Chapter 81 81 – Having Fun

My subordinates have gathered. The demon workers and I pulled the cloths covering the area.

"This is a mini soccer cage!" I spread my arms in front of the cage, about 125 X 60 feet in size and fifteen feet tall.

Instead of enthusiasm, my followers looked confused to see an area with two goals and a floor of drained clay.

I guess it's because they don't know soccer. So, even though I gave a twist in the form of cages instead of lines, they didn't understand.

Well, it can be helped.

I entered the cage and juggled one of the leather balls in there. That thing was also made by the bwisters with my guidance.

"We're going to make two teams of five each." I continued to juggle the ball with my feet, feeling an immeasurable nostalgia. Turns out I still really miss things like this. "The goal of each team is to get the ball into these rectangular holes on either side."

I kicked the ball into one of the goalposts that became one with the cage wall. The spherical object flew hard before being caught in the goal net.

"So..." I widen my smile and put my hands on my hips. "I will explain the rules. After that, we'll choose who will play."

My subordinates could only exchange glances, apparently still didn't understand the point of doing this.

***

The players from various races have been divided into two teams. I stared at the minotaur I had appointed as the goalkeeper.

Because of his huge body, he covered almost the entirety of the goal.

"Errr... Sorry." I scratched my hair. "It seems you are not suitable for this position. I will replace you."

"Very well, sir." He shrugged and left.

"Who would be willing to take his place?" I asked my subordinates who were watching. Most of them raised their hands, but one seemed more enthusiastic than the others.

Skeleton A was jumping up and down and screaming. "Choose me, Your Majesty! I'll show you that I can't just cook!"

"He really likes games." Skeleton B, not raising its hand, chimed in.

"Okay then, come in." I nodded.

Skeleton A gets into the cage and runs to the goal. "I won't let a single ball in here."

"Are you ready?" Robyn, acting as referee, asked.

A human in the middle of the field, and I nodded. Then, the woman blew a small wooden whistle.

I intend to pass the ball to my team. However, what happened next was too wild. Everyone on the field, even the goalkeepers, ran toward the ball.

The audience cheered while I held my forehead. The nine individuals from the various races gathered together, fighting over the ball with their feet, causing tremendous chaos.

Ah, my expectations were too high to be able to play mini-soccer normally with them.

Something rolled near my feet. However, it wasn't a ball, but the skull of skeleton A.

"Don't worry, my lord!" He shouted. "This won't stop me from getting the ball!"

I saw the body part of the skeleton A running fast and crashing into the corner of the cage until the bones were scattered.

Then, I saw the human on the opposing team get knocked out of the crowd. His head hit the floor, and he passed out.

After that, a mare dangled from the cage ceiling while biting the ball. The other players chased him from below.

I have to make specific rules, so no one bites the ball. He indeed doesn't use his hands, but...

That mare goes into the goal and puts the ball in there.

The referee blew the whistle and shouted. "Goal!!!"

I took a deep breath. Looks like I still have a long way to go before I can have fun playing soccer. I still have to teach them, and I don't know how long I'll have to do that.

***

Surprisingly, they are pretty quick in adapting to the game. There was an incident of a shapeshifter who covered the goal by changing his body shape to become flat and wide, but it didn't bother me too much.

"Zroc, pass it to me!" I shouted to the mare.

The creature kicked the ball at me, but Xenora intercepted it.

"Sorry, my lord." Xenora was dribbling the ball with a serious expression, dodging the opposing players with beautiful dance-like movements.

Even though she was hesitant to do this before.

She kicked the ball with slow motion. The goalkeeper was fooled. He jumped to soon, expecting Xenora to kick hard.

The cheers of the audience grew more and more thunderous. Xenora raised her hand and flew to her hysterical succubi friends.

I shook my head and shrugged. It was Xenora's tenth goal. Well, it's natural for this to happen. She's a succubus who focuses on foot attacks, after all.

Even though I was on the losing side, I couldn't stop smiling. I became more relaxed. At first, I was hesitant to do this, afraid I would open an old wound in my heart.

Now I'm grateful.

"Who wants to play in my place?" I asked the audience. Even though I still want to play, I want to share this joy.

They looked enthusiastic now, even though they had been confused by all this before.

I patted the shoulder of the bwister who took my place and said to everyone in the arena. "Don't forget to give the others a chance to play too."

I then flew to a tall tree and met Emily and Szur sitting on one of the branches.

"This is the first time I've seen you this happy, my lord." Emily chuckled. "You really enjoy it."

Szur, enjoying a raw mole, responded. "The last time Lord Vorn looked this happy was when we destroyed that crime district in Marystar."

"Really?" I raised my eyebrows. Maybe because the burden of doing all of this is getting heavier, I forget to enjoy the achievements and journeys I have gone through.

Looks like I'll have to keep that in mind.

I stared at the caged mini-soccer field. The bwister who replaced me scored a goal, prompting the crowd to cheer again.

"Well, I hope they enjoy this as much as I do," I muttered. "This is so they can relax before carrying out the next mission."

"Where are we going after this, Your Majesty?" Emily asked.

Szur chewed on his food. "A visit to the shadow organization headquarters, maybe?"

"Yes." I smiled again at my two subordinates. "I'll make sure the visit will be fantastic."