Descent of the Demon Master

“Are you still going to stop us?”

“…!”

No one replied to Kang Jin-Ho's question. However, everyone here already knew what the answer was.

Sometimes, humans calmly accepted their demise to protect their pride and honor. However, the survivors this time were clearly terrified by the prospect of their death!

That shouldn't be surprising at all, however. After all, humans tended to lose their motivation while facing off against an overwhelming opponent.

But this situation went way beyond the level of being overwhelmed, now didn't it!

To the eyes of these people, the Martial Assembly's demonic cultivators must've looked like terrifying creatures defying one's comprehension. How could anyone make sense of demonic cultivators mindlessly charging straight at them while gushing out some kind of pitch-black energy they had never seen before?

They must've thought the Martial Assembly was a cult of devils led by the Great Demon King, Kang Jin-Ho! In that case, losing their morale and will to fight was amply understandable.

“Wiggins,” Kang Jin-Ho calmly called out.

“Wrap this up. Anyone still wishing to fight will be killed.”

“Thank you, my lord.” Wiggins bowed deeply in gratitude.

Of course he knew that Kang Jin-Ho usually never spared any enemy daring to stand in his way. It didn't matter whether they had lost their will to fight or not as he would never forgive them either way.

However, he still stopped his assault a few times because these people were Wiggins’ former subordinates.

Since that was the case, Wiggins knew he must take full advantage of this opportunity.

“Everyone, listen,” said Wiggins, prompting the Round Table’s wounded and exhausted warriors to look up at him while panting laboriously away. “I’m sure you’ve realized it by now. You can’t stop this group.”

“…”

“I won't ask you to cooperate with us. Just step aside, then wait for the news. Do know that I'm here to return the Round Table to the Master and ensure that Knight Leveaux won't get away with his misdeeds.”

“But Knight Wiggins…”

“It must be hard to believe, but it is the truth. Otherwise, I wouldn't have a reason to try my best to save your lives like this.”

“…!”

“You don't have to accept this situation. Whether you do or not, it doesn't matter so long as you step aside. Do not choose a dog's death today. So, stand down. Right now!”

Wiggins sounded firm. Determined. However, everyone listening to him instantly realized something else about him.

Rather than firm, Wiggins was more desperate than anything else. His desire to keep these warriors alive was all too clear for everyone to see.

One of the downed knights grimaced and asked Wiggins, “...Won’t we be branded as traitors as well?”

“Again, I’m not asking you to cooperate. No, just step aside. That’s it. Haven’t I told you repeatedly that fighting till the end against unstoppable enemies is an act of a fool?”

“But Knight Wiggins, sir…!”

“I'm not a Knight,” said Wiggins with a rueful shake of his head. “However, not being a Knight has given me this chance to fix this place. That is why you must stand down. Your lives are too precious to throw away like this.”

Strange but weighty silence descended in the area. However, there was no doubt in everyone's mind that this encounter had already reached its conclusion.

If the Round Table's warriors had been serious about fighting back, they should've done something when the Assembly's people stopped attacking and retreated.

At this point in the battle, it became clear that the losing side couldn't muster additional strength to keep going. The wounded knights sighed deeply in resignation and were about to say something, but then…

“Didn't you teach us that we can prove our worth as a knight by not giving up in a battle against an insurmountable enemy?”

Wiggins reflexively turned his head to look. “It’s… you.”

A group of heavily armored knights marched in line to enter the underground space from the passageway on the other side. Their steps were considerably leisurely but purposeful.

“...Wilson,” Wiggins calmly muttered.

The leading knight, Wilson, smirked strangely when his name was called out. “Yes, yes. I know what you're trying to say here. There is indeed no reason to die a dog's death. In that regard, these warriors won't continue fighting you. However, that won't be our story. The Garter Knight Order will never retreat in the face of an enemy. But I'm sure you already know that.”

“…”

“After all, it was you who instilled this discipline in us. Wasn’t it?”

Wiggins sucked in a deep breath. The one situation he wanted to avoid at all costs had happened.

Just like how the Chevaliers were the protectors of Knight Leveaux, the Garter Knight Order was supposed to guard Wiggins. And they also happened to be the group Wiggins trusted the most and worked hardest to nurture.

But now, they stood in front of Wiggins to block his path.

“Wilson, are you… planning to stop us?”

“I’m sure that goes without saying. However, allow me to correct you on one thing. We didn’t come here to stop you. Our role this time is to stop the intruders,” said Wilson, his gaze casually scanning the Assembly's people behind Wiggins. “As such… We will not let anyone pass.”

“Wilson…!” Wiggins called out, his voice slightly more urgent. “Knight Leveaux will become the next Master if you keep stalling us like this! You know he will become unstoppable then!”

Wilson cocked his head. “Why stop him, though?”

“...Say what?”

Wilson noticed Wiggins' disbelieving expression, then casually shrugged away. “I'm asking you why we must stop Knight Leveaux from becoming the next Master. Even if he's usurping the position, as long as he goes through the correct process and acquires the Round Table's consent, isn't he in the right? Why stop someone using legitimate methods?”

Wiggins bit his lip. “You know why. That man will not spare the Master’s life. And he will definitely unleash terror on Britain next!”

“Even if I must throw my life away…” Wilson smirked strangely. “...I must unquestioningly obey if it’s the Round Table’s will. Didn’t you teach us that? Or am I remembering it incorrectly?”

“…!”

“Now, decide, Knight Wi… No, Mister Wiggins. You already know that we will never stand down. It's just that…” Wilson shrugged again. “The Round Table commanded us to stop the intruders, but nothing about pursuing said intruders if they decide to leave. So, I promise you we won't come after you if you leave now. Go back, Mister Wiggins. We do not wish to take your life with our own hands. You know better than anyone how strong we really are.”

Wiggins squeezed his eyes shut. Their sheer stubbornness that only knew how to adhere to the rules and regulations, wasn't it just so...!

Unfortunately, Wiggins knew he shouldn't criticize the Garter Knight Order. After all, he was responsible for instilling such a mindset in these people, to begin with! Coming face to face with his past stupid self was always going to be a frustrating experience.

“Although it’s not all that pleasing to follow Knight Chadwick’s orders, there isn’t much we can do about this arrangement. Because you created this situation by casting aside your position. So, please. It’s time to decide on…”

“Wilson.” Wiggins abruptly cut Wilson off mid-speech, then glared coldly at his former comrade. “I would've undoubtedly thought about what to do if it had been the old me. Most likely, I might have turned around and left. And you must be counting on that as well. You must be hoping that this situation can be brought to an end without any further bloodshed by creating a way out for me.”

“…”

“Unfortunately, Wilson… I'm not Knight Wiggins. Not anymore. I can never go back to being that person. Why? Because I've learned something. Sometimes, a man must be ready to do anything to achieve his goal. Even if that means I must sacrifice the lives of people I view as my own family! Including you!” Wiggins loudly gritted his teeth. “I will not hesitate. Do you hear me?”

“…!” Wilson clamped his mouth shut at how determined and fierce Wiggins sounded just then.

“We are not the one who needs to make a decision here, Wilson. You do. The clock's ticking. Hurry up and choose. Stand aside, or everyone dies. The man behind me isn't the most patient person in the world, so you'd do well to be quick about it.”

Wilson glanced at the people behind Wiggins again.

‘That must be Kang Jin-Ho, then?’

Knight Chadwick was at great pains to explain who Kang Jin-Ho was. And that young-looking Asian man standing in the center fit the bill. Sure enough, Kang Jin-Ho was noticeably different from everyone here.

Every single individual standing behind Wiggins emitted extraordinary auras. Especially the giant! That man didn’t even bother to withdraw the stupendous fighting spirit that shook the hearts of anyone daring to stare at him.

Even then, Kang Jin-Ho's presence was in another realm altogether compared to these people.

He wasn't emitting his aura or making threatening gestures, either. No, he merely stood there in the middle of all this carnage, but that was almost enough to suffocate Wilson through his presence alone.

‘Yes, now that makes a lot of sense.’

Only someone of this caliber had the qualifications to take Wiggins under his wings.

Wilson tore his gaze away from Kang Jin-Ho, then calmly scanned the exhausted and collapsed British warriors. Eventually, his eyes took in the sight of the unmoving bodies, their souls already on the journey of no return to the netherworld.

Utterly wrecked. That term seemed most appropriate for this place. What Wilson could see here weren't traces of an intense battle but that of a one-sided slaughter.

Even if these warriors weren't as strong as the members of the Garter Knight Order, they were still elites rigorously hand-picked to defend the Round Table. Yet they couldn't even put up a proper fight before getting massacred helplessly.

If Wilson couldn't estimate the enemy's strength solely based on this evidence… He should resign as the captain of the Garter Knight Order and retire!

Despite the evidence, however...

“Mister Wiggins… We shall not stand down,” said Wilson, his resolution remaining unshakable.

Wiggins grimaced. “So, you wish to throw your lives away to buy enough time for Leveaux to steal the Master’s position? Is this how you prove your pride?!”

“Then what will?!” Wilson suddenly roared loudly. “Is sympathizing with a traitor and standing down something to be proud of?! Are you demanding us to walk that path? Really? Did you not teach us what the real pride we must uphold is!?”

“…”

“Maybe… Maybe! This conclusion was set in stone when you chose to cast aside your position as the Knight. That is why! We will…”

That was when a subdued cackle rang out in the air.

“Kek…!”

The subtle yet noticeable echo of that cackle even stopped Wilson from expressing his rage.

Kang Jin-Ho, the culprit responsible for that slip-up, noticed everyone’s gaze focusing on him and fake-coughed to clear his throat.

Wilson bitterly chewed his words out. “Why… Why did you laugh?”

Kang Jin-Ho shook his head. “It's nothing. Don’t mind me.”

“What was so funny to you!” Wilson’s voice grew louder.

Kang Jin-Ho responded with a casual shoulder shrug. “Well, it was funny, so I couldn’t help it.”

“What is funny! Tell me!”

“A bunch of grown-ass adults were talking like silly little kids. That's funny to me.”

“...Silly kids?”

“Yeah, silly,” Kang Jin-Ho muttered while leisurely walking toward Wilson. “Busy yapping on and on about dumb nonsense like pride and honor, then even arguing about who's right or wrong… Like silly little kids messing around in a playground. Wouldn't you agree?”

Wilson wanted to retort right back at Kang Jin-Ho. He desperately wanted to scold this arrogant, rude Asian man. However, he couldn't do any of those things.

That was because it felt like the air itself had seemingly transformed into lead to exert tremendous pressure on Wilson just as Kang Jin-Ho began walking toward him! This force was so ruthlessly powerful that merely opening his mouth might result in his guts bursting out of his throat!

‘B-but, how?!’

This couldn't be magic. After all, it didn't match any magic spells Wilson knew. However, how could anyone perform such trickery without touching the subject unless it was a spell of some kind?

“Honor? Pride?” Kang Jin-Ho cackled weirdly and quietly. “Honestly, I don't care about what you want to protect in this place. But let's get one thing straight here. The end result will not change whether you block my path or make way. So, you better understand that the decision here isn't about that. No, it's about you choosing to die like a dog or live to see another day.”

Finally, Kang Jin-Ho stood right in front of Wilson. Even then, Wilson couldn’t step back or offer any form of resistance. All he could do at this point was tremble imperceptibly like a little paralyzed mouse before a cat.

Kang Jin-Ho slowly, oh-so-agonizingly slowly, reached out and grabbed Wilson's face. Through the fingers gripping his face, Wilson looked into Kang Jin-Ho's crimson-colored eyes.

“Now, it’s time to hear your answer. Will you die here? Or choose to live?”

Wilson’s hand tightly clutching the sword’s handle… powerlessly fell away.

The devil always demanded its victims to make a choice. A choice that might seem to have various options on the surface, but in reality, there could be only one predetermined outcome!

Now that he was captured by the devil, Wilson could only make one choice.

“I see. Then, show me the way,” said Kang Jin-Ho before releasing Wilson's face without waiting for a reply. “Take me to where that Knight Leveaux or whatever is hiding.”

Wilson powerlessly nodded.

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