At first, it had only been a suspicion. But now Matthias was certain that 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 out of your mouth is a lie. I’m done believing a damn thing you say.”
The supposed connection between Logan and Matthias had come from the Hall of Gods’ internal investigation. Compared to anything a Dragonmarsh official might say, Zeus naturally trusted his own people more. And with the badge as evidence, it was hard to argue.
“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 all part of someone else’s plan. They want us at each other’s throats so they can sit back and enjoy the fallout.”
Now that he knew it was a setup, he was much calmer. He needed to get through to Zeus before this exploded into war. Of course, he didn’t want to take the fall for someone else’s scheme.
“Why should I believe you?” Zeus shot back. “For all I know, you’re hiding him right now.”
He’d searched all over for Logan, and now that he finally had a solid lead, he wasn’t about to walk away 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, struggling to control 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 to calm his nerves. “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 have no idea 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 whereabouts 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 some reservations about the Celestial Inferno, but that didn’t mean he was backing down, especially with Hera at his side.
Matthias’ knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists. He felt like a volcano ready to erupt. He glared at Zeus, then drew a deep breath to suppress his anger.
“Neville, get out there and find him now!” Matthias barked.
“Your Highness?” Neville frowned in confusion.
He’d drawn his blade, ready to charge at Zeus on Matthias’ command. But he didn’t expect Matthias to suppress his anger.
After all the lives Zeus had taken, was Matthias thinking about making peace?
Matthias turned to Neville and shouted, “I said find him!”
As the second prince of Dragonmarsh, Matthias wasn’t used to feeling so humiliated. But for the greater good, he swallowed his pride.
“…Yes, Your Highness.” Neville gritted his teeth and turned to leave.
Seeing Matthias back down, Zeus let out a faint chuckle.
That was what he expected from the Dragonmarsh’s cowards-let someone walk all over them and still lick his boots.
To him, men from Dragonmarsh had no pride. They let others walk all over them and just quietly endured it.
“If any more of my men are harmed, there’ll be no more talks today. We go straight to war,” Matthias said before turning to leave.
If Zeus had been alone, Matthias would’ve never backed down. He would’ve used the Celestial Inferno without a second thought. But Hera was right there with him.
If the talisman failed to kill Zeus in one strike, Matthias would have to face two royal gods simultaneously. Even with the Five Sanguine Elemental Seals protecting him, he was not guaranteed to make it out alive.
If he did manage to kill Zeus, endless problems would follow. He knew well how powerful the Hall of Gods was.
Zeus’ death would mean nonstop assassination attempts, and every day would be a fight for survival.
That wasn’t a risk Matthias was willing to take. But if they pushed him to the edge, he wouldn’t go down alone and would take them with him.
Time dragged on in that heavy, tense silence.
Matthias stood motionless at the gate with a grim expression. Behind him, thousands of soldiers stood like a wall of iron and radiated cold, silent fury.
After what felt like forever, dawn broke, and Neville finally returned from his scout.
“Well? Any updates?”
Matthias stepped forward as soon as Neville exited the vehicle.
“Your Highness, I just found out 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 paid a visit to Prince Nathaniel’s mansion to ask about Logan. I don’t know what happened between them. But afterward, Zeus came straight to you.”
Matthias’ expression darkened instantly. ” So, that bastard Nathaniel set me up and dumped the Hall of Gods’ big problem right 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 shook with rage and bitterness.
