Descent of the Demon Master - Chapter 978

“T-they are here!”

“Stop them! Sacrifice yourselves if you have to!”

“They are breaking through! We can’t stop them!”

“I don’t care! Stop them! If you don’t...!”

Slice!

Blood gushing out from a dismembered human body dyed the corridor in an unmistakable crimson hue.

“Hiiiieeeeek?!”

“R-run away!”

These defenders had trodden on the path of a knight all their lives. To them, showing their backs to their enemies would be extremely dishonorable as a knight. If they faced a situation where their strength could not save the day... Bravely confronting their death would be the honorable thing to do as a knight.

However, what was happening here was a slightly different story.

Dying at the hands of a stronger enemy was an honor. However, was it still honorable to die at the hands of an unstoppable monster?

The nameless knight could only stare in stupefaction at the monster in question. At the monster... No, the devil with its entire body enveloped in jet-black flames that madly swung and chopped down with his two swords!

The thick tar-like black energy had completely covered that individual from head to toe. Those flames burned so fiercely that without concentrating hard, it was easy to miss that those things took on the silhouette of a human being!

Besides, those eyes... Could those two glowing balls of light even be described as eyes?

A pair of crimson light balls burned coldly enough to freeze a man's soul in the general area of the jet-back flames where a person's head should be.

That... was the devil. No other words seemed adequate enough to describe this evil creature.

This devil suddenly appeared in the dark underground passageway and began granting a fair judgment to every single person blocking his path.

The judgment of... death! Not just any, but one that could not be resisted!

People were falling like leaves.

Those who armed themselves with a sense of duty and the code of honor before charging straight at the devil did not welcome an honorable death. How could their death be honorable when a single sword strike cleaved the victim in half from head to toe? Then, got trampled and crushed underfoot by the devil?

“Huk... Heeeeek... Sob...!”

“How... How could something like this happen...!”

Panic descended among the defenders.

These people didn’t know anything, to begin with. All they heard was the order to stop enemies raiding the Round Table. That was it. Since the higher-ups ordered them, these agents would obey. Wasn’t that what was expected of them?

But now, the defenders filling the corridor were bitterly regretting their decision to obey that order. Why didn't they think more deeply about the order? Why didn't they bother to find out more about this attack?

If everyone knew that the simple-sounding order to stop the enemy's advances was actually an order to dance with the devil... How many would have willingly come here to die?

Unfortunately, such musings were pointless now.

Whether they had made the right choice or not was a moot point since they all now stood before this terrifying devil. As a result of their mistake, they were about to receive the exceedingly fair judgment of inescapable death!

However, it seemed some were not ready to accept this result just yet.

“Get back! Retreat!”

“Fall back! Back, I say! We can't fight back in this cramped space!”

The nameless knight went agog just then. They couldn't fight back in the cramped space? Didn't that imply these people were confident of fighting the devil back in an open area? Seriously?!

Even before the nameless knight and his peers could think, they began to fall back.

If their actions were to be repackaged in a more elegant, dignified manner, one could say they were strategically pulling back. However, anyone bearing witness to this situation wouldn't think to describe it so elegantly.

What happened was a scene of mass panic and escape, after all!

Everyone seemingly turned around and fled to avoid facing that approaching devil. If an obstacle got in the way, these once-proud warriors unhesitantly trampled and clawed their way past it... Even if those obstacles proved to be their own comrades!

Some knights crawled on all fours. Some even threw away their swords that only got in their attempt at fleeing.

It was an utter, pure pandemonium! The fear a sheep might feel as its flock was set upon by a ravenous wolf... No, a fear even more crippling than that now ruled over this area.

When was the last time these knights felt this much fear?

Ever since these knights started their martial arts journey, they felt like they could do anything. Even if things seemed tough right now, they still believed a bit more training and lots more effort could overcome whatever challenge life decided to throw in their way.

However, they finally learned their lesson. They now knew that some things in this world couldn’t be overcome regardless of how much training and effort they had put in!

Fighting the devil off was not something a human being could do!

“W-wait! Take me with you! Don’t leave me behind! Nooo!”

Desperate screams coming from behind them failed to stop the fleeing knights. Those words re-energized the flagging legs of the escapees instead. That was because they realized anyone falling behind would die!

“Kkuwaaaaaahk!”

The fleeing knights squeezed their eyes shut at that horrifying scream.

If they could, they would've covered their ears with their hands. But such leeway was not granted to them. Instead of wasting energy covering their ears, they should just focus on taking one more step. To get even further away from the devil!

Leveaux asked in disbelief. “Did you say third?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Then, what happened to the second doorway?!”

“S-sir, we’ve already reported to you that it got breached not too long ago.”

Knight Leveaux’s face under the mask finally crumpled unsightly. “The third doorway, you say...?”

“Y-yes, sir.”

“Where are our defenders?! What the hell are they doing?! When the enemy is wrecking our home like this?!”

“S-sir, that is...”

Knight Leveaux growled menacingly. “Answer me right now, or I swear...”

“...! Sir! They were annihilated!”

Leveaux instantly clamped his mouth shut.

Annihilated! That report sent powerful shockwaves in the chamber. Every Knight gathered around the Round Table was rendered completely speechless.

‘Annihilated? How?’

Knight Leveaux loathed Britain. Then again, no Frenchman would hold a favorable impression of all things British. He genuinely despised Britain, and naturally, he hated the Master and Knight Wiggins for being British, too.

However, hating someone didn’t mean Leveaux failed to give credit where it was due.

The British martial artists were acknowledged as some of the very best in Europe. Especially those tasked with the defense of the Round Table; they were the elites of the elites fastidiously selected from the already-excellent pool of warriors. In short, they were the best of the breed!

So, to hear that they were annihilated? How did that even make sense!

Knight Leveaux’s hand reflexively gripped his mask.

‘No, calm down!’

“Annihilated” didn't mean all the Round Table's fighters were dead now. No, it simply meant the defenders up to the third doorway had fallen. That was all!

There should still be more than enough combatants left to throw at the enemy forces!

Leveaux roared urgently. “Knight Chadwick!”

“...I’m here, Knight Leveaux.”

Leveaux’s glare locked squarely on Chadwick. “Do you think you can stop the enemy?”

“Did you just ask me that, Knight Leveaux?”

“Obviously. If it's not you, then who should I be...”

“Knight Leveaux, do not forget that the defense of the Round Table is the sacred duty of her Knights. I advise you to stop insulting my honor.”

“...”

Knight Chadwick got up, then turned around to head toward the exit.

Leveaux falteringly called out to him. “Wait, Knight Chadwick. Before you leave, you must vote for the...”

“I’m abstaining,” said Chadwick while shooting a quick glance at Leveaux. “Even without my presence, we still have the majority of the Knights here. So, please handle this matter without me. In the meantime, I shall stop the enemy’s advance!”

Knight Leveaux subtly bit his lip.

‘You stinking Brit bastard...!’

Even though Chadwick couldn't deal with an enemy group assaulting the Round Table and allowed the situation to reach this state, he dared to run his mouth off like some honorable warrior!

“Well, then,” Knight Chadwick briefly nodded, then opened the door to exit the chamber.

Knight Leveaux sucked in a deep breath as the door closed shut.

‘It’s fine. Yes, it’s still fine! For the time being, at least.’

The British's power was not to be scoffed at. It was unthinkable that they would fail to stop some small group of enemies. Besides, even if Chadwick and his pals did fail... It ultimately wouldn't matter, anyway.

After all, Leveaux would soon acquire all the power he needs!

“Then, let us proceed with this conference,” said Leveaux.

All he needed to do was acquire the Master's position. Then, he'd be able to unleash Hell on anyone daring to invade the Round Table!

“The main topic of this conference will be the selection of the new Master. We shall adhere to the Round Table's sacred laws to select a Knight with the majority support as the next Master. Any Knight wishing to step up as the candidate, please express your intent now.”

There was no problem here. Everything was smooth sailing!

However, Knight Leveaux had failed to notice something. And that was how his speech had gotten a little more urgent than usual. And that there was a strand of cold sweat trickling down his forehead right now.

His heightened perception could already sense it. He could sense an indescribably sinister and icy aura in the distance.

Something he never knew could exist in reality, something darker than darkness itself, was gradually closing in.