Even now, Nanno Sumire couldn't quite wrap her head around how things had spiraled into this chaos.
They'd chased after Gold Ship all the way backstage only to find complete pandemonium. A whole crowd of Uma Musume, already famous throughout Tracen Academy, were crammed into that tiny backstage area for some inexplicable reason.
And Gold Ship, the one they'd meant to rescue, had already slipped out of the sack at some point. She was even munching on a watermelon she'd snatched from Nishimoto Makusa, watching the scene unfold with keen interest.
Just as Nanno Sumire felt a bad premonition and tried to slip away, the curtains on stage suddenly drew open. Before she and Oguri Roman could make their escape, T.M. Opera O unceremoniously shoved them both onto the stage.
Nanno Sumire wasn't the only one bewildered—Narita Top Road felt just as lost.
Their plan had started off well enough: using Gold Ship as bait really had lured Orfevre over to T.M. Opera O. But after that, it was nothing short of a disaster.
Somehow, Gold Ship had slipped free and blocked their escape, trapping King Halo's trio right in the middle of the standoff between Orfevre and T.M. Opera O.
Before they could even think of a way out, another group of Uma Musume came rushing over from a distance, throwing the already chaotic scene into even deeper confusion. By the time the curtains opened, not a single one of them had managed to slip away unnoticed.
But for T.M. Opera O, the mastermind behind it all, things were perfectly simple.
She'd planned on putting on a grand play at the outdoor stage today—it was just a shame the other drama club members were apparently too shy to join in.
She'd already resigned herself to performing a one-woman show, but then, just before the curtains rose, so many Uma Musume—all admirers of the Overlord's glory—had rushed backstage. T.M. Opera O was utterly convinced they'd mustered the courage to come just so they could share the stage with her.
Not wanting to disappoint her fans' enthusiasm, she improvised a script on the spot. Even though she hadn't rehearsed with anyone, she was sure that since they'd come all this way out of admiration, they'd surely understand each other on stage.
And what thrilled her even more was that Dream Weaver, as if guided by fate to complete this scene, had also arrived in the audience.
Faced with what felt like a heaven-sent, perfect stage, how could T.M. Opera O not be swept up in excitement? She was already completely lost in her own world, ready to put on a one-of-a-kind performance at this festival.
It was then that Orfevre also turned her gaze toward the audience. Watching Dream Weaver bathed in the spotlight, she narrowed her eyes slightly.
She'd originally come just to drag Gold Ship back and let her older sister deal with her. She never expected to run into that annoying T.M. Opera O again—and even more surprisingly, Dream Weaver was here too.
This series of events felt far too convenient to be mere coincidence, and Orfevre couldn't help but replay T.M. Opera O's impassioned speech in her mind.
A faint smirk tugged at her lips. She turned to face the gathered Uma Musume, her eyes blazing with fighting spirit. Convinced she now understood everything, Orfevre raised her voice and declared:
"So this is it—a coliseum on stage, is it? That must mean the ultimate victor has the right to claim the treasure!"
"Not that I need any such right, since I already possess it—but—"
"I've no objection to demonstrating my power before everyone! All you fools who dare trespass in the King's Domain—show your courage, draw your blades, and challenge me!"
Proudly lifting her head, she flashed a provocative smile at every Uma Musume present.
The moment Orfevre finished speaking, well-prepared backstage staff tossed eight replica swords onto the stage. King Halo, closest to the action, leaped up and caught one.
"Just as I thought! It might not have gone according to plan, but the result is the same!"
"Bring it on, then! I'll show you what a first-class Uma Musume looks like!"
With her declaration, the other Uma Musume focused their gazes and caught their own weapons. Even Nanno Sumire, who had been barely holding onto her reason, was swept up in the frenzy.
"So that's how it is… Is that it, then…?"
"Then let's settle this—let's see who's the most worthy Uma Musume!"
Even the confused Narita Top Road got pulled into the chaos. She caught a longsword almost reflexively, and before she could process what was happening, an already exhilarated Gold Ship swung her weapon right at her.
"If you don't fight, you can't survive!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about!"
Narita Top Road cried out in despair, instinctively blocking the strike with her sword.
The free-for-all on stage instantly electrified the audience. Those in the front rows rose to their feet almost as one, and waves of cheers threatened to drown out the sky.
"Absolutely magnificent, I say!"
"Gwah! This is what I want! This is exactly what I came to see!"
"So thrilling, so intense! It's not often you get to see so many strong fighters in a melee like this. Even if I died now, it'd be worth the price of admission!"
Amid the roaring cheers around her, a cold sweat trickled down Dream Weaver's forehead.
Forget their strange way of putting things—since when did this stage have an admission fee?!
On stage, the battle had devolved into utter chaos. The spotlight that had been on Dream Weaver earlier had shifted to the stage, allowing the audience to witness this climactic clash more clearly.
Seeing that no one was paying attention to her anymore, Dream Weaver's overheated brain finally started working again.
Watching the performance unfold, she thought to herself:
'I still don't know how they all ended up together, but judging from the audience's reaction and the backstage support with lighting and props, this must be a planned stage play.'
As for Gold Ship…
She'd probably jumped in because she couldn't resist joining the excitement. Knowing just how playful she could be, Dream Weaver didn't overthink it—Gold Ship must've found out about this earlier and come running.
Watching the audience's excitement build and the on-stage chaos intensify, Dream Weaver shook her head helplessly.
With the Uma Musume's stamina, who knew how long this "play" would drag on.
It looked like getting the truth out of Gold Ship today was out of the question.
"Are you going to keep watching?"
Feeling a little weary, Dream Weaver quietly asked Chizuru Haibara beside her.
But Chizuru Haibara, completely stunned by the cheering crowd and the shocking spectacle before her, didn't hear the question at all. She just stared blankly at Nanno Sumire and Oguri Roman, who were caught in the chaotic brawl.
When Chizuru didn't respond, Dream Weaver assumed she was just absorbed in the moment.
Looking around at the cheering, festival-loving audience, a strange sense of discomfort flickered inexplicably in Dream Weaver's heart. She shook her head slightly and, not wanting to disturb Chizuru's immersion, quietly slipped away from the scene alone.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 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!
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If you guys wanna check it out.