Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 2567

Alfredo did not seem to care and simply smiled. "Alright then, let's get to business. The Lloyd family has two Dragons, and you're one of them. Tell me, are you really set on challenging me?"

He chuckled softly. "My sword may be a fine whetstone, but Sheena, you should know that it comes with great risk. Sometimes, the risk isn't worth the reward."

Sheena clasped her hands in respect. "Thank you for the warning, Mr. Topsfield Senior, but my decision is made. This battle will end with either life or death."

Alfredo remained unmoved, still maintaining his indifferent demeanor. "May I ask why you'd come all the way from Chetvine just to challenge me? As far as I know, Chetvine has plenty of strong martial artists who could help refine your martial arts."

Sheena replied, "It's simple. If I'm going to challenge someone, I'll go straight for the strongest, the most formidable. That's the only way to achieve my goal."

Alfredo seemed slightly more interested, "As expected of someone from the Lloyd family's royal bloodline. That kind of courage, I can understand. But if, and I'm saying if, you accidentally die by my sword, wouldn't your family feel it was a waste?"

Sheena's voice deepened. "The Lloyd family would feel it was a waste because they've invested so much in me. But beyond the Lloyd family, there's also me. My martial path has reached a point where I either advance or fall back, and the only way forward now is to face death head-on."

Alfredo laughed heartily, "Well said! Seeking life through death. In that sense, you remind me of Reginald. By seniority, he's your uncle, isn't he?"

Sheena nodded, uncertain where Alfredo was going with this.

He continued, "Reginald did the same thing back then, except his approach was more ruthless, more despairing. He wanted to defeat everyone, using all martial artists as stepping stones to achieve his supreme power. It was a shocking, unprecedented idea. When he fought me, I thought I had to finish him off. But in the end, we fought to a draw."

He chuckled. "Well, calling it a draw isn't quite right; I lost. If not for my famous sword, Firefly, and my mastery of the killing arts, Reginald could've ruined me completely. You need to think carefully before you proceed."

Sheena's tone stayed calm. "You're right, I'm not Uncle Reginald. I'm not even on the same level as Andrew. But so what? I'm still Sheena Lloyd, and this fight is my conviction."

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