I AM A MAGE BUT WITH MILF SYSTEM

Chapter 460: The beauty of Marquis estate

”Yes,” the Marquis said louder now, his tone irritated. ”Who gave those idiots the right to block his path?” I gave strict orders to let the Archduke pass. Offer him protection—though he clearly doesnʼt need it. And guide him until he reaches the castle safely.”

The knight bowed his head even lower.

”They were… just trying to show Easvil the pride of our estate…”

The Marquis rose from his throne, his cloak trailing behind like a shadow. His voice turned icy, echoing through the grand hall.

”Pride?” he repeated. ”No. What they showed was ignorance. Brainless, uneducated barbarians who still donʼt understand how this world truly works.”

He stepped down from the stairs, descending toward the kneeling knight.

”These petty, low-born fools think they need to display something to prove our worth?” Hah. They insult this house more by breathing than by dying.”

His gaze sharpened.

”There is no need to show our pride. The name Ravenswood alone should be enough. As long as I hold the reins of this estate, no one—noble or common—will dare question our standing. I alone am enough to silence any doubts.”

The knight didnʼt dare lift his head. His body was stiff with fear, each breath shaky and shallow.

The Marquis stopped just in front of him, his voice lowering but hardening with finality.

”Now get up.”

The knight snapped to his feet, almost stumbling back down.

”Go. Apologize to the Archduke personally. If he demands your head, offer it without resistance.”

The knightʼs eyes widened, but he said nothing.

”And then,” the Marquis continued, ”escort him and his entire army without a single delay or inconvenience. You will treat him with the respect given to a royal heir—because in all but name, he is exactly that.”

He turned away, walking back toward his throne.

”If you fail again… you wonʼt even get the mercy of offering your head.”

The knight bowed deeply one final time.

”Yes… my lord…”

And with that, he turned and sprinted from the hall, heart pounding in terror and shame.

Back in the hall, the Marquis dusted his sleeves, as though the mere act of addressing the foolishness of common men had left him feeling disgusted.

Meanwhile,

After nearly ten minutes of marching, Julian and the Easvil forces finally reached the imposing outer gates of the Ravenswood castle. Midway through their journey, they were joined by the escort of Ravenswood knights, clad in black-and-red armor—the personal forces of the Marquis himself.

These knights, with heads lowered, began to guide Julian and his forces through the paths leading toward the heart of Ravenswood.

One of them rode beside Julian and spoke, ”Your Grace, please allow us to brief you on the structure of the estate. The castle of Ravenswood is divided into three layers.”

Julian merely nodded, listening as his gaze swept across the towering outer walls.

”The first layer is what we now approach,” the knight continued. ”It houses the generals and commanders of the Ravenswood army. Marquis Ravenswood has always been a man who values strength and bloodline above all. This outer ring serves not only as a defensive layer but also as a message—an invitation.”

”An invitation?” Eliz repeated.

”Yes, my lady,” the knight said. ”It tells the world, ʼJoin my army, fight under my banner, and I shall give you everything you desire—status, land, recognition.ʼ”

Julian said nothing, but a small smirk played on his lips.

Typical of a man like the Marquis—one who understood ambition, pride, and unrelenting dominance.

They made their way through the outer layer. The castle there was massive with wide open grounds. Soldiers in full armor trained in formations, the sound of metal clashing filling the air.

It took nearly ten minutes of marching to fully cross the outer layer before they reached the second gate.

As they passed through it, the atmosphere instantly shifted.

Towering trees stood like frozen figures, their ancient trunks covered in moss and light-blue symbols that shimmered faintly. The air itself felt muted.

Julian blinked and realized it—the mana around him had been neutralized.

”So theyʼve set a mana suppression field,” he thought, a bit amused. ”Impressive… and annoying.”

The accompanying Ravenswood knight continued, as if reading his mind.

”Your Grace, this is the middle layer. It serves as the main security mechanism for the inner castle. The trees here arenʼt just decorative. Theyʼre ancient runes tied to a powerful anti-magic barrier.”

Julian looked around with renewed interest. The architecture had blended seamlessly with the forest, and despite the natural beauty, there was an undeniable sense of danger.

”A place where brute strength would defeat magic,” Julian murmured aloud.

The knight bowed slightly. ”Precisely, Your Grace. Only those trusted by the Marquis are allowed to pass freely through this layer.”

Julian gave a small nod.

This was the longest layer by far. It took exactly forty-five minutes of continuous marching to travel the dense, mana-suppressed middle layer. The thick trees, cobbled paths, and silent but ever-watchful guards made the journey feel heavier.

Even Julian, despite his calm demeanor, could sense the effort it took for some of his soldiers to remain composed under the draining effects of the barrier.

But the moment they passed through the final gate, every single person from Easvil came to a stunned stop.

Eyes widened. Mouths opened.

Before them stood a massive golden castle, its sheer scale and grandeur eclipsing anything they had expected. The outer walls shimmered faintly in the sunlight, reinforced with some sort of golden alloy that seemed both decorative and durable. Banners of the Ravenswood family fluttered proudly from the towers.

Surrounding the main castle were multiple smaller castles, each one more unique and powerful than the other.

Julian narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze slowly tracing the delicate yet marvelous architecture.

”The inner core of Ravenswood…” he muttered.

The courtyard ahead gleamed with polished stone, and even the air felt different—cleaner, calmer, almost sacred. Knights in pristine armor stood posted at various checkpoints, though none dared raise their heads to meet Julianʼs eyes.

A nearby Ravenswood escort spoke. ”Welcome to the Inner Layer, Your Grace. You now stand before the Heart of House Ravenswood.”