Descent of the Demon Master

“Hmm…” Wiggins furrowed his brow. “Is that you, Oldman?”

There was no response. It was unknown if this silence was Oldman expressing his intent not to speak to a traitor. Or maybe he didn’t want to talk to Wiggins and inadvertently gift the latter a chance to convince everyone here.

‘Either way, it’s not good news.’

Wiggins frowned, knowing a frustrating obstacle had shown up.

Rafael Oldman was one of the captains of the knight order that assisted Britain's representative Knight. As a matter of fact, Wiggins used to receive a lot of help from Oldman when he was still a Knight of the Round Table.

That was all good and well... Except, there was a slight problem with Oldman.

‘That man can be so needlessly uptight and uncompromising.’

A subordinate who obstinately stuck to principles and carried out orders had a lot of uses for the head of an organization. After all, leaders usually hated variables spoiling their party, didn't they?

However, as far as persuading the other side was concerned, such an upright man was probably the worst opponent imaginable.

“Why don’t you come out to the front and speak to me?” Wiggins calmly called out. However, he still didn’t get any response. “Surely, you have no reason not to step forward… Unless you’re scared to face me? If you think you’re in the right, what’s stopping you?”

Wiggins resorted to mixing in a hint of provocation just now. However, would it prove effective?

Thankfully, his calculation was proven right. Oldman, who had been hiding somewhere behind the vanguards, slowly made his way to the front, then stood face-to-face with Wiggins. Although there still was some distance between the two men, it was close enough for them to feel each other's sharp glares.

Oldman grunted. “Mister Wiggins.”

“It’s been a while, Oldman,” said Wiggins, then quickly wet his lips.

This one conversation would decide so many things. No matter how composed Wiggins was, the weight of the burden still tried to crush down on him.

Oldman snarkily retorted, “I didn't think you'd brazenly show your face here, Mister Wiggins. Even though you should know the Round Table has no time of day for a traitor like you!”

“Sometimes, a man must charge forward without considering his current position or circumstances. Haven’t I told you that many times before?”

“That sure is a nice notion,” Oldman muttered, his expression as stiff as a statue's. “Unfortunately for you, sir… No matter what valid a moral lesson is, it means nothing when the one teaching it walks the corrupt path. Hitler was a known animal rights activist. That doesn't mean we should excuse him. I'm sure you already know why, Mister Wiggins.”

“…”

“Everything you say is meaningless as you’re nothing but a traitor, Mister Wiggins. We will not humor you as you're an enemy of the Round Table. An enemy of Britain! As such, we will punish you accordingly tonight!”

“Look here, Oldman…” Wiggins sighed deeply. “I understand. I understand what you're saying. I certainly do not have any excuses to offer you. However, punishing someone can only be done by those with power. Since that's the case… Do you believe you have the strength to punish me?”

“Backing off because you lack the requisite strength is a coward’s way.”

“Courage without strength to back it up is just reckless bravado, Oldman.”

Rafael Oldman stood his ground and raised his nose up high. “It doesn’t matter if it’s bravado or not, sir! I shall simply follow my principles and fulfill the command of the Round Table. Exactly as you’ve taught us to do!”

“Even if the price of your foolish bravado is the death of everyone here? Do you honestly think you can shoulder the responsibility?”

“The British Empire's children are not cowards who fear death, sir!”

Wiggins subtly clenched his teeth.

‘What an uptight little son of a...!'

There used to be a time when such righteousness instilled so much confidence in Wiggins. However, now that he had the chance to observe Oldman from the other side… Wasn't this guy shockingly uptight and impossible to talk to?!

“Oldman! Do you not care that your obstinacy will result in everyone’s death?!”

“Stop with your useless sophistry, sir! We will simply carry out the command of the Round Table!”

“But that command will lead to the Master's death! And Knight Leveaux will trample all over Great Britain! How can you not see that!”

“Did you not teach us that we must abide by the Round Table’s decisions, no matter what it is?”

“You…!” Wiggins was about to raise the volume of his voice just then. However…!

Paaaaaaahng!

The sound of the shockwave tearing through the air rocked the night sky. Wiggins' brows shot up high at this goosebumps-inducing noise. Needless to say, he was far too familiar with this sound.

Although the source of that noise was somewhere behind him, Wiggins didn’t bother to turn his head to look. Instead, he kept his gaze locked on Oldman. That was when he saw “it.”

...Which was a slender crimson line bisecting Oldman’s throat!

Oldman's lips parted as if he wanted to say something. However, his whole body froze still as if someone had pressed the pause button. Eventually, though, his head slowly rolled off his neck and tumbled to the ground.

Only the chilling noise of a severed head falling to the ground echoed in the dead-still forest.

“…!”

No one dared to open their mouth just then. Even Wiggins was rendered utterly speechless, his eyes dazedly witnessing this grisly spectacle. However, he eventually turned his head to look behind him.

“Your time is up,” said Kang Jin-Ho while leisurely stepping forward.

Wiggins' lips hesitantly parted a few times. It was obvious that he wanted to say something. In the end, though, he chose to clamp his mouth shut, knowing his persuasion attempt had failed miserably.

Kang Jin-Ho quietly muttered while walking past Wiggins. “You can’t save everyone.”

“...Yes, my lord.”

Kang Jin-Ho stepped to the front, then glanced at the British martial artists blocking his path against their will. “This is your final chance.”

Everyone’s attention landed on Kang Jin-Ho when he spoke fluent English.

“If you wish to live, come stand over here,” said Kang Jin-Ho while pointing to an area to the left. “However, you can stay if you wish to die.”

“…!”

The corners of Kang Jin-Ho’s lips curled up as he issued his order. “Move.”

He didn't threaten them. Neither did he bother to unleash his aura nor say a whole bunch of things to persuade them. No, he simply kept it as brief as humanly possible.

However, that brief, single-word order came across as more terrifying than any threat imaginable to those on the receiving end!

At that very moment, the British martial artists had no doubt that Kang Jin-Ho would mercilessly slaughter every single person hindering his path.

It was as if their fate had been sealed in stone!

The confidence apparent in Kang Jin-Ho's demeanor made it clear no one would be spared. And the way all those demonic cultivators were quietly holding their breath further reinforced that belief in the British warriors' minds.

Clatter…

That was when the sound of someone’s weapon falling to the ground echoed eerily in the area. Kendrick’s eyes powerfully quaked when his hearing registered that sound.

No matter what it was, only the first time was the hardest; once one person dropped their weapon, several more followed, and the noises of weapons clattering to the ground continued one after another. And then, people began leaving the formation. At first, it was one. Then two. A few more after that. Eventually, though…

After several had moved away, the tide instantly shifted.

Just one element missing from the cocktail would've been enough to prevent a situation like this from becoming a reality.

The option laid out before these people was to throw their lives away against unstoppable enemies just to hopefully protect Knight Leveaux and purge the Master forever. How many people here would willingly accept this nonsensical proposition?

The only guilty conscience they felt was disobeying the Round Table’s orders. But Wiggins’ presence conveniently resolved that. After all, he used to be their superior officer, their top commander, until recently. Someone like that had returned home to rescue the Master.

That fact was enough to lessen the weight of the guilt they all felt.

However, that didn’t mean everyone chose to move away. Almost eighty percent of the formation had broken off by then, but that left behind the twenty percent to resolutely stand their ground.

What made them obstinately choose this path, though? Their belief? If not, their will? Nobody besides themselves would ever know.

Kang Jin-Ho smirked as the burning glares of these resolute British knights locked on him. “So, have you all finished choosing, then?”

No one responded. But that was still enough. Kang Jin-Ho glanced at the big man next to him. “Vator?”

“I’m listening, master.”

“These brave souls chose their principle. That alone deserves some respect.”

Vator’s eyes gleamed subtly just then. He thought he could figure out what Kang Jin-Ho would say next.

“So, kill them as painlessly as possible.”

Vator dashed forward just as Kang Jin-Ho finished his sentence. And the Demon Flames followed him right afterward.

With demonic qi enveloping his humongous body, Vator roared loudly like a beast while pouncing on what remained of the defensive formation. Kang Jin-Ho didn’t bother to witness the carnage, instead opting to walk over to Wiggins.

The former Knight of the Round Table was staring back at Kang Jin-Ho, his complexion slightly pale. Kang Jin-Ho wasn't really interested in the slaughter taking place not too far from him. So, he didn't even bother to look.

However, Wiggins was different. He was desperately trying to pretend that he couldn't see any of this gruesome spectacle.

“Wiggins.”

“...Yes, my lord.”

“You need to get a grip on yourself.”

“…!” Wiggins slowly nodded, his complexion even paler than before.

“Any hesitation from a commander, and it'll result in more harm overall. Letting your emotions get the better of you will only kill people who didn't have to die.”

“...Yes, my lord.”

“Tell me. Were you cold-hearted and ruthlessly objective back in Korea because the people you commanded weren't closely related to you?”

“No, my lord. Definitely not!” Wiggins urgently replied, only to flinch slightly after noticing how cold Kang Jin-Ho’s gaze was.

“Do not forget what you must do, Wiggins.”

“My lord. I will never forget.”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded, then turned away from his conversation partner. Wiggins could only chew on his lip in silence.

Wiggins believed he fulfilled every criterion to become an excellent commander. In fact, he thought he could easily match the Master or Kang Jin-Ho as a leader. However, this moment taught him a brutal lesson on how lacking he actually was.

As it turned out, being calculative and having good foresight weren't the only prerequisites for being the head of an organization. After all, there were plenty of people ready to do all that for the boss, anyway!

The leader had to possess boldness. The kind of boldness to not second-guess themselves and continue pushing forward even if the decision proved to be wrong! And Wiggins was found severely lacking in that regard.

Once Oldman decided to resist till the end, it became impossible to resolve the situation amicably for everyone. Dragging things out would only have harmed both sides unnecessarily.

Wiggins failed to resolve this situation. But Kang Jin-Ho did. He eliminated Oldman, thereby narrowing the options down for the remaining people. That kind of decisiveness was still a mountain too tall for Wiggins.

When his thoughts reached that far, Wiggins could only sigh under his breath.

He suddenly realized that all of his smarter-than-you advice and counsel for Kang Jin-Ho until now came from a mindset of being one step removed from the Martial Assembly and South Korea overall.

If Wiggins were to flip that around… He couldn’t help but be awed by how remarkable Kang Jin-Ho was for his decisiveness despite being so intimately entangled with the situation.

‘I’m not going to hesitate anymore.’

This event was set in motion by Wiggins. Since he started this ball rolling, it'd not do for someone else to take the reins. That would be an insult to everyone he knew. And an insult to himself!

Wiggins’ expression grew slightly colder than before as he scanned the area. The slaughter was still in progress. The British martial artists, their spirit already broken, were no match to Vator and the Demon Flames.

This battle was just a one-sided massacre. And Wiggins didn't try to avoid looking at it. Since he was responsible for creating this situation, he should also witness the carnage and deal with the consequences.

That was what it meant to hold himself accountable, now didn't it?

Once the last of the defenders was dealt with, Vator returned to Kang Jin-Ho's side, demonic qi still wafting thickly out of his humongous figure. He glanced at Wiggins. “...I'm sure they didn't suffer.”

Wiggins weightily nodded. “Thank you, Sir Vator.”

“Hmph!” Vator grunted, then walked past Wiggins.

Wiggins sucked in a couple of deep breaths to calm his mind, then shifted his gaze to Kang Jin-Ho.

“My lord, now we have a new problem to deal with…” Wiggins muttered while shrugging casually. His gaze now locked on the surviving British martial artists. They were obediently lining up to the side, their complexions completely pale after witnessing Vator-led slaughterfest. “Well, then. What should we do about these folks?”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled a little after noticing that Wiggins had regained some of his relaxed air. “I’ll leave that up to you.”

“Thank you, my lord.” Wiggins smartly bowed, then walked up to the lines of the British martial artists. After stopping in front of the group, he scratched his head, his expression conveying how troubled he was.

Kendrick nervously swallowed his saliva while cautiously studying Wiggins' behavior. Since he and his comrades willingly surrendered, their lives should be spared, but… But something told Kendrick that the danger was not over yet!

Wiggins suddenly broke his silence. “Hmm. Okay, so. You all face two choices now…”

Two choices? What choices was Wiggins even talking about? Kendrick frowned in dread.

“These are your choices. Get beaten up till you pass out. Or you folks figure out how you'd like to get overpowered on your own.”

“…?”

“So, what will you choose?”

Kendrick’s grimace deepened. It seemed that…

The former Knight seemed to have become a bit of a weirdo!

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