[A Few Minutes Earlier.]
[Royal Palace.]
In an empty large room adorned with beautiful decoratives.
Kayan leaned back on his chair as he looked at the ceiling.
His eyes remained blank as he was lost in his own thoughts.
Osmund sat on a chair just on the opposite side of him.
His palm under his head, supporting his face as he stared at the king.
Kayan slowly lowered his head as he looked at Osmund.
"….It's always weird seeing you like this," the king spoke, a tinge of respect in his voice. "Acting like you are nothing special."
Osmund sat there quietly, fingers tapping once against the armrest, eyes tired but steady.
The fat on his face and the heaviness of his body made him look funny rather than intimidating.
"…And what exactly am I supposed to act like?" he asked calmly. "A hero? A legend? Someone you owe something to?"
Kayan scoffed, but there was no real mockery in it.
"Aren't you a legend already?" the king said. "Many don't know you here, but that's because you are far away from the mainland."
Osmund's gaze lowered for a moment. "…That was a long time ago."
Kayan leaned forward slightly. "But people still remember."
Osmund let out a quiet breath as he rubbed his eyes.
"What do you want me to do?"
Kayan leaned forward as he licked his lips. "You know, I could use your assistance right now—"
"I have enemies that can obliterate this kingdom in one strike," Osmund cut him off, raising his brow.
"If they know about my presence here, then you can say goodbye to your precious kingdom."
Kayan clicked his tongue as he bit down on his fingernail. "Fuck, I keep forgetting you are out of this kingdom's league."
"The only reason I chose to stay here is because of my father," Osmund said, leaning back. "But I will keep the kingdom safe, so don't worry."
The chair underneath Osmund cracked because of his weight, but the king didn't point it out.
"….What about your kids, foggy?" Kayan asked, looking at him curiously. "Are you going to keep them under you like caged dogs?"
Osmund glanced back at the king, his expression neutral. "They are my sons," he spoke. "They will make their own names without my protection."
"Maybe the youngest will," Kayan said, squinting his eyes. "The older one? Not so much."
"Abel isn't as weak as you think," Osmund spoke, standing up. "He will carve his own path."
"I can help in making them stronger," Kayan offered with a smile. "….What do you think?"
Osmund stared at him for a long second.
But before he could respond—
BOOMM!!!
An explosion blasted right where they both stood.
The window behind Kayan shattered into dust, the blast of force ripping through the room like a violent storm.
Kayan didn't move at first.
He just blinked once… then slowly turned his head toward the destroyed wall.
Osmund, however, was already staring at the person.
"…You've got to be kidding me," Kayan muttered.
A man stood there, holding a broken look on his face.
Tears trickled down his bloodshot eyes as he glared at the king.
"Tosin?" Kayan spoke, his voice filled with concern. "What happened—?"
His words caught in his throat as Tosin rushed toward him.
He swung his massive weapon, ready to chop the king into two.
But before he could, a hand grabbed the king by his collar and pulled him back.
Kayan's back hit the floor as he was yanked out of the strike range.
The massive blade split the marble floor in half, slicing through stone like wet paper.
Tosin didn't even shout—he just breathed heavily, eyes empty, face twisted with rage and grief.
"I am sorry…" Tosin whispered, pulling his weapon out of the floor in one violent motion. "…I have to do this."
He swung again.
Osmund stepped in front of the king, arms raised as he absorbed the shockwave.
CRACK!!
The floor shattered beneath his feet.
Even with his absurd weight, he slid backward from the force.
Kayan gritted his teeth. "Tosin, stop this—!!"
"SHUT UP!!!" Tosin screamed, veins bulging in his neck. "THIS ALL HAPPENED BECAUSE OF YOU!!!"
He swung again, and again—each strike faster, heavier, more desperate.
Osmund blocked every one of them, but it was getting harder for him.
The entire place was destroyed.
Every swing carried enough force to mutilate a dragon.
"What happened to you?" Osmund muttered, catching his breath.
Tosin pulled his weapon away for just a second as he looked at Osmund.
"….Please step aside," he spoke, his voice low. "….Just let me kill him."
"I can't let you do this," Osmund spoke. "His death will only bring unrest."
Taking the opportunity, Kayan moved back, but couldn't run because there was no door left.
"Don't give yourself a meaningless death!" Tosin roared and leapt forward again. "JUST MOVE!!"
His greatsword descended, aiming to split Osmund's skull—
But this time, the blade stopped.
Because Osmund's hand was clamped around it.
"A meaningless death?" Osmund said quietly. "Who decided that?"
Tosin's eyes shook. "LET GO!!"
He tried to pull it back, but it didn't move.
Osmund's grip tightened.
CRRRRACK—!
The metal began to bend.
Steam burst from Osmund's shoulders.
The veins on his arms thickened like cables.
His fat melted into muscle, as if he was sculpting himself mid-fight.
His already large body grew wider, thicker, and heavier.
Kayan exhaled. "…Ah. He's serious now."
Tosin realized too late.
Osmund yanked the sword forward, pulling Tosin off balance.
BAM!!
Osmund's forehead slammed into Tosin's face like a battering ram.
Tosin staggered back, dazed, but refused to fall.
He roared and tried to punch Osmund, but the blow never reached him.
Osmund caught Tosin's fist with one hand.
"Is that all you can do?" Osmund asked, looking down at him. "Is that all the strength you have?"
Tosin shook, veins bulging in his neck as he tried to pull his fist free, but Osmund's grip didn't even budge.
The knight commander's eyes widened.
"…No," Tosin growled, voice breaking. "NO—!!"
He swung his knee upward, trying to crush Osmund's ribs, but Osmund blocked it with his other arm and didn't move an inch.
"You're fighting like a man ready to die," Osmund said, voice calm. "Not like a man who wants to save someone."
Tosin's teeth clenched and his eyes shook with rage and despair.
"You… don't understand!! I am stronger but…!!"
Osmund slowly leaned forward until their faces were inches apart.
"You are strong?"
Tosin's breath hitched—and that moment of hesitation was the end.
Osmund slammed him into the wall.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The stone cracked and caved in, dust exploding outward.
Tosin coughed blood, his grip on the sword finally loosening.
Osmund ripped the weapon from his hand and tossed it aside like garbage.
Tosin dropped to his knees, chest rising and falling rapidly.
"Is this what you call strong?" Osmund spoke as he stood over him. "You don't even deserve to breathe the same air as me."
"…Why…" Tosin whispered. "…Why didn't you just move…?"
Osmund stared at him for a long moment.
"No one decides what I should do," Osmund spoke deeply. "Only I have a say in my decisions."
Tosin lay frozen on the ground as Osmund glanced outside through the broken wall.
It was faint… but he felt it.
A sinister presence watching what was happening here.
"I am sorry…."
Tosin's voice made him glance back at him.
Only for him to freeze in place.
"Wait—!"
Before he could speak, Tosin bit down on his teeth, breaking the pouch of venom.
It took only a split second…
….And the strongest knight of the kingdom was dead.