After a day's training at the club established with the exclusive funding from the Gold family, Orfevre stepped out, nodding calmly to the journalists who had been waiting for hours.
"Is it true what you said at the Triple Crown Uma Musume exhibition before?"
"I do not deign to lie."
"So you're saying that previous Triple Crown Uma Musume are not—"
Hearing the reporter's clearly leading question, a cold gleam flashed in Orfevre's eyes. An indescribable pressure instantly bore down on the man, forcing him to stumble several steps backward. Had it not been for a colleague steadying him, he would have collapsed to the ground in terror.
Orfevre lifted her chin, looking down at the now thoroughly intimidated reporter, and spoke coldly.
"If an Uma Musume wishes to advance further, she must engage in a limit-pushing race against an opponent of equal caliber."
"And I have not seen any opponent of such weight in this generation."
"Therefore, the Classic Triple Crown races of this era will be, and can only be, my stage alone—"
"Without Exception!"
The reporter under Orfevre's gaze felt his heart pounding wildly, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. His legs trembled uncontrollably, every instinct screaming at him to flee. But under the crushing weight of Orfevre's terrifying gaze, he found himself unable to move even a muscle.
Swallowing hard, he managed a shaky nod. Only then did Orfevre withdraw her gaze, and the reporter immediately slumped in relief, finally free from the oppressive pressure.
"Does anyone else have questions for me?"
Orfevre's eyes swept over the assembled reporters, each one she looked at breaking out in a cold sweat, the fate of the previous bold questioner still fresh in their minds.
However, their thirst for a hot story ultimately overcame their fear. After carefully weighing their words, another reporter finally stepped forward to ask:
"Have you decided on your next race?"
"The next event worthy of basking in my glory is the Spring Stakes."
Since this was a straightforward question, Orfevre's tone softened slightly.
Seeing that Orfevre had dropped her fierce demeanor, the reporters swarmed forward, clamoring with questions.
"Why has Gold Ship from the Gold family been absent from the public eye for so long?"
"My sister is traveling."
"What are your thoughts on the rising star at Central Tracen, Win Variation?"
"Decent skill, but unfortunate to be born in my generation."
"Rumors suggest that after winning the Classic Triple Crown, you plan to race overseas and challenge the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Is this true?"
Hearing the last question, a wild, confident smile spread across Orfevre's lips. She turned her brilliant eyes toward the camera behind the reporters, as if announcing to the entire world:
"Not only will I participate, but I will also break that disgraceful curse and bring victory and glory back to the Gold family!"
With that, she strode toward a luxurious car that had been waiting nearby, ignoring the reporters' follow-up questions.
But just as Orfevre opened the rear door to leave, her ears twitched, catching one question that piqued her interest.
"Have you heard of Dream Weaver? The country Uma Musume who recently announced she's entering the Kyodo Tsushin Hai. They say she aims to dethrone all the elite central Uma Musume and win on behalf of the regional racers."
"Oh?"
Orfevre turned back, narrowing her eyes with playful curiosity.
"A country bumpkin Uma Musume has such lofty ambitions?"
"Yes! And she's from Kasamatsu Tracen—the same Kasamatsu Tracen that produced Oguri Cap, the icon of the Miracle Generation!"
"Heh... Hahahaha!Amusing. You've actually managed to entertain me!"
As if genuinely amused by the reporter, Orfevre let out a hearty laugh, looking at him with the condescending gaze one might reserve for a court jester.
"Is... is something wrong?"
A cold sweat dripped down the reporter's forehead. The earlier scene was still vivid in his mind, and he instinctively wanted to back down.
But then he glanced at the press pass hanging on his chest, which clearly read:
Gifu Publishing, Field Reporter Tagami Kan.
The name Tagami came from Mount Tagami on the outskirts of Kasamatsu. He had grown up there and, as an adult, found work in Gifu Prefecture, just a short train ride away.
Suddenly, a surge of courage from somewhere unknown steadied his retreating steps. Facing Orfevre's mocking gaze, he straightened his back and responded:
"Dream Weaver won almost every top-tier race in Kasamatsu last year. She's our pride, and we believe she has what it takes!"
Standing before this queen who carried the glory of the entire Gold family and the expectations of all Japan, Tagami Kan shut his eyes and shouted his convictions like a cannon blast.
But just as he braced for Orfevre's stormy reaction, he instead heard her say:
"Not bad. You've got spine."
Hearing this, Tagami cautiously opened his eyes to find Orfevre studying him seriously.
"However... it's not that I look down on regional Uma Musume specifically."
"Their trainers, facilities, and tracks—they're too far removed from the center. Even if they luck into a central race, the intensity here would overwhelm them instantly."
"Those with real talent are scouted early for Central Tracen."
"Those who remain in the regions..."
"Even if they stumble into a central event, they won't achieve much."
With that, Orfevre opened the car door and stepped inside.
Tagami clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug into his palms, but he refused to loosen his grip.
He knew Orfevre's words were undeniably true. As a reporter covering Uma Musume, he was well aware of the gap between regional and central racing.
But every time he thought of giving up, his mind would drift back to last year, when he was assigned to cover the Kasamatsu Kinen at the Kasamatsu Racecourse.
That flash of red lightning blazing across the track had captivated everyone. Even Tagami, long disillusioned, felt a spark of hope reignite—enough to ask the question he just had.
"What if... what if Dream Weaver actually wins the Kyodo Tsushin Hai?"
He tightened his fists and shouted toward the direction Orfevre had left.
Just as Tagami watched the black luxury car begin to pull away, thinking he would receive no answer, Orfevre's voice drifted back leisurely:
"Then let her come find me at the Satsuki Shō."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 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.