Everyone Gets What They Wanted

"Mercy, my lord! Mercy!" The shriek of the man echoed through the air as his hands and feet were nailed to the cross. He was naked with nothing more than his undergarment. He was not the only one; many more were bound by crosses and crucified in a blunt display in front of the vast array of the camp.

The siege was lifted, the troops were summoned back to the camp, and many war criminals were displayed in a shameful manner among the crowd. Even the nobles who became scapegoats for Lord Bartholomeoi's crimes were crucified along with the war criminals, their mouths stuffed with cloth.

Many people who lost their homes in the field would be compensated for their losses, and they would be given the justice they deserved by punishing the troops that committed the crimes against them. As a magus, Bartholomeoi could easily hypnotize the crowd, whether they were telling the truth or lying. If they were lying, their fate was the same as his soldiers who committed the war crimes.

After seeing the result, no one dared to lie. Only people who had their fields destroyed came to report. They would be sent back to Camelot to send a message to Duke Redgrave that Sir Kay wanted to meet him face-to-face regarding the coalition of nobles.

To make sure that his achievement of saving Camelot was spread, Kay told the farmers and knights that he had successfully convinced the coalition of nobles for peace. So, they could brag about it in the tavern. It wasn't him who bragged, but them. After all, they contributed to saving Camelot too and would not miss the opportunity to brag. If he was the one who bragged, his White Knight reputation would be tarnished. So, the bragging should be left to them while he watched his own heroic deeds being bragged about.

Standing before Camelot's massive gate, Kay, alongside Princess Guinevere, Sir Edwin, Lord Bartholomeoi, and ten knights, awaited Duke Redgrave's arrival. The duke approached, accompanied by twenty riders.

"Sir Kay, let's talk in the city."

Not wasting more time than necessary, Duke Redgrave, with his twenty riders, went back inside the city gate, not before glaring at Lord Bartholomeoi. Followed by Sir Kay, Princess Guinevere, Sir Edwin, Lord Bartholomeoi, and ten knights, they entered the city.

When they arrived at the mansion, only Sir Kay, Princess Guinevere, Lord Bartholomeoi, and Duke Redgrave entered the house. They sat down in their respective seats in the guest room while the maids served tea to them.

"I have read the contents of your letter. It seems you spoke the truth regarding the rebels' ceasefire." Duke Redgrave chuckled as he mentioned 'rebel' in front of Lord Bartholomeoi's face.

"Ahem... It's not a rebel, Duke Redgrave. Lord Bartholomeoi had no intention to rebel against the crown. He did it for the crown. Now, he has controlled the troops fully in his hand and successfully listed all traitors that need to be executed. They are the true traitors of the crown." Sir Kay corrected.

"I can attest to his words, Duke Redgrave," Princess Guinevere added.

Duke Redgrave looked deeply at the young man, then said,

"Since that is the case, I will take your words as they are." No one was naïve. They knew Lord Bartholomeoi was rebelling against King Uther and blatantly attacking Camelot after his death. But since Lord Bartholomeoi wanted to compromise, Duke Redgrave was willing to listen to his terms and take Sir Kay's word as the truth. Everyone was already consciously doing so.

"Tell me your terms, Lord Bartholomeoi. What is the price for peace?" Duke Redgrave knew better that his troops were no match for Lord Bartholomeoi. There was nothing to be embarrassed about in compromising. Politics has always been a bloodless war and an art of compromise, after all.

For trusting the prophecy of Merlin?

Forgive him, he saw no one could pull the sword from the stone for a whole 15 years until now. Even when Camelot entered a crisis, the savior who would pull the sword from the stone didn't come either. He disdained trusting this children's tale. The king who is promised probably lies too, a lie to intimidate the Saxons and prevent them from invading. And he couldn't afford to wait for a lie that never comes when the threat of Vortigern is approaching. When the time comes, he would need Lord Bartholomeoi to resist them.

"I just need my men to enter armed in the Capital. In exchange, I would let other nobles use the blood pact to defend Camelot at all costs against any incoming invaders. We need greater autonomy and authority, Redgrave. Then I will fulfill my promise. Power in exchange for protection. Fair deal, isn't it?" Lord Bartholomeoi proposed.

Even though this request sounded overstepping, for nobles' troops could be stationed in the Capital without being limited in number, Duke Redgrave still nodded helplessly. Moreover, he saw Lord Bartholomeoi's sincerity when he punished all his undisciplined troops and compensated the civilians harmed by them, which was a bonus point for trusting him in the negotiation.

"Will do, on the premise that you will not hurt the interests of Camelot or intend to change the legitimacy of the crown and take the throne for yourself. This applies to all nobles too." Duke Redgrave said.

"Hahaha..." Lord Bartholomeoi laughed happily as he offered his hand to shake, "Happy cooperation, Redgrave."

"Happy cooperation, Lord Bartholomeoi." They shook hands on the deal.

"I never thought that the war could be solved like this, Sir Kay," Princess Guinevere whispered in a subtle tone.

"They never wanted the war in the first place, but power and control. As long as we can provide them with that condition, they will make peace. War is only a last resort for them." Kay shrugged.

After all, everyone has something to gain. Kay wants power and influence, Bartholomeoi wants control, and Duke Redgrave wants stability. Everyone gets what they wanted from the deal. It's nothing personal, really. The civilians have already been compensated, the nobles have been punished, the soldiers who harmed them have already been crucified. Everyone is happy. The conclusion would be reached as long as people get what they want.

"Sir Kay... Thank you for helping Camelot and convincing Lord Bartholomeoi to stand with us once again." Duke Redgrave expressed his gratitude.

"It's nothing personal, Duke Redgrave. I just want to help. After all, Camelot has always been my homeland." Kay nodded humbly.

"Take the compliment, lad. You deserve it." Lord Bartholomeoi chuckled while patting his back. "Anyway, I will take my leave first. I owe you a favor for this, kid."

With that, Lord Bartholomeoi bid his farewell and left, leaving Princess Guinevere and Sir Kay with Duke Redgrave alone in the guest room to their own devices.

...

Question: Should I have Artoria choose the Excalibur or the Holy Lance? The choice will affect the MC's choice of weapon in the future too. If you choose Artoria Lancer, then the MC will have the Excalibur in the future. If you choose Artoria Saber, then the MC will have the Holy Lance in the future. That's it.