Chapter 1544 Face to Face (4)

“Besides all that. What brings you here today, Wiggins?”

Wiggins gravely replied, “Please step up your training, Master.”

“Mm?”

“And get various European nations to pledge their assistance, as well. So that they won’t hesitate to dispatch their combat force to another country at a moment’s notice.”

The Master’s eyes grew withdrawn. “Are you saying the time is fast approaching?”

“Yes. Something unavoidable is coming.”

“Hmm...!”

The Master let out a weighty grunt.

The Martial Assembly had finished organizing itself, formed an alliance with the Round Table, conquered Japan, and even entered a cooperative pact with the American government for military purposes. In short, only a handful of factions around the world could rival the Martial Assembly now.

...And if the Master was being even more specific about it?

“So, then. The Three Kings and their factions?”

“Yes, them.”

The Master’s eyes grew even more withdrawn than before. It felt like a weighty boulder pressed down on his chest whenever the Three Kings were brought up in various discussions. That was how much dread and fear the Three Kings instilled in everyone who lived in the martial world.

They were the so-called “sky above sky.”

The Master rubbed his chin. “It should be the Four Kings now, though.”

“You’re right.”

These days, Kang Jin-Ho was also seen as their equal. The size of the territory he lorded over paled in comparison, yes, but his organization, the Martial Assembly, had amassed enough power now. Didn’t the Master verify this truth with his own two eyes not too long ago?

“However, what are your odds?”

“Well, I have to say it’s still unknown,” said Wiggins while scratching his chin. “If we have more time... Let’s say around ten years. By then, I can guarantee undisputed victory.”

“Hmm...? That means the Martial Assembly’s growth is indeed fast.”

“Yes, undoubtedly so. However, that isn’t the full picture.”

“What do you mean?”

“Even as we speak, my lord is getting stronger exponentially. Such is his rate of growth that watching him from the sideline will send chills down your spine. No, more than that. You actually get terrified.”

“...? Looks like you aren’t exaggerating.”

“I wish it were an exaggeration, Master,” said Wiggins as a wry smirk spread on his face.

The joy from knowing the one he served was getting stronger got overtaken by the sense of inferiority as a martial artist. That was how Wiggins felt while observing Kang Jin-Ho’s rate of improvement. In fact, he would even feel like an incompetent moron sometimes.

“And then... The Martial Assembly’s alliance partners will also grow stronger and become more efficient at what they do. For example, the Round Table.”

“Mm... Sure.”

“On the other hand, the Three Kings and their factions are busy trying to keep each other in check. Which would gradually exhaust their combat potential. In ten years, the Assembly should be strong enough to contend with two of the factions simultaneously. Unfortunately...”

“Time isn’t on your side.”

“Indeed, Master. They aren’t fools, after all.”

Soon, the Three Kings would find a countermeasure. Either by calling for a ceasefire in their war, or by ending the war itself before the Martial Assembly could grow into an entity too powerful for them to deal with.

The Three Kings wouldn’t have reached their positions by being morons. Their intelligence should be much greater than... than what most people could even imagine.

A good example was the Crimson King. From the moment he learned of Kang Jin-Ho’s existence, he became obsessed. So much so that the people around him grew puzzled by it. Only now did they, and the rest of the martial world, realize why the Crimson King was so dead-set on keeping Kang Jin-Ho in check.

Judging someone from the already-achieved results wasn’t all that difficult. But doing so while results were still up in the air? Now that took incredible foresight. Out of everyone Kang Jin-Ho had run into, only the Crimson King had the foresight to predict this outcome.

So, would someone like that leave alone a dangerous beast growing stronger somewhere behind him? Of course not.

That’s right. And they will come for us. Definitely. When it’s the most inopportune time for us, too!

Wiggins raised his head and stared directly into the Master’s eyes.

“I’m sure you already know this, but...”

“Mm?”

“This matter doesn’t just concern the Martial Assembly. Once the war with the Three Kings ends in their favor, and the Assembly is absorbed into their faction, who do you think they will target next?”

“Presumably, this place.”

Of course, they would go through Japan first, but still.

Wiggins nodded. “Yes, because those people will never be satisfied. They remained confined to China until now despite their desire to become the center of the world because they believed their land was all that mattered. The way I see it, they are like gluttonous demons that can never be satisfied.”

“Mm...!”

“Without a shred of doubt, they will come here next. With the sole aim of expanding their influence globally.”

What an absurd-sounding story that was. However, it wasn’t absurd at all. It was happening already, after all.

China had been steadily expanding its influence by infiltrating various parts of the world. While steadily growing its power, the Chinese government was working toward turning the world from America-centric into a China-centric one.

“Even though the surface world has the established powerhouse called the United States of America, China still brazenly tries to devour other nations. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out how they will behave in territories they have taken over.”

“...So, you’re saying this is a matter of survival.”

“Yes. That is my opinion.”

“I understand what you’re saying.”

Wiggins wanted to say that the Round Table shouldn’t participate in the upcoming war like some kind of nice guy helping out an alliance partner. No, this war would determine their future. The Round Table’s very existence depended on its outcome.

If the Three Kings and their factions conquered the martial world and began doing whatever they wanted with it... Not just the martial world, but the entire world would be helpless to stop the advent of unspeakable horror.

“We’re also making our own preparations, Wiggins.”

“I get that. But you need to do more, Master.” Wiggins stared resolutely at the Master. “You must bring out everything the Round Table has to support the Martial Assembly.”

“But we...”

“Master.”

Wiggins abruptly cut the Master off.

“Let me repeat myself. You need to bring out everything.”

“...”

As he talked, a hint of growling became apparent in Wiggins’ voice.

“Trying to safeguard today’s peace but losing your future in the process? Only a fool would do that. Unless you’re planning to comfort yourself by saying you’ve done all you could just as your enemy cuts your head off... You must do more.”

“Even if doing so will plunge the Round Table into chaos?”

“Yes, because the Round Table will continue to exist, chaos or not.”

“...”

“But when they win, the Round Table will be no more.”

The Master groaned softly. He already knew all this. But listening to Wiggins imparted such a different feeling.

You want me to squeeze out every drop from the Round Table?

Wiggins wanted the Master to squeeze out every drop of blood and sweat from the Round Table until nothing remained, then pour everything into the Martial Assembly. Without a doubt, his sudden visit must’ve been to convey this message.

“There is no room for compromises this time,” said Wiggins icily.

However, when the Master heard that, he suddenly felt the urge to argue back.

Of course, he was fully aware of how their positions had changed. In the past, Wiggins was the Master’s subordinate and a potential successor. But now? Their statuses had flipped around somewhat.

Now, at least in the current set-up, the Master of the Round Table’s position was not any higher than the Martial Assembly’s director.

Despite knowing this, though...

“You know, I’m growing a little doubtful here,” said the Master.

“Doubtful? How so?”

“I know I shouldn’t harbor such thoughts, but... I can’t completely rid myself of this doubt, Wiggins. Once we give our everything until nothing remains, what will the hollowed-out Round Table gain afterward?”

“...”

“Whatever happens, it will only be a change of owners, no?”

Wiggins grinned deeply. “Master.”

“Yes, I’m listening.”

“You need to wake the hell up, sir.”

“...”

The Master’s eyes quaked subtly just then. He had never heard Wiggins speak to him so rudely before.

“Perhaps nothing will change for the Round Table. Groveling to your new masters to keep the organization going might not be any different from the organization itself getting wiped out.”

“...”

“But your story will be different, Master.”

The Master subtly chewed on his lip.

“Forgive me for my directness, but here’s the truth, Master. You are now in bed with us. Do you honestly believe the Three Kings will... want to utilize your services again?”

Of course they wouldn’t. And the Master knew that very well.

“Master, there are only two ways to survive a ship with a hole in its hull. One, you try whatever means possible to plug up the hole. Or you row like a madman and reach the nearest shore before the ship sinks.”

“...”

“Please remember that. There are no other paths.”

The Master squeezed his eyes shut. Wiggins spoke high-handedly, yes, but there were no falsehoods in his words, either.

Indeed. I’ve already made my decision. There’s no backing out now.

This course of action became inevitable the moment he swore his loyalty to the Martial Assembly. All the parties involved knew that, but here was the Master, subconsciously praying that the decisive moment wouldn’t come, or at least would take its sweet time.

“If that’s not what you want...” A strange smirk formed on Wiggins’ face. “Will you step aside from your position?”

“...!”

The Master’s eyes quaked once more.

“That is certainly one way out of this situation. If you do step aside, at least you will avoid the people judging you for dispatching the Round Table’s members into a war zone fought by foreign nationals just to support a supposed alliance partner. Maybe they’ll continue treating you well as a respected elder.”

The Master subtly gripped his thigh and squeezed it hard.

“You are at the height of your power right now. So, if you retire peacefully, everyone will be convinced of your sincerity.”

The Master growled softly. “And then, what? You’ll install a puppet as my replacement and toy with the Round Table as you see fit?”

That’s not all that different from the current situation, is it? Wiggins worked very hard to swallow those words back before they could jump out of his mouth.

He must not trigger this aging martial artist’s last reverse scale, which was his pride. This was Wiggins being courteous toward a man he used to respect a great deal once upon a time.

“If you’re unwilling to step aside, then you know what must be done.”

The Master squeezed his eyes shut again. On the surface, he looked like a man stuck in a great deal of agony. No, perhaps anguish was the more correct term.

However, Wiggins didn’t get tense at this sight like in the past.

After all, we all know what you’re going to say, anyway.

The outcome of this conversation was already set in stone, so to speak. The Master was merely searching for a right way to beautify his desire for power, that was all. And looking anguished about it was a part of the process.

“You... have opened the door to hell, then.”

“...”

“I heard that in the East, there’s a saying about... I should be the one going to Hell, not the others. Did I get that right?”

The corners of Wiggins’ lips subtly curled up. What a nice way to beautify things, then.

The Master continued to speak. “I’ve never been the best leader. Nor the most upright. However, if I step aside now... The Round Table will end up as your plaything. I won’t sit back and watch the organization I’ve devoted my entire life to devolve into your toy.”

“But Master, I also devoted my entire life to the Round Table.”

“Yes, but you abandoned us in the end,” said the Master. He even added another sarcastic remark. “And now, you’re working so hard for the benefit of someone else.”

“Haha...” Wiggins retreated slightly while raising both hands in mock surrender. “My apologies for being so harsh with you. But that’s how urgent our situation is.”

“No, I understand.” The Master groaned weightily. “We will provide support. All the support we can muster, that is. We will dispatch reinforcements, chip in with financial assistance, and throw anyone who opposes you in jail.”

“Thank you. This is all for our future.”

“I’m doing all this because I believe in that notion, Wiggins. That’s why... Don’t forget to put in a good word with the Assembly Master later.”

“Of course. I won’t.”

Wiggins subtly licked his lips. Indeed, he was doing all this for their future. The future of the Martial Assembly, not the Round Table, that was!

He hadn’t technically lied here. Besides, it was still fine even if he had been lying. The Master of the Round Table wasn’t stupid enough to fall for it, after all.

It’s taken a bit of time.

A man who had tasted power could never go back to how he was. Power was the strongest, most addictive drug mankind had invented, after all! And this dangerous drug had completely corrupted the Master now.

With every passing day, the Master would grow even more obsessed with power and do whatever necessary to maintain his grip on it. And, as long as he understood that his power came from Kang Jin-Ho, he’d never betray the Martial Assembly.

I don’t feel good about pushing my old home into a blazing furnace, but...

What choice did Wiggins have, anyway? He should live in the present, not the past.

“Master, how about some beer?”

“Mm? I thought you’d be too busy?”

“I am, but that won’t keep me from enjoying a round of beer with you. Besides, isn’t there a game on later in the evening today?”

“Hoh-oh?” The Master shrugged casually. “Then, at the VIP lounge?”

“That’s not how you’re supposed to enjoy football, sir.”

“You’re still a Briton, then. Good, good! Let’s go out and enjoy ourselves, then.”

Wiggins grinned brightly while studying the pleased-looking Master.

Everything is for my lord.