Descent Of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 966

“Hmm.”

Wiggins narrowed his brow.

“Oldman?”

There was no reply.

Whether it was an expression of his refusal to even exchange words with a traitor, or a calculated move not to give Wiggins an opening by engaging in conversation in this situation, it was unclear.

‘This isn’t good.’

Either way, it was a frustrating situation for Wiggins.

Raphael Oldman.

One of the knights’ commanders who served the Knight. Wiggins had received much help from Oldman in the past when he was under the Knight’s command.

There was only one problem.

‘He’s unnecessarily rigid.’

From a commanding perspective, a subordinate who adheres strictly to principles and orders is very useful. Those who manage the whole are most wary of variables.

However, from the position of having to confront and persuade him, it was bound to be a headache.

“Come out and talk.”

There was no reply.

“If you’re not afraid of me, there’s no reason why you can’t come out, is there? If you’re so confident, that should be enough, shouldn’t it?”

He mixed in a bit of provocation.

Would it work?

Fortunately, it seemed so.

Oldman, who had been hiding in the back, slowly walked out and stood facing Wiggins. It wasn’t a close distance, but it was enough to feel each other’s gaze.

“Mr. Wiggins.”

“It’s been a while, Oldman.”

Wiggins slightly wet his lips.

This one conversation would determine so much. Even someone as composed as him couldn’t help but feel the pressure.

“You’ve returned quite boldly. You should know that there is no place for a traitor at the Round Table [a reference to King Arthur’s legendary knights].”

“Sometimes, you have to act without considering your position. How many times have I told you that?”

“Good words.”

Oldman’s face was as stiff as a stone statue.

“But no matter how good the message is, if the messenger is not righteous, it is meaningless. It’s like we can’t praise Hitler’s love for animals just because he was an animal lover. You should know that.”

“The words of a traitor are meaningless, Mr. Wiggins. We will not follow your words. You are an enemy of the Round Table and an enemy of Britain. We will punish you here.”

“Look here, Oldman.”

Wiggins sighed.

“I know what you’re saying. I have nothing to say to you on that matter. But punishment is something that those with power do. Do you think you can punish me?”

“It is cowardly to back down just because you lack power.”

“Courage without power is recklessness.”

“Even if it is recklessness, it is fine. I am merely following principles and orders. Just as you taught me.”

“Even if everyone here dies as a result? Can you handle that?”

“There are no cowards who fear death in the Great British Empire.”

Wiggins slightly gritted his teeth.

‘This is frustrating.’

There was a time when that rigidity inspired trust.

But Oldman, seen from the opposite side, was an incredibly stubborn person.

“Are you saying it’s okay for everyone to die because of your stubbornness?”

“Don’t waste your breath, Wiggins. We are just carrying out orders.”

“Those orders will take the Master’s life and place Britain under the heel of Knight Levo! Don’t you know that!”

“If that is the decision of the Round Table, then we will follow it. That is what you taught us. Isn’t it?”

“You….”

Wiggins was about to shout when it happened.

Whoosh!

A sound of tearing through the air echoed. Wiggins’ eyes widened at the eerie sound.

It was a sound that was all too familiar to him.

The sound came from behind him, but Wiggins didn’t turn around. His gaze was fixed on Oldman.

At the same time, he saw it.

A bright red line drawn across Oldman’s neck.

Oldman, who seemed to be about to say something, froze like a still image, then his head tilted and rolled to the ground.

Thud.

The sound of Oldman’s head falling echoed eerily in the silent forest.

No one could open their mouths. Even Wiggins was at a loss for words, just staring at the scene. Then, he slowly turned his head.

“It’s time.”

Kang Jin-ho was slowly walking out.

Wiggins, who was about to say something, stammered a couple of times before finally shutting his mouth.

It was clear that his persuasion had failed.

As Kang Jin-ho brushed past Wiggins, he said quietly.

“There’s no path that saves everyone.”

“…Yes.”

Kang Jin-ho, who had stepped forward, opened his mouth, looking at the British warriors who were unintentionally blocking his way.

“This is your last chance.”

As fluent English flowed out, the gazes focused a little more.

“If you want to live, this way.”

Kang Jin-ho’s finger pointed to the left.

“Those who want to die, stay where you are.”

Kang Jin-ho curled up the corners of his lips.

“Move.”

There was no threat.

He didn’t exude any aura, nor did he go on and on. He simply said what he had to say.

But for those who were receiving it, these simple words sounded more terrifying than any threat in the world. Kang Jin-ho had no doubt that all those who stood in his way would die.

It was as if it was an already decided fact.

And the conviction in his words made those who heard them feel the same way.

Those who stand in the way will die.

The sight of the demons quietly holding their breath behind Kang Jin-ho added to the conviction.

Clang.

The sound of a weapon falling to the ground was heard from somewhere.

Kendrick’s eyes shook.

As with all things, the beginning is the hardest. As one person dropped their weapon, the sound of weapons falling was heard from here and there.

Then, people began to break away from the ranks.

One, two…

As a few began to move, the flow changed in an instant.

If even one thing had been different, this situation might not have happened.

They had to face an enemy they could never stop and throw away their lives to protect Knight Levo and depose the Master.

How many would accept this messed-up situation?

The only pang of conscience they had about disobeying the Round Table’s orders was resolved by Wiggins’ presence. He was their superior and commander until recently. Such a person was going to rescue the Master. This fact relieved even their last pang of conscience.

However, not everyone chose to step aside.

Nearly eighty percent of them stepped aside, but nearly twenty percent still held their ground.

What was making them hold on?

Belief? Or was it will?

It was an unknown thing.

Kang Jin-ho smiled as he looked at those who were glaring at him with determined eyes.

“Is the choice over?”

“Bator.”

“Speak, Master.”

“They are the ones who chose belief. They are worth respecting.”

Bator’s eyes gleamed.

He seemed to know what the next words would be.

“Let them die peacefully.”

As soon as Kang Jin-ho finished speaking, Bator’s body shot forward. The demons followed behind him. Bator, covered in demonic energy, charged at those who stood in his way, letting out a huge roar.

Kang Jin-ho didn’t even look at the scene, turning his body and approaching Wiggins.

Wiggins faced Kang Jin-ho with a slightly pale face.

Kang Jin-ho wasn’t particularly interested in the slaughter that was taking place in front of him, but Wiggins was desperately trying to look away from the scene.

“Wiggins.”

“…Yes, Lord.”

“Get a grip.”

Wiggins nodded with a pale face.

“If the one in command hesitates, the damage increases. If the one in command is swayed by emotions, those who shouldn’t die will die.”

“…Yes.”

“Was the coldness you showed in Korea only possible because there were no people related to you?”

“No. That is not the case, Lord.”

Wiggins’ body flinched at Kang Jin-ho’s cold gaze.

“Don’t forget what you have to do.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded and turned his body.

Watching the scene, Wiggins quietly bit his lip.

He felt that he was not lacking in his ability to command. He thought that if he put his mind to it, he could do as much as the Master or Kang Jin-ho. But at this moment, Wiggins keenly felt his own shortcomings.

The qualification of the one who stands above is not simply being good at calculations.

There are plenty of people who can do calculations for you.

The one who stands above must have boldness. The boldness to push forward without looking back, even if the decision is wrong.

Wiggins lacked that.

Once Oldman had turned against him, a smooth resolution was impossible. If he had dragged out the time, the damage to both sides would have only increased.

It was not him, but Kang Jin-ho who resolved that moment. By eliminating Oldman’s existence, he narrowed the choices. It was a decision that was impossible for Wiggins.

Wiggins let out a low sigh.

He realized that the reason he had been able to give advice so confidently was because he had been one step removed from the General Assembly and Korea.

Conversely, he could also see how amazing Kang Jin-ho was, who had moved so boldly while being completely entangled in that situation.

‘I won’t hesitate anymore.’

He was the one who started all of this.

He shouldn’t let others take the lead in what he started. That was an insult to everyone and an insult to himself.

Wiggins turned his head with a slightly colder face.

Slaughter was taking place.

Those who had already lost their momentum were no match for Bator and the demons.

A one-sided massacre.

Wiggins no longer looked away from the scene. If he was the one who created this whole situation, then he had to accept and bear all the things that were happening.

That was what responsibility was.

After all those who stood in the way were dealt with, Bator returned, scattering demonic energy.

“…There wouldn’t have been any pain.”

Wiggins nodded heavily at Bator’s words.

“Thank you, Bator-nim.”

“Hmm.”

As Bator passed him, Wiggins sighed.

After taking a couple of deep breaths to calm his mind, he turned to Kang Jin-ho and shrugged his shoulders.

“Then, there’s one problem left…”

Wiggins’ gaze turned to the side. There, the British warriors, completely fed up with Bator’s slaughter, were lined up with their hands clasped together.

“What should we do with those guys, Lord?”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled as he looked at Wiggins, who had regained some composure.

“Do as you see fit.”

“Thank you.”

Wiggins strode towards those who were lined up. Then, he scratched his head as if he was in trouble.

Kendrick swallowed hard and looked at Wiggins.

They had come over here willingly, so they wouldn’t be killed, but he didn’t feel like the crisis was over yet.

At that moment, Wiggins opened his mouth.

“There are two options…”

Options?

What options?

“Choose one of the two. The first is to get hit and pass out. The second is to find a way to subdue yourselves on your own.”