Descent of the Demon Master
Chapter 1108. Squashing (3)

Chapter 1108. Squashing (3)

Knight Wellinger wordlessly stared at Besley.

‘Sir Besley, you...’

Besley was a wise man. More courageous than anyone. A true warrior blessed with wisdom and courage! That was the only ‘correct’ evaluation Besley deserved, and the reason why so many respected and supported him.

‘But that man has become...’

Just what did he experience to become so cynical?

Wellinger calmly spoke up again. “Sir Besley.”

“I have nothing more to say to you.”

“Very well. But I do have something to talk to you about.”

Besley’s brows twitched a little.

“Sir Besley. This is not the time to let your emotions dictate your actions. I have no idea what you have experienced. However, whatever it is, you must not let it interfere in our efforts to determine the fate of the Knights and their authorities, and the Round Table's future.

“I do not mind you dissenting from us. I do not mind at all even if you insult me. However, not giving us your opinion is going against the principle of the Round Table itself. I firmly believe that someone of your caliber already knows this.”

Besley stared at Wellinger while making a strange expression. “Did you say the principle of the Round Table?”

“That I did, yes.”

“What a nice notion that is,” Besley muttered, the corners of his lips curling up weirdly again. “Please do not forget about it, though.”

Wellinger narrowed his eyes. “What... do you mean by that, sir?”

“There is no other meaning. I sincerely hope that you’re capable of sticking to your principles right until the end, Sir Wellinger. No matter how inconceivable the crisis facing you is.”

Wellinger wordlessly stared at Besley again. However, the fully-armored Knight crossed his arms and looked at the floor as if he had nothing more to say.

Welling could only frown deeply.

‘Is he implying that my principles will be tested?’

Judging from how Besley said it, he seemed certain of it. And the part about the ‘inconceivable crisis’ stuck out the most to Wellinger. He could have dismissed that detail if he wanted to. But Besley’s tone indicated he knew what kind of crisis would befall Wellinger and Co.

‘Could it be... Kang Jin-Ho?’

The thing was, though, Wellinger could already guess what Besley was talking about.

‘That doesn’t mean I understand it, though.’

The Round Table had entered into an alliance with Kang Jin-Ho and the Martial Assembly. But that was exactly that, an alliance. It didn't make Kang Jin-Ho the Round Table's new leader. He still didn't have the right to get directly involved in the Round Table's matters even if he was nominally the head of this alliance!

The Martial Assembly did step up to stop Knight Leveaux from devouring the Round Table. However, the members of the Round Table would not have accepted their interference had it not been for the Master acknowledging it first.

As a matter of fact, the Round Table would have fought back against the Assembly down to the last person!

‘It’s as if the Round Table has already become Kang Jin-Ho’s.’

Waves of displeasure washed over Wellinger.

With that brief exchange, one thing became certain. The ‘Knight Besley’ everyone here knew was long gone. That man sitting here was someone else merely wearing Besley’s skin.

“I see. For now, I’ll take that as your opinion on this matter,” said Wellinger, then settled in his seat again.

Although bringing Knight Besley into their camp was a failure, it ultimately did not matter. Wellinger’s side had already amassed enough combat force, after all. He didn’t need Besley’s strength at this stage.

Wellinger promptly stopped caring about Besley. Just as he did so...

“The Master of the Round Table has arrived!”

The ones guarding the hall’s entrance suddenly cried out.

Flinch!

The expressions of the Knights cramped up or distorted hideously.

‘It’s like a king is announcing his entrance!’

The Master and the Knights were supposed to be of equal standing. Regardless of age, nationality, or experience, everyone permitted to sit around this round table should have an equal voice. That was one of the core principles of the Round Table.

That was why the Master entering the hall was never accompanied by a useless ceremony like this.

Wasn't this clearly things going backward? The mere idea of it caused more waves of displeasure to wash over the Knights.

The Master soon emerged from the dim corridor and entered the grand hall, followed by Wiggins and an unfamiliar Asian male as escorts.

Knight Besley and his cohorts immediately stood up. However, unlike when Knight Wellinger entered earlier, the other Knights stayed put.

This was the moment of those who supported the Master and who didn’t clearly stating their positions.

Although acting this way seemed immature, Wellinger and others knew they had no choice. They were about to start a fight to regain their rights today.

Since that was the case, they must demonstrate that their combined strength was greater. Only then would the other side feel the pressure!

“It’s been a while, Master.”

Having said that, Wellinger couldn’t afford not to greet the Master. Once he spoke up, a series of half-hearted and colorful greetings followed from other Knights.

The Master briefly nodded to greet them back, then headed to his seat of honor in the central position of the round table.

“Thank you for coming all this way, everyone,” said the Master to break the ice, then rubbed his tired-looking eyes before scanning the Knights. “So, today’s agenda is...”

“Before we start,” Wellinger abruptly spoke up, prompting the Master to turn his head. The gazes of two men collided mid-air. “Master.”

“Yes, what is it, Sir Wellinger?”

“Who are those two men behind you?”

“Mm? Ah, that’s right, you don’t recognize this fella. Let me introduce you, he’s...”

“That’s not what I meant, Master,” Wellinger cut the Master off again. “This is the Round Table, sir. Why are people not affiliated with our organization present in this meeting?”

The Master curiously asked, “Is that not allowed?”

“I hope you’re not asking me because you honestly don’t know.”

“No, I do not know. So, is it not allowed, then?”

“Of course, it’s... Mm?” Wellinger faltered and couldn’t finish his sentence.

Was it not allowed? Or was it? Wellinger couldn't recall a law expressly forbidding it.

Only the Knights and the Master were allowed to sit at the Round Table, yes, but no rule or custom stated that others were not allowed to enter the space where the Round Table's members held their meetings.

In a way, one could say that was an oversight, but...

‘No one would’ve considered such possibilities when thinking up the rules!’

Logically speaking, the rule allowing only the Knights to enter this sacred space could not be created. Why?

Knights represented military strength. However, the Round Table's meetings didn't only discuss military affairs. All kinds of matters and events concerning all of Europe were discussed and decided during these meetings, which sometimes necessitated the participation of advisers and experts from various fields.

Since that was the case, the Round Table did not forbid the participation of non-Knights during these meetings. The problem this time, though...

Whether it was the folks setting up these rules or those tasked with upholding them, no one had imagined the scenario of outsiders waltzing right into the heart of the Round Table!

The Master asked again, “There are no such rules in the Round Table, or am I mistaken?”

“...No, you’re not, Master.”

“I need these two men to effectively convey my intentions today. If you have a problem with that, please speak your mind now.”

Wellinger subtly gritted his teeth.

‘Master, you...!’

He suddenly remembered the days when he could look up at the Master with the utmost respect in his heart. But those days seemed long gone now.

Wellinger grimaced. “I do not have an issue, Master.”

“I see. Thank you for that,” the Master promptly closed the book on that matter and moved things along. “I’ll be honest. I'm not quite sure how to proceed with this meeting since I have not called for one. Sir Wellinger?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Since you’ve called for this meeting, perhaps you should get the proceedings off the ground?”

“...That is my intention, yes,” Wellinger replied sourly. He felt disgusted by the Master when the latter made the face of a man who had no idea what was happening. “Master!”

“Yes, please speak.”

Wellinger produced a document, then placed it on the table. It clearly boasted the Master’s official seal. “We’ve received this from you.”

“Oh, that. Yes. Is something the matter?”

“According to this missive, every nation must get your permission first before they can mobilize their own knight orders. Is this correct?”

“Indeed it is.”

“Since when did you acquire the authority to issue such commands, Master?”

The Master lazily tilted his head. “Do you believe I don’t have the authority?”

“This is the Round Table, sir!” Wellinger slightly raised the volume of his voice. “All procedures and laws of the Round Table can only be changed through the democratic voting process of its Knights. In that case, how can you arbitrarily change rules according to your whims! You have clearly overstepped your authority, sir!”

“I agree it might seem that way,” said the Master with a relaxed grin. “However, I have not overstepped anything.”

Wellinger deeply frowned. “What... are you even saying?”

“Allow me to explain,” said the Asian man standing behind the Master.

But that triggered dissatisfaction to well up in Wellinger's heart, and he roared in anger. “How dare you speak! Hold your tongue!”

“How dare I?” the Asian man, Lee Hyeon-Su, smirked coldly. “I'm here as the representative of the Martial Assembly. You should be the one holding your tongue instead. Not even a Knight like yourself is allowed to belittle the alliance between the Round Table and the Martial Assembly.”

“What? You...!”

“One more inappropriate utterance from you, and I will lodge a formal complaint with the Round Table.”

Wellinger loudly gritted his teeth. “Fine! I acknowledge your presence. That still does not give you permission to speak!”

“Really now? No one told me that you need permission to speak your mind during the Round Table's meetings. From what I know, no such rules exist, so why do you keep saying that?”

“...”

“The one overstepping his authority isn’t the Master but you, Sir Wellinger.”

Wellinger hurriedly sucked in a deep breath. He had to calm himself down before all of his blood rushed to his head.

This man only needed to say a few things to nearly snap Wellinger's rational mind in half. Getting riled up even more had to be avoided at all costs!

Wellinger continued to hyperventilate for a good few seconds and managed to calm himself down sufficiently enough.

Wiggins inwardly tutted at this sight.

‘Geez. I know you’re my disciple and all, but look at you being so snarky and detestable...’

Lee Hyeon-Su had a knack for figuring out what his opponent least wanted to hear and saying it in the most effective way possible. Good thing they were in the same camp! Had Wiggins run into Lee Hyeon-Su in a situation like this one, he’d surely have keeled over from an aggravation-induced heart attack!

Lee Hyeon-Su, oblivious to Wiggins’ sentiments, continued to explain the logic. “Yes, you’re correct about the Knights’ voting process being the only avenue to change the Round Table’s laws. However, there is an exception.”

Wellinger frowned. “An exception, you say?”

“Yes. It’s when the Elder Knights have been mobilized.”

“...Huh?” Wellinger’s eyes opened wider. What on Earth was this man even talking about?

“From the moment the seal on the Elder Knights is released, and until they are sealed again, the voting rights of the representative Knights are automatically transferred to the Elder Knights.”

Wellinger wasn’t surprised to hear about the existence of that law. After all, Elder Knights existed to deal with the crises threatening the Round Table, didn’t they?

They weren’t merely the Round Table’s weapons. They were also the organization’s wisest and noblest members.

In that case, it made sense that they were given the authority to control the Round Table as long as they were awake. The Elder Knights even held the authority to terminate and replace Masters, didn't they?

Lee Hyeon-Su smirked. “Until the Elder Knights are sealed again, your voting rights are frozen. Do you get it now? Since that is the situation, only one person still holds his voting right.”

Wellinger gasped in shock. “...The Master!”

“That’s right. The Elder Knights and the Master are the only ones permitted to retain their voting rights. Unfortunately, none of the Elder Knights have been sealed. Meaning, their voting rights have not reverted back to you.”

Of course the Elder Knights were not sealed yet. How could they be... when they were all dead!

Wellinger roared angrily. “What unreasonable nonsense is this?!”

“What do you mean, unreasonable?” Lee Hyeon-Su grinned brightly. “It's troubling to hear you accusing the Round Table's rules as unreasonable, Sir Wellinger. You've been overstepping your authority since a while ago and even tried to go against the Round Table's laws. Please watch yourself.”

“You bastard!”

“How dare a man who isn’t a Knight spew such ludicrous nonsense!”

“Get out of our sight, right now!”

Knights suddenly got up from their seats and began shouting. Was it because they were angry? No.

They realized they had just lost their justification. In that case, only one option remained for them. And that was to... Demonstrate!

Demonstrate that their strength was greater. That they could crush any justifications or the laws of this organization if they had to!

“Silence!” The Master raised his hand.

“But, Master! That man is behaving insolently!”

“I cannot acknowledge this meeting with that man’s presence!”

“Master, what were you thinking, allowing that man in!”

The Master slowly nodded at the vocal protests of the Knights. “Yes, I understand what you’re all trying to say.”

Wellinger frowned slightly. “...Then, what will you do?”

The corners of the Master’s lips curled up suspiciously. “A man with unfitting status shouldn’t attend this meeting, yes.”

Wellinger’s eyes powerfully quaked when he heard that. What was the Master up to this time?

The Master glanced at Wellinger, then grinned deeply.

“That’s why I’ve asked a person with even more fitting status to attend this meeting. Speak of the devil, there he is. Please extend your warm welcome to our new guest. The Assembly Master of the Korean Martial Assembly, Mister Kang Jin-Ho, will now join us.”

Flinch!

The Knights all flinched slightly at the mention of Kang Jin-Ho's name. Almost at the same time, everyone's heads turned in the same direction. Even though no one had asked them to do so!

Clomp.

Clomp...!

Echoes of quiet footsteps rang within the dim corridor.

The air in the grand hall rapidly grew colder.