Barbatos took in the surroundings of the estate.
While it wasn't too obvious from the outside, the interior felt distinctly different from the typical Japanese estate style she was used to.
As a Japanese Uma Musume, Barbatos was fairly familiar with local aesthetics, but if she had to describe this place, it felt more like a European-style manor in its decor and layout.
Just then, a figure in rather bold, eye-catching attire emerged from inside—starry-eyed, ready to obey her master's call.
"Yo, long time no see, Barbatos," she greeted with the ease of an old friend.
"Obey Your Master?"
Barbatos looked at her in surprise. This was the former Japan Cup winner—Obey Your Master.
She'd thought Obey Your Master had already returned to the States after the endurance relay race. But here she was, still in Japan.
Then again, it made sense. She'd become good friends with Tamamo Cross thanks to the Japan Cup, so staying a little longer was only natural.
But this estate…
People often lumped "Europe and America" together, but there were still clear differences between them.
"Tamamo can't keep up with long-distance pacing all on her own, so how about I join in as well?" Obey Your Master offered with a grin.
"Hmph, are you looking down on me?" Tamamo Cross shot back, arms crossed.
Barbatos watched quietly for a moment before finally asking, "I get that, but why are you all so keen on helping me with pre-race training?"
Their connection, when it came down to it, was just that one relay race. If they bumped into each other in passing, sure, they might grab a bite and chat about this and that—but going out of their way to pace her? That seemed like a step further.
"An Uma Musume who beat us shouldn't lose too badly in the Winter Dream Cup," Obey Your Master stated bluntly.
For former world-class Uma Musume like Obey Your Master and Tamamo Cross, they knew better than anyone just how formidable Japan's legendary racers truly were.
In their prime, these former champions were every bit as strong as the legends.
"Lose too badly? Don't be so sure!"
Barbatos almost retorted, but held her tongue.
Even though she'd prepared thoroughly for the Winter Dream Cup, whether she could actually defeat one or two legends—or even secure a top placement—would only be known once she ran.
In the Winter Dream Cup, every legend would be performing at their absolute peak.
And besides…
If you weren't first, didn't that mean you'd already lost?
"Does saying that bother you?"
A commanding voice carried over from nearby. A figure radiating authority stepped into view, accompanied by another Uma Musume with a refined, almost noblewoman-like presence despite her short hair.
Just their appearance alone carried an aura—how many victories did it take to build that kind of confidence and dignity?
Yet Barbatos met her gaze without flinching.
A newborn calf isn't afraid of the tiger, and she was no fresh-faced rookie anymore.
The moment she recognized them, her eyes widened slightly.
These two were heavyweights in their own right. After the relay race, Barbatos had looked up Tamamo Cross and Obey Your Master's Japan Cup races, so she knew exactly who stood before her.
The former monarch of Europe—Tony Bianca!
The once noble lady of Britain—Moonlight Lunacy!
Both had been world-class, even world-leading Uma Musume in their day, yet they'd lost to Obey Your Master and Tamamo Cross in the Japan Cup back then.
But beyond that, they held an even more weighty status.
"Tony-senpai, Moonlight-senpai," Barbatos and Seiun Sky greeted politely.
With Obey Your Master, since she was an American Uma Musume and not from Tracen Academy, Barbatos hadn't needed to use an honorific. But with these two… even calling them "senpai" felt like it fell short.
After losing the Japan Cup, Tony Bianca and Moonlight Lunacy had retired, stayed in Japan, married, and started families.
Among their descendants was a Uma Musume named Air Groove.
That name might not ring many bells at first.
But if you used another name, it would be instantly familiar—Air Groove.
The vice president of Tracen Academy's student council, the legendary "Empress" Air Groove of Team Rigil! (Note 2)
Facing the mothers of Air Groove-senpai… calling them "senpai" already felt like getting off easy.
That also explained why this estate had a European architectural style. The four of them—Tamamo Cross, Obey Your Master, Tony Bianca, and Moonlight Lunacy—had raced against each other in the Japan Cup and remained friends ever since.
Even so, Barbatos didn't back down an inch.
"Even knowing there's a gap, I'll run with the determination to win. Otherwise, how could miracles ever happen?"
"I am Barbatos, the Wind God!"
"This is our era now!"
"Your era?"
Tony Bianca lifted her chin slightly, dignity etched in her expression. "You may be a Uma Musume who can shape an era, but declaring it yours already is premature."
"Race me."
The former European monarch, whose prime likely matched that of a legend, certainly had the right to say such things.
Barbatos's eyes gleamed with fighting spirit. "I'd be honored. Will you all join in?"
Tamamo Cross, Obey Your Master, Tony Bianca, Moonlight Lunacy—you former monarchs, witness the full power of Barbatos, the Wind God!
"Just so we're clear, victory will be mine," Tamamo Cross declared, raising a fist as if reclaiming her pre-retirement fire.
Moonlight Lunacy offered an elegant smile.
"Tamamo and Obey Your Master want to help you. As Uma Musume from their generation, I'm also quite curious."
"If you truly are as they say, we'll train with you before the race."
As for Air Groove—even if Barbatos had grown stronger now, she still wouldn't be a match for her. Air Groove had surpassed both Tony and herself long ago.
Besides, true monarchs or legends were never the type to fear their opponents growing stronger.
Only by facing stronger rivals could one push past their limits and become greater!
On the training track within the estate grounds.
Barbatos, Tamamo Cross, Obey Your Master, Tony Bianca, and Moonlight Lunacy, each changed into their racing silks, stood at the starting line. It felt like a reenactment of that historic Japan Cup.
Seiun Sky stood to the side, acting as referee for this match.
Even against a lineup like this, she didn't believe Barbatos would lose!
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T/N: This timeline crazy
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A/N: The former European monarch—Tony Bin. Record: 27 races, 15 wins (including 6 G1 victories). A monster who still finished in the top 5 in the Japan Cup despite racing with a fracture.
Britain's noble lady—Moonlight Lunacy. Record: 23 races, 10 wins (including 2 G1 victories).
A/N: In this story, "Empress" Air Groove's mother is depicted as Moonlight Lunacy—a creative liberty, since the idea of one Uma Musume having multiple partners felt too unusual.
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T/N: 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.