Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 943

“Still, it seems we’ll be able to see him today.”

Wiggins gave a wry smile at the Master’s words.

‘His personality seems to have changed a bit.’ The Master he knew wasn’t someone who hid subtle complaints and sarcasm in his words. The Master was someone who concealed his emotions as much as possible unless the situation demanded a clear expression of dissatisfaction.

Has the Master changed?

No way.

No matter what experiences one goes through, a person doesn’t change in a short period. Moreover, if someone is older, the probability of their personality changing is almost zero.

The fact that the Master is treating him a little more comfortably now isn’t because of his personality, but because their relationship has shifted.

A Knight and a Master must respect each other and be wary of each other.

In other words.

‘It means the Master no longer thinks of me as a Knight.’

It was a strange feeling.

Was it bittersweet?

The fact that his relationship with the Round Table continued was always a burden for Wiggins.

A relationship that was unilaterally severed.

It was an unavoidable choice because he couldn’t normally resolve his relationship with them, but the fact that he didn’t even attempt to go through the proper procedures bothered Wiggins.

But now, the Master has excluded him from the position of Knight.

It’s not official, but he has effectively severed his ties with the Round Table.

‘I thought I would just feel relieved.’

An undeniable sense of regret and disappointment washed over him.

Well, when you think about it, it’s only natural. The Round Table was everything to him. It’s a complete break from the Round Table, to which he has dedicated his life for decades. If he could remain calm, he wouldn’t be human.

“He’s on his way now.”

“Hmm.”

The Master scratched his cheek.

“I’ve made a mistake from the start. It seems I’m always in the position of waiting.”

“He’s not the type to engage in a power struggle over such things. Since the appointment was made here, it can’t be helped, can it?”

“That’s true.”

The Master took a sip of his black tea and turned his head towards Wiggins.

“Wiggins.”

“Yes, Master.”

“There’s something I want to ask you now.”

“Yes, please ask.”

“How is life in Korea?”

Wiggins’ expression became subtle.

This question was different from all the questions he had received from the Master so far.

All of the Master’s questions so far were ultimately aimed at finding out what the Assembly was like. But this question was focused on Wiggins, not the Assembly or Kang Jin-ho.

“Not particularly… well.”

Wiggins scratched his head.

“To be honest, it’s not very comfortable. Since the culture is different, there are some aspects that are quite uncomfortable.”

“I suppose so.”

“Also, since I’m older, it’s not easy to adapt to an unfamiliar culture.”

“Are you pretending to be old in front of me?”

“I’m old enough to have grandchildren now.”

“You’re in your prime.”

Wiggins smiled wryly.

Certainly, from the Master’s point of view, Wiggins was still young. Although Wiggins himself didn’t think so.

“Still, it’s not bad. Elena is also adapting well.”

“Come to think of it, she came with you too. How is it? If Elena and you want, I’ll have her reinstated to the Round Table.”

“Thank you for the offer. I’ll pass it on. But I don’t think she would want that.”

“…It seems the Assembly is a better place than I thought.”

“In terms of scale and the importance of the work, the Assembly is a much smaller place than the Round Table. But the Assembly has something that the Round Table doesn’t.”

“That’s enough of that story. I’ve heard enough.”

The Master stroked his beard. The stubble that had grown in the past few days tickled his fingertips.

“If you’re okay, then that’s all that matters.”

“I’m sorry, Master.”

“No, no.”

The Master shook his head.

“Look here, Wiggins.”

“Yes, Master.”

“To be honest, I still can’t understand why you left the Round Table and chose the Assembly. I’ve heard many stories from you, and I’ve heard about your reasons… but still, I don’t understand.”

“Master…”

“No, I’m not trying to criticize you. It’s not necessary for someone else’s choice to be understood. I know that just because someone else makes a choice I wouldn’t make doesn’t mean it’s wrong. I haven’t lived my life in vain.”

The Master looked at Wiggins with a somewhat benevolent gaze.

“Respect. Yes, I suppose this is what respect is. I can’t understand your choice, but I respect it. There must be something I don’t know, or perhaps can’t understand.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

The Master smiled gently.

“Perhaps I’m being a bit stubborn myself. A grown child should leave the nest, but I wanted you to take over the family business. If the child doesn’t want it, I should let it go… but ordinary parents can’t do that. And it seems I’m no different.”

Wiggins bit his lip.

A child.

And the family business.

These words explained how the Master thought of Wiggins.

Those casually spoken words hurt Wiggins.

How could he not know how much the Master had expected of him and how much he cared for him?

“You don’t have to make that face.”

“Independence is a difficult thing for the one who does it. But it’s something that must be achieved eventually. If there’s something you believe is right, push forward. The more you look back, the fewer steps you can take.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Yes, that’s all that matters.”

Wiggins quietly closed his eyes.

He and the Master were not compatible. He was not the person who could fulfill what the Master wanted, nor was he the person who could meet the Master’s expectations.

Sometimes, his expectations were an excessive burden.

Nevertheless, Wiggins respected the Master. That respect would never disappear until the moment he died.

“Now, then.”

The Master massaged his neck.

“Is this the moment where I have to bet my neck on a single match?”

Wiggins turned his head.

He could feel Kang Jin-ho’s energy in the distance. The Master must also be feeling that energy. The disappearance of mana wouldn’t block his senses.

“I’d like a piece of advice.”

“Yes?”

“Is your Lord someone who can be reasoned with?”

“Of course…”

Wiggins closed his mouth.

Was Kang Jin-ho someone who could be reasoned with?

He could have a conversation. Conversations went really well.

It’s just that the moment things seemed to be going well, he would suddenly seize control and overturn everything, then do whatever he wanted.

When Wiggins hesitated and stammered, the Master nodded as if he understood.

“I see. It seems to be just as I thought.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be of help.”

“No, it’s alright. I just wanted to confirm it one more time, even though I’ve already experienced it. He was a bit different from the typical dictators I knew.”

“…He is definitely different.”

Wiggins fell into thought.

Could one really describe it as ‘different’ when the same result is reached through a completely different process?

The process might be a bit tedious and complicated, but the result is ultimately the same, isn’t it?

This was something to think about.

And unfortunately, the time for that thought wasn’t given for long. Wiggins, realizing that Kang Jin-ho’s energy had reached right in front of him, headed for the door.

He could feel Kang Jin-ho slowly approaching.

‘Can this end well?’

Perhaps it could end with an extremely good outcome. Possibility always exists. But compared to that faint possibility, the possibility of the Master’s end being bad was several times higher.

Wiggins knew that very well.

Kang Jin-ho didn’t know much about negotiation. Or, to be precise, he didn’t trust negotiation itself.

Basically, negotiation is based on trust in the other party. Negotiations and agreements in general society, that is, contracts, are protected within the framework of the law.

But agreements in the martial world are not protected by anyone.

They are made solely on trust in the other party. And Kang Jin-ho basically doesn’t give any trust unless it’s someone he considers a close friend.

Considering all of that, the result was too obvious.

‘At least with my own hands.’

If this negotiation goes wrong, the fate that awaits the Master is too obvious.

And there was no reason for Kang Jin-ho to let the Master live.

There was no problem in terms of justification either. It wasn’t Kang Jin-ho who invited the Master, but the Master who came to Kang Jin-ho unannounced. The leader of a country recklessly invaded a potential enemy country without even bringing his guards and provoked them.

Even if he lost his life as a result, who would criticize Kang Jin-ho?

Most would laugh at the Master’s recklessness. Only the Round Table would be furious.

And to be honest, Wiggins was even doubtful whether the Round Table would turn hostile to Korea even if the Master lost his life here.

The Round Table was originally that kind of place.

“Ugh…”

Kang Jin-ho was right in front of the door.

Wiggins resolved to help the Master have an honorable death even if the negotiation went wrong.

Then, he took a low, deep breath and flung the door open.

“Welcome, Lord…”

Wiggins’ eyes slightly trembled as he saw Kang Jin-ho standing in front of the door.

‘Huh?’

There was a subtle sense of incongruity.

He had felt Kang Jin-ho’s energy. It was clearly Kang Jin-ho’s energy.

But that energy wasn’t as heavy as usual.

This was a place where he might have to end someone’s life, and a place to establish the future relationship between the Round Table and the Assembly. Naturally, he thought Kang Jin-ho would also come with a heavy heart, but his energy wasn’t as heavy as expected.

You can’t accurately know someone’s state just by their energy.

So he thought nothing of it… but…

Wiggins’ mind became complicated as he saw Kang Jin-ho’s face.

‘Could this be?’

Kang Jin-ho’s face was subtly distorted. Normally, this was never a good sign.

But the distortion now was different from the usual distortion.

Twitch.

The corners of Kang Jin-ho’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.

His expression was distorted because he was trying to hold back his laughter.

‘Could things go better than expected?’

At that moment, Kang Jin-ho opened his mouth.

“It’s a good day, isn’t it, Wiggins?”

“Ah… Ah, yes! Lord!”

Kang Jin-ho smiled and patted Wiggins’ shoulder a couple of times. Then, he spread his arms and approached the Master.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting. Now, let’s talk.”

Seeing a reaction that he could never find in Kang Jin-ho, Wiggins clenched his fist.

‘A path has opened.’

For some reason, Kang Jin-ho was in the best mood ever.

But…

But why is he in such a good mood?

Wiggins could never know the reason.