Chapter 599: Soccer(3)
Chapter 599: Soccer(3)
The Middle Ages could be described as an era brimming with romance. It was a time when wars broke out at the slightest provocation and human life was treated as cheaply as a fly's.
One might call it barbaric, and from a modern person's perspective, that would be correct.
Science and culture were not as developed as they are in the modern era, and the concept of human rights was non-existent.
However, to a person of the Middle Ages, the modern world—despite its advancements—might seem like a stifling, rigid society.
[Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general rule.]
As the famous quote suggests, in the modern world, one must not resort to violence even if the other party is rude, and international relations are even more complex.
While this stems from a lack of administrative power and centralized authority, the Middle Ages was truly an era where the fist came before the law.
Yet, regardless of the era, there was one thing people always craved: stress relief.
No matter how mentally resilient a person might be, the moment they fail to manage their stress, life becomes a misery.
To the individual, it might be a single mistake, but life only happens once. Well, I’m the exception to that rule.
The fact that Call of Duty became explosively popular in this world is closely related to this.
Earth has too many forms of entertainment, which is a problem in itself, but this world has almost none.
They have jousting tournaments, but that alone was far from enough.
"So, you want to build a soccer stadium?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
My father stroked his chin as he looked over the proposal I had submitted. The plan I presented wasn't for a futsal court, but for the construction of a full-scale soccer stadium.
It wasn't a massive, circular stadium like the Colosseum. It was simply a pitch with raised platforms around it so the townspeople could watch.
However, the sheer size of a soccer field was the issue, which is why I had to submit a formal proposal. You can tell how large they are by how people often use "the size of a soccer field" as a unit of measurement for vast areas.
While there are many undeveloped areas in the Maishal Territory, the support of the Minerva Empire was a concern. If we weren't in sync, things could get awkward.
"Do as you wish."
"Pardon?"
"I said, do as you please."
I thought even my father, who dotes on me, might find this difficult, but he granted permission surprisingly easily. He even went as far as to stamp the proposal.
I was the one left dumbfounded. This wasn't like releasing a product like Call of Duty; it involved using the territory's land.
I was worried he might get angry that I was bringing him more work when he was already busy with territorial affairs.
"Why that look? I watched that 'soccer' game with you, which is why I'm allowing it."
"It's just... you agreed so easily."
"We have plenty of funds, and we have undeveloped land. Everything is perfect, and the residents will be greatly satisfied. Am I wrong?"
Every word he said was true. Our capital didn't just come from the money earned from Xenon Biography and Blood and Iron; we were seeing massive surpluses from tourism as well.
Furthermore, there was still plenty of undeveloped land left. This territory had always been evaluated as having great potential.
Lastly, the residents would love it the most. Even now, they were obsessed with futsal.
What if an official soccer stadium was opened? Their loyalty would likely pierce through the heavens.
There was nothing to lose. It was a step forward in the development of the Maishal Territory.
"If there's one concern, it's that the Church might have something to say... Have you heard anything from them?"
"There won't be any issues. Violence is strictly prohibited. The game will be played only within a designated space, not the entire village. With those two rules, the Church won't be able to say a word."
The reason the Church had strictly forbidden the commoners' version of rugby was its extreme violence. It was so bad that people would even smuggle in weapons.
The fact that the Church struggled to enforce the ban shows just how serious people were about their entertainment.
However, it was eventually banned under the pretext of preventing violence and criminal activity. It was different from the Jayros Revolution, which suppressed art.
Of course, there were side effects; without an outlet for stress, cases of drug and alcohol addiction reportedly increased.
Perhaps demon worshippers were behind it. It hasn't even been fifty years since rugby became the exclusive pastime of the nobility.
"Then do as you wish. How much budget do you need?"
"I won't need a large sum immediately. People aren't used to soccer yet, and the players haven't been properly selected. It will take at least a fortnight."
For the record, 'teams' weren't an issue. Even in this short time, groups had already formed.
There were the original residents from when the Maishal Territory was just a backwater village, and those who immigrated later. Or knights versus commoners.
One might ask why knights were playing soccer instead of working, but knights are human too and need to relieve stress.
Besides, there are many knights dispatched for security within the territory. They don't participate while on duty, only on their days off.
'The knights do have good teamwork, though.'
There isn't a knight who hasn't experienced rugby. Every knightly order tends to enjoy rugby to foster unity.
However, soccer is a sport where you cannot use your hands. Even for knights with great physical strength and coordination, most of them were terrible at dribbling.
Since they lacked refined technique, I often saw them tripping over themselves after trying to kick the ball with their big toes. Still, they’ll improve over time.
"Understood. I'll let you do as you want, so go ahead and play to your heart's content. Honestly, it looks like it might be fun."
"It will be. You saw it yourself, didn't you, Father?"
"I did. If I could, I'd love to join in myself, but I'm just too busy..."
"..."
I gave a bitter smile. If Father joined, it would turn into 'General's Soccer.'
Either that, or he'd become a human tank plowing through knights and everyone else. My bet was on the latter.
"Anyway, I'll come back after refining the proposal and the rules. I'll include the budget in the plan then."
"Do that."
Having secured permission, I returned to my bedroom with the stamped proposal.
I had to set the soccer rules as I knew them, while also staying faithful to my main job.
'I should ask Arwen or Cecile to make some mana-detecting items. It'll be easier to set up the stadium if I can see it from the sky.'
I hadn't suggested building the stadium on a whim. I proposed it to my father because I had the connections to make it happen.
It might seem a bit strange to ask such favors of my lovers, but the residents loved it too much to ignore.
On the futsal courts, matches that transcended race were already taking place.
Even the beastkin were so clumsy with their feet that the balance was surprisingly fair.
'The problem is the referees...'
There's a saying in soccer: if a referee is famous, it's usually for a bad reason.
In reality, if a match is handled smoothly, the referee rarely becomes famous.
For now, I was acting as a temporary referee, but I couldn't keep doing it forever.
I needed to select referees even more carefully than the players.
'I'll think about that slowly.'
Of course, I didn't need to involve myself in everything. There was no need to force Earth's soccer culture onto them.
It would naturally evolve according to the culture of this world. My job was simply to spread the seed.
'This is going to be fun.'
It felt different from Xenon Biography or Blood and Iron. It felt like I had become a pioneer in the truest sense.
Feeling cheerful, I paid a brief visit to the futsal court. Even without a referee, futsal was maintaining its massive popularity.
"Step right up! Place your bets on who will win! Will it be Jace's team or Ullak's team?"
"Go for it, Jace! I put 50 silver on your team today!"
"Ullak! If you don't win, you're buying the beer!"
"..."
Sports betting was already starting to emerge. My eyes twitched at the sight, and I briefly paused the match.
The residents looked at me with puzzled expressions when I stopped the game. I immediately spoke my mind.
"From now on, this kind of gambling is strictly prohibited."
"But why, sir?"
"Because it might lead to bribing the players. You must aim to win fairly through skill."
If nothing else, I had to stop it because it could severely damage sportsmanship.
"Win! I bet a beer on you!"
"I bet a sausage!"
Instead, I allowed that much. You need stakes like that to make cheering worthwhile.
"Is it okay to bet cards?"
"..."
The damn Middle Ages.
Whether or not a new wind was blowing through the Maishal Territory, the serialization of Blood and Iron did not stop.
From Isaac's perspective, he had finished his tasks and turned his attention elsewhere, so he couldn't help but feel relaxed.
Thus, new volumes of Blood and Iron were released. If the previous volume's 'gas chambers' of Nazi Germany had caused a shock, this time the reaction was different.
It laid bare what a military commander should and should not do. The Red Army (Soviet Union) represented the former, while the Giant (United States) represented the latter.
[Stalin's stubbornness flares up again, turning Hitler's absurd delusions into reality.]
'Operation Blue,' the turning point of the German-Soviet War and World War II.
In truth, Operation Blue itself was more of Hitler's wishful thinking. It was a strategy based on imagination.
Ever since he personally took over as Commander-in-Chief of the Army during the Battle of Moscow, things had been precarious, and now his true colors were gradually showing.
However, there was a 'great assist' from Stalin that made Operation Blue possible. While Nazi Germany was preparing, the Soviet Union did nothing.
It wasn't a lie; they truly did nothing. To make matters worse, even when the United Kingdom obtained the operational plans and handed them over to the Soviet Union, Stalin ignored them.
Just like the beginning of the German-Soviet War, this idiotic lack of preparation led to a crushing defeat at Kharkov, triggering Operation Blue.
This would eventually lead to the Battle of Stalingrad and turn the tide of the war, but Stalin's blunders were immense.
[If it weren't for Zhukov, Stalin would have lost his head along with Moscow.]
[He might be a focal point for the nation, but militarily, he is utter incompetence personified.]
[This shows what happens when a politician, not an expert, interferes in military affairs.]
And the readers interpreted this perfectly. They saw it as a subtle jab at nobles who recklessly interfered in military matters.
In reality, there were many cases where people with no experience were parachuted into high positions. While military families were an exception, it happened frequently in other houses.
The result, naturally, was a mess. For now, since there was no war, they just padded their resumes and moved on, but it was a common vice in the past.
It was also a warning directed not just at the nobility, but at the leaders of every nation.
Don't meddle in things you don't understand; leave it to the experts. It was an unintentional warning.
[On the other hand, what about the Battle of Midway? It vividly demonstrates the importance of intelligence.]
[Espionage is by no means 'dirty.' It is an essential task for gathering information.]
[The formidable power of the aircraft carrier, once treated as a nuisance. The attack on Pearl Harbor became a blessing in disguise, leading America to victory.]
Conversely, the Battle of Midway ingrained the importance of intelligence. It was the naval battle where America dealt a powerful blow to Japan, shifting the momentum of the war.
If there was one famous term from the Battle of Midway, it was undoubtedly 'AF.' AF was originally the Japanese code name for Midway.
The Americans knew the Japanese were coming for AF, but they didn't know what it referred to. Then, they came up with a brilliant idea.
They 'intentionally' leaked a radio transmission for the Japanese to intercept. The Japanese, unaware of the ruse, took the bait, confirming that AF was Midway.
[Despite their intelligence advantage, the outcome of the battle between America and Japan remained uncertain. Without that information, America would have lost.]
[Luminous favored America. Japan was powerful enough, but the 'fatal five minutes' literally decided their fate.]
[The Yorktown finally sank. But the Yorktown's presence was that of a one-ship fleet.]
There were two noteworthy points in the Battle of Midway: America's potential and Japan's arrogance.
Originally, the aircraft carrier Yorktown had been given a three-month repair estimate after the Battle of the Coral Sea.
However, the Americans performed emergency surgery on it in just three days and sent it straight to Midway. It even survived until just before the battle ended.
[Japan's arrogance was too severe. They knew they might lose, yet they were overflowing with confidence.]
[Confidence is important in war. But groundless confidence is mere arrogance.]
On the other hand, while Japan had sufficient strength, their conceit was excessive.
They had even conducted wargames that showed they would lose, but they simply ignored the results.
With their intelligence being leaked left and right, Japan's fate was practically sealed.
Nevertheless, the fact that they fought a life-and-death battle with America at Midway showed their inherent strength.
[The progression of the war is becoming increasingly thrilling. Who will ultimately seize victory?]
[The tide will soon turn on the North African front as well. Massive battles are breaking out one after another.]
With the launch of Operation Blue and the Battle of Midway occurring simultaneously, public interest surged.
It seemed particularly well-loved by military families, who even claimed they would use it as a direct reference.
While the world was fixated on the developments in Blood and Iron...
Bwaaaaaaa!
The massive sound of a war horn echoed through the Maishal Territory.