He brought along soldiers and key retainers to visit the plains just outside the territorial capital.
Since it was only a stone’s throw away, the locals couldn’t help but glance curiously at what was going on.
When I climbed onto the platform, all eyes naturally turned to me. I cleared my throat with a cough.
“Now then. I figured everyone might be tired of battles and daily training, so I’ve prepared a little entertainment for you all,” I said, holding a ball tucked under my arm.
“We’re going to play soccer.”
The soldiers all looked at me like, What’s soccer? So I went ahead and explained the rules.
Some of them might have preferred a proper rest, but given that Herbert was all set to put them through grueling drills again, I had to step in to stop him. This is more fun than endless physical conditioning, so they should be grateful, really.
Incidentally, Herbert only allowed this because he already knew what soccer was. Ever since reincarnating into this world, I’d been starved of modern entertainment, so I tried recreating soccer. It’s simple enough; just some cloth and wooden sticks do the trick. And no, I didn’t pick up Werner just because I needed more players for soccer. Really, I didn’t.
After assigning knights as coaches, we had the soldiers practice, and then we set up a match with those who showed promise.
We organized a round-robin tournament with four teams: Erich’s, Werner’s, Herbert’s, and Kurt’s.
The first match was between Werner and Kurt, and their strategies were on full display. Werner focused on an all-out attack with minimal defense, while Kurt fortified his defense. Werner’s team dominated most of the game, but a counterattack led to their defeat.
“Werner, don’t barge onto the field just because you’re frustrated as a coach!”
As the games progressed, the townsfolk, curious about the commotion, began to gather around. Some chatted with the soldiers, while others started placing bets. Hey, isn’t that Jakob from the Golden Sheep Trading Company running the betting pool? He even brought snacks—what a savvy businessman.
The next match was between Erich and Herbert. Unlike Werner and Kurt, Erich employed a strategic, pass-heavy style to control the field. Herbert, on the other hand, relied on high-pressure tactics.
Although the soldiers had practiced a bit, they were far from professionals. Herbert’s team managed to steal the ball and score a goal, but their relentless efforts to win were visibly exhausting.
“Why are they going at it so desperately?” I asked Herbert, who replied calmly,
“I told them every loss would earn them 50 penalty laps.”
You’re a devil, old man.
Still, soccer requires teamwork, builds stamina through running, and serves as entertainment. Both the soldiers and townsfolk were getting invested in the results of the matches, though probably because of the betting.
Even so, I was achieving my initial goal: fostering camaraderie between the soldiers and the townsfolk. Most of the soldiers were outcasts from villages or slums and had little connection with the locals. Improving their image could lead to more volunteer soldiers and better relations with the people.
…Though a few soldiers and townsfolk arguing over their bets might need to be ignored for now.
By the time the matches ended, it was sunset. The soldiers were undoubtedly tired, but their faces radiated satisfaction. The townsfolk also seemed to have enjoyed this new event.
Maybe I’ll make this a regular thing.
