In Hilary Mantel's "Bring Up the Bodies," Rafe probes whether the king's liberation can be achieved with fewer resources and less violence. This highlights the complex dilemmas faced during conflict resolution, where the costs of war can weigh heavily on the conscience and the outcomes remain uncertain.

The response emphasizes that when negotiations fail and an enemy is marked for destruction, the act must be calculated and total. Every possible advantage needs to be secured beforehand—names, alliances, and resources in place—indicating a ruthless approach to power dynamics, where swift action becomes paramount in ensuring a decisive victory.