The summit was over, and after a good night's sleep in a makeshift house made of runes, we returned to Ulster.
The prank from the previous night was clearly the Morrígan's doing, judging by the lingering magical energy. Really, I wonder if I have an ill-fated relationship with the Morrígan.
"I heard the story. That you were pranked by a goddess at the summit."
"You've already heard? It was a rather malicious prank. To even involve an innocent person. I don't know if I should say I have an ill-fated relationship with the Morrígan, or if she's just a jealous goddess... I don't know what she wants from me."
Nessa came to my office, and we talked. Talking with her felt like returning to the old days. We were close when we were young, but our relationship was ruined because of Cathbad. Now, it has returned to how it used to be.
"As long as Alill's white-horned bull doesn't cause any problems, there shouldn't be any issues for a few years."
"That's a relief. Peace is the best, after all."
"...My father also worked hard to prevent war. I, too, dislike war. The blood of a warrior doesn't boil in my veins or anything like that. The ones who suffer the most in a war are the people."
"That's right. Many warriors desire war, but ordinary people do not. In that respect, you've learned well from your father, Fergus."
"That's just who I am. I don't particularly like fighting. I only became strong because a king must be strong. Thanks to that, I've come this far, haven't I?"
Nessa smiled and sat next to me, leaning on my shoulder.
"I have lived my entire life relying on others. On Cathbad, on Conchobar... without even knowing that it was all a deliberate fabrication. As Cathbad said, I lived believing only in Conchobar... knowing that my life was a lie, it felt as if a huge hole had been punched in my chest."
"Nessa..."
"It's only you. The only one I can trust and rely on, the only one who can fill this empty void in my heart... is you, the one who saved me."
"Nessa..."
"Fergus..."
A strange atmosphere flowed between us, and we slowly drew closer to each other. And then... we kissed.
And Medb witnessed it.
"Fergus is cheating!"
"Cough!"
"L-Lady Medb!?"
She saw it…
"Just kidding. There's no one here. Go on with your business."
"I-is that alright? H-he's your husband…"
"I don't think the woman who was hitting on my husband has any right to say that."
"...."
"Well, I know about your relationship… and I've heard the rumors. You can't have children, can you?"
"Huh? Is that true?"
"...Yes. My body was ruined when I gave birth to Conchobar. Cathbad was even pleased, saying that if no new children were born, only Conchobar could inherit the throne. I can still have relations, but I can't have children…"
"It's alright… what's so important about not being able to have children? It's the heart that matters."
"Fergus…"
"At this rate, you'll have 100 wives."
"Medb!"
"I didn't say anything~"
Medb ran off, teasing me. I don't know if she's broad-minded or not… as a king, it's natural to have multiple wives. In the first place, Ulster encourages having multiple wives. Not just the king, but there are quite a few households with two wives if they can afford it. And I'm not just increasing them to satisfy my own desires…
No, is this also a rationalization? So should I just abandon her? I can't do that. She says she likes me…
And so, Nessa became my fourth wife.
Well…
A few years passed.
It was time for Setanta to graduate, having received a spear from Scáthach.
During that time, Aife had become pregnant, and a new child was born.
"Daddy~!"
"My daughter, good morning~"
The child's name was Connla. A sturdy girl with blue hair like mine and Aife's looks.
"Connla, don't run so fast."
"Good morning to you too, Illann."
"Yes, Father."
Illann was also growing up well, becoming an older brother who protected Connla. He was still young, so he wasn't learning how to fight yet, but I would probably teach him in a few years.
"Setanta will be back soon. How do you feel?"
"I wonder, Scáthach. I've been visiting him in the Land of Shadows from time to time, so not particularly…"
"That's true. It would be a relief if he doesn't cause any trouble."
Setanta is still Setanta, even after growing up, so I'm worried he'll cause trouble as soon as he arrives.
"It's alright. He's my sister's son, you know?"
"I know, but you know how reckless your nephew is, Nessa."
"But what can we do? He's family."
"Nessa… you've become so gentle."
Where did the prickly, jealous woman of the past go? Nessa had become a benevolent woman, as if she were a saint. That was a good thing, though, as it felt like she had returned to the Nessa of her childhood.
"Fergus! Another letter has arrived!"
"Is it from Mumu again…"
Aife handed me the letter, and I opened it. A letter sent every month by the King of Mumu, Cú Roí. He had revealed to me that he was the one who had suggested the prank to the Morrígan. For some reason, the Morrígan was trying to drive a wedge between me and my wives…
I think I have some idea of what it is. He said he was captivated by my wondrous power and wanted to be friends with me. And so, we became friends who corresponded frequently by letter. He's a little too clingy, which is a bit of a burden.
"...I think we're screwed."
"What's wrong?"
Medb leaned against my back and looked at the letter over my shoulder. She frowned.
"Sigh…"
"You sighed right away, didn't you? So did I."
Cú Roí was dead. The King of Mumu had been assassinated. But who was the killer…?
BOOM…!
"Uncle! I'm back!"
Setanta, who had entered in a chariot…
"...Right. So, what's with that getup?"
The chariot was covered in blood, and Setanta was holding a stammering woman in his arms.
"She's my wife! I told you! Emer! I killed Forgall and all his relatives and brought her here! That was the promise!"
"...Sigh."
I slapped my forehead and wiped my face…
"So why did you kill the King of Mumu?"
"The King of Mumu? Who?"
"Cú Roí mac Dáire! A message of protest came from his heir, saying that he was killed by you! They're going to war!!!"
"Huh? …Ah, so that's who that guy was? I was hungry on the way, so I did some hunting with Gáe Bolg."
"Setanta… no, Cú Chulainn. You are a son of a bitch."
"Eh?"
"There's a saying in the countryside that a dog only comes to its senses after being beaten. Let's have a little chat. This damn Ulster bloodline is always the problem. I won't go easy on my own children if they cause this much trouble."
"Uh… uncle? Wait—"
BOOM!!!!
Damn my life…
I'm the one who does all the hard work, and it's always my family who shits all over it. At this point, I wonder if the problem is the former king's bloodline… Cathbad and Conchobar caused a huge mess, and now another nephew is doing the same.
"The Morrígan will surely join the war, so be prepared… tell Setanta to just get married and come back, and let's prepare for a war that could break out at any moment. I have a feeling they'll come with the other countries."
This is truly a thankless job…