Saturday, July 12, 2025

An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys) Chapter 2691 To 2700

 

Chapter 2691

The night passed quickly, and by morning, Callan had finally regained consciousness. A whole night's rest had restored color to his face, though he was still physically weak.

Grace had kept watch outside his room all night. As soon as she learned that he was awake, she immediately walked in.

"Callan, I'm the official in charge of handling this outbreak. I need to ask you several questions, and I kindly request that you answer them truthfully. Understood?" Grace said, getting straight to the point.

"Yes," he replied, nodding with visible apprehension.

"When did you first get infected?" "I'm not sure how long I was unconscious, but from what I remember, it started about three days ago. I suddenly felt dizzy and weak, with chills running through my entire body," Callan said weakly.

He went on, "At first, I assumed it was just a common cold, so I took smedicine. But the symptoms kept worsening, and by the tI realized something was seriously wrong, it was already too late." "Before you fell ill, did you cinto contact with any strangers?" Grace pressed.

"I hardly ever leave the house, but a few days ago I met up with this woman I'd been chatting with online. We'd known each other for two years, and this was our first tmeeting in person," he explained.

He continued, "She was gorgeous and even said she wanted to be my girlfriend. I was thrilled at the tand had a meal with her. Afterward, she said she was going to Harbortown to see her best friend, so she left for a while." "You started showing symptoms after that meeting?" Grace asked.

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"You can say that," Callan replied.

"Do you know who she was planning to see in Harbortown?” "I'm not sure. Even though we'd been chatting online for two years, we rarely asked about each other's personal details." "Surely you know her name, right?" she asked again.

"She toldher nwas Lauren Stephan, though I have no idea whether or not that was her real name," Callan replied.

"I need you to describe Lauren's appearance in detail," Grace requested.

She turned and snapped her fingers at Sadie, signaling for paper and a pen.

Grace began sketching based on Callan's description. After nearly an hour of adjustments and corrections, she finally captured Lauren's general appearance on paper.

When he saw the finished portrait, his eyes lit up and he nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, that's her. No doubt about it-you've captured her almost perfectly, about 80 to 90 percent." Grace nodded and handed the sketch to Sadie. "Find out who she is, and make it a priority," she ordered. "Got it," Sadie responded before hurrying away.

"Besides Lauren, did you notice anything else unusual around you recently?" Grace asked.

"Nothing else comes to mind," Collan replied, shaking his head. “I spend most of my tat hgaming and seldom go out. Anyone in the village can vouch for me. 11 "That's all I need for now. Get srest." With that, she stood to leave.

She'd already reviewed his background file and found nothing suspicious. He was a classic shut-in whose parents had died in a car accident a few years back.

He survived by doing gboosting services for other players, rarely left his house, and had virtually no social skills. He was passive and indecisive, which was precisely the type who'd believe whatever someone told him without question.

If Callan was telling the truth, then Lauren had to be the source of the outbreak. Her trip to Harbortown meant the epidemic would spread there next. This was turning into a serious problem.

"Ms. Linsor, I found Lauren's details!" Sadie exclaimed.

A few moments later, she had compiled everything she could find using the nand sketch.

"What have you got on her?" Grace asked.

"The woman Callan described checks out. Her nwas indeed Lauren Stephan. She returned to the country three years ago and got into Nexology. She spends a lot of tonline spreading their teachings and appears to be a devout believer," Sadie reported.

"What about her family and friends?" "Her parents died when she was young, and we can't trace her foreign identity right now. However, she does have several close relatives and friends here in the country, whom she still keeps in touch with." "Did you run background checks on all of them?" "I did. They're all into Nexology, just like Lauren. She's the one who recruited every single one of them into it. I suspect this Nexology is just the Skull Covenant operating under a new identity," Sadie said with a serious expression.

Grace wasn't surprised upon hearing that.

"For the Skull Covenant to rise from the ashes and cause trouble again, they must have been planning this for years. They'd need a front organization to stay hidden. Otherwise, how else could they have survived this long?" she said.

"What should we do now, Ms. Linsor?" Sadie asked.

Grace said indifferently, "I don't care if they call themselves the Skull Covenant or this Nexology. If they're harming people, we're taking down their entire operation.

"Start digging into everything about this Nexology, especially Lauren. Find m her and bring her in as soon as possible. request authorization from headquarters to seal off the Ashen Coast and put an end to the Skull Covenant's comeback.” "Got it." Sadie acknowledged the orders and left.

Since Lauren didn't know many people in Harbortown, a thorough investigation of her contacts would quickly reveal her whereabouts.

"So, how are things progressing? Any leads yet?" Dustin asked as he walked through the door, stifling a yawn. After staying up all night and expending so much energy, he was feeling drowsy.

"We've uncovered promising clues," Grace replied. “I'm confident we'll catch whoever is behind this outbreak." "Glad to hear that." Dustin breathed a sigh of relief. "Once we eliminate the source of the outbreak, everything else should becmuch more manageable." "When things go this smoothly, it usually means we're walking into a trap," she said thoughtfully.

She continued, "The Skull Covenant has risen from the ashes to spread this disease. But if their only goal is for the blood ritual, they're being remarkably conspicuous about it. I can't shake the feeling they have other ulterior motive." "Whatever they're plotting, we'll get our answers once we capture them," Dustin said.

Grace nodded. "Then, I guess all we can do is wait."

Just as they were talking, one of her trusted aides rushed inside with urgent news. "Your Highness, we же have a serious problem. Word just in that there's an outbreak in Reedcrest. Right now, there are over 100 infected and counting." 

 


Chapter 2692

 

"What? There's an outbreak in Reedcrest?" Grace's expression hardened at the report. “That's impossible. Weren't we told it was contained last night?" When the contagion began, she immediately ordered the entire village sealed off and placed all infected individuals under strict quarantine.

Anyone who'd had contact with the infected was put under close surveillance.

Given all these precautions, how had the outbreak spread across Reedcrest overnight? "The outbreak in Ashwillow Village has indeed been contained," her aide reported grimly. "But a new source of infection has emerged in Windham, and there was no way to see it coming. Over 100 people are showing symptoms, and the numbers keep climbing." "Seal off every entrance and exit to Windham immediately," Grace ordered decisively. "We cannot allow this outbreak to spread beyond the town. Place all infected individuals under strict surveillance and thoroughly screen everyone else. Go now." "Yes, Your Highness." Her aide left immediately to execute the orders.

As a precautionary measure, military forces were deployed to blockade every access point into and out of Windham so that residents couldn't leave and outsiders couldn't enter.

While the strict containment protocols would undoubtedly cause considerable inconvenience, the gravity of the situation left no room for half-measures.

"Things are more complicated than I thought. The Skull Covenant is spreading outbreaks everywhere," Dustin said, narrowing his eyes slightly.

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If Ashwillow Village was just their opening move, then the real battle was about to begin.

"Our enemies work from the shadows while we operate in plain sight. Until we can locate the Skull Covenant's stronghold, we'll have to proceed cautiously and try to minimize casualties," Grace said with a frown.

"The outbreak is spreading faster than I can handle alone. We need to bring in reinforcements from Oakvale," he suggested.

"We should summon every doctor skilled in acupuncture. I'll show them how to draw out the toxins. That way, if we encounter more outbreaks, we won't be caught unprepared." "Good call. I'll make the arrangements," Grace agreed without hesitation.

Without saying anything else, she immediately mobilized all the forces to recruit qualified doctors.

It was better to train a dozen physicians than exhaust Dustin by having him race from crisis to crisis. Despite his exceptional abilities, she knew he would feel overwhelmed by the scope of the epidemic. So, they desperately needed skilled backup to share the load.

While finding someone with his extraordinary abilities would be nearly impossible, Oakvale had many accomplished doctors well-versed in acupuncture techniques.

With more hands available, they could learn his techniques and be better prepared for the next crisis.

In Harbortown, Tristan was overseeing operations from the governor's mansion. As he listened to his subordinate's report, his expression grew increasingly grave.

"Your Highness, our investigation shows over 100 plague cases in Harbortown," his trusted aide reported. "We've quarantined most of the infected, but shave slipped our cordon. Should we implement a full city lockdown?" Tristan pondered the situation carefully before responding with decisive authority.

"100 cases are still manageable. We don't need a full lockdown yet. Gather all the infected in one central location, then immediately dispatch troops to hunt down those who have escaped. We must capture and bring them back to prevent further outbreaks," he said.

A complete city lockdown would be too costly politically and create a bad impression, which would make him appear incompetent.

To stand out in the succession struggle and gain the upper hand, he needed to contain the outbreak with minimal disruption and maximum efficiency. Only by demonstrating such efficient crisis management could he prove his superiority over Matthias and Nathaniel.

Milton reminded him, “Your Highness, besides containing the outbreak, we urgently need to develop an antidote. If all hundred victims die on our watch, it won't look good when word reaches the King.” "I've already summoned two skilled doctors from Oakvale. They should be arriving any moment. With their expertise, creating an antidote won't be much of a challenge," Tristan replied confidently.

Milton broke into a relieved smile. "It turns out Your Highness was already three steps ahead. I should have known better than to worry." Just as they were talking, a guard hurried in and dropped to one knee. "Your Highness, the two skilled doctors have arrived and are waiting outside," he said.

"Quick! Bring them in immediately." Tristan's face lit up. The doctors' arrival couldn't have been more perfectly timed to solve his pressing crisis. "Yes, Your Highness," the guard acknowledged and departed quickly.

Soon after, the guard escorted two people into the room-an elderly man and woman. Both appeared to be in their late 60s with silver-streaked hair, yet they still looked very energetic.

The elderly man was Icarus Carmel, a skilled doctor from Oakvale known for his exceptional acupuncture skills.

The elderly woman was Lenora Strum, whose reputation matched his. She had studied pharmacology extensively and was an expert in toxicology. Upon entering, both doctors straightened up and addressed Tristan formally," Greetings, Your Highness." Tristan stood up to greet them and said enthusiastically, "Dr. Strum, Dr. Carmel, you're finally here." "We have an outbreak in Harbortown, which started two days ago, and the contagion is spreading rapidly. You two are our only hope." "An outbreak?" Icarus was taken aback." How could such a calamity strike without warning? Could someone be behind this?"

Unlike common ailments, plagues were catastrophic diseases capable of wiping out entire populations. They were classified as the most severe category of epidemic and always caused widespread panic whenever they emerged.

"We're still investigating the exact cause," Tristan replied. "Right now, Ο ΠΥ our immediate priority must be treating those who have been infected and developing an antidote as quickly as possible." Lenora nodded. "Saving lives is an urgent business. Of course, we'll help." "Your Highness, where are the patients? Could you take us to them?" Icarus asked.

"Of course. Please follow me." Without further delay, Tristan led them quickly out the door.

Chapter 2693

 

Tristan, Icarus, and Lenora left the mansion and hopped into the car. They soon arrived at a hospital that was under lockdown.

It wasn't just the facility, but several surrounding streets had also been cordoned off, with soldiers standing guard, forcing all traffic to detour around the area.

Access to the hospital required special clearance, and even Tristan wasn't exempt.

"Dr. Strum and Dr. Carmel, we've got many plague patients quarantined inside this facility. For your safety, I strongly recommend wearing these medical masks, "Tristan said as they approached the checkpoint.

He thoughtfully handed out the masks to Icarus and Lenora. In addition to wearing a mask himself, he'd also suited up in full protective gear. He was taking every possible precaution since he'd been frail and sickly since childhood. If he caught the plague, it would likely be the end of him.

Icarus and Lenora accepted the medical masks without protest. They put on the masks and followed Tristan into the hospital.

All non-essential personnel had been removed from the facility. Only stationed soldiers and a few masked medical staff remained inside.

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The patients had been sorted by symptom severity and placed on different floors in separate wards.

Tristan led Icarus and Lenora to the elevator, and they rode directly to the 18th floor. This floor had several critical patients who were barely clinging to life.

Apart from two guards stationed at the entrance, only one nurse remained to tend the dying patients. Her “care" consisted mostly of periodic injections to ease their suffering.

"Dr. Strum, Dr. Carmel, I'll wait out here while you two examine the patients," Tristan said as he stopped at the doorway.

He gestured for the nurse to escort Icarus and Lenora into the ward while he waited outside.

Given Tristan's status, bringing these two doctors there already demonstrated considerable respect. He bet neither Matthias nor Nathaniel would have done the same.

Icarus and Lenora disappeared into the ward and remained inside for an extended period. Tristan paced restlessly outside the door while occasionally peering through the window.

Nearly half an hour passed before the two doctors finally emerged.

"Dr. Carmel, Dr. Strum, how is the patient? “Tristan asked urgently. “Can anything be done?" He'd never cared this much about a commoner's fate, but the patient's survival could determine whether they could contain the epidemic quickly.

"Your Highness, the situation is far worse than we anticipated," Icarus said. "This isn't your typical plague outbreak. The pathogen is incredibly virulent and unlike anything we've dealt with before. At this rate, the patient probably won't make it through the night." Tristan turned to Lenora, still looking hopeful. "What about you, Dr. Strum? You're our expert in pharmacology and toxicology. Surely there's something you can do?" "I must be honest with Your Highness. My current abilities are insufficient to cure this either," she said, shaking her head with a grave expression.

She went on, "But I know for a fact that this outbreak wasn't the result of natural causes. It was man-made." Tristan raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?" "I've already examined the patients thoroughly. Whatever's infected them is extremely contagious and appears to be a combination of multiple viruses. I've never seen anything like this before. Unless someone deliberately created it, I can't think of any other explanation," Lenora explained.

"I'll dispatch my men to investigate your theory, but right now we need to focus on developing an antidote. Without it, every infected patient will die. I'm counting on both of you," he said earnestly.

Icarus said, "Please give us time, Your Highness. We'll find a way to stop this and save as many lives as we can.

"Very well," Tristan replied. "Don't hesitate to ask for whatever resources you need. You'll have my full support." "Your compassion is truly admirable, Your Highness. We won't let you down," Lenora assured him.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two doctors wasted no  getting to work. One checked the ancient medical texts while the other began experimenting with herb combinations.

The critically ill patients in the ward had now bectheir test subjects. Under normal circumstances, they would never resort to such a method.

But with lives hanging in the balance and turnning out, they had no choice but to take extraordinary measures to develop the antidotes.

In Thornwick, Matthias faced an equally dire situation.

After arriving in the city the previous evening, he discovered that dozens of residents had already contracted the plague. But after just one night, the number of patients had increased to nearly 300.

However, the local doctors proved utterly useless against the outbreak.

Matthias had no choice but to call in specialists from Oakvale, but even flying them in would take half a day. So now, all he could do was wait.

If only he had anticipated this crisis, he'd have brought a medical team with him the night before. At least then he might have been able to contain the situation before it spiraled out of control.

"Your Highness!" Neville approached him and reported in a low voice, “The infection count continues to rise, and word of the plague has spread to the neighboring towns. People are fleeing Thornwick in droves, and panic is consuming half the population." Matthias scowled. "Didn't I tell you to keep this under wraps? How did it end up like this?" Neville explained, "We arrived too hastily and lacked reliable personnel on the ground. The local officials have been paying lip service to our orders while remaining fundamentally lazy and dismissive.

"They treated this outbreak like common influenza rather than the serious threat it represents, which allowed the situation to deteriorate rapidly."

"Those worthless parasites! They're quick enough to line their pockets with bribes, but now now m nothing when they're doing a C a crisis strikes. Once I've contained this outbreak, I'll make an example of every last one of them," Matthias snapped. "Your Highness, pursuing accountability must wait," Neville said urgently. "Our immediate priority is stopping the outbreak before the consequences be catastrophic." "There's no other choice left. If we want to contain this outbreak, there's only one option-put the entire city on lockdown," Matthias said with a gloomy expression.

He had hoped to avoid such drastic measures. But now that word of the outbreak was out, chaos inc Thornwick was inevitable. So, a full lockdown was their last chance to stop things from spiraling out of control.

Chapter 2694

 

"Put the city on lockdown?" Neville was momentarily stunned, then quickly nodded. “I understand, Your Highness. I'll handle it right away." As a soldier, following orders was his sacred duty. Whatever command Matthias issued, he would carry it out without hesitation.

"Hold on." Just as Neville prepared to leave, Matthias stopped him.

He said, "This outbreak is no ordinary crisis. All information must be completely contained, and we can't have any more leaks.

"If any officials in Thornwick refuse to cooperate or act like they're following orders while secretly disobeying them, they'll be removed from their positions immediately and investigated. Anyone who stirs up trouble will be thrown straight into prison." "Yes, Your Highness," Neville responded, then hurried off.

With direct orders from Matthias, he could finally act without restraint. He'd long been fed up with Thornwick's officials-backstabbing their superiors, misleading their underlings, and playing everyone with phony politeness When there were benefits to grab, they were the first in line. But when trouble arose, they made excuses and did nothing.

If it weren't for these people getting in the way, the outbreak in Thornwick wouldn't have gotten this bad. Previously, Neville had restrained himself out of concern for disrupting Matthias' plans. But now things were different. Anyone who dared to obstruct military orders or play games behind the scenes would face immediate consequences.

At best, they'd be stripped of their position. At worst, they'd end up in prison. There would be no room for negotiation.

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While the outbreak in Thornwick was spiraling out of control, Sommer town, where Nathaniel had been dispatched, wasn't faring any better.

He'd been working tirelessly since arriving the night before. Unlike Matthias' reckless approach, Nathaniel was much more strategic.

Since he knew his mission involved containing the outbreak, he had assembled a medical team in advance. He immediately ordered them to collect samples of the pathogen for research and antidote development.

Nathaniel was even willing to use live test subjects to speed up the process. In addition to having his medical team work on an antidote, he had also clamped down on all information flow. The goal was to prevent panic that could cause people to flee and spread the plague further.

Despite doing everything right, he'd underestimated how quickly the plague would spread. In just one night, the number of infected had jumped from around 30 to over 100. Unfortunately, several infected individuals had escaped and were now spreading the virus.

Left with no choice, Nathaniel ordered lock downs of all surrounding towns and sealed off every major entry and exit point.

Inside a hastily commandeered hospital, he sat in the director's office listening to status reports from his subordinates. The news filled him with mounting rage.

"What the hell is wrong with you people? How hard can it be to catch a few plague carriers? It's been a whole day and still nothing?" he shouted at his subordinate.

The subordinate lowered his head and explained, "Your Highness, those people seem to know our every move. It's like they're playing cat and mouse with us. They're so cunning that every twe arrive at a location, they've already cleared out." "Wait... Are you telling we have a mole in our ranks?" Nathaniel caught on immediately.

"It's the only explanation, Your Highness. Otherwise, we would've caught them by now. But there's something else. I believe this outbreak wasn't the result of natural causes. It was man-made." The subordinate dropped the bombshell.

"Man-made?" Nathaniel narrowed his eyes slightly. "Are you suggesting foreign operatives are behind this?” "Whoever they are, they know how to stay hidden. We haven't been able to track them down yet." The subordinate shook his head.

"Then stop wasting my with theories. Get out there and find them!" Nathaniel barked.

"Yes, Your Highness." The subordinate didn't dare to linger and bolted from the room.

"I had a feeling this outbreak was too convenient to be natural. So, someone was really behind it." Nathaniel rested his crossed arms on the table, frowning in deep thought.

He wasn't the only one tasked with handling the crisis. Even Tristan and Matthias had received similar missions. Though they were in different cities, the circumstances were remarkably similar across all three regions.

This outbreak response wasn't just about saving lives, but a test. It was about proving who had the capabilities and who had the connections.

At first, Nathaniel hadn't given it much thought. He just focused solely on completing the mission quickly. But his subordinate's report revealed layers of complexity he hadn't considered. If the plague was man-made, then treating the symptoms would never end the crisis. Now, that was the real mission he needed to focus on.

With that realization, he reached for his phone and dialed an encrypted number.

"Gather your team and get to Sommer town immediately. I have an important mission for you," he said.

As evening fell over Ashwillow Village in Reedcrest, Sadie delivered her comprehensive report to Grace. "Ms. Linsor, we've quarantined all the new plague cases. The news is still under wraps, and we've got the situation under control for now.

"The renowned doctors from Oakvale have arrived, and they're working with Mr. Rhys to learn his treatment methods. We should start seeing results soon.

"Given the current situation, as long as no new sources of infection appear, we should be able to fully contain the outbreak in Reedcrest."

Though the morning had brought over 100 new cases, their swift off response had paid off Thanks to timely intervention and excellent intelligence work, they'd managed to isolate every new case within half a day.

With Dustin's expertise combined with the assistance of more than a dozen skilled doctors, treating the hundred plus infected patients seemed well within their capabilities.

At least for now, they could finally catch their breath.

Chapter 2695

 

"Excellent work. Reedcrest managed to contain this outbreak so quickly thanks to everyone's dedicated efforts,” Grace said after listening to Sadie's report.

She felt the weight lift off her shoulders. The infected patients had been quarantined, and having additional skilled doctors to treat them took a huge burden off her plate.

All that remained was to hunt down the remnants of Skull Covenant operatives, and their mission would be complete.

"It's all because of your excellent leadership, Your Highness. Anyone else wouldn't have been able to pull this off," Sadie replied with a smile.

"Let's not pat ourselves on the back just yet. There's still work to do," Grace replied, her tone shifting to business. "What's the update on Lauren, the woman I asked you to investigate?" "We've finally got an update on that," Sadie reported. "Our investigation confirmed that Lauren did go to Harbortown and has been in close contact with several Nexology members there. I've already sent a team to make the arrest. We should have news soon." "That's great." Grace nodded, then suddenly asked, "By the way, how many cities in Ashen Coast are dealing with the outbreak now? How bad is it?" Sadie reported, "Four out of seven cities have reported outbreaks, namely Reedcrest, Harbortown, Thornwick, and Sommer town.

"As for Reedcrest, well, we've already got that under control, but the situation in the other three cities is getting worse.

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According to the reports we've received, the three princes have each arrived in one of the cities. With proper handling, there shouldn't be any major problems." "My three brothers are here at the Ashen Coast?" Grace seemed surprised.

As soon as she heard about the outbreak in the Ashen Coast, she rushed over without knowing anything else that was going on. She hadn't expected that by the next morning, her three brothers would be gathered in the region.

"It was the King's orders," Sadie explained. "Right after you left Oakvale, all three princes received royal decrees and rushed over right away. Looks like they're here to compete for merit and recognition.

"It seems my father intends to use this outbreak as a test to evaluate their crisis management abilities." Grace quickly pieced it together.

If the goal were simply to contain the outbreak, such elaborate arrangements wouldn't be necessary, nor would they require deploying all three princes at once. The only reason for this approach was to test them.

This meant Valon's health must be declining faster than expected, and he was feeling the pressure to choose an heir.

"The three princes are certainly accomplished, but they still fall short compared to you, Your Highness. It's just a shthat..." Sadie's words trailed off, leaving the thought unfinished.

"Don't talk nonsense!" Grace glared at her. "Just focus on your duties. The three princes are not for you to judge, unless you want to bring trouble upon yourself.” "Forgive me, Your Highness. I spoke out of turn." Sadie quickly apologized, lowering her head.

"Sadie, you're my most capable assistant. I don't want anything to happen to you, and I certainly don't want you getting involved in the power struggle for the throne. Do you understand?" Grace said sternly.

In the palace, loose lips could sink ships. What passed for harmless gossip today could beca death sentence tomorrow.

"You're right, Your Highness. I'll keep that in mind." Sadie held her tongue and said nothing more.

"Good. Let's put this matter behind us. Regardless of what others may do, our immediate priority is controlling the outbreak and minimizing casualties," Grace said.

She then ordered, "Send a few people right now with the prescription Mr. Rhys wrote for treating the plague. Have them deliver it to the three princes so they can administer it accordingly and stop the outbreak from spreading." "Yes, Your Highness," Sadie responded before hurrying off.

"I overheard that your three beloved brothers have also arrived at the Ashen Coast?" Dustin asked as he walked through the door, yawning.

He had spent the entire day training the so-called renowned doctors and finally gotten them to a decent level of competency. Their treatment methods remained somewhat sluggish, but that would improve with practice.

"My father sent them here because he wants to test them,” Grace replied without hiding anything. “He's using this outbreak to decide who will be his final heir. In the end, it all comes down to how capable my three brothers are."

She had done everything she could and was helping to the best of her capacity. Besides, she had no m intention of interfering with their trial. Right now, her only concern was seeing the outbreak contained as quickly as possible. "Using this outbreak to test someone's capabilities? The King certainly has a unique approach," Dustin said with a wry smile.

Grace shook her head. "Perhaps Father doesn't have much left, so he's been forced to resort to such desperate measures," When charity becmere performance and saving lives got entangled with personal interests, everything be ccorrupted.

"I won't comment on what the King chooses to do, but I don't trust your three brothers," he said bluntly. "If ve. they're treating this outbreak as a competition, then given their hunger for power, there's no telling what unexpected actions they might take." "Unexpected actions?" Grace raised an eyebrow. "What exactly do you mean by that?”

"You're smart, so you know exactly what I'm referring to," Dustin replied calmly." As a precaution, you should have your people keep watch over those three. That way, if something does happen, there might still be room for damage control." "I will." Grace nodded without elaborating further.

She understood what he was implying, but she didn't dare let her thoughts venture in that direction. For now, she could only hope that everything would develop in a positive direction. That was all she could do

Chapter 2696

 

Grace's messengers quickly delivered the plague prevention prescription to Tristan, Matthias, and Nathaniel, though each reacted quite differently.

Tristan was naturally overjoyed. He immediately consulted with Icarus and Lenora to review the prescription. When both praised its effectiveness, he put it into action without delay.

His team began preparing the tonic and distributing it to patients. While it wasn't a complete cure, it helped alleviate the symptoms and kept conditions from worsening. In a race against time, even this level of relief was a tremendous help in his eyes.

Matthias, on the other hand, couldn't tell whether the prescription was genuine or not when he first received it. None of the people around him could make sense of it, either.

Given the circumstances, he decided to give it a shot. To his surprise, the prescription proved remarkably effective. He quickly ordered it to be distributed across the city and arranged large-scale purchases of the necessary medicinal herbs.

To his surprise, the herbs he had intended to distribute for free ended up in the hands of Thornwick's bureaucratic officials, who quickly turned them into a means of personal profit.

Instead of handing them out, the corrupt officials began selling them at inflated prices. The outbreak in Thornwick was already spiraling out of control, and their profiteering only fueled the chaos.

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As news spread, panic buying broke out across the city. Wealthy merchants and capitalists began hoarding the herbs and reselling them at outrageous prices.

Under these circumstances, ordinary people couldn't afford even basic preventative medicine. Even those already infected were unable to access timely treatment.

Anyone looking to buy medicinal herbs faced prices dozens-sometimes hundreds of times higher than the regular price. Those who couldn't afford them were left with no choice but to wait for death at home.

In this climate of fear and greed, Matthias not only failed to contain the plague but also inadvertently fueled widespread panic and suffering throughout the city. By the reports reached him, Thornwick was already in turmoil.

Furious, he ordered the execution of over a dozen corrupt officials who had profited from the crisis. Even the wealthy merchants who had inflated prices and taken advantage of the national emergency were arrested and imprisoned.

The harsh punishments finally put an end to the corruption, but they created a new set of problems.

With so many officials arrested, Thornwick's government could barely function. The administrative breakdown only accelerated the outbreak's spread, leaving Matthias scrambling to restore order amid the chaos.

In contrast, Nathaniel handled the crisis far more effectively. He had not only brought his own medical team but had also assigned his most trusted aides across Sommer town on the day of his arrival.

Their task was to monitor local officials and issue stern warnings against corruption. As a result, when the outbreak began spreading, most of Sommer town's officials cooperated fully.

Unlike Tristan and Matthias, Nathaniel didn't rush to use the prescription.

Instead, he had his medical team begin developing their own antidote. His decision wasn't driven purely by distrust but by deeper strategic reasons behind it.

As Grace was checking on the patients in the warehouse the following morning, Sadie suddenly walked in. "Ms. Linsor, we've captured Lauren. Do you want to interrogate her?" she asked.

Grace nodded approvingly. "Well done.

Take to her." Since the outbreak in Reed crest had originated from Lauren, Grace intended to interrogate her thoroughly. "Right this way, Ms. Linsor." Without saying much, Sadie led Grace out of the building and through several security checkpoints. Eventually, they arrived at a sealed-off, secluded cabin. Several squads of soldiers stood guard around it to prevent anyone from getting close.

Sadie pushed open the heavy iron door. It creaked loudly, and sunlight streamed into the dim space.

Grace stepped inside to find Lauren bound tightly to a chair.

She was beautiful, slim, and looked completely harmless. Anyone unaware of her background would've easily let their guard down around her.

"Remove her blindfold," Grace ordered.

Sadie motioned to a soldier wearing a bio hazard suit and respirator. He forward and yanked away Lauren's blindfold. The sudden brightness made her squint reflexively until her vision adjusted to the light. "You're Lauren Stephan?" Grace asked coolly.

"Who are you?” Laura asked, terrified and anxious. "Why did you bring here? I didn't do anything."

Grace's expression remained stone-cold as she replied, "We're with law enforcement, and we've already investigated your background thoroughly. I suggest you drop the act." "Law enforcement? Why did you arrest me? I didn't commit any crime. You must have the wrong person," Lauren said, stunned.

"Enough with the act!" Sadie snapped. "You think we dragged you here just to let you cry your way out of it?" "I don't understand what you're talking about. Are you abducting me? Look, I'm broke. You're not going to get any ransom money out of me." Lauren's voice trembled.

"Still pretending, huh? Fine. Looks like we'll have to do this the hard way before you'll tell the truth." Sadie had heard enough. She turned and ordered," Someone get in here and make her talk.”

Chapter 2697

 

At Sadie's signal, two soldiers stepped forward to carry out her orders.

"W-Wait..." Lauren stammered. She quickly raised her hands and put on a placating smile. “Let's talk this through like civilized people. No need to get physical." "What? Now you want to talk?" Sadie scoffed. "Done with your pretense?" "I was just messing around earlier. Don't take it personally. Ask anything, and I'll tell you everything I know." Lauren immediately chose to give in.

"Don't even think about playing games with me," Sadie warned. "If you lie to me, I swear you'll regret it." "Relax. I won't lie," Lauren said with an ingratiating smile. "I'm as straight as an arrow." Sadie frowned slightly but didn't press further. Something about Lauren's behavior didn't sit right with her. One moment she was acting clueless, the next she was oddly cooperative. It was hard to tell what she was up to. "Alright then. Tell me. Do you know Callan Banks?" Grace asked coolly.

"Do I know him? Of course, I do." Lauren nodded eagerly. "We met online and hung out just a few days ago. Why?" "He contracted the plague and nearly died, "Grace said flatly. "He claims you were the one who infected him. Care to explain?" "What? I infected him with the plague?" Lauren looked stunned.

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Then, she quickly denied it, "Don't listen to his nonsense! Why would I do something like that? I don't even know anything about the plague. He's trying to frame." "For you?" Grace frowned slightly. " Even now, you still won't tell the truth? You think you can get away with this?" "I swear on my life that every word I'm telling you is the truth," Lauren said earnestly. "Don't let Callan fool you. Sure, he looks like sharmless guy, but he's got a dark side to him.

"After we met in person, I knew something was off about him, so I tried to break things off clean. But the creep kept pestering and refused to leave alone. I got so fed up that I beat him up. That's why he's holding a grudge and trying to smear my name." "You seriously expect us to believe a woman like you could take down a grown man?" Sadie asked coldly. "I've practiced martial arts before. Beating up Callan was child's play. I could even take on several men his size without breaking a sweat,” Lauren replied confidently.

"I don't care if you could beat Callan in a fight, but your story doesn't add up," Grace said coolly.

She continued, "We tracked Callan's movements before he got infected. You were the only person he cinto contact with during that period.

"He started showing symptoms the very next day after meeting you. And you're tellingyou had no idea what was happening? "Second, we looked into your background. You joined Nexology and have been actively working with them. Everywhere you've been, an outbreak followed. Don't try to tellthat's just a coincidence.

"And finally, you've been so calm since we brought you in. You don't look panicked, as if you've already cto terms with whatever is coming. Most women would be scared out of their minds right now, but not you.

"I know you're stalling, but it won't get you anywhere. Keep playing dumb if you want, but I've got other ways to get answers from you. I don't like threatening other women, but innocent lives are on the line. If that means I have to be the bad guy, then so be it." Grace didn't raise her voice, but the calm in her tone made it more intimidating than any outburst.

"You've got a lot of theories, but no proof, "Lauren shot back. "Look, if I'm the one spreading this plague, then why am I perfectly fine while everyone else is dying? Look at me. Do I look sick to you?" "That's exactly what bothers me," Grace said. "Either you have the antidote, or you've developed immunity to whatever this plague is." Lauren frowned. "Look, if you're going to accuse of spreading this plague, you need evidence. You can't just throw around claims like that based on your own assumptions." "In the past, I would have been patient enough to gather evidence before bringing you to justice. But things are different now. I don't have to waste on games.

"I'm running out of patience, so I suggest you start cooperating. Otherwise, things are going to get unpleasant," Grace replied as her expression hardened.

"There's no use trying to talk sense into her, Ms. Linsor,” Sadie said.

m "Remnants of the Skul Covenant like her are as stubborn as rocks. If you want answers, you'll have to use force." She had had enough. Every word Lauren spoke sounded like a lie to her.

"Fine. No need to get violent. You think someone as fragile as can handle that?" Laurex said, with a sour look "You Suspect of spreading the plague, right? Fine. I admit it.

Take to who ever's in charge, and I'll confess everything." "She is in charge," Sadie snapped. "Whatever you have to say, say it to her." "No way! You're actually the one in charge here?" Lauren gave Grace a slow once-over, then suddenly broke into a wicked smile.

She continued, "I've been turning over every stone looking for you, and here you are, right in front of me. I was ready to put on quite the performance, but it turns out I don't need to." As soon as the words left her mouth, the chains binding her snapped loose on their own. Then, a scarlet mist suddenly erupted from within her body.

Chapter 2698

 

Chapter 2699

 

Chapter 2700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, July 11, 2025

An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys) Chapter 2681 To 2690

 Chapter 2681


 

Oh, Princess Grace. I had nearly forgotten about her," Milton murmured as he nodded thoughtfully.

Grace might have been born a woman, but she commanded Valon's complete trust. Not only had she earned a position within the Regal Observatory, but she also secretly controlled Dragonmarsh's most formidable intelligence network.

This intelligence organization had always served the royal family exclusively. Even those who knew of its existence dared not speak of it openly, much less interfere with its operations.

"So few neutral forces remain. If I could bring Grace into my camp, my chances of success would improve considerably." Tristan's eyes narrowed as he calculated the possibilities.

"Your Highness, Princess Grace is no simple opponent. Winning her allegiance would likely demand a steep price," Milton warned.

"Recruiting her may prove difficult, but extracting information from her should be manageable enough." A faint smile played across Tristan's lips.

From what he understood, Grace privately sold intelligence to supplement the royal treasury. As long as someone could pay her price and the information wouldn't harm national interests, she would part with most secrets.

"Milton, we don't have tto waste. Get the car ready. You're coming withto Soluna Hall." Without further discussion, Tristan donned his coat and headed for the door.

Opportunities like this didn't ctwice. Whatever he could see coming, Matthias and Nathaniel would figure out soon enough, so he had to move first. Getting ahead was the only way to win, and that was the edge he needed.

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An hour later, a black business sedan pulled up in front of Soluna Hall. Tristan and Milton stepped out of the vehicle one after the other.

As they approached the entrance, two guards blocked their path. "Sorry. We don't receive unknown guests," the guard on the left said.

"I'm here to see your boss, Grace." Tristan cut straight to the point.

The two guards exchanged glances, clearly surprised. Anyone who knew their boss' actual nobviously had significant status.

"Excuse me, sir. Do you have an appointment?" The guard's tone becconsiderably more respectful.

"Can't I see her without an appointment?" Tristan removed his hat and said coolly, Tell Grace that her older brother has cto visit. Let's find out what kind of reception she'll give me." At these words, both guards' expressions changed instantly.

"Please wait a moment," said the sguard, and he entered the building.

Meanwhile, in the private room of Soluna Hall's back garden, Grace was studying intelligence reports she had just collected. Beside her, Dustin leisurely sipped tea and enjoyed pastries.

After a night of intensive operations, most of the Hall of Gods operatives in Oakvale had been taken out. The few who remained were either in hiding or on the run and were no longer a threat. The cleanup would be left to the local authorities.

At that moment, someone knocked at the door.

"What is it?" Grace asked, not looking up from her intelligence materials.

"Ms. Linsor, Prince Tristan is here to see you," cthe voice of a trusted aide from outside the door.

"Hmm?" Grace finally lifted her head." Tristan? What does he want?" "Unknown at present. Should I send him away?" her trusted aide inquired.

"No need. Show him to the Luna Suite. I'll be there shortly." "Understood," her trusted aide responded and quickly departed.

"Tristan showing up this early probably has something to do with the Hall of Gods operatives getting wiped out last night," Dustin said.

"He's had dealings with the Hall of Gods. Last night's purge hit sof his operations hard. Sounds like he's spooked and now he's hoping to squeeze information out of me." Grace smiled knowingly.

Tristan wouldn't show up unannounced unless he needed something, and his sudden visit made his motives obvious.

"What do you plan to do?" Dustin took a small pastry from the plate and tossed it high into the air. He caught it neatly in his mouth and savored it with obvious pleasure.

He continued, "It's your call. Either tell the truth or make excuses." Grace smiled faintly. "Oh, I haven't asked you yet. Among the three princes, which one do you actually support for the throne? "You're asking me?" Dustin raised an eyebrow. Then, he shook his head. "I don't support any of them." "Why not?" She looked puzzled.


She went on, "Now that you carry the fate of the nation and have broken through to a new realm your power and statuscalone are enough to decide the throne. Whoever you back could take the crown, and you'd be the kingmaker behind it all. What could be more valuable than that?" "To be honest, I don't like any of your three brothers," Dustin replied calmly.

He continued, "Tristan appears to be a gentleman, but he's actually petty. He'll use any means necessary for power.

"As for Matthias, don't even getstarted. He comes from a military background and acts erratically and brutally. He might make a decent general, but he's not cut out to be a king." "What about Nathaniel, then? He's a scholar and martial artist. Surely he'd be worthy?" Grace asked.

"He's selfish, cold, and callous.

Human life means nothing to him. If he takes the throne God knows how many people in Dragonmarsh will die. Your other brothers probably wouldn't survive either," he replied bluntly. "Father's tis running short. Someone has to inherit the throne," she said helplessly.

"Speaking of the one taking the crown, I already have the right person in mind." Dustin suddenly smiled knowingly.

"Who?" Grace's interest was instantly piqued.

"You." He pointed at her.

"Me?" She froze. Many names had flashed through her mind just moments before, but she never imagined that he would choose her.

Chapter 2682

 

"Dustin, you're not joking, are you?" Grace frowned slightly. His answer had caught her completely off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless.

"How could I joke about something like this?" Dustin smiled faintly.

He went on, "Your brothers are hopeless.

They can't shoulder this burden, but you're different. You've got both brains and strength, courage and vision. And you actually care about the people. If you took the throne, you could lead Dragonmarsh to greatness.” "Don't be ridiculous." Grace shook her head. "I'm merely a woman. How could I be fit to rule a nation?" "What's wrong with being a woman? What makes it impossible?" Dustin countered.

He continued eloquently, "Looking back over a thousand years, wasn't there a woman who becruler? People still speak of her with admiration to this day." "That's different." She shook her head again.

"Don't worry about whether it's possible-just tellif you want it. If you do, I'll help you make it happen. I believe under your rule, this nation would grow stronger and more prosperous," Dustin said bluntly.

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"I..." Grace frowned slightly.

The thought had crossed her mind before, but she'd quickly dismissed it as unrealistic.

Regardless of her capabilities or worthiness, her gender alone made the throne impossible to claim. The prejudices of the nation ran deeper than any river, and gender often mattered more than ability when it cto matters of succession.

The people of Dragonmarsh would never accept a queen regnant. The legendary Queen Morwyn had been a singular figure in history-a once-in-a-millennium ruler impossible to replicate.

In the kingdom's entire history, she remained the sole woman to hold sovereign power. What hubris would it take for Grace to even dream of following in those footsteps? "You don't have to answernow. Think it over carefully, and decide when you're ready. Whatever you choose, I'll stand with you. Whoever you support, I'll support." Dustin made his stance clear.

He had never been one to meddle in affairs that weren't his concern. If forced to choose among the princes, he would rather choose no one at all. He raised this topic only because he truly believed Grace would make an exceptional ruler.

"I'm going to see Tristan." She didn't say anything else, nodded, and left the room.

She was far from being a selfless saint without desires of her own. She burned with ambition, but hers was a nobler fire, one that centered on the nation and its people. For these noble goals, she had made countless sacrifices and shouldered tremendous burdens.

Whether running the intelligence network or risking her life alongside Dustin, everything she did served the greater good. She had always been content to work from the shadows and pull strings behind the scenes. But now, Dustin's words stirred something within her heart. Should she truly reach for the throne herself? Inside the Luna Suite, Tristan sat quietly, gazing at the steam rising from his untouched tea. Behind him, Milton stood quietly with his head bowed and hands at his sides.

Just then, the door suddenly swung open, and Grace entered with a bright smile.

Tristan immediately rose to greet her, displaying proper deference. After all, he needed her help, and naturally, he had to stay humble.

"Tristan, you wouldn't visit without good reason. What brings you here so early in the morning?" she asked. She gestured for him to sit, then settled into the chair across from him.

"Since we're siblings, I won't beat around the bush." Tristan cleared his throat. “You must have heard about last night's upheaval in Dragonmarsh's underground factions?" "Of course." Grace nodded. "The foreign elements led by the Hall of Gods have all been purged. For Dragonmarsh, it's actually a good thing." "You control the largest intelligence network in Dragonmarsh. It shouldn't be difficult for you to investigate this matter thoroughly, right?" he pressed.

"What's got you so curious all of a sudden? Could it be that the reshuffle of the underground factions has caused you to suffer dearly?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I wouldn't say dearly, though there's been simpact. My main concern is that this mysterious force appeared too suddenly. Without understanding who they are, I fear they could pose a threat to our nation. It weighs heavily on my mind." Tristan's words sounded noble. He spoke of serving the country's interests while harboring his own hidden agenda.

"I see." Grace smiled. "Your noble service to the nation and people sets the example we all aspire to." "Ha! I wouldn't dare claim to be an example. I'm simply doing what I can." He waved his hand dismissively with a laugh.

"Very well then. Since you've asked, I'll have my people look into this matter thoroughly," she agreed without hesitation.

"If I may ask. How long might such an investigation take?" "It's hard to say. I'll notify you the moment we learn anything." Grace's answer remained deliberately vague.

"Fair enough." Tristan nodded thoughtfully. "Though I'd prefer this matter remain between us. No need to complicate things unnecessarily." "Of course." She smiled in acknowledgment.

"Great. I won't take up any more of your time. Farewell." With that, he rose from his seat.

"Tristan, I'll walk you out." Grace gestured toward the entrance and walked alongside him as they left Soluna Hall.

She didn't let her smile drop until his car had disappeared down the road. Just as she'd expected, he'd cEn because of last night's incident.

Now that Tristan had shown up, it was only a matter of tbefgren Matthias and Nathaniel followed. She couldn't help but think this had turned into a mess.

Chapter 2683

 

It was midday at the Mosey mansion, and Seamus was sipping tea and reading in the garden after lunch. Just then, an aide approached him and reported, "Sir Mosey, Prince Matthias is here to see you." "Show him in," Seamus replied with a nod.

He didn't look surprised, as if he had been expecting his visit.

"Yes, sir," the aide acknowledged, then left quickly.

Moments later, Matthias walked briskly into the back garden.

"Uncle Seamus! Something major happened in Oakvale last night,” he exclaimed before he'd even settled into a chair.

"What could prompt such concern from you, Your Highness?" Seamus asked as he set aside his book and smiled. "Sunderground forces led by the Hall of Gods were eliminated last night. Even my businesses were severely affected," Matthias said with a grave expression.

He went on, "What's most troubling is how suddenly it all happened. I didn't receive any news in advance. Despite multiple investigations afterward, nothing turned up. I'm utterly baffled about who's behind this, which is why I've choping you might shed slight on the matter." "I have also heard about last night's upheaval," Seamus replied calmly.

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He nodded thoughtfully before adding, " You're right. Whoever eliminated the Hall of Gods is shrouded in mystery. Even with all my channels, I haven't been able to uncover a single lead." "How can this be happening?” Matthias frowned. “At this pivotal moment in the succession struggle, this mysterious figure with terrifying capabilities has suddenly emerged. I can't tell if this works in my favor or against me." He was competing with Nathaniel and Tristan through both open rivalry and covert scheming, as each prince built their network of influence and formed alliances. Though the outcwas far from certain, at least their methods were all within expected parameters.

However, the sudden appearance of that mysterious figure had increased the unpredictability. The fact that he could wipe out the Hall of Gods and multiple factions in a single night was beyond comprehension.

Even if Matthias went all in and threw caution to the wind, he doubted he could achieve that level of destruction. "There are upsides and downsides to this," Seamus said calmly.

He continued, "If this person has no interest in the power struggle, then his presence won't affect us much. Conversely, should he choose to involve himself in the fight for power, whichever prince gains his support would possess an overwhelming advantage." "You mean we need to find out whether this person intends to join our side?" Matthias caught on quickly.

"First, uncover his identity. Then, figure out his intentions, and finally adapt our strategy accordingly," Seamus advised.

"You don't seem nervous, Uncle Seamus.

Do you already have a plan in mind?" Matthias looked bewildered.

After such a massive purge, Seamus was unnervingly calm. There wasn't a trace of worry in his expression. Either his mental discipline was unmatched, or he had already devised a countermeasure.

"Does nervousness solve problems? Everything must be handled with a clear head. Sometimes we have to accept what fate puts in front of us." Seamus smiled faintly.

He had weathered storms far greater than that. After surviving countless brushes with death, his will was unshakable. Even if the sky were falling, he wouldn't so much as flinch. A little disruption like that hardly warranted concern.

"I don't believe in fate. I only believe in myself," Matthias said, clenching a fist. " I'll crush whoever stands in my way." Seamus replied calmly, "Ambition is a good thing, Your Highness. But when you're up against a stronger enemy, sometimes the smart move is to back down.

"Remember the old tales about a king who endured hardship to achieve his revenge. It means a setback isn't the end. As long as you're alive, you still have a chance to turn things around.” "Your principles don't mean much to me. I only follow one creed-either I take the throne or I fall trying," Matthias said.

He'd been practicing martial arts from a young age and excelled at combat. Anyone who stood in his way would be killed. To him, that was a straightforward, no-nonsense, and practical method.

"Very well. I have no right to dictate your choices, but I might have sinsight to offer regarding the question you brought up earlier." Seamus changed the subject.

"Oh? Let's hear it." Matthias perked up.

"Think about it. Ac Dragonmarsh, who has enough power to wipe out the Hall of Gods' entire forces in single night, without leaking a single word?" Seamus asked.

"This..." Matthias frowned slightly.

After pondering for a while, he replied, " Could Father be behind this?" Seamus shook his head. "The King is on his deathbed and doesn't have much tleft. Where would he find the strength for such schemes?" "If not him, then who else could it be?" Matthias grew even more puzzled. " Tristan and Nathaniel don't have that kind of ability. If they did, I wouldn't even stand a chance against them.” He knew his two brothers well. Though each had backing from powerful factions, neither could possibly deceive every watchful eye in the nation.

Seamus said, "Letgive you another hint. What made last night's purge of whoessful wasn't the strength w was behind it, but rather the exceptional nature of their intelligence organization. "They managed to hide from every faction's surveillance throughout the entire operation. That's what makes it truly terrifying."

"Intelligence organization?" Matthias ethen asked. He froze briefly before realization suddenly hit him. "Uncle Seamus, are you suggesting... Grace was behind this?" The largest intelligence organization in Dragonmarsh belonged to the royal family. It was initially under Valon's control, but he later transferred it to Grace.

Since she wasn't affiliated with any political faction and was a woman who posed no threat to the throne, her father placed absolute trust in her.

Over the years, the intelligence network under her command had grown far beyond what anyone could track, least of all Matthias.

But he was certain that if anyone could uncover the true mastermind behind the upheaval it was Grace. Yet, he couldn't dismiss the possibility that she might be the one behind it.

Chapter 2684

 

A chill crept down Matthias' spine at the thought. If the mastermind behind the purge was Grace, then the situation had taken a dire turn.

As a staunch royalist, she had never involved herself in government politics.

Her unexpected involvement and the massive disruption it caused raised alarming questions.

What could she possibly be plotting? Had she already chosen a side? Did she know their father's days were numbered and decide to secure her future? The more Matthias pondered these possibilities, the more his heart raced with dread.

Grace commanded an intelligence organization with immense resources and networks. She could easily cut off his sources and deny him access to vital information. If that happened, he would find himself at a severe disadvantage before the succession battle even began.

Seamus said calmly, "Your focus has always been on your two brothers. You see them as enemies and spend all your tcompeting against them and trying to bring them down.

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"But you never thought about the Princess of Ariella, who had been silently building her network behind the scenes. Now she has enough influence to shift the entire political landscape." Before last night's great purge, Seamus had never given Grace a second thought either. To him, she had always maintained such a low profile in daily affairs.

She never displayed any ambition and consistently served the crown loyally. Plus, she also avoided conflicts, never took sides, and didn't attract anyone's attention. It was as if she didn't even exist.

It wasn't until last night that this invisible figure finally revealed her true capabilities. Only then did Seamus realize that among all the competing princes, such a remarkable woman of both wisdom and courage had been hidden in plain sight.

"Who would've thought Grace was so shrewd?" Matthias frowned. "Uncle Seamus, what should we do now? She seems like she's up to something." "Regardless of her intentions, you must contact her," Seamus said calmly. "Start by gathering intelligence, then get to know her, and finally figure out how to win her over.

"No matter how much influence she wields or how exceptional her abilities are, she won't threaten your position. What you should be worried about is whether she'll throw her support behind another prince." As a woman, Grace could never inherit the throne. But with the influence she had, she possessed the ability to reshape the political landscape entirely. That made her a force they couldn't afford to ignore.

"Got it. I'll see to it immediately," Matthias responded with a nod and left without saying anything else.

He had always been a man of action. Once he set his sights on a goal, he would achieve it by any means necessary.

"Godfather..." Anders began.

As soon as Matthias left, he stepped into the garden. He had been eavesdropping by the door and already understood the situation at hand.

"What is it?" Seamus raised an eyebrow slightly.

"It seems you're already aware of last night's incident in Oakvale. I'm concerned that if Matthias handles this poorly and makes the wrong move, what then?" Anders asked with a grave expression.

He went on, "One wrong move at a tlike this could ruin everything. I just don't trust someone as reckless as him." Seamus smiled as he asked, "And what brilliant strategy do you propose?" "I believe we shouldn't put all our eggs in one basket,” Anders said, lowering his voice. "Though Matthias commands great influence, he's still a brute. Going up against Nathaniel won't be easy. If he fails, we'll be dragged down with him." "Great rewards demand great sacrifices. In the fight for the throne, risk is inevitable," Seamus replied evenly.

"I understand this principle," Anders said. "I admit that brute Matthias is easier to control. If he takes the throne, we'll have a tighter grip on power and a bigger share of the rewards.

"However, the risks are equally high. If he fails, our entire family will fall with him. It's risky to bet everything on this brutish fool. If possible, we should explore another option." "What option are you proposing?" Seamus pressed.

Anders explained with growing enthusiasm, "It's simple. You maintain your support for Matthias without changing your stance, while I pursue separate allegiance with Nathaniel.

"That way, we'll be covered no matter who takes the crown. We hedge our bets instead of risking everything." "There's smerit to that reasoning, but how can you gain Nathaniel's trust?" Seamus asked as he took a sip from his teacup.

He went on, "You know better than anyone how cautious he is. You're om my adopted son, and Km supporting Matthias. What makes you think Nathaniel would trust you, let alone appoint you to a key role?" "Earning his trust isn't that hard. I already have a plan, though it requires your complete cooperation, Godfather," Anders said with a smile.

"Oh? Let's hear it. What do you needto do?" Seamus looked interested.

"It's simple. We stage a falling-out, then you disownpublicly. This will sever our bond entirely. It won't ver our affect your standing with Matthias, nor will it hinder my approach to Nathaniel,” Anders explained. "It appears you've planned this thoroughly. If I refused to support you now, I would seem unreasonable," Seamus said thoughtfully.

"Godfather, please don't misunderstand. I'd never betray you," Anders declared earnestly.

He went on, "You raisedall these years, so your kindness means everything to me, and I never forget it This plan is designed solely to secure a retreat for you. If you find it unsuitable, then forget I ever spoke these words." "Relax. I'm not questioning your loyalty." Seamus chuckled. "Your proposal has merit. I do need a fallback plan, so we'll proceed as you suggest. Handle it however you see fit." Upon hearing that, Anders's face brightened with joy. "Thank you, Godfather."

Chapter 2685

 

"Anders, you're intelligent and gifted in both warfare and strategy, with a promising future," Seamus said. "One day, all my authority and assets will be handed to you.

"You're more than ready to handle things on your own now. I trust you know what you should and shouldn't do.

"I'm getting old, and there's nothing much I can do for you. However, I must remind you to think twice before acting and never outsmart yourself. Understand?" He looked at Anders and offered his heartfelt advice.

"I'll never forget your words, Godfather," Anders said respectfully..

"Good. Make your arrangements, and I'll play my part in staging this falling-out. From here on, you'll have to tread your own path," Seamus said and waved him off.

"I won't let you down," Anders promised, then turned to leave.

As soon as he walked out the door, his lips curved into a faint smirk.

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Though he was known throughout Oakvale as the Veros Warrior, he had always lived in Seamus' shadow. No matter how many victories he'd won or what titles he'd earned, outsiders always saw him as the man dependent on his godfather's influence.

If Seamus had stepped down early and granted him full control of the Moseys' forces and assets, Anders wouldn't have harbored such resentment. Instead, he would've honored Seamus and fulfilled every duty as a loyal godson.

However, Seamus still maintained his iron grip on authority and had no intention of stepping down. His secret support of Matthias revealed just how far he was willing to go.

This was his bid for ultimate power and to becthe kingmaker who controlled rulers from the shadows. Years of lying low hadn't dulled that ambition in the slightest, and his thirst for power was as relentless as ever.

Anders knew he wouldn't rise on his own merit if he were still under Seamus' command. Therefore, he had to find a way to break free from Seamus' control and forge his own path. Coincidentally, that unpredictable situation gave him the perfect opportunity and excuse.

He had no confidence in Matthias, who was nothing but a brute, while he trusted Nathaniel's calculated and shrewd nature. That belief motivated his risky proposal for the staged falling-out.

Anders genuinely wanted to create a fallback plan, but he also saw a chance to break free and carve out his destiny.

If he helped Nathaniel seize the throne, he'd be counted among his earliest allies. A governorship would follow naturally, which was far preferable to staying in the Moseys under Seamuss' thumb.

"Godfather, don't blme for choosing a better master. You brought this on yourself with your greed. After all these years, you're still clinging to power. If you won't step aside, how are those of us in the next generation supposed to build legacies of our own?" Anders muttered.

Outside the gate, he cast one final glance at the Mosey mansion before entering his car and driving off. Anders didn't think he had done anything wrong. After all, he just wanted to seek better opportunities for himself. There was nothing unusual about that.

Meanwhile, Nathaniel was at his mansion.

"What? The royal god Zeus is dead?" he exclaimed.

In the meeting room, he listened to his trusted aide's report. His eyes widened in shock as he asked, "What happened? How could one of the world's top powerhouses possibly be dead? Are you certain this information is accurate?" Just days ago, Zeus had wreaked havoc in Oakvale and nearly threatened his life. Fortunately, Nathaniel had acted quickly and redirected the trouble toward Matthias.

That move not only extricated him from danger but also allowed him to suppress Matthias' forces and pressure them to reveal their trump cards.

The outchad been quite favorable for Nathaniel. He had even been contemplating whether he could leverage Zeus' power again to eliminate his enemies.

Even so, he hadn't anticipated starting the day with news of the royal god's death. The revelation was nothing short of staggering.

"Your Highness, we've double-checked the information and can confirm the information is accurate," Calder, his trusted aide, replied, lowering his head.

He went on, "It's not just Zeus. Even Hera has also mysteriously disappeared without a trace. Given the circumstances, it's likely she didn't survive either." "How is this even possible?" Nathaniel frowned. "Two royal gods-one is dead and the other is missing. What in the world is going on?" Calder replied, "Your Highness, there's more. Besides the two royal gods being taken out, Oakvale's underground forces underwent a major purge last night.

"Smysterious force eliminated foreign forces led by the Hall of Gods. Several of our business operations were impacted. We've suffered a substantial loss.

"What?" Nathaniel's face paled with shock. "Foreign forces were purged, and even our businesses were affected? Who's behind this?" Everything had been fine just two days ago. But when he woke up that morning, he felt like his whole world was falling apart.

"This force appeared out of nowhere.

Not a single piece of intel surfaced .onr throughout the entire operation. Our intelligence division can't find so much as a thread to follow," Calder replied. "Incompetent fools! Every last one of you, "Nathaniel barked.

He slammed his fist against the table and continued, "Something this catastrophic happens, and not a single one of you saw it coming? Why did I even hire you?"

The sudden emergence of such a powerful, mysterious force in Oakvale was definitely not good news for him. If that force could effortlessly eliminate the Hall of Gods and other major factions, what would happen if they turned their attention to him? The consequences would be catastrophic.

"Please calm down, Your Highness. Our men are investigating with m utmost, urgencyer'm confident we'll have answers soon," Calder said, dropping to his knees in terror. "If I have to rely on a bunch of incompetent fools, I'll be dead before sunrise," Nathaniel spat coldly. "Get the car.

I'm going to the Spanner residence."

Chapter 2686

 

After getting in the car, Nathaniel headed straight to the Spanner estate. His mother, Cynthia, was a direct descendant of the Spanners. Her family's influence in Oakvale rivaled that of the Moseys, perhaps even surpassing it.

The patriarch of the Spanners, Conan Spanner, was Nathaniel's uncle. Two decades ago, he was renowned as a scholar and a warrior. Though he had withdrawn from the public, his legacy lived on through his children.

His son Adam bore the title God of Military, while his daughter Scarlet was known as the Goddess of War. Both had achieved legendary status among their generation. They commanded large numbers of armies, and their futures seemed limitless.

With such prodigious talent within their ranks, the Spanner family had risen to unprecedented heights. Their growing influence now threatened to eclipse even the mighty Moseys.

It was this formidable backing that gave Nathaniel the confidence to contend for the throne. Since he was facing such momentous circumstances, he knew he must seek Conan's help.

Half an hour later, a car pulled up to the gates of the Spanner estate.

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After stepping out of the vehicle, Nathaniel walked toward the meeting room without anyone stopping him.

Conan had earlier received news of his arrival and was already waiting inside.

He was a broad-shouldered man with a strong jaw. His rugged features still carried a certain charm. Even though he was over 50, he still possessed a distinctive charisma.

"Uncle Conan," Nathaniel called as he stepped through the doors. "Something major happened in Oakvale last night.

Have you heard anything about it?" "Nathaniel, you're a grown man in your 20s, yet you're still this impatient. Can't you hold yourself together?" Conan gave him a sidelong glance with a calm expression.

"But this is a serious matter," Nathaniel said as he dropped into the chair beside Conan. "My people are useless, so I had no choice but to cto you for help." Conan shook his head slowly. "I've heard whispers of what you speak, but I'm afraid there's nothing I can do." "Nothing you can do?" Nathaniel's eyes widened in disbelief. "Uncle Conan, I'm your nephew. Who will helpif you won't?" "It's not that I won't help you," Conan replied in an even tone. "It's that I can't. I've had my men look into it since the news broke just after midnight, but the results have been disappointing. Perhaps it's best not to dig any deeper." "Uncle Conan, this mysterious force suddenly appeared out of nowhere. If we don't get to the bottom of it, it will be a major threat to us. I can't even sleep peacefully at night," Nathaniel said with a frown.

How could he allow another to sleep soundly? Anyone who might influence his claim to the throne needed to be investigated thoroughly.

He had to know whether that mysterious force was a threat or not. Only then could he shore up his defenses and find peace of mind. If something unexpected happened, there'd be no tfor regret.

"Nathaniel, have you considered this? Whoever is behind that clearly doesn't want to be found since they've gone to great lengths to stay hidden.

"Sometimes it's better not to dig too deep. But if you keep pushing and they catch wind of it, you'll only stir up trouble you didn't need," Conan said.

"I get what you're saying. But given how far things have progressed, I cannot simply ignore what has happened," Nathaniel replied seriously.

He went on, "At this point, I have no way out. I have to manage every risk and bring everything back under control." "So you won't give up until you get the answers today?" Conan raised an eyebrow.

"You're right," Nathaniel replied without hesitation. "Whether you helpor not, I'm going to get to the bottom of this." "Very well. Since you've made up your mind, I won't try to stop you. I'll give you a lead. If you want the full story, you better ask the Princess of Ariella," Conan suggested.

"The Princess of Ariella?" Nathaniel was momentarily taken aback before he remembered. "You mean Grace?" "From your expression, it seems you don't pay much attention to your sister. You don't even know her official title." Conan shook his head in exasperation.

"Uncle Conan, stop teasing me. What does she have to do with this?" Nathaniel looked puzzled.

"Your sister controls the largest intelligence organization in Oakvale. You still think this has nothing to do with her?" Conan said irritably.

He went on, "There was a massive operation last night, so how do you think it could be covered up without the princess' intelligence organization's involvement?"

"Are you saying she is the person behind all this?" Nathaniel asked with a frown." But how is that possible? She's just a woman. Even if she En controls the organization, she couldn't have the ability to destroy the Hall of Gods' hidden forces in Oakvale overnight."

Zeus had fallen, Hera had vanished, and the Hall of Gods' various faction forces had been wiped out Suchn thorough destruction was clearly destrued impossible to achieve through an intelligence organization alone and required an overwhelming military force.

"I don't know how Grace did it, but I'm certain she's involved. Even if she's not the mastermind she's at least the accomplice. That's why I'm telling you to talk to her yourself. See if you can get anything out of her," Conan said. "I see." Nathaniel nodded thoughtfully." Uncle Conan, I know what I need to do now. Thank you for your guidance. I'll take my leave." After getting his answer, he didn't linger. He bid farewell and left immediately.

"When will he finally learn to stand on his own?" Conan sighed.

He couldn't even handle such a trivial matter and had to casking for help. Was a prince like that really fit to inherit the throne?

Chapter 2687

 

That afternoon in a private room of Soluna Hall, events unfolded exactly as Grace had anticipated.

After dealing with Tristan in the morning and Matthias at midday, Nathaniel now appeared before her. Within one day, all three of the most powerful princes cto see her one after another.

Tristan had asked her to investigate the mastermind behind the recent events, while Matthias had inquired whether she was that mastermind. As for Nathaniel, he was probing to see if a hidden master was backing her. All three harbored the ssuspicions, though each focused on different aspects of the mystery.

Grace could only choose to deflect with vague responses and stall for time. She didn't give any clear responses to any of them. She was aware that such matters couldn't be admitted. Otherwise, that would only invite more trouble down the line.

She naturally understood that no matter how carefully the news was contained, eventually it would leak out. In just a few more days, she bet her brothers would likely piece everything together.

Grace let out a weary sigh, sensing the dull throb of an approaching headache. Her original plan was to take advantage of Dustin's breakthrough, then attack the unprepared Hall of Gods forces and wipe them out in a single coordinated strike.

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Her plan had succeeded, but it had also brought her a new problem.

She had previously kept a low profile, quietly developing her strength and making money discreetly. But now, she had thrust herself into the spotlight, where avoiding attention was impossible.

"What could possibly trouble the Princess of Ariella? Seeing you sigh like this is quite the ty," Dustin said from behind her.

Grace turned and said helplessly, "Please don't teaseright now. I'm dealing with a headache because my three brothers' eyes are onnow. Nothing but trouble awaits." "Let them be," he said with a grin. "You've kept a low profile long enough. Maybe it's tthey see what you're really capable of.

She shook her head. "I prefer to make my money on the down-low. I'd rather avoid the whole power struggle if possible." "Your passiveness won't protect you from other people's ambitions. They will cfor your piece of the pie eventually," Dustin said as he sat leisurely and picked up a pastry.

He went on, "Have you considered what happens when one of your three brothers takes the throne? None of them will allow you to control such a big intelligence organization.

"They'll strip away everything you've built, regardless of whether you resist. Worse yet, they might even place you under house arrest with constant surveillance." Grace fell silent at those words.

These possibilities had crossed her mind before. Under Valon's reign, she could wield power with confidence and use her authority to serve both her country and her father. But once a new ruler ascended, her protected position would crumble.

At that time, her authority would be stripped away, and the intelligence organization would also be reshuffled. Still, she could live with that since she had never been one to crave power.

Grace was aware that even surrendering everything might not guarantee her safety because her mere existence would threaten the new ruler.

Based on her understanding of her three brothers, house arrest would be a merciful alternative. It was better than them fabricating charges to throw her in prison or simply making her disappear entirely.

She wasn't being cynical about human nature after having witnessed too much darkness and understood the true character of rulers. Throughout history, most rulers have been regarded as heartless and untrustworthy. "Ms. Linsor!" Just then, a trusted aide suddenly knocked on the door and entered with a grave expression.

"We just received a report that there's been an outbreak of plague in Ashen Coast. It's spreading rapidly, and many civilians have already fallen ill." "A plague?" Grace frowned upon hearing that. "Ashen Coast has always been peaceful with no wars or conflicts. How could a plague suddenly appear there?" "According to our investigation, this plague may be connected to the Skull Covenant from 30 years ago," the aide replied.

"The Skull Covenant?" Grace's expression changed. "I thought they were wiped out. Don't tellthere are still remnants alive. 11 Back when Valon was still a prince 30 years ago, the Skull Covenant was causing chaos everywhere, so he was ordered to lead an expedition. He brought 200,000 troops into the Ashen Coast, sealed bridges and blocked roads, and besieged the Skull Covenant for three whole months.

Over 10,000 Skull Covenant followers and hundreds of core members were killed, which left the guild permanently crippled.

Afterward, Valon dispatched to down numerous elite squads to hunt the remaining Skull Covenant remnants throughout the land. His goal was to eliminate the threat once and for all. Since then, they had vanished entirely from the world. For 30 years, they had never heard any news about them.

However, Grace never expected that at this critical moment, the Skull m Covenant that had been destroyed 30 years ago would rise from the ashes and begin causing trouble in the Ashen Coast again.

"We need more tto investigate the specific situation. Right now, the plague continues to nues to spread and We ve must find a way to contain it.

Otherwise, more than a dozen cities in the Ashen Coast will be affected," the aide warned. "Organize personnel immediately and use every resource at our disposal. We must control this plague and minimize casualties," Grace ordered.

She didn't say much and tossed her badge to her trusted aide.

"Yes, ma'am," the aide acknowledged and departed swiftly.

"Dustin, it looks like we have trouble," Grace said with a frown.

She continued, "The Skull Covenant has risen from the ashes and begun secretly causing chaos again. Who knows how many people will die this time?" "The Skull Covenant?" Dustin's eyes narrowed slightly. He found the timing of their return felt too convenient to be coincidental.

Chapter 2688

 

Grace explained, "The Skull Covenant is pure evil. They sacrifice human lives and commune with death itself. Wherever they go, they leave nothing but ruin.

"It was their heyday 30 years ago. They had hundreds of core members and over 10,000 followers. They were all masters of the dark arts and posed an enormous threat.

"30 years ago, they nearly conquered the entire Ashen Coast and threatened the stability of our nation. Later, my grandfather ordered my father to lead 200,000 troops in an extermination campaign.

"It took three months to annihilate them.

Afterward, my father established an intelligence and assassination organization to hunt down any remnants because he vowed to erase them from existence.

"It took several years to root out every last remnant of the Skull Covenant. I thought we'd wiped them out for good. Still, I never imagined that 30 years later, these evil monsters would return.” Grace's expression grew stern as she frowned slightly. Just when she thought one crisis was ending, another began.

She still had pressing matters to handle, and now the evil Skull Covenant had emerged again. How could she not feel troubled? "I've heard rumors about them as well," Dustin said thoughtfully. "They worship dark gods and are brutally violent. Every year, they'd offer mass sacrifices in its name. Sounds like this plague is just another one of their rituals." "These bastards just won't stay dead. I don't understand why anyone would join such a cult." Grace sighed. "People who join cults are either mindless or consumed by greed. Their mindset defies all rational thought," Dustin said, and shook his head.

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What sane person would join the Skull Covenant, knowing it was a death sentence? "Regardless, we need to control this plague first," she said with a grave expression. "Your medical skills are exceptional. Would you accompanyto Ashen Coast to minimize casualties?" "As a citizen of Dragonmarsh, I naturally cannot refuse such a duty," he replied with a nod.

"Excellent! Saving lives is urgent, so we'll leave now," Grace said.

She immediately ordered her people to arrange transportation. They boarded a vehicle and headed straight for the airport.

Ashen Coast was approximately 1,900 miles from Oakvale. Even flying by private jet, it was still a grueling day- long journey.

While Dustin and Grace headed to Ashen Coast, three golden decrees were issued in Aylka from the throne hall. Then, elite courier squads delivered them in three different directions.

Within an hour, Tristan, Nathaniel, and Matthias had received their golden decrees along with secret edicts. Though the decrees were identical, each prince's secret instructions differed slightly.

After reading their edicts, all three princes departed immediately. They gathered their trusted retainers and set out for the Ashen Coast with unprecedented urgency.

The content of the secret edicts was deceptively simple-there was an outbreak of plague in Ashen Coast, and it required swift intervention. Each prince would govern a different city, and whoever successfully contained the outbreak while minimizing civilian casualties would receive a royal commendation.

Typically, such a relief mission would be handled through standard administrative channels. Under normal circumstances, there would've been no need for such secrecy, let alone golden decrees.

The extraordinary measures indicated that this was more than a simple rescue operation. Instead, it was meant to test the princes.

During that critical period of succession, every small event within Aylka's palace had far-reaching consequences throughout the kingdom.

Valon's decision to issue golden decrees and secret edicts in response to this plague outbreak clearly demonstrated the weight he placed on the situation.

Tristan, Nathaniel, and Matthias understood what was at stake. Whoever handled that crisis most effectively would prove their worth to their father. The journey to Ashen Coast would prove decisive in determining the next heir to the throne.

The princes departed for Ashen Coast immediately after receiving their secret edict as they raced against each other to gain every possible advantage.

The first to arrive would hold the initiative, and whoever contained the plague most swiftly while minimizing civilian casualties would return to Oakvale to receive royal commendation. This mission represented the opening gambit in their competition for the throne.

Around 8:00 pm, Dustin and Grace's plane touched down in Reedcrest, the transportation hub of the Ashen Coast. This bustling city had earned the grim distinction of being where the plague was first discovered.

They had to contain the outbreak there first. If panic spread and people scattered in all directions, the entire Ashen Coast would descend into chaos.

After disembarking, Dustin and Grace entered a waiting black sedan.

In the passenger seat sat a woman dressed in a crisp black uniform. She was strikingly beautiful yet carried herself with unmistakable authority-this was Sadie Lennox, the intelligence chief Grace had stationed in Ashen Coast.

"Ms. Linsor, we've sealed off the infected village where the outbreak started. Currently, 23 people are infected. We've managed to keep the news from leaking," Sadie reported while handing over a thick folder. The documents contained detailed profiles of every infected individual, including family backgrounds, personal relationships, recent contacts, and their travel history.

The thoroughness of their intelligence gathering in such a short tfrwas remarkable. It was clearly the work of exceptional operatives.

Grace skimmed through the reports before asking, "Who was infected first among these people?" "A man named Callan Banks," Sadie replied. "I've assigned guards to watch him closely." "Arrange a meeting. I need to speak with him personally," Grace ordered.

If the outbreak's source could be traced back to Callan, it would prove he had likely made contact with the Skull Covenant. There was even a chance he was one of them.

Chapter 2689

 

The vehicle sped down the road. After more than an hour's drive from the airport, Dustin and Grace finally arrived at the source of the outbreak-Ashwillow Village.

It was located on the outskirts of Reedcrest, bordering Harbortown, with a population of 300 residents.

Every road into the village had been barricaded. All residents were confined to their homes under orders to cooperate with the ongoing investigation. At the stime, the 23 people who had contracted the plague had been quarantined together under strict military supervision to avoid any mishaps.

When Dustin and Grace arrived at Ashwillow Village, it was already 9:30 pm. Their vehicle stopped in front of a two-story house with a courtyard.

Its perimeter bristling with hastily installed surveillance equipment and guarded by a full squad of soldiers who wore medical masks over their faces.

The security protocols demanded that every person entering or leaving the premises undergo thorough decontamination procedures. It was to create an atmosphere of strict containment that left no room for error. "Ms. Linsor, put this on." Before they even stepped out of the car, Sadie handed medical masks to Grace and Dustin.

"Sure." Grace nodded and took the mask, slipping it over her face.

"I don't need one. Thanks, though,' Dustin politely declined.

His body was naturally immune to all poisons, and now that he had broken through to the next realm, he had even less reason to worry about such threats. Even the ten deadliest poisons in the martial world couldn't harm him, let alone a mere plague.

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"Mr. Rhys, this outbreak is spreading fast and should not be taken lightly. For your safety, you really should wear the mask," Sadie urged.

"He's a skilled doctor," Grace said calmly." If he says he doesn't need to wear it, then he doesn't. Let's go inside." She didn't offer much explanation. After calling out to the others, she walked into the courtyard.

Though Sadie was puzzled, she didn't press further. She understood Grace's personality well. When the princess made a call, she was rarely wrong about anything.

The three made their way through the courtyard and into the house. They passed through the living room before reaching the bedroom, where they found a man lying on the bed.

He appeared to be in his early 30s with an extremely gaunt frame, and his entire body was strapped down so he couldn't move.

His cheeks were flushed red as he breathed heavily, clearly running a high fever, while red rashes were on his arms, neck, and face. Those were the unmistakable symptoms of the plague.

"Dustin, take a look at his condition first," Grace said, turning her head toward him.

He nodded and stepped forward to examine the patient.

The man's vital signs were extremely weak, and the plague symptoms were already clearly visible on his body. At that rate, he would be dead within two or three days.

"Yes, it's definitely the plague. The man is barely conscious. He's not going to hold on much longer." Dustin quickly delivered his diagnosis.

"Can he still be saved?" Grace asked with a grave expression.

Looking at Callan's condition, he obviously couldn't answer questions normally. They would need to save his life first and relieve his symptoms before conducting any proper questioning.

Dustin nodded and replied, "He can be treated, but it will take seffort." "Whatever you need, just say the word. I'll have people arrange it immediately," Grace replied.

"The plague toxins have reached critical levels. His body is burning from the inside out-high fever, dehydration, severe headaches, and internal bleeding with skin lesions," he said matter-of-factly.

He went on, "I have a prescription that can neutralize the toxins and cool his system. It should stabilize him temporarily. After that, I'll use acupuncture to restore his energy flow. He should regain consciousness by tomorrow morning." "Thank you so much." She breathed a sigh of relief.

She had truly feared that he might say the case was untreatable. That would have made the situation extremely serious.

The plague itself spreads incredibly fast. Without proper medicine to control the symptoms, it would inevitably cause massive casualties.

Grace felt that bringing Dustin here this twas absolutely the right decision.

"I'm just doing what parts," he replied tersely.

He immediately fetched paper and pen, scrawled out a prescription, and handed it to her

Grace took it and thrust it toward Sadie, who was standing behind her. "Get someone to fetch these herbs now," she ordered.

"Got it," Sadie responded with a respectful gesture before hurrying away.

The situation demanded immediate action, as every moment saved in controlling the plague could prevent countless deaths. Within an hour, all the medicinal herbs Dustin required had been delivered.

Next was the brewing process, where he employed an unconventional method to accelerate it. He om channeled bis/mystical pure energy directly into the flames beneath the cauldron, intensifying the heat while simultaneously activating the herbs' healing properties. What would typically require two hours of careful preparation was completed in just 30 minutes under his enhanced technique.

Once Callan had consumed the tonic, Dustin immediately began the acupuncture treatment, using precise pressure point techniques to expel the plague toxins from his patient's body systematically.

His current level of cultivation allowed him to work without physical contact. He could control both the patient and the needles entirely through spiritual manipulation.

With delicate finger movements, Dustin directed each silver needle to fly with perfect accuracy into the designated pressure points, where they spun rapidly to draw out the toxin that had been poisoning Callan's system. Grace observed that display with her usual composure after having witnessed Dustin's abilities before, but Sadie stood transfixed in amazement.

Initially, Sadie had harbored doubts about Dustin's credentials, questioning how someone barely past 20 could legitimately claim to be a skilled doctor.

Now she realized the magnitude of her error as she watched him control needles through the air alone while hitting pressure points with flawless precision.

She considered herself well-traveled and knowledgeable about renowned doctors throughout the realm, yet she had never encountered anyone capable of such extraordinary mastery.

That transcended the boundaries of mortal medicine entirely, reaching a O divine level of healing that she had NO vel of never imagined possible. The world truly did contain miracle workers beyond ordinary understanding. The will be updated first on this website. Cback and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Chapter 2690

 

Ten minutes later, Dustin waved his hand. More than a dozen silver needles lifted from Callan's body and returned to his pouch in an orderly manner.

His mystical pure energy instantly vaporized the contaminated blood on each needle, which essentially served as an alternative form of sterilization.

As the needles were withdrawn, a peculiar suction force drew the toxins rapidly from Callan's body. Dark blood began flowing from where the needles had been applied. This thick, black liquid gave off a putrid stench, and the sight was deeply unsettling.

Grace and Sadie instinctively stepped backward. They were unwilling to risk even the slightest contact with the toxic discharge.

After all, this plague was unlike anything they had encountered before. Even with such a skilled doctor like Dustin present, neither woman dared take unnecessary chances.

The dark blood seeping from Callan's body began to lighten and gradually turned deep red before finally returning to its usual color.

His fever-racked body cooled to normal temperature while his labored breathing settled into a steady, peaceful rhythm. All signs indicated that the plague had been successfully contained.

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"He's out of danger for now," Dustin said." But the toxin really did a number on him. He'll likely remain unconscious until tomorrow morning." "Just getting him back from the brink is a miracle. The other doctors I consulted all said it was hopeless," Sadie said with a sigh.

"Mr. Rhys possesses unmatched medical skills. If he can't cure this plague, then no one else can." Grace was quick to sing his praises.

"I appreciate the compliments, but you still need to pay my consultation fee," Dustin said with a faint smile.

"As long as you can helpsolve this plague outbreak, you'll be compensated accordingly," Grace assured him. "Treating one person is manageable, but treating a group of people is not easy," he said, shaking his head.

He went on, "My medicine can only stabilize the condition and provide spreventive benefits, but it won't cure the disease. To fully heal those afflicted with the plague, the medicine must be combined with my acupuncture techniques." If the infection had spread to dozens or even a few hundred people, he could work through each case individually. It would take several days of intensive treatment, but it was still manageable.

However, if the plague spread to thousands of victims, even his abilities would prove insufficient. He wasn't a miracle worker who could heal an unlimited number of patients.

"I understand what you're trying to say," Grace said seriously. "I'll do everything I can to contain the outbreak and prevent it from spreading further." "The key to controlling this epidemic involves more than just prevention measures," Dustin explained with a weary sigh.

He went on, "We must also locate the Skull Covenant, the one responsible for creating this plague. Otherwise, we'll face an endless cycle where new outbreaks emerge as soon as we contain the current one." "I've already dispatched investigators to track them down, but our best lead right now is Callan," Grace replied. "The sooner he regains consciousness, the better our chances of success." "Good to know you've got it handled. Just letknow if there's anything else you needto do." "Mr. Rhys, we have 22 other patients besides Callan. Why don't you treat them all together?" Sadie asked tentatively.

Although the village was under quarantine, any remaining sick individuals would pose an ongoing source of infection. If left untreated, the situation could easily spiral out of control.

"Sure. Ms. Linsor is paying for my services, so I'll get it done." Dustin stretched lazily. "Guess we're pulling an all- nighter." "Thank you for your dedication, Mr. Rhys, " she said respectfully.

"Showwhere they are," he said with a nod toward the path ahead.

"Right this way, please," Sadie responded.

Without hesitation, she guided Dustin toward the area where the patients had been gathered.

The makeshift medical facility was located in an abandoned warehouse. Though it lacked many amenities, it was large enough to accommodate everyone. The 22 patients lay on makeshift bedding arranged in rows across the floor.

Military personnel in full protective gear moved between them. They provided basic care to the patients, like offering sips of water and spoonfuls of broth. Since they had already administered all available medications, supportive care was all they could offer at the moment.

"Mr. Rhys, it's only been two days since we discovered the outbreak, and these people are already too weak to stand," Sadie explained, referring to the patients' condition.

"It's spreading fast," Dustin observed as his gaze swept across the rows of patients.

He continued, "Get someone to prepare the medicine according to my earlier prescription then reduce el three cups of water down to one. Once it's ready, make sure each patient takes a full dose. After that, leave the rest to me." "Got it," she responded before turning to leave.

Fortunately, her earlier foresight in ordering medicinal herbs in bulk had paid off. Now they had more than enough ingredients to treat all 22 patients.

Soon, the strong scent of brewing medicine wafted throughout Ashwillow Village. When the concoction finished brewing, Sadie had her soldiers distribute it to the patients Once everyone had taken their medicine, Dustin stepped in to treat them one by one. Before his breakthrough, treating 22 people would have drained him completely, but now it was manageable.

Whenever his mystical pure energy was depleted, the spiritual energy of on nature around him would rapidly replenish his reserves, so he didn't have to worry about running out of internal energy. At his current pace, he could cure one person every ten minutes, which was remarkably fast by any standard. Still, healing all 22 patients would take roughly four hours without a break.

If 22 people demanded such enormous amounts of tand energy, the situation would bechopeless should the plague spread to thousands or tens of thousands of victims.

Dustin knew he couldn't possibly treat that many patients alone. It hit e him that the absolute priority wash't saving lives but preventing the outbreak from spreading further and hunting down the remnants of the Skull Covenant.