The person blocking the way was a remarkably attractive young man whose age was difficult to determine solely based on his appearance. Despite his youthfulness, he exuded a demeanor that did not correlate with his age, whether it be his sharp eyebrows or towering height.
Kevin pleased with his swift braking, was obliged to avert his gaze slightly at this proximity, as taking a couple of steps forward would require looking up directly. In a very short period, Kevin took reserve of the young man with an appraising glance, observing his short brown and black hair, muscular arms and chest, and lengthy legs concealed beneath his riding boots.
A correction of emotion occurs in Kevin's heart speaking, "Tsk... Tsk... Who are you?"
His thoughts wavered momentarily until Oswald, with a smug expression, commented, "Your Excellency appears to have a lapse in memory; it seems Your Excellency Fassbender has forgotten me. I had assumed Your Excellency was unable to recollect our time together."
It's not that he really can't guess who this person is, but that he really can't connect him with that brat back then. Kevin recollected their time spent together during their entire vacation but struggled to reconcile the youth Oswald with the towering figure standing before him.
He mused on the passing of time, 'Time flies so fucking rapidly fast. This lad has grown remarkably tall from eating his fill!'
"Remember... of course, I remember. We stayed together for the whole vacation. I was just wondering whether I had been in a coma for several years or centuries, why did you grow so big in a blink of an eye..."
Kevin casually measured his waist and gestured. He said: "I remember when I visited you previously; You were not as tall as a crutch and two hair strands could have sufficed as a braid."
Oswald: "..."
This bastard's skill at snappy retorts has not diminished since their last encounter, and a good sentence from his mouth seems to be very insignificant. No matter how long or short a sentence is, it can always make people find a point to jump.
Kevin, just now belated aware of Oswald's rise to the top, immediately cleared his throat, turned his head away, and fell silent.
Oswald smiled suddenly and spoke slowly, "The vacation that I spent with you was truly unforgettable. Even now, I occasionally dream about it. It gives me great pleasure to see you once again. I extend my sincere welcome to you."
Kevin listened to him silently and interpreted the passage in his mind: 'I will remember the days when you mistreated me for the rest of my life. After all these years, you have finally fallen into my hands. God has been just.'
Oswald observed the subtle changes in his facial expression for a moment before raising a question, "What's wrong with your face? Is everything alright?"
Kevin chuckled twice and replied, "I am fine. My tooth is hurting due to the tough piece of meat I had last night."
Upon hearing this, Oswald said "Oh" and looked up to survey his surroundings.
He quickly moved toward Mi Ao, who was eavesdropping nearby and advised, "We must hurry. Let us ride on our horses. If it is agreeable to Your Excellency, you may follow me in my carriage. I cannot wait to catch up with you."
Kevin refused the offer without any hesitation, stating, "No, that will not be necessary. I will ride on a vulture."
Mi Ao, embarrassed, said to Kevin, "There are no more vultures available."
Kevin turned his head and looked at him incredulously, "Then you must make do with half of your seat."
Mi Ao patted the muscular neck of his vulture and said, "It is not a problem. Please, come up, and when we pass through the marketplace, you may buy another vulture. Your Majesty. Do you find this acceptable?"
Kevin raised his foot, ready to move over to the vulture.
Upon hearing Mi Ao's words, Oswald also turned his attention to him and replied in agreement, "Yes, that is acceptable."
Mi Ao, upon realizing something, suddenly smacked his thigh and cried out, "Oh no! I have a leg cramp and cannot move! Kevin, ouch—hey, why don't you move?"
Please, let us get into the carriage. I cannot give up my seat."
As he spoke, he began to writhe and shake his calves, laying on the back of the vulture.
Kevin: "..." He was stunned by Mi Ao's capacity to proclaim the imminent end of death.
As a form of encouragement, he extended two middle fingers to Mio, then shook his head and followed Oswald. Despite being unwilling, he had to put on a smile.
The carriage was stationed just outside the forest, harnessed by three exceptionally potent black vultures. They surpassed the strength of typical equines, with thick, curly manes flowing down the backs of their necks and massive vulture wings spanning from their backs.
They were a sight to behold, both sturdy and exquisite.
Upon that moment, Kevin became aware that not only had the elite squadron of the Bronze Army assembled, but also more than 50 heavily-armored cavalrymen who were arranged on both flanks of the carriage, exuding a frightening aura.
Kevin was speechless and couldn't help but wonder if this was an attempt to find someone or perhaps a robbery in progress. He shot a bewildered look at the cavalrymen; however, before he could make sense of the situation, Oswald ushered him back into the carriage.
"Why is there such a commotion?" Kevin turned around and enquired subconsciously.
"A person who has long passed away for seven years has suddenly transmitted a distress signal from the wilderness that connects the domain of meandering land with that of the giant orc tribe. Can you believe that?"
Oswald shut the carriage door with a forceful backhanded move and spoke curtly. "As a result, I have revised my earlier plans."
"Ah, yes," Kevin acknowledged. "What was your previous stance before the revision?"
Oswald used one hand to support the roof of the carriage and glanced at Kevin from head to toe before stating, "Summon Wujin Iron Cavalry to the place and bring in a thorough sweep. Once the perpetrator is nabbed, interrogate them and put them to death without further ado in the event of non-cooperation."
Kevin paused, looking thoughtful. "But isn't there a temple where one could obtain a rough estimation of the situation?"
"Temple?" Oswald scoffed.
"Half a month prior, Carpenter stayed up the entire night at the observatory, and when he returned, he was completely unhinged, with disheveled hair.
"Then, in a mindless state, he plummeted to his death from the cableway, rendering him unable to speak normally even now.
"He's been sequestered in the Pantheon Temple ever since. Without him, the rest of the incompetent bunch in the temple courtyard are clueless.
"Yesterday, Xinsha lost consciousness from shock. In this state, you can expect no concrete calculations from them. It's a pipedream."
Kevin clicked his tongue twice, uncertain whether it was in regret or something else.