Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1090. Charging Forward (5)

Rumble, wuuuooong...!

The magic circle began gushing out pure white light.

‘What an entertaining spectacle this is.’

The Master of the Round Table honestly believed that this gate was the indicator of magic’s “position” in the modern era.

To those who didn't know much about magic, the ability to create a portal between two locations must seem revolutionary. Game-changing, even.

After all, you could travel the distance in the blink of an eye when other modes of transport would have required several hours to do the same thing. If the world at large learned of this magic's existence, cargo and passenger transport could experience a major revolution.

‘That's how it looks on the surface, at least.’

Unfortunately, reality wasn’t so kind.

To operate a gate of this magnitude, one would have to inject mana from both sides. And that must be done by mages boasting incredible mastery of magic—mages on a similar level as Wiggins.

However, there should be fewer than ten mages of such caliber in the entire world.

In other words, utilizing gates as a viable means of transport would require those ten ultra-precious individuals to stay next to gate magic circles and act like conductors holding keys to the cabin for the rest of their lives!

If doing so could generate a steady revenue stream, their sacrifices would have meant something. But reality wasn’t so kind on this one, too.

As mentioned before, using gate magic required mana. And the amount of necessary mana was proportional to the distance traveled, plus the quantity of objects needing to be transferred.

Transferring one or two people wasn’t all that difficult. However, if the amount was similar to a truck container or two...

Even the Master of the Round Table would end up with an empty mana reserve in no time at all!

‘So, in short... It’s a bit of all style, no substance.’

That description seemed rather fitting for the gate magic.

Magic also held another “position” in the modern era.

The power to bring about miracles—that was magic in a nutshell.

You could ignite flames when there was none and create water in parched lands. Magic was the forbidden means selected by humans to encroach upon the realm of the gods.

However, magic lost its value as a miracle worker.

Why? That was because science had completely replaced magic in most instances. Which was easy to understand since science was more versatile and more useful than magic in many cases.

Eventually, modern-era magic became nothing more than some sundry tricks meant to surprise and entertain people.

In that case, were martial artists stuck in the same situation, too?

Wiggins revealed himself from the shower of light. He spotted the Master and offered his hand for a quick shake.

“Master, I have to say, you don't look so good. Are you that unhappy to see me in this part of the world again?”

The Master tutted. “Indeed, I am. You can be a bit of a bother, after all.”

“You seem to have gotten a little gruffer than before, too.”

“All thanks to you.”

Wiggins chuckled helplessly.

He could feel a certain sense of ease, something he couldn't feel in the Assembly, when standing in the halls of the Round Table. Even if that was probably due to the Master's presence!

The two men didn’t say anything else and headed back to the Master’s office.

“Take a seat, Wiggins.”

“Thank you.”

“Some tea?”

“Yes, I’d very much like that. Thank you.”

After a pot of tea was duly brought into the office, the Master settled into his usual seat on the opposite side of the desk and stared quietly at Wiggins.

Wiggins tilted his head a little while stirring the tea. “Mm? Is something the matter, Master?”

“You can say that again. I don't know where to even begin. I never imagined you'd say something like that to me, you see?”

“Oh, that. My apologies. I wasn’t sure how to broach this subject.” Wiggins smiled wryly.

Both he and the Master were magic swordsmen, which was a “rare class” even in the West.

Not only was the number of hopefuls wanting to become a magic swordsman pitifully low, but the ones qualified to call themselves one were even fewer.

If the standards were set around the Master and Wiggins... Then there would only be two magic swordsmen in the entire world!

Even if the standards were lowered to a very generous level, the total number of magic swordsmen currently in existence would still not exceed five.

That meant a “role model” magic swordsman Wiggins could learn from was the Master and nobody else. That was true in the past, and it was still true even now.

However, Wiggins had never been the Master's disciple. He never asked for guidance in his martial arts until now. It was not an exaggeration to say that every lesson he received from the Master was about managing the Round Table as a representative Knight but nothing about combat or magic.

“Tell me, Wiggins. I’m curious to know what inspired you to ask me that earlier.”

“Rather than finding new inspirations... it’s more like I’ve discarded what’s been eating me up inside, Master.”

“Discarded?”

“Yes, discarded,” said Wiggins with a casual nod. “I’ve thrown my pride away. My lord told me that if I lack something, I should fill it up with something else, and if something needs to be thrown away, I should do so without hesitation. So, I did exactly that.”

“Really? Staying in the East for an extended period seems to have filled you up with strange ideas.”

Wiggins smiled brightly but didn’t say anything. The Master slowly shook his head at this sight.

In the past, Wiggins seemed to possess the vigor of youth, at least from the Master's point of view. But now? He seemed to have become even smarmier than before. So much so that even the Master felt a bit squeamish about talking to him in private!

“It seems you’ve picked up several nasty habits in South Korea.”

“Not at all, Master. And that’s why I’m asking this favor from you, isn’t it?”

The Master's lips quivered suspiciously. “Do you even understand the significance of your request?”

“Of course, Master. I certainly do,” Wiggins replied, his smile deepening. “Although far too many things have happened for us to enter into a conventional mentor-and-disciple relationship, you have to admit that you won’t find a disciple as good as me.”

“That’s enough snake oil salesman talk from you. A disciple should at least be someone young and baby-faced, no? You expect me to accept a stinking old man as a disciple?”

“...Haven’t you always said I’m a youngster, sir?”

“I was just being nice, okay? Nothing more.”

Wiggins looked a little stunned by that as he sank into the cushions.

The Master shook his head. “Just drink your tea.”

“Of course.”

Wiggins took a sip of the aromatic black tea. Almost immediately, his expression softened noticeably.

“Is your tea that good?” The Master asked while cocking an eyebrow.

“I never saw myself as picky when it came to food and drinks. But a cup of tea from home will always evoke this particular sentiment in me.”

“Is it? However, saying such things is a confirmation that you’ve now joined the ranks of old age pensioners.”

“I beg your pardon, then. It just tastes like black tea.”

The Master and Wiggins cackled away like old friends.

After the laughter died down, the Master asked more somberly than before. “I'm sure you know already that what you asked me for is rather absurd and cannot be done.”

“...May I ask why you think that way?”

“Teaching you doesn’t sound like an enjoyable pastime for me, you see? But that’s not the main point. The crux of my issue is that I don’t have anything to teach you.”

The Master narrowed his eyes while studying Wiggins’ expression.

“You have already established your own school of martial arts, Wiggins. It is true that I’m ahead of you, but the gap between us is negligible. In that case, what can I even possibly teach you?”

“Anything is fine. Even something trivial,” said Wiggins, his attitude unyielding. “I'm in a state where even such little things will help me. As a warrior who has tread on this path before me, a man whom I deeply respect... Please show me the correct path.”

“I have to say, I don't quite understand you,” said the Master while sinking deeper into his seat. “Even if you aren't just paying lip service, aren't you constantly surrounded by experts far surpassing me in terms of strength? Since that's the case, why seek my guidance? If push comes to shove, even your Assembly Master...”

“No, Master. Relying on them is pointless.”

“Mm?”

“I must find the answer within myself. If my goal had been overcoming my current wall, yes, I would have spoken to the people in my surroundings first. However, I wish to go beyond that. To progress even further. For that purpose, I need to reorganize what I already know.”

“...And you want to use me as a nice little point of reference?”

“If the idea displeases you...”

“No, not really. The prospect doesn’t make me unhappy. I'm glad to be the guiding light inspiring the younger generation. It means the path I have chosen has been acknowledged by the others, after all. It's just that...”

The Master frowned slightly in worry.

“It won’t be easy, Wiggins.”

“Of course, I know that. Even so, I must do it.”

“Hmm...”

The Master of the Round Table grinned subtly without knowing he did.

‘Looks like someone has lit a fire in him, then?’

That wasn't surprising considering where Wiggins was now.

He didn't have anyone to agitate him in the past. And he looked up to the Master rather than considering the latter as a competition or a rival.

Even though Knight Leveaux constantly tried to keep him in check, Wiggins never considered the Frenchman his opponent. Not even once. In other words...

‘Wiggins is so proud of himself that it might as well be arrogance, instead.'

Although Knight Leveaux's end wasn't pretty, he was still ranked as one of the top swordsmen among his peers. Someone like that still failed to rouse Wiggins' competitive streak, however! That was how highly Wiggins viewed himself and his abilities.

“Wiggins. Is your ass on fire? Is that how I’m supposed to say it?”

“...!”

Judging from Wiggins’ expression suddenly stiffening, it seemed the Master had hit the nail on the head.

The Master began guffawing. “Hahaha! Well, well, well! The sight of a determined man is getting me all worked up, too! My heart screams at me to help you, but...”

The Master ruefully shook his head.

“Realistically, it’s not feasible.”

“Why not, sir?”

“There’s just no time,” said the Master with a lengthy groan. “Don’t forget that I’m still the Master of the Round Table, Wiggins. And you are no longer a part of this organization.

“I’m already so buried in work that I hardly have enough time for myself. So it’s unthinkable to make time for an individual who has willingly left the organization.”

Had Wiggins still been a member of the Round Table, the Master could have made plans. But that was no longer feasible now. The Master's position meant he couldn't put aside his duties to assist an outsider.

Besides, assisting Wiggins wouldn’t help the Round Table, either. Although it was unfortunate, this request...

“Oh, that? That’s not going to be an issue, Master,” said Wiggins.

“Mm?”

“You couldn’t possibly be thinking that I have come to you without making provisions for such things?”

The Master’s expression became weird. That was what he was thinking, after all! He stammered ungainly. “O-of course not. Well, I meant...”

Wiggins confidently smirked. “I can sort out your problems, Master. All I have to do is reduce your unfairly heavy workload and give you more breathing space. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, that is more or less what needs to happen. However, I don’t want other Knights to...”

“I wasn’t thinking of using the Knights,” Wiggins’ smirk deepened. “Our side will handle it.”

“Huh?” freewebnσvel.cѳm

The Master’s brows rose up higher in surprise.

A victorious grin now dominated Wiggins’ expression. “We'll gladly handle the work that doesn't contain any sensitive information we're not meant to see. In return, please assist me in your free time.”

“Wait! Are you thinking of doing the paperwork yourself? Don't you understand that you must dedicate your entire being to your training to overcome your wall? And there is no guarantee that would be enough either.”

“Overcoming this wall is important to me as a martial artist. But I also believe protecting those things that make me human is just as important. I might have discarded my pride, but that doesn’t mean I wish to become a lunatic who only cares about martial arts.”

“Mm...!”

“Besides, I didn’t say I’d share your workload, Master.”

“Mm?”

“Our side has a man who is far more talented than me in this sort of thing, you see? This man’s skill set is perfectly optimized for reforming organizations into autocracies.”

“...In other words, you’ll dump the responsibility on someone else?”

“Not at all,” Wiggins grinned brightly. “That man was actually scheduled to attend lectures on corporate structures, you see? A well-known corporation in South Korea was supposed to offer these lectures.

“However, I’ve given this matter some thought and realized that the Round Table is several times better as a teacher than some corporation. No other place is better at linking the martial world to business entities in the surface world, after all.”

“...Well, yes. You do have a point there.”

“So, this is a win-win for everyone involved. I get to improve my strength, and you get some free time to enjoy by accepting a top-tier talent who will reorganize the Round Table’s structure. Meanwhile, this top-tier talent will get to master the type of administrative work he isn’t familiar with. Can you think of a better arrangement than this?”

“It sounds like you’re busy selling me snake oil here. Let’s just say that’s all true. However, will your Assembly Master permit it? Will he be fine with lending us such a talented individual while you’re also absent from your duties?”

“He already did, Master. My lord told me to do whatever I felt like.”

“...”

The Master frowned deeply. He couldn’t tell what was what anymore.

Spending some time in the Korean Martial Assembly seemed to have turned Wiggins into a weirdo. And Kang Jin-Ho seemed like another weirdo for dispatching a top-tier talent to the Round Table without a moment's hesitation.

‘Then again...’

The Master had already given up on figuring these people out, hadn’t he? Since that was the case...

“Very well. Why don’t we do this, Wiggins?”

“Sir?”

“Please request your Assembly Master to pay us a visit in the company of this top-tier individual tomorrow. We might have to persuade a few people about this, you see?”

“Oh. I’ll speak to him and make appropriate arrangements.”

“And also...”

“Yes?”

The Master frowned again in worry. “This talented individual. Can I really use him any way I see fit?”

“Oh, that? Yes. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“...Huh?”

Wiggins smirked deeply. The Master could swear he had never seen a smirk so evil from Wiggins before.

“You won’t find anyone more... trained than him in this world. He has surpassed the limitations of mere mortals in a different sense from my lord. Even I have to take a bow to him when it comes to office work.”

“...I see. Now I’m really looking forward to this.”

A certain poor man’s fate was sealed in this very moment without him being able to say anything to save his soul.