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Chapter 2488
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An Understated Dominance Chapter 2489
"And as for the rest of you, I'll be investigating each of you one by one." Austin's gaze moved past Langdon and landed on the royal advisors. He sneered and added, "You'd better keep your records clean. If I find anything on any of you, I'll handle it by the book, and there won't be any mercy."At these words, panic swept through the room. Everyone exchanged nervous glances, and their hearts pounded like war drums.As soon as they realized Austin was angry, they quickly fell silent. Langdon had always been making all the noise, but now they found themselves caught in the fire.Anyone who'd held a position like theirs usually had some skeletons in the closet. In the past, Rufus had been willing to turn a blind eye and let things slide. But now, Austin clearly wasn't following the usual rules. If he decided to investigate thoroughly, most of them would likely find their careers and reputations destroyed."Mr. Rhys, what do we do now? Lord Austin seems dead serious about this."
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2490
"Oh? Really? Then, show them the evidence. Let everyone see for themselves." Austin said with a faint smile.Langdon swallowed hard, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.Had his entire past really been dug up in just half a day?"First, I investigated Mr. Langdon's assets and income sources," Axel said, pulling out a stack of documents and placing them on the table. He explained firmly, "His spending far exceeds his salary. He owns 18 luxury homes, dozens of high-end cars, and a private collection of gold, antiques, and famous paintings. "Altogether, his assets are worth tens of billions. Given his salary, it would take him several thousand years of saving every penny to afford that. So I have to ask—where did all this money come from?"The moment those words left his mouth, all eyes turned to Langdon.Everyone knew he was corrupt, but no one expected it to be on this scale. If his fixed assets alone were worth billions, his liquid assets must be even more staggering.
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2491
"Ledger?"Langdon's pupils contracted as he stared at the familiar red ledgers at his feet. His expression finally faltered. He had never expected the enforcement team to uncover the ledgers he had hidden in a secret compartment. Every transaction written on those pages was damning—evidence of years of collusion with officials and wealthy merchants, of bribes and embezzlement. He had kept them as leverage to ensure those officials wouldn't abandon him when things went south. But what was meant to shield him had now sealed his fate.His assets could be confiscated, and he could refuse to acknowledge his own children. But how could he possibly talk his way out of a ledger filled with his handwritten records?Langdon's frown deepened as sweat poured down his face. Before he realized it, his back was already drenched."Mr. Langdon, why are you sweating so much? Is it too hot in here? Should I have someone fan you?" Axel taunted with a sneer.The evidence they had gathered was more
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2492
"Hold on!"Seeing that he was about to be taken away, Langdon panicked and shouted, "You have no right to arrest me without a thorough investigation or a judge's ruling! This is outright brutality! You're abusing your power!"Austin scoffed. "When I tried to play fair, you pulled every dirty trick in the book. But now that I'm playing rough, you suddenly want to talk about the law? Do you really think that's going to happen?""Mr. Langdon, if you have anything to say, you can tell me in prison. We'll have plenty of time to chat." Axel strode forward with a wicked grin, clamping a firm hand on Langdon's shoulder."Wait! I still have something to say." Langdon swallowed hard. Realizing he had no way out, he finally dropped the tough act and tried a softer approach. "Austin, we're family. Do we really have to take it this far? Look, I screwed up. But can't you cut me some slack, just this once?"In the past, his silver tongue had helped him turn situations around and distort the tr
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2493
As night fell, darkness crept across the city. Inside a modest residence, Warrick sat on the bed with his eyes closed. He was meditating to restore his energy. After a day of recovery, he had expelled nearly all of the Tranqurin from his system. It was no longer a serious concern.However, the city was under lockdown. All the major roads were blocked and wanted posters with his face were plastered everywhere. Though his strength had returned, he still couldn't escape from Celestria.So, he had no choice but to lay low and wait for the storm to pass. As for the original owner of the house, he was nothing more than a corpse now.Suddenly, there was a sharp knock at the door.Warrick's eyes snapped open, and his hand instinctively reached for the sword beside him."Who is it?"In the living room, the Red Legion guards tensed up. Two of them quietly drew their blades, positioning themselves on either side of the door."It's me."A familiar voice rang out.The guards immediately
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2494
As night deepened, the streets were nearly empty under the city's full lockdown, save for uniformed patrols. The few civilians who were out walked hurriedly, afraid of drawing trouble.At that moment, a ten-man patrol unit approached the small courtyard where Warrick was hiding.Leading them was Mulder Frank, a burly man with a buzz cut. After ensuring the street was clear, he stepped forward and knocked on the courtyard door.The knocking followed a distinct rhythm, like a secret code. After the first knock, there was no response, so he knocked twice more.On the third knock, the gate finally creaked open a crack. A shadowed figure inside revealed only half their face and muttered in a low, deep voice, "The sun shines bright in the sky."Without missing a beat, Mulder responded, "I raise my glass and ask the blue sky."It was the secret code they had set up beforehand."Come in, gentlemen. Sir Prescott has been expecting you."The courtyard door swung open, and Kalen gestured
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2495
"To avoid trouble, the four guards must die," Mulder said bluntly.The four Red Legion guards instantly turned pale upon hearing that.Even Warrick frowned, his face darkening. "What nonsense are you spouting? They are my personal guards, my brothers-in-arms. How could they possibly betray me?""You never really know who you can trust. Betrayal happens all the time—even between comrades. For your safety, we can't take that risk," Mulder said solemnly."A warrior can be killed but never disgraced. We've followed Sir Prescott for years, through life and death. No matter the cost—even if it's our lives—we would never betray him," Geralt said."That's right. Don't judge loyal men by your own petty standards," Kalen snapped.Hmph! Scum like you could never understand the bond between men who have fought and bled together," another added.They responded to Mulder's words with a mix of anger and disdain. These men were Warrick's personal guards—battle-hardened and fiercely loyal. The
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2496
With Mulder leading the way, Warrick—disguised as a member of the City Defenders—walked openly through the streets.Night had fallen, and the streets were eerily empty—not a single soul was in sight. Only heavily armed patrols moved through the city.Every checkpoint along the main road was heavily guarded. Even the patrol squads had to show their emblems to pass.Warrick walked at the back of the group. His hat was pulled low so that it covered half his face. In the darkness, it was nearly impossible to make out his features unless someone got close."Austin is more meticulous than I expected," he muttered. "If it weren't for the Hall of Gods' undercover agents helping me, I'd never make it out of Celestria."Seeing sentries stationed openly on the streets and hidden in the alleys, Warrick felt a chill crawl down his spine. In less than two miles, they had already passed seven or eight checkpoints.In addition to the heavily guarded checkpoints on the main roads, countless hidde
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An Understated Dominance Chapter 2540
"Mr. Rhys, you're so generous," Felicia said. "I don't know how to repay you."She lightly ran her fingers over the smooth surface of the ornate box. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she looked up at Dustin gratefully."It was nothing, Ms. Thorns. Don't mention it," he replied with an indifferent smile. "Besides, this Dracan essence was always destined for Prince Nathaniel. I'm merely delivering it."Felicia smiled earnestly. "What do you want in return? If it's within my power, I'll gladly help."Dustin replied, "I'm not asking for anything. I only hope that if I ever find myself in trouble, Prince Nathaniel will be willing to help me.""I get it now." Felicia nodded.Dustin wasn't asking for treasure, but rather seeking a favor from Nathaniel. With Nathaniel's current status, his favor was more valuable than any treasure.If he ascended the throne and became king, the value of that favor would increase exponentially. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that, even if D
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2539
When Dustin heard Felicia's word, his hand briefly hesitated before he placed the chess piece. He smiled and said, "I thought you came to learn chess, but I didn't expect you to be here as a messenger."Felicia gave a light, teasing laugh. "With a mind like yours, how could you not know why I'm here?"She added candidly, "Prince Nathaniel saved my life and welcomed me as an honored guest. It's only right that I repay the favor by helping solve his troubles. I hope that it doesn't bother you.""You're frank and gracious, Ms. Thorns. Why would I take offense?" Dustin replied with a faint smile.He had expected her to start with pleasantries or try to butter him up. So, her bluntness actually caught him off guard."To be honest, Prince Nathaniel has never taken this kind of interest in anyone before," Felicia said as she placed another chess piece on the board. She smiled and continued, "I can tell he truly wants you on his side. And as someone close to him, I'd like to help make
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2538
Nathaniel's mansion was huge. It was more like a maze than a home. Even with a detailed layout, Dustin had to stay sharp as he moved through the grounds. After all, blueprints never quite captured the twists and turns of the actual place.Led by a maid, he followed a winding path through the corridors for nearly ten minutes before finally arriving at a guesthouse with a garden.The place was spacious and quiet, filled with birdsong and blooming flowers. It was a secluded spot that was ideal for privacy."Mr. Rhys, you can stay here. If you need anything, just let me know," the maid said. Her gaze was warm with a hint of admiration. She had watched Dustin's performance in the training ground earlier and knew he was an important guest brought in by Nathaniel. If she could catch his attention, it could completely turn her life around.He waved her off and said, "Okay. You can go now. I don't need anyone to attend to me." "Uh… but…" The maid hesitated."Don't worry. I'll explain
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2537
The crowd murmured among themselves as they looked at the broken broadsword and the stunned expression on Lycas' face."That strike was insanely fast and dead-on too," someone commented."I never expected General Derin's secret move to be defeated like that. It's unbelievable," another said."I thought General Derin could turn things around for us, but he still lost," a third added.Everyone knew how strong Lycas was. As a fully developed grandmaster with a broadsword, he was supposed to be unstoppable. However, at the critical moment, Dustin's strike shattered his broadsword.Lycas' loss was sudden and almost unbelievable. Some blamed bad luck and thought he could have won if things had gone differently. But those who truly understood what happened knew better.Even with Dustin's movement restricted and Lycas unleashing his strongest technique, he still pierced through the opening with near-impossible timing. That strike wasn't just lucky but masterful. It was a brutal display
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2536
Lycas gripped his broadsword with both hands and roared. The sound cracked through the air like a thunderclap.He sidestepped sharply and charged straight at Dustin like a raging bull.The heavy broadsword moved like it weighed nothing in his hands. He swung it with brutal speed. Each arc cut through the air with a sharp, whistling howl, as if it could slice through anything in its path.The broadsword came crashing down on Dustin with bone-crushing force, like a mountain falling from the sky.Lycas threw his full weight into the swing. As the sword descended, the force of the strike stirred up dust from the ground. It sent plumes of dirt in every direction.He knew Dustin was no ordinary opponent. If he wanted a chance to win, he had to make the first move and seize the initiative."Nice form," Dustin said.As Lycas launched a powerful, aggressive attack, Dustin remained calm and unruffled. With effortless grace, he sidestepped without the slightest rush. The broadsword whizz
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2535
Bryce knew Dustin was strong, but this was beyond anything he anticipated. Though he had gained the upper hand early on, Bryce still believed his skills matched Dustin's.From his observation, Dustin relied on martial arts techniques and hit-and-run tactics. Plus, he didn't dare to confront Bryce head-on.He had assumed that as long as he found an opening, he could exploit Dustin's weaknesses and defeat him. But when Dustin finally stopped holding back, Bryce realized how wrong he'd been.It turned out Dustin wasn't just playing hit-and-run tactics. Instead, he'd held back the entire time to spare Bryce from an embarrassing defeat.The moment Dustin stopped holding back, Bryce didn't stand a chance. Even without special techniques, Dustin's raw power, speed, and reflexes were enough to crush him.The difference in their abilities was staggering, so much so that no amount of skill could close the gap.And it wasn't just Bryce who was shocked. Except for Nathaniel, who had already
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2534
Bryce's request for a fight heated up the atmosphere.Soldiers around the training ground started murmuring among themselves."Lieutenant General Gantz is a legend in our ranks. His combat skills are no joke—he's taken down countless enemies on the battlefield. I haven't seen him in action in years," one young soldier said with awe."Yeah," a veteran agreed. "Lieutenant General Gantz has been through countless battles, and his strength is unmatched. If he steps in, Mr. Rhys might be in for a rough time."After the fight earlier, the soldiers knew firsthand that Dustin was no slouch. Otherwise, he wouldn't have easily defeated the five elite soldiers.But in their minds, no matter how skilled Dustin was, he stood no chance against Bryce.Bryce was a grandmaster not just in rank but in skill, physical strength, and battlefield experience. He was stronger than any expert from the martial world.Nathaniel had once recruited several grandmaster martial artists to spar with them, but
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2533
"Your Highness, the soldiers under me are trained solely in killing techniques. If they hurt your guest, things could get ugly," Lycas said.He didn't say it outright, but the message was clear. If Dustin wasn't strong enough, he'd better stay out of the way, or he was just asking for trouble.Bryce didn't say anything, but the look he gave Dustin was full of contempt. How could a pampered young man like Dustin measure up to soldiers who've been through the grind? He figured Dustin was probably some heir from a prominent family who knew Nathaniel and was trying to assert his relevance."You guys are blind to greatness when it's standing right in front of you." Nathaniel chuckled and shook his head. He added, "If any of you manage to land a hit on Mr. Rhys, I'll pay out a thousand gold. But honestly, I doubt any of you have what it takes."At the mention of rewards, the soldiers perked up. Their eyes lit up with excitement. They were practically itching to charge at Dustin and g
An Understated Dominance Chapter 2532
During the meal, Nathaniel arranged for two women to accompany Dustin.Throughout history, even the greatest heroes couldn't resist the allure of beautiful women. Sometimes, a woman of extraordinary beauty could be far more enticing than rare treasures or high status.Dustin remained composed. He neither showed any enthusiasm nor did he deliberately reject it.As for the women seated on either side of him, he treated them with polite respect. He enjoyed a drink and the easy conversation with them, but nothing beyond that.However, Nathaniel saw it differently. To him, it seemed that Dustin was unimpressed by the women at his side.Considering Dustin's background, it made sense. A woman of ordinary beauty would never catch his attention. Nathaniel realized he would need to pull out all the stops. Perhaps, it was time to bring out his most prized companion and see how Dustin responded.After the meal, he led Dustin to his mansion's training ground.The midday sun blazed overhead
