Descent of the Demon Master

–Knight Wiggins. We do understand your concerns.

Knight Wiggins furrowed his brow ever so slightly at that voice coming from the monitor before his eyes. The tone of that man's speech and the contents of what he said didn't match. The words spoken sounded like he agreed with Knight Wiggins, but his tone indicated his skepticism.

That was something Wiggins detested the most.

–Yes, the situation in East Asia is crucial to maintaining world peace. We do understand that. As such, we agreed with your desire to monitor even the smallest ripples spreading out from that region. However...

'Here we go again.'

Wiggins inwardly groaned. To reject and oppose, agree first; this was one of the well-established conversational tactics used throughout history.

–Even ripples have degrees of severity, Knight Wiggins. I meant to say this the last time we convened, but... Well, here we are. I am of the opinion that Korea's impact on East Asia is negligible at best. Let us all be honest here, shall we? Before this event, none of us even knew what the official name of Korea was. Is it South Korea or the Republic of Korea?

None of the other participants of this video conference responded.

Indeed, East Asia necessitated a lot of attention from the Round Table, but their focus didn't really extend to Korea. As a matter of fact, the Round Table paid far greater attention to South Korea's problematic neighbor up north, North Korea, instead.

From the Round Table's perspective, South Korea was neither a global powerhouse nor a troublemaker. With the reality being what it was, no wonder they wouldn't pay much attention to Korea.

South Korea, on the surface world, had seen its global awareness and popularity shoot up in recent times. However, the martial world still viewed Korea as nothing more than some rural backwater third-world nation. It made sense that the Round Table wouldn't be as wary about the events in that country.

–Knight Wiggins. Some random man has succeeded in uniting such a minor nation, and that agitated China and Japan? Is that what you're telling us? If that much was enough to agitate the entire region, then... Well, North Korea would've been wiped out a long time ago in that case since it holds a nuclear arsenal. If the Three Kings and the Japanese got serious about it, do you honestly think they wouldn't be able to kill some fat dictator?

Even if the standards of judging differed between the surface world and the martial world, they still influenced each other in some ways. The martial world always tried hard to keep up with the surface world all the while making behind-the-scenes maneuvers to eventually rule over the entire world one day.

North Korea possessing nuclear weapons meant it threatened other countries' martial societies. After all, no martial artists would be unscathed after a nuclear strike.

If the theory of Japan and China responding to the waves coming from the Korean peninsula was not just a theory but reality, those two nations would have reacted with force already when North Korea started testing their nukes. However, they didn't.

That was why the Round Table couldn't fully get on board with Knight Wiggins' recommendation.

Wiggins quietly bit his lower lip. Accurately conveying the impact of Kang Jin-Ho's presence on East Asia's stability was a lot tougher than he bargained for. Most of his judgment was based on his gut feeling and what the evidence suggested, after all.

“That's not it, everyone. It'd be more correct to say their focus, their desire, is different this time.”

–What do you mean by that, Knight Wiggins?

“Allow me to explain,” Wiggins coughed to clear his throat. “The desire to maintain the status quo played a major role in why the martial societies of Japan and China chose not to get involved with North Korea. Trying to interfere with the nuclear tests means they'd have to bring down the Kim regime, after all. But that would've shaken up the situation within the Chinese political landscape. And they don't want that.”

–Oh? Then, why South Korea?

“The situation in South Korea is different. Completely so. Their explosive growth will threaten both China and Japan. South Korea's national strength has already reached a level where everyone must sit up and take notice. In that case, can you imagine what will happen when a strengthened Korean martial society is added to the mix? South Korea can... and will shake up the entirety of East Asia.”

–Knight Wiggins, I have to say, that... is some leap of logic there.

“No, it is not!” Knight Wiggins curtly cut the other side off. “You only think that way precisely because we're on the other side of the globe. Do not forget the cultural differences between us and that of East Asian nations. How about I explain it this way for you, Knight Leveaux?”

When his name was suddenly called out, the red-mask-wearing Knight Leveaux quickly raised his head.

“This is hypothetical. Let's say the Second World War has half-destroyed Britain. However, it suddenly experiences a meteoric rise. Will you still be able to sit back and not care?”

Knight Leveaux furrowed his brow behind the mask as if he was thinking about his response, his finger slowly tapping on the desk.

–Hmm... Although I'm reluctant to reinforce Knight Wiggins' argument, we're in the presence of the Round Table, which forces me to speak only the truth. If something like that happened, I'd surely not remain silent or look away. Seeing Britain's fortunes suddenly improving would certainly make a proud citizen of France like myself feel less than pleased, after all.

“That's exactly it, everyone.” Wiggins clapped his hand once. “We're too far from East Asia to fully understand their sentiments. However, that does not mean we must conveniently forget about all the bitter emotions tightly tethering those countries. They were at war less than a century ago, and all the historical grudges still haven't been resolved yet. Simply put, rational arguments are not enough to solve everything in East Asia.”

Knight Leveaux tutted loudly.

–Thank you for your history lessons, Knight Wiggins. Honestly, I'm impressed by your knowledge in such matters. However, I still don't see a need to receive lectures on Asian history from you.

“This is a grave matter that concerns us all!” Knight Wiggins growled in displeasure. “Leave this matter unattended, and East Asia will soon writhe in chaos. And its ripples will not be negligible. As such, the Round Table needs all of us to make the correct decision.”

Master, who had been silently listening, finally raised his voice.

–The situation has not been clearly identified yet.

Everyone's focus immediately shifted over to Master.

–Indeed, it is unknown how much South Korea's martial society can agitate or influence its neighbors. However, it won't hurt us to be cautious. Instead of waiting for the crisis to break out first, it'd be wiser to nip the bud ahead of time, wouldn't you all agree? Isn't that the Round Table's raison d'etre?

Everyone slowly nodded in agreement.

The only reason why they argued against Knight Wiggins earlier wasn't to oppose everything he said. One of the principles governing the Round Table was the freedom to discuss and share opinions so that the members could arrive at the best possible decision.

Respecting other knights and not offering opposing arguments in consideration of each other's ego were two separate matters. Respect each other, but discuss and argue freely... This was one of the principles that the Round Table was founded upon.

–In that case... I'll take your silence as an agreement to interfere in the matters of East Asia. Anyone who wishes to raise an opposing argument?

Master waited, then nodded when no one said anything.

–I see. Then, let us discuss the method of our response. Knight Wiggins?

“Yes, Master.”

–Your recommendation on this matter is?

“...The best method is to eliminate the individual named Kang Jin-Ho, sir. That seems to be the surest and fastest method available.”

–What about in terms of efficiency?

“It is efficient, but…” Knight Wiggins stopped, then organized his thoughts first. Since they were discussing a sensitive topic, he needed to speak clearly and unequivocally, with no room for misunderstandings. “In my honest opinion, other solutions will only be stop-gap measures. If we're not to directly go after Kang Jin-Ho, the other options are either cutting off his means or calming the situations in neighboring nations, but... Those will be rendered useless once Kang Jin-Ho decides to get personally involved.”

–Mm. That sounds logical.

“Removing the detonator alone should be enough, so I do not see the need to resort to other methods to seal the explosive. That is my recommendation. However...”

–However...?

Master craned his neck ever so slightly while staring at Wiggins through the monitor. Knight Wiggins was not the type of man to end his sentences this way. But he did this time, which could only mean something was rather special about this particular situation.

Knight Wiggins hesitated for a brief moment before letting out a lengthy sigh. “This is purely an opinion from the Pawn dispatched to South Korea, everyone. I agonized about whether to convey something like that to you or not, but... To accurately determine the correct response, I thought the Pawn's observation needs to be shared with you.”

–I see. Please speak, Knight Wiggins.

Wiggins squeezed his eyes shut. He could already guess what the reactions waiting for him at the end would be like. However, he still had to do it.

“According to Pawn Elena dispatched in South Korea, we should never provoke Kang Jin-Ho.”

–Never provoke him, you say?

“If I am to convey her observation word for word, Kang Jin-Ho is not a detonator hidden in a bomb storage called East Asia, but an explosive that'd absolutely burn the whole region down. Going against him would be the worst choice we can make, and it could even threaten the very existence of the Round Table itself. That's the kind of threat Kang Jin-Ho poses, therefore we...”

Before Wiggins could finish, loud laughter burst out of the monitors. Initially started by Knight Leveaux, soon the laughter spread to everyone like a contagion.

–Silence!

Master roared, his voice heavier from no doubt his anger.

–Knight Leveaux!

–Yes, Master.

–How dare you start laughing in the middle of Knight Wiggins' recommendation! We will not allow such disrespect!

–My apologies, Master. It's just that... His opinion has been so absurd that I couldn't keep it in.

Wiggins had never felt so glad about wearing a mask like today. Without it, everyone would've seen his deeply crimson face by now!

Knight Leveaux turned his attention to Wiggins next.

–Knight Wiggins, I'd like to ask you a question for the sake of clarification.

“...Please go ahead.”

–That Pawn Elena, responsible for such an absurd opinion... She is your daughter, isn't she?

Search bit.ly/3iBfjkV for the original.

“...Yes, she is.”

Knight Leveaux slowly shook his head.

–So, if we go by your daughter's opinion...

“No, Knight Leveaux. Please call her Pawn Elena. I do not think of her as my offspring but one of the pawns working hard to support the Round Table.”

–Aha, of course. Of course. In that case, let me rephrase. So, if we go by Pawn Elena's opinion, our noble Round Table will be destroyed the moment we provoke some random martial artist from a minor Asian nation... Is that what she said?

Maybe because of Master's rebuke earlier, no one laughed this time. However, the corners of their lips still curled up slightly under their masks, amply conveying their sentiments without saying a word.

Wiggins grimaced a little. “...Yes, I know how absurd and insane it sounds. However, Pawn Elena has come face to face with Kang Jin-Ho, so it doesn't seem prudent to leave out her...”

–Master.

Knight Leveaux didn't even wait for Wiggins to finish before addressing their leader.

–I understand that the situation in East Asia is crucial for the rest of the world, but we the knights are always running short on time trying to fulfill our duties. As such, I implore you to bring this conference to an agreeable resolution as soon as possible.

Master slowly nodded in agreement and addressed the knights.

–I shall now hear your opinions. Knights, what are your suggestions for dealing with this situation?

–Elimination, Master.

–I agree eliminating the target is the wisest move.

–I do not see any other option besides elimination.

Master confirmed that the overwhelming consensus was 'elimination' and addressed the Round Table one more time.

–In that case... How many operatives will we dispatch to eliminate the target?

Knight Leveaux fake-coughed to clear his throat and spoke up first.

–I don't think we'll need a large force to eliminate a mere martial artist from Asia. However, we should respect Knight Wiggins and Pawn Elena's opinions too, so... I believe it'll be sufficient to mobilize a single order of knights for this purpose.

Other knights began raising their voices next.

–That sounds a little excessive, does it not?

–A whole knight order to eliminate a lone individual...?

Knight Leveaux grinned brightly under the mask.

–Yes, I know it sounds excessive. However, we need to consider the importance of this task. And... Even if that opinion came from a mere Pawn, she's still a noble member of our Round Table. How can we overlook input from such a... valuable member of our organization?

Knight Wiggins subtly trembled under his robe. Leveaux was obviously insulting him without resorting to vulgar words.

Master glanced at the others.

–Any other recommendations?

–No, Master. We agree with Knight Leveaux.

–I also agree, Master.

Master nodded in affirmation.

–Then, we shall heed Knight Leveaux's recommendation and dispatch a single order of knights to South Korea. As for the order itself... Who will provide it?

–I came up with the idea, Master. So I should also see it through till the end.

Knight Leveuax's eyes gleamed suspiciously under his mask as he smirked.

–Or... Would you like to deal with it yourself, Knight Wiggins?

That was when the light in Wiggins' eyes began burning even more fiercely than before.