Read Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Novel by Only For You Updated 2025 -26 - Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3362

Only Atticus and a few of the Cavendish royal family’s senior elders exchanged subtle glances. In terms of sheer presence and nerve, Andrew clearly outclassed the younger generation of the Cavendish royal family. Even setting martial strength aside, his boldness and ruthlessness were far beyond Cormac—the one the family had pinned their highest hopes on.

Andrew released Jakob and let him stumble back to his seat.

Without even sparing him a glance as he sat there humiliated, Andrew swept his gaze across the room and spoke in a low, steady voice.

“Right now, Holtrien is facing all three Western Empires at once. And that’s not all—we also have the Dark Trinity to deal with. Any one of those threats alone could be fatal to us.”

Everyone in the room nodded in agreement.

Andrew continued, “It’s obvious that Holtrien is outmatched, both in numbers and overall strength.

“So if we want any chance of keeping the enemy from crossing our borders, there’s only one way to do it.”

No one spoke, but every person in the room—including Jakob—sat up straighter, fully focused on what Andrew was about to say next.

Andrew explained calmly, “It’s simple. We strike first.

“Instead of handing the initiative to the enemy, we take it for ourselves. The moment we do that, we stop reacting and start controlling the situation. Once that happens, the odds begin to shift in our favor.”

Several people in the room frowned at the idea.

Jakob, still seething from earlier, let out a cold laugh.

“I get what you’re saying—you want us to go on the offensive. But have you actually thought this through? We’d be lucky just to hold our ground as it is. With a gap this wide in strength, what chance do we realistically have of attacking?”

Andrew glanced at him calmly. “Opportunities don’t just appear. You create them.”

Jakob scoffed again. “Then explain how you create one. Launching an offensive doesn’t match our current strength. This has never been done— not in ancient times, not now, not ever.”

Andrew’s voice turned cold.

“Who told you it’s never been done?

“Valerius Lloyd, the founding ancestor of the Lloyd family, did exactly that. He led Holtrien’s Eight Ancient Sects and its warriors straight into the Western Continent and ensured the final battle was fought on their soil—not ours.”

He paused before continuing.

“Because of that, Holtrien remained intact and was spared the devastation of war. Through his sacrifice, he forced the Vampire Queen herself into a deep slumber.

“Does anyone here dispute that?”

The room fell completely silent.

Jakob had been ready to argue back, but the facts were undeniable.

Valerius Lloyd had been one of Holtrien’s greatest champions. He had led Holtrien’s warriors and the masters of the ancient sects deep into the Western Continent, nearly wiping out the vampires, werewolves, and sirens of the Dark Trinity.

Even the ancient and terrifying Vampire Queen had been forced into slumber because of him.

Every major faction in Holtrien knew that history well.

The totemic power Andrew now carried had been obtained in the Outlands—it was part of Valerius’ legacy.

Asher spoke respectfully. “Mr. Lloyd, if we’re going on the offensive, what exactly would that look like? Are you suggesting a direct confrontation with the three empires?”

Andrew shook his head with a faint smile.

“Definitely not. The combined military strength and top-tier fighters of the three empires are in a completely different league from what the Cavendish royal family can currently field.

“So we do this in two steps.

“First, we pull additional forces from Azure Gate and send them north to reinforce Cliffside Gate.

“Second, the Cavendish royal family forms an elite strike team and launches a surprise raid on the joint military camp of the three empires. Even if it succeeds only once, the chances of holding Cliffside Gate will increase dramatically.”

Asher and the others fell silent for a moment, considering the plan. Then they slowly began to nod.

Atticus asked seriously, “Mr. Lloyd, when would be the best time to launch that strike against the allied forces outside the gate?”

Andrew answered without hesitation.

“The sooner the better—ideally within the next twenty-four hours.

“Right now, the allied forces have only launched one offensive. Neither side has fully dug in yet, and the conflict hasn’t escalated into a full-scale war.

“Azure Gate is different. Philip and his men are already locked in a brutal battle with the dark races. Once things reach that level here, it’ll be too late. The enemy will be on high alert around the clock.”

He paused briefly before continuing.

“At the moment, the northeastern front is still in a standoff. This is the Cavendish royal family’s best window—the perfect strategic moment to strike hard, build momentum, and break the enemy’s formation.

“Once this turns into a drawn-out war of attrition, we won’t have the luxury of pulling elite forces for a raid or taking risks like this.”