Chapter 31 First strategic meeting of round table

"Yorokobe shounen."

Kotomine Kirei (Fate franchise)

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(Einar's POV)

The first four members had been selected for the knights of the round table. They were Arthur, Merlin, Sir Kay and me. I was so happy that I was finally the part of the legendary table where more future knights will join.

"Where are we going to initiate our plan? Sir Einar, please explain." Artoria, now, Arthur asked in a masculine voice. It was another function of her mystic code.

I was given the position of explaining the records and schedules since after Artoria I was given the education of a noble. Brother- Sir Kay was also an educated person but he was not used to running his brain cells and as for Merlin, this bastard was the one who made me submit this position but both of our roles were similar to advisor since we both have the necessary knowledge.

My position was not less than anyone on the table. In fact, I could be considered a key member even more than King since I had knowledge of the future. I made my name by improving the management and way of living. I didn't want to disturb the timeline by inventing futuristic machines since I didn't want to steal someone's hardwork.

Merlin could be said to be the wisest man whereas I could be considered a knowledgeable man.

"Very well King Arthur." I nodded and opened the report.

I was addressing her as King Arthur and not 'Your Majesty' since she still didn't conquer Camelot.

"Three nations have denied your kingship of Britain. They are Britons independent from Saxons but they would not likely submit to you, my king."

As we all expected, many small countries didn't want to submit to Uther's heir. They were the nobles who would immediately betray their countries if they are given a better profit. That was the harsh reality and main flaw of the nobility of this era. Christianity was not common here and most of the people lack proper morals and faith.

People here would immediately lie, kill, or betray if they could gain better gain. I have witnessed this mess on my journey. I also argued with Artoria who wanted to forgive her enemies who betrayed their lords and join Arthur's forces after witnessing how strong Arthur was.

I will never allow any of the scums to join the army even if they helped us to achieve a goal. 'Once a betrayal always a betrayal', I believed in this logic.

Artoria was also right as by forgiving others she could earn the trust of more people whereas if she was executing people who helped her, she could lose the trust of people.

There were two options with equal benefits and flaws.

I wanted the army to be clean from scums who would stab your back if they see opportunity while Artoria wanted to earn the trust of the people as soon as possible and gather forces against Vortigern.

In the end, we have to agree with Artoria's method to gather forces. One reason was that she was still a king with the only title while she lacks resources. We didn't discard my method as Artoria punished the sinners who were in the army because some city lord wants a big force against Artoria.

I didn't know why she was so eager to unite this island as soon as possible but I could only raise my advice and can't force it to her since she was a king.

"Then my knights please share your opinions." She asked for our opinions.

Merlin suggested looking for states with most forces while Sir Kay wanted to first unite the northern part of the island before standing up against Vortigern.

I just sighed and opened the map that I designed using my knowledge of previous life and some information I gathered from this era. I pointed at a kingdom and spoke, "I say we must first conquer the estate of Pennines ruled by King Arthuis."

(AN: Yeah pun intended.)

"Hmm, and your reason is?" Artoria nodded and asked.

"Simple, it is the nearest state from our current settlement and has abundant resources. King is young and an idiot while his force is relatively large. If we conquer it then not only we will get a good foothold against Vortigern but also cut his connection to northern Britain." I said and got a satisfactory response from them.

I never traveled whole Britain myself since I was a patient of cancer but I know the general geography of my country. The Kingdom of Pennines was situated somewhere in Lincolnshire. There was also a river that separates this state from crossing directly into the land and that river is called Glein.

(AN: There is another river with the same name in Northumberland but Lincolnshire is near Wales. Correct me if I am wrong since I don't live in the UK.)

"I suggest we should go with Einar's Advice." Merlin was the first one who voted in my favor.

"I don't have a problem. It is the precise plan so I am in." Sir Kay also spoke.

"Hmmm, thanks, Sir Einar. We will proceed with this plan." Artoria said with a gentle smile.

I nodded with the same kind smile but a little faint. Artoria had changed. She smiled only for people now.

After discussing some more countermeasures we disclosed the meeting. Artoria stopped me to talk some more in private.

She came and looked at my face but not at my eyes. I could only read her expression from her antenna called Ahoge on her head which was down meaning that she was a little sad.

"Sir- My best friend Einar, I am sorry if I hurt you by not going your way." She apologized not in the capacity of King but as a friend.

When she apologized, I felt a little hurt instead of any joy or warmth. She was feeling guilty for not going my way and thinking that I would be angry. Why would my advice even matter if you have to apologize in the end? It would have been better if she explained to me her reasons. It damaged my pride as a knight.

It was the first time I feared that she would do something more reckless in the future.

"King Arthur I would suggest you to stay firm from your decisions. If you think something is right then do so without any regret. If you feel guilty then it would create doubts which will lead to your ultimate failure." I said with a firm tone in the capacity of a knight.

She smiled and nodded, "You are right. Thank you for reminding my mistake, Sir Einar." This time her expression was not down and looking composed.

"Hehe, that's my beautiful king~. What do you wanna eat for the dinner? Menu of your choice." I said with a giggle and patted her head.

She blushed a little and coughed, "Then I will like to taste Biryani, something spicy." Even if she was a little idiot, she was still a glutton.

(AN: Biryani is Indian subcontinent mixed rice dish.)

"Pff! Okay, you got it!" I smiled to lighten the mood.

I suddenly felt immense killing intent towards me just for a second before it disappeared completely.

'What was that?'

I thought and looked around but found no one. I can't sense magic or I was unable to since I didn't you if someone was keeping an eye on me.

"What's the matter, Einar?" Artoria asked with looking around following my stares.

"Ah, nothing. I must be hallucinating with you on my bed completely naked asking me, 'Einar-sama, please eat me~'" I said with a silly smile.

A bomb of smoke exploded on her head before she coughed and walked out of the room with a command, "Follow me, your king wishes to have a spar with you."

"Hai, hai~" I nodded and followed.

It was the day of the strategy of 1 of the twelve battles of King Arthur.

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