An Understated Dominance - Chapter 2483

After a chaotic night, many members of the Red Legion were killed, while others were captured. The entire force was wiped out.

But the trouble didn’t end there. The Prescott estate was raided, and all stolen wealth was taken away. Those found guilty were sent to prison.

Anyone connected to the Prescotts was put under house arrest and faced thorough investigations.

Warrick, the man behind it all, became the kingdom’s most wanted fugitive.

While he was still on the run, Celestria went into lockdown. Major roads were blocked, and patrol teams searched every part of the city to make sure Warrick couldn’t escape.

Austin’s harsh actions angered many senior officials who didn’t know the complete story. They expressed their frustration, with some even protesting outside the castle gates. They stomped their feet in anger and nearly shouted curses at him.

To these officials, Warrick had done a lot for the nation. Even if he had done something wrong, they believed he didn’t deserve execution.

The situation turned chaotic, with raids and a city-wide manhunt creating a storm of confusion.

“This is ridiculous! Locking down the city for no reason wastes our resources and manpower. What will outsiders think of us?” one elder shouted.

“He’s right! Even if Mr. Prescott is guilty, he should have a proper trial. Why are we resorting to vigilante justice? This is absurd!” another added.

“I always thought that brat had some integrity, but I never expected him to be so reckless and cruel. He’d destroy entire families over minor issues. If West Lucozia falls into his hands, we’re finished.”

Outside the castle gates, a group of elderly men in their 70s, with gray hair, gathered. They waved their arms and complained among themselves.

As royal advisors, they could no longer ignore Austin’s misuse of power. If they didn’t speak up, they would be failing their duty.

serious look, Langdon stepped forward, leading the way into the castle.

The elders followed him, still grumbling under their breath about the lockdown and the situation with General Cruz. They had come to confront Austin, feeling justified in their anger. But now, they were being invited for tea, which was unexpected.

As they entered the reception hall, the atmosphere shifted. The room was warm and inviting, with the aroma of freshly brewed tea filling the air. Austin stood near the table, appearing calm and composed, ready to face the elders.

“Thank you for coming,” he said, his voice steady. “I appreciate your concern for Celestria.”

The elders took their seats, still a bit taken aback by Austin’s calm demeanor. Langdon cleared his throat, ready to address the issue.

“Lord Austin, we need to understand why you have taken such drastic measures,” he said firmly. “Locking down the city and searching for General Cruz is no small matter.”

Austin nodded, acknowledging the seriousness of their concerns. “I understand your frustration. The lockdown was necessary to ensure everyone’s safety. There are rumors that General Cruz may be in danger, and we cannot take any chances.”

The elders listened intently, some nodding in agreement. They had heard the whispers, but hearing it from Austin made it feel more real.

“However,” Austin continued, “I assure you, this is a temporary measure. We will resolve this situation as quickly as possible.”

Langdon raised an eyebrow, still skeptical. “And what about the costs? The city cannot afford this disruption for long.”

“I know,” Austin replied. “But we must prioritize lives over finances for now. Once we have clarity on the situation, we can address the economic impact.”

The room fell silent as the elders considered his words. They were used to being in control, but here was Austin, taking charge in a way they hadn’t expected.

Langdon finally spoke, “Very well, Lord Austin. We will trust your judgment for now. But we expect regular updates on the situation.”

Austin smiled, grateful for their understanding. “Of course. I will keep you informed.”

As they sipped their tea, the tension in the room eased. Though they still had concerns, it seemed they were willing to give Austin a chance to prove himself.

With a flick of his sleeve, Langdon stepped inside first. As a regular visitor to the castle, he knew Austin well. No matter how wild the other guests were, Austin wouldn’t dare to challenge him.

“Let’s see what’s happening in there,” Langdon said.

The others hesitated only briefly before following closely behind. As royal advisors, they valued loyalty and integrity. They were prepared to risk their lives when necessary to do what was right.

Led by Axel, the group entered the reception hall. The table was already set with tea and snacks.

Austin sat at the head of the room, his face unreadable, showing neither happiness nor anger.

“Uncle Langdon, you’re here! Please, take a seat.” As soon as they entered, Austin stood up to greet them.

Langdon simply huffed and made no effort to be polite. He took the most prominent seat to Austin’s left.

The other officials followed Langdon’s lead, sitting down one by one. They avoided pleasantries and sat stiffly, looking as if they were there to collect a debt.

“Uncle Langdon, what urgent matter brings you here with your team?” Austin asked, still smiling despite their serious demeanor.

“Austin! Why did you order the arrest of Sir Prescott? And why did you lock down the city?” Langdon shot off his questions without waiting for a response.

He continued, “Do you realize that your reckless actions have thrown the entire capital into chaos? How many citizens are living in fear? How many businesses have been forced to stop operations? Can you take responsibility for these losses?”

Austin raised an eyebrow and calmly took his seat. “Are you here to discuss personal matters or official business?”

“And what if it’s both?” Langdon replied, his expression serious.

Austin’s expression changed as he spoke. “If this is personal, I will treat you with respect as my elder, and you can share your thoughts with me,” he said. “But if it’s about something official, you need to know your role. Do you understand who the ruler is and who the subject is? Do you really think you can sit down while talking to me?”