『To recap: after the third corner, there is a sharp downhill slope. The slope at Yodo is steep, but this one is even more severe.』
A few days before challenging the Arc de Triomphe, Rampage was holding a strategy briefing with Sue-chan to figure out how to conquer Longchamp.
There were two key points to conquering the Arc. One was the hill with its 10-meter elevation difference—both the ascent and the descent. The other was the 250-meter stretch known as the "False Straight" (Fausse Ligne Droite). Mastering these was indispensable.
『The hill, huh... I can't imagine it being worse than mountain trails.』
『Well, that is true, but still.』
Rampage didn't see the 10-meter difference as much of a threat. This confidence came from repeatedly climbing mountains while wearing Shinzan-shoes alongside Shinzan herself. In reality, the pressure and the competition would make it far from easy, but her overwhelming strength on slopes compared to other Horse Girls was her defining trait.
『If anything, the problem is the False Straight, huh...』
『Yes. This is where many make the mistake of spurting too early and self-destructing.』
Patience was required not just on the steep hill, but on this straight as well. Even knowing it in theory, actually running it was confusing. Coming out of the corner into a straight, you might think to sprint as usual, only to be stunned by its sheer length.
The False Straight is 250 meters. And the real final straight is 533 meters—almost the same as Tokyo Racecourse.
An elevation change twice that of Nakayama's steep slope, followed by a deceptive straight sitting before a final stretch rivaling Tokyo's. This was Longchamp, the home of the Arc. This was the reason Japanese contenders struggled.
『Now then, Ran-chan. How do you intend to conquer this?』
Sue-chan asked as if entrusting her with full authority.
The Arc surely held special meaning for Sue-chan. If she won here with her own strategy—avenging her own defeat where she had sunk outside the placings—it could be seen as her victory, her revenge. Yet, she showed no sign of that. Do it however you want. This is your stage, her tone seemed to say.
『—Right. I think I'll borrow a page from Turbo's book.』
『Oh my. When you say Turbo-chan, do you mean the "Dokkan Turbo"? But Ran-chan, can you pull that off...?』
『I'm not going to do a literal Dokkan Turbo. Lend me your ear a sec.』
When Rampage gestured theatrically for her to come closer, Sue-chan skipped over with a spring in her step to listen. Hearing the proposal, Sue-chan couldn't help but laugh and give a thumbs-up.
『I love it. Adopted!! Let's go with that!!』
『Right? An ace up the sleeve should be something like this.』
"Shock!!? She's spurting here!!?"
"It's reckless! There's still the False Straight, Rampage!!"
Seeing her accelerate explosively the moment she entered the downhill, the Chairwoman and Rudolph both raised their voices. True, she had used a similar tactic on the slope at Yodo, but this was Longchamp. She should know this wasn't a place you could treat the same way...
Rudolph instinctively looked at her grandmother.
"Grandmother! Did you condone this!!?"
"Yes. I approved it, Lu-chan. Ran-chan asked me, 'How about this for a secret weapon?'"
"You mean... it was her suggestion!?"
Thinking normally, it was suicidal. Not only would she carry too much momentum and risk being swung wide by centrifugal force, but it would also open up the inside lane. Rudolph wondered why she had permitted it, but Sue-chan answered with a smile.
"Do you really think anyone can speed through a steep corner in this rain? There's the risk of falling, plus the issue of centrifugal force."
"Gah... Agreed. Indeed, on such a heavy track, that would be difficult..."
"Besides... El-chan can't keep chasing her forever."
『El Gutts falls slightly back! Otter Journey is in 3rd! Alternative Seven has pulled alongside her!! Deep Charge is closing in too!! Nacht Vorhang is desperately holding on!!』
El Gutts, who had maintained the gap with Ran until now, finally let the distance widen. It was inevitable. Entering a corner at that high speed wasn't just "difficult"—it required immense power to counteract the centrifugal force, unlike on a straight. Under those conditions, the difficulty of the "divine technique" of matching Rampage's footprints jumped exponentially.
『Mejiro Rampage races down the steep slope without any sign of struggle! Do this terrible weather and heavy track mean nothing to her!?』
"Grandmother... Have you entrusted everything to her?"
"Of course. This is that child's race. It would be tactless of me to make her carry my baggage."
Speed Symboli. The first Horse Girl to challenge the Arc. The result was a crushing defeat outside the placings... a result that showed the difference in power between Japan and the world. Some experts claimed she became a trainer this time for revenge... but she had absolutely no such intention.
Her Arc was over. For an old-timer to keep meddling would only hinder the world the new generation was creating.
"Go, Ran-chan. Forget about Japan's long-cherished dream. Just keep running for yourself."
Those words reached Rampage. As if she had heard them, the corners of her mouth lifted.
"That's exactly what I'm gonna do, Sue-chan. I am me—I am Mejiro Rampage!!"
『Now, past the slope and finally into the False Straight! Here, one must still be patient—must hold back—but—W-What is this!? Mejiro Rampage isn't slowing down at all!! She isn't even taking a breather!! Maintaining the velocity from the descent, she is sprinting through the False Straight!!』
"How many taboos... does that person have to break... before she's satisfied...!!"
The defending champion couldn't help but curse. When El Gutts won, her trainer had warned her until he was blue in the face: Don't speed up too much on the hill. Don't be deceived by the False Straight. She had obeyed and become the champion. Yet Rampage was running in exact opposition to that, running as if to say El Gutts' way was wrong.
"It isn't a denial. That is just that person's run."
Alternative's muttered words reached her clearly. Alt was smiling—not a troubled smile or a pained one, but a simple, refreshing smile of admiration.
"Challenging everything, screaming 'I am myself' in any situation. That is her strategy... That is why she is strong. And that is why I—will challenge her!!"
"Truly amazing!! I can't lose either! Now, it's time for the curtain call! Let's hear the voices of praise together!!"
The two were the first to fly forward. Because the track condition was absolutely terrible, even though it was the False Straight, if they didn't start their spurt now, they would never catch up.
They sprinted out. Alternative used Rampage's footprints as a base for acceleration, while Nacht began her acceleration with operatic loudness. Otter and Charge followed.
"There's a bottom, but no middle!! Let's pump it up from heeeeere~!!"
"It is time to reel them in...!!!"
The two accelerated at the exact same moment. Otter might have been slightly faster, but Charge's acceleration and extension were terrifying as well.
Seeing everyone enter their own running styles, El Gutts understood. She had been running a race perfected solely to beat Rampage, but in terms of completeness, it was inferior to her own natural running style. Running like myself... that is best.
"Jeez, honestly! Just how much do you have to shake my common sense? In that case, purely—I want to beat you!!"
With that thought, her running changed. The feeling of forcing herself to trace the trajectory vanished. A run that was purely El Gutts chased after Rampage, who continued to tear through the lead.
Rampage felt it. The spirit closing in from behind, the sense of the "Zone," everything rushing toward her caused shivers of excitement—a warrior's thrill—to run down her spine.
"Alright. Let's settle this. Let's have... the greatest race!!"
『Now, the straight! They've entered the final straight!! The straight at Longchamp is long! Mejiro Rampage is in the lead!! From the rear, Alternative Seven is stretching out powerfully! Otter Journey is moving up too, but Deep Charge has swallowed her up!! Nacht Vorhang is going up the inside, but she's 5 lengths back!! The gap is closing! Hang in there! GO, RAMPAGE!!』
『Just a little more! Hang in there!!!』
The Japanese announcer and commentator could no longer bear it; abandoning their roles completely, they became one with the viewers. Just a little more! Truly, just a little more!!
"GOOOOOOOOO!!! RAAAAAAAAN!!!"
"Senpai, GOOOOOOOO!!!"
"Just a little more!!! Stick with it!!!"
"Show us the ultimate one-on-one!!"
"A little more! Do your best!!"
"RAMPAGE-SAAAAAAAAN!!!"
"GOOOOOOOOOO!!! SENPAIIIIIIIII!!!"
"FIGHT!!!!!!"
"Onee-samaaaaaa!!!"
"Go! Please go—Rampage-san, WIN!!!"
"UROOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!"
O departed souls, let us rampage together.
I will stir up a vortex of frenzy!!
『Mejiro Rampage! Here! She extends here!!! She can do it! She can do it, Mejiro Rampage!! Still in the lead, keeping that 4-length gap! Last 100 meters! Alternative is closing! No, El Gutts is pushing back!! Deep Charge is holding on!!? Is it El Gutts? Is the Arc Champion coming!? Is she closing in!? No, she can't close the gap!! She can't catch her!! Now, Mejiro Rampage is—crossing the FIIIIIIINISH LIIIIIIIINE in first place!!!! SHE DID IT!!! Mejiro Rampage is first! Mejiro Rampage is first! MEJIRO RAMPAGE IS FIRSSSTTT!!!!』
『Finally! FINALLY, the Hinomaru has been raised at the Arc!!!!』
At that moment, a massive cheer erupted from all of Japan. It didn't matter that it was the middle of the night; the night instantly turned into day.
『Ahhh... Finally, finally, the time has come... The Arc de Triomphe, challenged by Speed Symboli, Mejiro Musashi, Sirius Symboli, and the Horse Girls of Japan. The door of the Arc, which has blocked those challenges time and again... has finally been opened...!! On the fourth challenge, a Japanese Horse Girl has finally conquered the Arc!!! And—eh!!? You're kidding!!? I-It's a Record!! Mejiro Rampage has achieved a record on the stage of the Arc!! Moreover, this... this time is...』
Behold. This is Japan's Tyrant.
Her run was simple and clear: she stayed in the lead from start to finish. Too simple. Yet, precisely because of that simplicity, this result manifested.
[2:21:3]
『2 minutes 21.3 seconds... This... This time is... A WORLD RECORD! IT'S A WORLD RECORD!!! She has updated the title of World's Fastest, the World Record she herself set at the Japan Cup, with her own legs!!!! On the stage of dreams, Japan's long-cherished wish... Mejiro Rampage has achieved a literally world-beating feat!!!!』
Amidst the storm of pouring rain, Rampage looked up at the sky, breathing heavily. Her racing uniform clung to her body, soaked in sweat and rain, and fatigue weighed on her... but in this moment, she felt none of it.
She had achieved it. She had done it... She had conquered the Arc. Only that joy pierced through her body.
Her cheeks lifted in a wide grin, and she raised three fingers toward the heavens.
Her third victory in Europe.
And—Rampage had seized the name of World's Strongest alongside the name of World's Fastest.
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