Chapter 869
Martius brought him a serving of food, and he began to eat while chatting with the soldiers with the help of the interpreter.
It was the first time that the civilians of Rome were eating with a king. Not only did this king hold great power, but he was also rumored to be a descendant of the Greek gods. Hence, they were curious and nervous. However, seeing that the king was not putting on airs and chatting with them in a very gentle manner, they gradually let go of their inhibitions and dared to talk to the Devers about some of the problems they were facing now. The Devers patiently responded to them one by one. As a result, soldiers continued to pour in. Although it made the guards busier, the atmosphere became livelier and livelier.
At the end of the banquet, the Devers asked, "The next rugby game is going to be played. What are your preparations?"
The soldiers responded at once, expressing roughly the same idea. Although they also wanted to participate in the game, they did not understand the sport at all and were afraid of making a fool of themselves in the game.
The Devers smiled and told them, "In the Kingdom of Diónia, rugby is very popular with the citizens. The game is intense and exciting. It can show the players' strength, speed, wisdom, and overall tactical cooperation. I believe that you will soon fall in love with it after you get to know it."
The Devers continued to surprise them. He said, "This sport was inspired by Hades in my dream and then taught to the soldiers of Diónia. So, you can rest assured that I will soon teach you how to play rugby, and I will personally take you to the game …"
The soldiers were very excited after hearing that and actively asked to participate. From time to time, bursts of laughter broke out in the Piazza de Mars.
Considering that there were ten teams participating in the afternoon rugby game, they were the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth legions, the first and second cavalry legions, the Lucania reserve legion, and the Rome reserve team. The games would be held in the Arena of Rome and the Piazza de Mars, and the vast Piazza de Mars had also been opened up for three games.
In addition to the soldiers stationed at the top of the city wall to defend against foreign enemies, the soldiers sent to scout the enemies around Rome, and the soldiers patrolling the streets to maintain order, not only the soldiers of the legions, but also the merchants and attendants of Diónia who came to trade in Rome to watch the game, it also attracted some people from Rome and the surrounding towns such as Venus and Pheidina.
In the past, in addition to plays and sports competitions, the only entertainment that the people of Rome could watch was the gladiator games. This was a cruel entertainment that the people of Rome had learned from the Etruscans. The audience was stimulated by the killing of the slaves in the arena. Especially in the past decade, with the increase of wars and the increase of captives, there of gladiator games in Rome.
It was their first time watching a Diónia rugby game. The grand scale of the game and the intense physical confrontation first attracted their attention. It did not take long for them to discover the overall cooperation between the two teams in offense and defense. The battle of wits and courage in the fast-paced game was also very interesting. All of these made them feel the profoundness and interest of this sport. Every time the referee blew the whistle to make a penalty, the coaches on the sidelines would promptly change the formation, and every player who came off the field would clap their hands to the sidelines. All of these made them realize the rigor, formality, and elegance of this sport.
Therefore, the complicated rules of the game did not give the people of Rome a headache. Instead, it made the people of Rome, who were used to making laws and abiding by them, ponder the mystery of the game more carefully. After a few games, they, like the soldiers and spectators of the other legions, cheered for every attack scored by the players on the field, and sighed for every mistake made by the players …
The Devers really fulfilled their promise and personally led the Rome players to the game.
The spectators on the sidelines suddenly exclaimed and cheered, but the players of the second legion, who were the opponents of the game, were a little unhappy.
As the coach, the commander of the second legion, Matonis, immediately came over to protest.
However, the Devers said, "These Rome soldiers have never played rugby before, and it is their first time playing against you. If I don't play, then you will win easily, and it will be unfair to the other legions …"
Under the Devers' insistence, the players of the second legion had no choice but to accept it.
Of course, the Devers would be the quarterback, because that was the only way he could lead the whole team. Although he was already 40 years old, he persisted in exercising every day, so he had good stamina. Besides, the players of the second legion became a little timid in front of the king, whom they usually respected. They did not engage in fierce confrontations with him, so the Devers could organize the offense more easily.
The news that the king of the Devers was going to play soon spread to all the legions. This was a miracle that was rarely seen in more than a decade! The soldiers rushed to the field one after another. They surrounded the field three floors away from the field and three floors away from the field. Every time the Devers caught the ball or threw the ball, it would cause thunderous cheers from the sidelines, which also caused a lot of psychological pressure on the players of the second legion.
Under his command, the Rome players gradually began to play well, and they even scored a touchdown. Coupled with the natural tenacity and tenacious defense of the Rome players, the score was never pulled apart.
This made the players of the second legion a little anxious, and their movements became bigger. The confrontation also became more intense.
Under such circumstances, the Devers began to be targeted. There was even one time when he was knocked to the ground by an opponent who was so anxious that he lost his mind.
The audience outside the field exclaimed. Matonis and the players were so scared that they quickly came over to comfort the Devers.
The Devers got up, shook his head, and tried his best to smile. Then, he comforted the perpetrator who was at a loss and told him gently, "I'm fine. It's a rugby game, and it should be played like this!"
The heartwarming scene once again made the audience at the sidelines applaud enthusiastically.
After the game resumed, Matonis suddenly had an idea. He shouted to the bench, "Adoris! Adoris! "
Adoris, who was wearing a simple game uniform, immediately ran to Matonis and said excitedly, "Legion Commander, it's my turn to play?!"
"Yes." Matonis said affirmatively, "When you get on the field, you'll be the central defense. Defend against the opponent's quarterback!"
"Ah? Defend my … father? "Adoris was dumbfounded.
"There's no other way. No one else dares to defend against His Majesty seriously. Only you can!" Matonis shrugged helplessly. He then looked at him and said in a deep voice, "Listen, kid. We can't lose to the Rome players who are new to the game. Otherwise, the second legion will become the joke of all the legions in Diónia. As a soldier of the second legion, do you want that?!"
"No!" Adoris answered without hesitation.
"Very good. Go on the field and defend well!" Matonis encouraged him loudly and pushed him onto the field.
Next, the Rome reserve team attacked. After both teams landed in their positions, the Devers saw Adoris standing in front of his teammate. He was slightly stunned and said, "Adoris, it's your turn."
"Father, I … I won't let you pass the ball so easily again!" Adoris said nervously.
The Devers raised his eyebrows and said, "Oh, then give it a try."
Indeed, Adoris did not have as many scruples as his other teammates. Although he was a little reserved in the beginning, he gradually let go of his hands and feet. There was no longer a scene of the father and son chasing each other, causing the soldiers outside to laugh out loud.
The people of Rome who did not know the reason also laughed after they asked about it.
As a result, the battle on the field was intense, and the people outside the field were laughing non-stop.
Of course, once the players of the Second Legion got serious and the Devers were restricted, the newbie Rome soldiers were no match for them. However, when the game ended, many of the players walked off the field reluctantly. Just this game alone had made them fall in love with this sport.
When the King Devers came off the field, the crowd cheered for him to continue the game. The Devers smiled and waved to the crowd to thank them.
Due to the time constraint, the second round immediately began after the first knockout round. There were thousands of soldiers in each legion, and all of them knew how to play rugby. They could be rotated at any time, so there was no need for them to rest. The final match was between the First Legion and the Second Legion.
The two legions were among the best in the kingdom. Not only did they compete with each other in military affairs, but they also competed with each other in other aspects. Naturally, they gave their all in this game. Therefore, the game was quite intense. The audience at the side of the field was also very nervous, and they could not help but cheer for both sides.
There was another interesting scene in the game. Matonis once again used his trump card. He sent Adoris to specifically attack Patroclus, the quarterback of the First Legion.
The scene of the brother-in-law against the brother-in-law was played again, and it added a little more interest to the tense game. The Devers in the field were also very happy.
It happened that Adoris made a crucial tackle that caused Patroclus to drop the ball, and the Second Legion won the championship by a narrow margin.
When the game ended, it was almost dusk, but the lively atmosphere in the city had yet to dissipate.
The soldiers of the various legions were still fiercely discussing their mistakes and regrets in the game. The soldiers of Rome and the people were still savoring the joy and excitement that the rugby game brought to them. Of course, the King Devers was also one of the topics that they were talking about. They did not expect the King of Diónia, who was usually high and mighty, to be so approachable. He was able to mingle with the ordinary people and was closer to them than the Senators of Rome, who claimed to be the "father of the people". This made them even more fond of the Kingdom of Diónia.
… …
"Father! I'm sorry I'm late! " Said Crotocatax apologetically as he hurried into the living room. As he had just sobered up, his voice was still a little hoarse.
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