Descent of the Demon Master - Chapter 934

Wiggins slowly rubbed his face.

'Was that a little too heavy-handed?'

Even though this disagreement could be resolved much more amicably than this, their emotions were flaring up a little too quickly for that.

'No, wait.'

Maybe this was for the best. Sometimes, being emotional could be beneficial in an argument. After all, even if one's logic became faulty, one's earnestness would become much easier to notice in return in that state.

"Master."

"I'm listening."

"You said earlier that... Sticking to the rules would prevent unfairness from proliferating, did you not?"

"Yes, I did."

"That is an incorrect notion."

"..."

"The reason for that is simple enough. The Round Table's rules are just that, rules created by the Round Table. Those who must live under these rules are not even aware of the Round Table overseeing every facet of their lives."

"Yes, that might be true, but...!"

"Rules and regulations are fair because they are equally applied to everyone. Don't forget, governments usually gazette laws first for everyone to see. However, what about the Round Table? It monitors the world's affairs from the shadows, and if someone dares to break its rules, it moves to eliminate this individual. While doing this, the Round Table could have informed the individual in question.

"Thrusting the executioner's ax right under their throat and telling them that they had broken the Round Table's rules is technically informing them of their crimes, after all. However, who in their right mind would accept that as fair and just?"

"Look here, Wiggins!"

"No, Master. That is emphatically wrong," said Wiggins, his voice getting a little more heated. "Yes, I said it. It is wrong. From the very beginning, it has been wrong. The Round Table's raison d'etre is to protect, Master. To protect the world! Under the pretext of upholding global peace, the Round Table hides in the shadows and commits all these acts."

"Are you now going to spit on all the good work the Round Table has done, too?"

Wiggins weightily shook his head. "No, Master. I know all about the trials and tribulations the Round Table had to go through to bring those things into reality. I was there too, remember? However, Master...!" Ṝ

Wiggins grimly stared at the Master just then.

"...Without revealing oneself, it watches and catches anyone not adhering to its rules... and punishes them."

It was only a sentence, yet it still managed to contain all of Wiggins' repudiation of the Round Table.

"Master, that is not what protection is. No, humans call that domination."

"..."

"Worse still... Believing only you're right and enforcing your outdated ideals while using violence and destruction to punish those who dare not follow your command or those you find displeasing... We have a word for that, Master, and it's Fascism!"

The Master slammed his palm on the table. "Wiggins!"

"...My apologies. It seems I've gone a little overboard just now." Wiggins sighed, then grabbed a cup of cold water. After emptying the cup in one go, his expression grew somber again. "Even so, despite the difference in nuance... I don't think I'm wrong. And I believe you know this, too."

The Master's glare grew icy. "How could you say that after being with the Round Table for so long?"

"I can say this precisely because I've dedicated my life to the Round Table once upon a time, Master."

"You know this, don't you? You know how atrocious and villainous martial artists can be! Have you not considered how much more blood would've been shed without the concerted effort from the Round Table!"

"..."

The Master's voice grew even more heated. "I acknowledge that some aspects of what you said are valid. There is no getting away from the truth. Yes, the Round Table's methods can be coercive, overbearing, or even outright violent. However, how can we rein in the martial artists without resorting to those means!"

"Master... Have you not considered that the idea of reining in those people itself could be wrong?"

"What? Are you suggesting we should just let them run around and do whatever they want?!"

"Is there a reason why we shouldn't?"

"Wiggins! Why do laws exist, then! By your logic, we can just let everyone do whatever they want in a free-for-all, no? However, here's the grim truth about humans. We are all born evil! Much more evil and disgusting than you can imagine. Once we acquire some power, we will try whatever means at our disposal to suppress others around us! So, what do you think will happen if we let those animals run around?"

"Master..." Wiggins slowly shook his head. "Tell me, did any areas out of the Round Table's influence... get destroyed?"

"...!"

"East Asia is a good example, Master. The scope of the Round Table's activities here is extremely limited, to say the least. Yet this region is still standing just fine."

"That's because luck is on their side."

Wiggins sighed again. This argument wasn't about who was right or wrong. One's values weren't something one could compromise and discuss with others to find the perfect middle ground. People could only stick to their values and beliefs and continue to argue that they were right all along.

By doing so... People were destined to run in parallel for all eternity.

"Either way, it doesn't matter. Master, I didn't leave the Round Table because I disapproved of its oppressive tactics. No, it's down to disillusionment I felt at the Round Table's system that can no longer evolve and improve."

"Of course."

"My thoughts, you say...?" The Master's gaze slowly drifted up toward the ceiling as if he was busy recalling something. "Hmm. It was like staring at a piece of avant-garde art."

What Wiggins got was a rather peculiar reply.

"Rather than a piece, how about a painting? One with an incredibly shocking and subversive, nay, destructive art style?"

The Master helplessly shook his head.

"Art is meaningful because language can't adequately express it. After all, art's purpose is to make us feel something intuitively. That's the story for Kang Jin-Ho. Describing what I felt from that man is quite a challenge, Wiggins. However, if I were to find one word that might fit him... I can only think of one."

"I see. And that is...?"

"Kang Jin-Ho is... dangerous."

"...How appropriate, Master."

Even Wiggins agreed that that description suited Kang Jin-Ho. Didn't it fit him so well? There were certainly other terms that could describe some aspects of Kang Jin-Ho, but remove all the ones that didn't quite fill in the gaps, and you'd eventually arrive at that word.

"Yes, Wiggins. He was a dangerous individual. In various meanings of the word."

"I can't deny that."

"I hope you know this, Wiggins."

"Master? Do I know what?"

"I'm talking about how much you and the Martial Assembly, and of course, Kang Jin-Ho, have managed to rock the status quo of the world."

"..."

"Ironically enough, I'm here to speak to you one-on-one precisely because your group has become a dangerous entity. I wouldn't have come if you were still seen as nothing more than a traitor of the Round Table. However, you've already transcended past the target-to-eliminate status.

"The Assembly has somehow become the trigger that could trigger a massive and bloody war in East Asia. That is why I could put aside our differences and chat with you like this."

"I see. I have to say, I'm not entirely sure if I should be pleased with this new status..." Wiggins chuckled wryly.

"Let me ask you something, Wiggins."

"Of course. Please go ahead."

"Do you know why I have been holding back until now?"

"Yes, I know," Wiggins nodded weightily again. How could he not know? When he boasted extensive knowledge of the Round Table's way of doing things?

For now, they were having a civilized, nay, pleasant conversation. However, if a peaceful resolution was not reached by the end... The Round Table would respond like a machine and systematically tear down the Martial Assembly. And it'd resort to whatever means possible!

The conversation might be amiable and civilized, but the mop-up would be ruthless. Heartless. Decisive. That was the Round Table's way.

"My first impression of Kang Jin-Ho says no words will get through to him," the Master curiously muttered. "However, it sounds like you believe that a meeting with him will help me see things differently."

"Indeed, Master." Wiggins grinned assuredly. "Although I can't compare to you, it's still no exaggeration to say I've met countless people in my life."

"Yes, that's true."

"However, my lord is unlike anyone I've encountered until now. You'll realize that yourself once you start talking to him. That some people in this world are born to defy all known common sense."

"Hmm...?"

"Also..." Wiggins hesitated briefly just then, wondering if he should say this to the Master.

Eventually, though, he made up his mind and bit his lip. He decided that this was not an act of loyalty toward the Martial Assembly but more like fulfilling his old allegiance toward the Round Table.

"Master, please do not try to judge my lord. The truth is... The one being judged will be you and the Round Table."

"...!"

"Forget this fact, and you won't find any favorable result here."

The Master wordlessly stood up, then turned around to leave. He reached the exit before finally breaking his silence. "Let my people know once the meeting has been set up."

"Of course."

"Wiggins, you... You have changed a lot."

This time it was Wiggins' turn to remain silent. He watched the Master leave the cafe, then sighed softly under his breath.

'It feels like... This meeting might not end well.'

That didn't mean this meeting could be called off, though. This ship had set sail already, after all.

...Even if the result of this voyage was still anybody's guess!