Chapter 540. Clearing Up (5)
“...Who did you say was here?” Vincent asked cautiously.
“All I heard was that it was a knight from the Round Table, sir,” said Mathieu.
“Yeah, I got that. But... What comes after 'knight' is the important part, don't you think?” Vincent unhappily muttered while heading to the Martial Assembly's conference hall, his expression slightly cramped.
Recently, his life... had been rather pleasant, actually.
Yes, it wasn't as if all of his worries had been thrown out the window. However, his stay in Korea had been more or less satisfactory after Vincent consciously chose to empty his mind and focus on the task right before his eyes. It wasn't too hard to transfer everything he knew, anyway. Besides, Vincent didn't even have to worry about responsibilities like teaching select individuals until they reached a certain level within a time limit.
No, it was as straightforward as transferring what he knew, and that was it. In Korean military slang, he'd be a 'Ttaengbojik'. [1]
Vincent couldn't quite tell if the Martial Assembly was very open-minded and civilized for granting such a cushy post to a prisoner like him. Or was it a sign of sheer incompetence of this place? Regardless of what it was, Vincent could lose himself in continued peace for a while thanks to it.
...Even if he was a bit depressed about the Round Table not contacting him or the Assembly until now.
Of course, he knew. Even if the Round Table did contact the Koreans now, nothing would change for him. Vincent had already made a choice and had to uphold it as a man of honor. He was now at a point where even if his country and the Round Table sent a rescue team, Vincent would have to reject their attempts!
Even if that was his current situation... There was still a massive difference between the hand of potential salvation reaching out to him and no one bothering to make that gesture. With the former, Vincent wouldn't feel betrayed by his compatriots and the Round Table.
That had been his story until now, a man coming to terms with this new chapter of his life. Yet, an unexpected piece of news came out of nowhere to cause a bit of alarm. And it was about a knight, a supreme individual within the Round Table, being here! This situation was like...
Like, Vincent was spending his days as a prisoner of war confined to a surprisingly nice concentration camp, while his country of origin didn't even want to negotiate for his release. Just as he was about to lose all hope, the country's Minister of Defense suddenly paid a visit to the enemy territory to negotiate for the prisoners.
'What the hell is going on here?'
Right now, Vincent was being guided to the Assembly's conference room. Parading around prisoners in a filthy, tortured, and starving state was the standard practice when trying to hike up the ransom in a negotiation, but... Perhaps, unfortunately for the Martial Assembly, Vincent hadn't been starving. Nor did he get tortured. In fact, he had gained a bit of weight lately, thanks largely to eating good food while not going through the daily dose of the Chevaliers' infamous training regime.
In that case, why were the Koreans guiding him and Mathieu to the conference hall?
Vincent narrowed his eyes. “What are they plotting this time, I wonder?”
Mathieu sighed. “...Sir, you know it's impossible to figure out what's on their minds through our common sense.”
“I guess you're right,” Vincent slowly nodded in agreement.
Soon, the conference hall's doorway entered his view. Vincent frowned while mulling what he should say to the knight beyond those doors.
'What am I... supposed to say here?'
Obviously, he had a ton of things to say. On the other hand... it felt like he shouldn't mention lots of things, too. Just how much should he reveal to the mystery knight, and what should he say?
Before he could finish making up his mind, the doorway opened first. And that was when Vincent realized something. That his thoughts up to this point had been a meaningless waste of his energy.
Vincent cautiously asked, “...Who?”
“Oh, excuse me. It's our first time meeting this way, isn't it?” The older gentleman relaxedly sitting in one of the chairs spoke in fluent French.
Vincent then realized something else. He instinctively sensed that this 'conference' was not what it seemed.
After all, Elena was sitting next to the older gentleman.
That alone was enough for Vincent to deduce the identity of this knight.
He cautiously raised his voice. “Are you... Knight Wiggins?”
“Mm. I'm not sure what's the appropriate greeting in this situation. Should it be 'A pleasure to make your acquaintance'? Or long time no see? Perhaps it doesn't really matter, anyway. In any case, please take a seat, commander of the Chevaliers. We have a lot to discuss... No, hold on.” Wiggins turned his head and addressed other participants in the conference hall, namely Kang Jin-Ho. “My lord, is it possible for us to have a private chat in a smaller conference venue? I'm not certain we can hold a candid conversation before the presence of you and other members of the Assembly.”
Kang Jin-Ho shrugged his shoulders. “Sure. Why not...”
“...You're actually okay with that?” Lee Hyeon-Su asked incredulously.
Kang Jin-Ho responded while sighing. “Yes, I am. It's not like they will plot everyone's assassination in there, anyway. If you are scared about that, why did you let them roam free in the first place? Instead of keeping them locked up?”
“Well…” Lee Hyeon-Su grimaced while nodding. He usually wouldn't have acted so sensitively toward a topic like this, but the recent events meant his mind was still a bit of a mess. “Understood. Then, how about the conference room next door?”
Knight Wiggins got up and exited the conference hall. After entering the smaller conference room that Lee Hyeon-Su had unlocked, Wiggins beckoned at Vincent and Mathieu as if he owned the place. “Come now, gentlemen. Elena, you join us as well.”
“...Yes, sir.”
Whatever the case might be, a superior officer was still a superior officer. Even though Vincent would have to sever his link with the Round Table for the foreseeable future, he still maintained correct decorum toward Wiggins while stepping into the smaller venue.
Wiggins got the conversation going first. “Even though our base of operation is in Europe, this is our first meeting, isn't it? To think it'd be under this sort of a situation...”
“I agree, sir. Life does have this tendency to unfold in unexpected directions,” said Vincent. He decided to be frank with his opinion. 'Besides... Being able to converse with Wiggins sure is unexpected, isn't it...?'
When Vincent first heard about a knight's arrival, Wiggings wasn't even on the list of potential candidates. After all, it was an open secret among those with access to some level of information that Knights Leveaux and Wiggins were like oil and water. Or sworn enemies. The Chevaliers affiliated with Knight Leveaux's camp would obviously know about this.
So, in Vincent's mind, the possibility of the mystery knight being Leveaux was around ninety percent. The remaining ten percent was reserved for the rest of the Round Table... excluding Wiggins. His thoughts remained this way until opening that conference hall's doorway.
But now, a man he never expected to see was here, talking as if they had been friends for a long time! Unable to sit still from this ironic turn of events, Vincent cautiously raised his voice. “My apologies, sir. I know my actions could be construed as being rude, but I simply must ask you. Just what is going on back home?”
“Hmm... I hope you will understand what I'm about to say. And accept what's about to happen, too. Let me not beat around the bush and give you the conclusion first. The Round Table has decided not to rescue you.”
“...I beg your pardon?”
“Our excuse is that we'll only be spitting on the face of your honor by bringing you home through negotiations with the enemy.”
Vincent began chewing his lips.
Yes, he could understand it. He could understand why the Round Table would make such a decision. Even several Chevaliers thought that way during the initial part of their captivity, after all. Even so...
“I... understand why such a decision was made. I get it, sir. However, at the very least...! Shouldn't we have a say in the matter as well? Shouldn't we be the ones to make that call?”
“I agree with you, Vincent. The way this matter has been handled is quite embarrassing. However, even the Master's hands were tied during the decision-making process. You see... Knight Leveaux was very insistent on speaking on your behalf.”
Vincent's expression grew stiff as his head faltered. He didn't want to believe any of this. However, his head had already accepted it. Knight Leveaux was capable of doing things like that, after all!
Despite his mind wavering, Vincent still managed to sit up straight. He couldn't afford to display any weakness in front of Knight Wiggins. That was how uncertain his relationship with this English knight was.
Vincent calmly muttered, “I see. However, you couldn't have traveled all this way just to inform us of this development, sir.”
Wiggins slowly nodded. “Indeed, you're correct. The message I have for you is something else.”
“May I know what that is now?”
“From this moment on, you and the Chevaliers are free.”
“...I'm sorry?”
“Free, Vincent. You're free to go. Whether you want to stay here, return to the Round Table's fold, or go home to France and live your life as you want... It's up to you now.”
“S-sir? Are you seriously telling me that... the Koreans will let us go?”
“Well, that's what they promised, so...”
“How come?”
“It's fairly simple. You are no longer needed,” Knight Wiggins casually replied.
However, Vincent immediately figured out the intent behind that cryptic-sounding reply. His brows shot up in surprise as he stared at Wiggins. “C-could it be?!”
“Yes, it is. I've agreed to stay behind here. So, you and your men should leave this place.”
Vincent silently gripped his thigh.
***
Cai Kechang was merely maintaining a head-bowed stance. What an odd thing this was, though.
He had tasted so many failures until now. If all of his recent failures were made into a list, Cai Kechang wouldn't be able to find any excuses to save his hide.
Obviously, responsibilities accompanied all failures. And Cai Kechang was always ready to face the music. After all, he was not afraid of the consequences of his failures. No, he was more scared of the disappointed gaze of the noble being on the throne.
No punishment would faze Cai Kechang, but the Crimson King's trust in him eroding away through repeated failures was the most painful punishment he could think of.
However, this particular moment was different. Even though the failure this time was more serious than any other before it, Cai Kechang remained calm.
“So... Vator lost?” The Crimson King quietly asked.
“Yes, my liege.”
After all, he had no choice but to acknowledge it now. Cai Kechang wasn't sure when he started thinking like this, but... But he had expected things to unfold this way. Even then, he tried his best to avoid facing reality. Unfortunately, the uncaring reality still decided to force itself into Cai Kechang's view.
Since that was the case, why should he get nervous? What was fated to happen... had happened. That was all.
“So, even Vator was...” The Crimson King muttered, his voice also calm. “I see. Yes, it's not surprising. I had a hunch that it'd end this way.”
“I thought the same, my liege.”
“Right. Right...” The Crimson King slowly nodded away. However, he wasn't disappointed. No, it was... acknowledgment. The two men in this impressive hallway were silently acknowledging the man ruling South Korea, Kang Jin-Ho.
The Crimson King rubbed his chin. “What about Vator? How is he?”
“Alive, sir.”
“How soft...” The Crimson King tutted loudly. “Listen, Cai Kechang.”
Cai Kechang bowed deeply. “Yes, my liege.”
“I... want to ask you a question. A question that I'm genuinely curious about.”
“Your wish is my will.”
“In your opinion... How should we proceed from here?”
Cai Kechang slowly licked his lips. They began drying up at a frightening pace when the Crimson King's question reached Cai Kechang's hearing. “My liege... May I be frank, sir?”
“Yes.”
“Kang Jin-Ho has consistently demonstrated abilities surpassing our expectations. Every time we think we have him cornered, Kang Jin-Ho makes a mockery of our plans with strength exceeding our imagination.”
“Yes. Yes, he does…” The Crimson King slowly drummed his fingers on the throne's armrest.
“And now that we've reached this far... We need to make a choice, my liege. Either we designate him as a threat worse than other Kings and concentrate all of our resources on defeating him, or... Or, we make peace with him.”
“Make peace, you say?”
“Yes, my liege,” Cai Kechang spoke in a calm if slightly-cold sounding voice. “We have been antagonizing him so far. However, if we look back, Kang Jin-Ho has never attacked us first. All he did was deal with the enemies hitting him first. Not once did he go out of his way to harm our interests.”
“...Yes, that is true.”
“We believed a demonic cultivator like him can only be an enemy and acted accordingly, but...! His behavior so far has been inconsistent with all the other demonic cultivators we know of. As such, I believe there could be room for conciliation between the two camps.” Cai Kechang ended his recommendation there, then slowly closed his eyes.
He knew he was pushing his luck here. The Crimson King's disgust and contempt for demonic cultivators was legendary, after all. Obviously, he'd never even think about acknowledging them, too.
However, what Cai Kechang suggested just now was no different than telling the Crimson King to join hands with a demonic cultivator since there was no other way. With a flimsy reason of Kang Jin-Ho being different from all the other demonic cultivators, no less!
Cai Kechang resolved himself to bear the brunt of the Crimson King's fury, but...
But the response he got was surprisingly composed.
The Crimson King grunted loudly. “Whether I see him as an enemy or a friend... Either is fine.”
“...My liege?”
“However!” The Crimson King suddenly shot up to his feet. “This is a matter between men! I will not make a decision based on nothing but the words and reports of others. Cai Kechang!”
“Yes, my liege!”
“Arrange a way for me to personally meet Kang Jin-Ho.”
Cai Kechang's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets just then.
“I shall confirm what kind of a man Kang Jin-Ho is with my own two eyes!”
One of China's feared kings, one who everyone believed would never make a move... Finally moved away from his weighty throne. And how much impact his action would have on the rest of the world was anyone's guess.
1. A cushy post with minimum hard labor involved in the Korean military is called 'Ttaengbojik' ☜
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