Terra's Twin Moons!
Blotting out the sky!
In the Knight's Arena of Kazimierz!
As if the Zone effect that shook the entire audience of 100,000 wasn't enough in the eyes of the silver-haired girl.
The Pegasus Hall descended completely before countless onlookers!
It was a vast, majestic, and profoundly mysterious ancient hall, as if dedicated to the highest of divine beings.
At the center of the hall stood a throne, and upon it sat a figure almost identical to the girl known as Platinum—only more ethereal and imposing, like a divine incarnation of Platinum herself!
The Phantom Goddess sat high on her throne, bow in hand, arrow nocked—like the Huntress under the Moon, beginning her patrol!!
Behind the throne stood numerous sculptures.
Each sculpture depicted an Uma Musume, so lifelike they seemed almost real. They were clad in either gorgeous or elegant race outfits, their expressions frozen in utter astonishment—as if witnessing a stunning, overwhelming victory by the Pegasus.
Aside from the two sculptures of Galileo in the center, the crimson-haired girl at the forefront and the dark-haired girl in the corner drew particular attention.
In an instant, the gaze of every Uma Musume in the arena was involuntarily drawn toward them.
Complex emotions welled up in their hearts.
At the front was Daiwa Scarlet, already renowned across the world. At the very back was Manhattan Cafe, the subject of countless whispers questioning how she could have fallen so far behind.
And now... if they weren't strong enough, if they didn't strive hard enough, not only would they fail to surpass the sculptures of Manhattan Cafe and Daiwa Scarlet—they wouldn't even qualify to stand behind them!
Only one Uma Musume per race could be "honored" with a place in the Pegasus Hall. Whose sculpture would be added after this race?
"That's... my sculpture!!"
In the mid-pack, the dark-haired girl Manhattan Cafe—usually expressionless—felt her calm face twitch slightly.
She struggled to maintain her composure, refusing to look toward the sculpture of herself tucked away in the farthest corner.
'Huff... huff...'
'Stay calm, I have to keep a clear head. Can't let this break my rhythm.'
As an Uma Musume skilled in the come-from-behind running style, Manhattan Cafe knew all too well that to perform at her best, she had to stay calm and seize any slim chance that arose.
Despite feeling the terrifying pressure from the Pegasus Zone and the helplessness evoked by her own sculpture, she held her mind together, refusing to completely break down.
She had no desire to end up like Galileo, with two sculptures enshrined in the Pegasus Hall.
That would truly place her alongside Galileo as one of Platinum's top captives!
And ahead of Manhattan Cafe, among the front runners...
Another, more petite black-haired Uma Musume gritted her teeth under immense pressure.
Rice Shower!
Known as an assassin capable of overtaking and striking down most opponents, Rice Shower was now facing an aura unlike any she had ever felt.
It was even more terrifying than when she was in her best form using her own Zone—an endless, tidal wave of killing intent!
For a moment, Rice Shower felt an illusion of suffocation.
Her lips pressed tightly together, she gasped for air. Everything about her felt unfamiliar, even... her own life!
It was as if the silver-white figure ahead of her was a super monster far beyond her reach—as if it had completely transformed, surpassing the very limits of what a horse girl could be.
'So, so terrifying... That feels like real killing intent?!'
The petite and adorable Rice Shower had prepared extensively for this Spring Tenno Sho, undergoing grueling training no less intense than that of Mejiro McQueen or Manhattan Cafe.
By the time she arrived in the Uma Musume's preparation area, she had developed a fearsome aura that even shocked Mejiro McQueen—it was described as the murderous intent of an "assassin"!
But now, experiencing Platinum's activated [Pegasian Sight]...
In Rice Shower's eyes, the gap between herself and Platinum wasn't even close—it was like a minor league player facing a grandmaster!
Platinum! That was the most terrifying aura, the one that truly felt like killing intent!!
Even if Platinum claimed to have set foot on real battlefields and fought her way out of bloodsoaked wars... the current Rice Shower wouldn't dare doubt it for a second.
The intensity of that aura, the sheer dread of that killing intent—it was all unheard of to Rice Shower. It made her wonder: could an Uma Musume really possess something like that? Could running alone achieve such a level?
'Is that... really something you can develop just through running training?'
The petite Rice Shower trembled slightly, her eyes filled with utter shock and disbelief.
On one side, she could at most assassinate Japan's top Uma Musume. On the other side, it was as if Platinum could assassinate—no, more like hunt down—anyone.
If Platinum claimed she could hunt any Uma Musume beneath the Three Goddesses in this world, the current Rice Shower wouldn't doubt it in the slightest!
If she were like some rookie assassin just joining the organization—a mere small fry...
Then that dazzling silver-white girl nocking an arrow ahead of her, who seemed to have crossed mountains of corpses and oceans of blood, was like an indispensable powerhouse in the assassin organization—a superior who could casually command and order most assassins.
Heck, she might not even meet the qualifications to join Platinum's organization!
"Is this really... an opponent I can defeat?"
Even Rice Shower felt demoralized for a moment.
But she had put in so much effort for this Spring Tenno Sho, even wearing out countless pairs of shoes.
On this final stage, if she couldn't even maintain the most basic will to fight... what kind of Uma Musume would she be?
"I can't give up!!"
Even if she couldn't defeat Platinum, even if the hope was slim, she could at least aim to hunt down Mejiro McQueen.
Rice Shower chose to persevere, refusing to give up. But after shifting her goal from "surpassing Platinum" to "at least overtaking Mejiro McQueen,"
She decided to pick up the pace, not wanting to let the leading McQueen and the front-running Platinum pull too far ahead!
--+--
[Wait! The Pegasus' Zone activates, and the well-known arena—no, the Pegasus Hall—descends!]
[Almost all the Uma Musume on the field seem to feel tremendous pressure. As they approach the first turn, their paces noticeably slow.]
[But Mejiro McQueen, running as a front-runner, chooses to steadily accelerate, pulling slightly ahead of the other front-runner beside her. Is this the determination of a long-distance champion who's changed her running style and mastered her strategy?]
[And right behind the second front-runner, the most watched competitor, Platinum, held her position at the very front of the pack—almost like a front-runner herself!]
[In third place, she matched McQueen's acceleration and was about to overtake the second front-runner!]
Even the commentator's voice carried surprise.
It was as if McQueen and Platinum had swapped styles, delivering an unexpected twist that stunned countless viewers!
The pace of this race was so fast it left the entire audience breathless, followed by waves of astonished exclamations.
"Really... unbelievable! I thought since the Pegasus didn't start with a huge burst, we'd see another classic come-from-behind victory."
"Yeah, when the Pegasus runs from behind, it always feels like she's holding back, winning by ten or more lengths. It's only when she leads from the start that she seems to go all out."
"But now Miss Platinum is using the front-running style—the most classic and highest win-rate strategy aside from leading or closing? She must have planned this, catching all the other Uma Musume off guard!"
"But this is too far front, isn't it? She's way ahead of even Rice Shower, who's also running in the front pack!"
"How interesting! My favorites, Platinum and McQueen, have practically swapped styles? Only in a Platinum race could we get such surprises!"
--+--
And out on the turf ahead!
As they approached the second turn,
Pegasian Sight dominated the vast Kazimierz Knight Arena.
[Domain: Pegasian Sight]
[Activates at least three exclusive Zone skills best suited to the current situation, significantly enhancing...]
[Passive (Auto-Sustained): Slightly reduces own speed, moderately increases power and stride frequency...]
Platinum, running in the front pack, had reached the side of the other front-runner beside McQueen.
Contrary to what many spectators believed, the silver-haired girl wasn't following some premeditated strategy—she was completely winging it!
Platinum wasn't concerning herself with rhythm or pace, nor did she have any experience or preparation for front-running. She had only one goal in mind...
Catch McQueen!
And before overtaking McQueen, she might as well stick close behind her, always staying within sight.
It was a tactic often used by skilled assassins.
A strategy meant to make the prey feel danger and crisis, to unsettle them until they lose control and their rhythm falls apart.
When they're exhausted, that's the perfect time to strike.
But this simple tactic had one indispensable requirement:
Absolute overwhelming strength, enough to make the prey fearful. Though common and not particularly innovative, few could actually pull it off.
So, for this straightforward assassin's hunting tactic—which required at least equal strength to the opponent—the Pegasus was more than qualified, and Platinum employed it effortlessly against Mejiro McQueen.
Meanwhile, the petite black-haired Rice Shower trailing behind Platinum, also an assassin by style, didn't dare chase at full throttle like Platinum, afraid of drawing attention or burning too much stamina.
What's more, Rice Shower knew all too well that even if she closed in on the Pegasus, as an unknown she couldn't make Platinum nervous, let alone fearful. The gap in raw ability was plain to see, forcing her to bide her time in the back.
In Rice Shower's view, the pressure radiating from the silver-haired girl was utterly terrifying!
--+--
At the very front,
The Uma Musume feeling the most pressure, sweating buckets, wasn't Rice Shower.
It was—Mejiro McQueen, leading the pack!
That dazzling silver-white figure seemed to transform into a brilliant meteor tearing through everything, so radiant that even McQueen—pushing her pace yet barely holding a lead of less than two lengths—widened her eyes in shock.
The silver-haired girl appeared to be giving a masterclass both to the petite black assassin behind her and to the front-running McQueen ahead.
It was as if a cold, detached voice was whispering in their ears:
"Watch closely. This is how an assassin does it."
"Watch closely. This is how you run in the front."
That... that had to be...
An illusion... right?!
McQueen bit her lip, her gaze unconsciously drawn to the silver-haired girl in her peripheral vision.
Platinum!
Even as a front-runner, she couldn't shake her off.
Just as they were charging toward the second turn, heading into the latter half of the race, and McQueen tried to accelerate...
She was stifled by the overwhelming pressure of [Pegasian Sight], intimidated by Platinum's extreme killing intent to the point where she couldn't even speed up much!
But compared to the other front-runner who couldn't accelerate at all and was easily overtaken by Platinum, McQueen was already showing tremendous grit and fighting spirit.
In McQueen's eyes, though... it wasn't enough!
There were only two front-runners in this race, and one had already been overtaken—now Platinum was in second!
How long until she reached McQueen?
McQueen was filled with a sense of crisis, her body trembling slightly.
'No, no good. If this continues, Platinum will catch me any moment.'
'We're only halfway, and I haven't built much of a lead.'
'Most Uma Musume wouldn't have much kick left in a 3200-meter race, but I doubt Platinum is like most...'
This wasn't overcaution or overestimating her opponent.
On the contrary, McQueen felt she might still be underestimating Platinum.
A horse girl of this world-class level deserved every ounce of vigilance!
'If I don't maintain a certain lead before the final stretch... she'll unleash a terrifying burst of speed and leave me in the dust!'
'For now, hang on. There will be chances to accelerate later.'
'It all depends on when Platinum's Zone weakens!'
The Pegasus had activated her Zone right out of the gate—surely her stamina would drain considerably, her body and mind growing weary. The domain would shut down before the final stretch, right?
Zones consumed everything—stamina, spirit, fighting will, even the body itself. It was an all-around test, which was why so few Uma Musume could master them.
Some horse girls, to maximize their Zone's power and avoid physical collapse, only dared activate it in the latter half of the final stretch.
What McQueen believed was... that [Pegasian Sight] could dominate most of the race before gradually tiring—already treating Platinum as an unprecedented monster!
The moment [Pegasian Sight] slowed or deactivated would be her time to go all out!
As a two-time champion of the Spring Tenno Sho, Mejiro McQueen had her own confidence and pride.
Her Zone could be sustained throughout the entire final stretch and even an additional full curve!
Lacking a strong finishing kick, she had invested everything in stamina and resilience, relying on her Zone's endurance to secure her long-distance advantages.
'Just hold on until around the third turn. When [Pegasian Sight] weakens, that's when I'll establish my lead and shake off the Pegasus!'
McQueen could feel that silver-white figure looming ever closer, the pressure mounting to extreme levels!
--+--
Just a short while later!
In the mid-pack, the dark-haired horse girl Manhattan Cafe, her eyes gleaming with sharp insight.
"It's about time."
"McQueen and Platinum up front are almost at the third turn."
"As first and second... McQueen has unknowingly been forced to accelerate early under the Pegasus's pressure, already pulling several lengths ahead of the front pack."
McQueen thought she was doing well, holding on desperately to avoid being caught by the Pegasus.
Those involved couldn't see clearly, but bystanders could.
Manhattan Cafe had already taken in Platinum's deliberate pursuit, always staying just within reach.
"They have no idea how terrifying the Pegasus really is."
The number one victim of the Pegasus' front-running, long-distance domination was none other than Manhattan Cafe herself!
"In her classic year, the Pegasus led from start to finish, her Zone never fading until she crossed the line!"
"Now in her older years, the Pegasus must have grown even stronger. Her Zone won't give out."
"So... there's not much time left for me to accelerate."
Having made her decision, Manhattan Cafe chose to accelerate early.
In the next instant, an astonishing, dark aura erupted from within her, spreading out to dominate the vast Kazimierz Knight Arena.
Zone, unfold!
This avenging dark ghost was now charging forward with icy determination, aiming for the very front where McQueen and Platinum led!
"No, wait? Is that Manhattan Cafe's Zone? She activated it so quickly..."
"And another Zone? Whose is that?"
"More importantly, why does the Pegasus' Zone show no signs of slowing down?"
"You've got to be kidding—they're already at the third turn?!"
The defending champion, who should have been running with graceful composure, ready to declare to Platinum in kingly fashion—"You are the challenger"—Mejiro McQueen...
Now, the young lady of the Mejiro family felt her pupils contract.
And behind her!
A nearly terrifying scene unfolded in an instant.
It was...
Two dark figures appearing in her peripheral vision, left and right.
Manhattan Cafe and Rice Shower, both arriving together!
And Platinum... even faster than them, about to draw even with McQueen!!
Only one thought crossed McQueen's mind...
—It's over!!
'Can I... can I still make it into the Pegasus Hall?'
The final, white-hot showdown of the race had arrived!
--+--
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.