"Well said!"
Before Richard could even formulate a response, another spirited voice rang out from behind Dream Weaver.
"Europe may be the birthplace of the modern racing system, but that doesn't grant you the right to treat the entire world as your plaything."
"The moment you encounter a true talent, you immediately presume to claim her for your own camp. Don't you find that utterly arrogant?"
"Richard?"
Symboli Rudolf lifted her head, a disdainful smile playing on her lips as she looked at him.
As the future successor of the Symboli family, and due to her family's ambiguous ties with Europe, Rudolf had been introduced to many figures within the European racing world.
Naturally, she'd had several encounters with Richard Phil, the European racing world's representative stationed at Central Tracen Academy.
"Symboli... Rudolf..."
Seeing Rudolf also stepping into the fray, Richard's expression darkened further.
It wasn't just because he had just been discussing her; it was the weight of the Symboli family she represented.
Though still connected to Europe by lingering threads, the Symboli family had grown into a colossal entity.
An ocean away, even the European racing establishment couldn't hope to control them completely.
Rumors of Rudolf's recent rebellious streak were, in Richard's view, mere adolescent defiance. If she wished, she could still speak for the Symboli family.
Her appearance now, as he was trying to recruit Dream Weaver, made her intentions glaringly obvious.
"What does the Symboli family need with so many geniuses? Even as a future power base, this is excessive!"
Richard instinctively saw Rudolf as a representative of her family, here to contest the European racing world for Dream Weaver's allegiance.
But Rudolf met his words with a scornful laugh, the contempt in her eyes blazing brighter. "How tedious."
"Have you wallowed in the mire for so long that even your thinking has become heavy and filthy?"
"A dirty soul like yours could never comprehend our aspirations!"
Though unsure why Rudolf had appeared so suddenly, or why she was now speaking out so vehemently in her defense, Dream Weaver immediately stood alongside her.
She looked coldly at Richard and said, "As the saying goes, 'How can a sparrow understand the ambition of a swan?'"
Her words seemed to please Rudolf immensely.
Turning her head, Rudolf responded in a tone utterly different from the one she used with Richard, brimming with fervor. "Exactly!"
Just as Richard was grinding his teeth in fury at their words, another voice chimed in from the side.
"So jealous of us Uma Musume running free under the open sky that you feel the need to forge chains to bind everyone? What a grubby little soul."
"Don't you think so, mister... who for some reason is looking all red in the face?"
Mr. C.B peeked out from behind Rudolf's shoulder, addressing Richard with a smiling look.
His fair complexion, combined with his agitated state, had indeed flushed Richard's face a bright red.
Now, teased so pointedly by Mr. C.B, faint tendrils of steam even seemed to rise from his head, making him look utterly ridiculous, like a machine that had short-circuited.
"Mr. C.B... You dare to stick your nose in this too?!"
Thoroughly provoked, Richard could no longer maintain his mask of composure. He seemed to know Mr. C.B, shouting her name with a distorted expression.
"Of course I can't miss out on something this interesting," Mr. C.B said breezily. Without another word, she took her place beside Dream Weaver and Rudolf, making her stance clear.
Facing the three Uma Musume before him, Richard's expression contorted further.
Each was a genius of this generation.
The other two, besides Dream Weaver, had long been marked by the European racing world.
Yet now, they had all, as if by some unspoken agreement, lined up against him. It was almost more than his reason could bear. He glowered at the three Uma Musume and snarled:
"The height of arrogance! Do you have any idea the power behind the name 'European Racing World'?"
"Most of the legendary Uma Musume etched into myth and history originated from there! The modern rules of racing were structured by us! Our technology leads the world entirely! Only by choosing us can Uma Musume truly realize their potential!"
"Do you think no Uma Musume before you dared to challenge the authority of the European racing world? But who remembers their names now?!"
"In this world of racing, strength is the only true symbol! Only victory proves your power! And you, who reject the European racing world, no matter your talent, you are doomed to sink into obscurity!"
Raised from childhood on the doctrine of Europe's absolute authority, Richard naturally felt compelled to defend its glory.
Seeing these three Uma Musume dare to challenge that authority, and even repeatedly mock him, he could no longer contain his rage and began to threaten them.
As the European representative at Central Tracen, any slight shift in Richard's expression usually sent sycophants scrambling to interpret his mood.
This full-blown fury would have surely terrified them, leaving them trembling.
But the three Uma Musume standing before him weren't buying it.
Dream Weaver observed the fully unmasked, furious Richard and spoke in a calm, even tone. "I need to correct one thing."
"I am not here to challenge the authority of the European racing world."
Richard stared at her, taken aback by her words. But before he could process it, Dream Weaver continued.
"What I intend to do is completely overturn your arrogant reign over the world, your plundering of the dreams of Uma Musume."
"How could mere 'Authority' ever compare to what I aim to achieve?"
Hearing this, the redness, which had slightly receded, rushed back into Richard's face. But before he could speak, Rudolf, laughing heartily, clapped Dream Weaver on the shoulder.
"Not 'I,' but 'we'!"
"Scram back to your nest, Richard! Tell this to your so-called 'great men'! Then sit quietly and wait for our arrival!"
"And remember it's my name, though I doubt they'll be pleased to hear it," Mr. C.B added with a grin from behind Rudolf.
Watching the trio who had so clearly formed an alliance, Richard clenched his fists.
He glanced at the reporters now gathering around and knew that prolonging this scene would only damage the European racing world's reputation.
Taking a deep breath, he forcibly suppressed the boiling fury in his heart.
He fixed the three Uma Musume with a cold stare, delivered a final line, then turned and led his subordinates away from the scene.
"The European racing world will not let this stand."
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! 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.