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    ---- Chapter 3123 Andrew sneered. "On the surface, you act like you don''t care, but deep down, you know exactly how serious the consequences of my words are. You can kill me, but the Cathedral''s war in the Wastnds absolutely cannot fail. "If your actions cause the Cathedral''s efforts to crumble and tens of thousands of Vindicators to die for nothing, Arya, I''m afraid you''ll be the one who ends up dead. The Pope will probably personally burn you at the stake in Lomuia''s execution grounds." Arya took a deep breath. "No matter what you say, it''s useless. Andrew, I will purge you.


    The darkness in your heart and the evil within you can never coexist with me." She sheathed her white greatsword and leaped down from the City Lord''s Mansion walls, quickly disappearing into the night. Andrew let out a long breath. That insane woman had to be dealt with, one way or another. 1 The next day, as soon as dawn broke, Andrew brought Petra and headed for Aurora City. He did not bring anyone else along. When Vance saw Andrew arrive, his expression was not particrly weing. Still, he politely gestured for Andrew to ---- sit down.


    "Your Highness, I''ve noticed Aurora City''s morale seems pretty low these past couple of days," Andrew said with a smile as soon as he sat down. Vance snorted coldly. Instead of answering, he countered, "! heard you gained the Hignd Tribe''s loyalty?" Andrew did not hide it. "I just got lucky and picked up a bargain." Jealousy and wariness shed in Vance''s eyes as he replied with a forced smile. "The Hignd Tribe is known for its pride, fierce nature, and unyielding spirit. Guess they''re not all that, after all.


    Andrew, you''re really something, forcing them to work for you like that." Andrew smiled. "You''re reading too much into it. The Hignd Tribe chose to follow me willingly." Vance waved dismissively. "Everyone knows what kind of person you are, so there''s no need to brag about yourself. Just tell me, what''s your businessing to Aurora City?" Andrew felt contempt in his heart. Vance always assumed that he had used extreme methods to force the Hignd Tribe into submission. However, the truth was something Vance would never imagine. Still, Andrew did not care what Vance thought.


    ---- "I want you to join me in attacking Throne City. Afterward, Throne City bes mine, and I''ll hand over my current base, Abyss City, to you." Andrew stated his purpose directly. Vance burst outughing. "What did you just say? You want to attack Throne City? Don''t you know that the Ludendorff family, even in decline, is still a force to be reckoned with?


    Don''t think that just because you got the Hignd Tribe''s help, you can let your ambitions run wild." He continued, "Whoever moves against the Ludendorff family first and provokes them into a desperate fight will be the first unlucky bastard eliminated from this war." Andrew nodded with a smile. "Your instincts are pretty sharp." Vance waved his hand. "So give up on that idea. My men, and our great warriors, won''t be your cannon fodder. But if you really are stupid enough to attack Throne City, you''d better be prepared. I might take the opportunity to seize Abyss City.


    When that happens, you''ll lose on both fronts and watch your entire position copse in one stroke!" Andrew replied with a calm smile. "You''re quite bold, and you don''t even beat around the bush. Still, even if you tried to hide it, I''d know what you''re nning, just like you know my intentions. Between smart people,munication is simple." ---- Vance responded, "Andrew, no matter what you say, it''s pointless. You gave Aurora City to me, but damn it, you also screwed me over pretty badly.


    That lunatic Ramon nearly breached the city several times, and I''ve suffered massive losses, you know that?" He suddenly erupted in anger. Andrew ignored him and instead looked at the attendant standing beside Vance Andrew had noticed thedy once before at Abyss City. Initially, there was nothing particrly noteworthy about her. Still, whenever Vance lost control of his emotions, this attendant''s reactions seemed to fluctuate ordingly. Moreover, Andrew had caught glimpses that suggested this attendant harbored unusually intense hostility toward him.


    ''She wants to kill me!'' The thought surfaced in Andrew''s mind, and his gaze gradually turned ice-cold. He hesitated, wondering whether he should make a small move to test this person out.