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An Understated Dominance Chapter 1780
"You're right about Austin. He's truly exceptional." Rufus nodded approvingly. He went on, "His combat prowess in the Black Dragon Army ranks is at the top, even surpassing my skills back in the day. Moreover, his military strategies make him an invaluable talent."The commanders often report Austin's achievements to me, and I've watched him grow. Having a son like him makes me proud," he expressed with satisfaction.Hearing this, Eloise breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a surge of joy. She hadn't expected him to pay such close attention to their son's development despite his busy schedule."Eloise, Austin is an outstanding young man, no doubt about it. He can become a great general, leading West Lucozia to expand its territory and achieve extraordinary feats."However, being the Prince of West Lucozia is a different story, at least not for now." He suddenly shifted the conversation.Upon hearing this, she paused, a hint of confusion crossing her face."Eloise, if I had more t
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1781
Eloise executed a graceful bow and turned to depart when a sudden upheaval disrupted the calm. A resounding crash echoed through the hall as the ceiling gave way, and a shadowy figure dressed in black descended dramatically. The assassin was wielding a sharp sword."Your Highness, look out!" Quick on her feet, she immediately raised her voice to warn Rufus of the imminent danger."Rufus! Your time has come! Die!" The assassin's cry reverberated as he thrust the sword.The motion was so swift, leaving only a momentary glint of light. As the radiance faded, the assassin's sword had already punctured Rufus's chest. Rufus stood frozen, staring at the sword that had impaled him, seemingly unable to grasp the reality of the situation. Eloise, positioned by the doorway, watched in disbelief, questioning how an assassin had managed to breach the heavily fortified castle.The assault was meticulously timed, occurring during Albert and Jaxon's absence, as if the assassin had orchestrat
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1782
"Your Highness? Your Highness! Wake up! Wake up!" Eloise, witnessing Rufus devoid of life, was plunged into inconsolable grief, wailing with profound sorrow. The suddenness of it all caught her completely off guard. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine Rufus would die in her arms. Those who rushed to the scene were similarly moved to tears, for Rufus was not only the heart of the castle but also the linchpin of the entire West Lucozia.…As time passed, the dawn gradually broke, casting a somber atmosphere over the entire castle. The hall, once a place of bustling activity, was now transformed into a memorial hall adorned with white lilies. A finely crafted black coffin took center stage, containing the peacefully laid-out Rufus in resplendent attire.Mourners, which consisted of mostly loyal castle personnel and members of the Rhys family, dressed in mourning attire filled the hall.Eloise, kneeling at the forefront, gazed at Rufus's portrait with tears silently strea
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1783
"Your Highness suggests we root out the traitor?" Jaxon inquired."No, exposing the traitor and tracking the killer is Albert's task. Your mission is even more critical," Eloise said with seriousness. She went on, "These years, the situation in West Lucozia has been unstable. With His Highness gone, the castle is vulnerable. "I've gathered you, the Draken Guardians, to protect the castle. Whoever dares to plot against it, eliminate them without mercy!""I understand!" Jaxon replied. In times of crisis, extraordinary measures were necessary. With the prince gone, the castle faced imminent challenges."General Steele, you were a trusted aide to His Highness and are a pillar of our castle. It's up to you now," Eloise said solemnly."I am willing to sacrifice everything to safeguard the castle," Jaxon declared, fully aware of his responsibility.The prince's assassination placed the blame squarely on him as the captain of the royal guards. Were it not for the castle's current st
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1784
"Dustin, I understand you're dealing with a lot right now. But before you make any decisions, let me finish," Grace said with a smirk. She went on, "These girls trust you completely. If you take them in, it could be beneficial for you in many ways. You know, when you're feeling lonely or ... Well, you get the idea.""Hey! No jokes. Get to the point!" Dustin retorted impatiently."Alright, I'll get straight to it," Grace said, her tone turning serious. She added, "Logan, these girls are exceptional. I've screened them, and each one is intelligent, resilient, and will become remarkable individuals with a bit of nurturing.""What do you mean?" He squinted."I believe you understand the importance of undercover agents, especially female ones. They possess unique advantages in certain aspects. "If you train these girls as undercover agents, it could be a significant asset," she explained."Easy for you to say. Training an undercover agent takes a lot of time and effort. I'm strug
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1785
The other girls bowed and kneeled. Their sincerity was evident in the gesture.As Dustin observed the scene, he was momentarily stunned. The words spoken by the girl in yellow carried a profound impact. He hadn't expected that, after enduring such traumatic experiences, these girls weren't merely concerned about their own situations. But they were contemplating the fate of all vulnerable groups worldwide. Their noble aspirations and heightened awareness resonated deeply, even touching Dustin deep in his heart.In alignment with Grace's earlier insight, these young women were forced into the darkness but still harbored aspirations to be the light. Their exceptional courage was genuinely commendable. Who claimed women fall short of men? In the domain of true righteousness, these female heroes stood tall, contributing noble deeds to uphold their share of the world. With such a group of virtuous fighters, how can West Lucozia not thrive? How could the world not find its equilibri
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1786
At this moment, Dustin's eyes burned with determination. His eyes reflected a silent resolve. Though once estranged from his father, the passage of time had woven a deeper comprehension of the choices he made. Particularly upon learning of his father's deteriorating health and limited time, any residual discord had gracefully dissipated. His singular aspiration now was to address the concerns surrounding the Dragon Guard. Then, in his father's remaining days, he would do his duty as a son with utmost sincerity.Unexpectedly, a tragedy struck, and now his father fell victim to an assailant before their reunion. This sudden and devastating event left him profoundly shaken."Celestial Blade!" Dustin roared in a burst of emotion, beckoning the Celestial Blade to his side, readying himself for the challenges outside. Fueled by the profound grief of the loss of his father, he was determined to eradicate every remnant of the Dragon Guard."Your Highness! Please calm down!" Seeing D
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1787
"Alright, I'll set you up with a guard's identity. But before you head in, you'll need to change your appearance," Rodrigo finally conceded. Though it came with some risk, it was better than doing nothing.…At noon, inside West Lucozia Castle, news of Rufus's death had been sealed off. But many officials still gathered upon hearing it. Some came to offer condolences with heavy hearts, while others had different motives."The Grand General of the Supreme State has arrived!""The Grand General of the Sentinel has arrived!"Two shouts echoed from the entrance. And two middle-aged men in combat gear, each leading a troop of soldiers with menacing swords at their waists, swaggered in.These soldiers looked fierce and had an evil glint in their eyes. Everett Caide and Shane Gilby, holding the ranks of Grand General of the Supreme State and Grand General of the Sentinel, respectively, entered grandiosity."Generals, you must disarm before entering the castle," a castle guard tol
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Chapter 2529
"Give me a moment to think," Dustin said.Grace's words sent him into deep thought.After all, carrying the fate of Dragonmarsh was no small burden. First, he had to be tough enough to handle it. Then, he needed the resolve to accept what came with it. Once he carried that burden, it meant taking on a heavyweight.He used to act on his own terms and do things as he pleased without worrying too much about the consequences. But once the nation's fate was involved, everything changed.Not that he had many options.Dustin could either hide in Sacred Wrym Summit and hope Arion would protect him, or take a risk and absorb the Dragonmarsh's fate to push through his cultivation's bottleneck. Between the two, he was leaning toward the latter."I can give your plan a shot," Dustin said suddenly. "But we're still missing a piece of the Dracan essence. If we're doing this, we need to find that last one first."Only once all five pieces of Dracan essence were united could he truly wield the
Chapter 2528
"Royal gods? And two of them?" Dustin frowned at the news.His battle with Poseidon in West Lucozia had shown him firsthand that the Hall of Gods didn't send weaklings into the field.One royal god had already pushed him to his limit. If two came at him together, winning wasn't even the question. He'd be lucky just to make it out alive."That's right," Grace said solemnly. "The royal gods, Zeus and Hera, have crossed the border. They're even stronger than Poseidon. If they ambush you together, your chances are slim."She knew Dustin was strong, but he was still young. Moreover, Zeus and Hera weren't just anyone. They were world-class powerhouses. Surviving a fight with them would be next to impossible.The Hall of Gods had probably figured out how dangerous Dustin could become. If they had given him a few more years to grow, they might not have been able to stop him."Well, that complicates things." Dustin rested his chin in one hand with a thoughtful expression.Two royal god
Chapter 2527
Soluna Hall had one rule—they wouldn't accept unfamiliar customers. They only served those they knew well or people introduced by someone they trusted. Every transaction required an appointment. Exceptions were made for urgent matters, but those came with an additional fee.When Dustin reached the entrance, two security guards stopped him. After stating his name and being verified by the guards, they let him through.Inside, a female attendant with a pleasant smile greeted him and led him across the main hall straight into the back garden. They passed a small fish pond and stopped in front of a secluded private room."This is Ms. Linsor's private reception area. Mr. Rhys, please come in," the female attendant said with a smile."She's not here?" Dustin asked curiously."She had something come up, but she'll be here soon. Please make yourself comfortable," the attendant said, still smiling."Alright then." He nodded and walked into the room.The room was spacious, with a vintag
Chapter 2526
"You're wrong, Tristan," Matthias said with a meaningful look.He continued, "Sure, I've got the Moseys to back me, but I'm still far from securing the throne. Nathaniel's got strong backing too, and this won't be an easy win. But if you were to support me, I'd say my chances shoot up to 80%."In his eyes, Tristan's support was worth more than the Ballard family.If he could win Tristan over, his odds would jump from 60% to nearly 80%. The only question now was whether Tristan would be willing to shelve his own ambitions and place his bet on Matthias."You know me, Matthias. I've never been one for ambition or glory. This kind of power struggle just isn't for me. I hope you can understand that," Tristan said.After thinking about it thoroughly, he finally turned his brother down. He knew his chances of winning were slim, yet he couldn't let go.Tristan was the eldest legitimate son, the rightful and undisputed heir to the throne. Aside from his poor health, he had no real shortco
Chapter 2525
Tristan, Matthias, and Nathaniel weren't fools. They understood the unspoken message loud and clear.Their purpose for this trip was to take advantage of the opportunity to offer their condolences and win the Ballard family's support. Should it work, all the better. If not, they'd at least make a good impression. The key was that as long as the Ballard family didn't pick a side or turn against them, there was still room to make things work. No need to rush into anything.Tristan spoke first. "You're being too kind, Duke of Lachshire. We've always admired Mr. Jovian's loyalty and courage. We're simply here to pay our respects—nothing more."Matthias added, "That's right. Your family has a lot to deal with right now. Plus, you're not as young as you used to be, so don't wear yourself out over this. We won't take up more of your time today."He gave a respectful nod, then turned to leave."Duke—"Nathaniel opened his mouth to speak, but Tristan interrupted. "That's enough, Nathani
Chapter 2524
"Oh? I didn't expect both of you to be here," Nathaniel said.He was just about to pay his respects when he spotted Tristan and Matthias inside the mourning hall. He gave a respectful nod and said, "Hello, Tristan, Matthias."Truthfully, he wasn't surprised. He had already guessed they would show up.The four ancient houses and the eight great families were all key players he needed on his side. And with the Ballard family still undecided, he wasn't about to miss the chance to make an impression."I heard you left Oakvale on official business. Funny how quickly you came back," Tristan said, his tone laced with meaning."It wasn't anything important. When I heard about Mr. Jovian's passing, I returned immediately. I wanted to pay my respects in person," Nathaniel answered smoothly, without missing a beat.He brushed off Tristan's subtle jab and used the moment to show the Ballard family he was genuinely there to pay his respects."Don't just stand there, Nathaniel. Go pay your re
Chapter 2523
"Your Royal Highness, it's an honor to have you here," Jonathan said.Upon seeing the distinguished guest arrive, he quickly pulled himself together and aside his grief. He led his family to greet Tristan, and they bowed in respect.Before they could finish the gesture, Tristan raised a hand to stop them. "No need for such formalities," he said. "The deceased deserves our respect."He turned to Jovian's portrait, which was displayed in the mourning hall, and sighed deeply.Tristan continued, "Mr. Jovian's untimely passing is truly a great loss to Dragonmarsh. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to your family during this difficult time."Jonathan's eyes were filled with tears as he bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Your Highness, for your kind words. My family is heartbroken over my brother's tragic death."Tristan nodded slightly. His gaze quickly swept across the hall before asking, "I've heard that Duke Lachshire fainted from grief. How is he doing now?"Jonathan
Chapter 2522
The unrest in West Lucozia finally ended with the capture of Warrick.Every official who was his accomplice was thoroughly investigated. Those who needed to be arrested were taken into custody, and those who deserved to be punished were executed.After the purge, more than 300 officials in West Lucozia were removed from their posts. Those guilty were arrested, and those whose crimes were severe were executed.Under Austin's iron-fisted reforms, West Lucozia's government underwent a complete overhaul. Corruption, bribery, and the tangled web of illegal deals were swept away like dust in the wind.The citizens quickly noticed the difference. When they visited government offices, they no longer faced delays, refusals, or demands for bribes.Long-neglected public issues began to move forward, thanks to the organized efforts of newly appointed officials. Things were improving across the board.Instead of fearing the crackdown, the citizens welcomed it. The corrupt officials who had dr
Chapter 2521
Austin's expression also turned serious as he saw the doubt in Dustin's eyes. He knew Dustin wouldn't worry over nothing.There were many strange beings in Streuqua, including vampires, werewolves, and the like. These supernatural species were notoriously hard to kill. Even after being decapitated, they weren't necessarily dead.Austin wasn't sure if Poseidon had that kind of ability. After all, the Hall of Gods and its so-called royal gods were still a mystery to most people in West Lucozia.To play it safe, they needed to recover Poisedon's head for their own peace of mind.Out on the water, Jaxon led a team of soldiers and ship crews to comb the sea in search of Poisedon's severed head.At the docks, all eyes turned to Warrick, Mulder, and the others. They had been tied up and were now being dragged before Dustin and Austin one by one.Warrick looked pale, but there was a certain defiance in his eyes. He knew his fate was sealed. After Dustin killed Poseidon, Warrick knew his
