In the front rows of the spectator stands, Agnes Tachyon and Manhattan Cafe sat up straighter, their postures tense.
The intensity of this race had surpassed their expectations, compelling them to watch with unconscious seriousness.
From Agnes Tachyon, the Phantom Triple Crown winner, to Manhattan Cafe, who had tasted defeat in the Kikuka Shō, the next race they were preparing for was... the Arima Kinen!
Widely recognized as Japan's most prestigious event, the pinnacle of long-distance Grade 1 races, it gathered the strongest contenders from the classic and older horse generations—a top-tier competition where old and new clashed, and thrones changed hands.
One could say that among Japanese races, only a handful gained international recognition: the Japan Cup, and the Arima Kinen.
In Agnes Tachyon's view, since Platinum chose to challenge the Japan Cup so close to the Kikuka Shō...
She definitely wouldn't let the year-end Arima Kinen, held just a month after the Japan Cup, slip by either!
The dark-haired Manhattan Cafe sought revenge, while the research-obsessed Agnes Tachyon, returning to the track for the first time, also wanted to prove herself.
This Japan Cup was the perfect opportunity to gauge the current peak strength of Platinum!
"Four Zones, and they've all been activated this quickly?"
Agnes Tachyon sensed something extraordinary.
Then, with a hint of pity in her eyes, she glanced at Jungle Pocket, who had just broken free from the mid-pack, before immediately turning her attention back to the silver-white girl leading the pack—Platinum.
"In any normal Japan Cup, Jungle Pocket would absolutely have a chance to win."
"But unfortunately, this is a battle of multiple Zones!"
In a race filled with monsters, the only way to win was to become something that surpassed monsters!
Would Platinum completely reveal a side that transcended the limits of "monsters"?!
Vast and magnificent, the Kasimierz Knight Arena seemed to be swept up by not just one, but multiple storms!
The clash of Zones spurred Galileo, Fantastic Light, and Tokai Teio into a fierce final sprint, their rapidly draining stamina leaving them stunned and under pressure.
There was a Zone that was fierce, violent, and wildly chaotic, like a deadly beast. Another was elegant and sweet, a breathtaking pink Zone.
The Zone from Fantastic Light, with its overbearing nature that sought to restrain and even devour everything, dominated the field like a tyrannical force.
Only other Zones could stand against it, but this one was so terrifying that it treated any Uma Musume without a Zone as weak, suppressing them as if intent on grinding them to dust.
Among the four Zones, the most dazzling... was the [Pegasian Sight], which transformed into a knight arena, enveloping all the other Zones!
Amid the clash of these four domains, only the Pegasian Sight remained unyielding, its suppressing effect undiminished. Galileo's domain, Monarch of Charm, came in second, still managing to slightly suppress the other two Zones!
The current situation: the leading Platinum was ahead of the full-throttle Galileo by thirteen horse lengths, while Fantastic Light in third had also stopped holding back, trailing Galileo by three or four horse lengths.
Tokai Teio, the last to activate her domain, followed closely behind Fantastic Light, seemingly convinced that sticking to the rhythm of world-class competitors was the safest bet.
The four Zones ran rampant across the vast field, and every Uma Musume without a Zone felt as if they were trapped in a nightmare of suppression.
Fantastic Light, who had also activated her domain, maintained her high speed undiminished in fighting spirit or strength, having long since overtaken those who had cried "Impossible!"
Ahead of her, only Galileo and Platinum remained!
'To think Platinum and Galileo's domains could be this powerful?!'
'Among all the world-class Uma Musume I've battled across the globe, none had Zones of this caliber!'
Fantastic Light's cold eyes were filled with astonishment, but her fighting spirit hadn't waned much. After activating her Zone, she had somewhat reduced the bewitching effects of [Monarch of Charm].
Calm reasoning and soaring determination still remained!
'Platinum and Galileo activated their domains so early, and with such intensity—their stamina drain must be significant. Under mutual influence and after leading from the start, their remaining stamina should be about the same as mine.'
'Even if they adapt better to the heavy track, as long as I seize the opportunity with the power and explosiveness I've honed, overtaking them isn't impossible.'
With these pros and cons, Fantastic Light didn't consider herself at a disadvantage at all.
The confident, high-spirited world-class competitor coldly glared at the two Uma Musume ahead.
Finally, Fantastic Light watched as the silver-white figure was about to reach the fourth turn—the final homestretch was near.
Without hesitation, Fantastic Light pushed her galloping pace to the absolute limit!
Just as she poured everything into catching up to Galileo first before taking on Platinum... a petite figure drew extremely close to her side.
The Uma Musume named Tokai Teio, who had never been highly regarded, was now right beside Fantastic Light. Though slightly behind, her momentum was no less fierce!
Underestimated, Tokai Teio had been silently observing everything, but she hadn't lost her soaring fighting spirit!
Like a hunter, though not particularly favored by the public and only barely considered a contender due to her past Undefeated Double Crown popularity,
'Don't look down on me, you foreign monsters!'
Though in terms of talent and potential, she might still be slightly short of world-class, this was the Japan Cup...
This was the home ground for her and Platinum. How could she lose to Galileo or Fantastic Light on her home turf?
'Prez, after she lost the Japan Cup to another Japanese Uma Musume, she took revenge just a month later in the Arima Kinen.'
'Not only that, the following year, she fought again in the Japan Cup and achieved revenge, earning the respect of foreign Uma Musume.'
'As the successor valued by the Prez, I can't embarrass her. I must win this meaningful, valuable Japan Cup in front of her!!'
Tokai Teio's heart swelled with determination.
To her, the Japan Cup was incredibly important, and her idol, Symboli Rudolf, was watching from the stands!
She absolutely could not lose!!
Driven by near-insane determination, she clenched her silver teeth, swinging her arms vigorously, each step pounding powerfully against the ground.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Tokai Teio, Fantastic Light, and the leading Platinum and Galileo charged forward in their final sprint!
--+--
Finally...
The silver-white figure set foot on the Japan Cup's final homestretch.
This sight didn't immediately alert Fantastic Light and Tokai Teio, who were still desperately chasing from quite a distance.
Compared to other races, the Japan Cup was known for its long homestretch, meaning there was plenty of time and room for error, allowing them to catch up to and even overtake Platinum from behind!
Unlike the optimistic others, only... the second-place Galileo had suddenly sensed something wrong!
Because she was the first to activate her Zone, the first to go all out, already giving it her all.
But what Galileo saw was—
"Why... why is it that even after I went all out, forcing Fantastic Light and Tokai Teio to activate their Zones..."
"Even after I unleashed my final kick, starting this chaotic battle beyond a one-on-one duel... I still haven't closed the gap?"
"Impossible! How can this be?!"
She was giving her all, stronger than during the English Epsom Derby, and though her Zone was suppressed again...
Why...
Not only did Platinum show no signs of slowing down upon entering the homestretch, but why was there no fatigue, not even enough to maintain her current speed?
Even on a fast track without rain, it was rare to hear of front-running Uma Musume accelerating in the homestretch of a high-intensity G1 race, especially against multiple Zone users.
Let alone a front-runner in the rain! A chaotic battle of multiple Zones!
How could that be?!
Under Galileo's relentless gaze, she herself was nearing her physical limits, yet from the moment she activated her Zone until now, there was no sign of closing the gap?
Why did Platinum seem to still have an excellent final kick? Was her stamina not yet depleted, not yet critical?
This wasn't just an ordinary Great Escape strategy; it was far more extreme than the usual tactical front-running. This was a rain soaked Great Escape from start to finish, maintaining a blistering pace without ever slowing down!
In Galileo's heart, an indescribable sense of helplessness rose once more, as if she had returned to that fateful English Derby...
This scene was ten times more shocking than the most terrifying nightmare!!
She had clearly become stronger now!
But what Galileo didn't know was that Jungle Pocket behind her felt the same way.
"No... no! I can't give up easily."
The black-haired girl, breathing heavily and growling lowly, continued to push forward with determination.
After all, the Japan Cup's homestretch was very long!
There was still a theoretical chance—it couldn't be zero!
Clutching this last hope, Galileo, along with Tokai Teio and Fantastic Light behind her, launched their final charge toward the silver-white Platinum.
--+--
A short while later!
Behind Platinum, Tokai Teio, Galileo, and Fantastic Light were locked in a fierce battle, almost neck and neck for second place!
Forget about catching up to or overtaking Platinum—even second place was still undecided at this final moment.
Fantastic Light felt the most regretful; the long homestretch hadn't allowed her to quickly secure second.
Instead, her stamina was nearly depleted, and she could barely maintain her top speed, about to bow out of this "runner-up battle."
Her weakness on heavy tracks was magnified infinitely, causing her to falter first at the critical moment!
As for Tokai Teio, she glanced at Galileo beside her, surprised that this younger foreign Uma Musume could still slightly lead her without showing signs of slowing down.
Is this... the daughter of the legendary heavy-track dark horse, Urban Sea?
Such adaptability to heavy tracks was truly terrifying!!
Finally, Galileo led by a slight margin, striving desperately toward that silver-white figure.
--+--
[Platinum, leading from the front, has reached the homestretch first, igniting the pace for the entire field.]
[Everyone had to start their final acceleration, or they'd have no chance of catching her! But hampered by Zone suppression and the heavy track's dreadful impact, even Fantastic Light and Tokai Teio's exceptional final kicks aren't... closing the gap on Platinum at all?!]
[They are only approaching Galileo, but not catching up to Platinum?!]
[The leading Platinum has already pulled away from second-place Galileo by twelve or thirteen horse lengths!]
[Even as a front-runner in the rain, Platinum shows no signs of slowing down?! This is defying common sense... no, it is a forbidden Great Escape that would go down in history worldwide!]
In the final moments, the commentator's passionate exclamations stirred the fervent emotions of countless fans in the stands.
Endless cheers erupted continuously!
"Platinum!! Platinum!! Platinum!!"
"A front-runner in the rain—can she really hold on to the finish?"
"I've never seen anything like this in all my years watching races in Europe. Coming to the Japan Cup was worth it."
"If Platinum can maintain this form, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is absolutely within reach. This could truly be the year!"
"I am Platinum's loyal dog!!!"
Amid the countless voices, Platinum had already run past the halfway point of the homestretch.
Under the dark clouds, on the heavy turf, only one figure danced alone at the front.
That silver-white figure, against the rain, seemed to radiate a holy, silvery brilliance, tearing through the so-called impossibilities like a knight, charging toward the finish line in the final stretch!
An assassin? A front-runner?
No, Platinum in the rain was more like an Idol Knight showcasing her charm on the Kasimierz Knight Arena, Centaurea freely radiating her brilliance to illuminate the entire field!
Under the illumination of her domain, Pegasian Sight, the transformed knight arena was none other than the place where Platinum had fought as an Idol Knight before!
For this silver-white girl, the only regret was... that her vast, majestic domain, the knight arena, couldn't be seen by the entire audience yet, only astonishing these young foals.
But after winning this Japan Cup, that wish would finally be fulfilled.
So the usually lazy, off-work-loving Platinum was slightly serious and focused. She never had a fiercely burning desire to win, but this race had to be ended quickly!
'Galileo and Tokai Teio are both excellent rivals—can't underestimate them.'
'To prevent being overtaken, I can't let my guard down in the second half!'
'Also, it's time to start the Zone BGM music I chose earlier.'
The silver-white girl's icy eyes filled with determination.
With soaring fighting spirit, on the Kasimierz Knight Arena she commanded!
In the next instant, a blazing, dazzling light erupted, and colorful lights flashed above the domain-transformed arena.
At the same time, a beautiful female voice resounded across the Japan Cup turf!
[Don't hold my hand for this part]
[Full speed ahead]
[I know you noticed right from the start]
[Had my head held high since it began]
As the music played, symbolizing [Pegasian Sight]! Symbolizing the peak of that shining knight Centaurea!
"Radiant"!
The Pegasian Sight, long under Platinum's control, could shine even brighter and stronger in the final half of the homestretch, nearing the finish line!
Under the watchful eyes of over a hundred thousand spectators in the stands and countless fans watching via streams...
Miss Platinum, who should have exhausted too much stamina early due to the rain, the difficult heavy track, and the multiple Zone clashes, showed no signs of slowing down!
The silver-white figure charged toward the finish line with an unstoppable, kingly demeanor.
Platinum did not speak, only ran!
Her proud posture, surpassing all her opponents and still not being approached by any Uma Musume, seemed to make a proud declaration.
"The favorite? Galileo, Fantastic Light... or even Tokai Teio, who can match me?"
"Did they join to obtain victory?"
"No, they're here to fight for second!!"
Fourteen horse lengths!
Fifteen horse lengths!
The silver-white figure, advancing toward the finish line less than a hundred meters away, only widened the gap.
The second-place Galileo, striving to close the distance, was left stunned upon hearing the beautiful music on the track.
Huh?
Besides this shocking domain arena and the Goddess Phantom shooting arrows, how was there also an unheard, beautiful song?
Well-traveled and from a European noble family, she had never heard of these special effects before!
'No... this…'
'Platinum, is she really not the daughter of the Three Goddesses?'
Deeply shocked, Galileo could only listen as the music continued, watching Platinum's figure speed away as if escaping to the ends of the earth.
[Cause I've laid it out for them]
[Just tell me could you get up]
[In the aftermath? Oh]
Galileo, who had mastered her Zone in her classic year and climbed to world-class heights, from beginning to end... never even had the chance to fight side by side with Platinum, to engage in a true one vs. one!
Could you stand as before?!
The lyrics seemed like the perfect portrayal, as if Platinum was whispering in her ear.
And now—
Under the rain, that silver-white figure completely transformed into an arrow as swift as a stream of light, with the finish line as the target!
The brilliant style of the front-runner was displayed at this moment.
Sixteen horse lengths!
Galileo and Fantastic Light, listening to the music and unable to accelerate further, wore expressions of shock or stunned disbelief.
Seventeen horse lengths!
The audience of over a hundred thousand looked on in shock, then erupted into thunderous cheers, joyous to witness a front-run destined for the history books.
[It's here! On the long homestretch, we're about to witness the most shocking, most unbelievable victory in history!]
[Under the rain, on the heavy turf!]
[That silver-white Platinum seems to transform into a light tearing through the darkness—the moniker of "Pegasus" is undeniable!]
[Don't blink, don't miss a record that may stand unrivaled for half a century!]
At the same moment, everyone watched with the most anticipatory gazes as the silver-white Pegasus girl charged toward the finish line.
Finally... Platinum, front-running in the rain, crossed the finish line with an absolute posture of a ruler!
[It's an absolute difference by eighteen horse lengths!]
The commentator's excited voice, the cheers from the stands ringing through the sky, and fans worldwide watching the race out of admiration or curiosity for Platinum or Galileo!
Suddenly, the excitement reached an unprecedented peak, offering final cheers for this Japan Cup dominated by Platinum's solo dance.
This was—the ultimate front-run under the rain!
[If you can't go faster, you can't compete!]
[If you can't become stronger, you can't surpass!]
[Finally, if you can't respond to the cheers, you don't deserve to win!]
The commentator perfectly captured it with an eulogy, praising this historic rain-soaked front-run!
[Without a doubt, Platinum won with an absolute victory, completely pulling apart the gap with Galileo! Meeting the world's expectations with an overwhelming gap!]
[Galileo is a praiseworthy rival, but against Platinum, all challengers, all tracks, all records will eventually be broken!]
[Platinum wins the Japan Cup, achieving seven consecutive victories!]
On the packed spectator stands, countless voices resounded endlessly across the racecourse!
To describe the stands at this moment...
Words like "calm" or "surprised" had to be discarded—they couldn't capture it.
Shock!!
Trembling!!
Surprise!!
These were the best adjectives for the countless spectators gathered in the stands.
Even among the many overseas viewers, some European fans who had come hoping to see Galileo get revenge...
After witnessing the silver-white girl's victory, they held no dissatisfaction or resentment! At most, they felt a little regret, sighing that Galileo lost to no shame, only having picked the wrong opponent.
--+--
Then came—
"I'm going all out as a Platinum fan!"
"You know, I've been Platinum's sole supporter since birth, watching her defeat many rivals. I've liked her for a long time—she's really unbelievably strong!"
"Sometimes decisions are hard, but after watching this race, I've decided to switch to solely supporting Platinum. As for Galileo, I wish her the best in her future races."
Even European spectators, who had always held stereotypes about Japanese Uma Musume, viewing them as country foals, were completely conquered!
Amid the countless intense praises and discussions...
In the stands, two horse girls preparing for the Arima Kinen—Agnes Tachyon and Manhattan Cafe.
The Japan Cup, a super difference win by eighteen horse lengths?!
Wanting to defeat and get revenge on Platinum, they had only been watching from the stands, yet their clothes felt... drenched.
Sweating buckets?
No, it wasn't sweat, just rainwater... right?
Agnes Tachyon took a deep breath, her voice slightly trembling.
"The Arima Kinen... is going to be quite troublesome."
Beside her, the dark-haired Manhattan Cafe suddenly recalled how, after her defeat in the Kikuka Shō, Jungle Pocket had asked Agnes Tachyon, "Will you win?" or something similar.
She only found out about this later from Jungle Pocket.
Back then, Agnes Tachyon had fallen silent but eventually regained her confidence and fighting spirit.
But now—
"If the opponent is Platinum..."
Manhattan Cafe gazed at her friend.
This time, the mad scientist Uma Musume fell silent again.
Only after a while did she give her reply.
"In races, nothing's absolute!"
--+--
Beyond the finish line.
The silver-white girl who had quickly stopped after crossing the line stood firm on the turf!
She watched with keen interest and slight delight as a system panel suddenly appeared before her!
[Race: Japan Cup]
[Reward: Maturation Progress 20%]
[Current Maturation Progress: 70%, can activate (Special Effect: Visible Worldwide)]
Finally! She could showcase her overtake special effects, domain arena, and music to the entire world?!
'Great, at the Arima Kinen, I can listen to music while shooting Uma Musume!'
--+--
T/N: Bros really got his priorities straight
--+--
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.