An extended suspension of six additional months??
All Eclipse Stakes rankings revoked, collective demotions, and prize money confiscated??
The opponent that truly demands vigilance is… Harbinger??
As the Silver Maiden's gaze swept over every headline on her phone screen.
Each piece of news left even Platinum genuinely astonished.
"Originally two months… extended to six now?"
"How interesting. Now this punishment actually makes sense."
As everyone knew, an Uma Musume's golden period—the peak of her career—often lasted only three years, sometimes even shorter.
In the fiercely competitive environment of Europe, many Uma Musume careers might only span two full years.
Setting aside the necessary month or two of rest, this additional four-to-five-month suspension was equivalent to wiping out a fifth or even a quarter of her prime racing years.
A penalty of this severity should, in theory, only be handed down when an Uma Musume commits the most serious of violations.
And even that was just theoretical.
In the past, Mejiro McQueen had made a misstep during the G1 Autumn Tennō Shō, veering off course and obstructing the paths of multiple Uma Musume.
Though Mejiro McQueen finished first, her punishment for a foul nearly as severe as deliberate obstruction was… a demotion, dropping her from first place to dead last.
There was no suspension—just making the young lady of the Mejiro house run for nothing as a lesson.
And that was already one of the harshest penalties ever handed down to an Uma Musume in Japan's URA history.
But now, the newly announced ruling on the Eclipse Stakes violations imposed a punishment far more severe than Mejiro McQueen's demotion!
Those four outstanding athletes from the Coolmore group—collectively suspended for half a year! That meant missing at least two or three G1 races.
When Platinum saw that even the prize money of those Coolmore fillies had been revoked, she acknowledged the seriousness of the penalty.
That's basically working for free!
Even assassins in the Armorless Union get paid, you know.
Although… you might earn the money but not live to spend it.
"Now that the punishment finally fits the crime, there's no need to dwell on it."
"Next, I should focus a bit more on my rivals for the King George Stakes."
Just as the languid Ms. Platinum was about to switch off her phone—
Suddenly…
She saw an incoming call lighting up her screen.
It was from the Japan Racing Association.
"Hmm?"
"Why would the JRA be calling at a time like this?"
Her overseas campaign had long begun; she shouldn't be returning to Japan until after the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Was there something the JRA needed?
After a moment of puzzlement, Platinum answered the call.
"What is it?"
The next second, the voice on the other end made Platinum's ears twitch slightly, her calm expression soon shifting to one of focus.
It was the voice of a professional, elite working woman—straight out of a movie—beginning to explain the situation to Platinum.
"I'm a specialist from the Japan Racing Association, currently in Europe."
"Coolmore Group is currently negotiating compensation for you. If they contact you directly, please do not accept any apology."
"Think of me as your lawyer from those TV dramas—I'll secure the best possible compensation for you, Ms. Platinum, and take a pound of flesh from Coolmore."
"As for you, Ms. Platinum, there's no need to pay attention to the outside world. Don't let it affect your mindset; just continue training as usual."
"If any issues arise, contact us at the JRA. We will be your most loyal and reliable support. Please focus with peace of mind on preparing for the King George Stakes."
Hearing the female specialist's words, a flicker of surprise passed through Platinum's eyes.
Huh?
So that means… no extra work, but still getting a bonus?
The JRA… is actually being useful for once?
The silver-white maiden quickly returned to her usual detached composure, responding calmly.
"Alright then, I'll leave it to you."
--+--
At the same time.
At a prestigious training ground in Europe.
A tall, mature, golden-haired Uma Musume was gasping for breath.
She stared in disbelief at another young woman standing ahead of her, hands resting on her hips as she caught her breath.
She was Montjeu, a respected senior in European Uma Musume circles—a true "veteran" of the current era.
As an experienced Uma Musume, her mentality was solid. Even after suffering a crushing defeat on her preferred heavy turf against the Pegasus Platinum, she had readjusted and returned to training in Europe.
But now… just after finishing a training race, her composure was on the verge of shattering.
'Harbinger!!!'
Montjeu panted heavily, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at the elegant young woman who had crossed the finish line far ahead of her.
Harbinger—a name that sounded imposing, yet to the outside world, her record was far from remarkable.
She had zero G1 wins; her highest achievement so far was a single G2 victory.
But after that last G2 race, Harbinger's reputation within European Uma Musume circles had soared to heights rivaling even world champions.
That was why Harbinger, a "mere G2 champion," had received a training race invitation from Montjeu.
But now… just after the training race, Montjeu was utterly shaken.
A massive margin!!
On good turf, she had been effortlessly outpaced by this young newcomer by a huge distance??
In Montjeu's view, even if she wasn't at her best on good turf and maybe slightly past her prime…
Surely, she hadn't fallen to the level of an ordinary first or second-tier Uma Musume, right?
Just how monstrous was this junior, Harbinger, to leave her in the dust like that in a training race?
World-class? No, this was far beyond world-class—it was a level that would stand out even among historical greats.
In short, this newcomer, who hadn't yet competed in any G1 races and seemed to have a mediocre record, was every bit as capable as Sea the Stars of becoming a legend.
'With strength like this… you could call her the greatest G2 Uma Musume in history, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration! She could easily defeat the vast majority of international G1 winners.'
'What on earth are her team and family thinking? How could they let a monster with this much talent and power wait so long without challenging a G1?'
'Or perhaps—is Harbinger's situation similar to that rumored Flightline on the dirt?'
After the shock wore off, Montjeu suddenly thought of another Uma Musume.
That was Flightline, another Uma Musume who hadn't yet gained much recognition or popularity outside certain circles—incredibly talented, but with a body that couldn't quite keep up.
There were even reports of training injuries causing her to sit out the entire U.S. Triple Crown…
Not only that, but she needed three to four months of rest after each race before competing again.
While powerhouses like Secretariat, Sea the Stars, and Platinum could run eight, even ten races a year, Flightline only managed three or four…
Because of this, many doubted her, calling her legs glass—always one race away from a career-ending injury.
Yet, in almost every race, she won by huge margins—only to require long periods of recovery afterward.
A frail but terrifyingly talented Uma Musume—no one doubted her frighteningly visible talent, but many questioned her body.
Now then… could it be that Harbinger, equally powerful but extremely cautious about entering races, was in a similar situation to Flightline on the dirt?
"Harbinger, is your next target… the [King George Stakes]?"
"You're clearly this strong—why wait until now to enter your first G1?"
Montjeu couldn't help but ask.
The calm, elegant young woman smiled and nodded.
"Yes, the King George Stakes will be my G1 debut."
"Pegasus Platinum is worthy of me going all out, risking everything to defeat her."
In other words…
The Harbinger that had crushed Montjeu in this training race wasn't even at full strength!
"My family and doctors say my running style is too extreme. If I maintain a heavy race schedule or go all out, I could end up with serious injuries."
"So rather than winning ordinary G1s, it's better to start with lower-stakes races to warm up and maintain condition."
"Then… make a stunning debut at the most suitable, most prestigious race—and etch my name into history with just a handful of appearances."
That was why Harbinger had chosen the King George Stakes!
When she learned that Platinum planned to start her overseas campaign right after the Takarazuka Kinen, she knew Platinum wouldn't spend months preparing solely for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
She would definitely challenge other G1s in between—and the King George Stakes would be the top choice!
To maximize her chances, Harbinger hadn't even run a single G1, fearing exhaustion or injury.
But now, she had honed her condition to an unprecedented peak. Harbinger believed she was second to no Uma Musume!
"I've never seen Platinum on good turf."
"But one thing's certain—if you can perform even better than you did in that training race… you absolutely have a chance to win!"
Montjeu applauded, offering praise to the young newcomer, Harbinger.
In her heart, Montjeu was utterly amazed.
'With this… the King George Stakes will feature two super monsters!!'
'So-called G1 champions, world horse kings—they'll only be stepping stones in front of these two, won't they?'
Montjeu suddenly felt relieved.
Thank goodness her family's talented junior, Treve, wasn't challenging this King George Stakes.
After her amazement, Montjeu finally sighed in admiration.
"Your era… has arrived."
"But who will become the undisputed queen of the turf? That will be decided at the King George Stakes and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe."
"Harbinger, will it be you? Or… Pegasus Platinum? Or Sea the Stars? Or Dahlia?"
Perhaps more than one legendary Uma Musume might emerge!
If that happened, it could theoretically lead to clashes between legends! The heights of the Eclipse Stakes might not be so unreachable after all!
But that required… more than one legend appearing in the same era.
In most cases, decades might pass between legends. For two or three to appear in the same few years, not avoiding each other but instead clashing head-on…
The odds were incredibly slim! You could say such a showdown existed only in myths and legends.
Even including the dirt circuit, such a scene had never occurred.
That was why even Secretariat felt Man o' War's status wasn't easily surpassed…
It wasn't that Secretariat lacked confidence in her own strength or potential, but rather that she doubted whether she would ever meet opponents worthy of her.
But now things were different! The dirt had Nearl, the turf had Platinum, Sea the Stars, Harbinger, and more!
Mythical clashes between legends weren't just possible—they could theoretically happen simultaneously on both turf and dirt!
The thought made even Montjeu, past her prime, feel her blood stir with excitement.
'What a pity… I missed this era.'
'If I were in my prime, on heavy turf, I would have had the qualifications to compete, right?'
'But now, it's up to my junior, Treve, to challenge this new era.'
The Great Era had arrived!!
--+--
United States.
Inside a villa room, a crimson-maned Uma Musume sat proudly with her legs crossed, leaning back in a lounge chair.
"Who would have thought… Dr. Lin actually smells unexpectedly nice."
"That cheat, Sham—when she leaned against Dr. Lin, her breathing was surprisingly rushed! She was practically glued to him!"
Secretariat's gaze was sharp as she stared at the computer screen before her.
It was a messaging app with two group chats open.
The first group chat was pinned by Secretariat. Its name was…
[—Dr. Lin's Consultation Group]
This was a group Lin Anran had created when he first arrived in the U.S., after providing gentle treatment to her, Flightline, and Dahlia.
Originally, after Lin Anran left following his promise to them, this group had gone mostly silent, with little activity.
Any messages that did appear were usually from younger fillies asking daily when Dr. Lin would return.
It wasn't until recently, when Lin Anran actually returned, that the group became active again.
So… did that mean Secretariat, Flightline, and Dahlia had no other way to communicate?
No, there was a second group!
As everyone knew, it was perfectly normal and common for girls to have multiple group chats.
The second group chat had been created by Secretariat herself, named [Beauty is for the Strong to Claim]!
The member list was almost an exact copy of Lin Anran's consultation group—except Lin Anran himself was missing.
The reason was simple: from Secretariat to Flightline to Dahlia, they all wanted to maintain an image of elegance and reserve in front of Dr. Lin.
But they also saw each other as rivals, even "thieves," and couldn't always maintain a gentle and elegant attitude toward anyone other than Lin Anran.
So, naturally, they created this second group without him.
Now, as Secretariat reopened the second group, her expression was icy.
Her cherry lips parted slightly as she slowly uttered a name.
"Sham…"
Secretariat hadn't forgotten how, not long ago, when she stepped into the familiar clinic of Dr. Lin…
She found Sham smiling sweetly while holding Dr. Lin's hand!
At the time, Secretariat kept her cool and warned Sham.
But she knew all too well that she had no real reason to interfere with Dr. Lin's interactions with his patients.
As for staying to keep watch… she could do it for a while, but not forever.
Secretariat's main purpose for visiting was to extend an invitation for an exclusive contract to Dr. Lin. Before leaving, she made sure to mention it.
Now, back home, Secretariat's mood still hadn't fully settled.
"A defeated loser like her, still daring to lay a finger on Dr. Lin."
"Who gave her the courage?"
"Is it just because… she thinks I'm too busy with races to keep an eye on a 'wounded' thief like her?"
As the undisputed monarch of the dirt circuit, Secretariat had long regarded the promise as already in her grasp.
She had even mentally reserved Dr. Lin, the one who made the promise, as her exclusive partner.
But the troublesome truth was exactly that.
Secretariat, blessed with robust health and free from injuries, suffered from being too healthy. She couldn't, like Sham, use injuries as an excuse to visit Dr. Lin every other day.
"Now's the time for those other thieves to prove somewhat useful."
The next moment, Secretariat sent a message in the group.
[Secretariat: When I went to see Dr. Lin for a check-up today, I ran into Sham.]
[Secretariat: She was actively holding Dr. Lin's hand, practically clinging to him.]
The moment Secretariat's message went through, it was like a stone dropped into still water—ripples spread instantly!
Within just a few seconds!
[SeatheStars: ???]
[Dahlia: ?!]
The two turf Uma Musume still in Europe were the first to express their shock and doubt.
[Flightline: Hah?]
[Flightline: What happened after that?]
[Ruffian: Secretariat, are you using us as pawns? Think we have nothing better to do?]
Secretariat's expression remained calm, as if she had anticipated these reactions and words.
After all, none of these fillies—each one she regarded as a threat—were pushovers.
[Secretariat: I'm just stating what I saw.]
After sending that, Secretariat closed the group chat.
She knew that the other Uma Musume in the U.S. who cared about Dr. Lin wouldn't be able to sit still now.
The enemy of my enemy might not be a friend.
But sometimes, they could certainly be useful!
"A little stimulation for Flightline and Ruffian should do. They're both Uma Musume who keep their promises and strive for greatness."
"Let them deal with Sham. Even if they get a bit more contact with Dr. Lin…"
"They'll keep each other in check. No one will gain an upper hand."
As for her? She could focus on her races!
Once that Radiant Knight, Margaret Nearl, fully matured next year…
It would be time to reap the rewards of victory, crush all dirt circuit rivals utterly, cement her status as the greatest in history, and fulfill the promise with Dr. Lin!
For now… there was no need to rush.
With that thought, Secretariat turned off her computer.
Not long after, her phone rang.
When the crimson-maned champion answered, she heard the voice of a staff member from a racing organization.
"Ms. Secretariat, hello."
"I'm from the [G1 Travers Stakes] organizing committee, calling to inquire if you have any intention to enter the race."
"Ms. Holy Bull has already confirmed her entry."
The Travers Stakes—a G1 race!
It was a fairly prestigious event, but for Secretariat, it held little significance now.
So, without hesitation, Secretariat declined.
"I refuse."
The reason was simple: this race was prohibited for older fillies and mares.
And Secretariat had already swept through the Triple Crown, dominating so thoroughly that Sham went from being a rival on the track to one off it!
This Travers Stakes might feature other strong three-year-olds who hadn't run the Triple Crown, or perhaps late-blooming supernovas.
For example, Holy Bull, mentioned by the staff, was a respected strong runner who hadn't contested the Triple Crown. Even Secretariat acknowledged her ability was decent.
But Secretariat only wanted to challenge older horse G1s, defeat those seniors one by one—not just beat a Holy Bull. She aimed to sweep the older horse division to solidify her status and record!
So, even though Holy Bull was a worthy opponent, she wasn't on Secretariat's radar.
"Understood…"
The voice on the other end of the line sounded noticeably disappointed.
--+--
"Ms. Nearl, hello."
"I'm from the [G1 Travers Stakes] organizing committee, calling to inquire if you have any…"
The staff member went through the routine question.
After all, there were plenty of talented three-year-olds, including Holy Bull, whose strength even Secretariat acknowledged!
If three-year-olds were high school students, and older horses were college students…
Then two-year-olds were, at best, middle schoolers—maybe even elementary school level!
A few minutes later, the Golden Pegasus Maiden answered the phone.
Nearl's orange eyes held a trace of contemplation.
The Travers Stakes—prohibited for older horses!
Back then, Pegasus Platinum skipped her two-year-old season entirely and went straight for the Triple Crown…
So then—
Margaret Nearl's gaze shifted slightly, glancing at the lance and racing silks beside her.
Her response was firm and resolute.
"I will enter."
"Alright, I'll mark you down as declined—"
"Wait, wh-what did you say?!"
--+--
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.