Chapter 37.2

Kevin belatedly realized his mistake and withdrew his hand. He apologized insincerely, saying, "I apologize. I was angry that you locked me up, and I didn't pay attention to what I was doing."

He patted Oswald reassuringly and said casually, "Okay, don't blow it up. I'll change the place."

Oswald asked, "Where did you shoot?"

Kevin raised one corner of his mouth and smiled playfully. "It's understandable for a young man to be easily excited."

Oswald remained silent.

The man fumbled around until he found a key hidden under the leather buckle on the side of Oswald's boots. He laughed and shook the key in front of Oswald, saying, "You have hidden it well, Your Majesty."

Oswald ignored him and simply said, "Since you have found the key, why are you still holding me? Open the handcuffs."

Kevin lowered his eyelids and casually said, "Hmm." He did not release Oswald, but used the key to attempt to open the handcuffs.

Perhaps because he was proud of having found the key, Kevin Fassbender felt that the key was a bit strange the moment he held it, but he did not think too much about it, only wanting to unlock the handcuffs quickly.

Kevin considered that, at worst, he had found the wrong key. If he could not open the handcuffs, he would continue to threaten Oswald, even if it meant using force.

When he inserted the key into the keyhole with difficulty, he found that it fit, but was somewhat "snug." He did not think much of thought, and naturally did not observe the emperor's raised eyebrow expression as he pressed the keyhole.

Kevin held the key and turned it lightly, but it felt slightly stuck. He was unable to turn it, so he applied more force.

As a result, there was a sharp snap, and the key, which had appeared to be in perfect condition, easily broke into two pieces, tightly blocking the keyhole.

Kevin was speechless.

The keyhole was now blocked, and it would be impossible to open the handcuffs without removing the object inside or destroying the handcuffs entirely.

Kevin was momentarily stunned, and in that moment, the emperor, who had been easily subdued by him, suddenly flipped over and lifted Kevin away with greater strength, turning back to the guest.

In a flash, the two men had switched places. Oswald pressed Kevin's wrist condescendingly. "Feng shui turns around," he said.

Kevin glanced at the blocked keyhole, then at Oswald, and said numbly, "What did you use to make that key?"

"The most brittle alloy made by the Golden Lion Kingdom," Oswald replied.

Kevin almost kicked him. "I'm too full of myself to do this kind of thing!"

In hindsight, it was clear that the emperor had planned everything. Kevin felt a pain in his liver.

Oswald, who was still pressing on him, did not let go. He bent down close to Kevin's ear and said in a provocative voice, "Have you had enough? Eat well, dear Your Excellency Fassbender."

The words were spoken in a low, smooth voice that was both alluring and threatening. Kevin felt a chill run down his spine.

Oswald's eyes were like sharp blades, boring into Kevin's soul. Kevin felt like he was being devoured.

Kevin had always felt that Oswald was a strange man, but since returning from the Tomb of God, he had become even stranger. He still liked to annoy Kevin, but now he did it in a more personal way.

"Let me go," he said, his voice trembling.

He would get up close to Kevin, invading his personal space, and speak in a low, rumbling voice that seemed to vibrate through Kevin's chest.

Oswald smiled. "Of course," he said. "But remember, this is just the beginning."

Kevin raised his head in discomfort and said, "Fine, stop. What else can I do if I don't stop? Get off me, please. You're too heavy."

Oswald nodded in satisfaction, rose from the bed, and seated himself in an armchair to the side, resting his temple with one hand. He awaited Kevin's acceptance of his fate and his consumption of the meal.

Kevin flicked the iron chain angrily, sat up in a composed manner, bent one leg, and retrieved the fruit wine glass from the dinner plate. He took a sip.

Kevin's temper was truly amazing. One second he was trying to kill the emperor and cut off the chains to escape, and the next second he was drinking and eating with his elbows on the table. If the iron chains were removed, one would only see an elegant and inconspicuous nobleman enjoying his lunch.

Oswald watched Kevin with a thoughtful expression. He knew that Kevin was a dangerous man, but he also knew that Kevin was a valuable asset. He would have to find a way to keep Kevin on his side.

Having slept for seven days, one would expect him to be famished by now, but he still ate slowly, as if this unhurried sense of calm was innate and engraved in his bones.

Though they had just fought, Kevin was now able to converse with Oswald calmly. He took a sip of fruit wine and asked Oswald, as if he had suddenly remembered something, "Have you tried the holy water? How is it working?"

Oswald nodded and replied, "So far, so good. There have been reports of positive developments from all over the world. Ian can now move his neck, and the traces of Sinia's sand petrification have faded from her shoulders to her wrists."

He pointed to his ear and added, "If it weren't for the holy water, your rebellious strength just now would have shattered this ear into pieces."

Kevin glanced at him and replied angrily, "Of course."

Oswald suddenly raised one corner of his mouth and smiled. "There is a sacrificial ceremony in St. Antis every evening these days. The recovering people organized it spontaneously and plan to worship the relief statue of the God of Light in the central square for seven days."

Kevin was taken aback for a moment, then continued to eat and commented in a very dismissive way, "It's just idleness. Why should we worship an old god?"

"Phae has a different meaning," Oswald replied, raising his eyebrows. "I brought two things back from the Tomb of the Gods, and I plan to—"

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by the servant at the door. "Your Majesty, the Imperial City Patrol Army has sent another urgent report."