"—You've caused quite a bit of trouble, haven't you? Where are you from?"
"—I cannot name myself. I simply cannot."
"—Is that so? Even if I say you'll die if you don't name yourself?"
"—If that is my geis..."
"—Ah, then there's no helping it. With that extraordinary skill, I took you for a famous, blessed warrior..."
"—I will kill you. For the honor of Ulster."
"—Aye. High-honored Cú Chulainn. I am..."
...I, truly—wanted to tell my name to you, of all people—
The two fought. They fought, fought, and fought through.
First with bare hands, then with swords. Finally, they clashed at the water's edge.
That child was far too strong, an opponent that even Cú Chulainn struggled against.
"—This guy, from the same school!"
Cú Chulainn understood and realized in an instant.
Looks like you've been thoroughly trained, but... —Then how about this!
He unleashes the spear entrusted and handed down by his teacher in one breath.
"—Pierce and penetrate, Spear of Death Thorns, Gáe Bolg—!!"
...It pierced. The spear of death certainly fulfilled its true purpose.
"—Ah, that is..."
—That became the curtain call bringing about the completion of the tragedy.
"—Baba-sama didn't teach me that... huh—"
Cú Chulainn's eyes widen,
at the ring fitting on the right finger.
"—!!!!!"
He understands, the birth—
That was when he departed the Land of Shadows.
When this golden ring fits him perfectly, send him to me.
He will become a strong warrior. Maybe even stronger than me. —He's mine and your precious son, there's no way he'll be weak.
—Then, bestow a geis upon him. A heavy, certain vow.
Right... 'Do not stop a journey once begun', 'Accept any challenge', and... 'Do not name yourself'.
—Why, Cú Chulainn?
No need to name himself every time. The battles he fights, the journey he walks will tell the tale. 'This is unmistakable, it's his doing', they'll say! Isn't that thrilling! His journey itself will be his greatest naming!
—Fufu. I will surely send him. Mine and your child.
Yeah, I'm counting on you. His name is—
~
"—'Connla'—!?"
—Having obtained a fatal separation, he finally realized.
The maliciousness of fate—
Camp Interlude 1/2: Celts Appreciate Art Too!
"Muu~..."
Raising a groan like a puppy, a certain girl voices her dissatisfaction.
Camp, a place serving as a base for soldiers. Tents for resting were prepared here and there, and the party arrived at a place where the breathing of soldiers could be heard.
Gilgamesh, who snatched first place with a brute force method like flipping a tea table called warping.
Cú Chulainn of the Ulster Cycle, who brought it to almost a tie with only his own swiftness.
About 10 minutes later, Laeg leading Macha and Sainglain's chariot party arrived.
"Hey, Connla. Fix your mood soon, okay? Smile, smile. It's important! Hahahaha..."
"Muu~..."
Ignoring Ferdiad's attempts to stop her, Connla stares at the Hero King Gilgamesh with eyes full of dissatisfaction.
"Now now, we brought it to almost a tie. Let's have no complaints."
Cú Chulainn says laughing. He is convinced, but she was not.
"Mu. What is it? Directing such a heated gaze at me. Are you overwhelmed by my excessive radiance surpassing even your grandfather?"
Fuhaha, the Hero King laughs.
...I understand. No, the King might understand and be saying it.
Connla is dissatisfied. With the result of the race.
She is feeling very unconvinced by the King who so boldly tried to smear mud on her father's face.
"King of Heroes among Heroes, Gilgamesh! Betting all my pride, I tell you!"
"I permit it, speak."
"—My Father is the strongest Hero! I absolutely, absolutely won't lose to someone who cheats like you!"
With tears in her eyes, Connla rattles on to the King.
"Father is! Cú Chulainn is the strongest... strongest warrior... strongest...!"
"Fuhaha, it means there is always someone above. Did you learn something? Connla."
"U, uwaaaaaan!"
Clinging to Ferdiad, Connla cries and screams.
"I hate you! I hate you! I hate anyone who hurts Father's honor! Uwaaaaaan!"
"Oh, there there. Poor thing. My tights becoming sticky with tears and snot are poor things too..."
Celtic warriors express their emotions vividly.
Connla lost her life at a single-digit age. ...She cannot control her emotions well.
"...Muu. At this rate, I am the bad guy, am I not?"
"Well, just let it slide as a kid's tantrum. Warping wasn't explicitly forbidden anyway."
Laeg, saying 'Animals are unsanitary', quickly went outside the camp to groom the two horses Macha and Sainglain.
"I only got serious because I was provoked... Was something bad about that?"
—A father is a great thing to a son (daughter). To have that crushed by a Gorgeous Play is...
"Ah, I see. 'My Father cannot lose', is it. I want to show that video record more and more now."
—P-Please stop that! As expected, that would be too much! A-Anyway. Let's make up with Connla-chan!
"Muu. ...Shall we do that? She is a valuable combat asset. It would be troublesome if she refused cooperation on the battlefield. A toddler's tantrum is unreasonable and sudden, after all."
—Yes, without leaving any future trouble. Let's make the bond solid as a rock.
"Umu. Then I leave it to you, Ea."
Yes! ...Yes!?
"Sooth her nicely. Quiet words are more suitable for a Princess. For what a King releases is dignity, loud laughter, and arbitration."
—U-Understood. ...Uuh, sorry, Connla-chan.
"Come on, Connla. Don't cry forever. Even the spirits of the earth will start crying."
"That's right, Connla. When Cú Chulainn cries, you see? Rain doesn't stop for a week and it becomes a big deal. Rivers flood. Villages are washed away."
"But, buuut...!"
"—I am sorry, Connla. I was immature."
The King's, no. The Princess's words break the ice.
"Ha—?"
"Ooh—!"
"Eh...?"
Glancing sideways at the dumbfounded Cú Chulainn and the impressed Ferdiad, she meets Connla's eyes and looks straight at them.
"Your father, Cú Chulainn's sprint was so heroic and brave, and your figure boasting of it was so lovely. Betting on the name of the King, I did not underestimate him and brought out my full power. You should sing a song of triumph, not tears. Your father made one who is a King get serious. Three fingers would suffice for those who make me get serious. Hercules, my friend, and—your father, Connla."
"...Because Father was amazing, the Hero King gave his all, is that what you mean?"
Umu, nodding, he hands over a candy.
"I did not disdain your father. I did not mock him. I brought out my full power with respect and pride. Just as you acknowledge him, I too evaluate this fellow highly, highly. Shall we forgive and make up? Here, I give you a candy. You prefer the taste of sweetness over the taste of tears, do you not?"
She timidly accepts the offered candy and pops it into her mouth.
"...Delicious! O-One more! Please give me one more!"
"If you forgive me, I may bestow it upon you."
"...Tw-Two more! Three!"
"I shall give you ten! Now, let us hear your answer!"
"I forgive you! Father is an invincible hero acknowledged by the Hero King, one of the top three in the world! Isn't that right, Gil-sama!"
"Indeed! I do not know if I have a chance in hand-to-hand combat! (He doesn't say he'd lose) Fuhahaha! Connla! You have a good father!"
"Gil-sama! I look forward to working with you!"
The tears recede, and Connla smiles broadly.
"Truly a smile like the sun! Hahahaha! A woman must be like that!"
"Gil-sama! Candy! Please!"
"Here, open your mouth!"
Connla stuffs her cheeks with ten candies in the blink of an eye.
"(Mufuu~)"
Puffing her cheeks like a hamster, devouring candy from the Age of Gods, her figure was appropriate for her age.
—Fuu, thank goodness. Her mood seems to be fixed, Oh King.
"As expected of a soul that persuaded a born rebel, exorcising a toddler is easy for you?"
—If you apologize straight, praise straight, and interact without falsehood. Children will respond... I learned that by watching the King.
"Hmph, when you challenge the outside world someday, if it is like this, worries will be few. You did well, switch with me."
...Could it be that he was assessing my communication skills...
She pats the head of Connla, who is happily stuffing her cheeks with candy. Seeing that she isn't rejected, it seems she really isn't guarded against.
"Alright alright, with this the grudge is... Mu, what is it, D... Cú Chulainn."
The King notices Cú Chulainn staring at him silently.
"No, look at these goosebumps and hives. You right now are scarier than Clan Calatin."
"Do not speak of me in the same breath as monsters, it is rude."
"Goodness gracious Hero King, his is in the sense of awe. This fellow has bitter memories of nearly being killed by Clan Calatin. Without outside interference, even the great Cú Chulainn would have been in danger..."
"Ah—void! That talk is timeout! Void! I didn't lose—! I didn't narrowly escape death—!"
"Fuhahaha! As expected, even you cannot go always victorious and undefeated! No... is it the usual?"
"How many times do I have to say that damn priest's policy was bad!"
"Everyone! This is a resting place for soldiers! Let's be quiet!"
'Bad!', making a zipping motion with her mouth, Connla admonishes the Hero King, the Hound of Culann, and the Hero of Connacht.
"""...Yes."""
The three looked at each other
"""—Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!"""
And laughed loudly together.
"Jeez! Even though you have to be quiet!"
"...What's the noise?"
Laeg, having finished grooming, asks Connla while scratching his head.
"Ah, well you see."
"Alright, if we're going to do it, let's make noise quietly. Connla, I'll write a healing rune on your throat, so sing a song!"
"S-Song?"
"Heal the soldiers with your singing voice. Celts don't just kill enemies. We gotta teach 'em that part properly."
"Umu, exactly so! Drink sake, embrace women, and enjoy instruments to recite songs! Living thick and short is the Celtic Way!"
"Umu, I thought it was a synonym for barbarism... but you are quite cultured."
"Ou! Goldie, bring out suitable instruments! I'm on harp, Ferdiad on flute, Laeg on grass whistle or harmonica!"
—This, that, which one! Selection complete!
"Very well. Then I shall listen! Here, take them, begin the performance!"
Throwing the instruments, the three begin to play.
Cú Chulainn strumming the delicate and detailed harp.
Ferdiad playing a gentle yet core-piercing sound on the flute.
Laeg blowing a harmonica that quietly permeates the heart with peace.
"Now Connla, charm us. With your singing voice!"
"—Yes!"
And Connla's singing voice begins to color them beautifully, powerfully, painfully, and sadly.
Using every scale, a peerlessly beautiful voice, clear in high notes, vibrates her throat and echoes through the camp.
The timbre colors the song, and the song colors the timbre.
And that sound carved with runes fills the camp with healing and comfort.
—I selected instruments that amplify magical energy and effects. By the time this performance ends, the wounded should be fully recovered.
"Umu. Good work. —Mu."
The King's ears catch the march of an army hundreds of kilometers away.
"—How clever to invade the camp."
—It's battle, then.
"Umu. But well, there is time. It is fine as it is for now."
—Yes.
(What a pity, what a shame... If Ea were here, the greatest diva would have been born...)
She gently pets Fou who murmurs with heartfelt regret.
—I'll sing for you later, okay. Only for Fou, just for Fou. Think of a request for the song? I'll sing anything, so don't look so disappointed, okay?
(My very own... diva... Ah—Thank you. I have been defeated... by your kindness...—)
Turning into rainbow-colored flames, Fou burned out...
Fou—!?
Connla! Stay with me! Connla!!
Cú Chulainn holds the body of Connla, pierced and on the verge of death.
Why!! Why didn't you come to me first!!
...Ah, finally... finally I can name myself...
Connla is dying. Pierced by the curse of the death spear, certainly.
—That is why. That is why he broke it.
The vow of a lifetime, the geis. Because he has nothing left to lose.
—My name is, Connla... The son of Ulster's strongest and most beautiful... Cú Chulainn...
—Who sent you! Who! Who was it! Stay with me! Stay with me Connla!!
—Ah... Finally met... Finally, told my name...
The body growing colder acceleratingly, Connla growing cold in Cú Chulainn's arms.
—It was my pride to be your child. Being your child gave me the courage to overcome all hardships.
Stop it, stop it! Stop it!! Not like that, the words I wanted to hear from your mouth aren't a confession at the end!!
Shedding tears, weeping, he holds Connla's body.
—Thank you, Father... To be slain as a warrior by Cú Chulainn, and seen off as a son by a father... Ehehe, Connla is the luckiest person in Ulster...—
Stop it! Connla!! Don't die—!!
...I love, you——Fa, ther——
Connla passed away.
Without tasting the glory grasped far ahead,
Without tasting the subtle happiness of parent and child,
Just tasting his father's strong arms and warmth,
Offering gratitude, he passed away.
————Uoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh—————!!!!
Cú Chulainn screamed. Cried. Screamed and cried.
Why!! Why!! Why is it!! Why—Why!! Sending a brat who knows nothing!! As a messenger——!!
Hugging the precious, precious child who no longer moved, he continued to cry on the beach of the sea.
Answer me!! Scáthachaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh————!!!
This is, according to legend, the battle of Cú Chulainn and Connla.
...And, there was one other besides Cú Chulainn. One who grieved.
Cú Chulainn...! Oh, Connla, Cú Chulainn...!
Cú Chulainn's father, the Sun God Lugh.
Why, why. Why must they accept such a fate, such a destiny, Lugh regretted and shed tears.
He couldn't do anything for his beloved son.
He couldn't do anything for his beloved grandson.
That regret and chagrin continued to torment and hurt Lugh even after he was expelled to the Reverse Side of the World.
He wanted to do something.
At least, he wanted to prepare a natural encounter for them.
And Lugh realized.
If they have a second life.
If there is a destiny to meet at the end of distant time and space.
Then, I will stake my everything to protect them. I will offer them all of my blessings.
So that my beloved son and grandson will not be separated this time.
So that they can be a natural parent and child forever.
Lugh staked everything and bestowed power upon Connla.
Protection of light on the sling, possibility of impossible growth on the body.
All of those blessings—he entrusted to the spear he held.
And, as Lugh's personal meddling,
He changed Connla's appearance to a 'Woman' retaining the mother's visage, and sent him off.
My son. Please look at him, at her, and remember.
That that child is the child of you and your wife.
That it is the child nurtured by Aoife's certain love and blessing for Cú Chulainn, born blessed with joy—
—The Sun God entrusted his prayer and sent off his grandson.
This time, on that journey.
With 'Let there be light and blessings'—
-------------------------------
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