Descent of the Demon Master

Reactions of most people after getting flustered were usually similar and predictable.

Either their jaws fell a little, or they blinked their eyes in stupefaction. Or, their faces would get flushed beet-red.

However, none of those signs were visible on the Master’s mask-covered face. He just sat there, silently staring at Knight Leveaux with his cold, withdrawn eyes.

Without revealing what was going on with his emotions, the Master was outwardly maintaining his composure.

“Knight Leveaux… Did you say impeach?”

“That’s right, Master.”

“And the grounds for your action are?”

“I shall explain that now,” said Knight Leveaux. He was just as composed as the Master. His voice remained clear while his attitude was forthright. It was as if a Knight of yore had leaped out of the pages of a storybook to stand in reality.

‘That's because he does not feel ashamed of his actions.’

This was the sense of disconnect the Master had been feeling right now.

Knight Leveaux genuinely seemed to think his actions were for the sake of justice and righteousness. And he didn’t suspect anything was wrong. In that case, was the Master in the wrong this time?

That would be decided from this moment on… Through the Round Table’s system!

“First charge. You attempted to contact a subject labeled as a traitor by the Round Table. Master, do you have any objections to raise regarding this accusation?”

“Of course I do,” the Master immediately replied, then sucked in a quick but deep breath. “Was there any regulation forbidding a member of the Round Table from contacting a traitor?”

“No, Master. However, we do have a rule about never forgiving a traitor.”

“Then, we should determine if my attempt to contact the traitor is the same as forgiving him. Yes, the Round Table does not forgive traitors. However, I genuinely believe we must employ these traitors as our agents if we’re facing crises much more significant than their betrayal. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Thank you for your candid explanation, Master,” Knight Leveaux responded in a cold voice, then continued on with the process.

The Master’s complexion darkened slightly as he observed this development.

‘He doesn’t wish to leave any room for dispute, does he?’

There should have been some kind of pushback from Knight Leveaux, but it didn't materialize. It most likely meant he wasn't going to bother arguing with the Master.

The thing was, though, the Master himself was guilty of resorting to this tactic several times before. And such actions always were motivated by the hidden confidence of, “There is no need for discussion since everyone here has already made up their minds!”

“Second charge…! It's the motivation. Master, you headed to South Korea without seeking the agreement from the rest of the Round Table. Of course, you could argue that you merely used your privilege. However! You are now demanding the full, unbridled support of the South Koreans, even though there is no actual practical benefit for us!”

Knight Leveaux’s glare stabbed sharply into the Master.

“I posit that all these actions are born from the Master’s personal feelings clouding his judgment. If it weren’t for the presence of Knight Wiggins… No, former Knight Wiggins in Korea, can you imagine the Master offering to do the same thing? No! It’s clear what his actions indicate in this case!”

“Knight Leveaux!” The Master’s expression finally crumpled. “Are you painting me as someone who’d mobilize the Round Table due to his petty personal feelings?”

“That's not all!” Knight Leveaux didn't even respond back to the Master. No, it was more like he was making a declaration to the other Knights here. As if he had morphed into a judge reading the already-compiled verdict of guilt! “This is the most important reason. Our Master's intellectual capacity has obviously declined!”

“How dare you, Knight Leveaux!” The Master roared loudly.

However, Knight Leveaux remained unperturbed as he coldly stared at the Master. “A person does not realize that their mind has begun failing on them, Master! When viewed objectively, you are no longer the same Master that has led the Round Table.”

“Knight… Leveaux…!” The Master's eyes began burning in barely-held-back rage. “For now, I won't interpret your accusations as insults to my honor. However! Since you've laid out all these charges, you must also possess appropriate evidence to back them up. If you don't furnish us with proof that can force me to concede… I shall judge your actions as harmful to the integrity of the Round Table!”

“I have enough proof. However, there is no need to mention every single one of them here. After all, you are the best proof available, Master.”

“...I am? How?”

“Allow me to explain…!” Knight Leveaux lightly cleared his throat. “Supporting the Koreans to keep the Japanese and Chinese in their places is an indescribably terrible idea.”

The Master’s scowl deepened. “What makes you say that?”

“Master, do you honestly think that our backing will help Koreans grow to the point where they can keep Japan and China in check… simultaneously?”

“Yes, that I do.”

“Oh, Master…” Knight Leveaux slowly shook his head. “This is why I say your intellectual capacity has declined.”

“You…!”

“Yes, South Korea is getting stronger at a rapid pace. However, Japan and China are both global powerhouses boasting lengthy histories and impeccable martial arts-related structures. No matter how quickly a new upstart grows, it will never catch up to them.”

The Master shook his head next. “No. I have evaluated the situation with my own eyes. Those people possess more than enough potential. Even if they can't overwhelm China and Japan, they are still fully capable of keeping those two nations in check!”

“Since when did your arbitrary judgment become the yardstick determining the Round Table's policies?”

“That is why I am…”

“Master…!” Knight Leveaux's voice grew louder as if to threaten the Master. “Please do not forget that this is the Round Table! If you wanted to investigate the Korean Martial Assembly and Kang Jin-Ho to ascertain their potential, you should have utilized the Round Table's network of overseas agents and informants. And then discuss with the rest of the Knights to decide what to do next. That is how we do things!”

“…!” The Master clamped his mouth shut and grimaced. He had no room to argue back on this point. After all, that was how the Round Table had operated all this time. That was what the Round Table was all about!

Knight Leveaux continued to speak. “And I cannot understand the information you brought to us. You say you have personally confirmed it? Let's make one thing clear. Trying to establish a stable footing in a region between Japan and China will not be easy, even with the Round Table's full backing. But now, you say we can achieve a favorable result by providing some passable level of support?”

“Yes. That is what I have determined,” The Master replied, his voice a little deflated compared to before.

It was inevitable, really. Because he could sense it.

The Master could no longer sense any hints of goodwill in the gazes of the Knights painfully stabbing into him. Even though they weren’t openly hostile, almost everyone here still emitted chilling iciness toward the Master.

Compared to when Knight Leveaux started this impeachment procedure, the difference in the air temperature was actually palpable.

The Master knew he must defend himself now… or else!

Knight Leveaux continued to grill the Master. “What is your basis? What made you think this way, Master? Is it because of Wiggins?”

“Knight Leveaux! Stop insulting my honor like this. I do not care what you think of me, but do not ever forget that I have steadfastly maintained neutrality since taking up the position of the Master of the Round Table! I evaluated the Martial Assembly highly not because of Wiggins, but Kang Jin-Ho!”

“Kang Jin-Ho, you say?” Knight Leveaux’s eyes gleamed strangely just then.

The Master coolly nodded while failing to notice that suspicious light. “Yes. That man possesses firm will and undeniable strength. And he already boasts prior feats to back up his claims. If we support him a little, I believe there will not be any problem keeping both China and Japan in check. Not only that…”

The Master slowly rubbed his beard.

“I've already secured Kang Jin-Ho's promise not to invade other nations if we support the Martial Assembly. In that case, what reason do we have to not support them?”

The Master believed his stance was unimpeachable. Perfect in principle that everyone had to agree! Unfortunately, it seemed Knight Leveaux didn’t think that way.

“Master… It seems you are not even aware of what you’re saying right now,” said Knight Leveaux, his sentence tinged with a hint of mockery.

The Master’s expression stiffened coldly after noticing the French Knight’s tone. “...What are you trying to get at, Knight Leveaux?”

“Have you already forgotten that nothing is more dangerous than the leader of an organization enjoying a total grip on power?”

The Master’s eyes grew wider.

“Master, throughout this exchange, you made it amply clear that you lack the ability to judge yourself as objectively as possible. Because the individual named Kang Jin-Ho seemed capable, we must support him? Isn't that the repudiation of the Round Table's very existence? Humans can never be perfect, Master. Why? Because we get swayed by our emotions. That is why you need the Round Table's system!”

“…!”

Knight Leveaux rammed the final nail in the coffin. “Supporting an organization that a lone tyrannical figure can mobilize at will is no better than upping the threat level. By daring to even suggest this, you tried to deny the very existence of the Round Table itself! Because Kang Jin-Ho and the Martial Assembly represent values that completely oppose all things the Round Table holds dear! But you wish to back them, Master?!”

By this point, Knight Leveaux wasn’t calmly speaking anymore. No, he was growling like a beast.

“Master, as I've said before, you are no longer the same Master that has led us in the past.”

The Master faltered. “I, I was merely…!”

“Yes, plead your case, Master. I encourage you to do so. Because you’re in the presence of the Round Table! All those who stand here have the right to plead their innocence!”

The Master couldn’t say anything. But not because he had nothing to say. No, he simply realized it’d be pointless.

By now, the glares of the Knights fixed on him contained unmistakable traces of hostility. In that case, what could the Master possibly say now to clear up this hostile air?

‘The system, you say…?’

Only now did the Master begin to appreciate Wiggins’ warning earlier.

What Knight Leveaux said here was nothing more than inciting the crowd. Meanwhile, the Master relied on his cool-headed logical thinking, not his emotions, to come to the logical conclusion that supporting the Koreans was the best option available for the Round Table.

However, his logical conclusion fell on deaf ears of emotional people.

The Round Table's system was supposed to be democratic. However, as long as the system relied on people, it would inevitably be influenced by human emotions.

As it turned out... A perfect system not swayed by human emotions never existed, to begin with!

The Master calmly muttered, “...I've only pragmatically pursued what's good for the Round Table.”

“Thank you for your opposing testimony, Master. And now, we shall vote on your impeachment!” Knight Leveaux grabbed his sword and addressed the other Knights. “I shall cast my vote now. I, Knight Leveaux, vote yea!”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Knight Leveaux placed his sword on the Round Table, its tip pointing to the center. And then… Sounds of swords unsheathing echoed eerily in the chamber, followed by the Knights placing their weapons on the Round Table.

Well over half of the Knights placed their swords on the table by the end. The Master calmly closed his eyes at this sight.

‘I see. So, you’ve already made up your mind before coming here…’

The voting was swift. And their decision even more so.

This process was far too swift and bold, considering it was to impeach a man occupying the noble and sacred position of the Master of the Round Table. Such a speedy resolution should be impossible unless these Knights had already reached a consensus prior to the meeting!

“With a two-thirds majority on my side… We shall impeach the Master of the Round Table now. I, Knight Leveaux, invoke my position as the Prime Knight to order the arrest of the Master of the Round Table! His charges are as follows: One, contacting a traitor. Two, suspicion of passing on the vital information pertaining to the Round Table to the hostile organization harboring said traitor!”

Grab!

Knight Leveaux grabbed his sword and picked it up from the Round Table. Other Knights also picked up theirs and instantly pointed their blades in the Master's direction.

“It is meaningless to resist, Master. Please behave yourself.”

The Master slowly opened his eyes and glared at the Frenchman. “...Knight Leveaux.”

“Yes, Master… No, I’m not sure what to call you now,” Knight Leveaux responded without even bothering to hide his ridicule.

The Master calmly growled. “I must warn you that this decision will bring about the implosion of the Round Table.”

“Hmph. Don't overestimate yourself, former Master. After all, the Round Table is not your plaything. Remember that an arrogant man is fated to meet a pitiful end!”

“...Do whatever you want, Leveaux.” The Master sighed in resignation and closed his eyes again.

Knight Leveaux used his chin to point at the Master. “Take him away!”

Well-armed knights abruptly opened the door and flooded into the chamber to restrain the Master before taking him outside. Once they were gone, silence returned to the Round Table's chamber.

“Well, then…!” Knight Leveaux broke the eerie silence by addressing the remaining Knights. “Let us get to solving the most pressing matter first, shall we? And that would be… to fill the now-empty position of the Master! Yes, we must select the next Master as soon as possible!”

His energetic voice echoed within the Round Table’s chamber.