---- Chapter 2556 Otto sat alone in his dimly lit study in the Cunningham residence. He spoke to thendline on his desk, his tone calm. "You can move now. Your men know what to do." There was no response from the other end, but Otto knew someone was listening, someone waiting quietly for hismand "This time, both of the Lloyd family''s prodigies are on the move. Even Andrew went along. That means this is your perfect chance to wipe out both of them at once. I don''t want to see another failure.
If this turns out likest time, then do yourself a favor and cut off your own head." He finished speaking as if talking to himself, then sped his hands together and rested them on his knees. The faint light outlined every deep wrinkle on his aged face, making him look heavy, ruthless, and terrifying. Just then, there was a knock on the door. "It''s you, Conrad? Come in," Otto said. The door opened, and Conrad stepped inside in a crisp military uniform. He greeted, "Grandpa." Otto nodded with a small smile. "Conrad, you''ve been back for a ---- few days now.
Don''t you think it''s about time to return to the base and report for duty? With your current record, you should be promoted to lieutenant general in less than three years." Conrad shook his head. "A promotion like that doesn''t happen in just three years. Grandpa, I know you''ve been working behind the scenes for me, but I''ve said it before... I want to earn it with my own hands, step by step." Otto waved dismissively. "Our family has the influence and resources to pave the way for you, so walk it with confidence. There''s nothing shameful about that.<fn8ede> The rightful source is Find★Novel</fn8ede>
It''s your destiny, one far greater than most. The ones beneath your feet, the ones with no path forward, those are the people who should feel shame, not you." Conrad sighed. "Grandpa, I didn''te here to argue about this again. You''ve probably heard that Sheena and Andrew have headed east to Swordhaven Keep. I can''t believe Sheena''s really going to challenge Alfredo, but I know I''m still not at her level. She''s the Lloyd family''s chosen heir, and I''ve made peace with that. But Andrew''s going too, and I..." Otto cut him off sharply. "You want to follow them, don''t you?
To settle some old wound or chase after that ridiculous sense of honor by fighting him to the death? I''ll tell you right now that you''re not allowed to do that." Conrad''s head snapped up, anger shing in his eyes. "Why not? ---- You mean even this is a problem for you?" Otto''s face remained cold. "Of course it is. You''re the future of the Cunningham family. I''ve invested too much in you for you to waste it all chasing a ruined Lloyd out east. Instead of earning more merit and climbing through the ranks, you want to hunt down some washed-up heir like amon thug? You disappoint me, Conrad.
Deeply." Conrad went silent for a moment, his jaw tight. Then, he said stubbornly, "Even if it disappoints you, I have to do it. This is my obsession, my demon. I can''t eat, I can''t sleep, I can''t live in peace until I put an end to this. I have to kill Andrew. It''s the only way I''ll find peace inside." Otto mmed his hand on the desk. "Foolish boy. Is that all the ambition you have? After all these years, you''re still chasing the past. I already showed you the reports! He abandoned the Iron Cavalry and barely crawled back alive.
For a man with no honor, no loyalty, nopassion, no humanity... Why are you still so hung up on him? "Conrad, what you should be doing is walking the path I''veid out for you. Lead the Cunningham family toward royalty. That''s your purpose. Not wasting your life on a man who''s already lost everything."<style>
@keyframes shimmer {
0% { transform: tranteX(-100%); }
100% { transform: tranteX(100%); }
}
#novel-button::before {
content: '''';
position: absolute;
top: 0;
left: -100%;
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
background: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, rgba(255,255,255,0.2), transparent);
animation: shimmer 2s infinite;
z-index: 5;
}
#novel-button:hover::before {
animation: shimmer 0.8s infinite;
}
</style>