In conclusion, the Morrígan got her ass handed to her. Although Scáthach was summoned as a familiar, a concept of a Divided Spirit, her knack for killing gods was as sharp as ever.
Through our combined assault, the Morrígan, one of the chief goddesses, was defeated.
"How can this be..."
I didn't know this either, but the High King of Erin originally meant the king of the gods. Now, it's a position held by a human, but just by having the title, one is granted a divine-slaying bonus, enough to judge other gods. Did that King of Connacht not know that? No, how did no one know? And the Morrígan, knowing this, had boasted so loudly, thinking she was overwhelmingly stronger. The problem was that my strength had also entered the realm of the divine.
If it were a lower-ranking Divine Spirit, I could probably win on my own without any problems. The lifelong training and the grueling time under Scáthach had paid off.
"I thought you knew."
"No, how am I supposed to know if no one tells me..."
"Well, you are strong, but you don't enjoy fighting much. Ulster has produced a truly strange one. That must be why you are my partner."
"That's true... so, what now? She's a chief goddess, after all."
The goddess of war. In short, this was like us beating up Athena, who is in the position of Hera.
"Even the gods were afraid of me and did not touch me. What can they do now?"
"That's true..."
With the Wisdom of the Land of Shadows, they probably won't be able to touch me recklessly. In the first place, this was the Morrígan's own doing. No, how could she not know the territory of a nation's king? This is my private property. If I let this slide, the next time I come, the gods will probably be having a tea party here, so I put a stop to it beforehand. You have to be firm like this to not be taken for a fool.
Sizzle…
As Scáthach used a healing rune, the Morrígan's body began to recover.
"I was a poor opponent... to think that the power of a human High King would be this much... and to top it all off, you're the husband of the god-slayer we exiled? How absurd... did such a thing happen in the Land of Shadows, where the gods cannot observe? The gods have grown lax. To not know of such powerful beings. Ulster has produced beings far more incredible than I imagined. A god-slayer and the strongest human among all the High Kings. I chose my opponent poorly, very poorly... I apologize for my rudeness."
"As long as you understand. What will become of your curse?"
"...I cannot take back a curse once it has been cast. However, it is not such a bad curse, is it?"
"Hmm... well, it probably doesn't matter. It's not like anything bad will happen just because you see my death. Besides, as a god, you can see everything, can't you? That won't be a problem."
"You're quite carefree. Even with the Primordial Runes, you cannot break the curse of a chief god, but if you are fine with it."
"You two are quite a good match... I shall take my leave now."
The Morrígan, transformed into a black crow, flew off into the sky. Well, this should be enough punishment.
"But Fergus... why have you only summoned me now?"
"No, I've been visiting the Land of Shadows often."
"Do you dislike having me by your side?"
"That's not it..."
No, it's because you two fight all the time when you're with Medb... are you really upset about that? I understand, but it's because of your relationship with Medb!
"Ahem, it was because I was worried you would fight with Medb. You two don't get along."
"It's not that we don't get along; we're rivals."
"Can't you two just get along?"
"I don't mind, but she's the one who's always on guard."
"Sigh..."
"In any case, now that you've summoned me, I have no intention of going back."
"I understand, I won't stop you... then please be my aide."
"Very well. It has been a long time since I've been in Ulster, so I am pleased as well."
If Scáthach is with me, my work will surely become much easier.
"But you're not going to send Uathach?"
"Then I, the main body, would be lonely. It is your fault for showing me warmth."
"Hmph…"
I love Uathach too, but as a king, it's difficult for me to go to the Land of Shadows often. I go every night, but she's still young, so she goes to bed early, and I only see her when she's asleep. Because I'm busy... even if I want to bring Uathach here, Scáthach stubbornly refuses, so I can't...
"What are you two doing…?"
"Ah."
Just then, Medb appeared. Did she notice I had come here to rest?
"M-Medb, there's a reason for this."
"A reason? You had your way with Scáthach! Do me too!"
"That's not what I meant!!!"
"A threesome outdoors, is it? That's not a bad idea."
"Let's try to have some self-control, shall we!"
When it comes to lust, they're even more insatiable than I am! Why are the women who are my wives like this…
In any case, from now on, Scáthach would be with us. The retainers who had thought my claims of defeating Scáthach and her being my wife were just bluffs were dumbfounded at her actual appearance, and Cathbad's faction was utterly dejected. There was no way to usurp the royal authority, which was so solid that it was unbreakable.
Scáthach joined me as my aide, and in reality, she was more like a secretary. More than anything, Scáthach herself seemed to like the role.
I was surprised at how well it suited her.
As such, things went on peacefully for some time.
Medb became pregnant and gave birth to a son. The child was blond, and it was said that Medb's mother was also blond. In the first place, unlike in the original story, Medb had no interest in other men, so his parentage was certain.
The child's name was Illann. On top of that, I would occasionally go to the Land of Shadows, and when Uathach was asleep, I would have relations with the real Scáthach, and she became pregnant again. I don't know if my aim is good or if it's because we do it a lot...
This time it was a son, and his name was Cacht.
More children were born, and peaceful and happy days continued. Then, one day...
"Uncle! I've found someone I want to marry!"
"You, Setanta? I see, who is it?"
"Emer!"
"Emer… Emer? Do you mean Emer, the daughter of the tactical advisor, Forgall?"
"That's right! She's full of talent, and she's incredibly beautiful! I fell in love at first sight!"
"...You fall in love so easily, Setanta. So, you want to get married? But why are you telling me?"
"Well, Emer said it! She said I'm just a cute rookie and she doesn't see me as a man! She said she'll marry me if I can bravely take her from her family! And that Forgall guy said he'll acknowledge me if I go to the Land of Shadows and learn everything from the real Scáthach!"
"Hmm..."
Forgall is one of Cathbad's close associates. That bastard, is he planning to kill Setanta, one of the leading candidates for the next heir? The Land of Shadows is not an easy place, even for Setanta… but I believe he can do it. If he wants to die that badly, then I should let him die. That Cathbad guy, he's old, but he still hasn't given up. Does he want to make his son king that badly? Even if he dies, he wants to make his son king?
Even though I've had such legitimate children. The children of the Land of Shadows might not have any ambitions, but Illann will be raised as my heir. Well, if I have another child, I'll have to consider that.
If it were anyone else, I would just crush them, but if it's Setanta, I think it's fine to let him go and get stronger. How many years will it take for Setanta? I have the basics down, but Setanta still lacks them. He's a kid who hasn't even had his coming-of-age ceremony. He'll be an adult soon, though...
"Scáthach is here too, but I wonder if they're just in denial and engaging in mental gymnastics. In the first place, it's good for him to experience the environment of the Land of Shadows… very well. I will allow you to go to the Land of Shadows."
I had asked Scáthach to teach Setanta, but she had only said that if he wanted to learn, he should come to her directly. This is a good opportunity. The others wouldn't know, but to specifically send him to the Land of Shadows is to deny that the Scáthach here is real and to try to kill Setanta at the same time. Let's leave it to Setanta to teach them a lesson by returning with his head held high.
"Alright! Then I'll be going, uncle!"
"Are you leaving right away?"
"Yeah! I want to get married soon! I'm so jealous when I see you, uncle! I want to have children too, and become a great warrior and father! Well then, I'm off!"
"Farewell."
He probably won't be able to come back for about three years. I should go and give him some delicious food from time to time. He's going to have a hard time.
"Is he gone?"
"Hmm? When did you get here, Scáthach?"
"I just arrived. That little brat, it's been a while since I've had such an interesting toy."
"Calling a child a toy… that's not something a mother of two should say."
"That's just how I am. But did you know? It seems that Conchobar fellow has caused some trouble."
"Trouble…?"
What did Conchobar do?
"He angered the reincarnation of a goddess and brought a curse upon himself. A curse has been placed on all of Ulster."
"Eh… what did he do!?"
"Macha, one of the Morrígan's sisters, a goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann who died in the war against the Fomorians in the past. She was reincarnated as a human and became the wife of a farmer here in Ulaid and was pregnant with a child… that farmer fellow was friends with Conchobar, and after drinking, he told Conchobar that his wife was faster than the royal horses. Wanting to confirm this, Conchobar gathered people and made his pregnant wife race against his horses. And, Macha, who crossed the finish line and won, gave birth to a child… enraged, Macha cursed, 'May the men of Ulaid suffer the same pains as my childbirth in their most desperate moments!'"
"That Conchobar…!"
Is he out of his mind!? That Conchobar is a real psycho…! And what about the guys who made her do that and just watched!?
"It is a curse called the Ces Ulad (the Debility of the Ulstermen). I realized I was cursed too while playing with Illann."
"That can happen… Macha…? Wait, isn't there a sole female High King among the previous Ard Rí named Macha? The name is the same as the High King who built Emain Macha, the capital of Ulaid, right?"
"Did you not know? She was also a reincarnation of the goddess Macha. And the reincarnation of that High King is the Macha who laid the curse and disappeared with her child."
"...Should I just kill this Conchobar kid?"
"Leave him be. He will be useful for something. Besides, no matter what war happens, the other guys are just chaff. You or that Setanta fellow are more than enough."
"Did I not receive the curse?"
"You did. But enduring the pains of childbirth is not a problem, is it?"
"I've never experienced it, but I think I can handle it."
Well, if it's me, it's possible… no, can't you even do anything about a goddess's curse? I'm going to throw that Conchobar out the window when he gets back. The fact that Scáthach told me to leave him be must mean something, right…?
"———I see, so she has returned from the fairy realm. Interesting…"
"Huh? What did you say?"
"No, it's nothing… it's been a while since I've had a nostalgic reunion."
"?"
Rumble… rumble…!
"...Scáthach. Why do I feel her magical energy in Ulster? No, it doesn't matter… this time, I will kill you, and take the Land of Shadows for myself…!"
The warrior woman who had returned from another world, her red eyes flashing, headed for Ulster.