Read Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Novel by Only For You Updated 2025 -26 - Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3160

Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3160

White banners fluttered in the wind, planted all along the route of the procession. Andrew walked forward toward the white command tent, his expression solemn, under the watchful eyes of Cathedral warriors—some burning with anger, others icy and distant, and some blindly devout. Two ornate coffins were borne on the shoulders of Cathedral knights. Andrew stepped aside in quiet courtesy.

Kass sat pale-faced inside a luxury vehicle. As the car drew level with Andrew, he lowered the window. Andrew met his gaze and gave a small nod.

“Your Eminence.”

Kass’s face was cold, then he forced a bitter smile. “Farewell, Mr. Lloyd. Congratulations on taking Throne City and ruling the Wastelands in a single decisive move.”

Andrew shook his head. “I never had much interest in ruling the Wastelands. Everything happened because I had no other choice. The era of the Ludendorff family should have ended long ago.”

Kass fell silent for a moment. To Andrew’s surprise, he neither mocked nor argued. Instead, he said quietly, “Now, you are the greatest lord in the Wastelands.

“You and the Lomuia Grand Cathedral never held any deep hatred toward each other—only minor friction. Andrew, I have a request. I hope you will treat the people of the Wastelands kindly. Life here has never been easy.”

Andrew nodded. “Of course. Even if you hadn’t said it, I would have done the same.”

Kass smiled faintly. “That’s good. Although I failed the Pope’s expectations and allowed my Lord’s glory to be disgraced, at least you are not the Ludendorff family. You won’t be as brutal as they were.

“Though you are not a follower of my Lord, your kindness is seen by Him, and He will be comforted.”

Andrew remained silent, unsure how to respond.

Kass continued calmly, “Mr. Lloyd, you are very smart—no, more than that, you are truly formidable. Our Cathedral and the Dark Clans fought a brutal war. Both sides suffered devastating losses. At least for the foreseeable future, no one will have the strength to start another war in the Wastelands.

“And so, you gained the time and space to stabilize Throne City and the entire region.” He scoffed softly. “I don’t know whether this was heaven’s will, or whether you, Andrew, were chosen by fate. In the end, the victor was neither the Cathedral nor the Dark Clans—but you.”

Andrew said nothing. He could hear the reluctance, exhaustion, and deeply buried resentment in Kass’s words. Yet victory belonged to the winner, and defeat to the loser—the outcome was already sealed. In the end, the Cathedral had become a stepping stone for Andrew’s rise.

It was precisely because both the Cathedral and the Dark Clans were gravely weakened that he had emerged on top. Andrew did not deny it. It had already happened, an undeniable fact. He was now the strongest power in the Wastelands. No matter how much bitterness Kass carried, he could only swallow it in silence.

Kass spoke again. “I will take my leave. After escorting the bodies of the two angels back to the Cathedral, I will be stripped of my title as Scarlet Cardinal. After that, I will spend the rest of my life in a monastery, living in seclusion and never stepping into the outside world again.”

Andrew let out a quiet sigh. “Take care, Your Eminence.”

He still respected Kass. This fanatical believer of the Cathedral had already done everything he could in the Wastelands. His perseverance, strength, and unshakable faith were all worthy of respect.

As the window slowly rolled up, Kass suddenly added, “By the way—Arya did not leave with us. If you see her, Mr. Lloyd, please inform her that we have withdrawn and returned to Lomuia.”

Andrew’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Arya didn’t leave? Does she still intend to entangle herself with me?”

Kass smiled helplessly through the glass. “The Pope’s order has already been delivered. She must return to Lomuia immediately to face a trial for dereliction of duty. So you can rest assured—she won’t continue to trouble you. But Arya… has disappeared.”