Chapter 2512
An Understated Dominance
âOh? You guessed it?â Dustin smirked. â Now that you know who I am, itâs up to you to decide what to do.â
If Warrick chose to surrender, Dustin would simply seal his pressure points and leave him to Austinâs judgment. But if he resisted, Dustin wouldnât hesitate to cripple him.
âHavenât you given up your title as the prince? Why did you return? Are you going to compete with Austin for the throne?â Warrick asked.
Uncertainty flickered across his face before he continued, âIf thatâs your intention, I can help you. Spare me today, and I guarantee youâll become the next Prince of West Lucozia.â
Power was a tempting beast. History was filled with stories of brothers turning against each other and fathers murdering their sons for it.
In Warrickâs mind, Loganâs quiet return to West Lucozia meant one thing-he was after the throne.
âGuarantee?â Dustin scoffed. âWhat guarantee are you offering?â His voice was dripping with disdain. âYouâre a cornered rat now. Youâre barely holding on to your life-how could you help me?â
Warrick, far from being offended, felt a surge of excitement. From Dustinâs tone, it was clear he was considering the possibility of taking the throne. If so, things would be much easier to manage.
âYour Highness, I may be at a low point now, but Iâve spent years building my foothold in West Lucozia. My influence runs deep,â he replied.
He added with absolute conviction. âGive me a chance, and Iâll come back stronger.
When that happens, I wonât just stand by your side Iâll be the blade that cuts down your enemies.â
âCome back stronger? Do you really think you have what it takes? And why should I trust you?â Dustin narrowed his eyes.
âYour Highness, Iâve been through countless battles. When I give an order, the soldiers follow without question. I also have many disciples. When the time comes, they will be your strongest supporters arid help you rise to the top,â Warrick persisted.
He wasnât lying. Although he wasnât respected in the government, his authority was unquestioned in the military. With the right moves, he could easily sway some elite troops.
Dustin smiled. âThis is getting interesting. 11
âSo, does that mean you agree?â Warrickâs heart raced in excitement.
Confronted by an ultimate grandnfaster, he had no confidence in being able to defeat Dustin. But if Warrick could sway him with words, who knew-maybe it would work.
If successful, he wouldnât have to flee to Artea. He could become Dustinâs most trusted aide and enjoy years of glory.
âAgree? What exactly would I be agreeing to?â Dustin looked indifferent.
Warrick was taken aback. âArenât you interested in reclaiming your throne and becoming the ruler everyone bows to?â
âNot at all.â Dustin shook his head solemnly. He was trying to avoid the throne at all costs, so why would he willingly assume that responsibility?
âYouâ¦â Warrick was stunned.
He still believed Dustin was simply stubborn and unwilling to admit what he wanted.
After all, what man didnât dream of power and ambition? Who wouldnât want to be the one everyone bowed to?
âI know you have doubts, but you can trust me. After all, Austin and I are already enemies. In other words, weâre in the same boat now,â Warrick insisted.
âWhoâs on the same boat as you?â Dustin gave him a look as if he were talking to a fool. âI was just messing with you. You didnât actually believe that, did you?â
âWhat?â Warrickâs face twisted in disbelief. âYou⦠youâre messing with me?â
He had thought that Dustin was finally taking him seriously, but it turned out he was just being ridiculed.
âWhatâs wrong with that? Is there a problem?â Dustin replied casually.
âYou⦠Thatâs it. Iâm done with you!â
Warrickâs fury boiled over. With a âsharp twist of his blade, he knocked Dustinâs hand aside and drove the weapon straight toward his chest. The strike was lightning-fast, which was charged with the energy he had built up.
Though he had spent the time trying to convince Dustin, he had never let his guard down. The ambush had always been his backup plan.
Warrick would kill Dustin on the spot if words failed, and now was the perfect moment.
Dustin chuckled softly. He didnât even try to dodge and simply stood there as the blade drove straight into his chest.
A sharp metallic clang rang out. Warrickâs blade hit something like a steel plate and failed to penetrate even an inch.
A keen observer might have noticed the faint shimmer coating Dustinâs skin-a thin, nearly invisible layer of true energy. It was powerful, like an impenetrable suit of armor.
âI gave you the chance to surrender, but you didnât value it,â Dustin said. âNow, donât say I didnât warn you.â
He slowly raised his index finger. Under Warrickâs astonished gaze, Dustin lightly tapped his chest.
The light touch unleashed a deafening explosion.
Warrickâs body was sent flying like heâd been hit by a speeding train and flew dozens of yards away. Blood spewed from his mouth before he crashed to the ground.
His once impenetrable protection armor energy, strong enough to deflect blades and bullets, had crumpled like paper under that single touch. It shattered without any resistance.
Mulder, watching from a distance, could only stare in horror.