Dream Weaver's words pierced the defenses of these Triple Crown Uma Musume like a razor's edge. Just as she said—if they truly had a shot at competing for the championship in those top-tier races, why would they set aside precious training time to attend something like the Japanese Derby?
Their goal wasn't even to win it, but to stop Dream Weaver from doing so.
The moment they agreed to the request from the European Racing Association, they had already chosen to run away—actively avoiding the more brutal, fiercely competitive premier events to instead come to Tokyo Racecourse for a risk-free interception mission.
Before arriving, each had prepared their own excuses—needing the reward offered by the European Racing Association, or telling themselves that a rebellious talent like Dream Weaver could still be won back for Europe.
But in essence, they were still just a group fleeing the truly elite competitions.
Choosing to come to the Japanese Derby, ganging up against one, finding momentary comfort only in numbers—cowards, all of them.
The European racing world feared losing its absolute authority over global Uma Musume Racing.
These Triple Crown Uma Musume, too, were afraid of underperforming in the top events and losing the glorious status they now held.
This was honor they'd fought tooth and nail to earn—how could they simply let it go?
In that regard, they really were similar to the European Racing Association that gave them this mission.
After all, having climbed to this position with such effort, what if they slipped and fell?
Thinking this, Dream Weaver let out a soft, disdainful laugh.
It seemed Uma Musume trained in the European system were just like the higher-ups in their association—perhaps capable of firm resolve when still rising, but the moment they reached the status they'd once dreamed of, they'd unconsciously grow complacent.
In the end, their reason for running was no longer love for the sport.
That innate longing for the track, etched into the very nature of an Uma Musume, had been twisted through day after day of training and competition into a desire for higher status.
The more they won, the higher their status rose—and the higher their status, the more they feared losing.
"That's exactly why I had to leave that wretched place," a voice remarked.
"After all, I'd hate to end up like these seniors here, who've even lost sight of why they loved racing in the first place."
Mr. C.B. had appeared beside Dream Weaver at some point, speaking lightly while offering a smile to the five Triple Crown Uma Musume.
"Don't you think so, seniors~"
Her gaze rested on the leader of the group. Hearing Mr. C.B.'s words, that ever-smiling Triple Crown Uma Musume finally let her expression darken.
"Mr. C.B., you're just a washout who gave up her standing voluntarily. What gives you the right to come over here?"
Her earlier smile at Dream Weaver had been a show of respect for the talent displayed. But what was Mr. C.B.? Merely a former Triple Crown candidate—a has-been.
What qualifications did she have to walk over?
Once the mask of pleasantry fell away, this leading Triple Crown Uma Musume was just as arrogant as the others behind her—if not more so.
She was, after all, the one leading these five. How could she not have pride? Dream Weaver's earlier words had already strained her patience.
Now, seeing Mr. C.B. dare to provoke as well, this Triple Crown Uma Musume finally dropped all pretense.
She lifted her chin, practically looking down her nose at them.
"It seems past victories have given you delusions you shouldn't possess."
"Very well. Let us shatter those delusions personally."
With that, an overwhelming, domineering pressure erupted from her, surging toward Dream Weaver and Mr. C.B. like a heavy wave.
The other four Uma Musume also unleashed their own Zone auras in that same instant. The combined Zone impact of five Triple Crown champions was enough to crush the fighting spirit of almost any challenger.
But at that very moment, a humming sound, sharp as a blade leaving its sheath, resonated across the venue.
A crimson demon blade, radiating the fierce bloodlust of a battlefield wraith, transformed into a streak of red light and tore through the combined aura constructed by the Zones of the several Triple Crown Uma Musume.
Even the strongest, their leader, couldn't help but frown tightly, looking at Dream Weaver with disbelief.
"Your Zone… has already reached this level?"
Her tone still sounded calm, but the shock was visible in her widened eyes.
After all, while "Zone" was a universal term, there were clear distinctions within it.
One couldn't expect a newly awakened Zone to immediately challenge another that had been honed and polished through countless battles.
Thus, within the European racing world, Zones were also classified into several tiers.
These Triple Crown Uma Musume had awakened their Zones and mastered them through subsequent training and races, possessing strength far beyond that of a newly awakened Uma Musume.
But convinced they had reached the peak, they had stopped challenging powerful rivals to temper their Zones further.
And so, their jointly constructed Zone was severed by Dream Weaver—who had carved her path through a battlefield and had now fully made the Demon Blade Zone her own.
Realizing this, the expressions of all the Triple Crown Uma Musume changed. Gone was their earlier composure; instead, they wore looks of grave seriousness, their eyes fixed nervously on Dream Weaver.
"How can there be someone like this…"
Even the leading Triple Crown Uma Musume couldn't fully suppress her thoughts, unconsciously voicing them.
At this moment, she no longer saw Dream Weaver as a wayward talent to be reclaimed, but rather as something monstrous.
If physical talent was still within her understanding, this was now completely beyond her.
Dream Weaver had only run in one brutal stakes race! Where could she have possibly tempered a Zone like this?!
All intention of "educating the newcomer" was now gone. She looked at Dream Weaver with the wary eyes of one facing a true rival.
"I admit you've progressed further in the realm of Zones than we have."
"But don't forget! The Zone we just conjured together was merely an outburst of aura. Cutting through that proves nothing!"
"And… victory isn't decided by Zone alone."
Having said her piece, she didn't look at Dream Weaver again. With a cold snort, she led the four other Triple Crown Uma Musume toward the starting gates.
The other European Uma Musume present at the venue, also dispatched by the European Racing Association, exchanged glances before following the Triple Crown champions toward the gates.
--+--
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!
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If you guys wanna check it out.