I Dominate Them All!

Chapter 0002 - Who killed my family?

The pair arrived at the Silenzio d’Oro villa, a twenty-thousand-square-mile fortress nestled on the hillside of West Arcadia. It had everything: indoor gym, pool, and even a private lake. It was the perfect place for Chloe to recuperate.

Orion assisted Chloe out of the car.

As soon as the villa’s security detail—men in dark suits armed with AK-47s—spotted their General, they snapped to attention in perfect unison, the thunderous sound of their movement echoing through the compound and startling Chloe.

They began to raise their hands in salute, but Orion shot them a sharp glare, freezing them in place.

Orion strode into the villa, still carrying her with ease.

Inside, rows of the empire’s finest doctors stood waiting. At the sight of him, they all bowed respectfully.

Admiral Flag stepped forward and addressed Orion. “As per your instructions, the empire’s best doctors have been assembled. All necessary medical equipment is in place.” He gestured toward the doctors. “They have been divided into two teams. One will handle her spinal surgery, while the other will focus on restoring her skin.”

He nodded.

A nurse approached, pushing a wheelchair, ready to take Chloe to the medical wing. Orion gently set her down, but she clung to him tightly, her eyes filled with fear and silent pleading. Sensing her pain, he knelt to her level, taking both her hands in his.

“You haven’t forgotten what I promised, have you?” he asked softly.

She hesitated but forced a small nod.

“Rest assured, Chloe, nobody’s going to hurt you while I’m here.” He smiled gently. “These people are doctors. They are here to help you. Trust me.”

The warmth in his voice melted her anxiety, reassuring her that she truly was in noble hands.

She was taken away, and the operation commenced.

Throughout its duration, Orion didn’t sleep. He stood in the hallway outside the operating room, waiting. After forty-eight hours, a doctor finally emerged, still in his surgical attire.

“Supreme General,” the doctor said with a bow. “The operation was a success. The clot in her brain has been cleared, and her skin responded well to the treatment.”

Orion exhaled in relief, sinking into a chair for the first time in two days.

“However,” the doctor continued, “she may experience a few minor side effects, such as traumatic flashbacks, episodes of partial forgetfulness, or difficulty recalling events leading up to the operation. But with consistent physical therapy and proper nutrition, she should make a full recovery.”

“Alright,” Orion affirmed. The doctor bowed and quietly showed himself out.

Through a slightly ajar door, Orion could see Chloe’s body. Part of her skin was covered in a salve, while countless wires and an oxygen mask were attached to her. A desolate look lingered on his face. Their journey ahead, starting today, wouldn’t be a walk in the park, but it was necessary.

He called for Flag.

“General,” Flag greeted.

“Admiral, it’s time,” Orion said, his voice cold and distant. “Hand me the case.”

Flag’s face instantly drained of color. Hesitantly, he obeyed, returning with a red case that held stacks of documents detailing a decade-long comprehensive investigation into the families responsible for his family’s massacre, along with a new ID.

“Well, General,” Flag began, filling him in. “Our investigation so far indicates that the families involved in the coup against yours are the Delacroix, Morgans, Del Rosarios, and, finally, the Blackwoods. They are known as West Arcadia City’s pillars, having grown to become the most powerful families in the city—possibly even in the entire empire.”

Orion frowned.

He skimmed through the confidential documents while Flag continued.

“After the massacre that night, they stole and divided a vast portion of your family’s wealth and properties among themselves. But I’d like to point out that they have grown exponentially wealthy not just from your family’s money, but also through their various illegal businesses and dealings. These pillars are part of a mafia organization whose name we do not know yet, led by someone we have not identified either.”

“Interesting,” Orion said coldly, his eyes narrowing as he studied the pictures of each family’s leaders. Each wore a distinct hexagonal badge that symbolized their family’s power and legacy.

He paused at the picture of the Blackwood patriarch, Senior Richard Blackwood. Orion squinted at his face, trying to remember where he had seen him before. Then it struck him. Richard was his grandfather’s best friend, a trusted confidant who had even attended the party on that fateful night.

Yet somehow, he had made it out alive.

Something feral gnawed at Orion, a deep rage demanding release. He shut the files and, turning to Flag, commanded, “Your job here is done, Admiral. Take the special units and return to the capital.”

Thud!

Flag suddenly dropped to his knees, his head pressed against the floor. “I always knew this day would come, but I didn’t think it would be so soon,” he pleaded. “General, your authority transcends all others. Just give the order, and you’ll have the heads of your family’s killers. You don’t have to do what you’re about to do.”

Orion looked down at him. “Flag, there is no ‘General’ anymore. I will no longer be referred to as that. Investigating my family’s killers will be the last time I use my authority. Once I settle the score, I’ll retire to a peaceful life with Chloe.” He glanced lovingly at her.

The Admiral’s eyes bulged at Orion’s words. He pressed his head firmly against the floor and yelled, “General, I beg you, please reconsider! If you do this, there will be a power struggle among the five dukes, plunging the empire into war. Your life, as well as Miss Chloe’s, will be in danger. Your enemies will stop at nothing to see you—and everyone you care about—eliminated.”

“Please, just give the order, and we’ll crumble those pillars. Then we can return to the capital,” Flag begged.

Orion sighed and helped Flag to his feet. He understood his concern because they had been sworn brothers since the day he saved his life from terrorists. But his mind was made up. “Flag, at the siege of Redwater Bay, when it was just us against twenty thousand men, do you remember my exact words?”

“Yes, ‘Trust me,’ General.”

“Good. Now, I want you to trust me. And trust my judgment,” Orion said, patting Flag on the arm. “Since I began my conquest to forge this empire, you have been by my side, fighting. But now, I must embark on this personal conquest, alone. As for the matter of war, I pass my authority to you. I trust you to do an excellent job, keeping the empire’s peace.”

“General…” Flag’s voice trailed off. He realized there was nothing he could say to change the General’s resolute decision.

He stepped back, steadied himself, and gave an explosive salute. “It is an honor to be chosen as your successor. I promise to govern the empire to the best of my ability. But the Iron Phoenix Legion and I will still await your return. Take care of yourself, General.”

With that, he turned and left.

Now, all that remained was him, Chloe, and the empty villa.

A month passed.

In that time, Orion had become Chloe’s knight in shining armor.

He assisted her with physical rehabilitation, fed her, and stayed by her side each night, reading to her until she drifted off to sleep. Thanks to his devoted care, she regained her health and beauty.

Chloe’s recovery, however, had not been without its difficulties. Just as the doctors had predicted, a traumatic episode struck her for the first time late one night. She awoke thrashing and crying, “Please don’t starve me anymore, Mum! I just wanted to save a life. Please. The fire could’ve killed him.”

Orion, who had dozed off while reading to her, immediately realized what was happening. He gently pulled her into his embrace, his voice soft and reassuring. “It’s okay. You’re safe. No one’s going to hurt you. You did the right thing saving his life. You did the right thing.”

His body radiated a soothing warmth, and combined with his calming voice, he managed to lull her back to sleep.

“You did the right thing saving my life,” Orion whispered softly as he watched her rest. “It’s my turn to return the favor.”

•

One morning, Chloe stood in front of the bathroom mirror, marveling at the smooth, flawless skin that now stared back at her. Tears welled in her eyes as she traced her reflection with trembling fingers.

Suddenly, a delicious aroma wafted through the air, making her stomach grumble. She smiled. He was cooking again. Chloe carefully made her way downstairs and peeked into the dining area. As always, the table was packed with a variety of dishes, each more enticing than the last.

“I see you. Come dig in,” Orion called as he stepped out of the kitchen, an apron tied over his bare, muscular chest. Chloe’s cheeks flushed at the sight, and she shyly took her seat, her eyes fixed on the food before her.

She didn’t know much about Orion beyond his name, but she had grown comfortable around the mysterious, striking man who had saved her life and offered her a fresh start.

Despite her attempts to resist, she had fallen for him too.

Her cheeks warmed as she glanced at him. “Um,” she began, biting her lip, unsure of how to voice her feelings.

Orion studied her demeanor and broke the silence. “Would you marry me, Chloe?”

Her face went pale with shock, and she froze. Seeing her reaction, Orion quickly added, “Of course, if you don’t want to, I—”

“Yes.” Her voice interrupted him, trembling but certain. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” A joyful smile lit up her face as she spoke the words, and Orion’s grin mirrored her relief and happiness.

When she wasn’t looking, his eyes darkened. Good. With this marriage and my new ID, I’ll be seen as just another average man. It’ll be easy to stay under the radar while taking out these pillars, he thought.

The next day, a man in a simple coat and a woman in a radiant bridal gown walked into the Department of Civil Services, their hands entwined and their smiles unstoppable.

Before them lay their marriage certificate. They signed it together, sealing their union with a tender, heartfelt kiss.