The kings disliked Arthur, and the same sentiment lingered within Camelot.
At least the knights couldn't stand to see their king slandered like this.
"Excuse me, King Arthur, but we share your dissatisfaction with the kings' attitudes. All the knights stand ready. Give the order, and we will wash away this humiliation for you," Kay said, his tone full of righteous fervor.
In truth, Kay spoke as diplomatically as he could.
Arthur's charisma was so overwhelming that nearly any sane person would lose their mind in a short time.
Yet Arthur never flaunted or even fully embraced this charm.
Instead, he unconsciously transformed this abnormal allure into leadership—turning what was a simple, instinctive charm into purposeful words and deeds brimming with personal magnetism. Merlin had once compared it to the power of Aphrodite.
This explained why ninety percent of Camelot's people, across all factions, were utterly devoted to Arthur. His influence extended beyond Camelot to the surrounding lands as well.
Thus, no one could tolerate seeing their king insulted.
Even if Arthur himself was indifferent, his worshippers were deeply offended.
"So, you want me to answer the kings in kind? Like a petulant child throwing a tantrum? That's too childish," Arthur said, spreading his hands with a helpless smile.
"This isn't childishness, but defending honor. The people of Camelot love you. We're ready to fight for you, my king," Kay insisted.
"Hehe—fighting. War between kingdoms is no simple matter," Arthur replied, clearly disinclined to start one.
He knew his men might have already acted without his command if he hadn't stopped them.
"True, it would be simple to defeat the kings and make a statement. But Kay, you must understand this: winning and choosing to fight are two different things. Our people absolutely do not want civil war in Britain right now," Arthur said gravely.
"No! They want it!" Kay shot back.
"Why are you so certain?" Arthur asked with a teasing grin.
"Because the glory of King Arthur is the will of Camelot!" Kay declared.
"Okay, Kay, your rhetoric is very... childish," Arthur chuckled and glanced at the silent figure in the room. "My work here is done for now. And you," he said, turning to Artoria, "came here to study without permission. I'll set your sermon aside for now. Why don't you share your thoughts on this matter, so your brothers can hear them?"
Artoria, who had been silent, finally spoke up after a moment of reflection.
"I don't think declaring war rashly is wise. Truth is more reliable than rumors. Strength matters more than false reputation. No matter how ridiculous the kings' words are, they cannot change the fact that Arthur is wise."
"Artoria, how can you..." Kay frowned.
To him, this was no mere matter of Arthur's reputation; it was Camelot itself being disrespected.
"I'm not finished, brother," Artoria continued. "Though their words won't change facts, a good reputation can turn into tangible power. So I think that, even though we are angry, we should strike first with full force. When tempers cool, they will naturally come to the negotiating table."
"Oh! Yes, that momentum!" Kay exclaimed eagerly.
"You two always see things in extremes," Arthur sighed, disappointed. "Look at the details instead."
"Consider the outcome from your perspective," he continued. "Winter is coming soon. In less than a month, the temperature will drop sharply. Food will become the greatest constraint, and all sides will face this limitation."
"In a war like this, what truly matters is national strength and resources. According to harvest data from recent years, Camelot has the most fertile land and the best grain yields in Britain. In a winter war, even as aggressors, we have an advantage—and can win quickly."
"But ask yourself—what good is winning? You gain only a bit of reputation, but lose the food needed to feed the people through the harsh winter. Lives will suffer; some may even perish in the cold."
"And after defeating the kings, what then? With the kings defeated or their towns destroyed, what will remain? Should we care for those lands and people? If not, the Saxons will occupy them once the snow melts."
"Without a doubt, those defeated will become refugees. We will have to shelter many times Camelot's population. We will suffer losses, with no gain. It makes no sense."
"War demands vast sacrifices in military strength and public welfare. Once started, all enemies must be eliminated. In the end, the victors may profit, but the people always suffer."
"If that happens, even Camelot—the paradise of the British Isles—will collapse. Complaints and slanders against me will rise, not fall. Human hearts are fickle."
"The king is the king, and the people are the people. Don't confuse the two. From any viewpoint, the people don't care how much the ruler suffers or labors; they only care if they have food and clothing."
"In any era, a king's duty is to lead the country to prosperity—not to fight for mere reputation."
"Struggle comes first; war, second."
"What use is fighting each other? Isn't farming more rewarding?"
"Besides, when Camelot began its reforms four months ago, didn't I foresee this?"
Arthur's words poured out in a breath—each truth undeniable.
Kay and Artoria exchanged looks, eyes wide with dawning understanding.
Finally, they grasped the core of the matter.
"But, King Arthur, are we just going to let this happen..." Kay hesitated.
Should they endure the kings' slander and hostility, or as Arthur said, refuse to fight?
Reflecting, Kay suddenly felt his doubts were foolish.
King Arthur had surely thought through it all.
Trust your king. Entrust your life to him. Victory will come.
That is all a knight must do.
Artoria stayed silent, her mind echoing a phrase Arthur once told her:
War has always been a means, not an end.