"So, not only did you fail, but she also yelled at you?"
"Yeah. How was I supposed to know she had such a temper? You were the one who said she was good-natured," Morgan said, reporting her earlier actions to Caesar over the phone.
"You know, you've never been very likable. I saw the news—you were the one who provoked her," Caesar replied, well aware of her old friend's disposition. At least nine out of ten people disliked her.
"No wonder you're the only one who hangs out with me. Does everyone else actually hate me?" Morgan began to doubt herself.
"Just be careful during the race. Don't underestimate her," Caesar reminded her.
"Relax. What kind of trouble could she possibly cause?" Morgan dismissed the warning. "I watched the Eastern Lands race. Jade certainly has unparalleled talent, but she's still just a 'Young Dragon.' If even Kousei struggled so much to win, how could Jade possibly threaten us?"
Morgan's response was exactly what Caesar had expected. People like them all shared a glaring flaw—arrogance.
Especially during the Classic Year, when an Umamusume's physical abilities reached their peak, this tendency became even more pronounced. Extraordinary power often leads one to lose themselves. As the old saying goes, "Failure is the mother of success," and thus, failure is also a part of evolution.
Kousei possessed a certain quality that Caesar had long sought as the key to her own evolution. After witnessing it firsthand at the Japan Cup, Caesar became utterly convinced, which was why she had agreed to cooperate with T.
"Have you ever heard the saying, 'After three days' absence, one should be viewed with new eyes'?"
"What does that mean?"
"It's an ancient proverb. If you don't understand it, look it up. Good luck with your race."
Caesar unilaterally ended the call, leaving Morgan staring at her phone with a complicated expression.
"How annoying."
Due to a series of recent events, the NAU had garnered a level of attention far beyond what a race of its caliber would normally receive. Through various online platforms, countless eyes were watching from the shadows.
The undisputed star of the NAU was Kousei, the first-ever Annual Representative Competitor in the series' history. Beyond this title, people were more focused on her conduct and running style.
The world is full of experts. The moment Kousei's registration as a Central Competitor was revealed, it sparked widespread debate. It wasn't that the status of a Central Competitor was particularly special, but rather that this fact aligned perfectly with several previous incidents.
Kousei's identity gradually became clear as a series of epithets—"Nemesis of the Elites," "Blood Scourge," "Ominous Demon," and more—flooded the internet.
Her past was laid bare for all to see, and it's well known that human hearts are inherently complex. It was only natural for people to judge right and wrong based on mere fragments of information. The mixed praise and criticism painted Kousei in a delicate shade of gray, just like her natural coat.
However, on one point, a consensus was reached: Kousei was undeniably the Villain.
Her temperament was erratic, her methods reckless, and her actions were all considered Unorthodox. Some condemned her, while others admired her. As she approached the Senior Grade, her disposition became even more unpredictable. Normally, an Umamusume would stabilize over time. Even Rudolf had sheathed her sharp edges after entering the Veteran Horse Front, but Kousei defied all common sense.
Of course, these were not the main reasons for the world's fascination with her.
It is a timeless truth that the world has always been fanatically drawn to tales of satisfying revenge—an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Could this return of the "Count" offer a glimpse into the legendary treasure?
In a dimly lit tunnel, Kousei slowly opened her eyes. Her jet-black racing uniform nearly blended into the darkness; if not for the starlight glinting in her pupils, no one would have noticed her presence.
"So this is where you were hiding. I've been looking all over for you."
The voice from the darkness naturally belonged to Morgan, her smile as repulsive as ever.
"You're here."
"You knew I would come?"
"Of course. Though I hate to admit it, in a way, we're the same kind of creature."
Kousei knew Morgan would seek her out alone before the race. She never missed an opportunity to torment her.
"Don't be so tense. I just wanted a casual chat. After all, this might be our last conversation," Morgan said, her tone deceptively friendly yet laced with thorns.
"His name is Kawauchi Aoi, isn't it? He's the one manipulating public opinion online."
Though Morgan phrased it as a question, her tone was utterly certain. Kousei didn't deny it.
"I knew it!"
The thrill of hitting the bullseye made Morgan practically giddy.
"The way public opinion has developed has been far too smooth; someone was clearly pulling the strings. But I don't understand—Central's actions weren't detrimental to you. You're no longer a registered Central Competitor. Wouldn't it have been better to let your embarrassing past fade into history? Why bother self-destructing like this?"
Kousei took a step forward and extended her hand toward Morgan, as if in invitation. Morgan, confused, hesitated for a moment before placing her hand on Kousei's.
"Question: What makes me who I am today?" Before Morgan could answer, Kousei continued, "Naturally, it's everything I've experienced."
"So, what makes you who you are?" Kousei's calm eyes pierced through the darkness, locking onto Morgan's. "Is it the past you've been so desperate to hide?"
"You—!" Morgan snatched her hand back, glaring at Kousei. "Who told you!?"
For some reason, Morgan was both shocked and terrified.
"Who else could it be but Caesar?"
"Caesar! How could she?" Morgan clearly didn't believe it.
"Besides you two, who else could possibly know?"
Kousei's words struck a nerve. Morgan knew perfectly well that no one else—besides them—could have known.
-
Meanwhile.
"Whoa! So this is Caesar's headquarters? It looks so high-tech~"
"Caesar, what the hell are you doing? Weren't we supposed to go to France and wait for Kousei?"
"Quiet, Speed. Caesar has her reasons."
As Morgan wavered, Twilight Cloud and the others had already entered their headquarters.
"Don't rush. Let's watch the race first," Caesar said, calming the restless Speed.
The screen broadcasted the NAU live feed, where Kousei and Morgan's showdown was about to begin.
"We wait," Caesar murmured. "Wait for the right moment."
-
Back at Tracen Academy.
"You're here, Teio," Black Bullet called out.
Leo, from the same generation, nodded a greeting to Teio, who returned the gesture.
"Am I too late?" Teio asked.
"Not at all. The race hasn't started yet," Black Bullet explained. "For some reason, neither Kousei nor Morgan has entered the track."
"Can she win?" Leo suddenly asked Teio. "If she loses, what happens to the plan?"
"Eh? Don't tell me the great Hero is getting scared~" Though Teio had matured considerably, she still had a childish streak.
"I'm just preparing for the worst," Leo replied, ignoring Teio's teasing.
"It'll be fine," Teio said with unwavering confidence. "I believe in her."
As one of the two who had supported Kousei from the very beginning, Teio had absolute faith in her dearest friend.
Inside the Mejiro Estate, McQueen was also watching the race intently. She had a vague inkling of what T and Teio were plotting.
She knew this battle was crucial. McQueen's palms began to sweat unconsciously—a rare moment of nervousness for her since becoming "The Strongest."
-
"Hesitating before a race is unacceptable, Morgan."
Kousei left the wavering Morgan behind and stepped onto the racetrack alone. The wind that greeted her was fiercer and hotter than ever before.
The time, the stage, the actors, the audience—everything was set.
The dawn of a new era, the opening of an epic saga. The Avenger takes the stage.
The Count of Monte Cristo officially begins.