"So, that's roughly what happened."
A meaningful "Oh..." came from the other end of the line. It was Caesar.
"If you ask me, Kousei will definitely keep going."
"When the time comes, I'll defeat her myself."
Amel seemed to sense Caesar's hesitation and asked, "Don't tell me you think I'll lose?"
"Morgan said the same thing to me before."
"Speaking of Morgan, how is she doing? She seemed pretty devastated by the mission's failure."
"She's fine. It seems she's started to reflect on some things. Lately, she's been heading toward the Northern Academy."
"The Northern Academy? Kousei isn't even there right now." Amel assumed Morgan was planning to cause trouble for Kousei.
"I wouldn't know about that."
Amel knew Caesar's words couldn't be fully trusted. She had a nagging feeling that Caesar was somehow involved in this.
"So, are you still staying there?" Amel suddenly asked, her tone laced with displeasure.
"Of course. After all... it's my homeland. I can't just abandon my roots and my people, can I?"
"If you ask me, just forget about them. Your kin all look down on each other. Morgan is actually one of the better ones among them."
"My people are my people. No matter what, that won't change."
"It's strange, though. Among the thirteen of you, you're the only normal one."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Speedstar and the others went with you too, didn't they? You're definitely plotting something, aren't you?"
"Since when did you become so concerned with other people's actions, Amel?"
Caesar's words left Amel momentarily speechless.
"You're not just 'other people,' Caesar. We've been together for so long. I don't want you to get involved in this mess. You should know that your homeland will eventually destroy itself."
"I know. That's why I have to save it. Save my people, even if they're no longer the same as they once were."
With the conversation at this point, Amel had nothing more to say.
"Good luck."
"Same to you."
Amel sounded quite frustrated. "Do you really think I'll lose?"
"Haha."
"Let's not even talk about that idiot Morgan. My abilities are superior to Kousei's in every way. And given Kousei's physical condition, most of her previous techniques will be sealed. Where exactly could I possibly lose?"
It was strange. Amel seemed unusually concerned with Caesar's opinion.
Caesar let out a few chuckles and said casually, "To be honest, I don't know why either. If I put myself in Kousei's shoes, I'd have no idea how to beat you.
"Even I wouldn't be confident I could fight you on equal terms. You are, without a doubt, the strongest opponent Kousei has faced so far."
"Then what are you so worried about?"
"Leg strength isn't the only weapon in the world. You should know that."
"Spare me the lecture. Are you going to start preaching again? Haven't we won all those races on our own strength?"
"Yes and no. In any case, if you want to stop Kousei, I suggest you sharpen your fangs before the final battle."
Amel couldn't understand why every opponent who raced against Kousei became so invested in her afterward.
"What kind of magic do you possess, you monster?"
For better or worse, Caesar's words had ignited Amel's competitive spirit. Now, she no longer wanted Kousei to lose. She wanted to be the one to defeat her with her own hands.
On the way to the racetrack, Amel seemed distracted. The moment she stepped inside, she sensed something was off about the atmosphere.
It was fervent and restless. Amel already knew the outcome.
"She won, didn't she?" A dangerous aura emanated from her entire being.
The scene inside the racetrack was just as she had predicted. Kousei had won by a massive five-length lead. The Supernovas had failed to halt the monster's advance.
Hyacinth and the others knelt on the track, gasping for breath. Even Hyacinth, the best among them, had finished second by five lengths. The others, naturally, had fared even worse.
Kousei glanced back, a thoughtful look on her face. "Why didn't they box me in?"
That was right—the encirclement Amel had mentioned never happened. Kousei had been prepared to face a box, but her opponents' inaction left her utterly bewildered.
"Was Amel bluffing?"
Kousei wasn't the only one with doubts. Ebinuma was currently throwing a tantrum.
"What the hell! Those brats! How dare they play me!" Seething with rage, Ebinuma raised his hand to report the incident to Central.
But a pair of hands forcefully pressed his arm down.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Ebinuma was about to erupt when he turned and saw it was Ivan.
He froze for a moment. But then he remembered he was a representative of the Central Committee, and Ivan was usually so deferential. His confidence surged back.
He began to question Ivan loudly.
"What do you think you're doing?! Don't forget your place."
"My place? Of course. But there's no need to rush, Lord Ebinuma. The NAU is being broadcast live worldwide. The Central Committee will see everything even without you tipping them off."
"You dare interfere with my business?"
"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare," Ivan said with a smile. Though his words were humble, several burly men had already surrounded them from behind.
"You think there's anything I wouldn't dare?" Ivan's tone turned sharp, the sudden shift leaving Ebinuma's mind reeling.
A sharp pain shot through Ebinuma's shoulder, and he cried out as he was forcefully slammed to the ground.
"What are you doing?! The Central Committee won't spare you if they find out!" Ebinuma invoked the Central Committee's name, hoping to intimidate Ivan.
But since Ivan had already acted, he clearly wasn't afraid of trouble from them.
Ivan casually lit a cigarette and slowly exhaled a puff of white smoke. "I call you 'Lord' a few times, and you really start thinking you're someone important, don't you? Let me be clear: I'm not like those old fools. I have power and influence; I don't bother with their petty schemes and conspiracies.
"I'll lay it out for you right now: let them try to come here. I'd love to see how the Central Committee plans to crush me, the local tyrant, on my own turf."
Ivan's icy gaze and unyielding attitude left Ebinuma completely bewildered.
"What's going on, Lord Ivan? Weren't we cooperating perfectly with the NAU Committee?" Seeing that intimidation wasn't working, Ebinuma quickly forced a smile.
"Oh, so now it's 'Lord' again."
Ebinuma didn't dare retort to Ivan's sarcasm. He had a sinking feeling he was about to get a serious beating.
"Listen up. Taking you down is an order from the NAU Committee. Did those clowns at the Central Committee really think they could touch one of our people on our territory?"
Ebinuma cursed inwardly. Damn it! They made it sound so simple when I came here. How did it all go so wrong?
"The city of Yunlin has everything... except for Umamusume. Listen carefully. It. Has. Everything."
Ebinuma knew he was screwed.
"Drag him away," Ivan ordered. "Give our guest some... special hospitality. As for the Central Committee, just tell them Lord Ebinuma has gone missing. Yunlin will take full responsibility and actively search for him. Beyond that... well, that's up to fate. If they want to make a move, they're welcome to try—if they have the time."
Ivan grinned. "The old fool is much smarter than he was in his youth."
As Ebinuma was dragged away, he spotted Reiko in the crowd. She even smiled and waved at him.
Suddenly, Ebinuma understood.
I've been set up.
-
On the Racetrack
"So this is the power of a World-Class Umamusume! We really aren't good enough yet," Hyacinth murmured, gazing at the figure in the winner's circle. "These are the titans who battle on the Veteran Horse Front!"
"I knew it! I knew it! I've found her!" Tides exclaimed, her eyes blazing with fervent excitement despite her defeat.
Two pairs of eyes locked onto their target at the exact same moment.
"I'm going with her!" they both declared.
But the true focus of their gazes was someone else entirely.
Kousei's lips curled into a mocking smile, as if to say, See? I'm still standing.
You wanted an answer, didn't you? Well, this taunt is the answer.
Amel had thought their last conversation might have affected Kousei, even slightly. But now, it was clear she wasn't just unfazed—she had doubled down.
"She feels different now... No matter. This is exactly what I wanted. Let's have a proper fight, you monster."
Amel resembled a furious lioness, poised to tear Kousei to shreds at any moment.
"I may no longer be a Central runner, but I will settle the score with you for the Japan Cup."
Restless and seething, she craved the fight.