An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2494

Chapter 2494

“Damn you, Alec! You’ve really ruined me!”

Manuel gritted his teeth, seething with resentment. Alec’s betrayal had not only implicated his sister but had also dragged him into disaster.

After all, Alec’s rapid rise to lieutenant general in the city defense army had to be backed by powerful figures. Now that he had turned traitor, it was like stepping into a pile of filth—there was no way to clean off the stain.

“Brothers! Follow me! We’re capturing the traitor!”

After confirming Alec’s escape route, Manuel wasted no time. He signaled his law enforcement team and marched out.

Failing to capture Cardinal Dragon Marshal had already put him in a precarious position. Now that his own brother-in-law had openly defected, Manuel’s situation had worsened dramatically.

But if he could redeem himself by bringing in both fugitives, he might just salvage his career.

After conducting multiple searches, Manuel finally tracked down the safe house where Alec had been hiding for several days.

However, by the time they arrived, the place was deserted—only a few bloodstained garments remained.

“Keep searching! I don’t care if you have to turn over every stone—I want them found!”

Frustrated by yet another failure, Manuel barked a string of furious orders.

The law enforcement team, city guards, and other security forces sprang into action, launching a citywide sweep centered around the safe house.

To prevent any chance of escape, heavily armed patrols were deployed to all key intersections in the outer city.

Inside the Palace

Austin stood alone in the courtyard, gazing at the night sky, savoring a rare moment of peace.

Then, news of Cardinal Dragon Marshal’s daring escape reached him.

Without the effects of the Ten Fragrance Softening Muscle Powder to weaken him, capturing a martial arts master like Cardinal Dragon Marshal would be incredibly difficult.

Suddenly, Austin’s ears twitched. He sensed something.

He spun around sharply, his gaze locking onto the rooftop behind him.

A figure in black stood there, shrouded in darkness.

Tall and upright, the man’s aura was restrained, his face obscured by shadows.

Austin tensed, his hand instinctively moving toward the hidden weapon at his waist.

Anyone capable of infiltrating the palace undetected—bypassing every sentry—was no ordinary man.

Then, the figure spoke.

“It’s me.”

A voice he knew.

In a blink, the man vanished from the rooftop and reappeared in front of Austin.

As the shadows lifted from his face, his features became clear.

Dustin.

“Elder brother?!”

Austin’s initial shock quickly turned to joy. “When did you get here? Why didn’t you inform me in advance?”

“As soon as I received your message, I came immediately,” Dustin replied, skipping pleasantries. His tone turned serious. “What happened? Tobias had only just arrived in West Lucozia—who would want to kill him?”

Austin’s expression darkened. He took a deep breath and recounted the entire ordeal.

From the moment Tobias entered the royal city, martial law had been imposed. No one had been spared from scrutiny.

As Dustin listened, his frown deepened, his face growing cold and unreadable.

“I never expected West Lucozia’s officials to be this corrupt. It’s time for a major purge.”

Austin sighed heavily. “I bear responsibility for Tobias’s death. If I had been more cautious, assigned more guards—maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”

“This isn’t your fault,” Dustin said, his voice steely. “Blame the ones who act with impunity.”

He had assumed that after securing Austin’s approval, Tobias’s journey would be uneventful. He had underestimated the dangers.

“Cardinal Dragon Marshal is no ordinary foe. He has powerful allies. If he’s still on the run, catching him won’t be easy,” Austin said gravely. “But I’ll deploy every resource we have. Even if I have to chase him to the ends of the earth, I’ll make sure he’s brought to justice!”

“The royal city is massive,” Dustin pointed out. “Hunting down a martial arts master here would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Instead of chasing shadows, we should lure him out.”

“Oh? You have a plan?” Austin asked, intrigued.

“Where do you think Cardinal Dragon Marshal will go now that he’s escaped?” Dustin prompted.

Austin pondered. “He’s lived in the royal city for years—his family, his connections, everything is here. If he goes to Oakvale, the risk is too high. He’s already escaped capture once. Heading north would take him too far from familiar ground, and the climate is completely different from West Lucozia.”

Austin’s eyes suddenly widened as realization struck. “I see! His best option is to flee to Lecanon in the West!”

“Exactly,” Dustin confirmed. “The Pantheon in Lecanon is a global powerhouse. They undoubtedly have spies embedded within West Lucozia. If Cardinal Dragon Marshal seeks refuge, they’d welcome a martial arts master like him without hesitation.”

West Lucozia and Lecanon had been long-standing adversaries, separated by vast distances.

For Cardinal Dragon Marshal, with no allies left and nowhere else to turn, seeking protection from the Pantheon was his most logical move.