Descent of the Demon Master

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."

"…"

"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…!"

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."

The Master narrowed his eyes. "The Round Table's system is perfect, Wiggins."

"No, Master. There is no such thing as perfection in this world."

"That might be true, but one could still reach near-perfection."

Wiggins shook his head again. "Master… Being 'perfect' means you've stalled. That you have no more room to improve."

"…!"

"Yes, the Round Table is perfect. But this perfection is only applicable when you're already an insider. There should be homes that the owners are completely satisfied with. And if it got a little outdated or worn down over the years, the owner could remodel the interior.

"However, if you wish to extend the house to accommodate even more people, you have to demolish the house first and build it back up again. If you choose not to do that, you'll be stuck with the headache of figuring out how to utilize the existing space."

The Master didn't say anything. He simply bit his lip. What Wiggins said had mercilessly gone for the Master's jugular.

The Round Table's system was perfect. Complete. And that made it impossible to evolve. Which made it just as impossible to perfectly respond to the ever-changing world.

No other system had proven to be better than the Round Table's, so the Master could confidently boast that it was indeed the best available. However, he also couldn't deny that the Round Table's system was fundamentally limited.

"Then, what?" The Master asked back coldly. He decided to go on the offensive instead of being on the back foot. "Are you trying to say you can find that better, more evolved system in this place? The one you've been talking about?"

"No, there's no such thing," Wiggins flatly replied.

"…?" The Master was rendered speechless by that response. "What? There isn't?"

"Yes, there isn't. The Assembly barely manages to deal with whatever comes their way. Every event forces the higher-ups to tear their hair out, wondering how to deal with it. In terms of systems, you could say it's primitive to the point of being horrifying."

"What…?" The Master's jaw dropped slightly. His rising anger suddenly vanished, only to be replaced by flabbergast.

If this was true, what was Wiggins thinking of while animatedly insulting the Round Table's system? Shouldn't he focus more on getting his house in order first?

"I-in that case, why did you choose the Martial Assembly, Wiggins?"

"That's because I saw a possibility here."

"A… possibility?"

"Yes. The Assembly is led by a powerful ruler. This ruler has the strength to forcibly push everything through according to his whims, but no. He seeks counsel from the others around him. And I'm sure you can already tell how significant this is without me invoking Plato, Master."

"…"

"I came here for one reason, and that is because I believe in my lord… Kang Jin-Ho. I saw the future through him. And I also saw the pulsating vitality. And finally, I saw the flames of passion and drive that could swallow up the entire world. So, I thought coming along for the ride with this man could also improve me. However, as it turned out…"

Wiggins shook his head again.

"My lord in his current state has surpassed even that, Master. He's strong but doesn't abuse his strength. He's prideful but never arrogant. He could be tyrannical and democratic at the same time. Stubborn, driven, cruel… But gentle and caring, too."

Wiggins stopped there and cackled in amusement.

"In short, words aren't enough to adequately describe him. To get a better picture of what the Martial Assembly is and what it's like in Korea… You need to understand that person a little bit more, but that's where the difficulty lies. Without witnessing him first, without experiencing him personally, my lord will forever remain an indecipherable mystery to you."

'His lord, is it…?'

That term ruthlessly clawed at the Master's chest.

Wiggins didn't refer to Kang Jin-Ho that way because the latter was his superior in the hierarchy. No, he willingly did it so he could express his utmost respect.

The Master quietly muttered, "In other words, I must speak to Kang Jin-Ho personally."

"Indeed, Master."

"...Then, what was that all about in the airport?"

Wiggins grinned deeply. "It's not easy to explain, but here it goes. Coincidences, Master. One coincidence heaped on another one, that's all. A young lady my lord must welcome back home no matter what coincidentally flew in at the same time as you."

"...Really now?" The Master slowly shook his head in helplessness.

"However, if I'm being honest… I ensured that this coincidence turned into an inevitability."

"Mm?"

"Wouldn't you say seeing my lord ahead of time was a good thing overall?"

The Master frowned slightly after realizing what Wiggins meant.

He was glad about wearing a mask right now. He definitely didn't want to show his response regarding Kang Jin-Ho to Wiggins.

Then again, someone like Wiggins should be sharp enough to guess the Master's expression right now. Even so, there was a big difference between one's imagination and seeing the real thing, now wasn't there!

The Master groaned softly. "For sure, I… can't deny that."

Wiggins expectantly asked, "So? What did you think?"

"You want to know what I thought about him?"

"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!