I only have one year to live, so I must become a legendary horse girl!

How could I not know! You've already confessed to me!

Gotham Carol was actually a little overwhelmed when faced with the First Ruby's mood.

Unlike those people in the Mejiro family, they are relatives and people with whom she has established close bonds. Gotham Carol cannot escape, and it is impossible for her to escape. No matter what, she will choose to face it firmly to the end.

But when faced with the First Ruby's gentle and firm confession, and even her rather tolerant attitude of "you can do whatever you want, I'll let you pick it"... she didn't know what to do.

He was even confused and a little dizzy because of the sudden situation.

is not that right?

The First Ruby had actually helped her quite a bit, hadn't she? And she was the first horsegirl to confess her feelings directly. Uh... and even among horsegirls, just looking at her own qualities, she should be quite attractive...!

Anyway, under the emotional attack from all sides, Gotham Carol rarely had an idea that it rarely had under normal circumstances.

On the contrary, Ruby said she wouldn't ask for my response anyway, right?

Sorry Ruby, I don't know how to respond yet.

Gotham Carol thought so, his ears drooped and his body lay down, falling heavily into the soft bed.

Dealing with Guangming-sister's kindness took a lot of energy, and when I think about it, I'm really a little tired and exhausted...

Gotham Carol thought so, she looked at the First Ruby beside her, and then finally exhaled deeply and uttered several elongated symbols.

"I'm just... a little... sleepy..."

Then, almost as the words fell, Gotham Carol lost its response and fell into a deep sleep.

The First Ruby wasn't the least bit surprised, or rather, she hadn't anticipated what would happen. Was it like boiling a frog in warm water? Or was it about being determined to get it without rushing?

In short, Ruby is actually very patient, or rather, she is very confident.

She felt it was only a matter of time before Gotham Carol accepted her—hadn't she already begun to accept it through her actions? Even if she hadn't rushed to respond yet, the two of them who had confessed were so close, and no one would believe it if she said there wouldn't be any sparks of ambiguity.

At least, First Ruby actually thought that Gotham Carol's performance was quite cute, the kind of cuteness that would be remembered forever, especially in the eyes of... "lovers".

Of course, the two of them weren't on that kind of relationship right now, but First Ruby was very patient...she definitely wasn't lacking in patience.

Just like now, although she was still wearing home clothes, First Ruby climbed onto Gotham Carol's bed very quietly, then she leaned in to look at Gotham Carol who was sleeping in the warm sun with her eyelashes fluttering gently, and slowly stopped beside her beloved.

What exactly is the so-called elegance of nobility? It's probably the sense of responsibility. One of the responsibilities of the eldest daughter of the First Ruby Noble is, of course, to consider the continuation of the family line. Therefore, under such heavy pressure, she is actually quite restrained in her personal emotions most of the time.

However, after meeting someone as strong and gentle as Gotham Carol, she could no longer suppress her feelings.

In other words, as long as the goal is the Gotham ode, then are responsibility and personal emotions unified?

She is strong and outstanding, unbridled and arrogant on the field, but gentle and clumsy in normal times, as if she would only complain slightly if someone pinched her face and pulled her a few times.

Honestly, First Ruby felt that Gotham Anthem was an abyss with no bottom to see. When she laid eyes on it for the first time, or when she made up her mind to extend an invitation, her fall was only a matter of time.

But if such behavior is what is called depravity, the First Ruby finally understood why those people who used to have no ambition and were addicted to pleasure would indulge in sensual pleasures like that.

Because when you fall into depravity, what you might get is what you think is the best thing in your life. But what if the abyss that tempts you to fall into depravity is Gotham's ode?

The First Ruby felt that it was not surprising that she had become such a pitiful and pathetic person.

Gotham Carol's snow-white skin seemed to be shining with a sacred light under the sunlight. First Ruby curled up beside her with her arms folded, and then just stared at her, little by little... and closed her eyes.

If it was the temptation of Gotham Carol, or rather the enticement...

Her first ruby ​​couldn't refuse.

Let's take a break together and enjoy the greed and greed at this moment... Is that okay?

Gotham Carol had a strange dream. In the dream, she seemed to be back on the stadium of Arc de Triomphe, when she was running wildly and burning wildly for the last time.

However, this time in her dream she was standing in the audience seats instead of returning to the rainy night on the grass.

She watched in the first person as Bo Mu Liu Ge flew across the finish line, saw the petite figure lying in the arms of Mubai Gaofeng with mud and blood on her body, and then... she closed her eyes for the last time and never opened them again.

The rain stopped and the sky cleared, but the dream didn't end. What made Gotham Carol unable to control her expression was that she clearly saw her own funeral, and...

A familiar black ghost.

"Hey, you're awake, little one."

"So, what's going on here."

Ning Jing showed a strange smile on her face on Sunday. She would only grin like that when she saw something quite funny.

"Nothing, it's just that the girl from the first house was called away for something, and the person who took over the shift was sitting next to your body."

Zhou Ri Ningjing pointed at herself, then pointed at the coffin in the distance, and at Mejiro Gaofeng who was bidding her farewell for the last time.

"You should know who it is, right? Besides, this is the moment that guy was born."

Who could it be, the guy who made Sunday quiet appear, was actually McQueen...

Then, there was the moment when that guy was born... Uh, I'm not talking about the phantom on McQueen's body, am I?

Gotham Carol looked around in disbelief before looking at Sunday Serenity.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm also curious why she was born at your funeral. But after all... the way that thing exists is actually very curious. Why did it end up in Mejiro McQueen?"

"Just when you fell asleep, the child came and sat next to you for a while, and then you were in a dream."

The black ghost had a guess in his mind. This state might be triggered as long as two people were close to each other for a period of time. The reason why it didn't happen before was simply because they were either far enough away or not long enough?

Zhou Ri Ningjing said this, and then looked at Mejiro McQueen who was surrounded by dark shadows.

"From a sensory perspective, you should have felt that guy's presence yourself, right?"

"Very similar to you. Or rather, the final feeling I had at the Arc de Triomphe on that rainy night was very similar, yet completely different..."

Is this really a dream? No, it's probably something you once lost, something you can't wait to return to, something you want to prove, something you want to tell you.

After all, this was once a part of you.

Chapter 102: Phantom Song

"You mean, that thing in McQueen that was connected to me is now connected to me again?"

Gotham Anthem was still somewhat difficult to imagine. To be honest, she had always thought that the world of Umamusume didn't have many supernatural elements except for the three goddesses.

Until I met New Universe and Sunday Tranquility, well, how should I put it...?

In fact, when she learned about "Phantom Song", she was not surprised at all. It would be better to say that compared to ghosts and crossing parallel universes, such a thing is already a very simple matter, right?

However, what really surprised her now was what she saw before her.

"Wait, if we are now in that guy's memory, then we really won't be discovered here?"

"Hmm? It's only natural that you would think so, but there's actually a premise."

Zhou Ri Ningjing obviously knew more about this matter, or in other words, as a ghost, she could understand the existence of "Phantom Flowing Song" more simply and directly.

Then, she gave Gotham Carol a thorough scientific introduction.

Generally speaking, ghosts are actually very similar to humans in terms of their existence, except that they do not have a physical body.

But! First, you have to become a ghost, that is, you have to be able to walk in this world completely apart from living humans.

What about Phantom Liuge? Clearly, she's completely unable to move on her own, and can only influence the world with her own will by relying on Mejiro McQueen's body.

However, Gotham Carol did ask Sunday Tranquility at this time, wasn't she always with her cousin?

And then, uh, Gotham Carol got a good slap in the face.

"Why do you think I can't leave my cousin? I just think it's fun to stay with her, understand?"

"oh oh……!"

Gotham Carol quickly nodded to indicate that he had heard it.

"Anyway, the situation with that little girl proves one thing: she's a ghost that hasn't been fully formed, or is missing something."

Huh? There's a missing ghost?

Gotham Carol was a little surprised, or perhaps it was so shocked by such an incident that it didn't know how to react for a moment.

In other words, Phantom Liuge is a child with a flaw... But why? No, no, putting that aside, what does this have to do with the current situation?!

"The relationship is, if you look closely you'll see—"

Sunday Tranquility smiled mysteriously. She clamped Gotham Carol's shoulders with both hands and made her look at the scene behind her.

As time passed, Gotham Carol saw everyone returning to Mejiro Castle after the funeral, and also saw Mejiro McQueen who met Phantom Ryuka during his persistent training.

Then the scenes kept fast-forwarding until... we returned to that rainy day.

What's going on? I've already seen it before.

Gotham Carol watched as the familiar yet unfamiliar self stalled and fell to the ground, then tried to look up in silence.

But Old Thing No. 1 responded by simply lying on top of his head and using his chin to restrict Gotham Carol's movements.

"Listen carefully. If everything I know and think is consistent, you should be able to hear it... a heartbeat amidst the roar."

A roaring heartbeat? What does that mean... Wait, Old Man Number One wouldn't say such nonsense.

Who was this situation related to? First of all, was it him and... the true master of this "dream," Phantom Liuge?

Gotham Carol was suddenly startled, then she closed her eyes tightly and listened to the sound that she should be able to capture.

It was after she stood up, amidst the roar of the whole audience and the sound of falling raindrops. It didn't shake the world, but it was as strong and vigorous as a newborn baby's heartbeat.

"Oh, it seems you've figured it out, little one. Doesn't that scene sound very similar to yours? When your life reaches its end, the power of new life surges and bursts forth with vigor and strength. But what is truly triggered at that moment, or what is it that you encounter when you first face the world?"

"Yes…"

Yes--

Hee, as expected, there is no shortage of fun things around you, Ode, so that’s how it is. The so-called essence of the domain can actually burn so fiercely in your body that even after death, it can leave behind ashes that can be rekindled!

It's really hard to take your eyes off this Gotham ode.

"what is it then?"

"Yes, my domain?"

It is the realm that truly belongs to Gotham Carol, it is the miracle of wishes that is truly triggered during the running of Gotham Carol, it is the realm that can truly transcend all physical limitations and the laws of the world, and complete all possible miracles!

"Yes, it's your domain. It happened to you. It was a huge, incomparably huge miracle. Even the three goddesses nodded in approval at that moment."

Sunday silence whispered in the ears of Gotham's Carolers, like the serpent in the Garden of Eden.

"Honestly, before I saw it with my own eyes, and I mean before I saw it with my own eyes like this, I never imagined that the domain of a horse girl could expand to such a huge extent."

Is it because before Uma Musume retired, there was no possibility of "death"?

As the only exception, the emotions in Gotham Ode... no, Dusk Flow Song are mixed together, whether it is the obsession to survive or something else... It's delicious, absolutely delicious.

Sunday Serenity was thankful that Gotham Carol couldn't see her cheeks at the moment, because Black Ghost knew how hideous her expression was right now.

I really want to tear you into pieces if you can show such willpower again, or... be torn into pieces by you.

"Anyway, you should be aware of the concept of Umamusume's domain being a wish-granting miracle, right? In other words, the greater the explosion of emotion, the greater the miracle it brings, the greater the transcendence of reality. And since even goddesses can nod in admiration at you, how dazzling will your domain's brilliance burst forth at once?"

"Answer: It's so dazzling that even after you, who have conquered death and time, are lost, even the mere remnants left behind can blossom and form a new being...or, an embryo."

Thinking of this, Sunday Ningjing wanted to laugh.

"In a sense, Phantom Flow Song is the result of you and that McQueen, right? After all, you provided the embryo, and that ignorant yet stubborn will devoured Mejiro McQueen's obsession with you until the moment it was able to take human form and begin its own actions."

McQueen and I, uh... the result? No, no, Old Man Number One, that's not what you meant, right? Is it, is it... offspring?

Gotham Carol didn't understand, she was shocked at this moment.

And the running and burning in the distance also reached the final moment.

However, after realizing the new heartbeat, Gotham Carol clearly felt that his eyes had captured something new.

It was the phantom lingering around his... uh, Bo Mu Liuge's corpse, looking curiously at this rainy world.

What were her emotions? Joy, sharing, seeking, or perhaps… longing.

Gotham Carol felt that she had established an emotional channel with her at this moment, and she was able to clearly understand the Phantom's thoughts.

What was it…? It was the love and joy of being able to clearly see the world for the first time, and the desire to seek the recognition of the warm one, or the one who gave her life.

But it seems like I haven’t been waiting for a very long time.

It’s okay, Phantom is a very patient child.

She waited for a very, very long time, really a very, very long time.