Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1099

Thud, thud.

Knight Bellinger, walking into the Round Table, felt a strange sensation.

‘How odd.’

How many times had he visited the Round Table so far?

He hadn’t counted them all, but it would easily be over three digits.

Even though knights often handled matters in their respective countries, and most meetings were conducted remotely, there were still times when a knight, by virtue of their title, had to visit the Round Table in person.

Especially given their commitment to upholding traditions.

Thus, Knight Bellinger had frequented the Round Table countless times.

The emotion he felt the first time he stepped into the Round Table, having been selected as a knight representing his country after long days of training and dedication, was still vivid in Knight Bellinger’s heart.

After that, Knight Bellinger recalled that mindset every time he entered the Round Table. He believed that dedicating everything to the Round Table was the way to serve both his country and the Round Table itself.

Knight Bellinger subtly raised his head.

It was the same scenery he always saw.

After walking for quite a while down this somewhat dark corridor, he would reach the hall where the Round Table was located.

Whenever he walked this corridor, he felt a sense of reverence. It was a corridor that countless knights had walked before him. As they walked this corridor, they too must have pledged to do their best for the prosperity of the Round Table.

However, Knight Bellinger was now feeling a different emotion in this familiar corridor that he had seen for so long.

‘Is it heaviness?’

Or perhaps awkwardness?

It was an indescribable feeling.

What was certain was that this corridor, which he always walked, felt completely different at this moment.

The reason was one of two things.

Either he had changed, or the Round Table had changed.

Neither was a good thing.

The air in the corridor felt like it was pressing down on him. Perhaps it wasn’t the air that was heavy, but his heart.

“Knight Bellinger.”

“Yes.”

Knight Bellinger nodded lightly without turning around. Apparently, the response was sufficient, as the other person continued speaking immediately.

“Most of the knights we requested cooperation from have agreed to support us.”

“You said most?”

“Yes. That is…”

Knight Kramer replied in a low voice.

“Knight Besley’s faction has not responded at all.”

“Neither agreeing nor refusing, just remaining silent…”

“That’s correct.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Knight Bellinger’s brow furrowed slightly.

‘Are they refusing to help until the end?’

Knight Bellinger tilted his head slightly.

“Could they be leaning towards the Master?”

“I don’t think so. We’ve been monitoring them as much as possible in case that happened, but there’s no sign of communication with the Master.”

“Are you certain?”

“I’m sorry, Knight Bellinger. I can’t be certain. The Master is that formidable. But based on my assessment of Knight Besley’s personality, if he had joined forces with the Master, he wouldn’t be keeping such a low profile.”

An assessment…

An assessment.

The current situation was too precarious to rely on such uncertainties.

‘This isn’t just a simple meeting.’

It was a meeting to determine the future direction of the Round Table. In other words, it was a situation where the two pillars supporting the Round Table, the Master and the knights, were engaged in a power struggle.

The fate of the Round Table would change depending on who emerged victorious.

‘It’s like walking on a knife’s edge.’

They had gathered enough forces.

And they had gained the power to pressure the Master.

Yet, Bellinger was not at ease in the slightest. If the person he was facing was the Master he knew, then he would have fully anticipated that Bellinger would gather this much power.

‘And he would have definitely prepared for it.’

A cold feeling washed over him.

The Master.

Just thinking of that name made his chest tighten.

If it was the Master, he would already know how he would move. To trust something as uncertain as an assessment when facing such an opponent?

That was impossible.

But there was no other way.

Time was not on Knight Bellinger’s side. The longer they dragged it out, the more advantageous it would be for the Master.

So, he had to make a decision.

Would he choose the safety of a farm animal, retreating out of fear of uncertainty?

Or would he risk his life in a decisive battle?

‘It’s heavy.’

Knight Bellinger subtly turned his head back.

He could see Knight Kramer’s eyes, looking at him with determination.

If he was so certain, he should be the one stepping forward instead of urging him on.

‘That won’t do.’

Knight Bellinger sighed.

As much as he wanted to dump everything on Knight Kramer, that dream could not be realized. Taking the lead was not something anyone could do.

Knight Kramer lacked the experience and popularity to represent the other knights. If he were to take the lead, they would never have gathered as many people as they had now.

With Knight Wiggins and Knight Levo having fallen from grace, the only knights who could gather the opinions of the others were him and Knight Besley.

So, he had no choice.

“Knight Bellinger.”

“…Speak.”

“We must reach a conclusion today.”

“I know.”

“As you know, we have nowhere else to retreat. If we cannot get the Master to surrender here today, what remains is…”

What remains?

What remains?

To obediently bow to the Master and live as his dogs?

‘That can’t be it.’

If that was the case, they wouldn’t have started this in the first place. Then, there was only one thing that could follow.

Use of force.

If they couldn’t stop him with words or laws, they would stop him with force.

That was probably what they were thinking.

Knight Bellinger chuckled.

‘How easily they speak of such things.’

Even the reckless Knight Levo had not tried to suppress the Master with force. Although his actions were practically no different from suppressing the Master with force, he at least went through the process of following the Round Table’s resolutions.

But now, Knight Kramer was saying that they wouldn’t even follow the minimum procedures.

It was something a knight who upheld the laws of the Round Table could never say.

Did that mean they were driven to the extreme, or that the laws of the Round Table no longer held the same sanctity as they once did?

‘Either way, it’s all the same.’

Thud, thud.

Knight Bellinger didn’t bother to reply and continued walking. No matter what he said to Knight Kramer, nothing would change. In the end, it would all depend on how the Master reacted.

At the end of the dark corridor, a bright light appeared.

‘Well-built.’

In the past, that sight had seemed incredibly sacred.

A bright light at the end of a slightly dark corridor. He had believed without a doubt that the light was the Round Table.

But now, seeing it from his current perspective?

‘It’s crude.’

Once he could no longer see the Round Table with the same eyes as before, he realized that even the light emanating from the corridor and the hall was all a performance.

It had been considered from the initial design.

So that the knights could look at the light in the distance as they walked the long corridor.

It was obvious, but a good design.

But now, Knight Bellinger was not fooled by such tricks.

Thud, thud.

As he stepped into the bright light, a huge hall came into view. And in the center of the hall, a large Round Table was placed.

Knight Bellinger took a slight deep breath and approached the Round Table.

Most of the knights were already seated at the Round Table.

‘How long has it been since this many people gathered?’

He couldn’t quite remember.

Knights performed both the duties of the Round Table and the duties of their countries. It was not easy for those busy with such tasks to take the time to gather in one place.

Yet, the fact that there were hardly any empty seats meant that this matter was that important.

“Have you arrived, Knight Bellinger?”

“Have you arrived?”

“It’s been a while.”

The knights seated at the Round Table rose from their seats and paid their respects to Knight Bellinger.

Knights were equals.

Although there was a hierarchy based on experience and seniority, in principle, they were all the same. There was no need for them to rise from their seats and pay their respects just because Knight Bellinger had arrived.

Yet, the fact that they were going out of their way to pay their respects was an implicit expression that they were supporting Knight Bellinger in this matter.

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

Knight Bellinger bowed his head to accept their greetings. There were some he was on good terms with, and others he was uncomfortable with due to personal feelings or national interests, but none of that mattered now.

Whether they were on good terms or not, they were all in the same boat. They had to bury the past and cooperate now.

Knight Bellinger sat down and checked his watch.

‘There’s still time.’

If possible, he hoped the Master would come a little later. Although they had already communicated, it was also important to face each other.

“Thank you all for taking the time to participate, even though you must be busy.”

“We believe it’s something we must attend.”

“We are just grateful that Knight Bellinger has stepped forward.”

Friendly words followed.

It wasn’t just lip service; he could feel that they were genuinely grateful.

That was understandable.

If Knight Bellinger hadn’t taken the lead and resisted the Master, the other knights would have had to watch their rights being taken away while being helpless.

Or they would have been suppressed for trying to resist too aggressively.

‘That won’t do.’

He already knew what the Master was aiming for.

And Knight Bellinger had no intention of going in the direction the Master wanted.

That was when it happened.

Clang, clang.

The sound of plate mail clashing against each other pierced his ears.

Naturally, everyone’s gaze focused on the direction from which the sound was coming.

From beyond the dark corridor, several men entered. Knight Bellinger, seeing the one at the front, narrowed his eyes slightly.

‘Knight Besley.’

The one who should have been in Knight Bellinger’s position right now.

He was entering the Round Table.

Clang, clang.

Knight Bellinger frowned at his fully armored appearance.

“Have you arrived?”

Knight Bellinger rose from his seat to greet him first, but Knight Besley glanced at him and went to his seat without replying.

“How dare he!”

“Such rudeness!”

The other knights were outraged, but Knight Besley didn’t pay any attention.

Knight Bellinger sighed.

“Knight Besley.”

Knight Besley’s head turned slightly towards Bellinger.

“It was very difficult to reach you. There is a problem that all the other knights are concerned about. At the very least, your opinion…”

“That’s enough.”

“…Yes?”

Knight Besley slightly curled up the corner of his mouth.

“I have no intention of talking to you. You’ll find out soon enough. What you all are doing.”

Knight Besley’s cold remark caused the atmosphere in the hall to rapidly cool down.