An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2490

Chapter 2490

The crew-cut man’s voice was devoid of eamotion. “To prevent trouble, they must die.” The moment those words left his mouth, the four Red Army soldiers’ expressions darkened.

Cardinal Dragon Marshal’s face grew cold as he scowled. “What nonsense is this? These men are my personal guards—my brothers—who have stood by me through life and death. How could they possibly betray me?”

“The human heart is unpredictable,” the crew-cut man replied seriously. “History is full of brothers turning against each other. For your safety, General, we cannot take any chances.”

“A soldier can be killed, but never humiliated!” one of the guards declared. “We have followed the General for years, facing death with unwavering loyalty. We would rather die than betray him!”

“Exactly! Don’t judge us by your own low standards!”

“Hmph! How could someone like you, who knows nothing of true brotherhood, understand what it means to share life and death?”

The guards were either furious or scornful, refusing to accept the crew-cut man’s words.

These men had all survived life-and-death trials. They were ready to sacrifice everything for Cardinal Dragon Marshal.

From the moment they joined the Red Army and were chosen as personal guards, they were instilled with a single purpose:

The General’s safety comes before everything.

Not just before their own lives, but even above the lives of their families.

Loyalty and duty stood on one side.Strict military law stood on the other.

If something happened to the General, they would take their own lives in atonement. Their families would not be spared either.

Betrayal was never an option.

The crew-cut man remained unmoved. “I may not understand brotherhood, but I understand human nature—and torture.” His voice was calm, his gaze cold. “If you are captured, even the toughest men won’t survive the Black Prison’s punishments. Don’t fool yourselves. I used to work there. I’ve seen countless men, no matter how strong, broken and begging for death. There are no exceptions.”

The mere mention of the Black Prison made the guards tense, their expressions shifting.

They had never seen it firsthand, but they had heard enough to know:

The Black Prison was not a place for the living.

If they were thrown in, could they withstand the torture?

No one could say for sure.

“General, for your safety, you must decide,” the crew-cut man urged, his gaze sharp.

Cardinal Dragon Marshal lowered his head, his expression unreadable.

“If you can’t do it, I’ll handle it for you,” the crew-cut man offered.

“No need,” Cardinal Dragon Marshal said coldly. “I will deal with my own men.”

Without hesitation, he drew his sword and slashed.

A streak of silver flashed—faster than the eye could follow—slicing through the air with a gust of wind.

The four guards trembled. Thin red lines appeared across their necks.

“General… you—”

The bearded guard’s voice choked off. The red line split open. Blood gushed. His head tumbled to the ground.

The other three followed, dying with their eyes wide open.

They had always been willing to die for the General.

But not like this.

Being executed by the very man they swore to protect—this, they never expected.

“Brothers, forgive me,” Cardinal Dragon Marshal murmured, staring at their lifeless bodies. “I owe you this life. I will repay you, double.”

The crew-cut man smirked. “What a blade. The General is truly a warrior.”

Men who had survived countless battles, slaughtering their way through oceans of blood, never hesitated when it came to life and death.

But even the crew-cut man was surprised by Cardinal Dragon Marshal’s ruthlessness.

He could have let someone else do it. Instead, he did it himself.

“Enough talking,” Cardinal Dragon Marshal snapped. His gaze was icy. “If I don’t make it out of the royal city today, you all die with me.”

The crew-cut man chuckled. “No need to worry, General. Everything is in place. If all goes as planned, you will leave West Lucozia by dawn.”

“See that it happens,” Cardinal Dragon Marshal said, his killing intent fading.

“Of course, General.”

The crew-cut man signaled his subordinates. The gate swung open.

A group of men moved forward in formation, stepping into the night.

Now wearing the uniform of the Dragon City Guards, Cardinal Dragon Marshal blended seamlessly into the patrol. Moving undetected, he disappeared into the city’s shadows.