"A [Gold Ship] from another world?"
Symboli Rudolf found this very interesting. She had originally thought McQueen's crossing over was an isolated incident, but now a second horse girl had crossed over from another world. This might not be a coincidence. And unlike McQueen's situation, this horse girl had crossed over in her main body. Perhaps they could learn something.
"Air Groove, what do you think of her strength?"
Although she asked, Rudolf already had a guess. The newcomer said she wasn*'t* from the same world as the "other McQueen," but she was here for the "other McQueen." This meant she at least believed her own strength was close to that other McQueen's. And she knew about McQueen's crossing over, which meant she at least knew about the strength McQueen had displayed in this world.
Air Groove said gravely, "I can only say, it's my first time seeing such a powerful aura and 'bewitching' power. I don't know how strong she truly is, but she is at least world-class. And with an aura of that intensity, it's almost certain she is one of your 'Domain' (Zone) people."
A powerful 'bewitching' ability plus a Domain... Air Groove felt her "world-class" estimate might even be too low. Since she was here for the "other McQueen," her full power might be truly terrifying. After all, the "other McQueen" was able to display "world's-strongest" level power even while using this world's [McQueen] body.
"Then what do you think of her request?" Rudolf was very curious. "Can doing that really summon the other McQueen?"
Just racing [McQueen] is enough to draw the other McQueen over? Was it really that simple? [McQueen] had lost races before the Kikka Sho, after all. Or... did this 'mechanism' only appear on [McQueen] after that other McQueen's first visit? It was unclear, but it was worth a try.
"This... I cannot be sure."
Air Groove rolled her eyes. How was she supposed to know the answer to that?
"But it is worth trying."
Symboli Rudolf looked forward to seeing that McQueen again.
Air Groove reminded her, "This will be trouble for [McQueen], won't it?"
"It will. But we can't stop her from challenging [McQueen]. So, whether we support it or oppose it, this is already happening." Symboli Rudolf had made her decision.
Air Groove was a bit speechless. If you really wanted to stop it, you could. In the end, you just want to try, don't you? Then again, she understood Luna's feelings. To be beaten once and then have the person run off... she might never get a chance for a rematch.
"No, Air Groove, don't look at me like that. I'm not deciding this just because I want to see the other McQueen. I'm thinking about the upcoming Japan Cup. It's only a few days away. Montjeu brought us a huge surprise... she actually brought over the young champion of the Arc de Triomphe. You've seen that child, Trêve. Our runners... have no hope of beating her."
Symboli Rudolf sighed.
Unlike Montjeu back in the day, that child named Trêve was here to challenge the Japan Cup with full preparations. She couldn't think of any way for their runners to beat that young champion. Even if [McQueen] had preliminarily grasped that power called "skills," if she couldn't use it in an official race, she had no chance.
Although [McQueen] had recently learned a "skill," its intensity was nothing compared to what the other McQueen used. She couldn't control its activation, often failing to use it or using it at the wrong time. In short, it was very disappointing. The "skill" as used by [McQueen] lacked that... "brilliant beauty."
"You know the Japan Cup is only days away. We can't let [McQueen] race that Gold Ship now. If they do manage to summon the other McQueen, fine. But if they fail... we are guaranteed to lose the Japan Cup."
They didn't have many strong contenders for the Japan Cup this year. [McQueen], having barely learned that power, was their only hope. Putting this kind of pressure on her now was a guaranteed loss. If it were up to Air Groove, she would never agree to that Gold Ship's unreasonable demand. She's strong, but she's just one person. This is their home turf; they can't just let her do as she pleases.
"...In that case... let's have that Gold Ship participate in the Japan Cup."
Symboli Rudolf said suddenly.
"Huh?" Air Groove was stunned. "But how..."
"Exactly. Not many people know about this yet. We'll let her participate under [Gold Ship]'s name. Even if the Committee reacts afterward and revokes the result... she's not from this world. She won't care if her results are revoked. And... this also fulfills her request to 'fight' [McQueen]."
Symboli Rudolf thought this was an excellent idea. This way, even if they couldn't summon the other McQueen, they could use this Gold Ship to fight Trêve. It was one stone, two birds.
"Is there still time to register?"
"We just need to... 'pull some strings'."
Air Groove looked helplessly at Luna, who was preparing to abuse her authority. She felt Luna was really regressing lately... she wasn't even telling cold jokes anymore. She just spent all day researching how to enter that "new realm."
Although Symboli Rudolf had given up on getting "skill" knowledge from Mejiro McQueen, she was confident that if the realm existed, she could reach it on her own. And after [McQueen] successfully learned a skill, Rudolf was even more motivated. She seemed to be getting younger.
Just then, Rudolf asked another question.
"By the way... do you think this Gold Ship has also mastered 'skills'?"
"..."
Air Groove was speechless.
You keep asking me these things... How would I know?
In any case, the matter was settled.
With Rudolf's maneuvering, an entry slot was quickly "emptied," and Gold Ship's name was put in.
The next day, when [Gold Ship] saw the news, she was completely baffled. The news said the young champion from the Arc is running! Am I crazy? Why would I run in the Japan Cup? She stormed off to the activity room to find her trainer.
As soon as she got there, she saw the girl calling herself "Gold Ship from another world" sitting obnoxiously on the sofa, hogging the whole thing and the TV remote, acting like she owned the place.
"Why is she still here?!"
"Why not? Besides, weren't you the one who brought her back?"
"Damn it! This world only needs one Lord Goldie-chan!"
Demon King Ship, hearing this, turned her head.
"Hmph. True. This world only needs one Demon King. If you're not happy about it, how about we race?"
"Hilarious! Who would race you? Lord Goldie-chan doesn't waste energy outside of an official race! Go back to your own world!"
[Gold Ship]'s danger-radar had detected this long ago. She was annoyed, but she really did not want to race this person.
"Coward."
"What did you say!!!"
The two looked like they were about to fight.
Trainer Okino quickly rushed over and held back [Gold Ship]. "Did you forget what happened yesterday? Just endure it, Gorshi!"
You won't race her... and you definitely can't win a fight against her.
[Gold Ship] immediately used this as an out.
"Hmph! I'm giving you face, Trainer!"
"Hahaha! A fine joke. You really have a talent for comedy. Keep talking, amuse this great one."
Demon King Ship saw right through her and mocked her mercilessly.
[Gold Ship] pretended not to hear.
"Trainer! Why is my name on the Japan Cup entry list?! I don't remember signing up!"
"About that..."
Okino gestured toward Demon King Ship.
[Gold Ship] understood instantly, fuming.
She might be unreliable, but she's serious about racing! And now someone is racing under her name?! If this girl was possessing her, like with McQueen, that'd be one thing... at least she'd be 'participating.' But this bastard is a completely different person!
"Hmph. Coward. You just watch from the back while this great one runs. I will show the people of your world the Demon King's true power!"
"Demon King? So lame. You're just a chuunibyou."
"Hahaha! All you have is a sharp tongue, clown."
Demon King Ship was completely unaffected by [Gold Ship]'s words. She was in a great mood! She might finally get the chance to meet her "other self"... and in a race, no less!
With such a happy event, she felt she could face anything.
Okino, watching the two bicker again, helplessly tried to intervene.
"So, Lord Demon King... will you be joining us for training?"
"Rejected. This great one does not need training."
Demon King Ship turned back to her cartoons.
[Gold Ship] stared suspiciously at this 'childish' person. 'This great one,' 'Demon King,' likes to watch cartoons... and doesn't even train? Is this girl really that strong? Or... did my Goldie-chan radar get it wrong?
...
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