An envoy arrived from Connacht. He came with about ten Connacht warriors and a letter from the King of Connacht, who was also the High King of Erin.
He was a man with a remarkably sycophantic-looking face.
"King of Ulaid, receive this letter from the Ard Rí!"
"...."
"...?"
As I remained silent, the envoy's eyebrows twitched, and he looked at me as if I were a strange person.
"King Fergus of Ulaid, receive this letter from the Ard Rí!"
"....."
"...Are you ignoring the letter from His Majesty, Eochaid Feidlech, the Ard Rí!"
"...You seem to be mistaken about something. Today's letter was sent as an equal, as the King of Connacht, not as the Ard Rí. Am I mistaken?"
Flinch…!
I had already seen the notice sent from Connacht. It was a letter sent as the King of Connacht. It wasn't about him acknowledging me as the High King or anything of the sort. In the first place, the High King's relationship with the other kings was not such that he could interfere with their succession. That envoy was simply operating under the premise that because his country was the High King's, I should be subservient.
"...Even so, it does not change the fact that His Majesty is the High King! Where are your manners! My words are the words of His Majesty!"
"Sigh... so what do you want me to do? Are you going to stand there all day without delivering the letter? Ulaid will not even offer you a room."
"Wh-what did you say...!?"
At my response, not only the envoy but also the warriors guarding him began to tremble with rage, pointing their weapons at me.
"You never acted this way towards the former king. You've become quite arrogant, having made Mumu your vassal state. Do you truly believe Connacht is the strongest? Is it not just a children's game played by cowardly warriors who cannot even enter the Land of Shadows?"
My words stunned not only the retainers of Ulaid but also the court druid Cathbad and Nessa, who were supposed to be welcoming the envoy.
"Y-you bastard...!"
THUD...!!!
""!!!!""
Tingle, tingle…!
I drew Curruid Bolg and, while still seated on the throne, struck the floor hard. The entire castle rumbled, and everyone cowered under the force of my killing intent and magical energy. The weaker retainers' faces turned pale, and they found it difficult to breathe. The envoy before me broke out in a cold sweat and collapsed to his knees. The legs of the warriors guarding him were also trembling, and their arms were shaking.
"Show some respect. Before you stands the king of this land, Ulaid. Fergus mac Róich. You have not a shred of courtesy... did you think I was weak because I spoke to you with respect? Or did you think I was weak? I have trained in the Land of Shadows, a place where you cowards of Connacht dare not even enter. To be so frightened by something as trivial as this, to collapse to your knees, and for warriors to be unable to even hold their weapons properly... who are you to speak so loudly? Kneel. Show your respect to the master of Ulster."
"".....""
At my words, the warriors knelt and lowered their heads, their gazes fixed on the floor. The envoy also knelt, trembling.
"I will not accept the letter."
"Eh... what? Th-then..."
"From this moment on, Ulaid declares war on Connacht."
""!?""
"There is no need for the warriors to step forward. I alone will fight. The current level of Ulaid is weaker than even those pathetic wretches. I am different from the former king. This world is a world of the strong eating the weak. The strong must protect the weak, and they must build their own strength to protect their families and their country. And yet, why is this country in such a state? It is truly deplorable! The pathetic squabbling for power is a disgrace! Is this not why Connacht looks down on your king, right before your very eyes!!!"
"".......""
"It is a royal command. Kill them. Those who do not obey will be severely punished."
""——Yes!""
The warriors of Ulaid who were on duty immediately rushed forward and killed the Connacht delegation. At the same time, I rose from my seat.
"Watch closely. A war can end as simply as this."
I walked up to the castle walls and transformed Curruid Bolg into a bow. Then, I transformed Caladbolg into a much thinner form and nocked it on the bowstring. Creeeak…! The bowstring was drawn back with a groan.
My clairvoyance flashed.
"——{Caladbolg}(Rainbow Sword)"
FWAAAAANG!!!!
I shot Caladbolg with all my might. And, flying at the speed of sound, Caladbolg struck its target precisely: the distant castle of Connacht, and specifically, Eochaid Feidlech, who was sitting on his throne.
KRAKOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!
And, a brilliant, spiraling rainbow of light shot up into the sky. As I stretched out my hand, Caladbolg returned to it, and I caught it.
""────""
"With this, Eochaid Feidlech, the King of Connacht and the Ard Rí, is dead. Now, is there anything you wish to say to me?"
""....""
"Do not bow your heads so carelessly. This is Ulster. Ulster is not some mongrel that bows down to anyone. Remember that. Ulster is the descendant of proud warriors. From today onwards, I am the High King of Erin."
No one could say a word in response to my declaration. I walked forward, stepping in the puddles of blood from the corpses of the Connacht delegation. As I walked, red footprints were left behind, marking my path to the throne. I ascended the steps to the throne and sat down.
"All of Connacht's royalty are dead... only the branch families remain, it seems."
"——Y-Your Majesty! Then, does that mean Connacht will become a territory of Ulster!?"
Cathbad, not missing the opportunity, spoke up. I looked at him with a cold gaze, and he flinched.
"No... it seems the direct line is not completely gone. A branch family, technically, but still possible... what do you think? Medb."
As my words ended, the illusion dispelled, and Medb revealed herself.
"M-Medb...? Your Majesty, that name is surely..."
"Yes. My real name is Medb. The youngest princess of the royal family of Connacht, Medb."
It hadn't been long since she had used the alias Mab, but there was nothing more dramatic than revealing her real name here. Now that there was no one left to try and reclaim her.
"Who are the surviving candidates?"
"Ugh... there is Ailill, the grandson of your older sister, Ele. He is still a bit young, but he would be the most suitable."
"My sister Ele was a bit old~ so she passed away first! Then Ailill will do. While you're at it, it would be nice if you could bring back some of my things from Connacht!"
"That's a good idea... it has been decided. I will not be accepting any of your opinions for now. You, who bowed your heads to Connacht like pet dogs, have no say in this matter. And there will be a purge. From now on, those who are useless will be stripped of all their positions."
"!? Y-Your Majesty! How could you say such a thing...!?"
THUD…!
"I am speaking. I am not ousting you, the court druid, so why are you so flustered? An incompetent person is simply not fit for their position. I will appoint only those who are capable, regardless of their origin. The king of Ulster is now me, and the High King of Erin is also me. If you wish to defy my decision... I will judge you to be no longer a subject of the Celts."
In the end, Cathbad closed his mouth and could not say a word. From now on, it is my time.
I closed my clairvoyance and finished speaking.
"So, I expect you all to follow me well. Understood?"
""Yes...!"
"And, I intend to take Medb as my queen. There are no objections, are there?"
""No!""
"Then, you are all dismissed."
And so, my first act as king brought a storm to Erin.
Everyone left, and the bodies were cleaned up. I leaned back on my throne and sighed.
"Hah... it's over. It really isn't easy."
"For someone who says that, you did a great job. Your foundation isn't just solid; it's harder than a diamond. No one will be able to defy you."
"I have a feeling they'll start serving me poisoned food from tomorrow..."
"Don't you have a resistance to poison?"
"That's true..."
I've always been killed by poison, so I've developed a strong resistance to it. From a young age, I slowly ingested weak poisons, then stronger ones, and finally, in the Land of Shadows, I succeeded in withstanding the venom of the Hydra that Scáthach gave me. To be precise, I developed a resistance. I really thought I was going to die. It might have been different in the past, but now there are antidotes... but no one has developed a resistance to that. I probably have a resistance to the venom of the Basmu, which is a superior version of the Hydra. Of course, I'll still be in pain if I get poisoned. I just won't die...
"But... you really made me your queen?"
"Is there anyone else? Scáthach can't come here."
"You always have to add one more thing, don't you?"
"Isn't that just like me?"
"Hehe, that's true."
Now, it begins. The story of changing the future has already begun.