Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1238

‘So, you’re saying that mages have expressed their intention to join the Assembly?’

‘Yes.’

Wiggins looked at Elena, a puzzled expression on his face.

‘But how do you know about this, and not me?’

‘It’s simple. All channels connected to Father are being monitored.’

‘It’s not just a Round Table issue; Father was already expelled from the British martial world.’

‘That’s right.’

‘So, naturally, they’d monitor him on their own. If they tried to contact Father directly, they’d risk being discovered. So, they’d look for a channel that can reach him through someone nearby?’

‘That would be you.’

It was a somewhat convincing explanation.

‘But wouldn’t a channel connected to you also be unsafe?’

‘There’s a reason why the story about the informants came up first. Young informants have ways to contact each other without being detected by their superiors. That’s how the mages contacted us through the informants.’

‘Ways to contact each other?’

‘Yes. Through social media.’

Wiggins’s face changed strangely.

‘Informants use social media?’

‘Yes.’

‘……Is this the end of the world?’

Wiggins’s face went blank for a moment.

An informant’s job is to extract information from others, but it’s also crucial not to expose their own information to others. But an informant using social media?

‘Don’t make that face. It’s not like they’re sending each other direct messages. Specifically, they create several accounts, and when they combine the codes posted on those accounts, they can decipher the message.’

‘Why go through such a process?’

‘Informants are scattered all over, so they needed a channel to vent about their superiors.’

Wiggins’s face became even more dismal.

To create such a system just to badmouth their superiors, even if necessity is the mother of invention…

‘Well, putting that aside…’

Wiggins’s face became a bit serious again.

‘They want to join the Assembly?’

‘That’s what they say. The number isn’t that large, but it seems some people in quite high positions are considering it.’

‘Why?’

Wiggins tilted his head.

‘Korea isn’t exactly a great environment for studying magic, is it?’

‘There could be various reasons. First, the current situation in Britain is a mess.’

Wiggins gave a bitter smile.

Wiggins was about 90% responsible for the terrible situation in Britain. The Round Table had solidified each country’s system around the Knights. To exaggerate a bit, one Knight controlled more than 50% of a country’s martial arts system.

But Wiggins had abandoned his Knight position without appointing a successor, and the person who became the Knight in his place…

‘Was killing him a bit too much?’

His hand, unsure of where to go, stroked his beard.

It was unavoidable, but the damage he had caused to his homeland was too great. And with the chaos of the Round Table on top of that, the British martial world was in shambles.

‘Even so…’

‘Secondly, the Assembly is gaining momentum, and the Round Table has lost its power.’

‘Hmm.’

‘And lastly…’

Elena shrugged.

‘Father tends to ignore the network he built. Even without any other reason, there will be quite a few people who will follow Father and come to the Assembly.’

‘Me?’

Wiggins pointed at himself.

‘They’d follow me?’

‘What’s so strange about that?’

‘It’s strange. If I were them, I’d never follow me. Who would follow a leader who’s annoying, self-centered, and doesn’t value his subordinates?’

Elena clapped as if she was impressed.

‘That’s perfect self-awareness. It’s not easy to evaluate yourself so frankly.’

‘This kid is making fun of her father.’

Elena chuckled.

‘It’s as you said. But people don’t always follow those who treat them well. They follow capable people, people who are ahead, people who present a clear vision… or, if not that, they often follow people who just look successful.’

‘That’s odd.’

‘Then, how about thinking of it this way? Father quit being a Knight, and the situation in Britain became a mess, so there’s a sentiment that things were better when Father was around…’

‘Hearing that makes me feel strange. Stop there.’

Wiggins cut her off.

‘Those high-nosed nobles would follow me?’

‘Ah, don’t misunderstand. Most of those who are saying they’ll follow Father now are genuine mages without families.’

‘They don’t have the loyalty to abandon their families and backgrounds to come to Korea.’

‘That’s a realistic assessment. Which makes it even more burdensome.’

Wiggins quietly scratched his chin.

It was an interesting story, but this was definitely an issue he needed to think about. If he were to reflect on what he had said to Elena earlier, the right thing to do would be to refuse them first…

‘But this is bait I can’t resist.’

Mages take a long time to develop. If he could recruit skilled mages, he could rapidly increase the power of the magic unit. And more than the power, the biggest appeal was that Wiggins could step away from training the children.

Mages need disciples to help with their research, and the Assembly’s magic trainees need teachers who can give them more knowledge and attention. If he could recruit them, it would be a win-win.

And…

‘You need power, don’t you, Father?’

Elena threw another fastball.

‘……What are you talking about?’

‘Don’t pretend you don’t know. The Assembly is changing. Director Bator is also raising his own disciples, and Director Bang Jin-hoon is solidifying the Korean martial artists under his control. Elder Jang Min? He has the Demonic Cult [a martial arts sect known for its unorthodox and often ruthless methods].’

‘The Assembly is a place that is solely under the Lord’s control.’

‘Yes, that’s right. But are there no ranks among the people other than the Assembly Leader?’

‘I don’t know if you’re trying to act nice or hide your true intentions, but the Father I remember wasn’t such a good person?’

‘I don’t want to hear that from my daughter, even if it’s from anyone else. All the allowance and gifts I’ve given you…’

‘Don’t change the subject with something weird.’

Elena said with a serious look.

‘You have to accept them, Father. Even if you don’t want a power struggle, you have to accept them. Neutrality is something only those with power can maintain.’

‘That’s a valid point.’

Wiggins looked at Elena with a surprised expression.

He had thought she was still a child, but now she could see the situation quite well.

‘I need to do some calculations.’

‘Keep the calculations short and concise.’

‘Alright, let’s do that.’

Wiggins leaned back in his chair and fell into thought.

‘Is it a gain or a loss?’

Wiggins has several roles in the Assembly right now.

First, he advises Kang Jin-ho on the operation of the Assembly. This isn’t essential. Lee Hyun-soo can replace him at any time. He can fill what Lee Hyun-soo can’t, but it’s not a huge difference.

Second, he spreads magic and Western martial arts.

There’s no one else who can do this besides Wiggins.

And the last, third, is to coordinate relations with the Round Table.

‘The third one is the problem.’

If he brings in the British mages, his relationship with the Round Table will inevitably become a bit strained. Instead, the spread of Western martial arts will become easier, and the number of martial artists he can command will also increase significantly.

Which is more beneficial?

‘It’s difficult.’

In fact, this was less a matter of gain and loss and more a matter of direction.

If he were thinking about the Assembly as a whole, it would be right to prioritize the relationship with the Round Table. But if he were thinking about Wiggins’s position within the Assembly, it would be much better to accept them.

So, what decision should he make?

‘If I had heard this just a day ago, the result would have been obvious.’

Wiggins sighed.

‘Elena.’

‘Yes, Father.’

‘Can you summon their representative to Korea?’

‘It might be difficult to come all the way to Korea. But meeting in a third country might be possible.’

‘Then, make an appointment as quickly as possible.’

‘Have you made a decision?’

Wiggins pressed his eyelids. Then, he opened his mouth with a slightly tired voice.

‘You should know this too.’

‘Yes.’

‘The reason I’m accepting them isn’t because of some petty power struggle, as you said. You’re misunderstanding from the start.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘The Assembly is not a place where power struggles can occur. Let’s say I gather power and completely push out Director Bator. What would the Lord say when he sees that?’

‘He’d be annoyed that we’re fighting among ourselves for no reason. And that’s the end of it. The power struggle in a place where an absolute being exists isn’t about power. It’s about who is stronger, who is more capable. Do you understand?’

‘Yes. I understand what you mean.’

Wiggins smiled and nodded.

‘To become more capable and stronger, I need to reduce some of the tasks assigned to me. The British mages are capable practitioners and excellent professors. If I can recruit them, I can spend more time moving to a higher place.’

Elena nodded as if she understood.

‘Then, I’ll proceed with that in mind.’

‘Okay. Would you like some more coffee?’

‘It’s okay. I have a habit of finishing things quickly if I have work to do… I’ll see you later.’

As Elena quickly left, Wiggins gave a bitter smile and brought the cold coffee to his lips.

‘Even those kids are concerned about power.’

Is it a bad sign?

Not really.

Humans are inherently beings who seek power and pursue their own interests. And they are beings who divide and define their affiliations.

Just as individual competition gives humans goals, competition between groups is also necessary for development. If the Assembly is growing too large, this is an essential process.

If it goes too far, it will become like the Round Table…

‘As long as the Lord is here, that won’t happen.’

Wiggins, who had gulped down the cold coffee, got up from his seat.

‘Hoo, then what kind of gift should I prepare to appease the Master?’

Power in the Assembly or whatever, just thinking about the Master who will be furious makes him feel hopeless.

This time, even good alcohol won’t be enough. He has to pay as much, or even more, than what he takes to maintain the relationship. But what should Wiggins or the Assembly give to satisfy the Master?

‘Hmm.’

Wiggins, after much deliberation, nodded.

‘That might work…’

Wiggins turned and headed for the stairs.

He needed to discuss it with Kang Jin-ho.

‘It’s also for the benefit of the Assembly, so it would be reasonable for the Assembly Leader to take the lead.’

Wiggins’s soft laughter echoed up the stairs.