The coronation proceeded without any issues. Today, I became the king of the Ulster nation, Ulaid.
Fergus mac Róich.
This was the moment I became king.
"...There's a mountain of work to do. This is a problem."
The problem was the pile of work that had accumulated. While I was in the Land of Shadows, two nations had disappeared. Besides Ulster's Ulaid and Connacht, the three other kingdoms had been integrated through war, and it was said that Munster and Leinster had been unified for some time. The current nation occupying the southeast was Mumu.
Connacht in the northwest, being the nation of the High King of Erin, Eochaid Feidlech, had also taken over the southwest. The southwest and the northwest-southwest. And the nation with the smallest territory, only in the northeast, was our Ulaid.
Although the former king existed, he was not a man who enjoyed war. And due to his age, he had simply held on, trusting in me, his heir, and focused on revitalizing his own country's economy. As a result, Ulster had now become the weakest nation.
And the biggest factor was Medb's disappearance. Enraged by the disappearance of his beloved daughter, Feidlech had crushed the southwest and taken it for himself.
Ulster had always been fundamentally strong, and with the presence of Cú Chulainn, the Prince of Light, the gods were wary of entering, which was another reason they were left alone. Besides, attacking a nation with an aging king and a now-absent heir would have been beneath their dignity.
The Ard Rí... the position called the High King of Erin, was, to put it simply, the emperor of China. So... the Spring and Autumn period, no, the Qin and Han dynasties would be more accurate.
The Romance of the Three Kingdoms is similar; the emperor exists, but there are also kings of other nations. Or it's like the relationship between the feudal lords and the emperor in Japan. The king of Ireland as a whole exists, but there are also kings of smaller nations.
The problem is that that damn country is Connacht.
As Cú Chulainn's greatest enemy, it was a powerful nation. I don't know if they've given up on finding Medb now, but they're quiet for the time being... this is troublesome. I want to avoid war as much as possible.
What I know is that... in the war, the warriors of Ulaid were bedridden and unable to fight, and only Cú Chulainn was unharmed, so he fought the war alone. I don't know what the cause was, but it's not happening now. But because I don't know the cause, I have to prevent it in advance, and I don't know when it will happen, which is a problem.
I could find out if I used the Wisdom of the Land of Shadows, but with so much work in front of me, I can't bring myself to do it. Just looking for a moment feels like my head will split open. I don't know about the others, but clairvoyance is really not something I can use. I wonder if this is why Gilgamesh didn't use his future vision and got beaten by Shirou. I think I can understand why he has such a bad temper. I wonder if the Wise King became the Wise King because he got fed up with this...
Scratch, scratch...
I process the documents and check on other tasks.
"The recent political situation in Connacht is strange... they're sending an envoy from Connacht tomorrow, but will it be alright?"
Even if I hide Medb, I think I know why they're coming. I think they're coming to tell me, the new king, to bow down...
"What are you so worried about? Because of my father?"
"Medb..."
Medb pressed herself against the back of my chair, her head peeking out as she looked at the documents. When we were alone, we used her real name.
"An envoy is coming from Connacht tomorrow."
"My father sent them."
"...Do you want to go back?"
"No."
"I thought so... Connacht will probably want Ulster to submit. Mumu is practically a vassal state of Connacht. They submitted to Connacht's overwhelming military might. Honestly, Ulaid's current military strength is inferior to Connacht's."
"Military strength, that is... what's your point? I don't like it when you beat around the bush."
I stacked the documents, tilted my head back to meet her eyes, and said.
"Of course, I will win. With one swing of Caladbolg, I can even erase Erin. I would suffer damage as well, but even without that, blowing away a mountain is no big deal. No matter how strong Connacht's soldiers are, they are ultimately weaker than me. But, if that's the case..."
"I have to kill your father?"
"...Honestly, to turn the tide of the war, for the stability of Ulster, I must become the High King of Erin. Just as your father killed the previous Ard Rí, Fachtna Fáthach. That was something that the former king of Ulaid also supported. But now, no one will support me. The faction led by Cathbad, the former king's right-hand man, will oppose it. The former king's daughter, Nessa, will as well. I have no support base or anything at the moment. But..."
"You have military power."
"Yes. Overwhelming military power. It's primitive, but it's the most fundamental method. At first, I will crush them with force, and if I show them a gentle and outstanding rule, I will gain the support of the people and other factions. They dislike me because they want to make Conchobar king and create their own reign. What good is seeing the future? To stop me, they would have to bring a god or Scáthach. But in exchange..."
"You need my consent, right? I don't mind."
"Are you serious? He's your father."
At that, Medb let out a snort and a sneer, as if she found the idea ridiculous.
"You know what? Scáthach can see everything that happens in the Land of Shadows. I asked her, just in case... and no one from Connacht has ever entered the Land of Shadows. At least, not while we were there. They didn't even come to the Land of Shadows to look for me. Were they so sure? No, what could they have been sure of? They were just scared. Because it's the Land of Shadows. The people of Connacht, with the blood of warriors flowing in their veins, my father... he didn't have the courage to come to the Land of Shadows to look for his daughter... his princess. Enraged at losing me? That's just a good excuse. It's just to strengthen his own power. I like strong men. Men like you, who are brave and even risk their lives. So..."
"...I see."
So, her fundamental nature is her fundamental nature. I knew it would be impossible to change her 180 degrees. But... if I can hold the reins like this, it should be fine. Well, I have no intention of using Medb's feelings. I will grant her wishes as long as they are reasonable, and I will only stop her from doing bad things.
"Then it's settled. When the envoy arrives tomorrow, I will listen to what they have to say and then decide. Today's work is mostly finished... since we have some time left, shall we make some casual clothes?"
"Ehh? Weren't you going to show me around Ulaid?"
"If the king goes out, he'll stand out. Everyone knows my face, and it's a bit much to use a disguise spell just for that... let's do it later when we have more time."
"Tch. Is that a promise?"
"Yes, it's a promise."
Shall I rest a bit for today?
Knock, knock.
"What is it?"
"Your Majesty, Cú Chulainn wishes to have an audience with you."
"If it's Setanta, just let him in. He is my foster son, so it's fine."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The guard opened the door, and Setanta entered.
"Uncle!"
"What is it, Setanta?"
"An envoy is coming from Connacht tomorrow! Does that mean we're going to war?"
"Hmm... you're quick on the uptake. They will probably demand our submission. I intend to refuse."
"Right!? Ulster can't bow its head! Then, am I going to war too!?"
"No, I will go alone."
"Eh? But it's a war."
"Setanta. A war can be fought by one person. If Scáthach wanted to, she could kill all the warriors of Erin, including myself. Well, I can do it too, except for Scáthach."
"Ehh... you're exaggerating."
Of course, Setanta didn't believe me. It's understandable. If I didn't know my own strength, I wouldn't believe it either. The other retainers of Ulster would be the same.
"Hehe, that's a natural reaction. You'll see tomorrow, Setanta."
"So we're not fighting? Tch... Uncle! Then teach me how to train! Mab doesn't want to teach me! Just tell me how, then it won't be against tradition, right?!"
"This is the kind of thing that's meaningless to just say... if Medb refuses, there's nothing I can do. If I were to summon her later... would she get angry if I summoned her for this? You'll find out when you go to the Land of Shadows later. To be honest, there's no suitable teacher for Setanta."
"Tch... I get it. Then I'll become stronger my own way!"
"Woof!"
"Alright, let's go!"
He's like a typical energetic seven-year-old boy. Setanta leaves the office with his puppy. It's good to see my nephew so full-of-life.
"Then, shall we go to our room and make some clothes? Medb, do you want to join?"
"Sorry, I'm tired right now."
As we left the office and entered our room, Medb immediately flopped onto the bed.
"Is that so? Then get some rest. I'll show you when I'm done."
"...King, aren't you tired?"
"This is what I want to do. Besides, there's no one else to entrust it to."
Conchobar is a failure, and Setanta? He doesn't have the qualities of a king. The other guys are even worse. It's only me. And I want to change the future myself. That's what I've been working for.
"You're working hard... keep it up."
"Hehe, thank you."
Her encouragement gives me strength.
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