Led by Grass Wonder, Barbatos and the others arrived at the student council's doorway after their meal.
This was about the cultural festival.
Barbatos had a slightly bad feeling about this. 'Don't tell me the Emperor is going to make us the executive committee members?'
Being on the executive committee meant being responsible for all sorts of festival matters, essentially like being an official errand-runner. Some might enjoy that kind of thing, but for her, it wasn't good news at all.
It's like how some people love being class president, but she'd only find it a hassle.
"No need to worry, the executive committee positions are already filled," Grass Wonder said with a smile.
The cultural festival committee was currently handled by the likes of Sakura Bakushin O and Biko Pegasus.
She knocked twice on the student council door and pushed it open.
"Excuse us."
Seated in the main chair was none other than the "Emperor" herself, Symboli Rudolf, with Air Groove and Narita Brian standing on either side.
Though it was just their usual positioning, it gave off an overwhelmingly imposing aura.
Barbatos wasn't sure if this aura naturally emanated from these legendary Uma Musume, or if it was something her mind added after learning about their achievements.
The three, who had been looking at a computer on the desk, lifted their heads at the sound. A slight smile played on Symboli Rudolf's lips. "You're here."
"For the upcoming cultural festival, the student council is planning to host a long-distance relay race."
"So we'd like to hear your thoughts."
"Seiun Sky! El Condor Pasa! Barbatos! Are you willing to participate in this relay race?"
"A relay race?" Barbatos was puzzled. "Are the three of us on one team, or are we each forming our own teams for the relay?"
Was the student council planning to leverage her, Seiun Sky, and El Condor Pasa's current popularity to draw in a crowd? But that didn't seem necessary. While it was true the three of them were quite popular nowadays, any one of the legendary Uma Musume standing up was popularity and a hot topic all by themselves.
"Are we going up against B-chan and Sei-chan right at the cultural festival?" El Condor Pasa clenched her fists, excited.
Even though she'd originally promised Barbatos they'd settle things on the G1 stage after the Dream Cup, if they were really going to face off at the festival... "I'm absolutely not gonna lose!"
Symboli Rudolf observed their reactions. "Brian, announce the plan."
Narita Brian picked up a rolled scroll from the desk, unfurled it, and held it up fully for Barbatos and the others to see.
"This is…"
Barbatos stared at the contents of the scroll and could only inwardly sigh, 'What an… artistic soul.'
No, an artistic soul could at least capture the essence, but the content on this scroll could only be described as abstract—roughly on par with the scribbles of a kindergarten girl.
If they hadn't already known beforehand that the three figures on the scroll were supposed to be Uma Musume, Barbatos doubted she'd have figured out what it was supposed to be anytime soon.
Her eyes flickered briefly between Narita Brian and Symboli Rudolf, wondering which of them was the artist behind this masterpiece.
Of course, she couldn't voice such doubts directly. Maybe she just didn't appreciate the deeper meaning of this artwork?
"What is this supposed to be?" Special Week asked, her words tactful.
'Well done!'
'As expected of Special Week, easily accomplishing what we couldn't.'
For some reason, Barbatos and the others all had the same thought simultaneously.
"The long-distance relay race teams: Oguri Cap, Super Creek, and Inari One."
"A relay race?!" Barbatos and the others couldn't help but gasp.
It wasn't because the legendary Uma Musume Oguri Cap was involved, but because… this painting was supposed to depict those three Uma Musume? And in a relay race?
It was impossible to tell!
That distorted grey figure was supposed to be Oguri Cap?
Now that she knew it was Oguri Cap, she could maybe force herself to find a few vaguely similar features.
As for the other two, Super Creek and Inari One, Barbatos really didn't have much of an impression of them. As time passed, only the very first or the most special ones from an era tended to be remembered by the younger generations.
"So, President, you mean for El Condor Pasa and the others to compete in a relay race against Oguri Cap-senpai and her team?" Grass Wonder was the first to recover and ask.
Even though her smile remained, her eyes were exceptionally serious. This was no joking matter.
No matter how high El Condor Pasa, Seiun Sky, and Barbatos's popularity was outside, how big was the gap between them and the legendary Uma Musume?
Even leaving Oguri Cap aside, both Super Creek and Inari One were major rivals from the same era as her. At their peak, they were king-like presences even in G1-level races.
Even if their form had declined after retirement, they were likely still stronger than the current El Condor Pasa and the others—no weaker than G1-level Uma Musume.
And then there was the legendary Oguri Cap, still in her prime. That monstrous late-stage speed—even Barbatos's full-power sprint probably couldn't come close to matching it!
"Mhm. Recently, there's been a lot of public discussion about who the main characters of this generation are."
"I happened to hear people outside talking about the anniversary of the Heisei Top Three, which gave me this idea. The choice to participate in this match is yours; don't feel any pressure."
The Heisei Top Three…
Hearing that name, Barbatos remembered that Inari One and Super Creek were the ones, along with Oguri Cap, collectively known as the Heisei Top Three.
But for some reason, whenever she heard the name 'Heisei Top Three,' Barbatos still thought of Tiga, Dyna (whose human host was mysteriously blurred), Gaia, and Agul.
Symboli Rudolf had probably heard people outside mention this Heisei Top Three thing and connected it to Oguri Cap's group.
Actually, an anniversary isn't necessarily a good thing. Someone might just use the anniversary as an excuse to start forcing smiles…
"So, what is your answer?"
"Even facing a legend, I won't lose! My goal is to conquer the world!" While Barbatos was still hesitating, El Condor Pasa's voice rang out without a shred of doubt, brimming with her usual confidence! The newborn calf isn't afraid of the tiger!
"Then I'll just take it nice and easy and run the whole course," Seiun Sky said.
Although she claimed she'd take it easy, Barbatos caught a glimpse of the determination in those jade-green eyes and knew Seiun Sky planned to go all out, just like in her debut race.
Really now, they just weren't giving her a chance to refuse, were they?
Not that she had planned to refuse in the first place. "Then I'll participate too. It's a good chance to study my future opponents for the Winter Dream Cup ahead of time."
While studying the opponents, she might as well aim for victory in the relay race! As the saying goes, 'The newborn calf isn't afraid of the tiger,' and 'Random punches can defeat a master!'
"Good. In that case, let me first explain the venue for this relay race."
"It will be different from a standard relay run."
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, 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.