"Why should I be in a hurry?" Arthur replied in the same calm tone.
Artoria hesitated—Arthur should understand the real meaning behind her question.
Why?
Because many nobles present openly refused to recognize his claim as king.
Artoria was straightforward, but not foolish. After some thought, she made a guess.
"Have you negotiated with them yet?"
Arthur chuckled. "Sister, let me teach you something. Nobles are still human. And humans, no matter their rank, cannot escape certain essential pursuits: wealth, knowledge, power, reputation, mating. Nobles and commoners alike chase these desires. The difference is only in degree and quality."
Human nature hasn't changed through the ages.
No one remains unmoved. Those who act saintly do so only because their goals lack sufficient temptation.
Artoria didn't take offense, but she wondered where Arthur was finding the resources to impress the nobles. After all, the new king's authority was nominal. The real power and interests were firmly in the nobles' hands.
This left Arthur with only one option.
"You... Arthur, did you attack the people of Camelot?!" Artoria lowered her voice but her anger was clear. "Brother Kay, you just stood there as a knight—why didn't you stop Arthur or warn the others?"
Seeing Artoria's furious, disbelieving expression, Arthur and Kay exchanged glances.
No, she was angry on behalf of others.
"You think too much, Sister. Even if I'm no saint in your eyes, you wouldn't think me cruel enough to do that. And even if we looted the common folk, what could we gain? Camelot can't offer benefits that would impress the nobles now."
"Then how did you—?"
"The so-called rights and benefits are not fixed. They flow and shift. I have no assets to offer, but the things the nobles seek have always been in Camelot. So I just gave them a nominal license. That alone secures their support. The resources remain with them—they never truly leave. They are their own."
"You actually—?"
Artoria was horrified. Despite Merlin's lessons, she had never heard of such a despicable strategy.
When people become shameless, they can be truly revolting.
Weakly, she asked, "They won't kill each other, will they? That would be too foolish."
If the nobles were truly that stupid, Camelot would have collapsed long ago.
But nobles are not stupid. Humans, on the other hand, are.
"No. They'll follow me into madness," Arthur said, shaking his head.
The nobles were divided into factions—groups inherently hostile to one another.
They only united because they shared a common enemy: Arthur.
Once he showed any sign of weakness or dependence, the fragile balance would shatter. The nobles would scramble to regain the interests they felt slipping from their grasp.
Even the clever ones among them were powerless.
Humans can be blinded by desire, maddened by the pursuit of wealth, power, or status. History is full of such stories.
When the majority go mad, the sober few lose all influence.
If a sane person opposes a group of madmen, they become the enemy and will be eliminated.
The few truly wise had already pledged allegiance to Arthur before the situation spiraled out of control. Those who neither sided with him nor succumbed to madness were doomed prey.
"I don't intend to teach you all these conspiracies, but I want you to understand one truth, Sister: never underestimate the stupidity of humanity."
Artoria bristled at the insult: "Don't forget, you're human too."
"Of course, so I'm very stupid," Arthur replied with a faint smile.
"My king, please don't belittle yourself. Your ability and rationality are evident to all," Kay said softly.
"Oh? What I did violates the spirit of chivalry," Arthur said, motioning toward the nobles below.
The nobles were clearly divided into three groups.
About forty percent had lifeless eyes, as if controlled by some unseen force—completely brainwashed by Morgan's magic, hypnosis, and other means.
Another thirty percent wore excited expressions, eagerly waiting for the ceremony to end. They looked at Arthur with fanatic devotion.
These were the ones temporarily lured by Arthur's promises—people Arthur gave a fair warning, but ultimately accepted. Their benefits were fleeting, and they would all perish in time.
The remaining nobles showed unease, some with arrogance, unaware of the danger; others avoiding Arthur's gaze, trapped in dilemma.
Geiger stood among those avoiding eye contact.
Kay's eyes narrowed in understanding, but he showed no resistance. Instead, he asked, "My king, is it wise to treat the nobles as enemies so openly when your position is still unstable?"
If the nobles united against Arthur, even with Morgan's help, the might of Kay, Lancelot, and Gawain could be futile.
"Even if they are guilty, your means are… despicable." Artoria's concern was not just the outcome, but the legitimacy of Arthur's actions.
Arthur smiled and whispered, "Everyone believes Merlin's prophecy, nobles included. They will push me to the throne in the end. Because we share a common enemy. The threat of a humble king always loomed. Even without conspiracies, paying the right price would make today's ceremony smooth."
"Then why?"
"Simple. Sister, recognize the difference between me and the nobles. I am the king; my duty is the country's prosperity. But I have no resources, which limits my actions. The nobles have resources, but they bring no benefit to Camelot. They are my enemies, they hold what I need, and they are targets to be eliminated."