Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 444

‘I understand what you’re saying, but…’ Knight Wiggins slightly narrowed his brow at the voice coming from the screen. The words were affirmative, but the tone held doubt. It was the pattern he hated most. ‘Of course, I understand that the situation in East Asia is very important for maintaining world peace. Therefore, I also understand your intention to pay attention to even the smallest ripples that occur there. However…’ ‘Here it comes.’ Affirming to deny. It was a rhetoric used in many ways since ancient times. ‘There is a limit to the ripples. I wanted to say this last time, but Korea’s influence in East Asia is extremely insignificant. In fact, before this incident, you didn’t even know the name of the country Korea properly. Is there anyone here who knows whether the correct name for Korea is South Korea or the Republic of Korea?’ There was no answer. East Asia was a land that could not be ignored, but their interest was not directed towards Korea. Rather, in terms of interest, it was even less than North Korea, a problematic country. In their eyes, Korea was neither a powerful nation nor a problematic one. Naturally, their interest was bound to be low. In the real world, the recognition of Korea was rising rapidly, but in the Murim [martial arts] world, Korea was treated no differently from a remote, backwater country. ‘To say that someone unifying such a country would provoke China and Japan? If that were enough to provoke them, North Korea would have been wiped out when they made nuclear weapons. If the Three Kings set their minds to it, wouldn’t they be able to take down that pig’s head?’ Even though the standards of the real world and the Murim world were different, they could not be completely unaffected by each other. The Murim world had always strived to keep pace with reality, and behind the scenes, it had moved to wield the real world under its control. The fact that North Korea possessed nuclear weapons was a threat to the Murim world of other countries as well. No Murim warrior could survive a nuclear strike. If the hypothesis that Japan and China would move in response to the movements on the Korean Peninsula was correct, then Japan and China should have moved when North Korea conducted nuclear tests. But there was no such movement at all. Therefore, Knight Wiggins’ words were difficult to trust. Wiggins bit his lip. It was very difficult to accurately explain the influence Kang Jin-ho had on the situation in East Asia. Most of his judgments were based on his feelings and inferences. ‘You could say the direction is different.’ ‘Did you say direction, Knight Wiggins?’ ‘Yes, that’s right.’ Knight Wiggins cleared his throat and continued. ‘The reason why the Murim world of Japan and China does not interfere with North Korea is because they have a strong desire to maintain the status quo. If they try to stop North Korea’s nuclear weapons, the North Korean regime will inevitably collapse. This will greatly shake China. They don’t want that.’ ‘Then what about Korea?’ ‘Korea is a completely different case. Their growth is a threat to China and Japan. Korea’s national power has already grown to a level that cannot be ignored. If a stronger Murim world joins them, Korea can shake East Asia.’ ‘That’s an excessive inference.’ ‘It’s not excessive!’ Knight Wiggins said firmly. ‘It’s because we are looking at it from a distance that we think it’s excessive. We need to understand their sentiments. Let me explain it this way, Knight Levo.’ Suddenly, his name was called, and Knight Levo, wearing a red mask, raised his head sharply. ‘Let’s assume. If England, which was half-destroyed by World War II, suddenly started to rise rapidly, would you be able to watch it indifferently?’ Knight Levo tapped the table with his finger, as if in thought. ‘It’s not a pleasant thing to strengthen Knight Wiggins’ opinion, but this is the Round Table, so I’ll answer honestly. If that happened, I wouldn’t want to sit idly by. As a Frenchman, it would be painful to see England doing well.’ ‘Exactly.’ Wiggins clapped his hands. ‘You wouldn’t understand if you looked at it from here. But East Asia is a region intertwined with many emotions. They fought a war just over a hundred years ago, and there are still many unresolved historical issues. It’s a region where not everything can be solved simply with reason.’ ‘I admire Knight Wiggins’ extensive historical knowledge. But I don’t think I need to take a history lesson about East Asia from you.’ ‘This is a serious matter.’ Knight Wiggins lowered his voice. ‘If we sit idly by, East Asia will be shaken. The aftermath will not be small. The wise decision of you who make up the Round Table is needed.’ The Master, who had been quietly watching the situation, opened his mouth. ‘The definition of the situation is not perfect.’ Everyone’s attention was focused on the Master on the screen. ‘It is uncertain how much the Murim world of Korea will actually provoke neighboring countries. But I don’t think it’s bad to be careful. Wouldn’t it be better to cut off the bud in advance than to clean up after things have happened? Isn’t that the reason for the existence of the Round Table?’ Everyone nodded. The fact that they had objected to Wiggins’ words was not to oppose him. It was the rule of the Round Table to freely express opinions and create the most correct result. Respecting each other and not objecting to opinions out of consideration for each other’s face were separate issues. Respect each other, but freely object. That was the principle that had maintained the Round Table. ‘Then, I understand that everyone agrees that we should intervene in East Asia in some way. Are there any objections?’ When there were no particular objections, the Master nodded and continued the meeting. ‘Then let’s discuss the method. Knight Wiggins.’ ‘Yes, Master.’ ‘What is the method you are thinking of?’ ‘……After all, eliminating Kang Jin-ho personally is the most certain and fastest method, rather than any other method.’ ‘In terms of efficiency?’ ‘That’s also true, but…’ Knight Wiggins paused for a moment to organize his thoughts. It was a sensitive issue, so he needed to make a clear statement. ‘I think all other methods are just stopgap measures. If we don’t directly touch Kang Jin-ho, we have to cut off Kang Jin-ho’s hands and feet or appease other countries… All of that will eventually collapse when Kang Jin-ho starts to move in earnest.’ ‘Hmm, indeed.’ ‘It’s a matter of removing the fuse, so there’s no need to seal the shell with other methods. That’s what I think. However…’ ‘However?’ The Master tilted his head slightly and looked at Wiggins. Wiggins was not one to slur his words. But the fact that he was continuing his words in this way meant that there was something unusual. Knight Wiggins, who seemed to hesitate for a moment, let out a deep sigh. ‘It’s the personal opinion of Pawn Elena, who was dispatched to Korea. I wondered if I should mention this, but I thought it could be an element to accurately grasp the situation, so…’ ‘Speak.’ Knight Wiggins closed his eyes tightly. He could clearly guess what would happen when these words were finished. But… ‘According to the report of Pawn Elena, who was dispatched to Korea, Kang Jin-ho is an existence that should not be touched.’ ‘Should not be touched?’ ‘To quote her exact words, he is not like a fuse in the powder keg of East Asia, but the gunpowder itself that will burn down East Asia. Touching him is the worst option, and in extreme cases, it can threaten the very existence of the Round Table…’ Before Wiggins could finish his words, laughter erupted. Knight Levo’s laughter quickly spread to the others. ‘Quiet!’ The Master’s voice became heavy, as if he was angry. ‘Knight Levo.’ ‘Yes, Master.’ ‘To burst out laughing while Knight Wiggins is giving his opinion, what kind of rudeness is this!’ ‘I’m sorry. But… his opinion was so absurd that I couldn’t help it.’ Knight Wiggins was more than grateful that he was wearing a mask right now. If he hadn’t been wearing a mask, he would have shown his red face to everyone. ‘Knight Wiggins, I have one question for you.’ ‘Please speak.’ ‘Isn’t that Pawn Elena, who gave that absurd opinion, Knight Wiggins’ daughter?’ ‘……That’s right.’ Knight Levo shook his head. ‘So, according to your daughter’s words…’ ‘Please refer to her as Pawn Elena. I think of her as one of the pawns supporting the Round Table, not as my daughter.’ ‘Ah, of course, you would. So, that Pawn Elena’s opinion is that if we touch a Murim warrior from a small country in the East, this Round Table could collapse?’ Perhaps because of the Master’s scolding, laughter did not erupt. But the subtly upturned corners of the Knights’ mouths were telling of their feelings. ‘……I know it’s a preposterous statement. But it’s what someone who faced the person directly said, so it’s hard to just dismiss it.’ ‘Master.’ Knight Levo opened his mouth without even listening to Knight Wiggins’ words to the end. ‘I know that the situation in East Asia is important, but the Knights here are already pressed for time just dealing with their current tasks. Please make this meeting quick.’ The Master slowly nodded his head. ‘Let’s gather our opinions. How do the Knights think it is right to handle this situation?’ ‘Elimination.’ ‘I think elimination is the right thing to do.’ ‘There is no other way but elimination.’ After confirming that the opinions were gathered for elimination, the Master opened his mouth again. ‘Then, how many people should we mobilize to eliminate him?’ Knight Levo cleared his throat and said, ‘What kind of great power would be needed to eliminate one Murim warrior from the East? But since there are also the opinions of Knight Wiggins and Pawn Elena, I think it is right to dispatch one Knight Order.’ Other Knights began to murmur. ‘Isn’t that too much?’ ‘To assign one Knight Order to just one person…’ Knight Levo smiled. ‘Of course, it’s excessive. But we must consider the importance of the matter, and even though it’s just the opinion of a pawn, it’s a statement made by a member of the Round Table. How can we not consider it?’ Knight Wiggins trembled. Right now, Levo was thoroughly humiliating him. ‘Any other opinions?’ ‘I will follow Knight Levo’s opinion.’ ‘I agree.’ The Master nodded his head. ‘Then, as Knight Levo said, we will dispatch one Knight Order to Korea. Then, who will be in that Knight Order?’ ‘Since I brought it up, I should send it.’ Knight Levo said, his eyes shining. ‘Or would you like to finish it yourself, Knight Wiggins?’ At that moment, Wiggins’ eyes began to burn.