Chapter 1847 by Marina Vittori
An Understated Dominance
âJulius, weâre family. As long as you put down your sword, I will spare your life.â
âWhy? Why didnât you just die? Youâre clearly gravely ill and on the brink of death. Why are you still occupying the throne?â Julius gritted his teeth as his eyes turned bloodshot.
He looked somewhat frightening.
âJulius, I know you all too well. While youâre extremely talented in both the literary and martial arts, you lack a compassionate heart. Youâre also ruthless in your ways.
âThat is why you are not suited to be the Prince and also the reason you will never be the Prince,â Rufus explained bluntly.
âNonsense!â
Julius suddenly roared, âYouâve been the Prince for decades! Once you die, itâll be my turn next! Who else is more fitting than me throughout West Lucozia?â
âIâve already decided the next-in-line for the throne, and it isnât you.â Rufus shook his head.
âYouâve decided?â Julius laughed manically.
Julius scoffed with arrogance, âAustin is just a childish brat! How can he compare to me in terms of talent, ability, and prestige? What makes you think heâs worthy of taking the throne from me?â
Rufus responded calmly, âI donât mean Austin.â
âWho else could it be if not Austin? You canât still be pinning your hopes on Logan, who has disappeared for ten years? We donât even know if heâs still alive!
âHow can you think of passing down the throne to him? Are you out of your mind?â Julius mocked.
âHow dare you!â Albert was about to retort when Rufus raised a hand to stop him. Compared to Juliusâ roaring madness, Rufus remained unusually calm.
âJulius, I can only tell you that Logan is still alive and doing well. Heâs far more outstanding than I was back then and is much more suitable to be the Prince,â Rufus stated earnestly.
âSo what if heâs not dead? Considering his age, Logan is only a few years older than Austin. In the end, heâs still an inexperienced brat!
âAs for me, I have extensive experience on the battlefield, and the prestige Iâve earned among the military and civilians surpasses Loganâs by a thousandfold!
âIn a fair competition, he wouldnât even be worth mentioning before me!â Julius screeched.
He never took the Rhys familyâs Kirin seriously. If it werenât for Rufusâ support, suppressing Logan would have been as effortless as swatting a fly.
âJulius, your arrogance blinds you to the reality that there will always be someone superior out there.â
Rufus looked at him in pity. âYou should expand your horizons, Julius. Donât just confine yourself to the world of West Lucozia. The world is much bigger than you think.â
âEnough of your nonsense! Youâre just selfish!â
Juliusâ disdain was evident as he roared, âYou preach about serving West Lucozia and its people, but all you care about is your son! In your opinion, the throne is only meant for your son to inherit.
âJust admit it! Youâre just a hypocritical egoist!â
âYouâre right. My actions are influenced by personal considerations, but they are rooted in the pursuit of the greater good.â
Rufus continued calmly, âIf either of my sons were incapable or unfit for the throne, I would never allow them to inherit it.â
âHmph! All this righteousness is just a guise for your childrenâs benefit.â
Juliusâ face darkened, âIf you truly cared for the country and its people, you would step down from the throne and let us compete on equal grounds!â
âSo, a fair competition is what you desire?
Unexpectedly, Rufus nodded. âVery well, today, I will grant you the chance to engage in a fair competition with my son!â