Just before the soccer tournament began, I announced that we would also be holding a martial arts tournament.
Immediately after, Parcion submitted an application to join. I had no reason to refuse, so I added their names to the roster.
I wouldn't be participating in the actual tournament, though. My only involvement was the exhibition match with Katori-sensei.
As for the soccer tournament, my only duty was the opening address. It was an easy gig.
Now, about the soccer itself.
Instead of the Officer Academy Soccer Club, we had professional teams from the Galactic Empire participating this time. I decided against allowing their national representative team to join simply because the Galactic Empire would have an unfair advantage. After all, their pool of professional players was on an entirely different level.
It just wouldn't be fair.
In outer space, former pros from the Galactic Empire had been coaching in various regions for quite some time. The "second career" issue for former professional athletes was actually quite severe. While some succeeded, more than half ended up just smoldering in obscurity.
Slots for school coaches or sports academy instructors were limited. It was fine for those who could transition into general employment, but many couldn't. It wasn't uncommon for players to connect with underworld organizations during their pro years and turn to piracy after retirement.
That was where the "Soccer Evangelist" Operation came in.
The Galactic Empire’s criminal elements likely wouldn't follow them all the way to Latarnia or Chronos. I’d threatened the players in a way that was scarier than any pirate: "You know what'll happen if you make me lose face, right?"
If they messed anything up, I planned to sentence them to forced labor in the military.
As for the tournament’s operations, the Officer Academy Soccer Club—now the Grand Duchy of Chronos Army Soccer Club—was busy handling security. They were actually excited to be guarding the star players they admired. The Women's Soccer Club was all smiles, too.
...Hey, whether you're in the men's or women's club, you're all basically semi-pros treated as a corporate team over here, aren't you?
A professional team from the Grand Duchy of Chronos also entered the fray. The Grand Duchy of Chronos Army Soccer Club had actually been knocked out during the qualifying rounds. The team that emerged victorious was Kamishiro Group Wanderfalke.
They were a team owned by Kamishiro Group Chronos. They were a powerhouse that had fought many fierce battles for the championship against the Grand Duchy of Chronos Army.
The player-manager was a former graduate student, Senior Yamaoka. He was a die-hard soccer idiot who had resigned from the military specifically for the sport. He was such a madman that he’d even handed over his family headship and his title as Count to one of his many relatives.
He had submitted his notice of retirement directly to Wifey. Even she had just stood there, mouth agape, completely frozen. She was so stunned she couldn't even bring herself to complain.
I thought, Wait, we can't just let it end like that. He was a hero, after all. So, for the time being, I made him a noble of Chronos and had him serve as the Commissioner of the Sports Agency under Isono.
His major in graduate school had been Sports Economics. From ball games to pro wrestling, if it involved monetization, he was the man to talk to. The fact that our sports ventures were in the black was largely thanks to Senior Yamaoka's expertise. He was someone I absolutely could not let go.
Of course, we had sports management experts dispatched from the trading company as well, but Senior Yamaoka was the command tower who directed them. He was actually incredible at headhunting... He’d even been approached by a historic Neutral Faction Duke house about marrying in as a groom.
On the surface, it might look like we were giving a hero who had contributed so much to sports the cold shoulder. But that wasn't it. This was all exactly what Senior Yamaoka wanted.
After a heart-to-heart discussion involving the Neutral Faction and everyone concerned—essentially a "Shouting Your True Feelings Meeting"—Senior Yamaoka ended up marrying a princess from a branch family of that Duke house. The couple always looked like they were having a blast together. They were truly living life to the fullest.
Even Senior Yamaoka was fired up for the match against the pros. We were worried about the possibility of an assassination attempt, so we tightened security to the maximum.
I gave my speech at the opening ceremony while everyone else guarded the soccer stadium. Once the ceremony concluded, I moved to the VIP seats to receive security reports.
"This is Riko. No suspicious objects found."
"The probability of them actually trying something is low, but please keep the guard tight."
"Roger."
Wifey was also in the VIP seats, receiving her own reports.
"This is the unit in charge of the Galactic Empire Athlete Delegation. No suspicious objects."
"What about suspicious individuals?"
"A massive amount of them."
Well, that made sense. They were stars, after all. In this environment, it was actually harder for anyone to stage an attack. Parcion was also behaving themselves.
The first match began: the Grand Duchy of Chronos versus the Ogre God Nation. It was a familiar matchup. Both teams were seasoned veterans. Rather than rivals, they felt like comrades who had been through the trenches together since the beginning. The match was played in a friendly yet intense spirit.
Both sides had really leveled up. It was a genuinely entertaining game. In the end, Chronos took the victory. Both teams showed great sportsmanship. Everyone has grown so much; it makes me proud.
At this point, Wifey and I headed back. The night match would be Taikyoku Nation versus Latarnia. Shiyun would be watching from the VIP seats, and since One-oh-one and Tatiana were with her, things should be fine. The Forbidden Army was there too, along with One-oh-one’s steward. Tatiana also had the Saint's Personal Guard—a mixed elite unit from Latarnia, Taikyoku Nation, and Chronos—protecting her.
That meant if a terrorist attack was going to happen, it would likely be during the Parcion versus Galactic Empire match. However, it wasn't a given that Parcion would try anything. I couldn't rule out the possibility that they genuinely wanted to improve relations with Chronos. Regardless, we had to remain vigilant as the tournament progressed.
As soon as I returned to the palace, I received a call from Rikochi.
"This is Riko. We’ve arrested someone who tried to bring in a massive amount of smoke screens and firecrackers."
"Their nationality?"
"Parcion."
Hmm. If they were serious about terrorism, they would have started with a bang. This was likely just an idiot.
"What's Parcion's stance?"
"They're demanding extradition. They want to judge the suspect in their own country."
"Then hand them over."
"Are you sure?"
"It was just firecrackers. Besides, if they're using this to test our security protocols, let them. If they ever actually try a terrorist attack, I'll just kill them all."
That day, the list of arrests included: an Ogre God Nation citizen who brought in a conch shell, an Ogre God Nation citizen who got drunk and rowdy, and numerous Ogre God Nation citizens who started brawls...
You total idiots!
"Attention, guests from the Ogre God Nation! Here is a message from Leo-kun: If you’re so eager to fight, I’ll be your opponent. Everyone, assemble at the palace-pyon! ♪"
"Uooooooh! We can challenge Big Brother Leo!"
"Bring it on, you blockheads!"
And so, while the wonderful match between the Taikyoku Nation and Latarnia took place, a Battle Royale Deathmatch between me and the Ogre God Nation was held behind the scenes...
I also forcibly conscripted Saria-kyun to participate on my side of the battle royale.
"You bastard!"
"Ukekeke! If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me!"
I believe the friendship between our two nations deepened that night.