An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

“What? There’s an outbreak in Reedcrest?”

Grace’s expression hardened at the report. “That’s impossible. Weren’t we told it was contained last night?”

When the contagion began, she immediately ordered the entire village sealed off and placed all infected individuals under strict quarantine.

Anyone who’d had contact with the infected was put under close surveillance.

Given all these precautions, how had the outbreak spread across Reedcrest overnight?

“The outbreak in Ashwillow Village has indeed been contained,” her aide reported grimly. “But a new source of infection has emerged in Windham, and there was no way to see it coming. Over 100 people are showing symptoms, and the numbers keep climbing.”

“Seal off every entrance and exit to Windham immediately,” Grace ordered decisively. “We cannot allow this outbreak to spread beyond the town. Place all infected individuals under strict surveillance and thoroughly screen everyone else. Go now.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Her aide left immediately to execute the orders.

As a precautionary measure, military forces were deployed to blockade every access point into and out of Windham so that residents couldn’t leave and outsiders couldn’t enter.

While the strict containment protocols would undoubtedly cause considerable inconvenience, the gravity of the situation left no room for half-measures.

“Things are more complicated than I thought. The Skull Covenant is spreading outbreaks everywhere,” Dustin said, narrowing his eyes slightly.

If Ashwillow Village was just their opening move, then the real battle was about to begin.

operate in plain sight. Until we can locate the Skull Covenant’s stronghold, we’ll have to proceed cautiously and

than I can handle alone. We need to bring

how to draw out the toxins. That way, if we encounter more outbreaks, we

call. I’ll make the arrangements,” Grace

saying anything else, she immediately mobilized all the forces

abilities, she knew he would feel

finding someone with his extraordinary abilities would be nearly impossible, Oakvale had many accomplished doctors well-versed

available, they could learn his techniques and be better prepared for the

mansion. As he listened to his subordinate’s

100 plague cases in Harbortown,” his trusted aide

quarantined most of the infected, but some have slipped our cordon. Should we implement a full city

pondered the situation carefully before responding with decisive

yet. Gather all the infected in one central location, then immediately dispatch troops to hunt down those who have escaped. We must capture and

complete city lockdown would be too costly politically and create a bad impression, which would make him appear

the succession struggle and gain the upper hand, he needed to contain the outbreak with minimal disruption and maximum efficiency. Only by demonstrating such efficient crisis management could he prove his superiority over Matthias and

If all hundred victims die on our watch, it won’t look

be arriving any moment. With their expertise, creating an antidote won’t be

smile. “It turns out Your Highness was already three steps

knee. “Your Highness, the two skilled doctors

Bring them

up. The doctors’ arrival couldn’t have been more perfectly timed to solve

the guard acknowledged and

elderly man and woman. Both appeared to be in their late 60s with silver-streaked hair, yet they still