Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2557

Conrad fell silent. After a long pause, he finally shook his head bitterly and said, "Grandpa, I can't live up to your expectations. Since I was little, you've set the bar too high. Bringing our family into the royal circle? Honestly, I never even dared to dream about that."

He continued, "As my martial strength grew over the years, I finally realized how hard the world really was. Even a hero like Mr. Lloyd Senior had to leave his homeland and live in exile. That's why I never once dared to relax, why I joined the organization and followed the path you elders so carefully planned for me.

"Grandpa, I'm begging you. Please, stop pushing me. I just want to do one thing, something I actually want for myself. After I kill Andrew, I'll go to the Lloyd family and beg for their forgiveness."

He added, "Mr. Lloyd Senior was once my greatest benefactor. He guided me in martial arts, and the organization trained me because of him. And as for Mr. Turman, I know I've already failed to live up to his expectations in this life. Andrew was the one they chose. If I kill him, I'll become the thorn in the side of every elder I respect. They'll all hate me for it.

"Especially Luna. I'm sure she's already fallen for Andrew too. This whole thing is just so damn ironic, so absurd. But that's how life between men works sometimes… It's fate. Andrew used to be my friend, but our brotherhood has long since burned to ashes. Now there's nothing left but hatred and disappointment. If I don't kill him, I don't even see the point of living anymore."

He hissed, "I have to avenge the brothers who fought beside me, the ones killed because of him. Grandpa, I'm sorry, but I'm going to Swordhaven Keep."

Otto's face twisted in rage as he raised his hand and struck Conrad twice, the blows so fierce that Conrad staggered backward, spitting blood.

He roared, "Useless fool! You're 35 this year, aren't you? Since you were five, the family has given you an elite education. Do you have any idea how much time and money the Cunningham family has spent on you? Forget the rest! Just your personal training alone costs the family at least five billion dollars. Five billion, Conrad! All of it invested in you!"

He growled, "Yet instead of striving to bring the family to greater heights, you're chasing petty revenge for your own damn pride."

"You wanted to make the Cunningham family part of the royal circle. You wanted to overthrow the Lloyds. But Grandpa, did you ever stop to think? Your only son, my father, died because of that ambition! He died in that massacre, without even leaving a single piece of his body behind for us to bury! After all that pain, you still haven't learned. You're still obsessed with your damn dream!"

He yelled, "And why, of all people, do you have to target the Lloyds? Out of the three royal families in Holtrien, they're the hardest to deal with! Mr. Lloyd Senior himself is living proof! He's still a martial legend to this day. Dad once fought alongside him and respected him deeply! So why do you keep insisting the Lloyds are the easiest to take down? Why can't you let it go?"

Otto's frail frame trembled violently, his face turning pale.

Conrad thought his words had struck a nerve. He opened his mouth, trying to apologize, to take it back.