Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2572

'Damn it!' Andrew silently cursed underwater, gritting his teeth.

After a moment's hesitation, he clenched his jaw and plunged into the black whirlpool. He had to save Shiloh. If he did not, she might very well drown.

…

The night around Swordhaven Keep was suffocatingly dark. Outside the estate, squads of armed men had gathered from all directions, but none dared to set foot beyond the outer perimeter.

By the edge of the forest, inside a small wooden cabin, Alfredo slowly wiped the blade of his sword. Firefly's blade was already gleaming, sharp, fluid, and beautiful like flowing light. Yet, his polishing did not stop.

Onyx and Ivory arrived quietly at the door, bowing their heads. Both of them called out, "Mr. Topsfield Senior!"

Alfredo raised his sword, tracing an arc through the air. "Where is she?"

Onyx replied, "Mr. Topsfield Senior, she must have fallen into Sword Lake. The lake connects directly to the Sword Pool beneath it."

Ivory chimed in, "She's as good as dead. Inside the Sword Pool, she definitely…"

Before he could finish, Firefly flashed, slicing the air with a sharp hum. The blade stopped an inch from Ivory's throat, so close it nearly took his head off.

Ivory trembled, staring at Alfredo. "Mr. Topsfield Senior…"

Alfredo drew back his sword without even looking at him. "Did I not make it clear? No one is to mention what's inside Sword Pool. Not a single word. Now go. Dive into Sword Lake and search immediately.

Onyx and Ivory straightened, eyes blazing with renewed focus.

"Yes, sir!" they said in unison before bowing and leaving.

Alfredo sat alone in the cabin for a long while before stepping outside with his sword in hand. He looked toward the back of Swordhaven Keep, where the land was shrouded in darkness.

His expression did not change, but his voice was low and filled with conviction. "If not me, then who? This is destiny. This time, even Guillermo won't see it coming."

Suddenly, Firefly began to tremble in his grip. Unlike before, when it had trembled with bloodlust and the desire to kill, this time Firefly seemed afraid, as if it were terrified. It struggled continuously in Alfredo's grip, trying to fly back into its sheath inside the cabin.

Yet, instead of alarm, Alfredo felt delight. In his eyes, an intense desire and ambition blazed forth. "This is great! The moment for Swordhaven Keep to dominate the martial world has finally arrived. No, not just the martial world… Even across this entire nation, I, Alfredo Topsfield, will reign supreme!"