30 Years After Reincarnating, It Turns Out This World Was A Rofan?! novel Chapter 58

Cricket was one of those aristocratic leisure sports similar to baseball, enjoyed by the nobility, but it was also a sport familiar to commoners. Unlike polo, which required trained horses, a field for practice, and specialized equipment, cricket only needed a ball and a flat bat, making it much more accessible.

As a result, cricket became a popular sport among both nobles and commoners, and it was no exaggeration to say that everyone knew the basic rules.

That’s why...

“You can’t play any better than that?” freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

“My grandma could swing the bat better than you!”

“Why can’t you catch the ball?! It’s dropping right in front of you!”

...Yeah, it was like that.

On the cricket field, or rather, in the cricket exam, cadets were furiously throwing balls, swinging bats, and desperately trying to catch the ball.

Coincidentally, the two teams currently playing consisted mostly of cadets from noble families representing the southern and eastern regions. It was as if fate had split them into teams according to their regions, and those from the South and East had already begun cheering passionately for their respective sides. The fervor was reaching the point where it seemed a brawl might break out at any moment.

This wasn’t just a sports match or an exam for cadets anymore; it was a territorial war, a battle of pride.

Arno, one of the participants in the cricket exam, shook his head in disbelief.

“If we lose this match, I feel like a rebellion might break out back in our territory.”

“It’s not just a feeling; it will happen. I heard that during a cricket match between rival territories involving senior cadets, the losing territory’s citizens armed themselves with slings and pelted the lord’s son with stones.”

“Is... is that senior still alive?”

“He’s breathing, but he’s living as the greatest traitor in his territory’s history.”

“...”

“So, we absolutely have to win. I don’t want to be labeled a traitor... or stoned to death.”

“...I see.”

And so, the cricket match continued to escalate, becoming something far more intense than anyone expected. The exam became secondary, with both teams seemingly determined to beat the other side to a pulp. Arno and the other members of the swordsmanship department were starting to worry that a fistfight might break out at any moment.

“Is this what they call a bench-clearing brawl?”

Ihan watched the chaotic scene, dumbfounded. He had come to watch since his cadets were participating, thinking it would just be a casual viewing experience. However, the situation had turned into something much more combative. He had expected the nobles to keep things refined, given that this was their sport, but it was more exciting than any baseball or soccer match he’d seen.

Moreover...

“Am I watching European football? What’s with all these hooligans?”

Even the spectators were getting rowdy. If things got any worse, Ihan figured someone might actually light a torch and start burning down the nobles' carriages.

“This is madness.”

Maybe it was because there were so few entertainment options, but people seemed to take sports very seriously here. Given how familiar cricket was, it was probably inevitable that things would get this heated.

“Should I introduce soccer here?”

There were already sports somewhat similar to soccer, but if he introduced the modern version, it would be interesting to see what kind of impact it might have. Perhaps this was what they called intellectual curiosity?

As he entertained the idea of introducing modern soccer, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Instructor?”

“Number 11 Bear?”

It was a familiar face.

“It’s Barry, Instructor. We’re not in the training ground, so could you call me by my name?”

“But I remember your number exactly, don’t I?”

“...Should I be grateful for that?”

“What brings you here, Cadet Barry?”

“Oh, I’m earning some extra cash. It’s kind of the peak season for that.”

Number 11 Baldy—no, Barry Cobs—scratched his head with a sheepish smile.

He pulled out a cool drink from his large backpack. The bag was also full of snacks like jerky and pretzels.

“Hmm, is it okay for you to be selling things like that?”

“Technically, it’s not allowed, but most people turn a blind eye. Especially for guys like me who are always strapped for cash, it’s pretty common.”

“I see. I did notice some drunk people earlier...”