An Understated Dominance - Chapter 2563

At the summit of Embercrest Hill, within a quiet, ancient temple, Grace emerged from a hidden chamber just as a female guard rushed in.

“Your Highness, we have a situation. A powerful intruder is breaking through the outer gates,” the guard reported.

“Who is it?” Grace asked calmly, as though she had anticipated this moment.

“Based on their appearance, they seem to be elite fighters from the Hall of Gods—or possibly royal gods,” the guard replied gravely.

The defensive and offensive formations surrounding Embercrest Hill were no match. They shattered on impact, as if they’d never existed. Only someone at the royal god level could break in so forcefully.

“They arrived sooner than I expected,” Grace muttered, her brows furrowing with concern.

Though she hadn’t left the temple, she already knew who it was. At a time like this, the only ones who would come to Embercrest Hill were Zeus and Hera.

Grace had been monitoring the situation in Oakvale.

She’d originally believed that Nathaniel’s diversion plan would provoke a confrontation between Zeus and Matthias’ forces—keeping Matthias too occupied to target Dustin. But things hadn’t unfolded as she had hoped.

She suspected Matthias had slipped away cleanly, avoiding the conflict altogether. What should’ve been his problem had now landed squarely in her hands.

“Your Highness, the Hall of Gods is still pushing through the defenses. Should we engage them?” the guard asked.

Grace didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she asked, “How many formations remain on the outer perimeter?”

“Most have been destroyed. I estimate the Hall of Gods fighters will reach the peak within the hour.”

“Don’t try to stop them. Just keep channeling energy into the barrier to buy us as much time as possible.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” the guard replied before departing.

Grace stepped alone into the open clearing and pulled a small steeple from her pocket. At first glance, it seemed ordinary—just a few inches tall—but its seven-tiered structure shimmered with a faint golden glow.

She murmured an incantation and tossed it into the air.

A low rumble followed. Caught by the wind, the steeple expanded rapidly. Within seconds, it had grown taller than a house.
Grace continued chanting as the golden steeple rose, expanding tier by tier. Within a minute, it towered like a mountain.

She formed a hand seal and commanded, “Drop!”

The massive steeple plummeted and slammed into the peak of Embercrest Hill. A moment later, it vanished as if it had never been there.

Grace exhaled slowly. “Let’s hope the Seven Shards Steeple holds.”

It was a divine artifact bound to her life force, designed for defense and said to be nearly indestructible. But even the strongest artifacts had limits.

If only one royal god attacked, it might hold. But if two struck at once, she wasn’t sure it would last.

All she could do now was hope Dustin finished absorbing the Dracan essences and broke through in time.

If the formations around Embercrest Hill fell and the steeple couldn’t hold, it wouldn’t just be her problem—it would be a catastrophe for everyone.

Grace sat in the courtyard and poured herself a cup of tea. There was nothing more she could do now except wait.

From time to time, muffled booms echoed from the hill’s base—a grim reminder that the enemy was pounding through the defenses.

She had prepared for this. She had poured time, money, and resources into laying down dozens of formations. She’d called in every favor, rallied every ally willing to fight when the moment came.

She had done everything she could. What happened next was beyond her control.

Now, it was all up to Dustin. Whether they survived or fell apart depended entirely on him.

At the base of Embercrest Hill, Zeus had just shattered one formation when another sprang up to trap him. This one wasn’t meant for offense or defense—it was an illusionary formation.

Thick fog rolled in from all sides, swallowing the sky and blinding him completely. He couldn’t see a thing, and that only enraged him more.

Zeus wasn’t one for subtlety. He preferred brute force—strike hard, kill fast, and move on. It was simple, direct, and effective. He had no patience for delays or drawn-out fights.

Since stepping onto Embercrest Hill, formation after formation had risen to slow him down. He’d destroyed many, but they just kept coming.

“You Dragonmarsh pests are starting to piss me off. If I catch even one of you, I’ll tear you limb from limb.”

His roar thundered across the hill like a storm.

Behind him, Hera followed at her own pace, calm and composed. She hadn’t lifted a finger. These little tricks weren’t worth her attention.

Her focus was on one person—Logan Rhys, the man who had defeated Poseidon. She’d act when she saw him face to face.