An Understated Dominance - Chapter 2496

Chapter 2496

Mulder took the lead as Warrick, disguised as a member of the City Defenders, walked through the empty streets. Night had fallen, and the city felt eerie, with not a single person in sight. Only heavily armed patrols moved around, keeping watch.

Every checkpoint on the main road was heavily guarded. Even the patrols had to show their emblems to get through.

Warrick stayed at the back of the group, his hat pulled low to shield his face. In the darkness, it was hard to see him unless someone got really close.

“Austin is more careful than I thought,” he murmured. “Without the Hall of Gods’ undercover agents helping me, I wouldn’t have made it out of Celestria.”

As he noticed the sentries standing in the streets and hiding in the alleys, a chill ran down his spine. In just under two miles, they had already passed seven or eight checkpoints.

In addition to the visible checkpoints, countless hidden guards kept watch. At the first sign of trouble, they would spring into action.

Warrick had originally planned to sneak out of the city with his guards if he couldn’t reach his allies. With his skills, he thought he could escape Celestria.

But now, he realized how foolish that idea had been.

The city was on lockdown, with guards every ten steps and hidden sentries every hundred. Sneaking out was nearly impossible.

If he were spotted, the entire city’s forces would come after him. Even with his extraordinary abilities, breaking through such a tight net would be hopeless.

The streets were silent, and the group didn’t speak. Even when they moved, a heavy tension hung in the air.

As Warrick walked with the patrol team, they passed other guards without saying a word—just a simple nod before moving on.

Warrick blended in easily as they headed toward the outer city. After nearly three hours of walking, they reached the last checkpoint right before leaving the inner city. This was the main passage between the inner and outer city and the most important checkpoint.

Since the lockdown, no vehicles were allowed in the inner city. The only way to get a ride was to reach the outer city. The border was heavily guarded, with troops stationed to stop anyone from slipping through unnoticed.

City Defender patrols could move freely within the inner city, but their authority didn’t reach the outer city. As Mulder led the group to the checkpoint, the hundred elite guards on duty quickly became alert.

“Stop right there! The City Defenders are only responsible for inner city security. What are you doing here?” Captain Colton Dane called out, fixing them with a sharp gaze. His tone was firm, and his hand rested on the hilt of his sword.

The other guards stood ready, their eyes locked on Mulder and his team. Warrick frowned and quietly focused his energy. Everything had gone smoothly until now. He hadn’t expected to be stopped at the final checkpoint.

Did someone notice something?

“Sir Prescott, no need to be nervous. This is just standard procedure. Leave it to me,” Mulder whispered, then walked toward Colton with a friendly smile. “Mr. Dane, it’s me. Mulder.”

“Mulder?”

Colton’s intense look softened as he recognized him.

“What are you doing here?” he asked. “Your unit was assigned to patrol the inner city. You shouldn’t be out without deployment orders.”

“I’m just following orders from above, Mr. Dane. I was told to handle something in the outer city,” Mulder replied, smiling. “Could you do me a favor and let us through?”

Colton maintained a serious expression. “We all work for the government, so you know the rules. The entire city is under strict lockdown. Without an emblem, you can’t pass.”

Normally, bending the rules wouldn’t be a big deal. But these were not normal times. The city was under lockdown, and a manhunt was underway. One mistake could cost Colton his job or worse, land him in prison.

His future and safety were at stake. There was no room for mistakes.

“Of course, Mr. Dane, I wouldn’t want to put you in a tough spot,” Mulder said with a chuckle as he pulled out a bronze emblem from his coat. “This is a direct order from Axel Cruz of the enforcement team. I’m just following his instructions.”

“Mr. Cruz?” Colton took the emblem and examined it closely. After confirming it was real, he handed it back. “Why did Mr. Cruz send you to the outer city in the middle of the night?”

“I’m not trying to be secretive, but this is a sensitive matter. Mr. Cruz specifically told me not to share details, or I could lose my position. I hope you understand,” Mulder replied quietly.

“If this is Mr. Cruz’s order, I won’t ask any more questions,” Colton said.

He looked over Mulder and his team before turning back to his men. With a wave of his hand, he commanded, “Clear the checkpoint and let them through!”

As soon as he spoke, the guards quickly moved aside the barricade blocking the road, creating a clear path.

“Thanks, Mr. Dane,” Mulder said with a smile and a respectful nod.

Colton nodded back but didn’t say anything.

“Alright, let’s move,” Mulder told his team, signaling them to go ahead.

Just as they were about to pass through the checkpoint, Colton’s eyes landed on the last person in line.

“Stop right there!” he shouted.

His order made Mulder and the others tense up immediately.