[Oh... Oh my God...]
[What in the world am I seeing?!!]
[The sky... it's gone dark?]
The commentator's voice, which should have been brimming with excitement, was now filled with a shock and panic that anyone could hear.
[N-No, that's not quite right, to be precise it's...]
[An Eclipse?!]
The sun, gradually hidden beneath the darkness as if taking a bow, and the vast twin moons that had risen unnoticed, now filled the vision of every spectator in the arena, delivering what was perhaps the greatest shock of their lives.
From the commentator to the Symboli Rudolf beside him, all raised their heads to gaze at the dimming sky.
[Shrouding the Heavens, Obscuring the Sun, Twin Moons Share the Sky!]
[That is—a Lunar Eclipse!!]
[We... we've practically been brought into another world by Pegasus Platinum! Transported to another land!]
After the initial shock, the commentator continued with an unprecedented solemnity.
[As expected of the Pegasian Sight recognized even by world-class foreign Uma Musume. Even though we were prepared, we never imagined it would be such a vast and magnificent arena.]
[Not just the turf, but it covers the entire racecourse! It can even affect Celestial Phenomena!]
[That's Lunar Eclipse, counterpart to the Solar Eclipse!]
[Those are like Twin Moons from another world!]
Beside him, the Emperor, Symboli Rudolf, sat stiffly, cold sweat pouring down her face.
Precisely because she was an Uma Musume, she was all the more shocked and bewildered.
Why does such a territory exist? Why are there such special effects?!
Platinum's territory had only just been unleashed, and it had already shaken the entire world!
After the deep impact on her mind, listening to the commentator beside her excitedly and incessantly explaining the special effects of Platinum's territory, a question resurfaced in Symboli Rudolf's heart.
What... what exactly am I here for?
--+--
Right now, the roaring excitement from the spectator stands had surpassed any past Arima Kinen!
Even the famous scenes of the so-called Three Strongholds Battles or the Last-Spur Showdowns, at their most peak moments, the screams and excitement they triggered were far inferior to the appearance of this [Lunar Eclipse] and [Twin Moons].
Originating from Platinum's territory, it was as if all the spectators and even the competing Uma Musume had been collectively transported to another world. Under the illumination of the twin moons, it was a land filled with strife and battle!
"Platinum!! Platinum!!"
"Such shocking twin moons, even blotting out the sun... I'm willing to call Platinum the strongest!"
"This reminds me of the Legendary Eclipse, of which it was said 'Eclipse First, The Rest Nowhere'! And now her counterpart, Lunar Eclipse Platinum?!"
"Even though I'm the most loyal Tokai Teio fan, I have to admit, even if Platinum crushes Teio, I wouldn't be surprised. Platinum seems more like Eclipse's kin than any Uma Musume."
"Really, this trip was worth it. To witness such a scene, one that could be passed down through the ages."
"Gwaaah, to see such a sight, even if I die now, the ticket price was worth it, aru!"
Even those who were usually calm, and many retired Uma Musume, had joined the continuously cheering, exclaiming crowd.
There were even some spectators, overwhelmed with excitement, who saw black before their eyes and fainted!
And all of this... was not strange in the least.
Lunar Eclipse!!
Pegasus!!
Platinum!!
Rainbow Path!
Territory expansion, covering the racecourse!
Altering celestial phenomena, twin moons appearing!
Which one of these wasn't considered absolutely impossible in the eyes of ordinary people?
Countless spectators had wondered what the ultimate Zone would look like, waiting for years, even decades, only hearing descriptions but never seeing it for themselves.
But now, all those long-held expectations were completely fulfilled by that stunning, radiant Silver-White Maiden!
In an instant, that lone, lofty Silver-White Pegasus was like Eclipse reborn!
And now, it was all displayed before their eyes, offering every spectator the legendary taboos, everything unique to Uma Musume!
It could be said that the maiden named Platinum would, in one move, become... the White Moonlight (Unattainable First Love) in the hearts of spectators in Japan and even the world.
At this moment, that living White Moonlight...
Was, with the absolute bearing of a monarch, starting a great charge on the seven-colored rainbow path as calmly as if taking a stroll!
--+--
In the front rows of the spectator stands, two little ones were equally excited.
Among them, the normally calmer, never-hysterical Satono Diamond was continuously pushing the shoulder of the girl next to her, Kitasan Black.
"It's... it's too shocking!"
"Little Diamond, I believe what you said now. Forgive me for not loving and trusting Miss Platinum enough, for doubting you back then..."
Before, when Satono Diamond was raving about Platinum, she had said!
—Even if Platinum were to face [The First Big Red · Man o' War] or [The Ancient Legend · Eclipse], she still believed the Heavenly Pegasus could win.
And at that time, Kitasan Black had thought she was probably raving too much.
Eclipse, a legend on the turf from a century ago. The saying "Eclipse First, The Rest Nowhere" was born because of her, and countless later generations praised and imagined her strength.
There were even records stating that when she went all out, unleashing her Zone, a true [Solar Eclipse] would appear in the sky!
But due to the distant era and the fact that ordinary people couldn't see it—only Uma Musume could—it was一unfortunately regarded as a legend, an unsolved mystery, relished only through speech by later generations.
Man o' War, whose fierce name also meant God of War! Universally recognized as the G.O.A.T. in dirt track history, nicknamed [The Big Red], hailed as a living legend, a legend among legends!
If legendary Uma Musume are encountered once every few decades or even a century, then Eclipse and Man o' War are among the top of those legendary seats, worthy of the titles paragon of legends, strongest legend!
As if by a strange fate, not long ago, a young Uma Musume whose real name was "Big Red" debuted, using "Secretariat" as her racing name.
One was nicknamed Big Red, the other had Big Red as her real name.
And Secretariat, competing on dirt, displayed talent that could rival Man o' War, shocking all of America, thus being recognized as the deserved Second Generation Big Red.
Its meaning was that Secretariat had the potential to replace Man o' War as the strongest legend on dirt!
That heritage between the strongest in dirt track history, the legends of dirt, connected by the fate of both being "Big Red," had already become a relished tale in the dirt track Uma Musume world.
But only the strongest on turf had no such successor.
One was a long-standing Everest on the turf, the other a still-existing, living legend.
The legend of Big Red, the dirt track legend, was to be continued and inherited.
But only the turf legend Eclipse lacked a successor, regretful to countless people.
Even those who achieved the unprecedented British Triple Crown winner Nijinsky, or the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners Dancing Brave and Urban Sea, could only touch the threshold of a True Legend, or just step over it.
But there was still a significant gap between them and the top of the legendary throne, the strongest, the true GOAT, Eclipse.
But now!
The [Lunar Eclipse], shining in mutual reflection with [Solar Eclipse], not one bit weaker, was manifesting high in the sky!
As if declaring that the turf might welcome the next supreme legend after Eclipse!
Legend has it that the legendary Eclipse, who could dim all horses under its light, when unleashing her Zone, could truly summon the celestial phenomenon of a Solar Eclipse.
Now, the Silver-White Maiden Platinum, after unleashing her territory, also summoned a celestial phenomenon, one corresponding to the Solar Eclipse—the Lunar Eclipse! And that unprecedented, world-visible twin moons sharing the sky!
"No need to become some second-generation Eclipse. Miss Platinum may henceforth be called [Lunar Eclipse], [Twin Moons]! She is a deserved Heavenly Pegasus!"
And as early as one or two months ago, Satono Diamond had already decided that Platinum could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Eclipse on turf and Man o' War on dirt.
This made Kitasan Black feel somewhat ashamed, feeling that her trust in her idol Platinum was simply insufficient, only seeing Platinum as a relatively excellent world-class Uma Musume.
From today onward, she would be like Satono Diamond, and not underestimate Miss Platinum!
Then, Kitasan Black's gaze turned to the vast Kazimierz Coliseum, to the front-running horse girl Tokai Teio running in the leading positions.
Tokai Teio, Kitasan Black's... former idol.
Mejiro McQueen, Satono Diamond's... former idol.
Wait, something's off!
Right now, Kitasan Black was no longer worried or tangled about which of her two idols to choose.
What she was thinking was—
"Ugh, I mean, Miss Teio has worked hard too. I hope when Miss Platinum overtakes her, she can be gentle, and not discourage Miss Teio too much."
And Satono Diamond nodded repeatedly, agreeing with her best friend's words.
"Yeah, I hope Miss McQueen can get second place, and can be the last Uma Musume shot by Miss Platinum!"
"Being the last Uma Musume shot by Miss Platinum is already a huge honor, right?"
"After all, it's basically impossible for anyone to share the Winner's Stage with Miss Platinum—except for that legendary senior, Daiwa Scarlet."
This was their blessing for their former idols!
Although, in the eyes of Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen, this might not count as much of a blessing…
--+--
"—Night has fallen. Vanish."
That calm yet icy maiden's voice, accompanying the appearance of the Kazimierz Knight Coliseum, reached the ears of every Uma Musume on the field.
Not only that, but the Silver-White Maiden's figure, along with that whisper, arrived beside the last Uma Musume in the pack of stalkers.
And that originally second-to-last stalker girl, when her peripheral vision noticed something strange, an unseen rainbow path continuously extending to her side...
In an instant, she was dumbfounded!
"Huh, huh, huh?!"
What is that?
Rainbow Path? When the Heavenly Pegasus Platinum runs...
There was no time to react, no chance to think even after being side-by-side. In the next instant, she was overtaken.
And at the finish line, the towering throne, the spectral figure of the maiden goddess almost identical to Platinum, appeared even closer to Platinum, displaying a slightly lazy, detailed expression. With unruffled composure, she drew her bow, nocked an arrow aimed at the last stalker Uma Musume, and shot.
The hundreds of thousands of live spectators in the arena, and the millions more watching via live broadcast around the world, mostly hadn't yet recovered from Platinum's Rainbow Path, Knight Coliseum, Lunar Eclipse, and Twin Moons.
And now, the sight of the Phantom Goddess at the finish line drawing her bow and shooting an arrow made them collectively startle again, suddenly remembering the legend unique to the Heavenly Pegasus... the [Overtaking Special Effect]!
"One."
A voice more divine, holy, and ethereal than Platinum's was uttered by the Phantom Maiden Goddess, as if conducting an effortless hunt!
That arrow transformed into a dazzling, shocking stream of light, like [A Streak of Meteors], piercing through the last Uma Musume under countless astonished gazes.
Instantly, the first Uma Musume caught up with in this race was born!
Not just her, but the other stalker Uma Musume around were also collectively reached by Platinum's side and overtaken in the very next second!
[(Swift Shooter): The closer she gets to the Uma Musume in front, the faster her speed increases. When no Uma Musume is ahead, slightly reduces subsequent stamina consumption.]
[(Knight Killer): The more Uma Musume overtaken, the faster speed increases. When no Uma Musume are ahead, slightly restores own stamina.]
[(Unvented Fury): Slightly drains stamina from Uma Musume whose fighting spirit is weaker than her own...]
The more she overtakes, the stronger she becomes!
That Supreme [Pegasian Sight] had chosen the best-suited running style skills for Platinum.
When the Zone was activated, it directly caused Platinum's already early-accelerating, increasingly astonishing pace to reach a level that made the stalker Uma Musume ahead feel uneasy, sweating profusely.
"Two."
"Three."
One after another, hunting with ease!
It was simply the Huntress Goddess, symbolizing overtaking and victory, who, with a lazy yet elegant demeanor, pierced through the prey before her one by one, effortlessly harvesting the spoils of the hunt.
But there were still over a dozen arrows left unused to conclude this world-shaking hunt!
Yet no one doubted the outcome. The Heavenly Pegasus would spread her wings and continue to gallop!
--+--
[Is this the legendary overtaking special effect unique to Platinum?!]
[The Phantom Maiden enthroned high at the finish line is shooting arrows at the Uma Musume overtaken by Platinum with the bearing of judging all!]
[No mistake, it truly is so!]
The commentator's voice was filled with utter astonishment.
After all, even though this overtaking special effect was generally deeply impressive to the participating horse girls due to its uniqueness...
So, the outside world had long discussed it, and one "Platinum Victim" had described the specific special effect content in great detail, explaining how, after being overtaken by Platinum, they were shot by the Phantom Maiden behind Platinum.
But now?
That divine, holy, ethereal Phantom Maiden wasn't hovering near Platinum like some guardian spirit, but was at the finish line as if welcoming the Heavenly Pegasus Platinum's imminent arrival, and judging those overtaken!
And the next moment, the large screen hurriedly switched from the Phantom Maiden Goddess to the stalker Uma Musume being shot and pierced.
This professional commentator also heard through his headset the horrified and helpless trembling voice of the staff member in charge behind the scenes, the one selecting the content locked on the large screen.
[N-No, it's not that…]
[The Rainbow Path controlled by the Heavenly Pegasus! That unheard-of, immensely vast architectural coliseum!]
[And that mysterious, Phantom Maiden Goddess, and the Uma Musume pierced by the arrow…]
[How do I choose? My choice paralysis is acting up!!]
[This race is practically Platinum's personal stage, isn't it? Fine, I'll just broadcast them all simultaneously.]
Upon hearing this from the backstage staff, the content seen on the large screen and by countless domestic and international viewers via live broadcast...
In the very next second, split into four equal quadrants.
One quadrant showed Platinum galloping along the dominating Rainbow Path, one provided a detailed panoramic view of the Kazimierz Knight Coliseum, one focused on the Divine, slightly lazy Phantom Maiden Goddess at the finish line drawing her bow and nocking an arrow, and the last on the constantly changing, constantly increasing number of "Platinum Victims"!
Arima Kinen?
No, it was practically turning into The Platinum Kinen!
--+--
The extremely boisterous noise still couldn't bring much influence to the front positions on the turf.
Turf track, front positions.
The current front-runner, Agnes Tachyon, kept her eyes fixed ahead, closely watching the distance to those in front and beside her.
'The most terrifying opponent is definitely Platinum, coming from who-knows-where behind, like a ghost and an assassin. Second is Tokai Teio.'
'Really never expected that in the prestigious Arima Kinen, this monster Heavenly Pegasus would still boldly activate her Zone halfway through!!'
This is a long 2500 meters, longer than any middle-distance race, yet it still severely tests explosive power. It's a truly demanding and comprehensive super race.
Even Agnes Tachyon currently felt considerable pressure from the Arima Kinen's course and ultra-high intensity.
After all, due to tendonitis, Agnes Tachyon had lost over three months of training and race time. She wasn't confident enough that, missing a period of training, she could still match Platinum or Mejiro McQueen on long distances.
But she still believed she had a chance to win because... this wildly arrogant genius maiden had completely mastered her Zone!
It was fundamentally different from the temporary Zone of Manhattan Cafe during the Kikuka Sho; this was the real Zone.
But what she hadn't anticipated was... in the prestigious Arima Kinen, and starting from the outermost gate which had never produced a champion, the great chaser Platinum still so recklessly activated her Zone!!
It was the ultimate suppression from a territory, like countless shackles and ropes instantly binding all Uma Musume on the field, including Agnes Tachyon!
The moment the Zone was activated, it wasn't like the ordinary use of aura which could be easily resisted.
Only by deploying one's own Zone to counter it, or being completely suppressed until the opponent's stamina was exhausted and the territory closed.
In Agnes Tachyon's battle plan, she couldn't use her Zone to counter too early; it was her trump card for a surprise victory.
'This isn't a one-on-one duel, but a free-for-all of powerful contenders.'
'As long as I can hold out until near the final straight... there's a good chance!'
--+--
Further back, in the pack of stalkers, the six or seven Uma Musume there were collectively filled with astonishment.
The next instant, the last two arrows shot by the Phantom Maiden Goddess at the finish line pierced through the two stalker Uma Musume who had just been overtaken!
In their field of vision, they could only witness the Silver-White Maiden that had overtaken them, stepping on a gorgeous Rainbow Path, steadily advancing towards the finish line!
"Th-This is Platinum's overtaking shooting special effect?"
"I'm done for!!!"
"Why does Platinum get special effects even when she runs? A superhorse that can also shoot? Which Goddess's family is she from..."
"I finally understand why the whole venue has been boiling like this non-stop since the gates opened. So it's because of... the Heavenly Pegasus?!"
Amidst the voices filled with amazement, the stalker pack was utterly annihilated, all shot down by the Heavenly Pegasus!
The next moment, the Silver-White Maiden charged headlong towards the front-running pack ahead.
Next... only these truly noteworthy fillies remained!
If the previous casually overtaken stalker Uma Musume were merely slightly tasty appetizers,
Then now, Tokai Teio, Agnes Tachyon, and Mejiro McQueen ahead were the truly delicious feasts worth savoring carefully!
In the Arima Kinen, dark horses and surprises are never lacking, and Miss Heavenly Pegasus would not be careless.
Better to overestimate an opponent than underestimate one. In short, as an assassin, as an Uma Musume aiming for prize money, it must be so!
'Still not activating your territories? Then I'll simply overtake them completely.'
'Go all out, or sink to the bottom!'
That already overwhelmingly oppressive astonishing fighting spirit seemed nowhere near its limit and intensified drastically the next moment!
The Silver-White Maiden who had made her decision, on the Kazimierz Knight Coliseum field dominated by her territory, saw brilliant lights begin to flash.
As if the competition between knight and knight was, under the illumination of Terra's Twin Moons, commencing now!
Her icy-cold eyes were filled with authoritative light!
In the next instant, multicolored brilliant lights accompanied by... a beautiful female voice, resounded throughout the venue.
It was the song deeply connected to Platinum, the highly famous "Radiant" from Arknights!
It didn't matter if she didn't have her own BGM; she could just take her rival's!
[Don't hold my hand for this part]
[Full speed ahead]
[Cause I've laid it out for them]
[Just tell me could you get up]
[In the aftermath? Oh]
Music! Zone!
Full power ahead!
As the music resounded, the [Pegasian Sight]displayed its truly powerful, shining aspect.
And this time—
Even the music was collectively heard by the hundreds of thousands of spectators in the venue and the millions of domestic and international viewers watching the live broadcast!
That extremely beautiful, coldly arrogant, battle-filled song seemed to showcase the determination to win, conveying it to the audience and opponents alike.
The next moment, that Silver-White Maiden completely tore through the front-running pack, striding meteorically into their midst!
[I can see the fear in your eyes]
[You thought I'd disappear for good now]
[You thought that I'd be slowing down by now]
[But think again, think again, ah]
The silver-white figure, with an unstoppable monarch's bearing, charged openly and confidently towards the very front!
"Guh... the legend is true? Platinum really chases up with speakers on??"
"Ah, I have to fight Platinum before the final straight? Seriously?"
"I'm done for, done for!"
Some front-running Uma Musume, under pressure, started crying "I'm done for!"
And Platinum's figure completely entered the peripheral vision of Agnes Tachyon and Tokai Teio.
Just past the halfway point of the third turn! These two powerful territory-wielding Uma Musume instantly... broke out in cold sweat.
There was still some distance to the fourth turn. How could the Heavenly Pegasus Platinum have caught up already?
What about the 2500 meters? What about the big disadvantage of the outermost gate? Does she not consider possible deceleration at all?
This is—the great chase of the Heavenly Pegasus?!!
The next instant, Tokai Teio, listening to this beautiful melody, felt her fighting spirit not diminish in the slightest.
"But I'm not pushovers either, bring it on, Platinum!"
"Losing once in the Japan Cup is enough. This time, I absolutely must win!"
The Undefeated Dual-Crown winner Tokai Teio, filled with fighting spirit, then heard the next lines of the song and was startled.
[We're going head to head]
[I'm coming at you like a bull]
[You can't hide]
Just as the lyrics described, the Heavenly Pegasus... was right beside her, charging at her!!
Tokai Teio gritted her teeth, hesitated no longer, and in the next instant, she activated her own precious Zone.
"Nowhere to hide? Then we fight head-on, I won't avoid your sharpness!"
--+--
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.