In the mid-pack position on the turf, Manhattan Café no longer held back an ounce of restraint.
Even though she had currently chosen a mid-position come-from-behind running style, she absolutely did not intend to let the silvery-white Pegasus in front easily control the pace.
A Great Escape in the Kikuka-shō... is not that simple!
Not only because it's an extended race of 3,000 meters—far beyond middle distance—but also because the Kikuka-shō features constant slopes.
A Great Escape consumes a horse girl's stamina, long distances demand stamina, and slopes force a significant reduction in the fast pace of a Great Escape... Therefore, even horse girls with extremely powerful stamina find it incredibly difficult to maintain a big escape all the way to the finish in this Kikuka-shō!
Losing steam before the final straight or getting caught early is all too common. Even if they make it to the final straight, most are overtaken before long—this is the plight of great escape Uma Musume in the Kikuka-shō!
If it were a big escape launched by some lesser-known horse girl, Manhattan Café wouldn't be so wary, but... this is Platinum we're talking about!
'I never would have imagined why Platinum chose a big escape...'
'But—a tree is known by its fruit, a man by his deeds! A Pegasus who made a name for herself in Europe wouldn't make a meaningless choice.'
'No matter what, I can't let my guard down for a second. I can't underestimate her decision!'
The dark-clad girl knew full well that she currently had no right to look down on Platinum.
How could Platinum, who achieved an overwhelming victory against Europe's top geniuses in the Epsom Derby, possibly be unprepared or lacking confidence?
'At the very least, I can't let Platinum easily establish the pace she wants.'
'Her great escape must be full of strategy and preparation!'
Manhattan Café was acutely aware that extremely aggressive great escapes only had two possible outcomes.
Either it was a reckless Great Escape—abandoning all caution, charging ahead at full speed until the finish, resulting in either a huge win or a disastrous loss of steam.
Or it was a wise, strategic Great Escape—precisely controlling the pace, gaining a huge lead, then secretly slowing down to recover stamina.
And whichever it was... as long as she disrupted Platinum's momentum, even her field, she definitely wouldn't let Platinum have her way easily!
"Come on, Platinum!!"
"This Kikuka-shō will not go as you wish!"
The dark-clad, beast-like girl's blazing fighting spirit seemed to transform into an endless flame.
The next moment, an astonishing aura erupted from Manhattan Café's body, spreading inward and outward to cover most of the racecourse!
It was a domineering, icy-cold, dark aura, like a continuous downpour of rain, crashing down upon all the horse girls on the field!
This tangible pressure spread across the course, transmitting a heavy, gloomy, and chilling cold to every Uma Musume except Manhattan Café.
In an instant, the six or seven horse girls near Manhattan Café in the mid-pack felt their previously maintained acceleration slightly stall. Their heads grew dizzy, as if pricked by needles...
It was their own bodies, still maintaining forward momentum, yet... it felt as if they were shackled beyond ordinary pressure. In terms of intensity, it was probably not far from a Zone!
And this was still early in the race! They hadn't even reached the first turn yet—only the Great Escape Pegasus had cleared it!
The race had just begun, and some maniac was already recklessly unleashing such powerful pressure?!
"This is—terrifying! Such overwhelming force!"
"Ugh... this is scarier than my full-power pressure, and it's just a probe released this early...?"
"So it's not one superpower among many, but gods fighting gods??"
"No way! My stamina was already bad—I just wanted to grit my teeth and try for some prize money. But with this suppression, I can't even maintain acceleration. I'm gonna get left behind by the Great Escape Pegasus!"
"N-no, this is too much! Getting shot by Platinum up front, and now getting suppressed too? How is the Kikuka-shō even scarier than the Japanese Derby?!"
Among the mid-pack where Manhattan Café was, the several come-from-behind horse girls were both stunned and struggling. Their relentless strides were ineffective, and they could only watch as the dark-clad girl beside them surged past.
It wasn't just this group; even the front-runner group ahead, which should have been relatively close to the leader, showed similar reactions—gritting their teeth, struggling, their paces slowing.
But Manhattan Café paid them no mind. The mid-pack beside her, the front-runners ahead—they were never who she considered her opponents.
In the eyes of Manhattan Café, her opponent... was only the Pegasus at the very front—Platinum!!
'Platinum, how will you respond...?'
This dark monster, this shadow-lurking beast... was no longer lying low. She fully bared her fangs and claws at the Great Escape Pegasus ahead, unleashing a roar!
--+--
[At the very front, the Pegasus Platinum, who seized the lead with a Great Escape, reached the path after the first turn with an absolute advantage.]
[Six lengths! Seven lengths! Eight lengths! She had opened a significant gap from the group behind, and it would only grow larger.]
[And the ones behind... Wait, why have almost all the Uma Musume on the field slowed down somewhat? Is that…]
On the commentary platform, another cheerful female voice chimed in.
[That's pressure released by an exceptionally outstanding Uma Musume, imposing a heavy suppression on the entire field.]
[The one unaffected is Manhattan Café in the mid-pack. It seems she, who has been lying low for so long, is about to stun everyone!]
[This is aimed at Platinum, who's leading with a Great Escape—an attempt to restrict her and forcibly slow her pace.]
Guest commentator Mr. C.B. quickly highlighted the key point.
[Next, let's see how Platinum responds!]
--+--
And on the turf, at the very front!
The silvery-white girl instantly saw through Manhattan Café's intention.
"Interesting—"
Trying to disrupt the pace with pressure?
In Platinum's view, only those Uma Musume who focused on speed and strategy... but lacked stamina, could easily have their pace disrupted by pressure.
Such Uma Musume desperately needed to control the race's pace, fearing that other Uma Musume's early acceleration or use of pressure/Zone would break their rhythm and affect the situation.
That was something only Great Escape Uma Musume with brains and strategy needed to worry about!
But against someone like her—lacking strategy but decent in stamina—it wouldn't work!
In other words, Ms. Pegasus was very self-aware.
No strategy, no brain, just pure stats!
It had the same vibe as certain characters from other media—all numbers, no skill!
No need for overthinking, completely abandoning strategy, in exchange for pure speed!
Either lose steam and fail miserably, or win big in one go—no third possibility!
'Well, I should try activating my Zone earlier too.'
'In previous races, I always activated it in the latter half, which was a bit late...'
Platinum remembered clearly that her Zone, [Pegasian Sight], was a "sustained" type Zone, meaning it was suitable for early activation.
It's just that in previous races, she activated it a bit late.
But now, facing the fierce Manhattan Café, and this being her first time escaping, it was better to play it safe and release the Zone early...
'Plus, I also want to know what the "skill set" will be like during a Great Escape.'
Her Zone could automatically select corresponding exclusive skills based on the current situation, chosen running style, and opponent type.
What kind of skill set would suit a headlong, reckless big escape?
'Then—'
The moment Platinum fully activated her Field!
[Zone (Pegasian Sight): Activated]
[Will activate at least three exclusive Field skills most suited to the current situation. Greatly enhances pressure suppression force. Causes additional stamina consumption for all horse girls on the field and slightly reduces their speed.]
[Passive (Auto-sustain): Slightly reduces own speed. Moderately increases power and enhances stride frequency. Insight and reaction slightly improved. Slightly steals skill acceleration effects from all horse girls on the field and absorbs a tiny amount of stamina from all horse girls on the field.]
[(White Tyrant): When the race is in the first half, speed, fighting spirit, and pressure intensity slightly increase; when in the second half, stamina and explosiveness slightly increase!]
[(Unilluminated Glory): Field passive slightly enhanced. The more lengths one leads by, the more one slightly to moderately weakens the pressure intensity, explosiveness, acceleration, and power of all horse girls on the field!]
[(Ascension): Activates when leading. The more lengths one leads by, the faster one's speed increases and the more stamina consumption decreases, while slightly to moderately reducing the weakening effects of other horse girls' Fields!]
The vast racecourse was instantly covered by the Knight Area of Kazimierz, becoming a field reminiscent of a slaughterhouse in the eyes of the running Uma Musume.
But compared to the Zone's special effects, what made those Uma Musume tremble and feel intense pressure was the Zone itself!
From the seven front-running Uma Musume at the front to the six chaser Uma Musume in the mid-pack, they all suddenly experienced the terror of a Zone!
The silvery-white glow originally surrounding Platinum had already transformed into the Colosseum of Kazimierz, declaring the Pegasus's rule had begun here.
An indescribable atmosphere, the solemn and vast Colosseum of Kazimierz, the sacred and ethereal Goddess Phantom—all proclaiming who the ruler was!!
"——!!"
Under the successive suppression and weakening of the Zone itself and its exclusive skills!
Instantly, all Uma Musume felt awe simultaneously, and a chilling sense of danger like pins and needles.
Though it wasn't raining yet, they now felt as if they were running on damp turf. Every move seemed controlled by the Great Escape Pegasus leading by a huge margin ahead—like turtles in a jar?!
"Guh... i-is this the legendary Zone?"
"How can there be a legendary Zone in the Classic Triple Crown?! My trainer said that should be a taboo only top Uma Musume might break through in their older years!"
"I have no obligation to face an opponent I can't possibly beat... this suppression is too terrifying! If I don't grit my teeth and accelerate early... I can't move an inch!!"
"No, I can't give up just because the Zone activated. I'm not some cabbage for Platinum to pinch as she pleases!"
"Gasp... c-can't lose! Maybe Platinum will lose steam in her Great Escape. Can't lose the will to fight this quickly!"
"Wah! The Goddess is pointing at me? Finally my turn to get shot..."
"Good thing I got shot by Platinum right at the start. Don't need to be on tenterhooks."
These horse girls had varied expressions and reactions. Under the oppression of [Pegasian Sight], they had to make difficult choices.
The current Pegasus Platinum, after mastering her Field, had already reached the second turn first! The length difference had reached over ten lengths! And it was still widening at an unprecedented rate!
That is... should they maintain this pace and let the Great Escape Pegasus run wild?
Or should they accelerate early to prevent Platinum from escaping all the way to the end in the latter half?
Such a difficult choice...
Even Manhattan Café, who possessed a Zone and amazing stamina, was sweating bullets thinking about it!
'What kind of maniac is this Pegasus...?'
And around Manhattan Café, two or three Uma Musume were still staring at the Phantom Goddess following Platinum's figure.
"Eh, shot... the Uma Musume in gate number twelve?"
"Wait, is it my imagination, or is the arrow stream shot out getting brighter and brighter? The more Uma Musume it pierces, the more it shines?"
"I'm next, damn it I can't catch up to Platinum at all!."
"Manhattan Café is number two, right? When it's her turn, how extreme will the special effects evolve to?"
The current Platinum's surpassing special effect Phantom Goddess, which should have disappeared after shooting the arrow... had become a permanent special effect?!
--+--
In a certain corner of the spectator stands.
The one hailed as "the Emperor," Symboli Rudolf, was intently watching the increasingly intense race.
And this Emperor suddenly spoke to another Uma Musume beside her.
"Maruzensky, since you went abroad recently, have you seen or encountered top Uma Musume from other countries?"
"What did you think? Do you think Platinum—the most talented Uma Musume not just in recent Japanese generations, but arguably in all of history—has a chance at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe?"
The Uma Musume specifically mentioned by Symboli Rudolf was named Maruzensky.
In terms of seniority, she was a senior even before Symboli Rudolf, having joined the student council early on. But compared to the free-spirited Symboli Rudolf, Maruzensky was even more prone to disappearing at times.
Because Maruzensky herself was a foreigner. Her mother was the last British Triple Crown Uma Musume, Nijinsky, and she chose to debut in Japan for some easy wins.
As a European, her understanding of European horse girls was certainly above Symboli Rudolf's, so the Emperor couldn't help but ask about the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is globally recognized as the—World's No. 1 Turf Race!
In Japan, they've been yearning for the Arc for decades. The former Japanese Derby winner, Sirius Symboli, once challenged it but didn't even make the top ten...
There's even a saying in Japan: if you can win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, even if that's the only G1 win in your career, the URA would directly induct you into the Hall of Fame.
Though it's a joke, it shows how exaggerated the status of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is in the eyes of Japanese Uma Musume circles.
After all, even Uma Musume with four or five G1 wins face significant difficulty entering the Hall of Fame.
The current Symboli Rudolf had already recognized that the Pegasus Platinum's talent had definitely reached world-class level, perhaps even stronger!
But what she most wanted to know was... compared to those Uma Musume, could she win the Arc?
In Europe, filled with strong competitors, could there really be only one world-class Uma Musume like Galileo?
Past Japanese Uma Musume, even some who mastered Zone, failed to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Could Platinum accomplish the unfinished business of Japanese horse girls?
If it were any race in Japan, even the most difficult and prestigious Japan Cup and Arima Kinen, Platinum next year in her older years...
No, even this year in her classic year, she definitely had a decent chance of winning!
But the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is different. Only the world's number one or two Uma Musume, true world kings, can possibly win it!
The gap between the strongest in Japan and the strongest in the world was once vast. Platinum proved herself on the world stage by winning the Epsom Derby—but could she win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe?
Symboli Rudolf's question made the mature, tall, and curvaceous Uma Musume Maruzensky cross her legs and close her eyes in thought for a few seconds.
Soon, she reopened them, her contemplation ended, and she responded seriously.
"Usually, Europe and America steadily produce world-class horse girls, like Galileo. Facing such opponents, Platinum definitely has a decent chance of winning."
"—But..."
"In the last two years, Europe's golden age has arrived. They call it a once-in-a-decade historic level, and there might be more than one!"
"First, the youngest daughter of the Sea family, Sea the Stars... her sister Galileo was talented enough, right?"
When Maruzensky mentioned Sea the Stars, she also brought up Galileo, making Symboli Rudolf pause.
Soon, Symboli Rudolf nodded immediately. That was a true world-class, a super talent who mastered her Zone in her classic year.
She was definitely a monster who would rank in the top three in Japanese history.
"And Galileo's upper limit is Sea the Stars' starting point!"
When mentioning these Uma Musume, Maruzensky's expression was extremely grave, and she couldn't help but take a deep breath.
Maruzensky seemed to be struggling to find the right words, but after a moment, as if none were quite adequate.
Finally, from the cherry lips of this elegant, mature Uma Musume came an adjective almost "treasonous."
"That newly debuted girl, Sea the Stars, is simply... the Three Goddesses' favorite daughter!!"
"If it were any Japanese Uma Musume other than Platinum... they would have to pray, pray to avoid Sea the Stars in the same year's Arc!"
"As for Platinum, there might be a possibility of defeat, but with my insight and strength, I'm not qualified to evaluate who is stronger or the likelihood."
Maruzensky's answer completely stunned the well-informed Symboli Rudolf.
So strong—Galileo, who mastered her Zone even earlier than during Symboli Rudolf's active years—her upper limit was only Sea the Stars' starting point!?
Historical level beyond world-class?!
This was the answer Maruzensky calmly stated. She then added supplementary information.
"Then there's the American-born Empress Dahlia, and Lammtarra! They are also existences capable of rivaling Sea the Stars."
"These are monsters that even my mother was shocked by!!"
"Calling it the most hellish golden age in the last ten years is no exaggeration!"
"So, the current difficulty of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe... might be high enough to go down in history!!"
This left Symboli Rudolf speechless.
This... is the state of European turf?
Should one say Platinum's luck is too good, or too bad?
Once-in-a-decade historic monsters... and Platinum encounters three right away?!
Wait, if Platinum could really win...
What heights would she reach?!
Perhaps... it would shake the entire Uma Musume world!!
--+--
[Incredible! Platinum, leading the pack, in her first Great Escape attempt in the prestigious long-distance Kikuka-shō, has already easily opened a sixteen-length lead!]
[She is approaching the third turn. The Uma Musume behind... are mostly starting to accelerate now!]
[They can't let the Pegasus escape any longer. She will face accelerated pursuit from behind. Can Platinum maintain her lead without it shrinking too much?]
[The final deadly struggle, the battle to its extreme, begins!!]
As the commentator's excited voice rang out...
At the front of the mid-pack, the dark horse once hidden in shadows completely ceased lying low!
The cold, nearly maddened Manhattan Café, grinning with fighting spirit, fully unleashed her acceleration!
'Great Escape Uma Musume... there are plenty of examples where leads of over twenty lengths were caught.'
'Less than twenty lengths—starting a full-power acceleration now to chase is enough!'
Horse girls who can open the gates and suppress the field aren't limited to just Platinum!!
[(Temporary Field): Activated]
[(Chasing the Monarch's Form): In the latter half of the race, gradually increases speed while chasing opponents in the mid-pack, making the front-running horse girls timid]
[(Lead Control)...]
[(No Early Moves)...]
[(Exclusive Power)...]
The final showdown! Zone vs. Zone!
The maddened dark-clad girl completely transformed into an icy dark storm, sweeping across the course with acceleration!
'Time to go all out!'
'Platinum, before that arrow... hits me, you will be overtaken by me!'
--+--
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.