The man, momentarily blinded as Richard flicked on the lights, wiped the corner of his eye and leaned back on the sofa with clear annoyance.
"How many times do I have to tell you? Don't just flip the lights on the moment you step into my office!"
"What's the matter, Anthony? Hiding in the dark all day—you don't actually think you're some sort of vampire aristocrat, do you?"
In response to Anthony's irritation, Richard merely crossed his arms and smirked coldly.
Though he served as the chief operational officer for Europe's liaison office at Central Tracen, handling all sorts of practical affairs, he wasn't the actual appointed representative.
That meant he couldn't communicate directly with the highest echelons back in Europe.
So, even though he considered this Anthony—who'd done nothing but hole up in his room since arriving in Japan—a complete waste of space, Richard still had to go through him to reach the upper levels of the European Uma Musume Association.
The thought grated on him.
He'd worked his way up to chief officer by dealing with every crisis on the ground, day in and day out.
Meanwhile, this guy had waltzed into a senior position over him purely because of his family name. It made Richard's blood boil.
But there was no way around it. Any message he wanted sent up to the top had to pass through Anthony's hands before it could reach Europe.
"Did you even relay what I said back to them? I made it clear—the risks with these so-called Triple Crown seeds are too high. We need to send at least one Uma Musume who's actually won two classics to have a solid chance!"
Watching Anthony rub his eyes like a fool, Richard couldn't help raising his voice again.
Finally adjusted to the light, Anthony lounged on the sofa, squinting at the furious man before him.
"You make it sound simple," he said wearily.
"The Triple Crown may not limit entries, but using a proven Triple Crown winner to snipe a racer who hasn't even won a G1? What would that look like? It's not like she's Shinzan trying to defend a double crown!"
"Even with our media spinning it, the public would never accept that. Are you trying to embarrass our entire Japan branch?"
Richard's fists clenched. He knew Anthony had a point.
Using a Triple Crown Champion to intercept an Uma Musume who'd only won regional major prizes was absurd.
Anyone with sense would refuse.
But Dream Weaver was different.
Having seen her performance on the training grounds with his own eyes, Richard believed they shouldn't give her a moment's respite.
If they were going to strike, they had to crush her utterly, leaving no room for a comeback.
Yet no matter how he pleaded, the bigwigs at the European Association refused to believe him. Even with journalists' reports from the scene, they dismissed it as exaggeration.
By now, the higher-ups in Europe were thoroughly annoyed with Richard. Their replies had become nothing but canned templates.
If he'd had any other choice, Richard wouldn't have come to the man he despised, hoping to use Anthony's clout for one more shot at reaching the top.
Seeing Richard's twisted, almost teeth-grinding expression, Anthony could only shake his head in bewilderment.
"I don't get it. She's just some Uma Musume from a regional Tracen branch. So what if she has talent? Do you really think Central Tracen can offer training conditions that surpass Europe's?"
He stood up, walked over, and patted Richard on the shoulder.
"Relax. Among the Triple Crown seeds coming for the Satsuki Sho, several have already caught the eye of our European headquarters. Some even have the potential to run in the Arc de Triomphe. With opponents like that, crushing that, uh—"
Anthony paused, seemingly struggling to recall the name Richard kept bringing up.
He skipped over it smoothly and went on, "—will be a breeze. And if that's not enough, we can always temporarily upgrade their access before the Satsuki Sho. Let them enjoy higher-tier training facilities to build up their strength."
"Faced with the glory of being the strongest Uma Musume of their generation, plus the promised access upgrade after a win, those Triple Crown seeds will give everything they've got."
"Beating your so-called prodigy will be child's play."
Anthony's tone was relaxed. Like the higher-ups back in Europe, he couldn't believe a mere regional Tracen Uma Musume could be that extraordinary.
If she were truly that remarkable, she would have shown exceptional talent early on, just like Shinzan, Mr. C.B., and Symboli Rudolf did.
She'd have been fast-tracked straight to the European training camp, not bothering with Tracen's qualifying races.
In fact, if it weren't for Dream Weaver's provocative statements during the qualifiers upsetting the European headquarters, they might not have even sent these Triple Crown seeds over.
Then again, Dream Weaver wasn't their only concern.
There was also Mr. C.B., who'd been highly regarded before leaving the training camp. Her unbeaten streak during her time there had been truly impressive, so it made sense to invest some extra effort.
Unlike Richard, Anthony—like many others—was far more focused on the once-celebrated Mr. C.B. than on some unheard-of genius.
"But she is different!"
Richard's hands were clenched so tight his knuckles were white, his voice a low, hoarse growl.
He had never seen an Uma Musume who showed so little fear of European racing—not even Mr. C.B., who'd stirred up the training camp before walking out, or Symboli Rudolf of the Symboli family, who'd cut ties with her lineage.
Neither had given him this feeling.
Some deep instinct told Richard that Dream Weaver might be even more dangerous than those two, who'd been on Europe's radar from the start.
That was why he kept pushing, even if it meant being disliked and damaging his own prospects.
Seeing Richard still so stubborn, Anthony's expression darkened.
He moved away, settling back onto the sofa and crossing his legs.
"Enough, Richard! Don't forget—I am the highest-ranking European officer in Japan."
"My decision is made. You will carry it out."
Furious, Richard trembled, his nails digging into his palms until the skin turned white.
He stared straight into Anthony's disdainful face and roared, "You'll regret this, Anthony!"
With that, he stormed toward the door without a backward glance, slamming it shut with a crash that made the whole wall shake.
Anthony simply shook his head, picked up the remote, and turned the television back on.
After all, European Uma Musume racing had long been a closed circle. A minor disruption like this could be smoothed over with minimal effort. Why bother worrying?
--+--
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.