Celtic mythology.
A mythology of Irish origin, one that also influenced the tales of Britain. However, it was largely overshadowed by the Greco-Roman and Norse myths of Europe, rendering it quite obscure.
It shares this fate with Slavic mythology, sometimes called the mythology of Eastern Europe. The fact that it has many similarities to Norse myths only adds to why so few people know of it.
Some have even hypothesized that the Vanir—gods like Freya, distinct from Odin's Æsir in Norse mythology—were in fact Celtic deities, though this remains an unproven theory.
Why am I bringing all this up?
Well, if you were to name the most famous hero of the Celtic myths, the Prince of Light, Cú Chulainn, would be the prime example. There are countless heroes, like that indomitable great hero often hailed as the Heracles of Ireland, or Scáthach, the god-slayer exiled to the Land of Shadows.
But how many people truly know their stories? For that matter, how many know anything about Celtic mythology at all? My guess is, not many.
Yes, and I was one of those people.
The problem is...
"Lord Fergus! Where are you off to?"
"Ah... just off on a short journey. I have already received His Majesty's permission."
I've become one of the main characters of that very mythology.
Why? I have no idea... I died, and instead of the afterlife, I ended up in the Celtic age. To think I'd be reincarnated after dying in some damn accident.
Several years have passed since I was reborn in Ulster, yet the path ahead remains daunting.
I am Fergus mac Róich.
The greatest stud in all of Celt-dom—no, wait, the greatest hero. A hero who wields the demonic sword Caladbolg, forged from a divine remnant, and one of Scáthach's disciples. Also, the rightful heir to the throne of Ulster. He is also the very reason the Celtic myths were driven to ruin, having handed the throne over to Conchobar—a man Cú Chulainn himself deemed the worst of kings.
And to make matters worse, this is the Fate timeline, so I'm even more screwed.
Conchobar possessed clairvoyance, and perhaps because of it, he was the type who, like other seers of the future, had simply given up on life. He's a skilled statesman, but he is also the king of the century who ruined the Celts, a protagonist on par with Cú Chulainn... in the worst possible way.
This is a hopeless situation. The moment I give the throne to Conchobar, the outcome will be the same. Therefore, I must find another answer.
I must become the king.
The reason the original Fergus gave up the throne was his desire to bed Nessa, the daughter of the former king, Eochaid Sálbuide. It's just like that lust-crazed monster to have a reason steeped in pure carnal desire... though, as I am now, I can't say I don't understand.
In any case, the former king had only a daughter, so I, his nephew, became the heir. And upon the king's death, Fergus wanted to have his daughter. In turn, Nessa demanded he give the throne to her son, Conchobar. And Fergus happily obliged. At first, Conchobar even ruled well, so Fergus was content, but...
Later, after being betrayed by his own nephew, he flew into a rage and went to serve under Medb.
Knowing this future, I will not give the throne to Conchobar. The whole affair was caused by lust, after all. Besides, the current king, Eochaid Sálbuide, is still hale and hearty. He should be fine for at least a few more years.
Therefore, I will embark on a journey for a time, a journey to change the future. What kind of journey, you ask?
Simple. I'm going to rehabilitate the most infamous vixen in Celtic history—the one who gets a pass for being cute, right up until she's taken out by a piece of cheese.
I think I'll call this mission of mine:
Such a light novel title. I love it.
And so, after I had grown a fair bit, I immediately set my plan into motion.
"Who are you?"
"A pleasure to meet you, Princess."
"I have not seen you among my servants before. I am thirsty. Fetch me some honeyed water."
"Honeyed water? I have none of that, but I do have this."
"And what might that be?"
THWACK!
"A sweet little knock."
As a lump grew on her head, Medb collapsed. I promptly snatched her up and fled from Connacht.
"Alright, let's go. The Villainess Rehabilitation Project, Step One: Surviving the Land of Shadows. My Celtic Life starts now...!"
And there is no way in hell I'm becoming a muscle-bound macho man like in the original story! Bodybuilders may be strong, but they can't fight for shit. If a boxer and a bodybuilder get in a ring, the boxer wins, hands down...! I'm aiming for lean, functional muscle