An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2634

Chapter 2634

“Don’t just stand there—attack! All forces—finish this monster!”

Kyle leaned against the splintered railing, the gashes on his back still bleeding freely.
He didn’t care. His eyes were fixed on the enemy, voice sharp with command. The men surged forward, hammering the crippled crab with relentless strikes until, finally, the creature’s massive frame went still.

Its legs stopped thrashing. Its claws sagged. Life left its eyes.

Kyle exhaled deeply and slumped to the deck, every breath ragged. The beast had been a nightmare to bring down. If not for the number of martial masters traveling with His Highness, they might never have managed it.

“Kyle! I heard you were hurt—how bad is it?”

The sea was calming when Matthias arrived, flanked by his personal guard.

“Nothing to worry about, Your Highness,” Kyle replied with a bloodied grin. “I’ve taken worse on the battlefield and lived to tell it.”

He tried to roll his shoulders, but pain lanced through his back, forcing a sharp gasp from his throat.

Matthias’ eyes narrowed. He knew Kyle’s stubborn nature too well to argue now.
“You’re one of my fiercest generals. I can’t afford to lose you. Get that wound treated immediately—we’ll have need of you soon.”

Kyle gave a curt nod.

Matthias turned to the great carcass floating beside the ship, a glint in his gaze.
“Men! This beast fought hard, but we’ve brought it down. Let this be proof—when we stand together, nothing can stop us!”

Cheers erupted across the deck. The exhaustion and fear from moments ago seemed to melt away.

“Secure the carcass!” Matthias continued. “Its meat will serve as tonight’s reward. Let every soldier taste the flesh of this monster—they’ll eat well, recover their strength, and remember this victory.”

Ropes were thrown, winches groaned, and slowly—agonizingly slowly—the enormous crab was hauled aboard. Its size dwarfed even the ship itself, drawing wide-eyed awe from the men.

Before long, the smell of roasting crab drifted over the deck, and laughter replaced the sound of battle.

Meanwhile…

Far across the East Dragonmarsh Sea, Nathaniel’s fleet cut through calm waters. The ships were large and well-armed, their crews alert and ready. The weather was so still it was almost unnatural—no storms, no swells, just the occasional leap of dolphins tracing silver arcs in the blue.

At the bow, Nathaniel scanned the horizon through his telescope, a faint frown on his face. The East Dragonmarsh was supposed to be treacherous. Yet this voyage had been… suspiciously easy.

“Your Highness! Look!” The lookout’s voice cracked with excitement.

Nathaniel followed the man’s pointing hand—and froze.

Far ahead, floating among the clouds, stood breathtaking structures wreathed in mist. A carved stone bore the words Fairyharbor. Sunlight bathed the place in a golden glow, making it seem like something torn from legend.

“It’s Fairyharbor Island!” someone cried. The deck erupted into shouts of joy.

Nathaniel’s grip tightened on the telescope. His eyes burned with excitement—after all this time, he had finally found it.

“Full speed! Bring us in!” he ordered.

The fleet surged forward, slicing white trails through the sea. But as they closed in, the water beneath them shifted.

The once-glass surface began to churn. Whirlpools formed—massive, hungry spirals that could swallow ships whole.

The sky darkened in an instant. Winds screamed. Waves rose like charging beasts, smashing into the hulls.

“We’ve sailed into the Death Zone!” an old sailor shouted, terror blanching his face.

Nathaniel’s stomach dropped. The island was no island at all—only a mirage, a lure to drag them to destruction.

Chaos tore through the fleet. Ships rose high on towering waves before crashing down with splintering groans. Others were caught in spinning maelstroms, helpless as ragdolls. Masts cracked like bones, sails ripped to shreds, and men’s screams were drowned by the roar of the sea.