"Platinum, watch closely."
"Though I'm no historic-level horse girl, let alone a legendary one."
"But when it comes to domains, I am unbeatable!"
That was the domain known as [Monarch of Charm]—a uniquely powerful domain unparalleled in the entire history of horse girls!
Truth be told, Galileo never considered herself some kind of absolute super-monster.
She was just a regular filly who worked hard, seriously aimed for world-class, and at her peak might strive for the title of World Uma Musume King.
Above world-class were the historic-level monsters said to appear once every decade, etched into the annals of history, celebrated worldwide, and remembered for generations.
So, even on Europe's top-tier grass tracks, most talented horse girls aimed to become "top-tier among world-class, i.e., World Uma Musume King." Only a very few, with grand ambitions, aimed for historic-level.
Historic-level was a once-in-a-decade phenomenon, and Galileo wasn't willing to put in that much effort for such a slim chance.
In other words, she didn't think her lazy self had what it took to become a historic-level champion in terms of raw ability.
That was something only monsters like her sister Sea the Stars or America's legendary Big Red could achieve.
Even if her physical talent and raw power couldn't reach that once-in-a-decade level, when it came to her [Domain], Galileo had absolute confidence.
Galileo remembered how her mother, Urban Sea, who had won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, had evaluated her with astonishment and absolute certainty:
"Your domain is enough to enchant all living beings! Even historic-level horse girls would struggle to resist it when you unleash your domain."
"Even I at my peak couldn't break free. Not even a historic-level horse girl's domain would likely gain an advantage over yours."
Urban Sea, who had once been a super dark horse and won the Arc de Triomphe in her prime, acknowledged that her own domain was far inferior to her eldest daughter Galileo's.
All along, Galileo, based in Europe, had been highly regarded. She was a veritable "Horse Mint"—almost possessing a constitution that made other European fillies feel relaxed and eager to befriend her.
And this very constitution, when her domain was unleashed on the track, would evolve and intensify to a degree that shocked even world-class and historic-level monsters!
That assessment was no exaggeration because the mere "Horse Mint" constitution that made horse girls feel good was already considered [One in Ten Thousand].
And the number of horse girls was far smaller than the general population. Among horse girls, those who could become professional racers were even fewer, which could be considered another one-in-ten-thousand rarity.
After all these filters, the likelihood of a professional racehorse having both the Horse Mint Constitution and the talent to compete on the international G1 stage against rare monsters like Galileo was almost negligible.
Under so many conditions, what horse girl could simultaneously possess outstanding strength and a rare constitution? This led Galileo to always believe...
When it came to the uniqueness and power of domains, her [Monarch of Charm] was simply unmatched! Not to mention... the little Japanese filly Platinum probably hadn't even reached her peak yet, right?
Galileo hoped Platinum's momentum would be impressive, preferably with a domain of her own. Otherwise... it would really feel like bullying a little Japanese filly, and she'd feel a bit guilty!
'I hope this little Pegasus also has a domain, so she can put up a bit of a fight~'
'That would make things interesting, regardless of who wins.'
Once Galileo went all out, this Derby with the oldest history—the [Epsom Derby]—this vast, magnificent venue was completely [dominated]!
An unbelievable scene unfolded!
From aura to the pinnacle of aura—the domain—most horse girls had only ever seen two or three colors of aura before.
Typically, there was the nightmare-inducing black, the crimson and oppressive red, and the dazzling, powerful, and arrogant gold. But when Galileo activated her domain, it turned... pink!
It was a sweet, lovestruck color, seemingly harmless, without any deadly power or oppressive aura.
There were two main types of domains: those that weakened and suppressed opponents, doing whatever it took to secure victory, and those that made the user stronger, breaking all limits to overcome powerful foes and win.
Now, with her domain active, Galileo's pace visibly became incredibly swift. It seemed to be the common self-enhancing type of domain, without imposing terrible restrictions on opponents or making their steps heavy and difficult.
This sweet, enchanting, utterly captivating pink domain... what exactly was its true nature?!
--+--
Behind Galileo, from the leading group to the horse girls in the pack who had just been overtaken by the Pegasus...
Their attention was almost forcibly diverted. Many who had been staring in shock at the silver-white Platinum were now looking toward Galileo in second place.
And that exquisite black-haired beauty was being watched by almost every horse girl on the track.
Originally, Galileo, holding second place right behind the front-runner and now unleashing her domain, had been flaunting her power!
Normally, she should have been feared and watched warily by all her rivals.
But now... though she was still being "watched," the emotions in the eyes of these European fillies were completely different. There was none of the hostility or wariness one should have toward an opponent.
'Guh... I was so focused on Platinum that I didn't even get to appreciate Galileo in the race?'
'Her running form is so beautiful, almost as stunning as when the Goddess behind the Pegasus shot an arrow through me!!'
Almost all of them couldn't help but shift their gaze to Galileo.
Even other popular, powerful horse girls filled with fighting spirit and imposing aura—those the public saw as close to Galileo in strength—were no exception.
Nearly every horse girl's pace slowed noticeably. Under the suppression of the [Monarch of Charm] domain and its motivation drain, they couldn't muster much fighting spirit at all.
'So cute, I want to keep watching her running back!'
'Gwaa, I want to share the winner's podium with Galileo and Platinum!!!'
'Galileo, this is my first time seeing her—the super popular horse girl from the rumors. She really is incredibly perfect and beautiful!'
Even the European fillies in the leading group closest to Galileo couldn't help but gaze at her with mesmerized eyes, watching her accelerate with her domain active.
These European fillies, who had the potential to become the new generation's pinnacle, were now, in this race for Derby victory, completely preoccupied with Galileo!
[Charm]—this was the effect of Galileo's domain, the result of her Horse Mint Constitution intensified to the extreme, transforming affinity into enthrallment!!
Only those who also possessed the Horse Mint Constitution had even a slight chance of resisting and not being severely affected.
All along, the supremely confident Galileo had never seen any horse girl able to resist her domain without falling behind!
And behind her on the outside, only that silver-white maiden stared at her with icy battle intent, not some passionate emotion!
The assassin maiden, with her amber eyes, took in everything on the battlefield-like track. She clearly perceived the changes in the race and the reactions of the other fillies.
'Interesting... it seems Galileo is just shining a bit brighter? Why are the other fillies reacting so intensely?'
The so-called Monarch of Charm, after a momentary cold glance from the aloof Platinum, evoked no fluctuation in her—only battle intent, no attachment.
In Platinum's eyes, her opponent was merely shining a bit brighter, which only made her... more interested in overtaking!
As for Horse Mint, Platinum had recently gained a boost from an upgraded treatment reward. Though her Horse Mint intensity might still be inferior to Galileo's, it was enough to provide high "resistance."
Moreover, as a Kuranta from that land, tempered by blood and iron in the Armorless Union, this Pegasus' will was extraordinary!
Thus, Platinum instantly saw through everything and instead saw it as a challenge to herself.
'Activating your domain to challenge me?'
'In that case, I, Platinum, shall accept.'
The next instant, the sweet pink that had covered the track no longer held sway. In moments, it was eroded by another radiance.
[Domain [Pegasian Sight]: Activated]
[Unlocks at least three exclusive domain skills best suited to the current situation, significantly enhances aura suppression, causes additional stamina consumption for all horse girls, and slightly reduces speed.]
[Passive (Auto-Sustained): Slightly reduces own speed, moderately increases power and stride frequency, slightly enhances insight and reaction, slightly steals skill acceleration effects from all horse girls, and minimally absorbs stamina from all horse girls.]
[(Ascension): Completely dominates the track, immune to most suppression and weakening from opponent domains, immune to minor charm effects, and can steal some enhancement effects from opponent domains.]
[(Swift Shooter): The closer to horse girls ahead, the faster speed increases; when no horse girls are ahead, slightly reduces subsequent stamina consumption.]
[(Unvented Fury): Slightly drains stamina and slightly reduces speed of horse girls with weaker aura; when horse girls with stronger aura are present, slightly recovers stamina and slightly increases speed.]
The moment Platinum's domain activated!
Her reactions and drastically accelerated pace starkly contrasted with the other horse girls around her, who were half a step slower and barely struggling free from Galileo's domain!
From decision-making to accelerating, time was needed. The strength of Galileo's domain lay in its near-forced charm, boosting its effect at critical moments.
But...
—Platinum was unaffected.
Thus, Galileo's control instead... made it easier for Platinum to overtake the other horse girls in the leading group!
In the next instant, those leading horse girls were all surpassed by the dazzling silver-white figure!
The majestic Goddess Phantom reappeared, drawing her bow toward this final group, taking aim...
In an instant, these leading fillies, charmed and barely free, were collectively stunned.
"Ugh, can't catch Galileo... huh? P-Platinum?"
"Wait, what is this?! Is that... a Goddess?"
"Am I hallucinating? Is she shooting at me?"
"My heart is pierced?!"
What shocked them even more was that the very surroundings began to change.
The sweet pink ocean was gradually tinged with a radiant, holy white, and structures began to overlay it.
The Knight Arena of Kazimierz! Once again, Platinum's domain [Pegasian Sight] dominated the vast track!!
Meanwhile, Galileo, with her domain active, accelerated and overtook the front-running horse girl, taking first place.
The front-runner who had just dropped to second was instantly replaced and overtaken by the momentum-unchecked Platinum!
In moments, the Racecourse underwent huge changes.
Galileo, the favorite to win, took first place.
Platinum, the "country horse girl" only fourth in popularity, held second.
And they both began to pull away from the third-place horse girl and those behind, increasing the gap.
Even though they were only before the fourth turn, with some distance still to the final stretch, the race had already intensified into a [Dual Supremacy Battle] beyond countless spectators' imaginations?!
--+--
[What... what a breathtaking scene?!]
[Platinum has completely overtaken every horse girl except Galileo! That scene of the Huntress Goddess drawing her bow has appeared again!!]
[Then Galileo activated her hugely impactful domain, slowing the overall pace, but Platinum seems unaffected and has also unleashed her own domain!]
[Platinum's domain has even materialized into an unheard-of, colossal arena like something out of a movie!]
[Let's await it—that dark horse named Platinum won't let Galileo win easily. The final one-on-one showdown... has finally begun!]
The horse girl commentator's voice was filled with amazement and awe.
Clearly, even she had never seen such a domain as vast as Platinum's [Kazimierz Arena]!
After the commentator's words, the audience seats erupted in astonishment. Most were ordinary spectators who could only imagine the scene.
"This... this is so cool?"
"Damn, why aren't I a horse girl? I want to see it too!"
"I don't want that—special effects only I can't see or something..."
"Never thought there'd be a horse girl who could rival the invincible Galileo, and she's Japanese?"
"Platinum! Platinum! Platinum!!"
In the front rows, two petite young filly horse girls looked disappointed.
"Dang it... too bad I haven't started Maturation yet, so I haven't officially become a horse girl."
"So Miss Platinum has special effects when she overtakes! I wanna see!"
"I must go through Maturation as soon as possible to appreciate Miss Platinum's true charm!"
"Gwaa, I want to race and experience Miss Platinum's speed, have her overtake and shoot me!"
Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond, filled with fighting spirit, clenched their fists.
But they had no idea that their idol Platinum had only recently started Maturation and wasn't even fully developed yet.
"Hey, right!"
Satono Diamond seemed to remember something, suddenly turning and tugging at Kitasan Black, who was fully absorbed in watching the race.
"What is it, Diamond?"
Kitasan Black couldn't bear to look away, tightly watching Galileo and Platinum as they reached the fourth turn, afraid of missing any detail in the upcoming final stretch.
"I just thought—the [Irregular Triple Crown]... is a Mixed Triple Crown combining different classic races, taking parts from each, right?"
Kitasan Black, still watching the race, muttered an affirmation.
"Mm, that's common knowledge... huh?"
As if also hitting on a key point, the lively black-haired young filly widened her eyes and finally turned to Satono Diamond.
"Diamond, you mean..."
"The [Epsom Derby], one of the British Triple Crown, right?"
"That means—Miss Platinum's record-setting, unprecedented [Irregular Triple Crown]!"
"Maybe not at the Kikuka-shō, but today!!!"
--+--
The Final Stretch!
The first to arrive was Galileo.
But this acknowledged powerful, charming, and perfect black-haired beauty was far from her initial composure.
With her domain active, she never dreamed she'd be pressed so hard! Pushed to such close quarters by the little Pegasus on the outside!
'Hah... strange, my charm doesn't seem very effective on Platinum? Why is that?'
'I underestimated Platinum too much. Her domain's aura suppression is above mine, actually pressuring me...'
Galileo's gaze was fixed on the long finish line of the final stretch.
Once, in her confident view, the Epsom Derby's final stretch wasn't long at all. With her excellent stamina and acceleration, she could surpass any horse girl.
But now... this final stretch seemed a bit too long!!
'In that case, let's compete in speed! In power!'
'Under the watch of my sister and mom, I absolutely can't lose.'
Galileo, on her first Epsom Derby final stretch, unleashed the acceleration she'd been waiting for!
Her elegant, shining form visibly accelerated to a noticeable degree!
In an instant, the silver-white figure in her peripheral vision seemed to fall back a bit, slightly outpaced by her acceleration.
With this speed change, she should have been able to overtake Platinum in the next moment! It should have been like that...
But what made Galileo's pupils shrink in disbelief was that in her peripheral vision, she could still see Platinum!
At some point, Platinum's lips... curled into an arc, like a cold assassin finally meeting her prey, or a Huntress Goddess beginning her final hunt.
Or perhaps, an indifferent hard worker finally about to finish her last task and clock out.
In moments, just as Galileo burst forth with her final kick, even with high fighting spirit, she couldn't widen the gap with Platinum at all!
And Platinum's stamina seemed endless. In such a long, grueling race, on this lengthy final stretch, she once again... accelerated!!
If Galileo could accelerate, she should be able to accelerate too!
To the outside world, this should have been Galileo's solo show.
But in the latter half, even the commentator acknowledged... it would become a one-on-one!
Dual Supremacy?
Neck and neck?
The moment that Kuranta Maiden, the Bow-Wielding Platinum, activated [Pegasian Sight] and got slightly serious, it would be no such thing!
Platinum reached Galileo's side in the first half of the final stretch, and in the stunning black-haired beauty's astonished, unwilling eyes... instantly overtook her!
From the Pegasus' quiver, the final arrow—
At that moment, the Goddess of the Hunt appeared for the last time, drawing her bow and aiming at Galileo.
Under Galileo's look of utter disbelief, she shot forth, piercing through!
In an instant... only that dazzling silver-white figure remained ahead on the final stretch, illuminating the last path of the Epsom Derby!
The rampant silver maiden began to widen her lead, from a neck to half a length, then...
Two lengths!!
Three lengths!!!
As the gap kept growing, Platinum finally reached the latter half of the final stretch.
And this seemingly small, not particularly powerful body showed no signs of slowing, its momentum undiminished!
Even the Uma Musume commentator's voice was filled with endless shock and awe!
[How can this be? How can this be? Platinum is leading!]
[Platinum by five lengths! Six lengths! Galileo in second is chasing, already five lengths ahead of third, but she can't catch up to Platinum at all.]
[But she still can't catch Platinum! The gap is widening!]
[Seven lengths! Eight lengths! The finish line is near! No one can stop her now!]
[Could it be... the proud Pegasus aims to make history, offering a "Solo Dance" at the world's number one Derby?!]
Tens of thousands of spectators watched in astonishment, stunned or utterly shocked!
And the silver-shining Pegasus Platinum, on the latter half of the final stretch, expanded her lead for the last time!
It was... unshakable, indisputable dominance!
Behind Platinum, Galileo could only watch with helplessness as the underestimated Platinum charged toward the finish.
Having given her all, she could only watch as the little Japanese filly she hadn't taken seriously before crossed the finish line first.
'So strong, and... so beautiful, so shining!'
Nine lengths!
Ten lengths!
The Silver Maiden looked ahead, an uneasy feeling rising in her heart.
'Did Galileo's domain have some special effect? Was it in the first half of the racecourse?'
Focused on accelerating during the race, she hadn't even noticed Galileo's domain, almost instinctively turning to look back.
'No, better finish this race first.'
The finish line was finally near!
This time, the restrained Platinum didn't look back. She raced toward the finish line with her final sprint!
This powerful, captivating, soon-to-shock-Europe-and-the-World shining Pegasus, before tens of thousands of live spectators and countless more watching broadcasts, crossed the finish line first!
It was... a victory belonging solely to Platinum.
As the commentator's voice declared the result—Pegasus Platinum, Overwhelming Victory!
[She's done it! It's Platinum, the contender no one in Europe believed in, winning by a historic eleven-length margin!!]
[An absolute dominant victory! For an Uma Musume to deliver a Solo Dance in the Epsom Derby—this will surely be a race for the history books!]
[The doubted Platinum pre-race will now resonate worldwide as the Pegasus! Reigning supreme in the ultimate Derby in one race!!]
--+--
Instantly, the racecourse erupted with endless exclamations and shock.
"Platinum!! Platinum!!"
"Gwaa, seeing such strong competitors is worth the ticket price even if I die!"
"I'm starting to fall for her! Maybe she'll be the first Japanese horse girl to become World Uma Musume King!"
"Boo, my beloved Galileo lost by a huge margin?"
"Pegasus!!! Pegasus!!! Pegasus!!!"
Amid the endless cheers, the silver maiden stopped past the finish line, lost in thought.
'Hmm, after this race, I should have some fame, maybe gain some overseas fans, right?'
'Good. After this, prepare for the Kikuka-shō, use a breakaway against Manhattan Cafe, and then completely win the Irregular Triple Cro...'
The next moment!
Before Platinum appeared a system panel only she could see.
Even after winning the world's first and most prestigious Epsom Derby, the instantly calm Platinum's pupils sharply contracted.
[Congratulations, host, on achieving the Irregular Triple Crown!]
[Quest rewards available!]
Huh??
Irregular Triple Crown... how'd that happen??
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.