I am Fergus mac Róich.
In later generations, I would be recorded as a heroic god, Ferghus Mac Leda of Ulster. Of course, I never actually became a god. If it were Romulus, he probably would have become a god... maybe this is also a kind of Innocent Monster. As I recall, they also summoned Iskandar as a Divine Spirit in the Case Files, so even if one has never truly become a god, it seems that if the conditions are met, one can become a Divine Spirit through faith.
Well, in the end, I'm just me.
"So this is the Einzbern Castle~ It's another magnificent castle, different from the castles of Ulaid."
"Yes, it's the castle where my mother lived."
A few days before the Holy Grail War began, we came to the Einzbern Castle in Fuyuki. Although there were a few days left until the Holy Grail War, it was about time for the other factions to start summoning their Servants. I had seen it, with my clairvoyance. It's easy to see not just the present, but also the future. And so, I can intervene in the future.
"Well then, since we're mostly done unpacking, shall we go out and have some fun in the city?"
"The city?"
"Yes. You've never been outside, have you? So, let's enjoy the modern city!"
"...Alright. That sounds good."
We decided to familiarize ourselves with the geography of Fuyuki and also do some shopping under the guise of a stroll. Although it was further in the past than the modern era I had lived in, I missed this 21st century…!
The abundance of modern street food and the countless goods. This is paradise…!
"But, is it really okay for us to just walk around like this?"
"Don't worry. I've removed our spiritual energy signatures with my Primordial Runes. Even if a Master or a Servant sees us, they won't recognize me as a Heroic Spirit. However... you're right. There's one person we need to be careful of."
Cú Chulainn? No, AUO. It's impossible to avoid his eyes. He wouldn't have been able to observe my existence, but it's a different story if we meet in person… if he gets serious, it'll be a problem. Regardless of victory or defeat, Fuyuki will be annihilated. So I have to avoid him as much as possible and strike him from behind during the real war. Am I afraid of him? I'm afraid of the casualties. That guy is trying to grind humanity into mud, so what is Fuyuki to him?
Still, this is the modern era. Shouldn't we enjoy it?
"But Fergus… did you really just receive knowledge? For someone who just received knowledge, you seem to know and be so familiar with everything."
"Hoo~ hoo~ I knew the future with the Wisdom of the Land of Shadows. Do you think a person connected to the Root is a pushover? Of course, I don't connect to it often. It gives me a headache. If I were a Divine Spirit, I wonder? Now, it's cooled down, so you can eat."
"The fact that you have the aptitude of a Divine Spirit is already absurd… thank you. What do you think we look like to other people?"
"I wonder? Just siblings? Or an elementary school couple? We don't look like siblings, so maybe the latter."
"...I'd rather be the former."
"Haha, that's certainly more endearing."
The taste of meat buns after such a long time. The taste sold at this market, I really missed it.
"I'm glad to see you're having fun, Fergus. I thought you wouldn't like this kind of thing because you're a king."
"Munch… what are you talking about? I'm someone who enjoys inspecting the people! And I like this more. To be honest… I only became a king because I had to. I prefer a free life over being a king. However, if it weren't for me, Ulster would have been destined for ruin. So, I just endured it! It wasn't so bad, and I made a lot of connections because of it."
"I see. Your stories are always interesting to listen to, Fergus… it's like the old tales my father used to tell me."
"Not your mother?"
"Well… Kiritsugu didn't do that kind of thing, and I'd rather he didn't. But… Fergus is like a father. He may be small, but he's dependable and strong, and I feel safe when I'm with him. I wish that the kind Fergus had been my father."
"Haha… you also remind me of my daughter. Of course, I'm not going to treat you well just because you're like Connla. Connla is Connla, and Illya is Illya. You know what I mean, right?"
"I know. Fergus is not someone who pities others recklessly."
Pity is not something to be given out recklessly. Pity can comfort others, but it also confirms that they are more pitiful than oneself, making them more miserable and turning them into someone who must be helped. I may feel sorry for Illya, but I do not pity her. I was summoned to save her.
And… because I was summoned early, I will twist fate. That is my job. However, I will do the best I can with what I have now. That is enough. For now… shall I trust in Setanta for once?
By the way, is it today? The schedule is tighter than I thought.
The reason I didn't summon my wives is because I wanted to try this on my own this time. I wanted to at least summon the non-combatant Nessa to be Illya's nanny… but I can see them. Fighting over who gets to go out first on the Throne. So I haven't summoned them for now. It feels like a bloodbath is about to start, so I don't think it's the right time yet.
"Munch, munch…"
"What are you thinking so hard about?"
"About our future plans. Don't worry. I'll tell you everything without hiding anything, Illya."
Well then, is it tonight? I have to do what I have to do, right?
In the dead of night, a woman lay collapsed in a rainy forest.
"In the end, it's the same ending again… called out to serve others' needs, used, and then ostracized as a traitor… I, just…"
The woman reached out her hand towards the rainy sky. But, knowing that she could not grasp anything, she resigned herself to her fate.
She heard footsteps approaching and, thinking it was the Lancer who had been pursuing her, she turned her head to the side…
"What are you doing here alone?"
"..."
The person who had walked up was a blue-haired boy holding an umbrella. Medea thought about brainwashing the boy and making him her puppet Master… but perhaps because he was a child, she didn't want to touch him. The fact that he had blue hair reminded her of her younger brother, Absyrtus, whom she had killed with her own hands, and she didn't want to do it.
"Just go, little one… this is not a place for a little one to be. Hurry and go… or you'll be in danger."
Thinking of her own children, she teared up with the falling rain and worriedly told him to leave. She was worried that Lancer would come and kill the witness. Medea, who had been consumed by her rage at Jason's betrayal and had ended up killing her own sons who had been caught up in it, was always filled with regret for her life. A relationship that had begun with a god's curse. She had tried to make it work, but in the end, she had been betrayed. When she took revenge on him, she was called the Witch of Betrayal and even lost her children.
She had thought this was her chance, but she had been summoned by someone even worse than Jason and had suffered, only to barely escape. And yet, she was now dying. In the end, without even being able to fulfill her wish, she was waiting for death again…
"Will you come with me?"
"....Little boy, you…"
The boy… no, the hero of the Celts, offered her his hand. The King of Ulster, releasing his concealed spiritual energy, offered her his hand. To her, who had been cast aside by everyone, he offered a hand filled with sincerity.
She might be abandoned again this time. It might be the same ending again this time. Even as she thought that… she, Medea, reached out her hand in hope, and the hero took her hand.
"My name is Fergus mac Róich. Please come with me."
"...The master of Erin…"
A brilliant white wind blew, revealing Fergus in his form as a hero. As he snapped his fingers, a rune of transference flashed, and they arrived at the Einzbern Castle. Surprised and weakened, Medea swayed. Fergus caught the falling Medea and lifted her into a princess carry.
"Your magical energy is one thing, but you're in a serious condition. Good grief, you were lucky to escape from Setanta. He's a kid who doesn't know how to fight a mage."
"...Do you, know who I am?"
"The Princess of Colchis, Medea. Why wouldn't I know?"
"But, why…"
"You are not the Witch of Betrayal. You are just a person who wishes for salvation. To have lived in that Greece, you must have suffered a great deal. Now, for now, rest. Your magical energy will recover if you hold this runestone."
Fergus laid her on the bed in an empty room and placed a runestone that gave magical energy in her hand.
"For now, get plenty of rest, and get up when you feel better. There is no one in this castle who will harm you."
Fergus smiled and left. Medea looked at the door of the room he had left.
"....That person, the King of Erin. He's so different… from the kings of Greece."
Medea brought the runestone, which she could feel the warmth of a person from, to her chest and held it tightly.