Chapter 1109. Squashing (4)

He never had the chance to feel this way before. Never.

Knight Wellinger was a powerful warrior. No, calling him “powerful” was probably doing a great disservice to the true level of his strength!

That was what it meant to become a representative Knight of a nation, after all.

Countless warriors called the Round Table their home.

Even though martial artists and their influence on society had waned in the modern era, one must not forget that the Round Table was still a gathering place of Europe’s finest.

Despite each nation only dispatching their elites chosen through rigorous selection processes, the organization was still filled to the brim with martial artists.

...And only those who outclassed them all were qualified to become a Knight.

The Knights didn't stand above all because of their status. No, these individuals already stood head and shoulders over the others, and that was why they could become Knights representing their nations!

‘What did I mean by that? Well...’

Wellinger's eyes caught the figure of another Knight sitting in front of him. That would be Knight Brunet.

He was the current representative Knight of France. In other words, the successor to Leveaux. Despite how new he was to the job, though, Wellinger had known about Brunet for a long time. Decades-long, as a matter of fact.

That shouldn't come as a surprise, however. The realm of a representative Knight couldn't be reached via mere hard work alone, after all.

From the get-go, those destined to become a Knight always surged ahead of their peers. Incomparably so in some cases. Simply watching them from afar was enough to guess whether they would become a future Knight or not.

Just like how it was impossible to hide spikes inside a pocket, those possessing abilities and talent were bound to stand out regardless of whether that was their intention or not.

That was how excellent candidates to become Knights were. Such was their excellence that their peers had no choice but to despair at the prospect of catching up!

In other words, all those who became Knights were the “strong.” Almost every single one of them.

From their young age up to this point, not even once had they been in the shoes of the weak. Their natural excellence ensured that. Their immense efforts to nurture their talent until it blossomed ensured that, too.

Those things ensured that they could not be the weak. And their desire not to become the weak also played a major factor.

As such, these people had never once thought that one day, they would be the weaker party in a situation.

Perhaps that was why this situation must’ve felt so foreign.

Clomp, clomp...

The sounds of a man's footsteps echoed quietly.

‘Indeed, that’s nothing more than someone’s footstep!’

The owner of those steps wasn't trying to intimidate anyone. Wellinger could hear those faint footsteps only because he was a competent martial artist. Normal, powerless people wouldn't have heard any footsteps in this situation.

In fact, the owner could have hidden the noise altogether if he wanted to. But he didn't. All he did was merely walk toward the hall.

However, those mere footsteps still mercilessly tightened around Wellinger’s heart like a noose.

He couldn't tear his eyes away from the exit of the hall. It wasn't him, though. Everyone in this grand hall stared at the dim corridor as if something,

someone

, had bewitched them.

Was it because they heard Kang Jin-Ho’s name from the Master’s mouth?

No, it wasn’t.

Even if they hadn’t heard his name, the Knights would still have reacted the same.

‘I mean, think about it for a second!’

What if you were going about your daily life and minding your own business, then casually turned around to look, only to spot a massive tiger glaring in your direction? Would you be able to look away?

‘Of course not!’

You wouldn't even be able to blink, never mind look away! The tiger might pounce on you the moment you look away and rip your throat out, after all!

What about running away, then?

Unfortunately, that was just as unthinkable.

When in close proximity to a predator, it was inadvisable to turn your back toward it. All you could do was stay dead still and pray that the ferocious beast wasn't interested in you.

This was how the weak behaved.

If the threat hadn’t been a tiger but a cute little puppy, everyone wouldn’t have come to a standstill like this. Either they dealt with the puppy or stopped caring about it. They would’ve done what they wanted.

Only the weak experienced their freedom being lost merely from the existence of the strong opponent.

...And that was why Wellinger was so flustered right now.

‘I am the weak?’

Wellinger was? Not just him, but every Knight in here, too?!

But the concept of “weak” and Knights of the Round Table had to be the most ill-matched things in the entire world!

Knights were strong. They were the predators! Only the strong could become Knights, couldn’t they? No such thing as a weakling Knight existed. That idea was too ludicrous. Inconceivable!

Knights simply had to be strong. No matter what the occasion was. No matter what the opponent was!

‘However, if that’s true, then why...!’

Why couldn’t Wellinger tear his eyes away from the mouth of that dim corridor even now? And why was his heartbeat getting faster and faster to the point of almost rupturing his heart by those quiet footsteps stabbing into his hearing?

‘Just what...’

What was even coming? Just what?!

The footsteps continued to echo.

Clomp, clomp...

The unhurried and quiet footsteps grew louder and louder. Before the noises became thunderclaps, though, a man’s silhouette revealed itself within the darkness of the corridor.

Eventually, this man’s leg broke through the veil of darkness and reached into the hall like flowing water.

Bang!

𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

The sound of his foot landing on the marble floor spread loudly within the deathly silent grand hall.

‘That is... Kang Jin-Ho!’

Wellinger opened his eyes wide to stare pointedly at Kang Jin-Ho. The first impression was that... the Korean was not a hulking monster.

It seemed all the outrageous rumors and testimonies Wellinger had heard influenced his expectations as he subconsciously had been anticipating the appearance of a giant.

But Kang Jin-Ho in the flesh was actually on the somewhat smaller side in Wellinger's point of view. As for his face, Kang Jin-Ho was about par for the course for a young Asian man.

Some hints of Western facial features did draw some attention, but overall, Wellinger didn't find anything too remarkable in Kang Jin-Ho's appearance.

Kang Jin-Ho didn’t seem to boast any powerful, rippling muscles. He seemed to lack sharpness, too.

Wellinger could have easily found other young Asian men just as plain-looking as Kang Jin-Ho by leaving the Round Table’s grounds and taking a stroll in London’s busy streets.

Despite those impressions, however... Wellinger still instantly saw the “truth.”

That young man was definitely not ordinary. That was the only possible explanation for Wellinger’s state, after all!

Wellinger's muscles stiffened like stone. His teeth clenched almost to the point of breaking. His entire body tensed up, and blood rushed to his face, turning it crimson.

He clenched his fists so tightly that blood circulation was almost cut off. His feet pushed down hard on the floor with enough force to shatter the marble tiles.

His body, honed through intense training, had recognized the truth before his mind could. It recognized how dangerous that young-looking man was! It screamed in alarm even as the brain stuttered and tried to process the flood of information.

What tormented Wellinger the most was confusion. He had never, ever felt this way before. And that was why he couldn't readily figure out what this emotion was.

‘Could it be... I want to flee from here?’

Not only that, but right this instance, too?

‘But, why?’

Wellinger had never turned tail and ran away from an opponent. Because backing away like that was equal to death in his mind. With a mindset like that, he had never entertained the thought of running away regardless of who his enemies were or what the crisis facing him was.

Of course, he did allow a strategic retreat, but running away in fear was completely and utterly unthinkable.

That should be the case, but... But why was he feeling this way now?

Kang Jin-Ho stepped into the grand hall and leisurely scanned the Knights around the round table. Wellinger couldn't help but chuckle hollowly at this sight.

‘It’s like this place has become a large buffet for that man.’

Such sacrilegious thoughts shouldn't even be entertained within the sacred halls of the Round Table. But Wellinger couldn't kick those thoughts out of his head.

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at the Master. “Am I interrupting you?”

The Master grinned while getting up to greet Kang Jin-Ho. “Not at all. Welcome, Assembly Master. I’m honored that you’ve decided to grace us with your presence.”

“

Hmm

...”

The Master politely pointed toward an empty chair beside him with both hands. “Please. This is your seat.”

Kang Jin-Ho didn't stand on ceremony and settled on the waiting chair. As that happened, every Knight here watched this sight in grave silence... except for one man.

Only Besley's gaze wasn't locked on Kang Jin-Ho. No, he was openly staring at Wellinger instead. And his mocking eyes were saying this:

“Do not forget what you said.”

Besley said he hoped Wellinger would stick to his principles until the end regardless of what happened. Those words stabbed into Wellinger’s heart like sharp daggers.

According to the Round Table’s rules, a non-Knight was not permitted to sit anywhere near the round table. Attending a meeting and entering the grand hall were all allowed, but only the representative Knights were supposed to sit around this deeply symbolic table.

This was the absolute, unchanging rule that existed since the founding of the Round Table. A rule no one had broken until this very moment!

Since that was the case, Wellinger should have pointed out the wrongdoing. He and others should have been enraged.

They should have yelled in anger, telling the rude guest to get up immediately. However...

“...!”

Their lips didn't want to part no matter what. It was as if someone had glued Wellinger's mouth shut. His own body refused to listen to him.

Besley's eyes subtly narrowed and arched in a sneer. He was clearly mocking Wellinger!

Blood trickled down from Wellinger's crushed and chewed lip. His vision seemed to blank out from all the terrible humiliation punching his gut. Even then, there was not a damn thing he could do about that damn sneer!

The only thing he could do right now was suppress this soul-wrecking humiliation to the best of his abilities.

“Then, shall we continue with this meeting?” The Master grinned while turning around to face the Knights. “Although having a witness to our meeting might be an uncommon occurrence to some of us, there is no need to be alarmed, everyone. The meeting itself will proceed as usual.”

The Master spoke in a gentle, affable tone. However, no one here thought he was being gentle. Who would think a man holding a knife under his victim’s chin and gently asking for cooperation is a nice guy? Obviously no one!

“So, tell me, everyone. Does our guest meet the minimum status requirement you implied earlier?”

The Master continued to speak in a gentle tone, yet he was undoubtedly mocking the Knights. Despite knowing that, though, no one criticizes the Master for crossing the line like this.

The Master’s side had already seized control of the proceedings, after all. And that happened because one person entered the hall! Just one!

“In that case, I’ll take it that no one will be dissatisfied by the Assembly Master voicing his opinion. Then, the floor is yours, Assembly Master.”

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at the Master before turning his attention to someone behind him. “Lee Hyeon-Su.”

Lee Hyeon-Su took half a step forward. “Yes, sir.”

“You talk.”

“Yes, sir!”

Kang Jin-Ho duly handed his right to address the audience to someone else.

They didn't go through some kind of a grand procedure. Kang Jin-Ho simply casually allowed Lee Hyeon-Su to speak on his behalf. But that was enough.

No one here dared to argue whether this was wrong or not!

“

Hmm

,

hmm

! Then, I'll continue to speak, if you don't mind,” Lee Hyeon-Su fake-coughed, then smiled toward his audience. “Unless the Elder Knights are sealed again and hand their rights to vote back to you, none of you have a say in this matter. Only the Master currently does.”

This was clearly unreasonable and nonsensical. Anyone with a modicum of common sense would agree.

Since the rules said the Elder Knights took the right to vote away upon their revival, their deaths should have naturally led to the rights reverting to these Knights.

However, that part was not defined in the rules. No one had counted on the possibility of all the Elder Knights dying, after all! And that was where the problem arose.

A vaguely defined rule was always subjected to the interpretation of the one enforcing it. If the differences in opinion resulted from this interpretation, it was not logic but pure strength that determined who was in the right.

“As such, the Master of the Round Table holds the right to issue commands to you all. I hope that is enough to resolve any lingering misunderstandings, everyone.”

Lee Hyeon-Su finished his ‘explanation’, then smartly stepped back.

After receiving the baton, the Master smiled brightly while glancing at Wellinger. “How was it? Did that answer your curiosity, Sir Wellinger?”

“...Master, sir!” Wellinger chewed on his lip. He bit his own flesh so hard that the metallic taste of blood quickly filled his mouth. “Do not forget that even rats will bite the cat back when pushed into a corner.”

“Indeed, indeed. I do know that. It’s just that...” The Master replied, the corners of his lips curling up strangely. “Have you ever heard of a cat that’s scared of a rat bite? Because I haven’t. What do you think?”

With that, any room for negotiation was thrown out the proverbial window.

Wellinger glared at the Master as hints of killing intent began seeping into his eyes.