"You've come a long way. Please, allow us to show you our hospitality."
Kousei and her group stood bewildered. Seeing their hesitation, the young man spoke up. "I should have introduced myself first. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Rohan Ye, and I'm a Trainer. I presume you're the Umamusume team here for the NAU event?"
Rohan's gaze settled on Kousei, a faint, knowing smile on his lips. "And you must be the legendary 'Silver Demon.'"
Kousei's body tensed as their eyes met.
This man is dangerous!
Though she sensed danger, she detected no malice. It was as if her instincts were simply warning her of his immense power.
"There's no need to be alarmed," Rohan said smoothly. "I've been sent by my master to personally welcome you. We must not neglect our guests; we offer the finest treatment to all, regardless of who they are."
"Then we'll be in your care," Reiko replied readily, seeing no ill intent from him.
"Please, follow me."
Kousei lingered at the back of the group, lost in thought. Just a Way suddenly sidled up to her. "Kousei, this place is huge!"
Just a Way's comment snapped Kousei out of her thoughts, and she began to take in her surroundings.
Skyscrapers pierced the sky, and the streets teemed with bustling traffic. As far as the eye could see, an atmosphere of peace and harmony prevailed. The old and young alike appeared content and carefree, living in a land of abundance and prosperity.
"This place..."
The scene of stability and prosperity stunned Kousei, reminding her of the utopian ideals she had only read about in books.
Curious gazes occasionally fell upon her. Whenever she met someone's eyes, they would offer a gentle smile, which made Kousei instinctively want to look away.
Following Rohan Ye, the group arrived at a grand mansion. The sheer scale of the estate, even from the outside, left Kousei speechless.
"Are you really a young lady?" Kousei asked Reiko.
"A fallen one," Reiko replied wryly. Even a young lady had to find her own way to make a living.
Stepping inside, Kousei and Just a Way were momentarily blinded. The lavish decorations were unlike anything they had ever seen—truly magnificent and opulent.
What kind of person lives in a place like this? Kousei wondered.
Finally, after traversing a long corridor, they came face to face with the master of the mansion.
"Welcome to the Eastern Lands!"
The group froze. The master of the mansion was completely different from what they had expected.
She had a lovely face, still retaining a touch of youthful innocence. A golden crescent moon adorned her silky white hair, giving her an air of nobility. But what drew the most attention were her eyes. Her right eye held a five-pointed star, with four smaller stars adorning the area beneath it.
She exuded both arrogance and restraint—a contradictory combination of temperaments that made her utterly inscrutable.
"Allow me to introduce our Eastern Lands' Umamusume—Jade Rouge Dragon," Rohan Ye said. "She is also the strongest Umamusume in the Eastern Lands."
"The strongest..."
The word "strongest" caught Kousei's attention. As she sized up Jade Rouge Dragon, Jade noticed something about her as well.
"You... are you an Umamusume from the Mejiro Family?"
"What?"
Kousei didn't understand at first why Jade would think she was from the Mejiro Family. It wasn't until she glanced down at the Mejiro family crest on her chest that she realized what was happening.
"Are you Mejiro McQueen?"
"I'm not."
Jade's disappointment was palpable. "A pity. I was hoping to see just how powerful the legendary 'Heavenly Horse' truly is."
"Miss Jade," Rohan Ye interjected, "I don't think Mejiro McQueen would ever appear in the NAU."
"Alright, then who from the Mejiro Family are you?"
"I'm not from the Mejiro Family."
"Eh? You're not from the Mejiro Family, but you're wearing their family crest? How strange."
"It's for personal reasons."
Kousei never imagined she'd be mistaken for a member of such a prestigious family. Jade, on the other hand, didn't seem to care much; her disappointment was fleeting.
"Miss Jade," Rohan Ye said, "this is the 'Monster' from the recent rumors. Her registered record in the NAU is five wins in five races, with an average winning margin of three lengths. Her strength is truly extraordinary."
"A Monster? I see. What's your name?" Jade's interest was slightly piqued.
"Kousei."
Jade nodded, seemingly committing the name to memory. She then stared at Just a Way for a few seconds, a playful expression crossing her face.
"Alright! Rohan! You handle the hospitality. I'm going to take a nap," Jade said, lazily draping herself over the sofa as if she had already fallen asleep.
"Miss Jade has always been like this. I hope you don't mind," Rohan said, smoothing things over for her.
"Not at all. Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Rohan," Reiko replied.
Only then did Kousei and her companions truly understand what Rohan meant by "proper etiquette."
"Am I dreaming?"
"No, you're not dreaming, Miss Just a Way."
Rohan Ye had actually given them a massive penthouse. Though the decor continued the extravagant, almost absurdly opulent style, it had everything!
"..." Kousei was truly speechless. It was a stark reminder of the world's vast disparities.
It wasn't just Kousei; every visiting competitor received the same treatment, a clear demonstration of the Eastern Lands' immense wealth.
"We have always valued proper etiquette," Rohan said. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to contact me. We want all competitors to be in their best condition for the race." With that, he excused himself, leaving Kousei and her companions alone.
"There's more than enough room here to give my Kousei doll its own bed," Just a Way marveled.
"How much must all this cost?" Aoi murmured, examining the valuable items in the room.
Jade's demeanor had already hinted at her background; she carried the pampered air of someone accustomed to being spoiled.
"I did a little digging on the official NAU website," Reiko said, her mysterious tone piquing everyone's interest. "Guess what I found?"
"Tell us."
"Young Lady Jade's family holds a revered position in the Eastern Lands. They are ancient, noble, and renowned in the financial world, with their influence extending deep into all sectors of society. No one knows exactly how long the Jade Family has existed."
A moment of silence followed.
"If they're that powerful, why have we never heard of them?"
"Because until now, they've never had any involvement in the Umamusume World."
"Why?"
"According to records, no Umamusume had ever been born in the Eastern Lands until Jade's arrival broke that streak."
"So, the Young Lady is the first and only Umamusume from the Eastern Lands."
That explained everything.
"The entire Umamusume World in the Eastern Lands revolves around her alone. I imagine no request she makes would ever be denied."
"Exactly. But it would be a huge mistake to dismiss her as just some pampered doll. Her NAU record is a perfect nine wins in nine races. We can't tell if she was even going all out, but given her youthful appearance, she's likely still at the Beginner Grade level."
"Beginner Grade?!"
In Central, Beginner Grade was strictly separated from Classic and Senior Grades. Classic and Senior Grade Umamusume were forbidden from competing in Beginner Grade races to protect the newcomers, ensuring a degree of fairness.
But NAU had no such rule. This meant Jade, with her still-developing physique, was competing against seasoned veterans from the Veteran Horse division.