The mediocre trainer doesn't want to reopen

During this time, it was only natural that Kitano, as a trainer, would devote all his attention to his Umamusume from the Classic Year.

This is of course also a disguised way of protecting Xing-chan. After all... there are a lot of jealous people in this team. Kitano doesn't want to be "eaten" by them, nor does he want Xing-chan to be eaten by them.

"Xing-chan, don't worry about unnecessary things. I really need your protection right now. You know the reason."

"I don't want this incident to affect you and the Holy King's performance at the Chrysanthemum Appreciation. I also don't want this incident to affect the debut of Mi Yu and Bourbon, as well as the Classic Year of the Emperor and the Faithful. These aren't the things they should be thinking about right now."

"But I don't have a good way to protect myself, so Xing-chan, maybe now, I need your protection."

Kitano also ruffled Xingchan's hair and smiled softly, saying, "During this time, I will always be by your side. Of course, it's not just for you to protect me, but also for my efforts for your upcoming Chrysanthemum Appreciation."

"I'm really sorry for not caring about your feelings these past few months. So, give me a chance to make up for my mistakes. I wonder if you are willing to give me this chance, Xing-chan?"

However, Kitano's words made Xingjiang, who was in silence at the moment, stunned for a long time. It was not until Kitano said "I need your protection" and "I will always be by your side" that Xingjiang slowly woke up from her trance.

Will you always be by my side? Until... the chrysanthemum viewing?

Xing-chan couldn't help but recall what she saw in her "dream", the escape from the Chrysanthemum Shooting where she burned up everything, and this was her last "trump card", and her last trick to attract Kitano now!

And her trainer promised to accompany her until she finished the Chrysanthemum Viewing Race - isn't this exactly what she wanted?

At this moment, Xingchan, who was always very timid about such issues, didn't know whether it was because of the encouragement from the other team members or because she felt that this was an opportunity of her life that she absolutely could not miss. Her mouth reacted before her brain and she muttered, "Trainer-san... please don't break your promise."

"Xing-chan, of course I will protect Trainer-san. As long as... Trainer-san doesn't leave Xing-chan's side, Xing-chan will definitely be able to do it."

Chapter 431: Expedition Quota, Kitano's Only Choice

Kitano did not lie. In the next few days, Kitano really hardly left Xingjiang and was almost always with her.

Of course, Kitano didn't stay with Xing just to improve Qingyun Tiankong's favorability towards him or to get some achievement like "True Complete Collection of the Golden Generation". Although Kitano was very confident that Xing could win the Chrysanthemum Award, after all, the opponents Xing had to face in this Chrysanthemum Award were particularly weak, and even the Saint King Halo was not Xing's opponent.

After all, although the Holy King has become a racer that can beat the Japanese Derby, strictly speaking, the Holy King has truly achieved versatility in the three distances of short distance, mile and middle distance. If it were in the game, it should be that the adaptability of the three distances is all A, right?

But even so, the Holy King is still not good at long distance running. The fundamental reason is that the Holy King's physical fitness is not enough to support her running long distances, let alone a distance of 3000 meters.

Even for the 2500-meter race at the Arima Kinen, Kitano and the Holy King had to discuss how to complete the race and ensure that their tactics wouldn't change during the race. And for the Holy King, the 3000-meter race was essentially a tacit surrender.

This is not something that can be accomplished by trying one's best. It is indeed beyond the ability of the Holy King. Therefore, neither Kitano nor the Holy King forces themselves to do this.

In fact, according to Kitano's original plan, the Holy King should have given up the Chrysanthemum Award directly after the Japan Derby, and switched to the relatively less stressful Autumn Emperor Award in October.

As one of the few GI events that allows horse girls from the Classic Year and the Old Horse Year to compete together, if the Holy King can defeat all the horse girls from the Old Horse Year and win the Autumn Emperor's Award, then this achievement will be no less than winning the Chrysanthemum Award - of course, the premise is that the Holy King can do it.

But at least the chance of winning is much higher than at the Chrysanthemum Festival, right? At least the Saint King is quite comfortable at 2000 meters… Even if the opponents she faces are much stronger than those typically seen at the Chrysanthemum Festival, at least she can see the chance of winning.

But in the end, the Holy King decided to participate in the chrysanthemum viewing, and he was determined to lose.

"The Japanese Derby... I was able to win the Japanese Derby thanks to Xing-chan who inspired me to fight. I've thought a lot about it. If I were to run the Japanese Derby again now, I don't think I would be able to replicate such a perfect victory."

"Xing-chan has become the stepping stone for my glorious victory. Now, it's time for Xing-chan to achieve fame and success. If I escape this last competition, it would not be a good thing."

"Let me, a first-rate lottery winner, be the stepping stone for Xing-chan's glorious escape of the century. Don't worry, I know what to do."

——This was how the Holy King answered Kitano, and as a result, Kitano decided to approve the Holy King's participation in the Chrysanthemum Appreciation. However, this also gave Kitano an idea.

If Xing-chan's opponent in this Kikuka Sang was not that formidable, then... if Xing-chan could secure victory in the Kikuka Sang this time instead of doing some kind of century-class escape, then wouldn't Xing-chan, who didn't burn out everything, have a better chance of winning the upcoming Arima Kinen?

Although there is no well-known battle like the Battle of the Century, it can at least allow Xingjiang to change his own destiny. In this way, including Xingjiang winning GI in the Year of the Horse, ideally, Xingjiang can achieve 4 GI victories!

It is rare to see a Uma Musume with 4GI victories. To reach this level, even if she really retires directly after the classic year as Xingjiang is considering, such a record is enough to be called brilliant.

At least, he would never become the Qingyun Tiankong that others talked about as "the one who is done with the classic years" as in Kitano's memory, unable to break through the limitations of his own bloodline.

Kitano had always said that Qingyun Tiankong was his role model. Her heroic feat, achieving a century-defining escape with inferior blood, becoming just one step away from the Triple Crown, was something Kitano, who once considered himself "mediocre," always admired. Qingyun Tiankong had proven through her actions that bloodline limitations weren't absolute; even inferior blood could radiate its own brilliance.

Therefore, Kitano certainly hopes to give Xing-chan a better ending...but he doesn't know whether his idea is right or wrong.

And...should he tell Xing-chan about this idea, or let her make the decision herself?

For a moment, Kitano was a little confused, but at this moment, a voice from the mobile phone brought Kitano back to his senses.

"Trainer-san? Who sent this message?"

When he saw Kitano pick up the phone, Qingyun Tiankong, who had enjoyed Kitano's wholehearted and even inseparable care during this period, seemed to be in a much better mood than before, and a faint smile reappeared on his face. At this moment, Xingjiang was wiping the sweat off his face and walking towards Kitano.

"It's from Rudolph. He wants me to go to the Student Union right now. He has something very important to tell me."

After Kitano received the news that it was Rudolph, his expression changed slightly - obviously, Kitano had not yet recovered from the horse jumping incident. Now when he saw the news that he was alone with the person who might have jumped him, he felt inexplicably nervous.

Especially since the person who sent the message was Rudolph. A jealous person, although he was a loser in front of Kitano, as a horse girl, he was an extremely powerful presence.

It can be said that if Rudolf also had this idea about Kitano, then with her qualifications and prestige in Tresen College, no one would dare to say anything even if she jumped on Kitano ten times.

At this time, Rudolph suddenly sent a message to Kitano, saying "emergency", which made Kitano feel a familiar sense of crisis...

Sure enough, when Kitano finished speaking, Xingjiang also realized a similar problem. Xingjiang, who had been Kitano's bodyguard during this period, immediately understood that it was time for him to appear again!

"It's okay, Trainer-san, I will protect you, Xing-chan!"

Xingjiang pretended to be relaxed and held the back of his head with both hands. This was Xingjiang's habitual action. Usually, when Xingjiang did this action, it was either because he was very relaxed at the moment, or because he sensed a sense of crisis but was habitually pretending to be strong.

"Hehe, although I don't have much confidence that I can stop the president, Xing-chan...but it's okay to delay until Trainer-san escapes-"

"After all, Xing-chan, I am now Trainer-san's personal bodyguard. Even if the other party is the president, Xing-chan, I will try my best to protect Trainer-san. Oh - just kidding -"

However, with the last sentence, Xing-chan finally broke down with a slightly red face. Obviously, at this moment, Xing-chan, who was always with Kitano and always trying to launch the "offensive", could only do this much.

Kitano smiled faintly upon hearing this, and then did not embarrass Xingjiang too much, and said softly: "Let's go. No matter what Rudolph wants to do, we have to go."

"Actually, looking back, Trainer-san is really amazing. Even the president is..."

Xing-chan didn't finish the last sentence, but for some reason, her tone was a little sour for the first time...

"So, Rudolph, what do you want from me?"

"It's very important, Trainer-kun. This matter concerns your team and everyone else."

Kitano and Xingjiang also arrived at the student union as scheduled, but what surprised Kitano was that Rudolph seemed particularly serious this time. Qi Cao and Narita Bairen were by her side, making her look more majestic than an emperor.

——Of course, this is only in Xing-chan's eyes. In Kitano's eyes, Rudolph is still the same Luna. But now, Kitano will not let Rudolph lose face in front of Qi Cao, Bai Ren, and Xing-chan.

"What happened, President?" Kitano also realized the importance of the matter and couldn't help asking.

"It's about something overseas, Trainer Sang, an invitation letter from the Teresin Academy in France."

Rudolph answered Kitano's question and placed a letter on the table. After Kitano curiously took it, she continued, "This is an invitation from the Tresin Academy in France. It invites the horse girls from our Tresin Academy in Japan to participate in the expedition competition in France."

"Expedition?" Kitano, who knew nothing about French and even had a little psychological trauma about France, held the letter out of pure curiosity. When he heard Rudolf's words, he immediately realized what this expedition competition was.

"President, are you talking about——"

"Yes, Trainer-kun, it's the Arc de Triomphe Grand Prix."

Rudolph nodded, solemnly confirming Kitano's guess, and Xing-chan beside Kitano also widened her eyes and opened her mouth slightly. Obviously, she was quite clear about the symbolic significance of the Arc de Triomphe Grand Prix among Japanese horse racing girls.

This is an obsession of Japanese horse racing girls, and it can even be said to be an obsession of all of Japan - the "Arc de Triomphe Grand Prix" is like a demonic barrier, and no matter how many times they challenge it, they cannot win. For Japanese horse racing girls, this is the world-class stage, but on this stage, Japanese horse racing girls have never occupied the protagonist position.

This is a huge obsession for Japanese horse racing girls. It can even be said that as long as the Arc de Triomphe fails to win, the haze hanging over the heads of Japanese horse racing girls, the barrier called "world class", will never be broken.

Therefore, the number of contestants for the Arc de Triomphe Grand Prix is ​​extremely important, and this time, the invitation letter was sent to Tresen College. There is no doubt that it is to invite the most outstanding horse racing girl of the current period in Tresen College.

"After much thought, I've decided to leave this position to you, Trainer-san." Rudolph chuckled softly. "We're in the rising stages of Japanese horse racing right now. There are many outstanding horse racing girls in the team. Choose the one you think is the best from the team and send him."

"Then do we even need to choose?" Kitano smiled softly upon hearing this. Under everyone's gaze, he said without hesitation, "Of course it's Condor. Apart from her, there's no other choice to attend the Arc de Triomphe."

"Elu?"

Kitano's answer without hesitation made Xingjiang and several people in the student union feel a little incredible. For a moment, Xingjiang looked at Kitano with a very subtle look, as if he found Kitano's choice very incomprehensible.

Why Elu? And not Kou? Trainer-san... why did he do this?

Chapter 432: Go to the world stage, Condor

"Condor? That cheerful kid?" Even Rudolph, who was very familiar with Kitano, was a little surprised by Kitano's answer without hesitation, let alone Qicao, Bairen and Xingjiang beside him.

"Trainer, this answer really surprises me. I thought you would choose Flying on the Grass."

"Oh? Why?" Kitano was a little surprised by Rudolph's question, but then he thought, the Rudolph in front of him only had the same memory as him in the first round. At that time, even Qi Cao and Bai Ren were promoted by him to join the student union not long ago, and Shen Ying had not even enrolled at all.

Therefore, Rudolf and the others present did not have Kitano's advantage, so they did not know that in Kitano's memory, if they wanted to choose the best person to go on the expedition to the Arc de Triomphe, the Condor, who had the best Arc de Triomphe expedition performance in Japan and had the second Arc de Triomphe, would naturally be the first choice.

No Umamusu who represented Japan at the Arc de Triomphe had ever won the event. But they weren't always runners-up; there were certainly times when they were favorites, and even times when they came within a whisker of victory.

Among them, there aren't many who can claim a second move from the Arc de Triomphe. Most are ranked outside the top ten, like the many horse girls who were once highly anticipated... Manchester City Tea House, Satomi Hikari, etc.... ah, and even the Golden Ship, which was used for public travel.

In comparison, Condor's second place in the Arc de Triomphe can be regarded as the best result in the Arc de Triomphe before the first Uma Musume who won the Arc de Triomphe appeared in Japan.

The only two horsegirls from the Golden Family who have the same record as Shenying are Nakayama Kiyoshi and the Golden Master of "Golden Tyrant", but these two are not in Kitano's team now, and it is estimated that they have not even started their debut yet.

Therefore, if Kitano is asked to nominate a horse girl who is most suitable to participate in the Arc de Triomphe during this period, then for the sake of conservatism, Kitano would of course recommend Condor, who already had the second-place record of the Arc de Triomphe in the previous timeline.

After all, the gap between the second place result and the first place is not that big. Not to mention that the Condor already has the strength and opportunity to challenge the first place in the Arc de Triomphe. Even if it still loses, the second place result is not enough to be a shameful runner-up.

Although only the first place in a race is the real winner, the guaranteed second place can at least help Shenying deal with less pressure after returning home, and can even raise her level.

After all, before Condor, no horse girl representing Japan had ever achieved a result so close to the first place.

Of course, while Kitano had this in mind, the others didn't have those memories or advantages. They saw Kitano's decision to choose the seemingly less prestigious Condor without hesitation upon hearing the Arc de Triomphe's invitation as a genuinely unbelievable choice.

After all, although Shenying has good talent and is one of the "three strongest" of the "Golden Generation", her strength is unquestionable. In the past two months, she has won consecutive GI victories in the Yasuda Kinen and Takarazuka Kinen tournaments, which also illustrates her strength.

But now the Condor's three GI wins seem to be a little inferior to the almost universally recognized strongest of the "Golden Generation" - Soso, who has four GI wins? But judging by the data?

Everyone present knew that Kusanagi Hi was the closest person to Kitano among the "Golden Generation." They all knew Kitano's temper, which often outweighed his rationality.

Therefore, everyone is still a little confused about the fact that Kitano did not recommend his favorite Kusanagi no Sobhu, but recommended Condor instead.

"After all, judging from the battle record alone, and the fact that you, Trainer-kun, have always been partial to the people you like, I thought you would let Kusagami Fei participate in the Arc de Triomphe."

Rudolph also bluntly expressed her doubts and her judgment based on her understanding of Kitano. Rudolph did not object to Kitano's idea, but curiously raised a question that everyone present wanted to ask, saying, "Can you tell me the reason? Trainer, what made you decide to send out Shenying instead of Xiaocao? Or someone else?"

"Oh, why did Trainer-san choose Elu?" Qingyun Tiankong, who was standing by, also asked curiously. At this moment, she was the one who took Kitano's answer most seriously, but she remained calm on the surface and asked, "Trainer-san should have chosen Xiaocao... whether it's about feelings or anything else..."

Xingjiang was a little worried. She was worried that Shenying, who had clearly expressed the same attitude as Xiaote in the meeting and had no interest in her trainer Sang, but seemed to have an ambiguous attitude, was actually progressing even faster than her in secret... Xingjiang found it difficult to accept this situation because she was not aware of it at all.

It wasn't just Xing-chan. If there were more people present, others might have thought about this as well. They also said that they had never noticed anything special between Shenying and Kitano.

Then there are only two possibilities. Either there is really nothing between Shenying and Kitano, and it is just Kitano's wishful thinking, or... it is Kitano's personal interest in Shenying that makes him "favor" Shenying this time.

Or... maybe Shenying is actually a super scheming woman who can't be judged by appearance. She can actually avoid the eyes of so many high-ranking players in the team and develop an underground relationship with her trainer Sang... Of course, the possibility of this is too low.

Therefore, Xing-chan is very concerned about Kitano's answer, especially... this matter may be related to whether Kitano "likes" Elu.

"As for the reason... it's pretty simple. After all, Elu is the best choice considering the circumstances."

Kitano didn't think too much about it and patiently explained to Rudolph, "Although Xiaocao's record is better, it's only one more GI victory than Elu. Moreover, Elu's performance is more stable than Xiaocao, which is very important in expeditions."

"Going to a new environment and adapting to a brand new arena, consistency is a very important advantage. I am confident that even if I go to France, with the mentality and ability of the Condor, I can still show my full strength."

"What's more, President, you're also a horse girl who participated in the expedition. You should know that there's actually a huge difference between foreign pastures and Japanese pastures."

Kitano didn't continue, but Rudolph looked a bit embarrassed. Qi Cao and Bai Ren, who knew the details, also blushed, wanting to laugh but not daring to.

Obviously, they all knew about the news that their "Emperor" had failed in several expeditions. Although there were many reasons at that time, such as Rudolph's poor condition and insufficient time for special training, etc., none of them could change the fact that Rudolph, the once recognized "Japanese Horse King", had gained nothing on the expedition.

Of course, only Kitano mentioned this matter, otherwise Rudolf might really get angry, instead of looking embarrassed like he is now, and looking at Kitano with a rather angry look.

"I know this. The grass at the Longchamp Racecourse in France is much softer than ours. If we encounter a heavy racecourse, it will cause great interference and impact to the jockeys who are used to our domestic tracks."

"That's right." Rudolph had already answered the question. Kitano nodded and smiled, "And Elu is a horse girl from the United States. In the United States, dirt tracks are more valued than grass, so Elu should be more accustomed to the conditions at the Longchamp Racecourse."

"Xiao Cao is different. Although she has lived in the United States, she has not experienced what it's like to be a horse girl there. She has spent most of her time and training in Japan."

"Therefore, Elu's performance in France will be better and more stable than Xiaocao's, which is why I recommend Elu."

"I see..." Rudolph didn't expect Kitano to not talk about his personal opinions at all, but to answer him entirely with professional knowledge. He looked a little surprised at the moment.

After all… In Rudolph's impression, Kitano, although a trainer, was far inferior to her own. Rudolph's stereotype was that Kitano rarely discussed professional matters with her—because most of the time, Kitano couldn't argue with her, and instead humbly sought her advice.

But this time, Rudolph had to admit that she was persuaded by Kitano. This incident also made Rudolph gradually realize a problem that she should have thought of long ago - the trainer today is no longer the one who needed her guidance in the past.

He has grown into a truly excellent trainer and no longer needs to be guided by me. His judgment is now trustworthy.

Rudolph, who figured this out, did not feel any frustration that he was not needed, but instead felt more relieved.

"Since the trainer has already made reasonable arrangements, I won't say any more."

"I'll hand this decision over to the chairman. Then, I'll leave it to you, Trainer-kun, to notify Shenying-san."

"I see." Kitano nodded, and before leaving, he suddenly thought of something. He turned his head slightly to look at Rudolph and asked, "By the way, President, is the invitation to the Arc de Triomphe this year? Should I let Elu leave immediately?"

"No, it's an invitation to next year's Arc de Triomphe, Trainer. It's written in French."

Well, forget Rudolph's narrow-mindedness. Kitano had just answered Rudolph with his professional knowledge, and although Rudolph was relieved, he also felt a little emotional because he felt that he didn't see things as clearly as Kitano. This time, he immediately countered by saying that Kitano didn't understand French.