An Understated Dominance - Chapter 2561

At first, it had only been a suspicion. But now, Matthias was certain—someone had deliberately set him up and shifted the blame to drag him into this mess.

“Hmph. You people from Dragonmarsh talk out of both sides of your mouth,” Zeus said coldly. “Every word from you is a lie. I’m done believing a damn thing you say.”

The supposed link between Logan and Matthias had come from the Hall of Gods’ internal investigation. Naturally, Zeus trusted his own people more than any Dragonmarsh official. And with the badge as evidence, it was hard to argue otherwise.

“Whatever grudge you’ve got against Logan, it has nothing to do with me,” Matthias said in a low voice. “I’m telling you, this is someone else’s plan. They want us at each other’s throats so they can enjoy the fallout.”

Now that he knew it was a setup, he was much calmer. He had to get through to Zeus before this escalated into war. He wasn’t about to take the fall for someone else’s scheme.

“Why should I believe you?” Zeus snapped. “For all I know, you’re hiding him right now.”

He’d searched endlessly for Logan, and now that he finally had a solid lead, he wasn’t about to leave empty-handed.

“Do I need to spell it out for you? If I were hiding Logan, do you think I’d be standing here explaining myself? I’d have handed him over already,” Matthias growled, barely containing his anger.

Zeus grunted. “You snakes from Dragonmarsh are all the same—scheming, lying bastards. Who knows what game you’re playing?”

Matthias took a slow breath, steadying himself. “Then tell me—what will it take for you to believe me?”

Zeus replied, “I won’t trust a word you say until you bring Logan to me.”

“I don’t even know where he is,” Matthias snapped. “How the hell am I supposed to find him overnight?”

“That’s your problem, not mine,” Zeus said coldly. “You have until dawn. If you can’t give me Logan’s location by then, I’ll level your entire estate.”

“You’re pushing your luck, asshole!” Matthias growled.

“If you want to fight, go ahead. Let’s see who walks away alive,” Zeus sneered.

He might’ve had reservations about the Celestial Inferno, but he wasn’t backing down—especially with Hera at his side.

Matthias’ knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists. He felt like a volcano on the verge of erupting. He glared at Zeus, then took a deep breath to suppress his rage.

“Neville, get out there and find him—now!” Matthias barked.

“Your Highness?” Neville frowned, confused.
He had drawn his blade, ready to charge at Zeus the moment Matthias gave the order. But he hadn’t expected Matthias to hold back his rage.

After all the lives Zeus had taken, was Matthias really thinking about peace?

Matthias turned to Neville and barked, “I said find him!”

As the second prince of Dragonmarsh, Matthias wasn’t used to feeling humiliated. But for the greater good, he swallowed his pride.

“…Yes, Your Highness.” Neville clenched his jaw and turned to leave.

Seeing Matthias back down, Zeus let out a faint chuckle.

Exactly what he expected from the cowards of Dragonmarsh—get walked all over and still lick the boots of the one who did it.

To Zeus, men from Dragonmarsh had no pride. They let others trample them and said nothing in return.

“If any more of my men are harmed, there’ll be no more talks. We go straight to war,” Matthias warned before turning to leave.

If Zeus had been alone, Matthias would never have backed down. He would’ve unleashed the Celestial Inferno without hesitation. But Hera was right there beside him.

If the talisman failed to kill Zeus in one blow, Matthias would be forced to face two royal gods at once. Even with the Five Sanguine Elemental Seals shielding him, survival wasn’t guaranteed.

And if he did manage to kill Zeus, the aftermath would be catastrophic. He knew all too well the power the Hall of Gods held.

Zeus’ death would unleash a wave of assassination attempts. Every day would become a battle to stay alive.

It wasn’t a risk Matthias was willing to take. But if they pushed him too far, he’d make sure not to go down alone.

Time dragged on in a heavy, suffocating silence.

Matthias stood still at the gate, his face grim. Behind him, thousands of soldiers stood like a wall of iron, radiating silent fury.

After what felt like an eternity, dawn finally broke—and Neville returned from his scouting mission.

“Well? Any news?”

Matthias stepped forward as soon as Neville stepped out of the vehicle.

“Your Highness, I just learned that Logan was last seen with Princess Grace. They left the city last night and headed toward Embercrest Hill,” Neville reported.

“Grace? Embercrest Hill? What the hell are they doing out there?” Matthias frowned.

“There’s more,” Neville added.

“Yesterday, Zeus visited Prince Nathaniel’s mansion to ask about Logan. I don’t know what passed between them, but afterward, Zeus came straight to you.”

Matthias’ expression darkened. “So that bastard Nathaniel set me up and dumped the Hall of Gods’ mess on my doorstep,” he growled.

“Very likely,” Neville said with a nod.

“That son of a bitch…” Matthias gritted his teeth. “When I ascend the throne, he’s the first one I’ll take down.” His voice trembled with rage and bitterness.