The Hopeful Stakes!
This is a race renowned across nations, much like the [Derby] itself.
And now, The Radiant Knight, Nearl, clad in her dashing victory outfit, strode with powerful, unhurried steps toward the racetrack.
The crisp, metallic sound of her long boots striking the ground echoed like the march to battle!
Her sword-spear was slung diagonally across her back, carried with ease despite its massive size.
That weapon was nearly two meters long!
If a typical Japanese Uma Musume—standing around one and a half meters—tried to carry it, the spear would tower over her. Even carrying it diagonally would be a struggle, beyond her strength.
But Nearl was different. Her tall, poised figure, further accentuated by the long boots, allowed her to bear that long, razor-sharp sword-spear effortlessly, like a true knight ready to charge into battle.
With each brisk step under the morning sun, the figure of the Radiant Knight Nearl seemed exceptionally vigorous!
The racetrack was just ahead!
Inside the Hopeful Stakes venue.
--+--
Tens of thousands of spectators had gathered.
"I never expected that Golden Pegasus to enter the Hopeful Stakes so soon!!"
"Her debut win by thirty-nine lengths—I missed it, what a shame. I can't miss this one."
"This year's Hopeful Stakes just got interesting. There's no third-generation superstar like Easy Goer, who's the hot favorite for next year, but with Nearl here, it's definitely worth watching."
"True, the best is always saved for prime time. The Triple Crown races are still over half a year away—no rush."
"For now, let's see if Nearl lives up to the 'Pegasus' name like Platinum did, and why she left such an impression on even Platinum!"
Throughout the stands, countless spectators couldn't hold back their amazement or heated discussions.
Across the vast United States, with its many states, it was common for some horse girls to focus their careers within their home state or nearby regions, without venturing farther afield.
The U.S. alone was vast enough—why bother with overseas expeditions?
Legends like Man o' War, then Seabiscuit, and now Secretariat—none of these three icons ever embarked on expeditions.
After all, conquering America was an honor rivaling sweeping victories across Europe!
As for dominating the U.S. and then campaigning abroad… no Uma Musume had ever done that to date.
American Uma Musume had little interest in expeditions, unlike in Japan, where any show of talent immediately sparked expectations from fans and the public to campaign overseas and win international G1s.
Winning the Hopeful Stakes, a G1 race, would be the first step toward becoming the strongest!
In one particular row of the spectator seats, a dark-haired girl with an icy demeanor sat with arms crossed and legs crossed, her black hair cascading like a waterfall.
Wildly arrogant and flamboyant, yet cold and unapproachable—in stark contrast, her profound eyes surveyed the vast, empty track below.
If the horse girls from Japan's Tracen Academy saw her, they'd be utterly shocked!
Because… she looked identical to Manhattan Cafe, that genius girl exceptionally skilled in long-distance races!
But those Japanese Uma Musume wouldn't mistake this wildly arrogant, icy dark maiden for Manhattan Cafe, unlike a certain black-hearted young doctor.
However, this wasn't because Japanese Uma Musume had particularly sharp eyes, nor because they were close to Manhattan Cafe. Within Tracen Academy, the relatively quiet Manhattan Cafe didn't have many friends.
It was simply because… the level of their presence wasn't even comparable!
This dark maiden, indistinguishable from Manhattan Cafe in face, figure, hair color, and features, exuded a presence far surpassing any Japanese Uma Musume except [Pegasus Platinum]!
This was no exaggeration.
After all, if you didn't count the debuted Pegasus Platinum… Japan hadn't yet produced a true world-class Uma Musume.
Even the best were only near world-class, capable of winning the Japan Cup with home advantage against world-class competitors who struggled with the course or conditions.
But there was still a gap to truly world-class level.
Yet this dark maiden radiated a presence…that could almost be described as brutal! One that even Manhattan Cafe, now at her peak, couldn't match.
Her name was—Sunday Silence.
From her name to her appearance, she seemed somewhat petite and cute, a stark contrast to her terrifying presence and strength.
In next year's American Triple Crown, though not as popular as Easy Goer and unable to rival him in fan support, her strength was truly no less.
Thus, Sunday Silence had the qualifications and power to become a star contender in the Triple Crown races.
And now, Sunday Silence was here to watch, to see with her own eyes this unexpected newcomer, the dark horse poised to become the third star contender for the Triple Crown—Margaret Nearl!
That unprecedented monster who set a record-winning margin of thirty-nine lengths in her debut!
Even though Nearl's current record was only one win from one start, without any major stakes victories, not even a G2 or G3 win, no one now doubted her qualification as a top contender.
"Margaret Nearl…"
Sunday Silence murmured the name in a soft voice, cool yet carrying a hint of… complex emotion.
"[The Nearl Family]… Margaret's uncle is actually Dr. Lin?"
"Seems Dr. Lin might have another name he never told us."
In the West, it wasn't uncommon for people to adopt local names when moving to different countries.
Since Lin Anran was Margaret Nearl's uncle, he either had another name containing "Nearl," or he was a distant relative.
Sunday Silence never imagined that Dr. Lin, whom she had waited for so long, had really returned, and…had become the exclusive contracted doctor for the previous Pegasus Platinum!
And was now uncle to the new Pegasus Margaret!
Such shocking news compelled the highly motivated Sunday Silence, who was training hard for next year's Triple Crown and usually avoided wasting time outside practice, to make a rare appearance as a spectator.
Not only that… her gaze constantly swept across the stands, as if searching for a certain familiar young man's figure.
But unfortunately, in this crowd of tens of thousands, even with vision far surpassing ordinary people, an Uma Musume couldn't possibly scan all the spectators and pinpoint one person accurately.
"Fine, since finding Dr. Lin might be tough, I'll just focus on the race now."
Sunday Silence's deep eyes reluctantly withdrew from the crowd.
Because the race was about to start!
Since she couldn't find him, she'd watch the race first.
Let her see what her future niece… next year's competitor!
What kind of strength did she truly possess!
"[Little Niece], let me see who between you and Easy Goer will be the rival I must defeat with all my might!"
Physically, Sunday Silence was identical to Manhattan Cafe—not just flat-chested enough to rival McQueen and Suzuka…
but also nearly a head shorter than The Radiant Knight, who stood over 170 cm.
In terms of height and figure, Sunday Silence didn't resemble the tall, curvaceous build of most American Uma Musume.
If Sunday Silence and Nearl appeared together, Sunday Silence would likely be mistaken for… Nearl's little niece.
But that was something the proud, wildly arrogant petite dark maiden would never admit.
Her goal was to surpass all horse girls fairly, win the American Triple Crown, then earn Dr. Lin's approval and repay his kindness!
Almost no Uma Musume was more grateful for Lin Anran's treatment than Sunday Silence.
In this petite dark maiden's heart… Dr. Lin's kindness could never be fully repaid!
Always underestimated, every moment she was first recognized, valued, and cared for came entirely from that exceedingly gentle Dr. Lin!
So—this was loving the house along with its crow.
Thus, when this world's second little Pegasus was racing, and she was here as a spectator, Sunday Silence naturally chose to support Nearl without hesitation.
After all… in Sunday Silence's plans, barring accidents, in the future, Margaret Nearl would become her little niece.
No, more accurately, she would become Margaret Nearl's aunt!!
Winning outside the races and winning in the races—that was true perfection!
The wildly arrogant petite dark maiden gazed down at the track, waiting for the final commencement!
--+--
In the race's preparation room.
Nearly ten horse girls wore varied expressions.
Some were excited about the upcoming match.
Others grew increasingly nervous, breathing rapidly.
"To be recognized by that Silver Pegasus Platinum herself, personally called the [The Radiant Knight]! That one's not to be underestimated, probably on par with me."
"Good, Easy Goer and Sunday Silence aren't here! As long as I overtake this Golden Pegasus head-on, I'll definitely become the third top contender for the Triple Crown!"
"I'll use Nearl as my stepping stone."
"Thirty-nine lengths… when I won my debut by five or six lengths, my trainer called me a super genius. What kind of monster is Nearl? Can I really win?"
Some were excited by Nearl's presence.
Others felt vaguely uneasy!
Amid the murmuring, footsteps echoed crisply and powerfully from the corridor outside the door, growing closer.
Clearly, only one set of footsteps, not a group. Yet the weight of those steps made all nine horse girls in the room freeze.
As the visitor in the corridor walked, the clear, forceful sound of long boots striking the ground resembled war drums beating in their ears, heralding the intense competition to come!
The next second, the door was pushed open from outside, revealing to all the Uma Musume…
—Nearl the Radiant Knight!!
She resembled a Valkyrie stepped out of legend, wearing an exquisitely designed victory outfit that looked like a white coat, its hem swaying gently with her steps, exuding an undeniable heroic spirit.
The high collar of the coat-style victory outfit accentuated her elegant neckline. The tall blonde girl beneath that attire revealed both feminine grace and warrior dignity, perfectly complementing her noble temperament.
And… the sword-spear carried on Nearl's back plunged the entire room into stunned silence!!
It was as if… an elegant, shining knight was about to step onto the battlefield!
Everyone in the room turned their gaze toward her, utterly captivated by Nearl's calm demeanor, outlined for the first time in her victory outfit.
Nearl's merely nodded slightly, responding to their gazes with a barely perceptible smile.
Finally… after who knew how long, an Uma Musume couldn't help but voice her astonished exclamation.
"I-Is that a sword? Or a spear?"
"S-So cool! I'm gonna ask my trainer to custom-make one for me when I get back! Even if it's not blessed by the Three Goddesses, it'd be awesome for training or playing at my trainer's place!"
"Can something like this really be an Uma Musume's victory weapon?"
"I was reading 'The History of Horse Girl Victory Weapons' just the other day, and it never mentioned anything like this!"
Seeing their reactions, Nearl's didn't remain silent but calmly took the sword-spear off her back.
Then, she planted it on the ground.
The metallic weapon emitted a cold clang, and the floor seemed to crack slightly from that casual motion.
Unfazed, Nearl spoke calmly, indicating they could touch her weapon.
As the Radiant Knight, a Knight of the Nearl Family, her body engraved with unique seriousness and determination, she believed in fair competition.
"Would you like to touch it?"
"In the race, there's no need to be weary."
Thus, she directly explained that the sword-spear wouldn't affect the competition.
Nearl's words stunned the surrounding Uma Musume.
One Uma Musume, however, eyes shining with admiration for such a cool weapon, reached out without hesitation.
As her hand was about to touch the long spear shaft…
Something that shocked all the horse girls present happened—her hand passed directly through the entire sword-spear.
It was like a clipping glitch in a video game.
"Huh?!"
The weapon-loving Uma Musume stared blankly, then withdrew her hand and reached out again, but still couldn't touch it.
Seeing this, several others reached out one after another, replicating the "clipping" phenomenon.
Thus, all nine Uma Musume aiming for the Hopeful Stakes understood completely!
The seemingly massive, incredibly cool and dangerous sword-spear wouldn't affect the race; they had nothing to worry about.
As long as they could outperform Nearl in pure strength… they could win, right?
Some quick-thinking horse girls looked up in slight awe at the tall, forthright, and heroic blonde girl who stood half a head taller than them.
Clearly, this could have been kept as an important "secret." As long as some horse girls didn't know, they'd avoid getting close to Nearl, fearing injury from the sword-spear.
Even if it might be exposed eventually, the longer it was hidden, the greater its indirect tactical value should have been.
Even if the clipping was discovered sooner or later, Nearl could have easily said things like "no one asked" or "I didn't know either," which wouldn't have harmed her reputation at all.
After all, in the "martially abundant" top-tier G1 races of the horse girl world, there were those obsessed with late starts, those who liked biting the tails of Uma Musume ahead, those who deliberately bumped opponents for victory, even those who formed groups to block strong rivals out of fear.
Compared to all those real weird existences, Nearl hiding advantageous intel would have been completely harmless.
Yet Nearl, in her first G1 race, not only didn't hide it but intentionally let them all know, making it completely public!
Clearly, this Radiant Knight wanted to win fair and square!
Such radiance and forthrightness made even some typically proud American Uma Musume express admiration after their initial surprise.
"No wonder the Three Goddesses blessed you with such a weapon."
"No wonder Pegasus Platinum called you The Radiant Knight."
"I admit, you're the most Knightly Uma Musume I've ever seen. Well then… let's settle this in the race, Nearl!"
Nearl nodded slightly, her eyes firm and sharp, radiating an undeniable fighting spirit.
"Alright, but I won't lose."
Let the race begin!
--+--
[Now entering the track… with one debut race, one win in her career, no major stakes victories yet, but achieving unprecedented top popularity in a G1—the Radiant Knight Nearl!!]
[Never before has a Uma Musume with zero major wins been so highly popular in a G1 race. It seems that stunning debut left a deep impression on countless spectators.]
[So, let's wait and see if The Radiant Knight Nearl can achieve the unbeatable record of "fastest G1 win"!]
As the commentator's excited voice rang out, Nearl came into view of the countless spectators in the venue.
The center of attention, the top-popular Golden Pegasus!
Many spectators had come specifically for her, wanting to see if Nearl could truly rival the previous Silver-white Pegasus!
The second great star had already proven herself comparable to the first, though not yet surpassing her.
What about this Second Pegasus? Would she be as excellent as Secretariat, catching up to Platinum?
From the high spectator seats, in the view of many audience members…
She was heroic and vibrant, each step firm and powerful, her white cape flapping briskly with her unhurried gait!
The entire crowd finally got a clear look at Nearl's first victory outfit, debuted in a G1 race, and…the sword-spear carried on her back!
"Whoa?! That's a massive weapon taller than most Uma Musume?!"
"S-So cool!! What man could resist such temptation?"
"Watching races this long, I've only seen small pistol weapons on American Uma Musume, never anything this big."
"How can Nearl be this impressive?"
"Gwaa, she might as well be the Three Goddesses' favorite daughter?!"
Such topics would undoubtedly attract the most attention.
Amid countless exclamations, Nearl stepped into the starting gate.
And waited quietly for the countdown to begin!
--+--
[10!]
[9!]
[…]
After all ten Uma Musume entered the gates, the countdown commenced.
Slightly curious about what special effects her sword-spear might have, Nearl now focused intently on the gate's opening.
The Radiant Knight, with no interest in slacking off, wouldn't allow herself a delayed start outside of strategy.
'Weapon effects… ignore for now. Win first!'
'Whatever the effects are, I'll find out after winning!'
The orange eyes of this blonde girl shone with far greater composure than those around her.
As if this fiercely competitive G1 race, the dream of countless Uma Musume, was something she'd already experienced—and even harder challenges!
[3!]
[2!]
[1!]
As the countdown ended, in an instant…
Nearl's tall figure reacted visibly faster than the others, bursting out of the gate first!
And the next moment—
Before the gate she erupted from, golden light flashed, making many spectators instinctively close their eyes.
Even though the sun was obscured by layers of clouds, this overcast weather should have hidden the sunlight!
Then, the Shining Light formed a phantom of a blonde girl in knight's armor, identical to Margaret Nearl charging out of the gate ahead!
The key difference was… clad in knight's armor, the moment the Blonde Phantom appeared, the air around seemed to solidify at her presence.
Even more incredible, though the sky should have been cloud-covered and sunless, a golden halo somehow enveloped her, making her appear even more dazzling!
And in the Phantom Maiden's hand, she held the very sword-spear that was strapped to the racing Nearl's back!
The Knight-Armored Maiden, like a golden lightning bolt, infused power into her arms, the sword-spear seeming to come alive in her grip.
The next instant, the sword-spear left her hand, transforming into a brilliant meteor! Its speed so great the air whistled sharply!
Thus—it pierced the air, tore through the clouds, the once sunlight-blocking layers disintegrating under its force, revealing the blue sky and blazing sun behind!
The scorching sunlight reflected off the weapon's metal surface, illuminating the path for all Uma Musume on the track, making the sun shine fully upon everything!
In an instant, the sword-spear shot like a meteor from the sky down toward… the final finish line!!!
That deeply shocking scene made Nearl instinctively think—[Starfall]!!
—At the very front, the girl Nearl's orange eyes blazed with unusual light, her steps pounding decisively.
She could almost feel… the gaze of another herself behind!
She had to win, and win beautifully!
Current weather: Overcast to clear, clear to Starfall!
--+--
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.