Chapter 72: This is… Football? Football had Such Neat Rules? Then What on Earth Have We Been Doing All This Time…?

I declared a ban on football throughout the continent of Albion.

Although I made the declaration rashly with my Governor-General father backing me, many of the provincial governors actually welcomed my decision.

Of course, it was only natural, as villagers were not only getting hurt all the time, but in severe cases, there were even fatalities.

However, only a few days had passed since the football ban was issued.

Football fanatics were holding angry protests in front of our mansion with signs.

‘Just how much do they love football….’

That’s right.

My home.

I was now back in Lunden, in the arms of my father and older brother Leonard, for the first time in a very long time.

In fact, all the urgent problems in Abel Town have been resolved.

Ria had also fully recovered and left for the northern part of the Empire with Cain.

Well, it was Heine and the other subordinates who handled the actual work, not me.

Still, I’m constantly receiving updates on the situation, and since I can get there quickly by train, I check on the town periodically.

Anyway.

That wasn’t the problem right now.

Unlike Abel Town, which had various other amusements like interesting monthly magazines or delicious tteokbokki, the other towns and cities of Albion seemed to have a severe lack of entertainment, and the protests showed no sign of ending.

“Ugh….”

“Don’t worry about it so much.
Your decision was justified.”

“Dad.”

As I was pondering with my arms crossed, my father gently comforted me.

Maybe it was because we were reunited after a long time.

He felt kinder than before.

Ah, not that he wasn’t kind before, but his expressiveness… I guess?

Yeah.

It felt like that part of him had become much warmer.

“Football is a dangerous game that could even cost you your life, so much so that it could be considered a small-scale war.”

“Leonard-orabeoni!”

“Huhu, it’s been a while, Lin.

How was life as a governor?”

“Yes!

It was very enjoyable!”

My perfect older brother Leonard patted my head with his unique smile that he only shows me.

Just like when Dad hugged me earlier.

I felt a very nostalgic feeling, and it really felt like I was back home.

“Is Lin’s term as temporary governor over, Father?”

“Mm.”

Leonard-orabeoni asks Dad if my term as governor is over.

Huh?

It’s true that most of the important work is finished.

But there are still plenty of things to do in that town—like gathering rare alchemy ingredients…

“It would be more convenient in many ways to keep her title as it is and appoint a deputy to handle the practical work in her stead.”

“That would certainly be so.”

The conversation proceeded in the direction of keeping my governorship as it is and appointing a deputy to handle the practical work when I’m not in town.

My thoughts on this were, ‘It’s the same as what I’ve been doing all along!’

“So.
Lin.”

“Yes?”

“Are you thinking of making that magazine you made every month in Abel Town here in Lunden as well?”

With me between them, Dad and my brother were having a business-like conversation.

In the middle of it, Leonard-orabeoni asks if I’m thinking of publishing the monthly magazine in this city, Lunden, as well.

“Of course I am!”

“Huhu, I see.

I’ll be looking forward to it then.”

“Yes!”

Until now, the covers had a natural and adventurous feel.

Now that I’m back in Lunden, my heart fluttered at the thought of being able to take pictorials that capture the feel of a more modern, maritime, and bustling city.

I’ll have to publish in both Lunden and Abel Town, so my work will increase a little, but.

Well, it’s not me who’s doing the work, it’s Heine and the subordinates!

All I have to do is strike a pose and have fun!

I’m so glad I have a competent maid like Heine.

The warmth of my family’s embrace after a long time felt good.

Hah, I wish Rio was here too.

He’s so clueless, coming back all by himself….

Anyway, he’s gotten way too into playing adventurer.

I decided that when I go back next time, as his older sister, I have to take responsibility for conveying the love of our warm father and brother.

“Governor Edwin, guarantee the freedom of football!!!”

“Guarantee!
Guarantee!”

At that moment, a huge, amplified sound could be faintly heard even inside the mansion.

The sight of them protesting using even a magic tool that amplifies sound was a huge nuisance.

I could understand how they felt, as the folk game they had played their whole lives was banned overnight.

But that didn’t mean they had the right to disturb this cozy family time.

“…If they want to move their bodies so much, they could just hunt some monsters.”

“O-orabeoni…?”

However, that momentary unpleasantness was fleeting.

I felt Leonard-orabeoni’s eyes, which never lost their gentle smile, suddenly turn cold.

At that gaze, which was more intense than the emotion I had felt, I unknowingly shrank back.

“Head Butler.”

“Yes, Young Master Leonard.”

“I do not understand why our long-awaited reunion must be disturbed by such noise.”

“My apologies.
I will activate the mansion’s soundproofing barrier immediately so that there is no more noise.”

“Please do.”

Leonard-orabeoni gives the order to our head butler in a cold tone and voice.

His gaze meets mine belatedly as I’m clinging slightly to Dad.

“…I’m sorry, Lin. It seems I scared you without realizing it.”

“N-no?

I’m perfectly fine?
I-I wasn’t scared at all…?”

“It seems my emotions momentarily sharpened because our long-awaited reunion was disturbed.”

Although a surge of emotion-laden mana flared up for a moment, I wasn’t scared at all.

Because I am the noble and beautiful flower of evil, the world’s greatest villainess.

Fortunately, Leonard-orabeoni quickly regained his usual gentle demeanor.

He said he had brought some new snacks from the mainland that were created while I was away, and we had a pleasant tea time between siblings.

Dad… unfortunately, couldn’t come because he was busy with work.

I’ll save this and give it to Dad later.

‘…Should I have one more bite?’

‘Ah, no!’

‘The creature called a human is a cunning being that knows no end once you allow it the first time!’

‘I must endure, endure…!’

“Are you only thinking of publishing the magazine in Lunden and Abel Town?
If the content is the same, wouldn’t it be fine to publish it throughout the entire continent?”

“The entire continent?”

If I was going to publish a magazine in two cities anyway, Leonard-orabeoni suggested why not distribute it throughout the entire continent of Albion.

Huh?

That’s right.

Come to think of it, there’s no reason not to, is there?

“Definitely…!

That’s a brilliant idea, orabeoni!

If I do that, people will stop playing football because they’ll be enjoying my magazine!”

Leonard-orabeoni’s gaze shifted slightly to the side.

Ah, that’s definitely the look of someone thinking, ‘I don’t think that’s going to work….’

“Huhu, yes.

It would be nice if that happened.”

“…You’re not saying it will, though.”

Well, thinking about it calmly again, if a single magazine was enough to stop football, they wouldn’t be protesting like that in the first place.

Still, seeing Leonard-orabeoni, who always took my side, give such a roundabout answer made me feel a little pouty.

No, to put it another way.

Could this be proof that people are so addicted to football that even Leonard-orabeoni, who was always on my side, would give such a lukewarm response?

Wait a minute.

Does that mean the situation is much more serious than I thought!?

People are so addicted to football that Leonard-orabeoni, the older brother who cherishes his younger sister—that is, me—the most in the world, would give a lukewarm response?

In this world where you have to worry about your head flying off if you so much as hold your head up straight to a noble for a moment.

The very act of protesting in front of the mansion of the Governor-General who rules the entire continent was insane in the first place.

What should I do?

How can I stop this football addiction?

“…!”

At that moment, the conversation from earlier flashed through my mind.

[“Are you only thinking of publishing the magazine in Lunden and Abel Town?
If the content is the same, wouldn’t it be fine to publish it throughout the entire continent?”]

[“The entire continent?”]

“…That’s right!
That’s it!!”

“Huhu, did you come up with a good idea?”

“Hahaha… It’s not just a good idea, orabeoni.”

Afterward, in order to stop the people’s football addiction and the noisy clamor whenever I went out on the streets.

I tied my hair into a ponytail and put on shining armor.

“Uhm… Lady Lin?
Didn’t you say that the first commemorative cover for the continent-wide publication would be shot on the streets of Lunden?”

“Yes, I did.
But the plan has changed.”

The photographers, excluding Heine—who were actually knights loyal to our family—questioned my armor and why they themselves were standing there in armor.

“As you are aware, there have been football protests recently in Lunden and other cities and towns.”

“…!

I-I see!

Lady Lin, in order to inform people of the dangers of football….”

“As expected of the young lady, she has such a warm heart….”

“No.
I intend to make people play football.”

“…What?”

Just as Leonard-orabeoni’s love for his younger sister cannot be stopped, the love of the people of Albion for football cannot be stopped by anything.

If this continues, it might go beyond simple protests and lead to violence, and even indiscriminate riots.

I thought that I had to prevent that at all costs.

And so, I announced a new and perfect alternative.

“The new football that I created…!”

“A new… football?”

“That’s right!”

Much safer than the existing football, football players clad in enchanted armor that absorbed shock and provided protection stood in their respective positions.

There was a line of six in the front, receivers on the outside, and a running back in the back.

And in the middle of those 10 players.

The command tower, said to be the most important of the total 11 members.

The world’s greatest villainess bishoujo quarterback, who had taken off her helmet for the photo, threw the oval leather ball with all her might.

“Hah!”

The leather ball soared high into the sky, drawing a large parabola.

Even though she couldn’t use magic, Lin, who could infuse mana into her arm, threw the ball very high.

Very high.

Before long, throughout the continent of Albion.

A pictorial of Lin wearing the new ‘football’ protective armor and holding the leather ball spread rapidly.

“This is… football?”

“Football had such neat rules?”

“What have we been doing all this time…?”

And this,

“It is clear treason.”

In the heart of the great Empire.

“Under the guise of football, they are planning large-scale military training!”

“When their engagement to Lord Michael did not come to fruition, you must not fall for such a cunning trick, Your Majesty, where they try to fill their own pockets through such a show of force!”

“Mm, I have heard your opinions well.

Both sides have a persuasive ring to them, based on valid grounds.

I will offer a compromise to your loyal opinions.

How about we also build that so-called football field in this uselessly wide imperial palace and train our soldiers?”

The news reached even the imperial capital, where the Emperor and various court nobles were gathered.