But after casting a glance at Arthur, whose expression remained calm and utterly unshaken, she had no choice but to endure the situation.
If the king does not speak, then it is best that she, too, remains silent.
Arthur, for his part, discreetly observed the eyes of the people before him. His gaze moved from one to another, carefully analyzing their expressions, subtle reactions, and nearly imperceptible gestures. Through this, he was able to grasp, at least in broad terms, the situation they were in.
It seems they intended to make things difficult for me from the very beginning...
Morgan's plan was doomed to fail from the start... As he observed that carefully staged scene, Arthur began to understand the true meaning behind it all.
Although the Knights of the Round Table had intimidated these leaders with their military strength, respect had not been earned—only fleeting fear. And now, in this controlled environment, far from the battlefield, their contempt resurfaced without any attempt to conceal it.
However, Morgan le Fay had clearly not taken this factor into account. For that woman, perhaps it was enough that everyone submitted to power; as for what they might think or feel afterward, it simply did not matter.
I need to find another way to deal with this problem...
Arthur's gaze swept across the surroundings once more, this time with greater attention. Suddenly, his peripheral vision caught something in a specific direction.
His eyes gleamed faintly.
"King Arthur, are you preparing to go to war?" Duke Bell looked at the many Knights of the Round Table behind Arthur and asked in a playful tone, though there was a clear edge of provocation beneath his words. "Why bring so many companions when you came to meet us?"
Kay's face showed obvious irritation, his eyes flickering with restrained anger. Even so, he quickly suppressed it. He shifted his gaze toward Arthur, who walked ahead of him with the same unchanging calm, completely indifferent, as if he had heard nothing at all.
Does King Arthur not realize that these people despise him?
Artoria cast a glance at the boy beside her. Her older sister had told her that all she needed to do that day was cooperate with Arthur and help him build momentum, to solidify his image as king. However, from the moment they entered that courtyard, it was clear they were already at a disadvantage.
Those tribal leaders had clearly prepared for this meeting well in advance.
"King Arthur, why don't you speak?" Duke Bell asked again, smiling as he pressed Arthur once more. The young king had not uttered a single word since arriving, his gaze distant, as though he were more interested in the scenery than in the conversation itself.
Yet even without much thought, the conclusion was obvious: they believed Arthur had never faced a situation like this before and was now merely trying to figure out how to respond.
Did King Arthur truly think he could intimidate them with only a handful of Knights of the Round Table?
Such naïve ideas only proved how young he still was.
"King Arthur, what are you looking at?" Duke Bell feigned curiosity, though in truth he was merely increasing the pressure, attempting to force a reaction.
Everyone present knew what the new king wanted: to unite forces and drive out the Saxons.
Driving out the invaders was not the problem.
The real issue was expecting them—proud and independent tribal leaders—to obey the orders of a young king so easily, and even more so, to risk the eventual full integration of their own tribes under a centralized authority.
King Arthur is thinking too far ahead.
"I am admiring the scenery… and my mount." Arthur's gaze remained fixed in the same direction, not even turning to face the tribal leaders.
The tribal chiefs followed his gaze, curiosity piqued.
But they saw nothing more than a horse grazing peacefully in the distance.
"Is that the beloved horse of King Arthur?" Duke Bell asked with an amused smile.
Arthur gave a slight nod… and then shook his head in denial.
"You are mistaken, Duke Bell. This is a deer. I like this deer very much because it runs faster than any other, and it is very beautiful."
"A deer? Where is the deer?" Duke Bell was visibly stunned, even rubbing his eyes as if he truly doubted his own vision.
"It's right there. Can you not see it?" Arthur replied naturally, pointing toward the animal grazing not far away.
"That isn't a horse…?" Duke Bell asked, now more confused than before.
"It is a deer," Arthur repeated, with the same calm as before, as though stating something obvious.
"No, King Arthur, you must be seeing things…?" Duke Bell tried to hold back his laughter, but his lips trembled.
Has this new king gone mad the moment he ascended the throne?
Pointing at a horse and insisting it is a deer?
"I am not seeing things," Arthur said seriously. "It is a deer."
"But, Your Majesty, do you truly believe there is anything about it that resembles a deer? Not at all, is it?" Duke Bell shook his head, clearly amused by the situation.
The other tribal leaders also laughed—some more discreetly, others not at all.
Only the Knights of the Round Table remained silent.
And Arthur did not laugh either.
Without even turning around, he asked calmly:
"Kay, do you think that is a horse… or a deer?"
Kay paused briefly. His gaze shifted for an instant, as though he had understood something important. Then, a smile appeared on his face.
"King Arthur would not be mistaken about something like this. If you say it is a deer, then it is a deer."
"Gawain, what do you think?" Arthur asked next, maintaining the same calm tone.
"It is a deer," Gawain replied with a firm smile, without the slightest hesitation.
"Galahad, what do you think?"
"Yes, it is a deer. I trust King Arthur's judgment," Galahad answered.
"My Knights of the Round Table, do you think this is a horse or a deer?" Arthur suddenly turned, his gaze now falling upon all of them.
Before the tribal chiefs—who now watched the scene with increasingly rigid and uncertain expressions—the Knights of the Round Table declared in unison:
"If King Arthur says it is a deer, then it is a deer!"
The echo of their voices reverberated throughout the courtyard.
Arthur turned back toward the tribal leaders.
This time, there was no longer any distraction in his gaze.
Under Duke Bell's increasingly dark expression, Arthur stepped forward and spoke in a loud voice, firm and commanding—impossible to ignore:
"Now, I would like to ask you another question—"
"Now, do you think this is a horse… or a deer?"
(End of Chapter)