"Maruzensky... just you wait, I'll never... ugh! Let you off, you better be prepared..."
Symboli Rudolf was half-carried, half-dragged by Nearl, stumbling along like a drunkard with no strength in her legs, helplessly pulled forward.
Though compared to an actual drunk, her current state was only slightly better in that her mind was still somewhat clear.
Everything else—her uncontrollable limbs, her fragmented speech—was exactly like a drunkard's.
"Blergh!"
Every few steps, Rudolf would pause to retch dryly. That insane sports car had truly put her through the wringer.
"Ugh, my head's still a complete mess, can't see a thing clearly either."
Shaking her head did nothing to improve the situation. Everything before her eyes remained blurred, even the trees along the roadside seemed to be moving, stretching into hazy, flowing reflections.
"Next time, no matter what happens next time, I swear! I swear! I will never get into Maruzensky's car again! That can't even be called driving—it's just stomping on the accelerator."
"President, it might be better if you stayed quiet for now. Talking will probably only make you feel worse."
Nearl glanced at Rudolf, whose face still held a greenish tint, and advised with some concern.
"Oh, thanks for the concern. But Nearl, your endurance is really something, aren't you? You look completely fine. Have you encountered this kind of driving style before?"
"How could that be? I just adapt a little better, I suppose. Like Maruzensky-senpai here—see, she's doing fine too."
"Is she now?"
Symboli Rudolf weakly glanced at Maruzensky walking alongside them.
While her face wasn't as sickly green as Rudolf's, it was still ghostly pale, completely drained of color. Clearly, that driving had pushed her to her limits as well.
But Nearl was completely unaffected, even having energy to spare to support her. The difference was stark.
'That's a terrifying physical constitution, way too overpowered. Actually, come to think of it, has Nearl ever made a mistake since I've known her?'
The more Rudolf thought about it, the more she felt she shouldn't dwell on it, or else she'd start feeling inferior.
Who would believe that—the great Emperor feeling insecure?
Thankfully, they had finally arrived at the training camp. Standing at the entrance to greet them was a familiar Uma Musume, her pale blue hair shimmering dreamily under the sunlight.
"Nearl, President, and Maruzensky-senpai, I've been awaiting your arrival."
With her hands gently folded over her abdomen, Mejiro Ardan bowed gracefully, about thirty degrees, conveying warmth and familiarity.
Even though this was an informal setting, her etiquette remained flawless. Elegance seemed etched into her very being, hidden in her heart and expressed in her actions.
"Ardan, it's been a while. How have you been? Have you started training already?"
Seeing Ardan in good spirits, a pleased smile touched Nearl's lips. At the same time, her gaze drifted slightly upward.
'The crystal I gave her is neatly sewn onto her earring. Looking at its luster, it hasn't been used yet. Good.'
Giving a slight, imperceptible nod, Nearl decided not to bring it up. After greeting Ardan, she adjusted her hold on the nearly boneless Rudolf she was supporting.
"Ardan, do you know where the resting area is? The President is in really poor condition. She won't recover unless she gets some proper rest."
"Ah, I'm sorry, Ardan. Even though I organized this, here I am... ugh!"
"There's no need to say anything, President. Please rest first. Nearl, come with me. I'll show you to the accommodations."
Though curious why the ever-composed Emperor had ended up in such a state, Ardan knew some curiosities were better left unsatisfied. She pushed aside her questions and turned to lead the way.
--+--
"President, rest well. I'll take my leave now."
With those final words, Nearl closed the wooden door, leaving Rudolf and Maruzensky to their much-needed sleep.
Outside, Ardan stood with perfect poise, her violet eyes sparkling like blossoming flowers as she gazed toward Nearl.
"Nearl is so dependable. Even though the President and Maruzensky-senpai are older, they naturally lean on you. They've even entrusted our training entirely to you."
"It's my honor to be trusted so much by everyone."
"If anything, it's our honor."
Ardan chuckled softly in rebuttal, her steps light and fluid, a flutter of emotion in her heart that even she couldn't quite define.
"Even though everyone here is already strong, your achievements, Nearl, are still astonishing. Everyone is really looking forward to having you here."
"Looking forward to me... that's a bit daunting. Because what I can actually help you with is really limited. The final outcome might have nothing to do with my efforts at all."
Nearl could understand Ardan's excitement, and she guessed the other Uma Musume here felt similarly. But what she could do now was truly limited.
When it came to training, every Uma Musume here was a seasoned pro.
Years on the track had made them intimately familiar with what worked best for them; their optimal paths were already set in stone. There was simply no room for her to intervene.
"All I can really help with is dietary planning, training oversight, and daily support. The most important things are beyond my reach."
'Unlike Special Week, even if there were more suitable training methods, they couldn't change their approach now. There isn't enough time—forcing adjustments might even cause their performance to decline.'
"But isn't that already a huge help? Miss Nearl, you really shouldn't underestimate yourself. If we're being strict, I'm the trainer who's truly the least useful here."
A calm, cool voice came from the end of the path—chilly but not harsh. Nearl felt she'd heard this voice somewhere before, though the memory was faint.
Seeing the momentary confusion then recognition in Nearl's eyes, the newcomer nodded.
"It's been a long time since we last met. And I've rarely appeared publicly these past two years, so it's normal if I seem unfamiliar."
Tucking away the tablet she'd been holding, the impeccably dressed woman extended her right hand.
"Nase Fumino. I'm a trainer, and still quite inexperienced. I'll be in your care."
"If even Trainer Nase considers herself inexperienced, what does that make the other trainers? Not everyone can win major prizes right after signing an Uma Musume."
Ardan teased lightly from the side.
She got along fairly well with Super Creek, which made her relationship with Nase Fumino somewhat closer—though Nase herself tended to keep a polite distance.
It wasn't that she disliked Ardan—who could dislike such a beautiful, resilient Uma Musume? It was just that some of Super Creek's behaviors had left her a bit wary of gentle Uma Musume in general.
But Nearl was different.
Though she was also gentle, her demeanor was nothing like Creek's.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! 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.