An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2489

Chapter 2489

The night deepened.

With the city under martial law, the streets were nearly deserted. The few people who ventured out hurried along, wary of attracting attention. Most of those present were uniformed patrolmen.

A ten-man patrol team moved slowly toward the gate of the courtyard where Cardinal Dragon Marshal was hiding.

Their leader, a burly man with a crew cut, scanned the surroundings carefully. Once certain the coast was clear, he raised a fist and knocked on the gate.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The knocking was rhythmic—clearly a secret signal.

Silence followed. He knocked twice more.

After the third knock, the gate cracked open. A shadowed figure inside revealed half of his face and spoke in a deep voice:

“The sun is shining in the sky.”

“Drink some wine and ask the heavens,” the crew-cut man responded without hesitation.

It was the agreed-upon code.

The bearded man inside stepped back and gestured. “Come in. The general has been expecting you.”

The gate swung open, and the crew-cut man led his team inside.

As soon as they were in, the bearded man quickly peered down the street, ensuring no one had seen them. Satisfied, he withdrew and shut the gate firmly.

At that moment, another door opened.

Cardinal Dragon Marshal stepped out, flanked by his personal guards.

At first glance, it was clear—they were wearing City Guard uniforms.

Since the law enforcement team had taken over, the City Guard had been restructured. Officials connected to the former City Guard Chief had been placed under house arrest, severing all previous loyalties.

Yet, somehow, the people aiding Cardinal Dragon Marshal had managed to plant an insider within the City Guard. That made escape much easier.

The crew-cut man saluted. “General, Lord Poseidon sent us to retrieve you.”

“Poseidon?”

The Red Army guards exchanged startled glances.

They all knew the name. Poseidon was one of the Four Great Gods of the Pantheon—an enemy that West Lucozia was determined to eliminate.

Had their general allied with the Pantheon?

Such an act was nothing short of treason.

Yet, considering their dire situation, only a powerful force like the Pantheon could help them escape the royal city safely.

Cardinal Dragon Marshal narrowed his eyes. “Do you have a way out?”

“Of course.”

The crew-cut man signaled, and one of his subordinates stepped forward, presenting a neatly folded City Guard uniform.

“General, put this on and follow us. I guarantee a safe passage out of the city,” the man assured.

Cardinal Dragon Marshal glanced at the uniform, then looked back. “Only one set?”

“What about my four guards?”

The crew-cut man remained indifferent. “I was ordered to secure your escape. Their fate is not my concern.”

The bearded man stiffened. “Does it really matter to you if we take a few more uniforms?”

One or five—it made little difference. They were all just trying to survive.

The crew-cut man shook his head. “Even if I had extra uniforms, I wouldn’t give them to you.”

The bearded man frowned. “Why not?”

“Each patrol team has a fixed number of members. I arranged for one additional person—you. If your guards come along, it will draw suspicion. If anyone notices something off, escaping the royal city will be impossible.”

The bearded man clenched his fists. “You—”

One of his fellow guards stopped him. “Our safety doesn’t matter. As long as the general escapes, we’ll find another way out.”

The crew-cut man nodded, then turned back to Cardinal Dragon Marshal. “General, time is short. We must move now.”

The general hesitated.

These men had been by his side through life and death, more like family than soldiers. Abandoning them to save himself—it didn’t sit right.

“General, don’t worry about us,” one guard urged. “Just go. We’ll figure something out.”

“Sir, the shift change is happening soon. If we miss this window, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow,” the crew-cut man warned.

“General, the longer we delay, the greater the risk!”

“Your survival is all that matters! We can rebuild if you make it out!”

The guards pleaded.

Finally, Cardinal Dragon Marshal exhaled sharply. He had no choice.

He grabbed the uniform and put it on. “Let’s go.”

“Wait.”

The crew-cut man’s cold eyes flicked toward the Red Army guards.

“General, leaving them alive is a risk. If they inform the enemy after we leave, we’re all dead.”

Cardinal Dragon Marshal’s expression darkened. “What are you suggesting?”

The crew-cut man’s voice was devoid of emotion. “To prevent trouble, they must die.”