An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

“Your Highness, the soldiers under me are trained solely in killing techniques. If they hurt your guest, things could get ugly,” Lycas said.

He didn’t say it outright, but the message was clear. If Dustin wasn’t strong enough, he’d better stay out of the way, or he was just asking for trouble.

Bryce didn’t say anything, but the look he gave Dustin was full of contempt.

How could a pampered young man like Dustin measure up to soldiers who’ve been through the grind? He figured Dustin was probably some heir from a prominent family who knew Nathaniel and was trying to assert his relevance.

“You guys are blind to greatness when it’s standing right in front of you.” Nathaniel chuckled and shook his head.

He added, “If any of you manage to land a hit on Mr. Rhys, I’ll pay out a thousand gold. But honestly, I doubt any of you have what it takes.”

At the mention of rewards, the soldiers perked up. Their eyes lit up with excitement. They were practically itching to charge at Dustin and give him a good beating.

“If that’s what Your Highness wants, I’ll send a few men to test him,” Lycas said with a nod.

He then turned and pointed to five of his strongest elite soldiers. “You five-step forward.”

“Yes, sir!”

The five men answered in unison and stepped into the center of the training ground.

Years of brutal training had molded them into hardened fighters. Their eyes were sharp, and their presence was heavy with lethal intent.

Nathaniel turned to Dustin. “Some of my men can be a bit arrogant. Could you do me a favor and teach them a lesson today?” he asked with a smile.

I’m happy to oblige,” Dustin

soldiers. He stood with his hands behind his back, calm, but with a quiet intensity

they wouldn’t be much of a challenge unless

don’t

looked down on Dustin, there was no

Dustin said as

now!”

moved into position and surrounded Dustin in a

from the left. One aimed a low sweep to trip Dustin, while the other jumped up

two soldiers were just as aggressive. One wielded a short baton and spun it rapidly with flashing strikes. It effectively blocked Dustin’s path and prevented him from

quick and nimble, looking

in. He slipped to the side and avoided the sweeping kick from the left. Then, he casually raised his left

wall. Pain shot up his arm, and he let

the same time, Dustin turned sharply and did a spinning kick. His right boot accurately kicked the wrist of the

went pale as he staggered backward while clutching his injured

intensified their attack. They coordinated seamlessly while constantly changing their

like a shadow. He glided effortlessly through their formation. In the blink of an eye, he appeared behind one of the soldiers and

of force. His body lurched forward and slammed to the

charged right at him while throwing a punch.

landed squarely on his chest. The impact sent him flying backward several feet,

were on the ground and unable

his strength. Otherwise, the five soldiers would be dead or