The Radiant Knight's target was... her own racing uniform!
[Racing Uniform]—this was the specialized attire that Uma Musume would wear when competing in G1 races in the future.
What's more, these outfits could be unconventional, uniquely designed, and might even incorporate elements like firearms, daggers, or even swords as part of the ensemble.
It's worth mentioning that in the United States, the number of Uma Musume with racing uniforms was vastly higher—several times over—compared to those in Japan.
After all, Japan had relatively few G1 races, and the conditions for participation were often special and demanding.
Japanese G1 races were either limited to events like the Takarazuka Kinen and Arima Kinen, which were determined purely by popularity votes, or mostly required a certain race record or prize earnings to qualify.
In contrast, Europe and America were far more straightforward… it was all about [Money]!
As long as you were willing to pay the exorbitant entry fees, you could participate in many G1 races.
If you didn't perform well enough, you might end up with prize money lower than the entry fee, or so minimal that it'd be better off winning G2 or G3 races instead.
Thus, G1 races in Europe and America served to weed out those Uma Musume who lacked the skill or confidence in another way.
But obtaining a racing uniform was extremely simple—no need to win multiple major races; you could just get it done right after making your debut.
So in the U.S., having a racing uniform wasn't anything particularly special. It was only by winning G1 championships that you'd truly turn heads.
In Japan, however, any Uma Musume who possessed a racing uniform was already considered an outstanding talent!
Currently, Nearl wasn't in Japan, so she didn't need to win one or two more races to qualify.
Thus, the young girl Nearl decided to secure her racing uniform first before thinking about future competitions.
"There's still over half a year until next year's American Triple Crown…"
"For now, I'll get the racing uniform and run a few casual races."
As The Radiant Knight, Nearl didn't resist competition or rivalry.
After all, these were truly anticipated, fair contests under the spotlight—not some dark, shrouded events.
In both American and Japanese history, there were many examples of Uma Musume from humble backgrounds, far from prestigious lineages, who eventually achieved the title of [Strongest]. Seabiscuit even ascended to become one of the rarest [Legends] in dirt track history!
In short, this was the kind of competition that didn't disgust or repel Nearl.
And the competitive spirit inherent in this tall, golden-glowing body of a Pegasus seemed etched deep into its DNA, far surpassing that of a certain lazy, overtime-hating Platinum from the Armorless Union.
So, it was settled: she'd train through battle, continuing right up until the American Triple Crown began!
"Now… let's go!"
--+--
Europe.
In the house where Galileo and Sea the Stars resided.
The twin stars of the Sea family were currently dumbfounded.
They had just finished watching Secretariat's Belmont Stakes and Margaret Nearl's debut race, and both were somewhat astonished.
Neither had expected that after Secretariat, another super talent would emerge in dirt racing.
Galileo quickly regained her composure, her expression unchanged, showing no particular concern for Secretariat or Nearl.
But Sea the Stars had sweat beading on her forehead, her teeth clenched as she stared intently at Secretariat, who had charged to victory and instantly cemented her legendary status in one race.
Compared to the emergence of a startlingly promising talent like Nearl, Sea the Stars was more wary of Secretariat.
And that was because… of a certain doctor.
'This is trouble… Secretariat, this monster's rise to legend was way too fast!'
'At this rate, she might actually fulfill the [Promise] and surpass Man o' War to become the strongest!!'
Under normal circumstances, Galileo and Sea the Stars shouldn't have cared much about dirt track horse girls.
Galileo had already entered her older horse years, planning to casually run a few races this year before preparing for the [Lin Anran Cup]!
As for Sea the Stars, she was a super powerhouse with the qualifications and strength to dominate the European turf, already demonstrating unparalleled ability as she aimed for the top turf race.
So, these twin geniuses—one with other plans, the other focused on winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe—were otherwise occupied.
In contrast, no matter how fiercely monsters like Nearl and Secretariat battled on the dirt tracks, that was their business; it didn't involve turf races or confrontations with Sea the Stars and Galileo.
Unless… Nearl and Secretariat could both be like Dubai Millennium or even Platinum, capable of mastering both turf and dirt—true dual-wielders!
But how likely was that?
Throughout the entire history of horse girls worldwide, you could count on one hand the number of dual-wielders who performed at least at a world-class level on both turf and dirt. Only Dubai Millennium and Platinum had achieved it.
Could two more really pop up just a year later? That was practically impossible.
So, the so-called dirt legend Secretariat, or the super rookie Nearl, should have had nothing to do with them… right?
But—the [Promise]! [Dr. Lin]!
This was why Sea the Stars was growing wary of Secretariat. She hadn't expected that monster's race record to be so terrifying.
'A while back, after Secretariat dominated American dirt racing and was acknowledged as the strongest!'
'She wasn't fully satisfied; she wanted to become the [GOAT]—the greatest of all time in horse girl history, surpassing even Man o' War and rivaling Eclipse.'
'So, she and the rest of us who'd made the promise collectively raised the stakes from "Strongest of this Era" to "Strongest in History!"'
'That way, instead of multiple winners, there'd be only one victor!!'
That crimson monster, her pride and dominance, were truly astounding.
If it were just about being the strongest…
Then, between Sea the Stars and Dahlia, at least one would likely achieve the title of turf strongest.
If any Uma Musume developed the talent and skill for dual-wielding, they could claim the title of dual-wielding strongest.
Pushing it further, British strongest, Irish strongest, French strongest, Japanese strongest… wouldn't those count as strongest too?
That way, it'd be possible for three or four horse girls to fulfill the promise with Dr. Lin.
What seemed like a difficult promise was, for the group of young fillies deeply connected with Lin Anran, hardly an insurmountable challenge—becoming the strongest in a single country wasn't that daunting.
But there was only one Dr. Lin; he couldn't be split among three or four horse girls, could he?
So, Secretariat, Sea the Stars, and others confident in their abilities, unwilling to easily concede or [share], hoping to have him all to themselves, collectively raised the condition from "Conventional Strongest" to "Historical Strongest"!
After this elevation, the number of Uma Musume who could fulfill the promise… would likely be just one!
Now, Secretariat had made the earliest and fastest progress. The vast majority of horse girls never reached historical class in their entire careers, yet she had surpassed historical class after the American Triple Crown, achieving legendary greatness.
How could Sea the Stars not feel pressured by this?
'But… there's no need to panic. For now, Secretariat won't make any groundbreaking achievements in the short term.'
After a moment of thought, Sea the Stars' eyes lit up.
'No matter how many opponents she defeats now, if the [Quality] of those opponents isn't up to par, there's no way she can surpass Man o' War.'
'Back in the day, Man o' War personally defeated an American Triple Crown winner to secure her supreme status on the dirt! Coupled with the general bias toward past legends…'
'Secretariat must overwhelmingly defeat someone extremely close to legendary status or a true legend to truly surpass Man o' War! Otherwise, even if she wins by many lengths, at best she can only be [on par with Man o' War] or [secure second place while aiming for first].'
Currently, in dirt racing, there simply weren't any monsters of that caliber in the short term.
Sham, who might have qualified, was injured by Secretariat and now had no record to speak of, falling short of the standard.
And Dubai Millennium wasn't an option either; her title of dual-wielding strongest had been taken by the Pegasus, leaving her as just an ordinary historical-class Uma Musume.
Perhaps… Secretariat could only pin her hopes on the next generation, waiting for the growth of Easy Goer, Margaret Nearl, and Sunday Silence.
Then, she would crush all those rising newcomers!
Instead, Sea the Stars, who hadn't yet reached legendary status, saw [Hope]!
Her hope was none other than [Silver White Pegasus · Platinum]!!
'Both Platinum and I are extremely close to legendary status.'
'Whoever wins between us will undoubtedly become a legend!'
'If I win decisively enough, like that world-shocking Belmont Stakes, then it's not impossible to achieve godhood in one race and surpass Eclipse!'
Platinum was the target in Sea the Stars' eyes!!
'I must defeat the Pegasus in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, using that great achievement to surpass Secretariat and become the strongest in turf history!'
Spurred by competitive fire, Sea the Stars' breathing grew slightly rapid.
Then, she prepared to get up and return to training.
This was to increase her chances of winning the must-win Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe a few months later.
Just as Sea the Stars took a few steps…
On the television, the commentator's lavish praise for Nearl's debut race had ended, transitioning into an interview segment.
The content of that interview made Sea the Stars halt in her tracks.
A minute or two later—
When Galileo and Sea the Stars finished listening to the final segment of the interview, both were wide-eyed, their expressions utterly dumbfounded.
"She is my uncle's exclusive…"
"My uncle is a doctor, just arrived in America…"
"A very excellent, once highly renowned young doctor in Japan…"
Instantly, the two esteemed young ladies of the Sea family fell into a long silence and stupor.
Back before last year's Japan Cup, Galileo had already gone to Japan.
Moreover, she'd obtained "intel" confirming that Platinum was Lin Anran's exclusive contracted horse girl.
To avoid making her sister suspicious, Galileo knew she had to share the information, so in that [Report on the Thieving Cats], she clearly marked Platinum as Dr. Lin's only exclusive contract.
Logically, this shouldn't have been news to Galileo or Sea the Stars.
They shouldn't have been so shocked.
"Wait…"
No way, seriously!
Galileo's eyes widened even further; she couldn't help but lean forward, speaking to Sea the Stars beside her.
"This isn't right!!"
"Why did Dr. Lin follow Platinum to America??"
"Or is he planning to leave Japan and settle in America long-term?"
Galileo had been ready to play "tour guide" and secretly welcome Lin Anran's arrival.
But now…
Dr. Lin, who had gone from America to Japan, had turned around and returned to America?
Was it to see his niece, Margaret Nearl?
Or was his relationship with Platinum far closer than she'd thought?
Or perhaps… he intended to settle in America long-term? Like how he stayed for a year at Japan's Tracen Academy, would he now stay in America for one or two years, or even longer?
Of these three possibilities, Galileo desperately hoped it was only the first.
Only the first possibility was safe.
The second carried significant danger! It meant Platinum was a threat, potentially becoming a thieving cat.
As for the third… that would be truly disastrous!!
Even though Galileo hadn't, like her sister, met Dr. Lin and other American fillies in the U.S., she'd heard about it from Sea the Stars.
She knew a little: in America, Dr. Lin was surrounded by a small group of incredibly gifted super monsters!
If he settled there long-term…
Wouldn't that be like throwing a lamb to the tigers?
And not just one tiger—a whole pack of them!
While Galileo was growing anxious, Sea the Stars beside her remained calmer.
The relatively petite but imposing chestnut-haired girl slightly frowned, closed her eyes, and crossed her arms.
Because Sea the Stars knew best those American monsters eyeing Dr. Lin, she wasn't particularly worried.
'With this interview out, it's bound to reach Secretariat, Sunday Silence, Flightline, and Ruffian.'
'They'll keep each other in check, preventing anyone from making a move first—that's sure to happen.'
'Even if Dr. Lin really plans to settle in America long-term, he should be safe, at least in the short term.'
After all, Sunday Silence and Ruffian had just debuted; next year would be their classic year.
There was definitely plenty of time left; they'd keep each other in balance.
And as for the seemingly most dangerous one, Secretariat, she didn't have as much time as the other fillies. Plus, she was too proud and dominant, aiming for the highest goals, and wouldn't stoop to being a despicable thieving cat.
Thus, Sea the Stars quickly cooled down.
Besides, Dr. Lin might not even be settling in America long-term!
Even if he were…
She could still win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in a few months, defeat the Pegasus, fulfill the promise, and rightfully take Dr. Lin away from those American fillies!
The petite chestnut-haired girl, filled with fighting spirit, shone with absolute confidence in her starlit eyes.
"Sis, call Dr. Lin and ask about his specific plans."
"I'll contact them later to sound things out."
No matter what…
Dr. Lin must come to their Sea family!!
--+--
Meanwhile, far away in America.
A tall blonde girl with a high ponytail slightly lowered her head to look at her phone screen.
Nearl was using a mapping app to find the nearest [Uma Musume Racing Uniform Shop] nearby.
Somewhat to her surprise, there were quite a few shops, with the closest one just a few hundred meters away.
This was Europe and America where spending money could get you into G1 races—making racing uniforms seemed common, unlike in Tokyo, Japan, where you could count the shops on one hand.
After a moment of mild astonishment, Nearl quickly set off, strolling toward the shop shown on the map.
As she walked, the girl seemed to remember something.
'That's right…'
'What would [my] personal stats look like?'
She then opened her system panel and clicked on it.
The next second, the system panel was replaced with several new lines of text.
[True Name: Margaret Nearl]
[Race: Kuranta (??) (Evolving)]
[Height: 171CM]
[Current Maturation Progress: 5%]
[Track Affinity: Turf (B+), Dirt (A)]
[Distance Affinity: Sprint (A), Mile (A), Intermediate (A), Long (A)]
[Running Style Affinity: Front(A), Pace (A), Late (A), End (A)]
[Collectible (Knight's Vow): The more prize money earned, the more it reduces fatigue from repeated battles and adds BGM to the racing field]
[Unique Skill: ??]
After reviewing her stats, a flicker of surprise crossed Nearl's shining orange eyes.
This?
Platinum started at 160CM, which was average for a girl in Japan but considered petite by the "Overseas Uma Musume" of Europe and America.
Even after full maturation, she only grew 3CM taller, reaching just 163CM.
Though… for an assassin, maintaining a streamlined figure and a shorter height wasn't necessarily a bad thing, right?
But now, as the Radiant Knight, having just finished her debut race without any growth or height increase, she was already 171CM tall?
Height wasn't too important, but what intrigued Nearl more was…
When she first transformed into the Pegasus Platinum, the (??) unknown marker appeared after some time into Maturation, right?
But now… as the Radiant Knight, it was there at just [5%]?!
Not only that, but the overall affinities were extremely exaggerated.
In Uma Musume terms, a 5% maturation level was like a child who'd just entered puberty a week ago—not even a teenager yet.
Even at 10% or 15% maturation, they might not be accepted into Uma Musume Academies, considered too young or immature.
But here she was at 5%, with almost all affinities maxed at A?
And the Collectible Knight's Vow was shared too?
Sharing was a good thing!
After reading, Nearl closed her personal panel.
The tall blonde girl had arrived at a medium-sized shop that appeared to be a clothing store on the surface.
As she stepped inside!
A young female attendant immediately approached her in the shop.
The attendant first glanced expertly at Nearl's ears and tail before speaking out of habit.
"The shop has two sections: one for regular women's clothing, and the other for horse girl racing uniform customization."
"Which one are you interested in…"
Before the attendant could finish, she seemed to recall something, her face lighting up with excitement as she gazed at the tall blonde girl before her.
"Miss Nearl? Margaret Nearl, who broke the record by 39 lengths in her debut race a few days ago?"
"Miss Nearl, could I please have your autograph??"
Having worked at this clothing store for several years, with the shop located in a prime area, and the American Uma Musume scene being incredibly vibrant, she'd served dozens of fillies coming to have racing uniforms made each year.
But most of those Uma Musume were just satisfying a collector's urge or hoping to run at least one G1 race in their careers.
In all these years, among the hundreds of horse girls she'd served, the attendant had never once met one who'd actually won a G1 race wearing a racing uniform!
After all, any G1 champion was a one-in-a-million absolute powerhouse!
But this girl named Nearl was different. Anyone who watched her debut race footage would never doubt her ability to win a G1.
The only questions were… could she win the American Triple Crown? How many G1 championships would she secure in her career?!
Winning multiple G1 championships was a one-in-a-million feat! With just one debut race, Nearl had already reached that level in the public's eyes.
Receiving such a heavyweight horse girl for the first time thrilled the attendant.
Finally, she was going to assist a future G1 champion?!
"Sure."
Nearl didn't refuse but remained calm, nodding slightly as she took the paper and pen.
After signing, she handed it back.
"I'm here for the [Racing Uniform]."
"What's… the process?"
She then followed the attendant toward the room for the final blessing ceremony.
--+--
A short while later.
Nearl selected a white coat and followed the attendant to the room with the statues of the Three Goddesses.
The craftsman responsible for making the racing uniforms had just seen off an Uma Musume who'd left with her uniform, so he wasn't particularly invested in this blessing session.
After all, in America, where racing uniforms were practically everywhere, their numbers were immense.
With such quantity, even the so-called rare [Racing Uniform Weapons]—those lucky finds—didn't seem especially unique.
In his over decade-long career, the craftsman had seen several small racing uniform weapons, like pistols and daggers.
Only the appearance of rare small weapons would surprise him; otherwise, no matter how dazzling or beautiful the racing uniform was, he wouldn't pay much attention.
After explaining the process, the craftsman waited nearby for Nearl to perform the final worship and blessing ceremony.
Once the final ritual was complete, the Three Goddesses' blessing would elevate the ordinary clothing into a [Racing Uniform] for G1 races!
The girl Nearl, holding the white coat, stepped into the room and approached the statues.
Following the instructions, Nearl began the worship ritual.
Even she couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity, a fervent interest in what her racing uniform would become.
--+--
After some time!
Once the worship was complete, Nearl looked up again, her orange eyes fixed ahead…
In the next second, colorful light suddenly burst forth, so dazzling that everyone instinctively closed their eyes.
While the staff around her shut their eyes reflexively, Nearl's orange gaze pierced through the radiance to the clothing before the statues…
No, it was now—a racing uniform!
The next instant, Nearl's pupils contracted sharply, and she let out a rare sound of astonishment.
"Huh?"
On the table lay… an exquisitely crafted white trench coat that accentuated a radiant temperament—the very outfit the Radiant Knight wore in the Kazimierz Grand Prix.
The first racing uniform: a dashing white trench coat.
If that were all, it wouldn't have been enough to leave Nearl stunned.
Because, right beside the white trench coat, there was another… [Racing Uniform]?
The question mark was because it was nothing like any clothing, dress, or robe anyone could imagine.
The second racing uniform was—[Armor]!
That's right, actual armor!!
And beside the armor stood a long, sharp, gleaming Swordlance!
Two racing uniforms: one trench coat, one set of armor, plus… a weapon, an oversized Swordlance!
This was everything bestowed under the Three Goddesses' blessing!
The craftsman nearby was utterly dumbstruck, repeatedly exclaiming "Three Goddesses"!
"By the Three Goddesses!!"
"Heavens… one garment blessed into two racing uniforms?"
"Armor? Can that even count as a racing uniform?"
"This weapon! This weapon is even larger than so-called large weapons like swords, blades, or bows—it's an unheard-of, legendary [Super-Large Weapon]!"
"This… is this the Three Goddesses'… favorite daughter or something?!"
This completely shattered the craftsman's worldview!
One garment turning into two racing uniforms… wasn't this the Three Goddesses giving it away? And on top of that, blessing that lengthy super-large lance-sword!
Calling her the Three Goddesses' favorite daughter wouldn't be an exaggeration at all!!
Nearl's gaze was fixed deeply on the trench coat, the armor, and finally, the lance-sword.
—The Radiant Knight was about to fully descend!
--+--
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.
There should be... around 70+ advanced chapters?
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.