Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 583

“Night Meyer?”

A German Knight, Night Meyer, raised his hand.

“What is it?”

“I didn’t want to get involved in this conversation if possible, but it seems like both of you are too agitated.”

“Agitated?”

Night Levo looked at Night Meyer with a strange expression. He was trying his best to remain calm. That was why he was holding back, even though he could have pushed the Master further. But agitated?

“In what way do you think so?”

“You seem to be mistaken. This matter isn’t decided by a debate between the Master and Levo. This is the Round Table. Instead of trying to convince each other, please persuade us.”

“…I made a mistake.”

Night Levo had no choice but to nod.

Night Meyer was right. The Round Table was such a place. In the end, the decision wasn’t made by the two of them, but by everyone.

“I apologize.”

Night Levo bowed without hesitation.

The Master also gave a slight nod, apologizing for making those who were watching feel like mere bystanders.

“Since this is a major issue, my perspective became narrow. I apologize to everyone.”

Night Meyer shook his head.

“I didn’t say that to receive an apology, Master. I just mean, please don’t forget those who are here. In the end, the decision is made by everyone, so instead of a wasteful debate, please present a clear alternative.”

Night Levo spoke in a firm voice.

“I speak to all the Knights here. What is happening at the Round Table right now is unprecedented.”

Night Levo paused slightly to organize his thoughts before continuing.

Eyes.

The gazes focused on him were subtly stimulating him.

“Unprecedented means that we cannot predict what will happen next. Through the teachings of our long history, we have seen how many disasters have been caused by complacent decisions that did not assume the worst. History constantly tells us: those who do not prepare will pay the price. It is clear what preparation we must make now.”

Night Levo’s voice was persuasive.

A born demagogue [a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument].

Night Levo was a master of manipulation, knowing how to poke at people’s hearts.

“Those who are not willing to shed blood cannot protect peace. If we are afraid to shed blood now, we will have to shed more blood later. Peace? Yes, we strive to protect peace. But the way to protect that peace should not be peaceful. Sometimes, violence is the way to suppress violence. Do not be complacent. Do not trust in the goodness of humanity. What matters is the result.”

Clap, clap, clap.

Applause erupted from somewhere.

It was unclear who started it first, but as the applause began, the Knights clapped in unison. It didn’t mean they completely agreed with Night Levo. But it was clear that his speech had moved their hearts.

As Night Levo greeted the assembly and sat down, everyone’s gaze turned to the Master.

‘This is terrible.’

The Master knew how unfavorable the current situation was for him. In a typical organization, no matter how extreme the situation became, they would be able to exert force towards the right path. But this was the Round Table. The Round Table was a place where everyone’s opinion was more important than one person’s opinion.

‘I never thought the Round Table would become like this.’

Democracy can always devolve into mob rule.

Today, the Master was feeling that fact to the bone.

“Night Levo’s words about creating peace through violence are very impressive. I will not deny that.”

The Master looked at everyone.

‘They are cold.’

He could already see the outcome in their eyes. Unfortunately, he did not have the power to manipulate people like Night Levo. The person who said that sincerity always prevails must have never lived in reality.

“However, the current situation in Korea is not so easy. Of course, I am aware that neglecting Night Wiggins is irresponsible. But there are other ways to control him. Declaring war on Korea now could be a choice that darkens the world with our own hands. Please, everyone, regain your reason. The Round Table exists for peace. Isn’t our ideal to not hesitate to take even more difficult and painful paths to protect peace? Going to war with Korea now is like overlooking numerous risks to choose an easier path. Please make a wise decision.”

As soon as the Master finished speaking, Night Meyer rose from his seat.

“Master.”

“Speak.”

“I will take the right of mediation before the vote. Please transfer the Master’s authority to me during this vote.”

“So be it.”

The Master nodded in agreement. Originally, it was his role to propose a vote, but when he became a direct party to the opinion, it was natural to transfer that qualification.

“Then, we will proceed with the vote.”

Night Meyer opened his mouth in an emotionless voice.

“I will simplify the choices. The agenda is the Round Table’s response to Night Wiggins’ betrayal.”

The word ‘betrayal’ was grating.

The Master’s eyebrows twitched. Either he was subtly siding with Night Levo, or the others also judged that Night Wiggins had betrayed them, like Night Levo.

‘Am I getting old?’

The Master felt his heart slowly sink.

He must have been like that in the past too.

He respected the previous Master, but he felt that he was too out of touch with the times. He thought that his way of thinking was too old-fashioned to cope with the rapidly changing times.

Perhaps… that was how the other Knights were looking at him now. The thought brought a strange sense of sorrow.

“There is only one thing to decide.

Whether to declare war on the Korean General Assembly right now and move to eliminate Night Wiggins, or to leave Night Wiggins alive and try to control him through other means.”

Tension flowed.

The cold air was felt on the skin.

Night Meyer opened his mouth without giving more time.

“Those who think Night Wiggins should be kept alive, please raise your hands.”

The words were finished.

But no change occurred.

The only place where a change occurred was one place. The Master, who had raised his hand alone, looked around at everyone as if he couldn’t believe it. Those who were avoiding his gaze. Realizing the terrible situation that not a single Knight had agreed with him, the Master slowly lowered his hand.

‘It’s over.’

It was the end of everything.

His era was over.

The direction of the Round Table, which had been dedicated to peace, was also over.

And…

Perhaps, because of this small meeting, the peace of the world that had been maintained for a while might also end.

“Those who think Night Wiggins should be eliminated immediately, please raise your hands.”

Everyone’s hands went up.

Perhaps because they were watching the Master, their arms did not shoot up.

“Please lower your hands.”

Night Meyer turned to the Master.

“I will return my authority to you, Master.”

“…You have done well.”

The Master sighed quietly.

‘What should I say?’

Perhaps because he had never been in this situation before, words did not come easily. Before that, he was unsure how to wrap up this situation.

But he was the Master of the Round Table.

It didn’t take long for him to regain his composure.

“According to the rules of the Round Table, we will decide. From this moment on, the Round Table will focus all its efforts on eliminating Night Wiggins. The method will not exclude war. The detailed measures for this decision…”

The Master turned his head to look at Night Levo.

He was slightly bowing his head, trying to look embarrassed, but he couldn’t hide the corners of his mouth that were turned up.

“…I entrust that authority and decision to Night Levo.”

“Thank you, Master. It is a wise decision.”

“I hope so, Night Levo.”

The Master leaned back in his chair.

‘I’m exhausted.’

It had been a long time since his body felt this heavy. Perhaps the previous Master had felt the same way. Who would accept being told that they were out of touch with the times?

Unacceptable resentment.

And disappointment. Despair.

All those emotions were sweeping through the Master’s body right now.

‘It’s time to step down.’

Even if he couldn’t accept it, if everyone thought so, nothing would change. Now, all he could do was give up his position as Master and step down.

However…

The Master bit his lip tightly.

‘No. Not yet.’

They were not ready yet. They were not prepared in any way to handle this heavy position. Then, he had to show them. That his choice was right.

“Before that, everyone, please pay attention.”

The Knights’ gazes turned to the Master.

Night Levo’s face hardened slightly.

‘What is that old man trying to do?’

Everything was already over. Trying to hold on here would only make him look foolish. Even if his judgment had deteriorated, he wouldn’t be unaware of that, would he?

Night Levo’s mind was in a mess. As if not to miss that moment, the Master opened his mouth.

“I admit my mistake. As everyone knows, I considered Night Wiggins as a candidate for the next Master. It has become clear that that choice was wrong.”

Night Levo’s face slightly contorted.

‘What on earth is he trying to say?’

It was good to apologize. But no matter how he thought about it, wasn’t the timing strange? Why would he bring that up here?

“Deciding the next Master is solely the authority of the previous Master. But I can no longer trust my own judgment. Therefore, I will decide one thing here and now. About the method of choosing the next Master.”

A bomb had dropped.

The Knights’ bodies were stirring.

This was a matter of great importance.

The Master, who had instantly drawn the atmosphere to himself, wore a bitter smile.

‘Let’s see what you can do, Night Levo.’

The Master looked around slightly and opened his mouth.

Perhaps this was an act of destroying the sanctity of the Round Table with his own hands. But the Master no longer hesitated. Rather than the Round Table collapsing like this, it was better to cut off his own flesh with his own hands.

“I declare in the name of the Master here and now. The next Master will be given to the one who achieves the greatest result in this matter.”

Silence.

A chilling silence flowed.

Before that silence could be broken, the Master opened his mouth.

“Go and bring me Night Wiggins’ head. Ah. By the way, Kang Jin-ho’s head will be worth ten times that.”

The Round Table began to burn.

The mad laughter of the Knight who had set fire to his own castle with his own hands echoed throughout the world.