her hand. “He’s practically bowing. I’ve never seen anyone change their demeanor so quickly!”

Skreek glanced at them, looking slightly offended, but his attention immediately snapped back to Julian and, more importantly, to the coin bag.

“Beautiful and wise ladies you have, Sir! Clearly women of excellent judgment to have married such a generous man! Haha! Now, what information can humble Skreek provide for you?”

Julian couldn’t help but smile at the creature’s shameless behavior. At least Skreek was honest about his priorities—money talked, and everything else was secondary.

“First,” Julian said, “where exactly are we? What is this place?”

Skreek straightened slightly, adopting what he probably thought was a professional demeanor, though his eyes never left the coin bag.

“Ah! Yes, yes, of course! Location is very important!” His squeaky voice took on a lecturing quality. “We are at the border of the Hermes Kingdom, Sir! This magnificent settlement you see before you is the city of Ezakael!”

He gestured broadly at the wooden walls and medieval structures behind them.

“Ezakael is one of the major trade cities of the Hermes Kingdom, Sir! Very important! Very prosperous! Well, relatively prosperous anyway. We handle most of the trade that happens near the southern border—what little trade there is, since, you know, we’re isolated and all.”

“And the rule?” Julian asked.

“Oh! Yes! Ezakael is a duchy, sir! Ruled by Duke Theron Ironfort! A very important man, very powerful! Well, powerful for a duke anyway. “The third strongest cultivator in the southern territories, they say!”

Julian’s eyebrow raised noticeably. “Duchy?” His voice carried genuine surprise. “You mean to say this is a duchy? This… settlement?”

Skreek’s head tilted sharply to one side.

“Yes, sir? This is a duchy? Why… why does that surprise you?”

Julian stared at the medieval structures, the simple wooden fence, and the modest market. In the Ares Kingdom, a duchy would have been a major estate—grand stone castles, powerful magical defenses, impressive architecture, and bustling commerce that would dwarf this small market.

This looked more like a rural village than a duchy.