I AM A MAGE BUT WITH MILF SYSTEM

Chapter 597: Reaching the garrison

”A sensible precaution,” Julian observed.

They had reached a secluded area of the gardens, away from any potential observers. Julian stopped and turned to his daughters.

”Are you three ready to teleport? Iʼll take us directly there rather than spending a day traveling.”

”Weʼre ready,” all three confirmed simultaneously.

Julian reached out with his power, sensing the location Seraphine had mentioned. He locked onto those coordinates and reached for his daughtersʼ arms.

The world blurred.

They materialized in a completely different environment. Gone were the manicured gardens and comfortable climate of the mountain region. Instead, they stood in a harsh, rocky landscape. Jagged cliffs rose on both sides of a narrow valley, and the air was hot and dry.

”Welcome to the Borderlands,” Seraphine said, gesturing to the desolate landscape around them. ”Not exactly hospitable, is it?”

”It serves its purpose,” Julian observed, his eyes scanning the area with interest.

Ahead, Julian could see signs of civilization. A fortified structure had been built into the valley, constructed from the same stone as the surrounding cliffs. Walls stood fifteen feet high, topped with watchtowers at regular intervals. He could see guards patrolling.

”The garrison,” Lyanna explained, already moving toward the gate. ”They know us, so entry should be quick.”

As they approached, the guards on the wall noticed them. Recognition flashed across their faces, and they immediately stood at attention. One called down, ”Lady Seraphine! Lady Lyanna! Lady Cassandra! We werenʼt expecting you!”

”Weʼve brought our father,” Seraphine called back. ”He wishes to inspect the portal.”

The reaction was immediate. The guardsʼ eyes widened, and within moments the entire garrison seemed to be mobilizing. The gate opened rapidly, and dozens of warriors poured out, forming neat ranks.

They all dropped to one knee, heads bowed, fists pressed to their hearts in a gesture of absolute respect.

”Creator!” they murmured, their voices echoing off the valley walls. ”We are honored by your presence!”

Julian felt slightly uncomfortable with such reverence but understood it was necessary. To these beings, he was quite literally their god—the one whoʼd made their world and given them life and purpose.

”Rise,” he commanded gently. ”Go about your duties. Iʼm here to inspect the portal, not to disrupt your important work.”

The warriors rose but remained at attention, their eyes following Julian with awe and barely suppressed excitement. News of the Creatorʼs return had clearly spread throughout the realm, but seeing him in person was apparently overwhelming for many.

A particularly large warrior stepped forward—clearly the garrison commander. He was humanoid but with distinct features: his skin had a faint metallic glow, his eyes glowed red, and his physique was muscular. He wore armor that looked like it came out of a fantasy novel.

”Commander Thorne,” he introduced himself. ”I have the honor of leading this garrison. The portal is this way, Creator. Weʼll escort you.”

They proceeded deeper into the valley, past the fortifications, following a worn path through the rocky terrain. The temperature increased as they went, the sulfur smell growing stronger. Julian noticed scorch marks on some of the rocks, signs of combat or perhaps the energy from the portal itself.

Finally, the portal came into view.

Julian stopped, genuinely impressed.

The portal was massive—a swirling vortex of energy easily thirty feet in diameter, suspended in the air between two natural rock pillars.

”Magnificent,” he breathed. ”And this has been stable for three centuries?”

”Completely stable,” Seraphine confirmed. ”Weʼve monitored it carefully. The energy output varies slightly—more active during certain times of year—but the portal itself never wavers.”

Julian approached slowly, analyzing the portal. His daughters and Commander Thorne followed at a respectful distance, letting him examine it without interference.

”This is definitely my work,” Julian confirmed after a moment. ”But itʼs evolved, matured. The portal has been active for so long that it developed its own characteristics.”

He reached out with one hand, letting his fingers approach the swirling energy. The portal reacted immediately—the swirling intensified, colors brightened, and for a moment an image flickered in the vortex.

Julian caught a glimpse of the world beyond—Arenath.

”Impressive,” he murmured. ”Arenath has become exactly what I intended.”

”The creatures that emerge are always powerful,” Lyanna confirmed. ”Most are at Grand Mage level minimum. Weʼve had several stronger than Grand Mage come through, and once, about fifty years ago, a Early-Demigod emerged.”

Julianʼs eyebrows rose. ”Demi-God? Thatʼs remarkable. What happened to them?”

”He was hostile initially,” Lyanna explained. ”Attacked the garrison, killed three warriors before we could subdue him. Seraphine eventually managed to communicate with him, explain where he was and that we werenʼt enemies. Once he calmed down and understood the situation, he actually became one of our most valuable assets. Heʼs currently serving as an officer in one of the major territories.”

”Good,” Julian approved. ”Thatʼs exactly the kind of talent Arenath should be producing.”

He continued his examination of the portal, walking around it, observing it from different angles.

”Has anyone ever gone through from this side?” Julian asked. ”Into Arenath?”

The three daughters exchanged uncomfortable glances.

”Weʼve tried,” Cassandra admitted. ”We sent exploration teams through the portal to map Arenath, to understand what was on the other side.”

”And?” Julian asked, though he suspected he already knew the answer from their expressions.

”None of them returned,” Seraphine said quietly. ”The first team was five Grand Mages, our best warriors at the time. We waited three months, but they never came back through. The second team was larger—ten warriors, all powerful, all experienced. They also never returned. The third time, we sent just two scouts with instructions to return within one day regardless of what they found. They went through, and we never saw them again.”

”Arenath consumed them,” Julian said, and it wasnʼt a question.

”Thatʼs our assumption,” Lyanna confirmed. ”Whatever is on the other side is dangerous enough that even our strongest warriors couldnʼt survive long enough to return. We stopped sending expeditions after the third failure.”

Julian nodded slowly. ”A wise decision. Arenath was designed to be nearly impossible to survive. The fact that anything manages to make it through to this side is testament to their incredible strength and adaptability.”

He reached out to the portal again, this time letting his heavens energy flow through it, sending his consciousness into Arenath to observe what his secondary world had become.

The vision that came to him was both horrifying and awe-inspiring. Arenath was a world of constant struggle, where every creature fought for survival every moment of every day. Massive predators hunted in packs.