An Understated Dominance - Chapter 2495

**Chapter 2495**

“To avoid trouble, the four guards must die,” Mulder said plainly.

The four guards of the Red Legion turned pale at his words.

Warrick frowned, his face darkening. “What nonsense are you saying? They are my personal guards, my brothers-in-arms. How could they ever betray me?”

“You never really know who you can trust. Betrayal happens all the time, even among comrades. For your own safety, we can’t take that risk,” Mulder replied seriously.

“A warrior can be killed but never disgraced. We’ve followed Sir Prescott for years, through life and death. We would never betray him, no matter the cost—even if it means our own lives,” Geralt stated firmly.

“That’s right. Don’t judge loyal men by your own petty standards,” Kalen snapped.

“Scum like you could never understand the bond between men who have fought and bled together,” another guard chimed in.

The guards reacted to Mulder’s words with a mix of anger and disdain. They were Warrick’s personal guards—battle-hardened and fiercely loyal. They had faced life-or-death situations and would lay down their lives for him without hesitation.

Since they joined the Red Legion and were chosen to protect Warrick, they had been taught one belief: his safety was more important than anything else. Not even their own lives—or the lives of their families—compared to Warrick’s safety.

Their loyalty and duty were unwavering, bound by a strict military code. If Warrick fell, they were expected to end their own lives as a form of atonement, and their families would not be spared either. That was why…

Betrayal had never crossed their minds. Mulder spoke with a cold tone, “I may not care about your so-called brotherhood, but I understand human nature and pain.”

He went on, “If any of you get caught, no matter how tough you think you are, you won’t survive the tortures inside Grimhold Keep. Don’t argue with me; I used to work there. I’ve seen too many examples, and there has never been a single exception.”

The punishments in Grimhold Keep were beyond what anyone could imagine. Those who hadn’t experienced them could never truly understand the suffering and despair involved.

Many tough guys entered the place cursing, acting like they had nothing to lose. But they were often the first to break, rarely lasting more than half a day.

In Grimhold Keep, dying was a privilege, but most prisoners weren’t given that option. They couldn’t live, yet they weren’t allowed to die either.

One of the most notorious cases from ten years ago involved a serial rapist who had attacked over 100 women and even murdered the daughter of a high-ranking official. He spent three years in Grimhold Keep, tortured beyond recognition, until he became a living corpse. His suffering only ended when the official’s rage finally calmed.

After witnessing so much bloodshed, Mulder had lost faith in human resilience. He didn’t believe anyone could withstand the interrogation techniques used in Grimhold Keep.

When Mulder mentioned that place, the Red Legion guards fell silent, and their earlier defiance faded. Though they had never seen it themselves, they understood how terrifying it was. It was not a place where anyone walked out whole.

If they were truly captured and sent there, could they endure it?

“Did they endure the torture?” None of them could answer that question.

“Sir Prescott, for your own safety, you need to decide,” Mulder said.

Warrick lowered his head, uncertainty crossing his face.

“If you can’t do it, I can take care of it for you,” Mulder offered.

“No need.” A cold glint appeared in Warrick’s eyes. “They’re my men. I’ll do it myself.”

He drew his blade and swung it at the four men in front of him. The blade moved swiftly, like a flash of lightning.

The four guards trembled as red lines appeared across their throats.

“Sir Prescott… you…” Kalen’s eyes widened in shock. He barely had time to speak before the cut on his neck opened. Blood poured out, and his head fell to the ground.

The other three guards met the same fate, their eyes filled with disbelief even in death. They had never thought Warrick would kill them without hesitation.

They were ready to die for him, but they never expected him to be the one to do it.

“I’m sorry,” Warrick whispered as he looked at the lifeless bodies at his feet. “I owe you in this life. In the next, I’ll repay you double.”

Mulder smiled. “Fast and ruthless, just like you, Sir Prescott. Just what I expected.”

Men like Warrick, who had been hardened by war and countless battles, never showed mercy. They made their way through blood and death.

Mulder hadn’t thought Warrick would be so brutal. He figured Warrick would let him handle the dirty work. But Warrick had taken care of it himself.

“Save your breath,” Warrick said coldly. “If I don’t make it out of Celestria…”

“Today, none of you will,” Mulder said with a smirk.

“Don’t worry, Sir Prescott. Everything is arranged,” he continued. “If all goes according to plan, you’ll be out of West Lucozia by tomorrow morning.”

“That better be the case,” Sir Prescott replied, his earlier anger slowly fading.

“Sir Prescott, this way,” Warrick said. Mulder signaled for his men to open the courtyard gate, and he led the group out in an orderly manner.

Warrick now wore a City Defenders uniform, which helped him blend in perfectly with the patrol. As long as they didn’t run into anyone who recognized him, no one would question his presence.