Read Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Novel by Only For You Updated 2025 -26 - Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3168

Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3168

Valerie nodded. “That’s right. We both saw you. When the entrance to the Veiled Paradise was about to open, Mr. Lloyd Senior ordered us to withdraw ahead of time. We all knew a battle was inevitable, and staying would’ve meant certain death. So we evacuated before the entrance opened. And while we were leaving, we saw you and Ms. Kerrigan rushing toward it.”

Andrew nodded in understanding. “You made the right call. The situation back then was extremely dangerous.”

Conrad drained the last drop of milk from his glass before speaking.

“A full-scale war swept across the entire Outlands. Many of Holtrien’s military bases were affected. We held our position—first, waiting for orders from home, and second, waiting for Mr. Lloyd Senior to emerge from the sanctuary. But things escalated far beyond what we anticipated.”

He continued, “In the Wastelands, the Ludendorff family was already the dominant force. Then came the Cathedral’s invasion, followed by the rampage of the Dark Trinity. More recently, the four Western nations have grown restless.”

“Mirelan’s special forces searched repeatedly for our hiding places. After reporting to military command, I received orders to evacuate. So I gathered Valerie and Luna and prepared to return home. But even then, we were still pursued by forces from other nations.”

He paused. “We fled all the way until we reached Throne City.”

Andrew nodded. “The four Western nations—and even Eastonia—are keeping a greedy eye on our country. Running into them in a lawless place like the Outlands made conflict inevitable. I’m glad you’re all safe.”

He added calmly, “Here in Throne City, no one would dare cause trouble.”

Seeing the stern look on Andrew’s face, Kyrie asked cautiously, “Mr. Lloyd… is it true that you have no rivals left in the entire Wastelands?”

Andrew smiled, but didn’t answer directly. “Let’s just say I’m managing.”

Kyrie wanted to ask more, but Andrew’s presence alone intimidated him into silence. Ever since Andrew rose to dominance in the Wastelands, Kyrie treated him with extreme caution, as if walking on thin ice.

Kyrie couldn’t even begin to imagine how Andrew had achieved such power. But whether he understood it or not, he was painfully aware of Andrew’s current status.

Andrew commanded legions, with armies ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice. More importantly, he had reached the level of a martial god. Kyrie didn’t know exactly what that meant—but the title alone was enough to make him lower his head.

Back in Holtrien, he had once dared to provoke Andrew. Now, in such a short time, Andrew had left him so far behind that the comparison was humiliating.

Put bluntly, Kyrie wasn’t even worthy of shining Andrew’s shoes.

And now Andrew ruled the entire Wastelands—the uncrowned king of this brutal, lawless land. The idea of carving out a kingdom in such a place, surrounded by endless danger and rivalry, was something Kyrie had never even dared to imagine.

That realization led him to another conclusion.

Back in Holtrien, the Harding family was a top-tier clan, powerful enough to get whatever it wanted. But in the Wastelands, the Harding name meant nothing. It carried no weight at all.

In Andrew’s eyes now, the Harding family was insignificant.

That was the true reason Kyrie showed such respect when he met Andrew.

In fact, when Conrad first suggested seeking temporary shelter in Throne City, Kyrie had resisted with every excuse he could think of. He hadn’t wanted to come.

But he’d had no choice.

Luna and Valerie didn’t care whether he agreed or not.

So in the end, Kyrie came.

And when he finally saw this massive city—one that belonged entirely to Andrew—he was nearly scared out of his wits.

He felt like a country bumpkin who had wandered into a royal palace, trembling with every step he took.