I disagree with the OP.
To me, there are many protagonists here. In fact, Hawkwood might be a fourth protagonist, and I'm not sure how you think Steven is a nicer person than Hawkwood. Hawkwood is the epitome of the hero throughout.
These people were very real to me, and not entirely creepy.
Steven seemed noble at first, but we see later that he's only challenging his father, because he has no compunction in threatening a mute nun. He isn't "evil", and isn't "wicked" or "sadistic", and would be a reasonable ruler, but he isn't heroic, either.
Martin, to me, is more of a hero than Steven, until he tries to kill the woman. He is fair to his friends. He is shocked when the cardinal kills one of his friends, but wants to keep the solidarity of the group, and lead these friends. He doesn't mean to have them hurt. He has a chance to kill one who challenges him, but doesn't. He is one of the deepest characters you'll find on film.
The girl needs no explanation. She does what she has to. We see when she tosses the fruit at Steven, with the heart inside, where her true loyalties lie. And Steven knows this. It is a climactic point easy to miss.
Hawkwood is the most heroic. He obeys his orders and earns his pay, and relents in the betrayal of Martin. He mistakenly puts a sword into a nun, and tries to redeem himself, nursing her back to health. He has some faults in snap decisions he has to make, but he is clearly the hero in this film.
The two homosexuals are perhaps the most likable characters. They come across as real soldiers, and show the most sense in Martin's group.
But all of the characters were thoroughly believable, and even the ugly guy who means to rape Agnes isn't completely evil. He would probably be a good friend to his pals. The cardinal is the closest to being evil, but he really cares about these people who were betrayed, and it's a mistake to read lust in his moments when he is compassionate to the women. He truly feels a softness. When he gives Agnes to the mercenaries, he thinks she is just another of their followers, and thinks no one is hurt. None of them are overly good, and none are overly evil. This film may be the best ever at giving so many three dimensional characters.
Hey I got a question. How are you planning to get back down that hill?
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