The potions carried by Oswald are highly effective. Whether it be the sedative consumed by the black-eared wolf or the healing potion used on Mai and the father and son, their responses were swift.
Ben rolled from one end of the ruined temple to the other, and then back again, jumping and howling in protest. "It's better not to apply the medicine! It itches, itches, itches! Help!"
In comparison, his father remained calm. Having survived on the battlefield, he was accustomed to the discomfort of wound healing. So, he silently listened to his son's antics, occasionally reaching out to offer comfort as Ban hopped past.
Kevin held up the jerky, watching the show and having dinner. He pointed to a section of the floor and instructed, "A little to the left, left! Yes, that's it, this section hasn't been applied yet."
Ben continued to complain and irritate Kevin.
Oswald, not very hungry, stood with his arms folded. He observed Kevin and the crying lion cub, his expression indescribable. The scene in front of him was all too familiar, as that despicable Kevin had done the same thing to him in the past.
As a child, he begrudgingly followed Kevin, that despicable bastard, to learn swordsmanship and close combat. Kevin's demands for perfection were ambiguous and exacting. Any deviation in speed, distance, or timing, no matter how minuscule, would prompt Kevin to demand repetition again and again.
This method was enough to extinguish any child's patience and enthusiasm, especially considering Oswald's pathetic level of patience at the time.
So, Oswald resorted to causing trouble in any way he could. He would just sit on the ground, arms crossed and legs crossed, ignorant of Kevin's scoldings and refusing to budge even if he was beaten.
To make matters worse, Kevin had even less patience than Oswald, and that despicable bastard never had the concept of "respecting the old and loving the young" in his mind. He would beat Oswald without any hesitation.
At that time, Oswald's unreasonable protests annoyed Kevin to no end. In response, Kevin would simply grab him by the back of his neck and drag him along. As a seven or eight-year-old child, Oswald felt like he weighed nothing to Kevin. They could walk smoothly without any hindrance.
The shameless bastard would walk and say, "Come on, turn to the left a little bit. Okay, turn a little bit to the right, that's it, just mop the floor again and save old Ian some trouble."
Kevin was well aware of Oswald's rebellious psychology and would purposely give instructions in reverse. If he wanted Oswald to go east, he would say west. If he wanted Oswald to move forward, he would say backward. In short, it could drive anyone to utter frustration.
Oswald finished reminiscing about those foolish times and silently wiped his face.
Kevin caught sight of Oswald's movement from the corner of his eye. He turned to face Oswald and calmly asked, "Why? Are there memories from the past that you can't bear to revisit?"
Oswald looked up at him blankly and responded, "Are you embarrassed to bring it up?"
Kevin replied frankly, "Why should I feel embarrassed? It's not me who is mocking you."
He continued chewing on the jerky, his cheeks bulging slightly. The bones of the tiger's claws near his ears moved as he ate with great contentment.
Oswald looked at him with a dejected expression for a moment, licked his itchy teeth, and said, "Do you know what the word 'emperor' means?"
Kevin paused, realization dawning upon him. "Oh no, I forgot again."
Oswald harshly stated, "I'm no more than a good memory, and my favorite phrase is 'tit for tat.'"
Kevin questioned, "How do you plan to get back at me?"
"Mi Ao—" Oswald turned his head and called out.
"What is it, Your Majesty?" Mi Ao approached and asked.
"Wasn't the carriage door torn down? Whoever did it needs to fix it." Oswald gestured towards Kevin with his chin and said, "Later, find some people to tie your hands and feet to the door to keep out the wind."
Mi Ao exclaimed, "!!!"
Kevin muttered, "..."