The Dark Mage Of The Magus World-Chapter 66: The Palace

The night passed in quiet, undisturbed by the ambush they had all half-expected.

By dawn, the trio resumed their journey, pressing forward until they finally emerged from the dense forest.

For two hours, they walked under the open sky, the road beneath them worn from years of travel. At last, a small town came into view.

The moment they stepped into civilization, Joshi’s entire demeanor shifted. Gone was the weary traveler; in his place stood a noble in command of his domain. He wasted no time in seeking out the town’s mayor, arranging for a carriage to take them the rest of the way to Macphir City.

The mayor, eager to impress, even offered a small force of militiamen as an escort. But Joshi barely spared them a glance. A handful of peasants with spears meant nothing to him—not when true warriors and knights roamed the land. The offer was politely but firmly declined.

As their carriage rumbled forward, Joshi pulled back the curtain, allowing the grand sight of the land to unfold before them. "We’ll be in Macphir soon," he said, his voice carrying the unmistakable pride of one born to rule. "This is the greatest city in the Tasonei Territory, the heart of our family’s power. Most of the main branch of the Tasonei family resides here."

Hutson, leaning back against the carriage seat, merely closed his eyes. His voice was calm, indifferent. "The only thing I care about, young lord, is whether I’ll get my ten thousand gold."

Joshi forced a chuckle, but the title ’young lord’ unsettled him. It felt... distancing.

"Of course," he assured quickly. "I would never go back on my word. A mere ten thousand gold means little to me."

"Good," Hutson murmured, folding his arms. "See that you keep it that way."

The journey continued in silence.

Macphir City was a sight to behold.

Even from a distance, its towering walls of stone stood strong, a testament to both wealth and power. The massive gates, adorned with intricate carvings, bore the emblem of a great eagle—the sigil of the Tasonei family. Beyond the gates, the city pulsed with life. Merchants and commoners bustled about, carts rattled over cobbled streets, and the scent of fresh bread and burning incense filled the air.

The guards at the gate stiffened as they spotted the approaching carriage. Their expressions flickered between wariness and confusion—until one of them recognized Joshi.

"It’s Lord Joshi! He’s returned!"

The cry spread quickly.

The gates of Macphir Castle swung open with haste.

The castle itself loomed over the city’s northern district, a sprawling stronghold of towers and domes. From afar, it could have been mistaken for a royal palace, with its layered fortifications and gilded spires.

Joshi, Kieran, and Hutson had already been transferred into a finer, reinforced carriage, their status now unmistakable as the elite guard of the Tasonei family formed a protective formation around them.

"These men are my personal retainers," Joshi explained, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "Handpicked and trained under my direct command."

Hutson said nothing, watching as rows of armored guards stood in disciplined silence.

At the castle gates, a figure was already waiting. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

A broad-shouldered man in his thirties, a neatly trimmed mustache resting above his sharp jawline. His expression was one of barely contained urgency, his dark eyes scanning the carriage before falling upon Joshi.

As soon as Joshi stepped out, the man hurried forward. "Joshi! By the gods, you’re alive!"

Joshi smirked, the amusement in his voice barely concealed. "Disappointed, Ruchi?"

The man before him—Ruchi Banks—was tall, imposing, yet carried himself with an air of measured civility. He smiled warmly, as though Joshi’s words were nothing more than a childish jest.

"My dear brother, what nonsense is this?" Ruchi chuckled, shaking his head. "I was beside myself with worry when I heard of your disappearance. I have spared no effort in searching for you—night and day, I have exhausted every resource to ensure your safe return. And now, seeing you unharmed, I can finally rest easy... and so can our father."

Joshi’s smile faded. He did not trust this man.

"How is he?" he asked, voice tight.

Ruchi hesitated. For the briefest moment, something unreadable flickered behind his eyes. Then, with a sigh, he said, "Not well. You should go to him at once."

Joshi nodded, then turned to Kieran. "Uncle Kieran, take Sir Hutson to rest. Pay him his ten thousand gold at once." He then inclined his head slightly toward Hutson. "Sir Hutson, I owe you an apology. I must see my father first, but rest assured, you will be compensated."

Hutson gave a simple nod. "No problem."

Kieran stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Sir Hutson, this way."

But before they could leave, Ruchi’s eyes landed on Hutson, and something in his gaze sharpened.

"And who might this be?"

Kieran’s expression remained cold. "That is of no concern to you, young master."

Ruchi’s smile didn’t falter. "No concern? I am the heir of the Tasonei family, Kieran. If my dear brother considers someone a ’guest of honor,’ then surely I should extend the same courtesy."

Ignoring Kieran entirely, he stepped forward, offering a polite yet unreadable smile.

"Sir, my name is Ruchi Banks. If you’ve heard any unflattering rumors about me, I ask that you ignore them. It is always better to learn about a man firsthand rather than through the words of others."

Hutson met his gaze, unfazed. "Hutson Merlin."

Ruchi’s eyes gleamed. "Sir Hutson, since you are our guest, allow me to personally show you around the castle. I insist."

A slow smile crept onto Hutson’s lips. "I won’t be staying long. I have no interest in Tasonei family matters, so you needn’t bother."

Ruchi let out a hearty laugh. "Now that, Sir Hutson, only makes me want to be an even better host to you."

Kieran stepped between them, his presence imposing. "That won’t be necessary, young master. I will attend to Sir Hutson."

For a brief moment, tension crackled between the three men.

Then Ruchi smiled once more, stepping back as though nothing had happened.

"Of course. Welcome to Macphir, Sir Hutson."

The game had already begun.

Ruchi’s smile was practiced—polite, but empty of warmth. "Since Uncle Kieran insists, I suppose I have no choice but to relent."

He turned to Hutson with an apologetic shrug. "Sir Hutson, I must apologize. My dear younger brother has always been... possessive. Always fearing I might take what’s his. Hah, it’s quite amusing, really."

His words carried a thinly veiled mockery, but Kieran ignored the provocation entirely. Instead, he turned toward Hutson with unwavering respect. "Sir Hutson, please follow me."

As Hutson passed by, Ruchi offered him a smile—one laced with feigned helplessness, as if they were both unwilling participants in the same twisted game.

Once they had walked a fair distance, Kieran spoke again. "Sir Hutson, would you consider staying the night? The Banks family would like to properly express our gratitude."

Hutson gave a slight nod. "That’s fine."

He was in no rush to leave. This journey was as much about discovery as it was about travel. His task—to find the fabled Moonstone Grass in the Kingdom of Doris—came with no deadline. He would return when he pleased, on his own time.

Kieran led him through a series of lavish corridors until they reached a grand palace, its interior a display of unapologetic opulence.

The moment they entered, Hutson’s gaze was drawn upward—to a colossal oil painting, towering nearly forty to fifty meters high. The subject? A rotund middle-aged man, seated upon a throne, his presence commanding even in mere pigment and canvas.

Kieran gestured toward it. "This is Count Huen, father to both Lord Joshi and Lord Ruchi."

Hutson raised a brow, intrigued. "So they are half-brothers?"

"Yes." Kieran’s response was curt, his tone making it clear that further details were neither necessary nor welcomed.

Hutson merely nodded, his gaze lingering on the portrait for a moment longer before continuing forward.

The sheer wealth embedded within the palace walls was beyond extravagant. Gold-trimmed engravings, gemstone inlays, and artwork worth a kingdom’s ransom adorned the corridors. It was wealth that dared to be seen, each jewel in the architecture a silent declaration of power.

Hutson smirked. "With a fortune like this, no wonder those two brothers are at each other’s throats."

It was painfully obvious—this was not merely a noble estate. This was a battleground, its riches the very fuel for the blood feud brewing within the Banks family.

Kieran finally stopped before a pair of towering doors, their craftsmanship exquisite, embossed with intricate patterns of silver and obsidian.

"This will be your quarters for the night, Sir Hutson," Kieran said. "You will not be disturbed. The guards and servants here are at your disposal."

With a firm push, he swung the doors open, revealing a sprawling chamber beyond.