Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2233

Philip stared at Luna until she felt chills run down her spine. Then, he finally said, "Yes, Andrew's codename in the organization was Shadow. Since you're so determined to know and you've been digging around relentlessly, ignoring all my warnings, I'll tell you everything tonight.

"He had many codenames: Shadow, Lone Wolf, Zero Hour, The Silencer, and the one the Western underground knew best: Death. All of these were Andrew's former identities. He could be anyone, do anything, including executing a major general like you, all within the organization's authority."

Luna's face grew progressively paler. Finally, she gritted her teeth and said, "So he's an executioner, a selfish coward who values his own life above others. A squad like Iron Cavalry was placed under his command, and in the end, only he crawled back alive like a dog, right?

"He was the organization's golden boy, a candidate for future leadership with incredible power. He could dispose of military major generals at will. I don't see any of this as honor… It's all a disgrace!"

Philip let out a cold, disdainful laugh. "Disgrace? Luna, let me ask you something… How old are you?"

This random question caught Luna off guard, but she responded defiantly. "I'm twenty-nine years, six months, and three days old today. Sir, what does this have to do with our discussion?"

Philip suddenly roared, "The connection is that you've wasted every single one of those years… You're foolish! Stupid beyond belief! And it's not just you. Conrad is just as much of an idiot. That's why, after he returned to Chetvine, I gave him a direct order. He is never to set foot in my residence again. He is no longer my student, period."

Luna's face went ashen as she croaked, "Why? Why do you act so strangely every time Andrew's name comes up?"

Philip shot to his feet, his eyes blazing with fury as he yanked at his military uniform. Finally, he snarled through gritted teeth, "Because I've already taught you both something crucial: If you don't know the truth, don't jump to conclusions.

"You're a soldier, and your job is to follow orders from your superiors. I am your superior, and I told you to stop prying. Did you listen?"

"Do you really believe Iron Cavalry was wiped out while he alone survived because he was a coward? Do you honestly think their enemies, the Dark Trinity known as the Spear of Death, are also idiots?

"They eliminated every member of Iron Cavalry but conveniently spared him, letting him return to continue being the West's greatest threat? Please, use your brain and think this through.

"This should be obvious to anyone with half a brain, but Conrad has never figured it out. I never imagined you'd be just as stupid. That's not how I trained you."

Luna's face shifted from pale to deathly white, then to a sickly gray. Even the last traces of color drained from her complexion completely.

Her lips trembled as she whispered, "Are you saying Conrad and I have been wrong about him all along? The truth isn't what we thought it was?"