An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2532

Chapter 2532

“What a fast sword—and such sharp instincts!”

“I can’t believe General Veilleux’s ultimate move was broken like that. It’s unreal!”

“I really thought he could turn things around for us, but we still lost in the end.”

As everyone stared at the broken guandao and Mateo’s confused expression, murmurs rippled through the crowd.

They all knew how powerful Mateo was.

As a master who had reached the peak of his cultivation, he was practically unbeatable when wielding his guandao.

And yet, in a critical moment, Dustin shattered it with one strike.

No one saw that coming—it was both shocking and unbelievable.

Some believed it was just bad luck, thinking Mateo might have won under different circumstances.

But true experts saw it differently.

Even though Mateo used his ultimate move and had Dustin momentarily restrained, Dustin still managed to land the decisive blow. That wasn’t just luck—it was skill.

It was a combination of speed, precision, and absolute control.

Plus, Mateo was clearly winded after the intense fight, while Dustin remained calm, showing no sign of fatigue.

And remember—this was Dustin’s third consecutive fight, and he still looked fresh.

From start to finish, he stayed composed and unshaken.

That alone showed how much strength he had been hiding. Even against someone like Mateo, Dustin never needed to go all out.

So while Mateo did lose, it was by no means an unfair defeat.

The master Nathaniel brought in was on a whole different level.

“Hahaha! Brother Rhys, you’ve truly lived up to your reputation. That was incredible!” Nathaniel was the first to applaud, breaking the silence with laughter.

The soldiers quickly followed, clapping with genuine admiration as they looked at Dustin with newfound respect.

He had just defeated Deputy General Trottier and then General Veilleux—two back-to-back wins, both handled with ease.

It was clear: Dustin wasn’t just skilled—he was on another tier entirely.

And what amazed them most was his age. He was about the same age as they were, yet already a top-level martial arts master.

His talent was undeniable.

“General Veilleux, thank you for the match,” Dustin said respectfully, cupping his fists before returning his sword to its sheath with precision.

“Mr. Rhys, your strength is extraordinary. I accept the loss without any resentment,” Mateo said, bowing deeply in sincere respect.

Others might not have seen it clearly, but Mateo knew just how terrifying that last sword strike was.

Dustin struck after him—yet landed first. He was so fast, Mateo couldn’t even track the movement.

But what shook him most was how Dustin had instantly spotted the weakness in his technique and exploited it without hesitation.

It was terrifyingly precise.

All he could do was admire such talent.

“Mateo, Emmett,” Nathaniel said with a knowing smile, “Now you see what it means when they say there’s always someone better out there, don’t you?”

“You’ve taught us a valuable lesson, Your Highness,” Mateo replied humbly. “We were too full of ourselves because of our limited achievements. Now, after witnessing Mr. Rhys’s strength, we feel deeply ashamed.”

“Absolutely! Mr. Rhys made us realize how far we still have to go,” Emmett added. “Starting tonight, we’ll train harder and never let ourselves get complacent again.”

Dustin’s power left them no room to argue.

But he had given them enough dignity—he’d won cleanly, without humiliating them.

His character stood out just as much as his strength.

“Alright, keep up your training. Mr. Rhys and I still have things to discuss,” Nathaniel said, satisfied that his message had landed. He didn’t linger and quickly left the training grounds with Dustin.

Once they stepped outside, Nathaniel smiled and asked, “So, Brother Rhys—what do you think? Not bad, right? My soldiers held up pretty well?”

For someone like Dustin, a grandmaster, it was no small matter that his top generals had at least managed to last several rounds.

“They’re all elite fighters, even more impressive than I expected,” Dustin said with a nod.

“Hahaha! They’re not quite at your level, of course—but in all of Oakvale, they’re some of the best,” Nathaniel said proudly.

He had invested a lot into building this elite unit.

And that wasn’t even counting the hidden forces he kept in reserve—his secret trump card.

“Your Highness has remarkable resources. I’m impressed,” Dustin responded politely.

Nathaniel grinned. “Well, this is just the surface. But what I really need is someone like you, Brother Rhys—someone strong enough to lead the way. Then the team will truly be complete.”

Dustin smiled faintly but didn’t reply directly.

“Of course, there’s no pressure. I’m not asking for an answer right now,” Nathaniel said, waving it off casually. “Like they say—even if the deal falls through, the friendship stays. No matter what happens, we’re still allies.”

“Of course,” Dustin said with a polite nod.

“You’ve had three fights today—you must be tired. Go get some rest.”

Nathaniel didn’t press further.

“Mr. Lu, this way please,” a beautiful maid on the left said gracefully, stepping forward to guide Dustin into the inner courtyard.

As Dustin walked away, Nathaniel narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. He turned to another maid and gave a quiet order: “Go bring Wynter. I want her to keep Master Rhys company.”

The maid’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, but she nodded quickly and left.

Everyone knew Wynter was the prince’s favorite.

No one expected him to offer her up just to win over Mr. Rhys.

It was a bold and surprising move.