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An Understated Dominance Chapter 1794
Meanwhile, at the castle gates, Julius and his entourage were walking out in haste. After they left the castle, Everett spoke up, "Grand General Rhys, Eloise, and her son are truly ungrateful. Are we simply going to let this matter slide?""Of course not, but we can't act too overtly either. Most commanders of the Black Dragon Army are loyal to the monarchy. "It won't be advantageous for us to start a conflict," Julius replied, his eyes narrowing. "Then, what should we do?" Everett asked again. "Since we can't make a move openly, we'll apply pressure on them discreetly."Julius stated meaningfully, "Once turmoil erupts in West Lucozia, and the monarchy faces imminent danger, they'll naturally realize who's the true pillar of support for the monarchy!" "I understand! I'll arrange for people to stir up trouble immediately. When the people's grievances peak and the monarchy can't manage, you'll emerge as their savior. "At that moment, West Lucozia's citizens will be grateful
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1795
That was the only way for the officials to maintain their current positions. Presently, the only person most qualified, capable, and powerful enough to succeed the Prince of West Lucozia was the Grand General of the Iron Stallion Cavalry, Julius Rhys.Firstly, being a Rhys, Julius was a legitimate member of the royal family, making his claim for the throne unquestionable. Secondly, as the Grand General of the Iron Stallion Cavalry, Julius commanded half of West Lucozia's military forces, wielding significant power.Thirdly, with years of accumulated strength, Julius possessed ample influence, prestige, and accomplishments to ascend to the throne.It wasn't an exaggeration to claim that everyone expected Julius to succeed Rufus. Right after offering their condolences, many officials rushed to the Grand General's residence to pledge their loyalty. These actions naturally didn't escape the monarchy's attention, but Eloise was in no state of mind to concern herself with such mat
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1796
"Logan?" Austin was stunned as he watched the man remove his mask, then his eyes lit up with joy.The man who infiltrated the castle was no stranger. It was Dustin, dressed in a guard's attire. "Austin, you've truly come far on your own. You can handle matters independently now," Dustin praised, a glint of pride in his eyes as he observed his step-brother.Having overheard Austin and Eloise's entire conversation, Dustin appreciated Austin's trust in him. He acknowledged Eloise's concerns as well. Throughout history, it wasn't uncommon for siblings and family members to vie for power. Eloise's protective instincts for her child were entirely justified."Logan, when did you return?" Austin asked. "Just two days ago," Dustin replied. "Do you already know what happened to Father?" Austin's voice trembled slightly.Dustin glanced at his father's picture near his coffin and nodded in silence. The last time they had met was back in Swinton a year ago. Little did they know that
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1797
"I really can't do it! Logan, the throne belongs to you!" Austin was growing anxious. "Alright, that's enough. We'll talk about this later. With so much trouble we're facing, our immediate priority is to resolve all these issues." Dustin changed the subject."Logan, as long as you take charge and stabilize the situation, I will assist you wholeheartedly!" Austin said with utmost sincerity."I can't show myself yet." Dustin shook his head and explained, "Julius and his group are still unaware of my return, so they are not on high alert. I can react in time if they harbor any ill intentions. "Not to mention, the remnants of the Dragon Guard are still lurking in the shadows. I need to find an opportunity to eliminate them all!" "I see."Austin quickly grasped the situation and said, "I understand. I will act as the spokesperson of the monarchy while you unravel all the conspiracies.""Good, it's settled then." Dustin nodded."Oh, right. There's this." Austin suddenly took o
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1798
"Are you suggesting that someone is inciting the simultaneous rebellion of the Four Sovereigns?" Eloise frowned."That's right!" Austin continued with a solemn expression. "Currently, only one person can make the Four Sovereigns obey orders in West Lucozia." "Julius!" Eloise blurted out. "Uncle Julius is an ambitious man and is adept at scheming. He intends to force us to surrender the military insignia through the Four Sovereigns." Austin narrowed his eyes as he analyzed the situation. "If we refuse, the Four Sovereigns would start a rebellion, compelling us to deploy troops to quell the unrest. "At that point, he will interfere and hinder our military campaign to ensure we fail. Once our military campaign fails, our prestige will be greatly damaged. "When public outcry reaches its peak, he will emerge as the savior, rescuing the people from turmoil and subduing the Four Sovereigns successfully. "By then, he will be hailed by the masses and become an uncrowned king.
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1799
Summitville was a border town in West Lucozia. It was also the Marquis of Sunfire, Wyatt Mitchell's territory. Wyatt was a military general and had fought alongside the Prince of West Lucozia for many years. He achieved numerous merits and was later given the title Marquis of Sunfire, entrusted with guarding the border of West Lucozia. Over the years, he had been diligent and responsible in his duties.Right then, a black SUV came to a stop at the entrance of the Marquis of Sunfire's residence. Dustin, Austin, and a few other people stepped out of the vehicle. "Logan, this is the Marquis of Sunfire, Wyatt Mitchell's residence." Austin introduced Wyatt briefly. "Wyatt is a loyal and valiant person and has been managing Summitville for many years. He is extremely dedicated in his work." "Who's there sneaking around outside?" two guards standing at the entrance quickly noticed the anomaly and shouted.Austin took the lead and approached them, presenting his identification bad
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1800
Austin's plan was simple. The initial approach involved diplomacy before resorting to force, primarily focusing on persuasion and amnesty. If the four rebelling sovereigns were willing to submit to the monarchy, they would be pardoned and their existing positions of power safeguarded. However, if diplomatic efforts failed, they had to resort to force to suppress the rebellion. In that case, the monarchy would join forces with the other Four Sovereigns and West Lucozia's allied powers to eliminate the traitors and quell the rebellion.If war became inevitable, then a swift resolution would be their best option.After hearing Austin's plan, Wyatt nodded solemnly and said, "The power and influence I have today were bestowed by your father. "Whether it's to deploy troops to quell the rebellion or offer my own life, I will not hesitate!" "Uncle Wyatt, your commitment is deeply appreciated. With your support, we will certainly overcome this crisis!" Austin responded.Offering more
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1801
Austin's words were powerful and filled with emotion. The potential chaos in West Lucozia would undoubtedly affect not only the Eight Sovereigns but also numerous high-ranking officials and millions of citizens. They all grew up in West Lucozia, and it was where their roots were. That was why anyone with a sense of patriotism could never turn a blind eye."Your Highness, your reasoning is sound, but I'm a timid and cautious person. I tend to weigh the consequences carefully."What if my forces suffer heavy losses while quelling the rebellion? What happens then?" Tyrus appeared hesitant."Uncle Tyrus, I can assure you that if you incur any losses, we will compensate you twofold!" Austin declared earnestly.He understood that Tyrus was seeking tangible benefits. After all, this was a gamble with his entire wealth, and the potential losses could be substantial. His actions seemed reasonable, given the circumstances. "Your Highness, it's not that I don't trust you. But in matters
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Chapter 2530
The next morning, Nathaniel was inside a lavish mansion. He was in his study, flipping through an ancient manuscript. One of his most trusted aides hurried in and lowered his voice, "Your Royal Highness, word just came in. Another trace of Dracan essence has been found."Nathaniel raised an eyebrow and closed the manuscript. "Where?""Our investigation shows it ended up in the hands of Logan Rhys," the aide replied."Logan Rhys?" Nathaniel narrowed his eyes slightly and was surprised by the name.He had tried to win Logan over before and spared no expense, but never received a response. Later, he discovered that Tristan and Matthias had done the same.Fortunately, Logan still hadn't picked a side. He might be holding out for the best offer, but at least he hadn't shut the door on Nathaniel.With the Dracan essence in his hands, Logan had become an even more valuable target. In addition to the West Lucozian monarchy, Logan was an ultimate grandmaster, which made him worth recrui
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
