"I'm not kidding." Kevin leaned forward and placed his right hand on the table in front of Oswald, palm up. The veins in his hand were visible under the skin.
"Did you forget that I won't get hurt at all?" he asked with a smile.
Oswald glanced at Kevin's hand, then raised his eyes. "I'm not so arrogant as to think that I'm worth a hundred men just because I won't get hurt," he said.
"Will you talk to me like a civilized person?" Kevin asked.
"With all due respect, I will not," Oswald replied.
Kevin sighed and tapped on the table with his knuckles. "Look, people are panicking right now. They're all waiting for a miracle. One day of unrest can lead to widespread fear and chaos. I know you don't believe in things you haven't seen with your own eyes. You think it's too risky to bet the lives of a large group of people on a holy water that might not even work. But I'm telling you, one of me is all it takes. I won't get hurt, so I can try countless times until I open the door to the main hall of the god's tomb. The doctors and officials can continue dispensing medicine without any hindrance."
"Even if the holy water doesn't work," Kevin continued, "it's still worth a try. At the very least, we'll be able to say that we tried everything we could. So what are you hesitating for?"
Oswald opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He knew that Kevin was right. If he could open the door to the god's tomb, it would be a miracle that would save countless lives. But even though he knew this, he still felt angry.
"Well," Kevin said, "I'm not a stubborn person. Since you won't speak, we'll have to find another way." He raised his finger to Oswald's right ear. "I'm going to count to three. If you don't agree, move your ear. If you agree, don't move. Okay? One... two... three!"
Oswald's right ear was petrified, so he couldn't move it.
"See?" Kevin said with satisfaction. "You're a sensible person who considers the overall situation."
These words were a thinly veiled insult to the emperor, who was clearly not considering the overall situation.
Oswald slapped Kevin's hand away, his face red with anger.
"His Excellency Fassbinder probably doesn't want to live again," he said.
Kevin laughed. "I'm sure you'll be grateful for my sacrifice," he said.
Oswald glared at him. "If me, I'm not going to sacrifice myself for anyone," he said. "Not even for the emperor."
"Suit yourself," Kevin said. "But don't come crying to me when the people start rioting."
Oswald's eyes are deep-set, his cheeks are sharp, and his chin is slightly raised. His complexion is not good, and he has a somewhat haggard appearance.
Kevin straightened up again, a smile playing on his lips. "I'm so reluctant to do this purely profitable business," he said. "Can I understand that you are worried about my safety?"
Oswald kept a straight face and said nothing. He is handsome, but he also has an arrogant and stubborn air about him.
After a moment, he mocked, "Am I a masochist? Why would I be worried about you?" He waved his hand rudely at Kevin, signaling him to leave.
That was that.
Although it took a lot of talking, Kevin eventually convinced Oswald. After all, the young emperor was not truly stubborn and was willing to consider the overall situation.
With that, he turned and walked out of the room.
Oswald watched him go, his face a mask of rage. He was not going to let Kevin bully him into doing something he didn't want to do.
If Oswald were 20 or 30 years older and had decades of experience in the world, his temperament would likely make him more intimidating to an emperor.
Unfortunately, he is still young, and the bastard Kevin has never been afraid of him.
The news of Kevin's plan to break into the tomb of God Phae spread quickly throughout the Wujin Xuan Palace, the headquarters of the three armies, and even the Royal City Patrolling Army. It was clear who had released the news.
When people are desperate, they will often grasp at any straw. No matter who they hear it from, no matter how bizarre the method, they will believe it and try it.
Moreover, the person who spoke now was the emperor, and the legend of the tomb of Fae had some basis among the people, so almost everyone who heard the news regarded it as a hope that could be expected.
For a while, the sense of fear that had shrouded the people actually eased a little.