Several months passed, and a period of stability came to Erin.
The chaotic Connacht was quickly brought under control by the efforts of the new king, Alill. And with the public announcement that Medb was the queen of Ulster, a friendly relationship was established between the two kingdoms. Mumu and Laighin did not engage in any further wars.
Of course, competition and checks and balances always existed out of sight... but due to my presence, they could not act openly. The former king of Connacht, the High King, had shown them what would happen if they were to displease Ulaid.
Currently, I was the official master of Erin.
I, too, spent my time performing my duties as king, occasionally sparring with Setanta or teaching Medb. The army had also grown stronger compared to before.
However, one day, an incident occurred suddenly.
"Pfft…! Wh-what did you say…?"
[Why are you so surprised? I did it. I'm pregnant.]
Scáthach spoke to me telepathically through the Wisdom of the Land of Shadows. An image of her appeared before me, like a video call, and her belly was swollen.
"Why did you tell me only now!? You should have told me in the early stages, at least. You're at full term!"
[I knew you were busy, so I did not say anything. I knew you would worry unnecessarily about me and the child.]
"I'm going to the Land of Shadows at once! I honestly didn't think you would get pregnant from what we did that day! I thought that even if we were to have a child, you would get pregnant on my next visit! What is this? I'm the worst husband and father, not even knowing about the pregnancy! I will entrust my duties to Medb as my deputy. I will leave today!"
[There are still a few days left until the birth. I will let you know on the day of the birth, so come by rune. Have you not engraved the Rune of Transference? The rune that only you, who wields the same Primordial Runes as I and possesses the Wisdom of the Land of Shadows, can use to come here.]
"Using that feels like my head will split open, but… for something like this, I will use it at once. Hah… I understand for now. You will be sure to tell me, won't you? If I'm not there for the birth, I'll be scum."
[Is that so. I have never given birth before. A woman of Ulster is one who can give birth even on a battlefield.]
"Are the times then and now the same!? Sigh… am I, to become a father? I grew up having lost my own father early on, but is that so… am I to become a father?"
[You seem happy, so I am happy as well. Think of a name for the child. It is only right that you name it.]
"A name… yes, I will think of a good name."
Ending the telepathic call, I leaned back on my throne. A father… hehe.
"Uncle."
"Ah, Setanta. What is it?"
"Well… you know that bard named Fedlimid? He's having a feast because his wife gave birth."
"Oh, Fedlimid, is he? Then I must go at once."
"What about the throne?"
"Inspecting the people is also a king's duty."
Fedlimid was the bard who had ridden in the same carriage with me on my return to Ulster from the Land of Shadows. He had told me then that his wife was pregnant, and it seems she has given birth safely. I took Setanta and Medb and headed to Fedlimid's house. A feast was being held for the newborn child.
"It seems you have done well."
"Oh, Your Majesty! You truly came!"
"Of course, I made a promise. Scáthach is also with child, and I was worried, but seeing that you have given birth safely, I feel a sense of relief."
"That legendary witch… as expected of Your Majesty. Come, come in. I will show you the child!"
As we went inside, many people were congratulating the couple. Is that the child?
"Oh my, Your Majesty?"
"This is my wife. And this is my daughter, Your Majesty! Please, hold her once!"
"Of course. She looks like a healthy child. What is her name?"
"It is Deirdre!"
"I see. Deirdre, may you grow up healthy and strong. Your father is a great man, a court bard who even the former king was pleased with."
"Haha, thank you, Your Majesty."
I held the baby and smiled warmly. The baby saw my smiling face and giggled, raising her hands. How cute. Is my child going to be born like this as well?
"Your Majesty. That child must be killed at once!"
Just then, a voice suddenly shouted that the child must be killed, and a chill fell over the feast. The one who had entered through the door was the court druid and priest, Cathbad.
"Wh-what are you saying!? To kill my newborn daughter!"
"Fedlimid. Because it is your baby, I cast her horoscope and performed an astrological reading. And a very ominous prophecy has come forth. Your Majesty, that child will grow to be the most beautiful woman in the world, but her beauty will bring death to many heroes, and danger and sorrow to Ulster! She must be killed at once!"
"Is that what the horoscope says?"
"Yes!"
It doesn't seem like he's lying. A horoscope is an astrological chart that represents the sun, moon, and earth at a specific time, such as the moment of a baby's birth. For him to be so certain, is it really true? I wonder... I feel like I know, even without using my clairvoyance.
"But to kill a baby! The prophecy could be wrong, could it not!?"
"How dare a mere bard say such a thing! Do you think you are someone special just because you are the court bard! Your Majesty! According to tradition, you must kill the baby!"
"...Why don't you go home and rest? It seems you've grown senile and are about to lose your wits."
""Pfft!""
"..."
I smiled at the baby and spoke.
"For the sake of preventing a prophecy, a prophecy that is not even certain to be fated, you would kill a baby out of fear? In Ulster, there is a long-standing tradition, belief, and pride that one must protect children and women, even if one is not a warrior. And yet, the court druid of Ulster himself would cast aside that pride and try to kill a baby out of fear of a future misfortune? You should be ashamed. Ulster! It is the name of a warrior tribe that never kneels before any danger or great power, but fights to the very end! And yet, you would kill a child because you are afraid of a single prophecy?"
"Th-that is....."
"Your Majesty..."
"Fedlimid. However, now that such a prophecy has been made, it will be difficult to continue raising the child here. Raise her safely in a secluded mountain. I will send some court handmaidens and a few trustworthy warriors. I cannot separate a family, after all."
"Ah, thank you! Thank you very much, Your Majesty!"
"Not at all, are we not friends? Still, there may be those who, fearing the man's prophecy, will try to kill the child... then let us give them a reason. I will make her my wife in the future, so do not touch her. How about that?"
"Y-Your Majesty's wife...?"
"Of course, it is only a pretext. If the child grows up and finds someone she loves, let her love freely. This is merely a pretext to protect you. If she grows up and dislikes me, she will live the life she desires. I do not mind. I already have two wives, so any more would be an excess."
"Is that so..."
The atmosphere is strangely disappointed. Do you really want to make your daughter a queen?
"For today, let us eat, drink, and enjoy ourselves. I, too, will stay here. Everyone, let us have a festival for Ulster!"
""Ooooh!!!"
We kicked out Cathbad and his cronies and continued the feast. The ale tastes good.
"Uncle... that was cool."
"Not at all. It was the right thing to do. To kill a child out of fear of a prophecy. That is something that should not be done, not just in Ulster, but as a human being."
"That's just like you, Fergus. A prophecy of ruin or whatever, who cares about that?"
"There are things to care about... but destiny is something you carve out for yourself."
Just as there is a future where Shirou defeats Gilgamesh, the future is something you forge for yourself. A predetermined fate? It is a hero who shatters such things. And even if I cannot change a predetermined fate... I will never regret not killing her now.
A few days passed... and I arrived in the Land of Shadows.
"Hah... hah... childbirth is exhausting for me too."
"You did well... she's a healthy baby girl."
That day, my child was born.
"Now, I am a father too..."
"Have you decided on a name?"
"Yes, I have... Uathach. That is your name, my daughter."