When I first saw the word "Ship," my mind immediately went to the ocean or perhaps the concept of "Starship." It’s such a broad term that it’s almost impossible to narrow down without more context. I initially thought the category might be something related to "Space" or "Navy," but I decided to wait for the second clue before making a guess.

Then came "Royale." This was the turning point. When you see "Royale," you almost instinctively think of "Casino Royale" or the gaming phenomenon "Battle Royale." Comparing it back to "Ship," I realized that "Battleship" is a classic game and a type of vessel. This gave me a strong lead: the connection wasn't about the ocean, but about the word "Battle."

To test this theory, I looked at the third clue, "Cry." It fit perfectly. A "Battle cry" is a common phrase used to describe a rallying yell. At this point, I was about 90% sure the answer involved words that follow "Battle." I didn't even need to struggle with alternative theories because the pattern was becoming so distinct.

When "Axe" appeared as the fourth clue, it just solidified everything. A "Battle axe" is a well-known historical weapon. It bridged the gap between the modern gaming term "Royale" and the more traditional "Ship." It showed that the category spanned across history, gaming, and weaponry.

Finally, "Hymn of the Republic" was the icing on the cake. The "Battle Hymn of the Republic" is one of the most famous uses of the word in musical history. By the time I reached this clue, there was no doubt left. The common thread was that every single one of these words or phrases is preceded by the word "Battle."