Shinzan nearly let out a bitter laugh.
Did Dream Weaver truly understand what she was saying? 'What if I can?'—what did she think the Triple Crown even was?
Suppressing the turbulent emotions rising in her chest, Shinzan spoke to Dream Weaver in a patient, instructive tone.
"Don't be reckless. The gap between a Triple Crown Uma Musume and a Triple Crown contender is far greater than you imagine."
"There are two main reasons you achieved such a brilliant victory in the Satsuki Sho."
"First, your physical abilities far surpass those of the contenders. But such qualities can be honed with time. Even if their innate talent isn't as great as yours, Triple Crown Uma Musume can bridge that gap through sheer experience."
"Second is your 'Zone.' However, the Triple Crown Uma Musume who will come to challenge you in the Japanese Derby are originally from Europe. Having emerged victorious from that brutal competitive environment, every single one of them has already awakened their own Zone."
"In other words, every advantage you hold over the contenders will be nullified against the Triple Crown Uma Musume."
Like a trainer laying out a strategy, Shinzan meticulously explained the power difference between Dream Weaver and the Triple Crown Uma Musume.
From her perspective, a single Triple Crown Uma Musume would already pose a significant threat to Dream Weaver in her current state—let alone the multiple champions the cowardly European Racing Association was certain to dispatch.
Under such overwhelming odds, Dream Weaver stood no chance of victory.
"This isn't surrender. At most, it's a strategic withdrawal. Giving ground now is to secure a more glorious victory in the future—"
"Future, future, future!Old folks always love chanting that word to the young. Is it because they feel they have no future left for themselves?!"
Before Shinzan could finish, a sharp voice suddenly cut through the air from behind Dream Weaver.
Both turned towards the sound and saw none other than Symboli Rudolf, standing with arms crossed, her chin held high, a defiant glint in her eyes as she stared at Shinzan.
"Rudolf…"
Shinzan frowned, murmuring the name under her breath at the unexpected interloper.
Symboli Rudolf was the destined future leader of Japanese Uma Musume Racing, so Shinzan had known her for a long time.
Yet she never expected the girl to stir up such a massive storm.
Before returning to Central Tracen Academy to find Dream Weaver, Shinzan had already read up on everything Rudolf and her group had done since last year's selection trials.
If she could once dismiss Rudolf's unilateral break with the Symboli family as mere teenage rebellion, now she had no choice but to seriously confront this prodigious, unruly Uma Musume who had long been viewed as her successor.
As Shinzan pondered how to engage with this brilliant but headstrong girl, Dream Weaver had already stepped to Rudolf's side and asked softly, "Why did you come looking for me?"
A smirk touched Rudolf's lips.
She raised an eyebrow at Dream Weaver, a hint of pride in her expression.
"Of course I had someone keeping a quiet eye on you. I knew the moment you were alone, you'd push yourself beyond your limits. How could I just leave you to it?"
After their conversation in the meeting room last time, Rudolf had realized there was no way to convince Dream Weaver to rest voluntarily. So she had prepared a backup plan.
Even today, when everyone else was busy, Rudolf had managed to station someone near the training grounds.
The moment Dream Weaver tried to train past her breaking point, Rudolf would arrive with a medical team in tow.
Dream Weaver's mouth twitched slightly. She wasn't quite sure what to say. She never imagined someone like Rudolf would go to such lengths.
As the two stood in silent understanding, Shinzan collected her thoughts. So Rudolf had shown up—what of it? It just meant she had one more person to convince.
"Rudolf, from what I remember, you were never the reckless type."
"With the power you possess now, confronting the entire European racing world head-on is sheer fantasy! Why not wait a little longer?!"
Rudolf's brow furrowed deeply. She turned fully to face Shinzan, displeasure evident in her voice.
"Wait? How much longer? Until I debut?Until I win the Triple Crown with the European Association's tacit approval, just to walk the same worn-out path you did?"
"No matter how special our status, the ones holding the reins are still the Europeans. I refuse to bow my head like that!"
Shinzan clenched her fists. More painful than the sting in Rudolf's words was the disappointment that the girl couldn't see her good intentions.
"And what about now? Gathering a bunch of misfits from different fields into a motley crew—is that what you wanted?!"
"Without Dream Weaver, you and your little team would be crushed in an instant by the European racing world! Expecting a single, decisive victory is nothing but a delusion!"
"Then let us fail."
"Wha—"
Rudolf's reply left Shinzan speechless. Before she could form a response, Rudolf continued.
"Even without Dream, I would still have risen up against my family and the European Association. If we fail, we'll just pick ourselves up and try again."
"As for hoping a single victory will end everything once and for all… isn't that really your own dream?"
"You always talk about building strength, waiting for the 'right moment,' the 'right future,' then igniting the conflict from within the European system to seize final victory."
Here, Rudolf shook her head, a tinge of disappointment in her gaze.
"But when is this 'moment'? When is this 'future'? If no one acts, if no one even tries, nothing will ever change. Isn't that right?"
Rudolf turned her head, her resolute purple eyes meeting Dream Weaver's beside her. She asked softly, "Will you try with me?"
Dream Weaver looked at her own reflection in Rudolf's eyes and suddenly let out a quiet laugh. Shaking her head, she replied to Rudolf, "Aren't we already trying?"
Then she turned back to Shinzan.
"The Triple Crown system is a shackle the European racing world has placed upon us all. I will break it with my own strength!"
"So… let them come. Whether they're Triple Crown Uma Musume or anything else, I will win. I'll win and prove it to you!"
Seeing their unwavering determination, Shinzan knew she could not sway them.
She let out a sigh, stepped past Dream Weaver and Rudolf, and left the rooftop.
Shinzan hadn't abandoned her goal. She had merely postponed the timeline.
For Dream Weaver and Rudolf, so full of confidence now, only a thorough defeat would bring them to their senses and face reality.
After the Japanese Derby, they would finally understand her perspective.
For now, all she had to do was what she had always done: wait quietly for that moment to arrive.
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T/N: THATS MY EMPEROR THATS WHY SHE'S THE GOAT
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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.