... Ling was staring at the person opposite her with dead fish eyes.
[You'd better give me an explanation] This was the meaning of Ling's current gaze.
"Ah hahaha... there was a slight accident~" The other person's expression was also a bit awkward, but there was no sign of remorse.
"So what exactly do you intend to do?! Someone will be here soon! Eclipse! Ma'am!" Ling pronounced the other person's name one word at a time.
Yes, the visitor was indeed Eclipse, who had been forcibly assigned one of the Three Goddesses' positions by a certain ancestral goddess who wanted to slack off.
As for why she was here... As the Three Goddesses, it was perfectly fine for them to appear in the world, but due to their high status, they needed at least two goddesses to suppress them simultaneously.
Of course, they could choose not to suppress themselves, but if they did, no matter how well they disguised themselves, they would be recognized by the Uma Musume, which would be a huge blow to the prestige of the Three Goddesses, who usually appeared to buy some adult-only items.
This time, Eclipse was in charge of purchasing, however... suddenly, work came up. It seemed to be a connection from another world's will, and there were all sorts of other things to do. Since she couldn't get away, she simply closed the "door."
The "door" naturally referred to the channel through which the Three Goddesses appeared in the world, and this channel also required at least two goddesses to maintain it. Eclipse couldn't go back alone, and for a moment, she couldn't remember what to do, so she ran to Ling's place for a visit.
Should I say, as expected of someone so legendary that even Teibo highly admired her? After meeting her, Ling could feel her natural aura. During the previous race with the Three Goddesses, her attention was completely focused on the track, so she didn't get to know them too well.
But the problem wasn't that, it was... unlike the Three Goddesses whose statues only had blurry facial features due to the less developed preservation techniques of their time, Eclipse's appearance was clearly printed in textbooks!
She could already imagine what a sensation this Goddess would cause when seen by the children who came for training today.
"Well, actually, if you look closely, don't we two look quite similar?" Eclipse chuckled and immediately started to change the subject.
After all, Ling's body did contain the factors of the four Three Goddesses, so if Ling and the goddesses were put together, more or less some commonalities could be seen.
"So what are you trying to say? = =" Ling had pretty much guessed what the other person was going to say.
"Just say I'm your long-lost older sister!? The similarity to the textbook can be explained by having her factors~"
Factors are truly amazing things. Even without a direct blood connection, it's possible to inherit one's factors through serendipitous circumstances.
Of course, due to Ling's absolute uniqueness, only her direct descendants can inherit her factors, and it's even unique; for example, if twins are born, only one will inherit them, and this situation will also be inherited by the child who inherited her factors, only passing to one of her children.
To be honest, if this were a darker world, Ling could already imagine the treatment her direct bloodline would receive later. Thankfully, although there are still some unsavory aspects, this world is still very peaceful. It's worth noting that in the history of this world, not even a () war has occurred; it only exists in concepts and literary creations.
Getting off-topic, the reason for saying this is to illustrate how difficult it is to obtain an excellent factor, especially the factor of the popular Eclipse. If it were exposed, Ling would certainly fall into huge trouble.
Just as reproduction is an instinct for living beings, for an Uma Musume, it is almost impossible to refuse the temptation to associate with someone who possesses excellent factors and bear offspring.
Eclipse can just pack up and leave after a while, but she can't! Although she currently has mostly 'mommy fans' who only show her care and reliance, if this matter were exposed, those who call themselves 'mommy' could instantly have their maternal love turn sour, couldn't they!?
"Absolutely not!!" Therefore, Ling flatly rejected the other party's suggestion.
"Wuwuwu QAQ"
Ignoring the goddess who was acting cute, Ling began to ponder with a headache about how to handle the situation.
Afterward, Eclipse proposed a suggestion that sounded more likely to be accepted by everyone.
[Z-chan dancing]
Time passed imperceptibly, and it was already afternoon. Everyone from Spica and Sirius also came in groups to Ling's training ground.
Teio was also there. Having a rare day off, she didn't go to Rigil but planned to accompany Tokai Teio for training.
So, are you really not her biological daughter?
Then everyone saw Ling chatting with an Uma Musume whose face was obscured by a hat.
"Z-chan~ We're here!" Teio, practically clinging to Teio, called out energetically.
"Good afternoon, I plan to spend the day with Teio today, do you mind?" Teio also explained her reason for coming.
"Z-chan, who is this?" Special Week asked at the opportune moment.
"Emmmm... she's my older sister." After much thought, Ling resignedly began to describe her according to the previous plan.
This, however, shocked everyone present.
"Eh eh eh eh eh eh!?!?!" xn
"No no no, why have we never heard you mention her!?"
"Older sister!?"
Reactions like these.
"Hello everyone, I am this child's older sister." Eclipse also switched to a polite and dignified professional tone, bowing slightly to everyone.
"But an older sister suddenly appearing..." Teio, however, seemed quite wary at this moment.
As the Student Council President, she naturally also managed student files, and she roughly knew that Ling had been adopted by an elderly couple from an inconspicuous orphanage.
"Yes... after all, at that time, this was the only way I could get this child out of that hell..." Eclipse's tone suddenly turned sad, and she wiped her eyes with her sleeve, as if to wipe away tears, her body trembling slightly, as if in fear of something.
"Ah, this..." The other party's reaction clearly indicated she had touched upon an unwilling memory, but out of responsibility for the academy's students, Teio still chose to let her continue. She then motioned for everyone to quiet down.
Only Ling, who knew everything, was frantically complaining about Eclipse's acting skills in her heart.
"You are all people related to this child. May I ask you not to reveal what I am about to say?" Then Eclipse clasped her hands together on her chest, which was not on the same level as Ling's, and looked at everyone pleadingly. Although her face was obscured by the overly large hat, her tone and sincerity made everyone nod involuntarily.
"Ah, this... do I need to step away?" Trainer Okino scratched his head, feeling that this situation seemed like it was going to get very troublesome.
"You are this child's Trainer, so it's fine for you to know." Eclipse continued to act.
Finally, everyone went to the large living room and sat in rows to listen to Eclipse's story.
Eclipse placed her hand on her hat, taking a deep breath as if a little nervous.
"Before I explain our experiences, please allow me to show my true face as a sign of sincerity." After saying that, she took off her hat.
"!!??" xn
Everyone naturally remembered the face printed on the first page of the textbook, and even Teio's gaze became somewhat strange.
"As you can see, my appearance... is extremely similar to that of that esteemed individual."
This wasn't just similar; it was as if they were carved from the same mold! Everyone thought in their hearts.
"Of course, I am not that esteemed individual. I am merely... an ordinary Uma Musume, an Uma Musume who can't even run well." Eclipse began to narrate.
Born into a small family, she was valued from the moment of her birth. Although she was too young to notice much, as time passed, her family realized that her appearance was extremely similar to that esteemed individual, so similar that it was indistinguishable from the real thing.
However, her luck was a bit bad. Her family, looking at her appearance, developed malicious intentions.
She was forced to undergo training and education that was no less rigorous than Eclipse's back then. Her family coercively changed her original name, naming her "Eclipse," intending to use the gimmick of "Eclipse's reincarnation" to swindle money in the future.
But soon, her family discovered that her aptitude was very poor, even ridiculously bad.
With the physique of an Uma Musume but lacking the qualities an Uma Musume should possess, she was subjected to even stricter demands by her family.
If reincarnation wouldn't work, then divine descent would do just as well!
"That's too much! How could they do that!" Just hearing this, the Uma Musume present were filled with righteous indignation.
Teio shook her head. Although she had been shocked by the other's appearance for a while, it was better to let her continue now, so she quieted everyone down.
And Eclipse continued to weave her story.
It was under these circumstances that Ling was born.
Originally, everyone had overlooked it due to Ling's own characteristics, but now, looking closely, Ling's appearance indeed shared many similarities with that esteemed individual.
And unlike her, who was useless, Ling, from the moment of her birth, showed a clear difference from other Uma Musume, which meant her aptitude had reached a terrifying level.
Everyone nodded at this, as Ling was indeed a bit too much of a prodigy.
And this, once again, sparked the same old thoughts in those adults who were already consumed by greed.
It's fine, that useless one is somewhat unreliable anyway, but isn't there a new one here?
Upon hearing this, everyone present, whether Trainer Okino or Teio, clenched their fists. These dirty fellows were defiling everything about the Uma Musume.
And at that time, she also felt fear.
She was afraid that her newly born sister would suffer the same fate as herself, afraid that her sister would truly become a tool for dirty adults to make money, afraid that she would lose herself in that hellish education.
So, she waited until Ling was weaned.
She secretly carried the still-innocent Ling and ran away, escaping from that place.
She didn't remember how far or how long she ran. Among the years of training she had received, she was still an Uma Musume with little aptitude, but even so, she was far superior to humans. She placed the still-sleeping Ling at the door of an orphanage and, hardening her heart, woke her up.
The sudden sound of a child crying at the door late at night quickly attracted the attention of the staff on duty. She saw lights flickering in the distance and then fled.
This orphanage was one she had carefully chosen, run by genuinely trustworthy good people.
But she couldn't escape here with her sister; she needed to divert the attention of those devils.
Finally, she stole bedding similar to Ling's from a baby supply store and also stole a baby toy. Pretending to be carrying Ling, she led the pursuers to the edge of a cliff.
It was a toy simulating a baby, and although the simulated baby's cry was a bit fake, no one would care about such details in that situation.
Then, in front of everyone, she threw the crying toy off the cliff.
"Do you know what you're doing!?" Those people roared, then surged forward.
Although she was an Uma Musume, she was still a child and no match for adult men who had trained for a long time; she was pinned to the ground and beaten by them.
"At that time, I thought my miserable life was truly over, but…"
But suddenly, all those who were hitting and scolding her disappeared.
Battered and bruised, she looked up and saw an illusory figure.
"I'm sorry, it was our negligence that caused you to endure so much injustice," the figure said in a gentle tone.
With a wave of the other party's hand, the figures that had been lying unconscious on the ground vanished, and her injuries and pain completely disappeared.
"A strong and gentle child, those evil people no longer exist. I will give you a chance to make a wish," the other party said softly.
"At that time, I made a wish, and since then, I have lived until now with the help of a reliable person arranged for me by that adult."
At this moment, even a resilient person like Rudolph Symbol was wiping away her tears, and the other Uma Musume had expressions of deep emotion on their faces.
"You are a wise and strong lady, and a qualified older sister," Rudolph praised the other party, her voice choked with emotion.
"Waaah, it's so wonderful to be saved by the Three Goddesses…" Special Week was already in tears.
Everyone else had similar expressions, and their gazes towards the two became much softer.
"This is my story, the story of a useless older sister."
"No! Absolutely not! You are an Uma Musume worthy of our respect! It has nothing to do with whether you are a race Uma Musume or not!" Trainer Okino also bowed deeply to the other party.
If it weren't for this intelligent and strong Uma Musume, they might not have met Zero today.
The situation among the group continued for a while. Once everyone had calmed down, they started chatting again.
"So, what should we call you?" After Zero also admitted that the other party indeed had a bloodline and was not lying, the Emperor also became more cordial.
After all, in terms of caution, Zero was above her.
"Just call me Eclipse. Although it's a past I don't want to mention, even so, this name carries a part of my memories, although those memories are not pleasant."
"Alright, Miss Eclipse." The Emperor didn't say anything. She felt that anything she said to persuade her would be an insult to this gentle and strong lady.
"So, is Sister Eclipse here for something? Or are you finally going to live with Z-chan?"
"No, I just plan to… see this child one last time."
"Eh?"
Last time? Everyone had an ominous premonition.
"Pfft, www, just kidding! But it's true that I came to see her, because after this, I plan to build a shrine in an uninhabited mountain and devote myself wholeheartedly to serving the Goddesses."
Knowing the determination in the other party's tone, everyone did not try to dissuade her, only allowing the other party to be affectionate with her "sister."
So, is it fun, Eclipse-sama?
[It's super fun! And playing with you in front of them like this gives me a kind of pleasure like committing a crime in front of my husband!]
The beautiful woman in everyone's eyes was currently saying extremely terrible things on a light screen that only Zero could see.
Although Zero wanted to resist, for the sake of her image, she could only awkwardly let the other party freely rub her ears.
The original training plan was also canceled, but for everyone, Miss Eclipse was a very talkative Uma Musume, and everyone present had a great time chatting with her all afternoon.
She even showed off her skills midway, with craftsmanship similar to Zero's, making everyone sigh in admiration, truly sisters. Especially Oguri Cap, who even blurted out, "If I could have a wife like you, it would be a blessing for life," which made everyone drop their jaws.
"What about me?" Zero suddenly became curious about Oguri Cap's evaluation of herself.
"Z-chan… you'll become a good mother, right?" Oguri Cap pondered for a while before giving her evaluation, which also made everyone laugh.
Trainer Okino had also gone to drink with A-Hua a while ago, giving everyone space to chat.
Amidst the happy chatting, evening arrived. The Three Goddesses, who had been busy, also returned, and Eclipse could finally go back.
"Well, it's getting late, and I should go where I need to go," Eclipse suddenly spoke, indicating her intention to leave.
"Madam Eclipse, if you have any difficulties, please feel free to come to Tracen Academy. This is a place where any Uma Musume can find refuge, and your knowledge will certainly be useful," the Emperor also extended an olive branch. During their earlier chat, the other party's conversation and the knowledge revealed were entirely sufficient for her to serve as a teacher.
"Hehe, if that day ever comes, I certainly will," Eclipse still wore a gentle smile on her face.
"Um, Miss Eclipse, could you tell us what wish you made that day?" Special Week, who was nearby, suddenly asked.
"Oh, that… Hehe~" Eclipse suddenly gave a mischievous laugh, her captivating charm almost making these inexperienced Uma Musume fall under her spell.
"A beautiful wish, that's all~" After leaving this message, Eclipse put on her hat and left.
After chatting for a while longer, everyone returned to the Academy, including Special Week and Tokai Teio, who wanted to stay overnight, but were forcibly dragged back by everyone.
After confirming that everyone had left and couldn't hear her, Zero returned to her room alone.
It could only be said that it was truly Eclipse; she could create such a melodramatic plot and make them believe it, and she had certainly boosted everyone's favorability. But the truth… Zero looked around. Since no one was there, she took a deep breath… "I really want to tell the truth, ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!!!"
Afterwards, when the other Three Goddesses learned that Eclipse had actually thoroughly rubbed Zero in front of so many people without any resistance from Zero, they were immediately astonished and all wanted to emulate her.
Zero imagined the scene at that time.
"This is my eldest sister, this is my second sister, this is my third sister, and with the previous one, that's four sisters. We are actually five sisters."
Geez, it's a quintuplet, isn't it!?
Zero immediately rejected those requests and broke the light screen with her knee. Although she couldn't hear the wails of the Three Goddesses, she could already imagine them.
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