---- Chapter 3177 Moments before, Alfredo had stood up in his agitation upon seeing Andrew. Now, Andrew had naturally taken his seat,pletely ignoring his presence. It was a brutal p to the face, a direct insult to him, the number one figure in the Eastern Regions and a top-three name on the Holtrien Titan List. Alfredo should have drawn his sword and struck immediately, but once again, he chose to endure. Aside from his wariness of Nyx, he also could not gauge Andrew''s true strength. Currently, Andrew''s reputation had soared in the Ounds, but few within Holtrien knew the details.


    After all, his capture of Throne City and his destruction of the Ludendorff family, the King of the Wastnd, had all happened within just a few days. Furthermore, news of the Cathedral army''s defeat and retreat to Lomuia had not spread widely, as Lomuia itself was too ashamed to publicize such a disgrace. Therefore, themotion around Andrew had not really spread abroad, let alone back home. However, Guillermo had indeed summoned Alfredo immediately, ordering him to Chetvine to discuss important matters. ---- Alfredo had refused outright, treating Guillermo''s words as nonsense.


    Did Guillermo think he could summon him around like a servant without dignity? Since the failed attempt to kill Reginald, the alliance Guillermo had gathered had fallen apart. Now, the various major yers no longer trusted him. He had imed that he never failed, calling himself Holtrien''s master strategist, yet he had not seeded once against Andrew or Reginald Thest time, they had Andrew cornered in a seemingly inescapable situation, but he still got away. Because of this, top figures like Alfredo and Julius no longer respected Guillermo and preferred to act on their own.


    Besides, they had always resented taking orders from Guillermo. anyway. Each of them ruled their own domain. What right did Guillermo have tomand them? Since he clearlycked the capability, they would no longer be ying along That was exactly how people like Alfredo thought, because they were all big names who cared most about pride and status. ---- "What is the meaning of this?" Alfredo turned to look at Andrew, who had usurped his seat, his eyes narrowing His right hand unconsciously moved to rest on his sword hilt as he added, "Have you taken a fancy to my seat?


    Or perhaps to my position as head of Swordhaven Keep? We''re all on the same side. If you just ask, as your elder and out of respect for your father, I might even consider stepping aside." Andrew nced at him coolly and suddenly smiled, "I have no interest in any of that. What I want is your head rolling." Alfredo sneered. "That''s not a joking matter." Andrew replied tly, "What makes you think you''re worth joking with?" The distance between them was too close, and Andrew''s aura was overwhelmingly aggressive.


    Alfredo had not wanted to strike first, but under the mutual pressure of their shing energies, he could not hold back any longer and violently drew his sword. Alfredo thought that by striking first, he would gain the upper hand. He refused to believe this arrogant little bastard could actually turn the tables. A brilliant sh of sword light shot from the scabbard. ---- In that lightning-fast instant, Andrew struck out with his palm, and a thunderous boom echoed like muffled thunder.


    Alfredo''s sword, only halfway drawn, was forcefully mmed back into its scabbard by Andrew''s palm strike. His face changed dramatically, and he let out a low roar, attempting to draw his sword again. However, Andrew seized his sword-drawing hand in a vice-like grip. Then, a sound like cracking marble began to emanate from the center of their struggle.