The new King of Munster, Lugaid mac Con Roí. As the son of Cú Roí, he was burning with an absolute desire for vengeance.
He was not alone. Even Conganchnes mac Dedad, a general of Munster and a relative of Cú Roí, was sharpening his blade in fury over his nephew's death. Munster made contact with Mide and Connacht. The three nations shared the same ancestral roots. In particular, Mide, a newly established kingdom, viewed me—the High King of Erin—with disdain, and Connacht held no love for me, the man who had slain their previous king.
Connacht, detesting the perception that they were beneath Ulster, hated me and saw this as an opportunity to drag me down.
Only King Nuada of Leinster, who had supported me during the previous council, maintained neutrality and refused to join the war. The coalition forces didn't want to waste their strength fighting Leinster before facing us, and since Leinster was of a different tribe originally, they seemed content to ignore them for now and target them later.
[Are you truly certain about this? Does Ulster not bear a curse?]
"Thank you for your concern, King Nuada. However, do not worry."
[Is that so... To think Ulster, which has a history of struggle amidst other nations and tribes like us, has grown so strong. Tsk tsk... Then I shall pray for your victory.]
"Yes, thank you."
Ending the magical communication with King Nuada, I began organizing the military. Due to the curse, we wouldn't be able to move once the war started... but we still had to prepare. Setanta, that rascal... to think he would kill Forgall, the tactical advisor, of all people. He should have at least consulted me first...
Even if Forgall was from Cathbad's faction, he was a capable strategist. Furthermore, his family has produced many warriors; never mind a formal introduction of the families, he wiped out his in-laws... This is why bride abduction is such a headache.
And yet, Setanta proceeds with the wedding even after getting beaten up. What am I to do with that troublemaker of a nephew? Still, compared to Conchobar, he is an angel.
"Can I not go and flip Cú Chulainn upside down?"
"Patience, Conall. I know how you feel, but war is imminent. The only warrior capable of fighting properly will be Setanta."
"It is frustrating... I became strong for days like this, yet because of Conchobar, what is this! Kin are nothing but a nuisance to the realm!"
"Indeed... Well, looking at Connacht, this war was bound to happen eventually. Setanta merely loosed the arrow a bit early."
Conall lamented the trolling—the disastrous mess—caused by his cousins. First Conchobar, and now Setanta. One could argue that killing a king who had turned into a horse was just bad luck... No, how could he not notice? He trained under Scáthach longer than I did; what exactly did he learn? Even I would have recognized him; even Medb would have. That guy really is a muscle-brain.
His Geas should have been against horse meat, not dog meat. He has far too many Geas...
"Prepare the army. We may be immobilized by pain, but if the enemy enters Ulster, protect the people with your lives."
"...Your Majesty, will it truly be alright with just Cú Chulainn and the Queens? It is a coalition of three nations. Perhaps we should at least request a duel of champions..."
"Even if they accepted, it would be a humiliation. For Ulster to bargain out of fear of the enemy is the ultimate insult."
"...I apologize. My thinking was short-sighted. I shall trust in Your Majesty!"
"Yes. Show them the proud honor of Ulster—"
Rumble...!
At that moment, the sky suddenly turned crimson. That is...
"Ugh...!"
This is...!
"K-Kuaaaaaaah!!!"
"Conall... My, it seems it has already begun... The war is starting."
Excruciating pain flooded my abdomen. The pain of full-term labor began. I can endure it... but the others...
Terrible screams echoed throughout Ulster. Not just the warriors, but ordinary men as well, suffered from the curse.
"Huu... Move all the warriors and men!!!"
""Yes, Sire!""
We called upon the able-bodied handmaidens and female warriors to move the fallen men. The number of female warriors was very small. Since Ulster has a strong custom of protecting women, it is rare for women to become warriors themselves. Yet, they follow the Celtic tradition that one must learn from the opposite sex... There is a reason Ulster's national power weakened during the previous king's reign.
There were fewer than a hundred female warriors. Defending the capital alone would be overwhelming. Even if Scáthach or Aoife had trained them, they weren't that strong. There was little talent... no notable powerhouses among them.
I entered the castle to check on Ilan.
"Medb! How is Ilan!"
"He was in too much pain, so Aoife put him to sleep with runes."
"Phew... Even Ilan. If Conchobar weren't my nephew, I would have killed him."
"Oh, you seem angry? You're dropping the honorifics."
"My nerves are on edge because of the pain... And, this is war."
I could endure it, but it hurt. It hurt enough to be irritating.
"Uncle! Are you alright!?"
"I am fine, Setanta. Prepare for battle. They will likely invade soon."
"As expected of Uncle, enduring such pain. I'm fine thanks to my unique constitution that resists curses and diseases."
"That is a relief. Now go clean up the mess you made."
"No, I told you I didn't know... Don't worry! A newlywed man is strong!"
"That may be so."
Now, is this the beginning of the war...?
Rumble, rumble...
The allied forces of Munster, Mide, and Connacht. They were marching toward Ulster with a massive army of 100,000. This 100,000 was not purely human; it included golems and numerous Phantasmal Species, including familiars. Twenty percent of the army consisted of Phantasmal Species.
Ailill, the King of Connacht, had sharpened his blade for years to destroy Ulster, the enemy of his parents and his nation. Above all, he wanted to kill Medb, the traitor of Connacht.
"King Ailill, are you certain this is wise?"
"Hmph, thanks to that foolish Ulster man, Ulster is cursed. Even that Fergus won't be able to move. Cú Chulainn, the son of a god, might be fine, but what can he do alone? Fergus's queens? Meaningless before this great army. We shall erase Ulster from history with this opportunity...!"
The great army led by Conganchnes, representing the King of Munster, and King Ailill of Connacht. King Ailill was confident. Riding atop the white horned bull, a Divine Beast, he had gathered warriors called the strongest from Connacht, Munster, and Mide, leading beasts numbering in the ten thousands. It was a force that would threaten Ulster with destruction even if it were in perfect condition.
A coalition of three nations. They thought that no matter how great Fergus was, if his nation was immobilized, they would simply be overrun.
Rumble~!!!
"That is... Cú Chulainn's chariot!"
And there, rushing majestically toward the battlefield, was Cú Chulainn. His chariot stopped in front of the army, maintaining a distance of about 100 meters.
"I am the warrior of Ulster, Cú Chulainn!"
"You're here, the enemy of my nephew...!"
"Wait. I am Ailill, King of Connacht. Young warrior of Ulster. Have you come out alone?"
"Hah? Alone in a war? No way. This is a war. Why would I come alone?"
"Did you bring Fergus's wives?"
"Who knows?"
Cú Chulainn grinned slyly at Ailill's words... and then, something fell from the sky. It was like a meteor. The army looked up in confusion at the object falling from the heavens...
Boom!!!!
What landed in front of the army was...
The King of Ulster.
"What... Fergus!? How can you move!"
At the shocked Ailill's words, Fergus answered while cracking his neck from side to side.
"I merely feel the pain of childbirth. It does not mean I cannot move. It is certainly terrible pain... but I can endure this much. Guts is all I need."
"What did you say..."
Enduring with sheer guts. King Ailill was appalled by that alone. Many die from childbirth, yet Fergus stood proudly, moving just fine, claiming it was bearable.
And with a white light, the Queens revealed themselves behind Fergus. Except for the non-combatant Ness, his three wives stood by his side.
"War. It is my first war... Since I became King, this is a monumental war. And this war shall end in victory, Ailill."
"Kuh... No matter how strong you are, you cannot defeat this massive army! You bluffing fool! The protection of the gods is with us! Loch mac Mofemis! Show them your power!"
"Yes, Sire—"
Thwack!!!
Suddenly, General Loch collapsed, his forehead pierced by a flying red dagger. Dozens of warriors standing behind him had their hearts pierced instantly, turning into corpses.
"——Wh-what?"
"[Caladbolg] (The Spiral Rainbow Sword that Pierces and Gorges)."
Caladbolg, in dagger form. A cursed red dagger that flies through the air, pursuing hostiles and piercing their vitals. As a Noble Phantasm that pierces any enemy within the owner's line of sight, there were no blind spots for Fergus, who possessed Clairvoyance (Current) thanks to the Wisdom of Dún Scáith.
"Ailill. I will not forgive you."
"...."
"Because of you, the people of Ulster suffered, and my son suffered. I will not forgive you. I will not forgive any of you. I will not leave a single one of you who invaded Ulster alive. Did you say you have the god's protection? Strange... I feel absolutely no divine power from you. I thought perhaps Morrigan was helping you, but it seems that is not the case either... Do not hope for an honorable death as warriors. I will not grant you a shred of honor. This is not a war... This is."
Thud...!
"A unilateral massacre."
As Conganchnes's head fell to the ground, a one-sided slaughter began, not a war.
Rage.
It was the divine punishment of wrath brought down by the Master of Erin, the High King of Erin. The Pink Princess's whip tore the warriors' flesh, the God-slayer's red spear claimed the enemies' hearts, the Twin Witches' runes caused massive explosions, and the blue-haired young warrior's spear pierced through the foes.
Absolute death. As the furious blade wielded by the King of Erin caused a massive rainbow-colored pillar to soar into the sky, a single solitary crow flying above watched it all unfold.