Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 946

Changing the Round Table?

What is he talking about now?

“Wiggins, this isn’t the time for a debate about ideologies.”

“I don’t care about ideologies.”

Wiggins chuckled lightly.

“Master, you’ll understand if you listen to me.”

The Master’s eyes were also filled with doubt.

“Master, what you’re proposing is a direction that benefits both the Round Table and everyone else. Isn’t that right?”

“At least, that’s what I think.”

“Then, if the Round Table can’t move in that direction, it means there’s a problem with the Round Table, right?”

He was being cornered with a counter-argument.

The Master had no way to refute this logic.

“That might be true.”

“Master.”

Wiggins looked at the Master calmly and spoke.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned here, it’s that peace can only be achieved through power. And optimal efficiency must also be accompanied by those who possess power.”

“Hmm…”

The Master groaned.

This was against the logic of the Round Table.

But it was also something that didn’t deviate from the logic of the Round Table.

The reason was simple.

The Round Table pursued complete equality, but it was also a place where power was used to implement decisions made based on that equality.

That subtle contradiction was what was preventing the Master from moving.

“Master, the Guild Leader has guaranteed your safety. So, please think about this calmly. The Round Table now is not the Round Table you envision. And… if you step down and Knight Levo takes control of the Round Table, it will lose its luster even more.”

“Don’t underestimate the Round Table.”

“But isn’t what you’re saying also full of contradictions?”

“…Contradictions?”

“Yes.”

Wiggins took a slight breath.

“You say you believe in the Round Table’s system. But you’re very wary of Knight Levo becoming the Master of the Round Table.”

“If the Round Table’s system could completely control humans, there would be nothing to worry about. You’ve already admitted that the Round Table is imperfect. The Round Table is just pressuring its members based on an imperfect system.”

There was nothing to refute.

“So, what do you want me to do?”

“Go and try it. See if the Round Table will operate in the direction you want.”

“And if you can get a confirmed answer, the Guild Leader will accept your proposal. Guild Leader, isn’t that right?”

Kang Jin-ho wore a sullen expression.

He clearly didn’t like the idea.

Wiggins subtly tugged at Kang Jin-ho’s sleeve.

“Master, I’ll be leaving for a moment.”

“Hmm…”

Wiggins and Kang Jin-ho left the room and went out into the hallway. Then, Wiggins waved his hand and created a shield around them.

Completely blocking any sound from leaking out.

“Lord, you must accept this.”

“I don’t like it very much.”

“This kind of condition won’t come again. This is a great bargain.”

“…Hmm…”

Wiggins was speaking passionately, even using terms he didn’t usually use, but Kang Jin-ho’s expression remained sullen.

“May I ask why you don’t want to accept it?”

“There’s no reason to accept a condition that prevents me from attacking.”

Kang Jin-ho shook his head.

“Being restricted in my actions will definitely cause problems. It might not be a problem now, but it will be in the future.”

“I think the same way. However…”

Wiggins smiled brightly.

“If that part is resolved, would you accept this condition, Lord?”

“If that’s resolved, there’s no reason not to accept it.”

The condition the Master had set was the only one.

Everything else was just giving away benefits.

“But if that condition disappears, is there any reason to support us?”

“I’ll take care of that.”

“Hmm…”

“You don’t need to think too hard about it. This is their fundamental problem.”

“Problem?”

“Yes, Lord. They’re not a profit-seeking group. At least, on the surface, they’re pretending to be a peacekeeping force. This is like a tax-funded project. If they can get it, anyone would try to get it.”

“It’s just difficult to pass the screening. I will definitely remove that condition. So, please leave this negotiation to me.”

“Hmm…”

Kang Jin-ho looked at Wiggins for a moment and then nodded.

“Alright.”

It seemed that Wiggins would be better at dealing with the Master than he would. He would know a little more about the Round Table.

“Thank you, Lord. Then, let’s go back in.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded and went back into the room with Wiggins.

The Master’s face, who had been waiting for them, didn’t look as relaxed as before. The Master, who hadn’t been particularly worried about threats to his life, seemed to be troubled by Wiggins’ diagnosis.

Wiggins didn’t stand behind Kang Jin-ho as he had before, but sat next to him. It was a sign that he would now actively participate in this negotiation.

“Master.”

“Speak, Wiggins.”

“The reason you want to support East Asia is because it’s the path for the world. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s the gist of it.”

“Then, we will accept that support. But we can’t help but set our own conditions.”

“Conditions?”

He had agreed to provide unilateral support.

But conditions?

The Master tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.

“What kind of conditions are you talking about?”

“If you go back to the Round Table and get this agreement approved, the General Assembly will accept your proposal.”

“Hmm…”

“But if you fail to get approval…”

Wiggins smiled.

“Please remove the condition of invading other countries.”

The Master stared blankly at Wiggins.

“If the Round Table doesn’t approve, it means everything is over. But what difference does it make if you remove that one condition?”

“That’s why you have no reason not to accept it. Isn’t that right?”

“What the heck…”

The Master rubbed his chin.

In the past, Wiggins was someone he had under his thumb. He acknowledged his abilities, but all of his choices and actions never exceeded the Master’s expectations.

But now, Wiggins was clearly trying something beyond the Master’s expectations. Whether it was the right direction or just recklessness, it was a side of Wiggins that he had never seen before.

“If I accept that, what will change?”

“You just need to promise that you will do your best to support the General Assembly, even if you remove that condition. That’s our condition.”

“…Good grief.”

The Master shook his head as if he couldn’t understand.

“I accept it. There’s no reason not to. But no matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand what you’re thinking.”

“Master.”

Wiggins smiled.

“I’m just trying to move towards the best direction for everyone.”

“Even a good direction for the Round Table?”

“I’m sure of it.”

The Master chuckled.

“You’ve only been in Korea for a few months, but you’ve become a swindler. You’ve grown too much since you lost your arm.”

“I’m still the same Wiggins who was in the Round Table. It’s just that… I can see a little further now.”

“I feel like I’ve been tricked.”

The Master shook his head and then turned his gaze to Kang Jin-ho.

“Guild Leader, I will accept all the conditions you proposed. So, please keep your word as well.”

“Hmm…”

Kang Jin-ho sighed.

“I don’t know if I won’t, but once a decision is made, I don’t go back on my word.”

“Then, with this…”

“Wait.”

Kang Jin-ho interrupted the Master.

“Before that, let’s make one thing clear.

You said that a deal is based on trust. Right?”

“Yes. I did.”

“But I don’t trust you.”

Kang Jin-ho looked at the Master with cold eyes.

“It’s not just you. I don’t trust anyone. The deals I make aren’t based on trust. I have one principle. Those who break a deal will pay the price.”

“If you break this deal, you’d better imagine what will happen. Whatever you imagine, you’ll see more than that.”

The Master’s face paled slightly.

This wasn’t just empty words. The Master, who had dealt with many people, could tell. And this man had an aura of being quite skilled in this kind of thing.

“The deal is done.”

Kang Jin-ho got up from his seat.

“I hope your journey back is enjoyable.”

With those words, Kang Jin-ho exchanged glances with Wiggins and then went outside.

The Master and Wiggins quietly watched his back as he opened the door and left.

“…Really.”

As Kang Jin-ho’s energy faded away, the Master let out a deep sigh.

“He’s a truly unpredictable person.”

“That’s why he’s always a headache.”

The Master stared at the door where Kang Jin-ho had left with a renewed sense of wonder.

‘He’s not just strong.’

He had the scent of someone who had led an organization. It was an aura that was not usually felt from a martial artist with such overwhelming power. And he also had the eye to see through the core of the matter.

“I see why you chose Korea.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“But you know, right?”

“…What do you mean?”

The Master said in a low voice.

“Those who go to extremes will eventually reach the true extreme. Until now, his personality and courage may have allowed the General Assembly to grow rapidly, but…”

The Master glanced at Wiggins and said.

“In return, he’s bound to create countless enemies. If the power he created can’t handle the enemies he created, the General Assembly will collapse in an instant.”

Wiggins scratched his cheek.

This was true.

If Wiggins hadn’t been here, the negotiation with the Round Table would have failed, and the General Assembly would have been isolated with enemies on all sides. That would have been the worst outcome.

“Isn’t that why I’m here?”

“Is he someone who listens to your opinion?”

“To be honest, he doesn’t listen very well…”

Wiggins made a sullen face and met the Master’s gaze.

“He listens better than you, Master.”

“Huh? Me? Where else can you find someone as open-minded as me!”

“That’s what all the old fogeys say.”

Wiggins chuckled.

“I’m always considering that risk. Isolation is never a good thing.”

“Your burden will be too much?”

“No. Master, in fact, there’s almost no burden.”

“…Why?”

Wiggins’ gaze turned towards the door. More precisely, towards the traces of Kang Jin-ho who had opened the door and left.

“No matter how many enemies he creates, I don’t think he’ll lose. I’m satisfied enough just by not being his enemy.”

The Master, feeling that firm and solid belief, let out a deep sigh.

‘I’m envious.’

He was a man who had completely captivated Wiggins in this short amount of time.

‘Maybe I can trust him a little.’

The Master also couldn’t take his eyes off the place where Kang Jin-ho had left for a while.