"Shinzan..."
Pierre's gaze was complicated as he looked at the Uma Musume who had practically grown up before his eyes, his heart a tangled mess.
However, Ludendorff didn't share the council chairman's deep sentiments.
He glanced at Shinzan as she entered the council chamber, waved for the security to leave, and then spoke.
"Shinzan, how long has it been since you last stepped onto the racetrack?"
"Over a year, I suppose. Why?"
"Over a year. In that time, you haven't just avoided official races; you've barely even kept up with training. Is the you of today still the you of the past?"
Ludendorff's face was stern, the crisscrossing wrinkles on his face appearing even more imposing under his solemn expression.
For over a year now, Shinzan had been tirelessly working to expand her influence—from documentaries to TV programs, from press interviews to attending banquets.
With such a relentless schedule, maintaining competitive form was clearly impossible.
Shinzan narrowed her eyes slightly, not answering Ludendorff's question immediately. Instead, she casually pulled out a council member's chair and sat down.
The council member whose chair she'd taken could only seethe in silent anger under her imposing aura, slinking off to the side.
Bernard snapped his fingers and spoke to the secretary recording the minutes behind him.
"Fetch a chair for Mr. Henry."
Then, after offering a polite smile to the councilman named Henry, he too turned his attention to Shinzan.
"Miss Shinzan, setting aside the question of how much of your competitive form remains..."
"I have another question first... Why... why are you choosing to step forward now?"
Bernard offered Shinzan an impeccably polite smile, his gloved fingers tapping lightly on the table surface.
His question was pointed, to say the least.
After all, everyone had witnessed Shinzan's actions up to this point—how she'd been consistently usurping the authority the European Racing Association held in Japan.
Now that a local prodigy, an Uma Musume, had emerged, why would Shinzan actively try to block her?
Wouldn't it be a better choice to win Dream Weaver over and then join forces to counter the European Association?
Hearing Bernard's words, several council members who had been somewhat bewildered by Shinzan's appearance suddenly grew solemn, all turning their gazes toward her.
Facing this collective stare that practically represented the entire European Racing Association, Shinzan's expression didn't flicker in the slightest.
Negotiating with people like these was something she'd been learning since childhood.
"If she were truly someone who could be persuaded, she would have joined the European side back during the selection trials, wouldn't she?"
Shinzan's response stiffened the expressions of most present.
Given how far things had progressed, they were all well aware of the journey this Uma Musume, Dream Weaver, had taken.
Whenever they thought of the current messy situation, they couldn't help but feel regret in the dead of night.
If only those two damn trainers hadn't provoked Dream Weaver back then, if only Richard's persuasion had been more skillful... perhaps their dominance wouldn't have come to this.
Dream Weaver had the ability to stir the world's nerves single-handedly, causing upheavals across various racing districts with her performances.
Naturally, she also had the potential to become the sharpest blade in Europe's hand.
If that blade could be wielded for their own purposes, Europe's glory would undoubtedly reach new heights!
Lost in such regret, one less resolute council member couldn't help but mutter under his breath.
"Damn it... if only Dream Weaver were on our side..."
Shinzan paid no mind to the coward whose spirit was already broken. She fixed her gaze on Council Chairman Pierre at the head of the table.
"As for why I'm stepping forward now..."
She narrowed her eyes and spoke in a low voice.
"It's simple. Because she has encroached upon my interests."
"Interests?"
Pierre, silent until now, finally had to respond under Shinzan's piercing stare.
"Moreover... if she truly wins the Triple Crown, where would that leave my position?"
"My uniqueness stems from being the first Triple Crown Uma Musume from outside Europe, the sole absolute monarch who broke through Europe's blockade to defend the Triple Crown three times."
Shinzan tapped the table, her face iron-hard, revealing no emotion.
"Dream Weaver's uniqueness surpasses my own. She bears no European mark. As the source point igniting a worldwide wave of rebellion, if she wins the Triple Crown, she will inevitably encroach upon my sphere of power."
"Japan is my domain. I will not permit such an overreach."
Hearing this, Bernard stroked his chin, pondering internally.
I see. Shinzan had been so eager to wrest power over that Far Eastern country from Europe's hands before.
Now, facing a new generation's challenge, it's natural she wouldn't let go easily.
Shinzan's goal is to free Japan from European influence.
No, having grown up in Europe since childhood, she likely holds no special affection for that land. Shinzan wants Japan to become territory under her own pen, with herself as a governor-like figure.
Similar cases have happened before, though the individuals who became governors were usually Uma Musume of European origin.
So then... should we choose Shinzan, temporarily sacrifice the interests of the Japan branch, and let her block Dream Weaver?
Bernard didn't ponder for long before reaching a decision.
Due to Shinzan's special status, she already effectively holds half of Japan's racing world. What they would need to concede is merely the other half of that power.
Furthermore, even if Shinzan becomes governor, her power wouldn't remain stable forever. To maintain her rule, she would eventually have to realign fully with Europe.
Compared to Dream Weaver, who seems intent on overturning the world order, securing Shinzan's intervention at a certain cost isn't too hard to accept.
"I understand your position."
Bernard said with a smile. The scales in his mind had already begun tilting in Shinzan's direction.
Hearing Shinzan's explanation, the assembled council members also wore expressions of realization.
They even felt a sense of shared experience, as they had all lost significant interests due to Dream Weaver's emergence.
Shinzan's reasoning was sufficient to persuade the vast majority of the council. Now, only one question remained before them.
The very question Ludendorff had initially posed.
After being absent from racing—no, after stagnating in training for over a year—just how much of her competitive form could Shinzan possibly retain?
Could she truly defeat Dream Weaver, who had routed five Triple Crown Uma Musume?
Thinking this, the council members unanimously surrounded Shinzan with questioning looks.
And she—her expression still hadn't changed in the slightest.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.