After dismissing the Emperor, Zero fell silent.
That dream was very real, so real that... every exertion, every meal, and then the feeling of weakening due to aging, and finally the sensation of her body gradually stiffening.
"Do you know anything?"
Inside the silent room, there was no sound, not even familiar text on the light screen.
Perhaps sensing something, she looked up and found herself in a completely dark space.
And opposite her, was her.
The Absolute Zero from her dream, as a horse.
"Did you call me here?"
[————]
The other party was silent, then nodded.
"And us," a voice came from behind.
Turning around, it was the figures she had seen in the battle where the domain was activated before, the Three Goddesses.
"So, what exactly happened?"
Eclipse, who usually spoke to her the most, continued.
"You know, an Uma Musume is an existence that inherits the name of its prototype."
"Mm."
"But you are different. You don't have a prototype's name, so naturally, you cannot become an Uma Musume."
"Actually, your death was just a pure accident. We never expected your reincarnation to be that horse later on."
"???"
"As a horse, you lived such a life and then passed away. Even we couldn't help but be moved. So, we decided to bring you over from that world, to let you be born here as an Uma Musume. This is what you deserve."
"???" Wait, the situation is gradually going wrong!?
"But there was a slight mishap. Originally, you should have been a complete newborn, but the world consciousness of that world felt that doing so wasn't quite right, so it preserved your memories from before your first reincarnation. Finally, the current you was born."
"Which means…"
"That's right, you indeed lived a life as 'Absolute Zero' and performed that leap in your twilight years."
"…" Looking at the other self opposite her, Zero was speechless for a long time.
The situation in her heart became even more complicated.
"Originally, you shouldn't have known about this, but that day, Air Groove's medicine was tampered with by us… *cough*, when it was influenced by us, the soul of your prototype from another world somehow suddenly intruded."
(I cannot accept this kind of fate) The prototype responded faintly.
"Wait, you can talk!?"
(Nonsense, I'm a soul body, of course I can communicate directly through consciousness.)
Suddenly, she felt this other self was very arrogant.
"So, now what?"
(Of course, it's what you're thinking.)
Her gaze turned to the Three Goddesses, who nodded.
"Then let's begin."
She naturally understood what was happening now, after all, she had been to this space once before.
Factor inheritance.
Starting to run, the other party's figure quickly occupied her vision.
In the dark space, only light existed ahead.
In her most familiar posture, she was running, chasing [herself].
She knew why the Three Goddesses had brought her here, and she also understood why her other self had come to have the Three Goddesses bring her here.
She still wanted to keep running, to enjoy the wind on the racetrack, and to compete with other contenders there.
In fact, after she aged, her races became increasingly difficult, but it was precisely these challenging races that made her even more excited.
If before she enjoyed running and winning on the track, after aging, when facing the possibility of losing, she would compete with all her might, and she also enjoyed this feeling, a feeling completely different from simple victory.
Running was no longer just running; it was imbued with more meaning.
And at this moment, both she and her prototype were enjoying this feeling.
There was no existence more worthy of competition than oneself, no greater sense of accomplishment than defeating oneself.
Factor inheritance isn't just about running along; if there isn't corresponding will and strength, this factor inheritance will only end in failure.
[In the Name of Absolute]
Activate domain.
[Zettai Shinsoku]
Full power, of course, must be used from the very beginning to be called full power.
Soon, she achieved parallel with the other party.
(Is this all you've got?)
You do it then!?
(Then I will!)
The other party pushed forward again, and she naturally followed closely.
Once she was boxed in by the other party, it would all be over; she had to maintain parallel for now.
Then overtake the other party and box her in.
One person, one horse, galloping with all their might.
It, even when unable to break through its limits wantonly, still reached that true peak of existence.
She, through countless breakthroughs of her limits, ascended to the peak.
She and it are the same person.
The same spirits intertwined on the racetrack; they both loved running, and this time, it would naturally be no exception.
"How youthful~"
"Yes, we're getting old too…"
The Three Goddesses were currently eating snacks and drinking beverages, watching the person and horse run.
They hadn't expected the prototype Zero to be so fierce, directly breaking away from her own world, and at that critical moment, with a broken soul, arriving here.
Her purpose was to pass on her power, so that… she would still be running on the racetrack, never stopping.
So, as long as the power was passed on, she would still run on the racetrack, even if her soul scattered as a result, she would have already passed on the power.
Racehorses and Uma Musume are not just about inheriting a name; it's a much deeper connection.
What is inherited is also the original glory, and… their wishes.
The race was still ongoing, but the light was already very close.
Although it was a consciousness space, Zero could also feel her stamina and grit nearing exhaustion.
(You too… are nothing special…)
Heh… Look at your tongue practically flailing out… and you're talking about me?
(Watch closely, this is my last push!)
NMD! You're just going to unleash your ultimate move, huh!? Are you not playing fair!?
(Playing NM, I want to win!)
Don't even think about it!
Her domain had long since closed due to lack of stamina; at this moment, it was naturally that move.
[Senri Shippu - Shinsoku]
[Under the setting sun, leaping over the afterglow]
Feet and hooves simultaneously struck the ground, simultaneously rushing into the dazzling light.
"Ah, they're gone~"
"After all, they're not like us old bones."
"Speaking of which, she still wanted to challenge us, didn't she?"
"Ah, have some sympathy for us elderly people = ="
"Anyway, should we continue drawing her lewd pictures and posting them on O-site?"
"Good idea!"
"Seconded."
"Seconded +1."
Zero naturally understood the other party's state, as the other party's body was flickering, like a light bulb about to break.
But what did that matter?
There was no need to pity the other party; just as she would always use her full strength within the limits on the track, even if not overly excessive, pitying would only insult the other party.
(Ah, I can't see the finish line…)
"Because there was no finish line to begin with."
After crossing the light, there was a vast grassland.
She and it lay on the grass, chatting desultorily.
(I still want to continue.)
"I know."
(I haven't run enough.)
"I know that too."
(So, you must…)
"Mm…"
[Under the Setting Sun, Leaping Over the Afterglow (Rainbow): When stamina is exhausted, restore all stamina and clear all physical and mental fatigue and all debuff statuses, but will be weakened for three days after the race ends.]
[Veteran · Undefeated (Green): Possessing this skill means possessing the highest level of adaptability for all racetracks, regardless of the track, one can exert strength far beyond the usual.]
There were only two skills, but this wasn't because the other party couldn't sustain it; it was simply because… she was just this close to the peak.
Turning over to lie on her back on the grassland, now with only herself, she gazed at the white clouds drifting across the clear blue Sky, remaining speechless for a long time.
"Thanks, Goddesses." A smile curled her lips.
[No need to thank us.]
In the Sky, a large cluster of clouds gathered together.
It was a magnificent horse rearing and neighing.
Who could it be?
---------------------------------
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