Clink, clank.
"What are you doing?"
"Fergus, is it? It's about the bones of Curruid you gave me. I actually knew its habitat and was planning to hunt it to make a spear from its bones... but you got to it first. So I had given up on the idea, but then you gave them to me. I'm going to make a spear with these. Do you need one as well?"
"A weapon made from the bones of Curruid... it would be nice to have one. However, if it's just a simple spear... I'm not so sure."
Considering the fate of Cú Chulainn, the user of Gáe Bolg, it makes me a little uneasy. We are related by blood, after all. Scáthach might not be, but I feel like I might walk a similar path.
"Hmm... then, how about a weapon that can change its form into various other weapons?"
"Is that possible?"
"It is. I have met the smith god, Goibniu, so making weapons is no trouble for me. And if I combine it with runes, it is possible."
There's a limit to how absurd one can be. In Greek terms, this is like saying you're friends with Hephaestus. And you even learned from him? You're a true cheat character of the Celtic world. I really don't think I can ever defeat her again. Would a mutual kill even be possible?
"Then, I'll take you up on that offer."
"Leave it to me. I will craft a masterpiece for you."
Is a weapon like Gáe Bolg about to be born... just imagining it is terrifying.
"...Your clothes, is that all you have?"
"Yes, why?"
"I see... I shall make you clothes as well. I can make them quickly with runes, so do not feel burdened."
"Really? Thank you! Then, could I possibly ask for a set for Medb as well—"
"...Yes, I understand."
Her demeanor suddenly became incredibly cold... No, is she jealous of a child? Really? Why is she so petty?
I wander around the fortress, memorizing its layout. Scáthach lives here alone, but thanks to magic, it's very well-maintained. It's even as magnificent as the castles in Ulster. Has Scáthach lived alone in a castle like this for a long time? Does she not get lonely?
Even for someone of her otherworldly stature, I would think she would get lonely. Even Merlin has a degree of clairvoyance of the present time. With her wisdom that has reached the Root, she too is capable of clairvoyance, on the same level as Gilgamesh. It is said that she has seen the entire future of the Ulster Cycle...
The Wisdom of the Land of Shadows, which is only passed down to those she acknowledges... I wonder if I can learn it?
Flap, flap~!
"Ah, has it arrived already?"
As I was walking down the corridor and looking around, a messenger bird flew to the window. As I held out my finger, the bird landed on it. I untied the letter from its leg and unfolded it.
"...That Setanta, it seems he's doing well for now."
So far, neither Conchobar nor Setanta have caused any trouble. He became Culann's hound, but that was bound to happen anyway, so I don't mind. The problem is that he acquired a geas against eating dog meat. I wonder if he would get cursed for eating a hot dog? Because of the name.
Conchobar, well, it's actually his mother who's the problem. Nessa, the daughter of the current king, is greedy for power. I am the heir because she lacks the qualities of a successor, but that's why she wants to put her son, Conchobar, on the throne. I don't know what she'll do after that, but since there's no mention of her in Fate, she probably just lived well under Conchobar's rule.
I learned the Celtic myths through Fate, so I don't know the details of what's to come... Conchobar is originally a listless fellow. Since he has clairvoyance, he knows that the world will be destroyed and the Age of Gods will end, so he thinks that whether he does a good job or not, it will all be ruined in the end, so he might as well live recklessly. That's why Cú Chulainn called him the worst of kings.
He'll be seven years old next year... Setanta doesn't have much time left either. I wonder what will happen... The king is said to be in good health, but I don't know for sure. I don't know how long that will last. At the very least, he wouldn't lie to me, the heir, and give the throne to someone else. If he does, then they'd all better be prepared to face Caladbolg.
That Conchobar absolutely cannot become king. A prime minister, maybe, but never a king.
"Alright, I will return in about a year... there. Go on."
I write only the main points in my reply and send it off. Let's hope for the best.
"Fergus, what are you doing here?"
"Ah, Medb. I was looking around the castle. A messenger bird came, so I replied as well."
"Hmph... do you like this castle?"
"Yes, I do. It's in the Ulster style, so it feels like I've come home."
"I don't. It's so gloomy. And the art around here is terrible."
"Hmm... it is a bit peculiar."
Scáthach's aesthetic sense is bizarre. She's at a level where she would admire a Demon God Pillar and call it the beauty of another world... she's not on the level of Gilles de Rais, but her taste is not good.
"Do we have to stay here for a whole year?"
"Yes, I came here to learn. Aren't you looking forward to a year from now? I'm sure you'll become at least twice as strong!"
"Not really... can't we just do what we've been doing with you?"
"That would just be treading water. Having a good teacher is how talent blossoms."
Dragon Ball is a prime example. Look at Gohan. In the world where Goku died, he's a weakling, but after learning from Goku, he became the first to achieve Super Saiyan 2. No matter how much of a cheat-level talent you have, it won't blossom without a proper teacher.
"But Scáthach still lost to you, didn't she?"
"That was a fluke of heaven... if we fought a hundred times, I would lose all hundred times. To be honest, I don't think I have any chance of winning now."
"But if Scáthach is your slave, that means you're stronger, right?"
"No... well, is that so? No, don't try to persuade me! I don't know what you're so displeased about, but we're going to be staying here for about a year. So give it up."
"Tch... then, does that mean~?"
"No, that's not it. In the first place, why are you always trying to establish a hierarchy? That's a bad habit, Your Highness."
"Ah, why! I hate Scáthach! Make her lower than me! All you have to do is say the word!"
"Sigh... there's that innate villainess streak again. Come, let's go to the room of truth."
"I hate lectures! You're going to go on for three hours this time, aren't you!"
"Yes."
"ㅇOㅇ"
"Why that expression? I'm serious, you know."
"Fergus is a demon!"
"Yes, yes, I am a demon. So let's go have a deep conversation."
I drag Medb into an empty room and begin her education. A very wholesome, adult story time. This is the kind of talk that adults usually have to pay to hear.
"Haaah... I'm sleepy. I think it's because of the fight today, so I'll skip dinner. You can ask Scáthach for some, or you can have the smoked meat..."
"Wow... you torture someone and then you're just going to go to sleep?"
"Torture? It was a fine adult's good words."
"Nonsense."
She's being too much. I don't know if this rehabilitation is working or not. For now, I'll leave it to Scáthach and get some sleep today. Maybe it's because I fought Scáthach, but I'm more tired than I've ever been.
I go into the room Scáthach gave me to use and immediately collapse onto the bed and fall asleep. The bed is soft and nice. My first bed in months, this is the best—
Fergus was sleeping soundly in his room. In the dark room with the lights off, she entered.
"Is he really sleeping alone... To do this, leaving me behind. Even the gods were desperate to have me, what a remarkable man."
Scáthach smiled as she watched the sleeping Fergus. A heartwarming scene was unfolding...
"...He really does look delicious."
Scáthach licked her lips as she looked at Fergus. She slowly approached the bed...
"What are you doing?"
"...Medb, is it? I believe I told you I would give you food."
"Don't you dare try to get ahead. Until I'm grown up, it's absolutely forbidden."
"Hah? If you're so jealous, then pounce on him. I was just trying to get a closer look. He said he wanted our relationship to become closer before we did anything, so I must follow his wishes. But... are you unable to even pounce, Medb?"
"What am I supposed to do when he only sees me as a child? Knowledge of sex and all that aside, Fergus has no intention of bedding me."
"Well, he certainly doesn't seem to be of that inclination..."
Scáthach let out a sneer. Medb stuck her tongue out at her in response.
"Just get out, let him sleep. I'm going to sleep next to him later, though."
"...Maybe I should just pounce after all."
"Are you crazy!?"
"...I admit it. But no! Get out now!"
"Tch... what a shame."
And so, they left the sleeping Fergus's room.