[Congratulations, Host, on achieving the Irregular Triple Crown!]
Platinum stood frozen, staring at the line of text on the system panel, utterly gobsmacked. She was so shocked she nearly leaned forward, plunged into a daze of astonishment and deep thought.
No way, dude…
Just… just like that?
Then…
Then what about…
The Kikuka-shō after that?!
Her first thought was: all that meticulous preparation for the Kikuka-shō, even saving her [Big Escape] tactic to spring as a surprise on her expected strong rival, Manhattan Cafe…
Had it all gone to waste?
But immediately after, a strange sense of anticipation and joy began to bubble up inside Platinum.
Does that mean…
'I don't have to work overtime anymore?!'
Just clock out right now?
The moment she realized this, Miss Pegasus felt a wave of delight.
It was only now that she suddenly remembered: achieving an Irregular Triple Crown didn't necessarily require winning two of the classic triple crown races!
[Japanese Triple Tiara: Oaks]
[Japanese Triple Crown: Japanese Derby]
[British Triple Crown: Epsom Derby]
Added together, didn't that make exactly three races? Didn't that perfectly satisfy the conditions for the [Irregular Triple Crown]?!
By herself, had she snuffed out the possibility of a Triple Crown winner emerging from three major series? And extracted an incredibly high-value Irregular Triple Crown from them?
If her opponents had been horse girls like Tokai Teio, Mejiro McQueen, or Nijinsky, all charging toward their respective Triple Crowns, wouldn't that make her the "Super Deluxe Pro Max Edition Triple Crown Terminator, Rice Shower"?
But the key point was, the Irregular Triple Crown was already achieved. No more overtime!
Haha, this master has succeeded!
The petite silver-haired girl's heart swelled with the lightness and joy of not having to work overtime.
This was even happier than… than the joy from winning all those heavyweight races before combined!
So now—just grab the money and run?
'Then I'll start by claiming the rewards first.'
[Claim Rewards!]
[Rewards: Intermediate Healing Ability, Advanced Healing Ability Trial (2 uses)]
The extremely brief information and content on the rewards panel left Miss Pegasus thoroughly satisfied.
So that means… right after returning to Japan, she could go treat Agnes Tachyon.
An "incurable disease" like that… the treatment fees, profit-sharing ratios, race arrangements Agnes Tachyon would need to pay would absolutely be sky-high!
A certain black-hearted young doctor's desire to treat was aching with thirst!
Agnes Tachyon's injury would be treated by him, tendonitis couldn't stop him, he declared it!
But before making her escape, before returning to Japan to treat that big cash cow, there was still one Winners' Stage performance she had to half-heartedly get through first…
Thinking this, Platinum glanced sideways at the equipment recording the finishing times nearby.
What was marked there was…
[1st Place · Platinum (Japan)]
And it noted the lead over the second-place finisher, Galileo, who had crossed just before her… a full eleven lengths!
Seeing that margin clearly, Platinum immediately understood.
'Looks like I'll be performing on stage alone again…'
On the display, Galileo was shown leading the third-place horse girl by several lengths.
If Platinum hadn't participated in this British Epsom Derby, it probably would have been a comfortable, major victory for Galileo!
And if Galileo hadn't participated, Platinum could have won by a super margin of nearly twenty lengths!
Without a doubt, Galileo was a strong contender worthy of her popularity, and the first powerful enemy Platinum had encountered since her debut who wielded a Zone.
Even in Japan, most veteran horse girls at their peak who could win G1 races didn't possess a Zone; often, only the very top one or two strongest of a generation might have one.
In comparison, Galileo, still in her classic year and only having debuted a few months ago, already possessing a Zone, was a rightful monster.
'W-Wait a second?'
Miss Platinum, being an assassin, wasn't exactly lacking in sense of smell and sharpness.
If Galileo was so exceptionally gifted and outstanding, clearly even surpassing the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner, Urban Sea…
Then, Urban Sea's youngest daughter, Galileo's little sister… that chestnut-filly little racehorse a certain black-hearted young doctor had once dismissed as a small fry, Sea the Stars!
That little star…
Just how strong was she??
Instantly!
Platinum became rather curious!
--+--
The assassin girl's gaze shifted to not far away, where that immensely charming, sweat-drenched black-haired beauty stood.
"Huff… huff…"
The black-haired beauty, drenched in sweat, was breathing heavily with effort.
The weight of this defeat in the British Epsom Derby made Galileo feel… unwilling.
This was the first time since her debut, hailed as a prodigy and a monster, that she had tasted defeat.
And this first loss was in the Epsom Derby—the most influential and prestigious of all European classic races!
Even though other Derby races part of other Triple Crowns existed in Europe to challenge, how could any of them compare to this British Derby?
Around Galileo, countless exclamations of astonishment from the spectator seats continued to ring out.
"Eleven… eleven lengths? And against Galileo? Platinum won by that much? No wonder she's my idol."
"Hold on, weren't you supporting Galileo before the race?"
"You know, Platinum is my idol. I saw her defeat many opponents before. I've liked her for a long time; she's unbelievably strong! After much thought over many days, I've decided to support Platinum exclusively. As for Galileo, I wish her all the best in the future."
"Gwah, I'm a meta-slave! Platinum is the strongest!"
"Galileo, do your best! You can definitely get revenge on Platinum!"
"Platinum has humiliated Galileo! Platinum is invincible, ooh-rah!"
--+--
Galileo ignored all those voices.
The black-haired beauty never cared much about outside opinions, but what she did care about was…
She had not only lost this once-in-a-lifetime British Derby, but lost by a full eleven lengths!
A gap like that would understandably shock the audience and convert them into Platinum's fans.
Derby rivalries were always like this.
'I was wrong. Very wrong.'
'Because my Zone is strong, and even world-class senior veterans in training races couldn't match it with their Zones alone… I became a little arrogant.'
As the eldest daughter of the Sea family, coupled with her naturally irresistible charisma, many fellow horse girls and seniors were willing to accept her training race challenges.
In training races, she had never lost to her peers, and seniors were full of praise and amazement for her, leading Galileo to never believe she could lose.
Her fighting spirit wasn't particularly high to begin with, and she had underestimated Platinum from the start…
Although, even if she had gone all out from the beginning, not overestimating her own Zone and not looking down on Platinum who should have been extremely fatigued from her arduous campaign, she might not necessarily have won…
She couldn't be bothered with hypotheticals like 'might have won if serious', but at the very least, she shouldn't have lost so disgracefully… right?
Probably, maybe, she could have reduced that devastating 11-length loss to a single-digit margin?
'Now I don't even qualify to stand on the Winners' Stage as Platinum's backup dancer…'
'This is an unprecedented defeat.'
'It probably takes an exceptionally outstanding horse girl to only lose to Platinum by a few lengths, to qualify to go on stage as her dancer.'
After sighing softly, Galileo readjusted her mindset. A fighting spirit she hadn't felt in a long time was rekindled.
She would make this her goal!
--+--
The former European champion, Rock of Gibraltar, had lost to Brigadier Gerard, but as Rock of Gibraltar's record improved later, few believed he was inferior!
Losing one British Derby title didn't mean she would forever lose to Platinum; there might be chances for revenge in the future!
The black-haired beauty, her flames reignited, no longer languid or proud, turned and looked seriously back at Platinum, who had defeated her.
And another question was rising in Galileo's mind.
That was—
Why had her proud Zone, [Monarch of Charm], capable of charming any horse girl and never failing before, been completely ineffective against Platinum?
Puzzled, Galileo began walking towards Platinum.
As she approached, she saw Platinum turn to look at her. Their eyes met.
After locking eyes at close range, Galileo sniffed lightly. Her sharp horse girl senses finally picked up a captivating fragrance.
Huh??
This scent…
This feeling that makes you unable to resist wanting to get closer, even intimate?
Could it be!
Platinum was… just like her?
They were both the same kind, both possessing that 'Minty' constitution?
Realizing this quickly, Galileo couldn't help but feel deeply astonished.
Indeed, only this could explain why her [Monarch of Charm]'s effect was so greatly reduced against Platinum.
She could sense that her Zone wasn't being suppressed by an absolutely domineering, higher-level aura, but rather its effect was naturally weakened far too much against Platinum.
But after reacting to and accepting this fact, the black-haired beauty lightly stroked her chin with interest.
For the first time in so long, she had met a horse girl with the same constitution as herself!
Probably, in terms of the intensity of the 'Mint' effect, Platinum had also reached a terrifying level, far surpassing ordinary Horse Mint Constitutions, enough to rival her own, the famed King of Charisma of Europe, right?
It seemed her innate compatibility with Platinum was… good? Or perhaps bad?
Their compatibility in racing could be considered poor, but outside of competition, just seeing Platinum improved her mood; their daily compatibility was actually quite good.
What an interesting, polarizing compatibility…
After her surprise, Galileo spoke to Platinum.
"Congratulations on winning the Epsom Derby, Platinum."
"With this single Derby victory, your name will spread throughout Europe and the world."
"Have you thought about where you'll race next?"
Galileo first asked Platinum the question she was currently most interested in.
Race schedule!
What would the Pegasus aim for next?
Will she stay in Europe from now on?
Or… like those Japanese Uma Musume who had embarked on expeditions in the past, run one target international G1, then return to Japan for rest and recovery?
"Haven't really thought about it yet."
Platinum shook her head without hesitation, not revealing her upcoming plans at all.
Overtime?
Overtime was impossible!
Since her mission schedule was already complete, why stick around?
--+--
If Galileo's ceiling was world-class, with some potential to challenge for world number one, maybe even reach historic levels…
Then Sea the Stars' floor was that once-in-a-decade historic level; becoming world number one would be almost effortless for her, merely her baseline.
And her ceiling… was potentially challenging for a legendary, once-in-a-century spot in the history books!
In other words, Sea the Stars' floor was equivalent to Galileo's ceiling. It wasn't that Galileo's talent was poor, but that Sea the Stars' talent was absurdly, outrageously high.
With a little sister whose talent was so terrifyingly out of reach, no wonder Galileo was so languid.
No matter how hard she tried, in a year or two, how the outside world referred to her would probably change from "XX Champion" to "Sea the Stars' older sister," right?
This was also why Galileo hadn't seriously pushed for her best results; her upper limit was only Sea the Stars' lower limit.
--+--
And Platinum…
Before coming to Europe, Platinum had specifically looked up Galileo's profile, finally understanding why the outside world was so bullish on her.
Just her debut… she'd won by a huge margin, unlike some fillies in the US or Europe who could finish a dismal fourth in their debut race. Look at Galileo, winning her debut by a huge margin!
(Galileo is a monster who won her debut by 14 lengths, rightly the publicly acknowledged favorite.)
(Sea the Stars finished fourth in her debut, just like Secretariat did. Maybe she should be compared to Secretariat, not Galileo… right?)
Platinum nodded lightly, then turned to head towards the Winners' Stage.
"I understand. Thank you."
Before leaving, Platinum, who had a fairly good impression of Galileo, pondered for a moment before offering words of comfort.
"It was a wonderful race. I might never forget you for my entire life, Galileo."
After saying this, Miss Pegasus turned and began to walk away.
Her words actually caused the black-haired beauty to freeze on the spot.
She had actually…
Been praised by Platinum?
And even…
'For my entire life… won't forget?'
A faint blush colored Galileo's cheeks. Her breathing became slightly hurried as she sensed the lingering fragrance Platinum had left behind.
'This little Pegasus is quite bold.'
'But next time, I absolutely won't lose to her again!'
--+--
Spectator Seats.
A black-haired mature horse girl with an air of sophisticated elegance, like a noblewoman, watched. She was Urban Sea, Galileo's mother!
And beside this mature young woman was a stunning chestnut-haired girl, her azure blue eyes filled with astonishment.
Beneath Sea the Stars' skirt, her snow-white, slender legs were clad in knee-high white stockings, even adorned with star patterns, adding a touch of sweet cuteness to the icy beauty.
This was the mother-daughter pair, Urban Sea and Sea the Stars—one a retired Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe champion, the other a super-talented monster expected to win the Arc!
The seemingly petite Sea the Stars fixed her sharp gaze on Platinum's retreating figure as she gradually disappeared.
"Little Star, your big sister lost… but it wasn't an unjust loss."
"Mhm, she is indeed very strong."
Sea the Stars nodded.
"Platinum might become the obstacle blocking my path to becoming the Strongest."
But… she wouldn't lose.
Platinum absolutely must not stop her!
That Dr. Lin was still waiting in Japan for her to bring him back!
--+--
As Platinum prepared to enter the backstage area, she was stopped and reminded by a staff member.
"The official interview is ready, please come this way, Ms. Platinum."
"You might not know, the order of official procedures like interviews might differ between countries' racing authorities, but it's generally similar."
Hearing this, Miss Pegasus nodded and followed the staff member to the interview location.
Soon after, she saw the official reporter.
After Platinum nodded, indicating she was ready for questions, the live post-race interview segment began directly.
[Congratulations to Ms. Platinum for winning the Epsom Derby by an eleven-length margin, breaking numerous historical records in one fell swoop.]
[Firstly, the record for fastest time. Secondly, breaking the winning margin record. And becoming the first Asian horse girl to win the Epsom Derby…]
[May we ask what motivated you to choose an expedition to the Epsom Derby?]
Faced with this question, Platinum's first instinct was to reuse her answer from last time.
Copying yourself doesn't count as copying, right?
Namely—
That year, at the San Luis Rey Stakes, when Symboli Rudolf went on her expedition…
But this was a global live broadcast internationally. She'd already grilled the Emperor once; no need to do it a second time.
Then…
"Before coming here, I was thinking…"
Platinum thought for a moment before changing her answer.
"—Japanese horse girls have never had a world-class presence. Perhaps I could fill that void. Who can say what the future holds?"
"So, I embarked on this expedition!"
After speaking, Platinum waited for the next question.
But suddenly…
Huh?
What was that?
Her pupils constricted sharply, as if she'd seen something unbelievable.
[Front Segment Schedule Completed, Mid Segment Schedule Unlocked]
[Mid Segment Schedule: Kikuka-shō — Japan Cup — Arima Kinen — Spring Tennō-shō — Takarazuka Kinen]
[Mission Rewards: Advanced Healing Ability, Unlock New Kuranta Character (One Time Only)]
…Huh?!
--+--
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.