An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Neville said, “Don’t worry about me. Everyone, attack. We must kill this beast.”

Blood still seeped from the wound on his back as he leaned against the broken rail, but he wasn’t even bothered by it. He ordered his men to keep hammering the Brineclaw until they were certain it was dead.

After relentless attacks from all his forces, the Brineclaw finally stopped moving and showed no signs of life. Neville let out a long breath before collapsing to the deck, gasping heavily.

That monster had been one hell of a fight, but fortunately, Matthias had brought plenty of martial experts on this voyage. Otherwise, they never could have finished it off.

Once the waves finally calmed, Matthias hurried over with a squad of personal guards.

“Neville, I heard you were hurt. How bad is it?” he asked.

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. This is nothing. I’m not going to die from a scratch.” Neville flashed a grin, revealing blood-stained teeth. “Back in my battlefield days, I’ve taken wounds way worse than this and still pulled through.”

When he tried moving his arm, searing pain shot through the wound on his back and made him inhale sharply. Matthias knew Neville’s stubborn streak and didn’t push him further but spoke with quiet authority.

lose you. Get that wound

the order

eyes as he addressed the soldiers, “Everyone, this beast

soldiers’ spirits immediately lifted while much of their earlier fear and

continued, “Hoist this Brineclaw aboard. Its meat must be incredibly delicious. We will feast on it

“Yes, Your Highness!”

unison,

used the ship’s winches to haul the creature aboard. Since it was bigger than the ship itself, everyone stared in awe at their monstrous prize before cooking it up and feasting with

fleet was sailing smoothly across the Eastern Sea with massive, sturdy vessels carrying sharp, battle-ready soldiers. Throughout their journey, the sea remained perfectly calm without even the slightest wave while

graceful arcs before slipping

scanned the waters ahead with growing unease. The Eastern Sea was supposed to be perilous, yet

Highness, look over there!” a lookout suddenly shouted excitedly. Following the lookout’s pointing finger,

towers floating among the clouds with a stone plinth inscribed “Elysium” visible at their entrance, while mist swirled around the buildings like something from a fairy

Elysium Isle.