An Understated Dominance - Chapter 2560

Matthias didn’t dare step into the estate to confront Zeus until the Five Sanguine Elemental Seals had been activated.

As a grandmaster-level martial artist, he was no match for Zeus, a royal god and ultimate grandmaster. If a battle broke out, Matthias knew he wouldn’t survive more than three exchanges.

Even with the Celestial Inferno Ezekiel had entrusted to him, he doubted he’d last long enough to use it.

That’s why he had summoned his five masters to deploy the Five Sanguine Elemental Seals.

Galen, Finnian, Sylas, Valerius, and Corwin were virtually unstoppable within the formation. If Zeus made a move, they’d shut him down instantly.

With a grim expression, Matthias followed the blood-splattered cobblestone path through the courtyard. He didn’t stop until he reached the main hall.

Inside, two blond, blue-eyed foreigners—a man and a woman—sat in the hall’s principal seats.

The man on the left exuded raw power and arrogance. His cruelly curved smile left no doubt in Matthias’ mind: this was Zeus.

The woman on the right was stunning, with a curvaceous figure. She lounged lazily in her seat, appearing half-asleep.

Though harder to read, her position beside Zeus marked her as someone significant. Most likely Hera—the only woman among the Hall of Gods’ four royal gods.

Matthias frowned. He had expected only Zeus. Hera’s presence changed everything.

Facing one royal god was dangerous. Facing two was suicidal. Even with five elite martial artists behind him, Matthias couldn’t afford to act impulsively.

Besides the two gods, several elite warriors from the Hall of Gods stood nearby. Dozens of Matthias’ household members—relatives, wives, children—knelt on the floor as hostages.

“Help us, Your Highness!”

“Your Highness, they’re butchering innocent people. You must stop them!”

The moment Matthias entered, the hall rang with cries and desperate pleas.

These nobles, born into luxury and protected by status, had never endured such disgrace.

Now they were being treated like animals, their lives held in the hands of monsters. The humiliation and fury were overwhelming.

Matthias ignored their pleas. His eyes locked directly onto Zeus.
“I’ve never crossed the Hall of Gods,” Matthias said coldly. “So why did you break into my estate and slaughter my people?”

“You must be Matthias Linsor,” Zeus replied, lounging like he owned the place as he casually sized Matthias up.

“I am,” Matthias said, narrowing his eyes. “Now answer me.”

“They were just ants, so I crushed them. What are you going to do about it?” Zeus sneered.

Arrogant to his core, he had never respected the so-called dignitaries of Dragonmarsh. To him, killing a few of them was no different than stepping on insects.

“Don’t push your luck, Zeus!” Matthias growled. “You’re surrounded. If you don’t want this to end in bloodshed, back off now.”

“Oh? You sound like you still think you’re in control here,” Zeus said, leaning forward with a smirk.

He added, “Even if I kill every last one of your people, what can you do? You really think that pathetic formation outside can trap me? How naive.”

Though he had already sensed the Five Sanguine Elemental Seals, he didn’t consider them worth his attention.

“The formation might not trap you,” Matthias replied, “but what about this?”

With that, he drew a fiery red talisman—the Celestial Inferno.

“Hm?”

Zeus frowned, clearly caught off guard by its appearance.

He wasn’t sure exactly what the talisman was, but a powerful wave of danger radiated from it. Even if it couldn’t kill him, it would definitely tear him apart.

In that moment, Zeus finally regarded Matthias as a real threat. He realized that this man wasn’t to be underestimated—and that the talisman could actually harm him.

“So? Do you still want to fight to the bitter end?” Matthias asked, now calm after sensing Zeus’s hesitation.

“I may have underestimated you,” Zeus admitted.

He slowly straightened in his seat and said evenly, “I respect those who are strong. I’ll offer you a fair deal—just tell me where Logan is, and we’ll leave immediately.”

“Logan Rhys?” Matthias frowned. “Why would I know where he is?”

“We’re past the point of playing dumb. Or are you refusing to answer?” Zeus’s gaze sharpened.

“I’ve met him before, yes—but I have no idea where he is now. And tell me, what makes you so sure I would know?”

Matthias shot back without flinching.

“Hmph. See for yourself.”

Zeus raised a hand, and a beam of white light shot forward.

Neville’s eyes widened. He stepped in to intercept, catching the beam. The force knocked him back three steps, leaving his arms numb. Looking down, he saw a guard’s badge engraved with an intricate “M.”

“One of your men said Logan is hiding here. Are you seriously denying it?” Zeus asked sharply.

“He’s hiding here?” Matthias froze. The moment realization struck, he snapped, “Idiots! You’ve been tricked. Someone’s clearly trying to frame me!”