"Come on now, Miss Nearl. This must be your first time experiencing the process of creating a race outfit, right?"
Leading Nearl through this dazzling array of stunning race outfits, Kazumi had now mellowed considerably, none of his earlier excitement showing.
At the moment, he seemed like your ordinary, harmless otaku you could find anywhere—think of those two dedicated fanboys from Uma Musume Season 2, with that completely innocent, harmless look.
"Yes, it's my first time."
"Well, to be honest, that question is a bit unnecessary. Usually, I only ask it to the Uma Musume who come here and treat me kindly, because the answer is always the same anyway."
"What really differs is what comes next."
Saying this, Kazumi glanced back at Nearl, who had been following him all along.
Though her eyes clearly held interest in those race outfits, she had stubbornly restrained herself, not letting her gaze or attention stray for even a moment.
'What incredible self-discipline. All the previous Uma Musume couldn't help but marvel in envy when they saw this ocean of garments, their attention drifting so much they couldn't even hear me clearly—even the Emperor was no exception. But The Radiant Knight hasn't lost focus at all.'
"What comes next?"
Nearl asked curiously, which put Kazumi in a good mood.
"That's right. If it were those Uma Musume who put me in a particularly bad mood, I wouldn't tell them a little secret."
"A secret?"
"Yep. It doesn't actually have any real effect, but for an Uma Musume, it truly is a huge secret."
Kazumi didn't plan on keeping her in suspense. Both Nearl and Ardan were the kind of Uma Musume who made you feel something beautiful, so sharing it was no problem.
"When designing a race outfit, the Three Goddesses will be with you. It's also one of the few moments when you can truly and directly sense the presence of the Three Goddesses. Pretty big news, right?"
"..."
Kazumi, arms crossed, waited for praise, but unfortunately, it didn't go as he hoped.
Nearl simply smiled as usual, and her tone showed no fluctuation, far from the surprise or excitement he had imagined.
"I see. That is indeed a precious experience. For us Uma Musume, it might be like having one of life's biggest questions answered."
"But I'm the more down-to-earth type, and my personality is a bit plain, so I don't feel particularly moved right now."
Recalling those three beings who, by any measure, didn't seem very goddess-like, Nearl was actually not curious at all.
'One could only say that distance really does lend enchantment. Perhaps knowing their own nature, my sisters choose to hide like this—otherwise, they'd probably be known as the Three Good-for-Nothing Goddesses by now.'
"Alright then. It seems there are Uma Musume who aren't particularly stirred by the Three Goddesses too. After all, the world is vast, and anything is possible."
Not seeing any precious change appear on Nearl's handsome face, Kazumi felt a bit regretful, but he still dutifully led Nearl forward.
They passed through the hall filled with garments, crossed the neatly yet naturally tended garden, stepped over an artificial stream, and at the end of this specially landscaped garden, surrounded by the lake's waters, a statue of uncertain material sat peacefully at the center.
"This place..."
Along the way, Nearl took in the scenery, marveling at everything before her, especially the goddess statue now encircled by flowing water.
Others might only feel a bit of awe at this sight, sensing some indescribable serenity, sanctity, and openness, but Nearl was different.
To her, almost nothing here could be hidden.
'The arrangement of this environment, along with the placement and coordination of various plants and objects, almost entirely gathers the 'presence' here.'
'The central statue is especially like a stroke of divine genius—it both anchors the surrounding divine energy like a rivet and stands as the nurtured high point. It's truly miraculous.'
"Nearl, you might not believe it, but this statue was naturally formed."
Gazing sincerely at the goddess statue ahead, Kazumi couldn't help but bow slightly, and Ardan behind him did the same.
"Originally, when we placed this stone here, we intended to carve it ourselves. But the night before we were to start, a heavy rainstorm hit."
Recounting the past, Kazumi's eyes were full of nostalgia.
"The rain lasted a long time, and we couldn't begin the work. Then, one day, the rain stopped. And by that time, the statue already had a rough outline."
"Can you imagine? Though it was only etched with some lines, crude and without nuance, everyone who saw this stone for the first time couldn't help but exclaim, 'Ah, this is what the goddess looks like!'"
"Ever since then, our family has possessed the ability to sew race outfits. Our ancestors believed it was due to this goddess statue, so no matter where we moved, we always took it with us."
"And now, it's time to design your race outfit, Miss Nearl. Please step forward."
After saying this, Kazumi stepped aside to make way. By the looks of it, he seemed to expect Nearl to approach the statue of the Three Goddesses.
"No need to be nervous. Listen to the voice within you. The Three Goddesses will guide you."
Vague and puzzling words, yet they were the most precise guidance, because the Three Goddesses truly descended.
Of course, it was in the heart.
"Little sister, have you missed me?"
Opening her heart's defenses and actively accepting the summoning sensation, Nearl could feel her soul returning to the realm of the Three Goddesses.
The oppressive frustration that had been constricted by her physical limits was finally released at this moment.
The identity of the one who had quietly embraced her from behind and was now ruffling her head was self-evident.
"I have. How have you been, Sister Byerley?"
It wasn't really a question, just a simple greeting, but Byerley was still delighted.
"Since you've reached this landmark, that means the time has come for little Nearl to have her race outfit designed, right? This is a moment I've been waiting for, for so, so long."
"Sister Byerley, about the outfit..."
"Hey now, let your sister handle this. After all, every race outfit is planned by me, Byerley Turk, the one among the three sisters in charge of bestowing fate. Even though little Nearl you've long been beyond caring about fate, duty calls. So let your sister take care of it."
Seeing Byerley's smiling face, what else could Nearl say? Even if it was just for that smile, she'd accept wearing any embarrassing outfit.
"Then I leave it to you, Sister Byerley."
"Of course. I'll give you the most fitting one—whether it's for your figure, your temperament, or your beauty, this outfit will perfectly complement you."
"Have mercy on me..."
Hearing such a description, a wave of ominous foreboding washed over Nearl.
And in reality...
"How could this be? I knew The Radiant Knight's talent was extraordinary, but this scene is just too..."
--+--
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.