"Relax, relax. As long as the money's there, nothing's a problem," the sunglasses-wearing Umamusume said nonchalantly into her phone. "How pathetic, getting scared like that."
She mocked them brazenly, but the person on the other end didn't seem to get angry at all.
"Take their money, solve their problems. You can count on me."
With that, she hung up and flopped down comfortably.
"I say, Caesar, how long are you going to keep eavesdropping?"
Caesar, now called out, slowly emerged from the doorway. Judging by their expressions, they seemed to know each other.
"Taking on another quest, Morgan?"
The Umamusume Caesar called Morgan waved her hand dismissively. "The money's rolling in, and I can win just by running casually. Why wouldn't I?"
The room's decor was distinctive. Both Umamusume wore identical outfits, the eagle emblem on their chests strikingly prominent. A mural hung on the wall, depicting thirteen Umamusume with varied expressions—Caesar and Morgan among them.
"Listen, Caesar," Morgan complained, "I don't mind you playing house. But you need to remember we're the ones who are comrades. Haven't you been spending a little too much time with those people?"
"Of course not," Caesar replied. "Are you jealous?"
"Of course not! It's just... I'm bored. Everyone's busy with their own things, and I'm really lonely by myself."
Although the mural depicted thirteen Umamusume, it was clear from Morgan's words that they rarely gathered together.
"But luckily, I just landed a big quest, so I finally have something to do," Morgan said, looking a little pleased.
"Oh? Who's the client?"
"Those people from Central again. They offered a huge sum this time—even I was a little shocked."
At the mention of "Central," Caesar suddenly became alert.
"Who's the target?"
"Someone named Kousei, I think. Where have I heard that name before..." Morgan racked her brain. "Oh! Isn't she the one who issued that challenge declaration a while back?"
Morgan sat up abruptly and turned to Caesar. "Speaking of which, didn't you lose to her before? What's with that? There's a limit to how much you can play around, you know."
In Morgan's eyes, it was impossible for someone with Caesar's strength to lose to Kousei.
"When are you planning to leave?" Caesar ignored Morgan's teasing.
"The sooner, the better. Central seems to be in a hurry, and I'm free anyway. It'll be a good way to kill time."
Morgan stretched her limbs, preparing to depart.
"Hey, Morgan."
Just as she reached the door, Caesar suddenly called out to her.
"Don't get too [arrogant]."
Caesar seemed to be deliberately warning Morgan, but Morgan's eyes were filled with utter disdain.
"Arrogant? That's a word for the incompetent. [We] are the only ones of our kind in this world. [We] are the pinnacle of Umamusume. A mere spark is nothing to fear."
Caesar fell silent, her gaze fixed on the mural, a storm of conflicting emotions churning within her. She couldn't deny Morgan's words, because they were the undeniable truth. The "we" Morgan spoke of were conquerors who constantly battled and plundered for bounties. They had clawed their way up from nothing, growing stronger amidst the bones of their defeated foes, and now stood as the most powerful force in the world.
They weren't a region or an academy; they were a single entity, the strongest mercenary group in history—the [Free Eagles].
Morgan was particularly exceptional. Known as the [King of Killers], she had defeated countless prodigies. Her running style was cold and lethal, her straight-line acceleration unparalleled. Every Umamusume who witnessed her final leg had their spirit shattered, as if her demonic speed cast a shadow over their very souls. This was the essence of the Killer.
Among her victims were many Umamusume who had risen from small towns, carrying the hopes of their homelands on their shoulders. But Morgan didn't just win; she trampled their pride into dust.
She was the sharpest blade, a wicked disciple who worshipped demons.
The notorious [King of Killers]—Morgan.
-
Aboard the plane.
"Huh? Way, you're cheating!"
"No, no, this is just what gambling is all about~"
Kousei had finally gotten used to flying and was now playing cards with Just a Way, though she was no match for her opponent.
"What's on your mind?" Aoi asked, noticing Reiko's troubled expression.
"Nothing... I was just wondering who our next opponent will be."
Advancing in the NAU required starting from the bottom, but dropping into the Upper League from above bypassed this rule. This meant Kousei could face a world-class opponent right away.
"Isn't that a good thing? That was our plan from the start, anyway," Aoi said dismissively.
"Even so, I can't help but worry. Am I being strange?" Reiko asked, confused by her own anxiety.
Aoi nodded solemnly. Reiko shot him a glare before trying to reassure herself, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
The plane landed smoothly. Kousei slung her bag over her shoulder and stepped off, only to freeze as she looked up.
"What's wrong?" Just a Way peeked out from behind her.
"There's a strange person over there."
Just a Way followed Kousei's gaze and saw Morgan standing nearby, a smile playing on her lips.
"Wearing sunglasses at night... yeah, that's pretty weird," Just a Way agreed.
Suddenly, Morgan strode forward and addressed them. "Good evening, everyone. You must be the renowned Kousei. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Ooh, the renowned Kousei~" Just a Way whispered teasingly.
Kousei mentally retorted at Just a Way before stepping forward to respond to Morgan. "You flatter me. May I ask who you are?"
Morgan lifted her sunglasses, revealing a pair of Cloud-Ink Eyes. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Morgan, a challenger who has flown here from the other side of the world."
The fact that she had dropped in meant Morgan was a registered competitor in the Senior League. In an instant, Kousei's gaze sharpened.
"A pleasure to meet you. I'm Kousei."
While the two exchanged pleasantries up front, Reiko grew unusually tense behind them. She stared at Morgan as if she were looking at a demon.
Morgan's gaze shifted past Kousei to Reiko. She narrowed her eyes and smiled.
"Reiko?"
Sensing something was wrong, Kousei whipped her head around to see Reiko on high alert, as if facing a mortal enemy. They had never seen her like this. Kousei instinctively took a step back, her guard raised against Morgan.
The atmosphere suddenly grew tense. Morgan pulled a card from her pocket.
"This is my address. If you need to find me, you can come here anytime."
Kousei stared at the offered card, hesitating before finally accepting it. Morgan didn't linger; she smiled, bid them farewell, and left.
After Morgan was gone, everyone's gaze fell on Reiko. She seemed unable to shake off the tension from the encounter. After a long silence, she finally spoke. "Why her?"
"Reiko, who is she?"
Everyone waited for Reiko's answer. After gathering her thoughts, she began slowly, "Kousei, do you remember what I told you about my father's reputation being ruined because of his harsh training methods for Umamusume?"
"I remember."
"One of the causes of that incident... was the Umamusume who was just here!"