Inside the Round Table entourage's car...
"Sir, that wasn't like you back there," said one of the subordinates.
What he said could constitute insolence. No, forget "could." It was undoubtedly an act of insolence.
However, the Master didn't lose his cool. That was because he was an incomparably gracious and generous man.
He certainly thought his subordinate's criticism wasn't without merit.
"Sir... Fighting that man will not change anything. It's a fight where we stand to lose so much but have nothing to gain."
The Master glanced at the subordinate. "Do you think I'll lose?"
"Sir, it won't matter whether you win against that man or not."
"...Indeed," the Master slowly nodded. "I have nothing to worry about the future of the Round Table, then."
"...I beg your pardon?"
"So many people in the Round Table are capable of making better decisions than I am. In that case, why should I be worried about our future?"
The atmosphere in the car became heavier. Gloomier, even. On the surface, at least, it seemed like the Master agreed with the subordinate that he made a bad choice. However, what he actually did was point out how the subordinate had overstepped his boundaries.
The Master sighed inaudibly.
'How petty...'
Being a member of the Master's entourage didn't mean one lost their right to speak. Wasn't one of the Round Table's core values that everyone had the equal right to speak their minds?
Since it was physically impossible for everyone to attend meetings, representatives in the form of Knights had been created, but that still didn't change the basic tenet of the Round Table being an open space for everyone. Even if that was just an ideal at this point...
If the Master of the Round Table failed to uphold that ideal, who would be able to protect it, then?
Despite knowing all this, the Master still responded sourly because his sore spot had been prodded just now.
A fight with nothing to gain? The Master certainly agreed with that notion.
Regardless of how the upcoming fight turned out, it would not affect the Korean peninsula's current situation. Only the act of the Master killing Kang Jin-Ho could flip the script on its head.
However, would he be able to pull that off? It should be incredibly difficult.
Even if the Master could somehow overpower Kang Jin-Ho, Wiggins was here to overturn the situation. If he was serious about it, Wiggins could easily rescue Kang Jin-Ho from the jaws of defeat. ṝ�
The Master must not forget that he was in the middle of the enemy territory. And his entourage wasn't strong enough to defeat Wiggins.
In that case, who or what was this fight for?
The Master already knew the answer to that question.
'I haven't even considered things like benefits and losses this time.'
Even though that sounded quite surprising when coming from the Master, it was the truth.
Ever since ascending to the position of the Master of the Round Table, he never once stopped calculating and scheming for the sake of ensuring humanity's peace. Everything he said and did could determine gains and losses. Depending on what he saw and heard, the world itself could be shaken up to its core.
So, he should have calculated things before making his decision. But the Master completely forgot to do that when Kang Jin-Ho provoked him to a fight. He didn't think about what he'd lose or gain depending on the result of this fight.
Why did he do that, though?
Maybe Kang Jin-Ho's continued provocation finally managed to break through the Master's barrier. Or the Master might have thought fighting Kang Jin-Ho was the best way to undo this twisted situation.
If he wanted to find a reason to blame, there were hundreds of them to choose from. Countless. Even then... none of them could be called the real reason, and the Master was fully aware of that.
After all, the real reason could be only one thing. One thing stashed deep within his heart! And that was because... he wanted to do it.
The Master carried far too much burden on his shoulders. His position demanded him to be neutral in everything in this world. The moment he ascended to this role, the man filled with passion and drive had to vanish into the ether, replaced by the Master who must judge things with machine-like rationality and unfeeling objectivity.
However, he sometimes wished to shed this role and be free. That would usually be when he got fed up with the frustration of his job.
All in all... The Master could find the justification for his choice if he wanted to. But he couldn't do the same for the basis of said choice.
Wiggins was still youthful enough to chase after the ideal he had witnessed. Although the notion of calling Wiggins young might seem strange, the Master simply used that term to refer to people who still had a chance to start their journey anew.
In that sense, Wiggins was eminently qualified to be called "young" in the Master's book.
However, the Master couldn't start anew in his life. That was what made him feel so uncomfortable with himself.
He couldn't join Wiggins nor could he start from the beginning again. In that case, he should at least try to get the confirmation.
It was time to confirm how far a man who walked on the path the Master couldn't tread had reached. He'd confirm the truth not with his eyes or ears but through his fists and body. Through... his martial way!
Although it might sound impulsive and reckless, nothing was more certain than this method.
"Master, I have to report this development to the Round Table," said the subordinate.
"Sure. Go ahead," the Master nonchalantly muttered while leaning against the seat. Then, he rested his head on the cushion.
'It's... heavy.'
His whole body felt heavy. No, rather than heaviness... It felt more like countless weighty things were pulling down on his arms and legs.
People living in high altitudes weren't consciously aware of their living environment being deprived of oxygen. After all, things you took for granted would never consciously be at the forefront of your thoughts.
Only after climbing down from the tall mountains they called home would they realize how harsh and unforgiving their lives had been.
This example applied to the Master. Never before did he view the countless restrictions and regulations tying him down as wrong. That was because everyone around him also was bound by the same restrictions. So, he took this situation for granted, never questioning it.
However, he now saw the other side. He witnessed a man without restrictions.
Of course, Kang Jin-Ho should also have plenty of things to worry about. However, they were not shackles or restrictions pulling him back like the ones the Master must deal with. Shackles that could be undone at will were nothing more than decorations, after all!
Shackles had to be inescapable. Restrictions were supposed to be all-binding. And in that sense... Kang Jin-Ho was free. Unfettered.
Completely free!
"Please forgive me, sir. However, I have a duty to carry out," said the subordinate, obviously unaware of the Master's inner thoughts.
'Yes, your duty... Everyone has those. Including myself. However, sometimes...'
The Master turned his attention to the front of the moving car. He could see the back of Kang Jin-Ho's vehicle just beyond the windscreen.
'...I'm sure that man is free.'
An event like a martial artist agreeing to a fight only to get chided by wet-behind-ears hatchlings should not happen with Kang Jin-Ho. Probably. And he most likely didn't have to sit through the indignity of some punks inspecting and judging every one of his moves to see if he followed the rules.
Kang Jin-Ho was a martial artist. A warrior! A tyrant who seized authority through the martial prowess he had cultivated and wielded that authority to his whim! That was Kang Jin-Ho.
He enjoyed the unfettered freedom that shone so brilliantly. So brilliant was his luster that the Master couldn't help but get jealous.
The Master was not envious of Kang Jin-Ho's inconceivable martial prowess or all the incredible feats achieved in a relatively short period of time. However, Kang Jin-Ho's freedom was so blindingly radiant that the Master just couldn't stop himself from turning green in sheer jealousy.
"Do what you want. It's alright," said the Master.
That was why... Wouldn't it be fine for the Master to enjoy this little bit of respite? This small freedom where he didn't have to worry about the aftermath and do whatever he wanted?
At least for now?
"Whatever you want..." The Master quietly muttered, his gaze chasing after Kang Jin-Ho sitting in the backseat of the car up ahead.
Going off script this once was nothing in comparison to the true freedom Kang Jin-Ho enjoyed. Even so, the Master dearly wished to stand opposite Kang Jin-Ho as an equal, even if it was only for a flitting moment.
The Master might have never made such a dumb decision before. And it was unlikely he'd do something like this again in the future, but...
'...Being able to make that dumb decision is a part of being free, isn't it?'
After a lifetime of swimming in the murky depths of the water, the Master had finally found the courage to peek his head outside the surface. And it was...
'It's so blindingly brilliant.'
So brilliant, indeed.