Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1853

“If we just stand by like this!” Knight Tavares raised his voice. “We will lose everything!” However, the reaction of those listening to his impassioned voice was lukewarm. “Knight Tavares.” “Yes, Knight Brin.” “Isn’t this something to get so worked up about? As Knight Tavares knows, the Master’s authority isn’t as great as you think. The Master is just an extension of the Knights…” “That might have been true in the past,” Knight Tavares said, his eyes narrowed. “But it’s not the case now. And it will be even less so in the future. Are you saying this because you don’t know how much the previous Master strengthened the Master’s authority?” “And do you really not know whose intention was behind all of that?” Knight Tavares glared with bloodshot eyes, and the other Knights subtly turned their heads to avoid his gaze. “This is the Round Table!” Knight Tavares shouted, looking at the other Knights who wouldn’t meet his eyes. “Even if Lord Wiggins has the backing of the General Assembly, if we combine our opinions, Lord Wiggins won’t be able to manipulate the Round Table as he pleases! Now is the time to join forces…” “Hold on, Knight Tavares.” Knight Brin rose from his seat and stared at Knight Tavares. “A new Master was elected today. Are you suggesting we discuss how to interfere with that Master today?” “It’s obvious what will happen to the Round Table…” “Then why didn’t you object at the meeting?” Knight Brin smirked. “You couldn’t even speak up properly in front of him, but now you’re trying to incite others to revolt behind his back? Is that your way?” “I think you’re being a bit harsh, Knight Brin.” “What did I say that was wrong?” Knight Brin shook his head. “The former Master colluded with the Chang Emperor, unilaterally broke the alliance with the General Assembly, and attacked them. The General Assembly could have been annihilated!” Knight Brin gritted his teeth. “Do you really not know what they think of us now?” “Of course, I know that. But still…” “Until recently, we were worried that the General Assembly might attack us. Regardless of how we were treated before, since we unilaterally betrayed them and joined hands with the enemy, the justification lies with them!” Knight Brin slowly sat back down. “Wiggins… no, the Master visiting the Round Table to directly take the Master’s seat is like a gesture of reconciliation from the General Assembly to us. Can’t you understand that?” Knight Tavares bit his lip. A gesture of reconciliation? Is it reconciliation to have your hands and feet tied, a gag in your mouth, and your blood sucked out with needles stuck in your veins? Of course, it might be better than having your head cut off. They would want to keep you alive to draw blood for a long time. But… There are lives worse than death. Knight Tavares could clearly see what would happen to the Round Table in the future. He didn’t want to accept a life of being raised like livestock, barely clinging to life. “I hope you see reality.” “It’s you who isn’t seeing reality, Knight Tavares,” Knight Brin said firmly. “What you said might be true. We might be forced to make choices that are hard to accept.” “You know it well.” “But we can deal with that when the time comes!” Knight Tavares’s face twisted horribly. “Anyone can see that we are at a disadvantage right now. They have both the justification and the power. It’s foolish to oppose someone like that when they are at their peak!” “Then what? Will things get better if we wait?” “At least we can be less emotional,” Knight Brin said in a relaxed tone. “Knight Tavares, you are still young and impatient, but these things can’t be rushed. You need to know how to step back so you can move forward when necessary.” Knight Tavares scoffed. “Or is it just because you’re scared?” “Knight Tavares!” The fierce gazes of the Knights were directed at him. “You should watch your words. We are Knights. We are not afraid to give our lives if necessary.” “Yes. If necessary.” Knight Tavares rose from his seat. Then, he turned and walked out. “I’ll see when that necessity arises.” As Knight Tavares violently opened the door and left, the remaining Knights shook their heads. “With that attitude…” “Let’s understand. He hasn’t been a Knight for long, so he’s probably still full of youthful vigor.” Everyone nodded in agreement. When they first became Knights, they were all filled with excessive zeal. It was as if they felt they were holding up the world. That excessive zeal often led to accidents and problems. Only after experiencing various things and understanding that the world is not something one can control alone could they achieve true harmony. “Anyway, it’s a relief. The General Assembly isn’t as aggressive as we thought.” “Isn’t it inevitable? Even so, a full-scale war…” “That’s not it. If the General Assembly… no, if the Assembly Head wanted to, it would be nothing for them to capture and kill all those involved.” “To that extent…” “You say that because you haven’t seen him in person.” In the past, when Kang Jin-ho had directly overturned the Round Table, those who had witnessed him trembled at the mere thought of him. ‘Damn it, why did he do that…’ If the Master hadn’t caused trouble, that powerful force would have protected them, but because the Master suddenly started causing trouble, they couldn’t even voice their opinions. “But Knight Tavares’s words also make sense, don’t they?” “He’s not wrong. But resistance doesn’t always lead to good results.” Knight Brin shook his head. “Stepping back is also an answer for now. Knight Wiggins… no, the Master isn’t someone who can’t be reasoned with, and when we lowered our heads, the Assembly Head was more gentle than anyone. If we can clearly convey our position, we can secure maximum rights.” “That’s right.” “Now is not the time to resist.” The Knights nodded, each lost in their own thoughts. “Trash.” Knight Tavares gritted his teeth as he walked through the corridor. There were no Knights there. Those who had fully trained their mind, body, and spirit, who represented the positions of their respective countries, and who were prepared to sacrifice themselves for the peace and justice of the world as members of the Round Table. If the title of Knight was interpreted that way, there was not a single person there who deserved to use the name. ‘If the Round Table was just…’ If it was just this kind of place, why did he become a Knight and go through all that trouble to join the Round Table? “Those trashy bastards…” Knight Tavares was about to add another word when. “You should watch your words, Knight.” His head snapped around. At the end of the corridor, the person he least wanted to see was slowly walking towards him. “Wiggin… no, Master.” That’s how he had to call him. Even a bad law is a law, and an unwanted result is still a result. No matter how much he resisted, he was the new Master recognized by the Round Table. If he denied that fact, there was no reason for him to be in the Round Table. “How is it?” Wiggins asked with a smile. “What do you mean?” Knight Tavares’s voice was sharp. “I’m asking what your impression is after seeing the true face of the Round Table.” Knight Tavares bit his lip. Seeing his humiliated face, Wiggins shook his head with an inscrutable smile. “Don’t misunderstand. I’m not laughing at you right now. I’m literally asking for your impression.” “I don’t understand your intentions.” “Would it be easier if I asked what you think about those people leading the Round Table?” One person’s eyes wavered. And the other person’s eyes were filled with amusement. “If we seek the opinions of more people, we can choose a better outcome.” “Is that really so?” Knight Tavares couldn’t bring himself to answer. Neither a yes nor a no would do him any good. “Listen, Knight Tavares.” “The world isn’t that simple. When things are good, everything seems good and reasonable. What’s important is the true face that is revealed when a crisis comes. The real face hidden beneath those confident and noble faces.” “…What are you trying to say?” Wiggins shook his head. “I was just worried. You only have two choices right now: either act like a lone wolf and become isolated, or assimilate with them and rot.” Knight Tavares glared at Wiggins with menacing eyes. “Is that mockery?” “It’s concern.” Wiggins shrugged. “I still have affection for the Round Table. Even if I spat on it and turned away, a hometown is still a hometown, and even if I’m disappointed and cut ties, family is still family.” “The Round Table is already a stagnant pool of rotten water. No matter how much clear water you pour into it, it will just rot again in a few days.” “Master!” “So!” The moment Knight Tavares raised his voice, Wiggins’s heavy voice cut him off. “Whether you are mocked as a lone wolf or rot together, that’s your choice. But if you don’t want to choose either…” Wiggins smiled. “Come find me.” “That’s all I wanted to say.” Wiggins shrugged and turned away. Knight Tavares, looking at Wiggins’s back with an indescribably complex expression, shouted without realizing it. “If I!” “If I come to you, what will change?” “There’s only one way not to rot in rotten water. It’s not to enter that water in the first place. To stay in a higher place.” “And what’s needed to purify stagnant water is power. A power strong enough to overturn the pond itself.” Wiggins said without turning around. “Status and power, that should be enough.” Wiggins didn’t wait for an answer and walked away. In Knight Tavares’s eyes, only his dignified back would be visible. But on Wiggins’s lips, which he couldn’t see, there was a subtle sneer. ‘There’s no one easier to manipulate than a young and ambitious person.’ Knight Tavares would probably come to him soon. The more he struggled, the more his hatred for them would grow. And when that time came, Wiggins would have a useful pawn in his hand. ‘That should be enough preparation.’ So now it was time to deal with the real purpose of his visit here. ‘I will definitely return alive.’ Wiggins’s eyes shone coldly.