"Snap!"
The folding fan in her hand closed shut, and C.B. Queen's expression turned grave and earnest.
"An obligation I cannot refuse."
"Excellent. Then, all you seniors, please proceed with full force. We'll conclude here for today."
Knuckles rapped against the table as Symboli Rudolf flashed a confident, almost arrogant smile.
"Let them see that we Uma Musume aren't so easily brushed aside."
--+--
What followed was nearly a week of media frenzy.
The repeated, unjustified rejections of proper applications, coupled with the leaked photo evidence, had fans of the Uma Musume so enraged they were nearly ready to blockade the URA's doors.
Even then, certain individuals were still making their last, desperate struggles.
"This is fake news!"
They tried to argue, simultaneously attempting to suppress all the damaging reports. But the usually compliant media outlets had grown spines this time, refusing to back down no matter what.
This was intolerable, yet for now, they had to endure it.
The Sakura family had suddenly begun harassing their operations on multiple fronts these past few days, an incessant nuisance.
Normally, the Sakura family alone couldn't withstand their combined pressure, but inexplicably, many other families had stepped in to help, effectively pinning them down.
Finally, they realized someone was deliberately targeting them. But realization was useless; a direct confrontation was inevitable.
Then came word from below: the Symboli and C.B families had joined forces to investigate their under-the-table contracts with related manufacturers, as well as the secretly altered revenue-sharing agreements with the Uma Musume.
That's when the higher-ups at the URA really started to sweat.
A three-pronged assault, and each strike aimed at a vital point. The agony was unbearable.
But what they never expected was for the URA President herself to emerge as the final straw that broke the camel's back.
"I apologize. This wave of public opinion is due to our mismanagement. Here, I and my colleagues bear undeniable responsibility. I am now willing to set an example by first resigning from my position as President of the URA."
At this public press conference, the President dealt them a devastating blow, one that nearly made them spit blood.
'Does she have any idea what she's saying? This just throws us right into the fire!'
It was true. If the figurehead leader had resigned, wouldn't it be inappropriate for the lower-ranking executives not to follow suit and resign out of a sense of responsibility?
Clinging stubbornly to their posts would only destroy their public image further, inviting a storm of suspicion and speculation.
"And that's not all. Now we have to consider who will campaign for the President's position next. It's impossible for us. With our reputation in tatters, no one in their right mind would let us become President."
"Is there a chance we could support someone else?"
Another person raised the possibility, but unfortunately, that path was also closed.
"Don't even think about it. Maybe in the past, but now we're entangled in all these troubles. Who has the spare time to prop up someone else? More importantly, given our current situation, who would be willing to wade into this quagmire?"
"So, there's no way out."
"None. And on top of that, we have to withstand the 'three fires' of a new President taking office, hoping we aren't burned to ashes!"
Frustration and despair spread through the room. Just days ago, it had been a daily paradise of leisure; now, it had instantly become hell.
"Goddamn it, who exactly is behind this?"
"I know about this one. You know that Symboli Rudolf from Central Tracen? Word is she started it."
"That 'Emperor'? Does having a nickname make her think she's a real emperor? Then again, being called that every day, it's normal to develop corresponding power lust. I bet her next step is to run for President. If that happens, will we ever have peace again?!"
"Forget 'ever again'; we haven't even survived the present."
That sentence fell like a mass silence spell, instantly hushing the room. The men inside were smoking fiercely.
Finally, after a moment, a chilling madness and murderous intent flashed in one man's eyes.
"Hey, what do you think… should Tokyo Bay have a few more residents at the bottom?"
"You mean, kill…"
"What other choice do we have? Or do any of you have a way to withstand this relentless onslaught? We still don't even know how many more tricks they have up their sleeves!"
"…"
"Then it's settled. I'll find the people."
With that, he stubbed out his cigarette and walked out of the room, pulling out his phone.
"Hey, get some people together for a little gathering at my place."
A short while later, the door reopened.
"It's arranged. Now we wait for news. Once Symboli Rudolf is dead, they'll definitely be thrown into disarray. That's our chance."
"There's no turning back now."
--+--
But days passed—two, then three.
Rudolf continued appearing in public daily, completely unchanged. This only made the plotters more restless.
"What's going on? It's been three days, and there's still no movement. Is it really that hard for several of your men to kill one person? Even if she is an Uma Musume, you have guns! Can flesh and blood stop those?!"
"…"
"What?! That's impossible!"
"Beep."
The phone slipped from his hand. The man seemed to have lost his soul, collapsing weakly to the floor, mumbling only one phrase over and over: "It's over."
"Hey! What happened? Did the assassination fail?"
"Say something!"
No matter how loudly the others pressed him, they couldn't rouse his senses.
It wasn't until several weeks later that the bodies in the dark corners of those secluded places were discovered. Bizarrely, none of their deaths seemed like anything a normal person would encounter.
One died in his own dining room, cause of death: slipping, causing a glass bowl on the table to fall and shatter, with a fragment slicing his throat.
One died electrocuted in the bathroom after a shower, having mistakenly pressed the light switch onto a socket.
One died when the staircase collapsed as he was descending from the attic. He was left hanging upside down, his foot and both hands trapped, ultimately dying from blood rushing to his head. His face was crimson after death.
In short, none died a normal death. When the investigation results came out later, their deaths were labeled as 'divine punishment.'
But for now, the death of the assassins symbolized the failure of their last, desperate measure. What could they do?
After a period of futile struggle, these URA executives were all rounded up. With their fall, their backers lost all power to resist and were finished off.
Thus, this upheaval finally drew to a close.
The 'war' later known in history as the 'URA Great Reformation' was ultimately won by Rudolf and her allies.
Afterwards, the URA underwent systemic changes.
They established a monitoring group that could only be staffed by Uma Musume, specifically tasked with investigating whether anyone had again been corrupted by power and money.
Contracts with Uma Musume also required their signatures to take effect.
Given the Uma Musume's innate good-hearted nature, everyone agreed this measure was perfectly suited.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! 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!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.