An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2461

Chapter 2461

The next morning, at the West Lucozia Palace.

After breakfast, Austin prepared to contact Tobias but soon realized that his calls weren’t going through.

He tried several times, but there was no answer.

“Hmm?”

Austin frowned. They had agreed yesterday to travel to Oakvale together, so why had Tobias suddenly gone silent?

Did he back out?

That didn’t seem likely.

Their conversation had gone well, and they had even started calling each other brothers. They planned to travel together for safety on the road.

Besides, if Tobias had urgent matters and had to leave West Lucozia, he would have informed Austin in advance.

But now, he had vanished without a word.

“What’s going on?”

A sense of unease crept into Austin. He quickly summoned his trusted aide.

“Find out where Tobias is immediately and report back as soon as you get any information!”

“Understood!”

The aide nodded and hurried off.

Austin poured himself a cup of tea and waited.

An hour later, the aide returned.

“Any news?” Austin asked, standing up immediately.

During the wait, he had called repeatedly, but there was still no response.

“My Lord, I went to the hotel where Tobias was staying. The staff said he left last night,” the aide reported.

“He left last night?” Austin’s brows furrowed. “Did he return to Oakvale early?”

“I checked the travel records. Although Tobias booked a flight, he never boarded the plane. He’s still in West Lucozia.”

“He booked a flight but didn’t leave?” Austin’s frown deepened. “Something must have happened.”

Tobias was a guest personally received by Austin’s elder brother and treated with high regard. If something had happened to him, how would Austin explain it?

“Anything else?” he pressed.

“Yes. Tobias was last seen leaving with Stephan last night. I even checked Stephan’s residence—he’s missing too.”

Austin’s eyes turned sharp. “Find them! Search every corner of the city if you have to. I don’t care if you turn the whole royal city upside down—bring them to me!”

“Yes, sir!”

The aide bowed and rushed out.

If before they were searching for just one person, now it was an all-out hunt.

The West Lucozia Palace had its own law enforcement team, an elite force above all other institutions.

When the law enforcement team was dispatched, all officials had to drop their tasks and fully cooperate.

Most importantly, they had the authority to act first and report later.

Regardless of status, anyone who obstructed their work could be executed on the spot.

There had been a time when a high-ranking official, confident in his achievements, ignored the law and let his family run rampant.

When the royal law enforcement team came to arrest them, he summoned his private guards to resist.

In the end, the entire family—over 300 people, including the official—was wiped out overnight.

From that day on, the royal law enforcement team became a nightmare for all officials.

So now, as they mobilized, the entire West Lucozia Royal City was on edge.

Meanwhile, at the General’s Mansion.

Cardinal Dragon Marshal was training with his personal guards in the martial arts arena.

Shirtless, his muscles rippled as he wielded a spear with precision and force.

Even against ten elite guards, he remained dominant.

These men were the best of the best, handpicked from thousands, yet they struggled under his relentless attacks.

Within minutes, more than ten were knocked down.

“You call this training?” he scolded, pointing his spear at them. “I told you to work harder, yet you’ve turned into weaklings. If I had to rely on you in battle, I’d be dead already!”

“General, we are strong! It’s just that you’re too powerful,” the lead guard protested, nursing a dislocated arm. “There aren’t many in all of West Lucozia who can last three moves against you.”

Despite the complaint, Cardinal Dragon Marshal smirked, clearly enjoying the praise.

“Hmph! I’ll let it slide this time. But if I see this laziness again, don’t blame me when I start using the military stick!”

He threw his spear onto the weapon rack with precision.

The lead guard, still tending to his arm, hurriedly grabbed a towel and handed it over.

Cardinal Dragon Marshal wiped the sweat off his forehead, tossed the towel aside, and let his men drape his coat over him.

Everything was done smoothly, demonstrating their discipline.

Suddenly, a city guard commander burst into the arena, looking anxious.

Two guards moved to block his way, but he shoved them aside.

The lead guard stepped in to stop him, but Cardinal Dragon Marshal gestured for him to stand down.

“General, what’s with the panic? This isn’t like you,” Cardinal Dragon Marshal said, taking a seat. He signaled for tea.

“General! Urgent news—the young prince has dispatched the palace law enforcement team! They’re searching the entire city for Tobias Ballard!”

The commander’s face was grim.

Cardinal Dragon Marshal’s eyes narrowed.

The commander had expected the prince to make a move over Tobias, but he hadn’t thought it would be this drastic.

Tobias had been missing for only a night, yet the prince had already deployed the entire law enforcement team.

The last time this happened was three years ago—when the powerful Chapman family was wiped out.

All 300 of them were executed.

Not a single survivor.