Shadow Court Magician Chapter 132: [Side Story] Yakiu

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~3^rd Person Perspective~

“Lieutenant von Almarsh, do you know the sport of Yakiu?” (Sicily)

　The one who asked me was my respected boss and beloved master, Sicily von Ernia.

　She clutched an otherworld book in her hands and asked with an innocent expression on her face,

“Yakiu. I know of it.” (Leon)

“Well, what kind of sport is it?” (Sicily)

“What kind of sport is this? In our world, there are no similar sports, so I can’t give you an example, but it is a team game played by nine people. It is a game of throwing a ball and hitting it back with a stick.” (Leon)

“Is it the same as golf?” (Sicily)

“Golf is a game of hitting back a ball that doesn’t move, but in Yakiu, the ball is moving.” (Leon)

The ball that is thrown will be hit back with a stick—, but as I was explaining this with gestures, the maid Chloe hit me on the head with a ladle. She seems to have heard the words “stick”, “balls”, and “squirt”. She protested, asking me what kind of things I have been teaching the princess. I can only reply that I am innocent of the crime.

But Chloe, who is more stubborn than I thought, wouldn’t accept my innocence with words alone, so I decided to actually show her the “yakiu”.

“Well, are you really going to show us what it is?” (Sicily)

“Yeah, I am also interested in it.” (Leon)

I nodded and started talking to those who seemed to have a lot of free time.

“Yakiu, let’s do this!” (Leon)

There are only a few people in the world who can say “yes” in 0.5 seconds after being approached like that. One of those rare people was Major Victor, commander of the Libra Division’s soldiers.

He’s sort of a muscle brain, or rather, he has a reputation for not thinking before acting, so he answered immediately without worrying, but I thought that Yakiu might be difficult for him because it’s an intellectual sport.

“Oy, oy, Sir Leon, you called out to me and you’re treating me like this.” (Victor)

“Hmm, that’s true, but it’s true that you’re an idiot.” (Leon)

“You’re horrible.” (Victor)

“So, 3 multiplied by 4?” (Leon)

“A f*ckton!” (Victor)

He was an idiot, full of energy. I liked him so much that I decided to put him through the selection test.

“If you think I have talent, for me to become the first-round draft pick of Ernia Lions.”

As he puffed out his chest, Victor clenched the ball in his “right hand”.

The ball I made is deformed. He’s still as stupidly strong as ever.

However, as I have said many times before, baseball is an intellectual sport, and strength alone is not enough. First, I explain the rules. I explain the strike zone, three strikes, defense, and other details.

“Yakiu is a little more difficult than I thought.” (Victor)

“Yeah, I made a rule book, it’s a bit thick like a dictionary.” (Leon)

“Ugh, it’ll never catch on over here.” (Victor)

“Not really. Yakiu was introduced by an otherworlder named Eiji Sawamura, and it became a bit of a craze in the Empire.” (Leon)

“It’s not popular in Ernia at all.” (Victor)

“Because it was declared an illegal sport. But now that it’s been lifted, there are signs that it’s catching on in the countries of the League of Kings.” (Leon)

“Hmmm, well, never mind.” (Victor)

　I threw the ball.

“I am a swordsman, I’d rather hit than throw.” (Victor)

“I’m tired of swinging a stick. Besides, isn’t the pitcher the star of Yakiu?” (Leon)

“You know a lot of strange things, don’t you? Well, yes, I do.” (Victor)

　So, we started to practice pitching, but he only got strikes.

　I thought he was not good enough. He was not even drafted high enough. I thought of it, and I gave Viktor a notice of withdrawal from the team. —However, that was a tragic mistake for a military strategist. The following week, the Ernia Lions, led by me, was beaten to a pulp by the Land Transport Bureau—the team Land Transport Bureau Jaguars. We were no match for Victor, the Jaguars’ ace and No. 4 pitcher.

“—Damn, were you actually left-handed?” (Victor)

　I didn’t notice it because he was using my right hand at the time of the selection. I then accurately analyze the cause of the defeat, but I am the military strategist Leon who does not just roll over.

　So incorporate yakiu into military training. I thought that swinging a bat helps with swordsmanship, throwing the ball was for throwing stones, and the defense helped battle formations. The analysis was spot on, and my troops were slightly more powerful.

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