An Understated Dominance - Chapter 2467
“Hmm?”
Warrick frowned at the news.
The royal enforcement team rarely got involved unless something big was happening. He wondered if someone like Jovian Ballard really deserved such attention from Austin.
“Mr. Thatcher, are you sure the royal enforcement team has been called in? And it’s because of Jovian?” Warrick asked, unsure.
“Of course I’m sure,” Huxley said, looking serious. “I just got orders from higher-ups. The enforcement team captain will take over my duties for now. They’ll be in charge of the city’s defense and investigations.”
“That’s strange. Why would Lord Austin go to all this trouble for someone so unimportant?” Warrick asked, confused.
From what he knew, this was the first time Jovian and Austin had met. Even if they had met before, it shouldn’t have been enough to justify sending in the enforcement team.
Warrick realized he had underestimated how much Jovian mattered to Austin.
“It seems Lord Austin is serious this time. Do you have a plan?” Huxley asked carefully.
With all authority taken from him, Huxley felt uneasy about not being able to mobilize any soldiers.
“There’s no need for a plan,” Warrick replied calmly. “Just pretend this never happened. We’ve covered our tracks well. Even the enforcement team won’t find anything linking us to this.”
Warrick had anticipated an investigation, so he had sent nameless assassins who couldn’t be identified. Every trace of what happened last night had been carefully erased, leaving no loose ends. Jovian’s body had been burned to ashes—no corpse, no proof, nothing for anyone to investigate.
Even if Austin grew suspicious…
The enforcement team had started an investigation, but they couldn’t take action against Warrick without solid evidence.
Warrick’s surprise faded quickly as he regained his composure.
“I see you’re confident,” Huxley said with a frown. “But remember, walls have ears. The enforcement team is known for their methods. If they find even a small clue, it could lead to trouble for us.”
“What could they possibly find?” Warrick scoffed. “Unless you’ve made a mistake, they won’t find anything.”
He paused and shot Huxley a sideways glance. “Let me ask again—can your men be trusted?”
“My men are loyal. They’ve stood by me through thick and thin. I trust they won’t say a word. But what about the assassins you sent? Can they be trusted?” Huxley replied.
“Don’t worry. I sent them out of West Lucozia last night. Even if the enforcement team had supernatural abilities, they wouldn’t be able to track them beyond our borders,” Warrick said confidently.
“Good… that’s good…” Huxley sighed with relief. “Still, just to be safe, we should coordinate our stories. If the enforcement team comes asking questions, we can’t afford any inconsistencies.”
“Mr. Thatcher, you’re being overly cautious. We’ve covered our tracks perfectly. Their investigation will hit a dead end. There’s no need to worry,” Warrick teased.
“I’d rather be paranoid than careless,” Huxley replied with a faint smile.
He had been uneasy ever since he learned that the royal enforcement team was involved. His anxiety grew when they temporarily took over the city’s defense operations, which is why he had rushed to talk to Warrick.
After sharing information, he felt a bit more at ease.
Later that afternoon, Austin sat in the meeting room inside the West Lucozian castle, wearing a dark expression. Standing beside him…
Axel Crux was the captain of the royal enforcement team.
“Your Highness, our investigation shows that Jovian only met with three people after leaving the castle. I believe his disappearance is linked to them,” Axel said.
“Who are they?” Austin asked, his expression cold. He was becoming more certain that something terrible had happened to Jovian.
“They are Huxley Thatcher, Warrick Prescott, and Percival Wentworth,” Axel replied.
“Those three?” Austin frowned. He remembered seeing them in the crowd outside the castle gates yesterday.
“Our findings indicate that they hosted a banquet last night and specifically invited Jovian. Tensions rose during the meal, and soon after, Jovian vanished without a trace,” Axel explained.
“So, we can assume his disappearance is connected to them?” Austin’s face darkened. It felt like a robbery right in his own throne room.
“Time is running out, and we don’t have solid evidence yet. But they are our main suspects,” Axel confirmed.
“Those fools have some nerve,” Austin said, anger rising in him. “They dared to mess with my guest as if I don’t matter.” He slammed his hand on the table. “Bring them to me right now so I can question them myself.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Axel replied before quickly leaving the room.