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An Understated Dominance Chapter 1910
"Alright, it's getting late. You should go back to your room and rest," Rufus said wearily, waving his hand. The decision to appoint his eldest son as the heir to the throne was not only because he recognized his capabilities. He was also driven by a sense of guilt, wanting to make amends. Unfortunately, Dustin lacked ambition and harbored no aspirations to rise above others. Therefore, Rufus refrained from pressing too hard.As a dying man, his only wish was for the well-being and happiness of his sons. The rest was no longer a concern.Dustin opened his mouth as if to speak but ultimately remained silent. He then stood up and left. He had no desire to become the next prince, at least not now. To the outside world, the title of Prince of West Lucozia symbolized supreme power, boundless wealth, glory, and the pinnacle of prestige. However, to Dustin, it represented a burdensome role. Assuming the throne meant bearing an overwhelming load. He would no longer be able to consi
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1911
The main reason was that Dustin detested traitors, and backstabbing individuals deserved harsh punishment. After dealing with the five rebels, the remaining generals who had sided with the rebellion faced various consequences. Depending on whether they had voluntarily participated or were coerced, they were either demoted, assimilated into the monarchy's forces, or sent to prison. In the course of addressing the rebellion, Dustin also tasked Albert with leading a unit of the Draken Guardians to the Dragon Guard's hidden treasure vault based on directions from the treasure map. The entire process went smoothly. Despite the presence of the Dragon Guard's elite fighters, they proved no match for the ultimate grandmaster, Albert. With ease, he wiped out the remnants of the Dragon Guard and brought back all the treasures from the vault.Cinna had told the truth. The treasures inside the vault were piled up like mountains. It took the monarchy over a hundred large trucks and tens of
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1912
After lunch, Dustin received an unexpected call from Grace. She had something important to discuss, and they were to meet at the old house in the western city. Dustin had acquired this particular residence specifically for the training of undercover agents. These women, once victims of Russo's abuses, willingly joined the West Lucozia undercover agent camp.They were prepared to sacrifice their lives to make sure no one else would go through the same experiences they did. Dustin admired their sense of justice and honored their wishes. Under Rodrigo's training, these women had been inducted as official agents. However, they still required at least three years of further development before they could take on missions. Dustin fervently hoped that he would never have to deploy them as it would signify peace in the region. Undercover agents were only deployed in the face of potential threats and only had a 10% survival rate. Half an hour later, Dustin arrived at the old house in th
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1913
After Dustin returned to the castle, he avoided alerting anyone and wrote two letters instead. He left one letter in Rufus' study and the other in Austin's bedroom. Dustin considered it his unspoken farewell. He wasn't great at expressing sentimentalities, and at times, leaving in silence was the better choice.As dusk settled, Dustin headed straight for the southwestern desert, riding in Grace's car. The largest desert was known as the Deadlands. It had earned its name due to its harsh and dangerous environment. Survival seemed nearly impossible for those who mistakenly ventured within. In spite of its dangers, the Deadlands were home to a wealth of hidden treasures, including gold mines. Hence, there were frequent expeditions from teams that risked their lives to tempt fate. If lucky, one might stumble upon valuable treasures and become wealthy overnight. However, if luck was not on their side, the consequences could be fatal.It wasn't a stretch to claim that more than a h
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1914
Their vehicle cruised steadily, maintaining a consistent speed. Eventually, by noon the next day, they reached the outskirts of the Deadlands.There was a large village with around five to six hundred households on the outskirts. The village boasted amenities like an inn, a gas station, a supermarket, and the like. Though not sprawling, it had the essentials.It also served as a supply station for the exploration teams and a lifeline in critical moments. Whether it was entering or exiting the desert, people would stop there to rest and gather information.It was worth mentioning that, given the challenges in transporting goods, the prices within the village were several times higher than in the city. Upon entering the village, Grace's convoy finally came to a halt in front of a rural inn named House of Hope. The inn had once been a primary school, with enough rooms to accommodate over a hundred people."Ms. Linsor, we've arrived." After the convoy stopped, a man appearing to be a
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1915
Dustin was taken aback and slightly puzzled at Garrett's sudden hostility. Considering that it was their first meeting, Dustin couldn't fathom the reason for his animosity. Why did the guy before him have such a lofty attitude?"Captain Wilder, have we met before?" Dustin slowly lowered his hand that had been left hanging. "No," Garrett said with an icy expression."Since we've never met, what makes you say that?" Dustin countered. "I'm just concerned about Ms. Linsor."Garrett asserted with a self-righteous tone, "The Deadlands is extremely dangerous, and those who enter face almost certain death. "Without considerable strength, professional knowledge, and extensive experience, ordinary people wouldn't last a day inside. "Ms. Linsor has paid a considerable sum to bring me here, and it's my responsibility to ensure her safety. "Judging by your physique and behavior, it's evident that you're not a professional bodyguard. So, I have serious doubts about your abilities."I
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1916
"I've never been through anything quite like this before. It feels different this time," Garrett admitted, taking the teasing in stride. After having been through life-and-death situations together, there was nothing they couldn't talk about."Ms. Linsor is truly unique. Although I haven't seen her in person, the vibe she gives off suggests she's an extraordinary beauty," the bald, burly man said excitedly."Dozer, Captain has his eye on Ms. Linsor. Don't even think about going down any inappropriate rabbit holes, okay?" the short-haired girl cautioned."Oh, come on, I was just throwing it out there casually. I wouldn't dream of competing with the captain for a woman." Dozer chuckled sheepishly.She gave Garrett confidence and said, "Captain, finding someone who really gets to you doesn't happen daily. Don't overthink it, and just go for it. Your charm is bound to do the trick!" "I'm afraid it could be too late." Garrett sighed, shaking his head. He added, "Ms. Linsor has her o
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1917
In the inn, Dustin changed into clean clothes and sneezed. "I wonder who's talking about me," he mumbled, rubbing his nose.Then, he left the room and headed to the dining hall. The dining area, originally a school cafeteria, was quite spacious. It covered around 600 to 700 square feet and easily fit over a hundred people."Over here."Grace waved at him as he walked in. He made his way over, noticing a table adorned with more than a dozen mouth-watering dishes."Our chef whipped up these dishes, so feel free to dig. They're not just tasty but also safe," she assured."You're playing it safe and all." Dustin chuckled, sliding into a seat before diving into the food without a second thought."It's always a good call to be careful when you're out and about, especially in the outskirts of the Deadlands. You never know what kind of dangers lurk around, and a single misstep could be fatal," Grace explained as she enjoyed her meal.Suddenly, a group of young men and women dressed in g
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
