Pegasus Form!
Pegasian Sight! And so many other field skills beyond count!
From form to Passive Traits to Active Skills—it was all so comprehensive, complex, and overwhelmingly powerful. Enough to fill any opponent who learned the details with utter despair.
In the blink of an eye, the Silver Maiden, having activated everything, seemed to transform completely into the legendary [Pegasus] itself.
A pair of dark wings manifested on her back, a stark contrast to her petite, saintly silver-white body. And Platinum's footsteps no longer matched the powerful, ground-pounding strides from before—they became… light, almost ethereal!
That dash of hers was less like a strenuous sprint and more like—[Skimming the Earth in Flight]!
With her dark wings beating, the Silver Maiden shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, beginning her full retreat towards the front!
That was… an acceleration so unbelievable, so ferociously powerful. A Great Escapee like her, unleashing a top-tier racehorse's final-stretch burst of speed—a second acceleration—right at the halfway point?!
Such insane velocity easily allowed her to shake off the vast majority of the Uma Musume behind her, leaving even the indomitable Harbinger, who had closed the gap to within ten lengths of Platinum—at the closest point, just [five lengths] away…
In the very next moment, the swift, high-speed running of Harbinger behind Platinum seemed to slow to a crawl.
No, it wasn't that she'd slowed down—it was a trick of the eye caused by Platinum becoming even faster!
That dashing young woman in second place, the one willing to become a meteor flashing across the world, however briefly—Harbinger—witnessed a scene that was both deeply shocking and utterly unbelievable.
Her own… all-out sprint, unleashed within her own field, was actually losing ground the moment Platinum beat her wings and activated *her* field?
Instantly, a cold sweat trickled down Harbinger's heroic and spirited face. She gritted her silver teeth, straining to push harder, to quicken her pace and catch up to Platinum's footsteps ahead.
Yet she found her legs felt as heavy as lead; trying desperately to lift them for more speed had become nearly impossible!
Is this… the true full power of a Pegasus?!
Originally—
"Among Europe's mediocrities, there are many beneath me, few who match me. You alone are worth the fight!"
It was with this obsession and expectation that Harbinger had stepped onto this King George VI Stakes, determined to face that Silver Pegasus in battle!
And so, to stage the most dazzling, most spectacular fight, she'd chosen this very race, a super G1 ranked among the top three in turf racing history, waiting patiently for Platinum's arrival.
And now, that second acceleration the Pegasus so casually displayed had left Harbinger stunned and gritting her teeth. Yet she remained unyielding, striving to squeeze out every last ounce of potential from her body.
'If I yield here, if I easily change my goal to second place… then my participation is meaningless!'
'Come on, isn't it precisely because Platinum shines so brightly that this battle holds greater value for me?'
'I can't give up, I can't retreat and admit defeat. If I do, I'm unworthy of facing Platinum, unworthy of all the long years of effort!'
The girl named Harbinger could still maintain her soaring fighting spirit. She held her head high, refusing to bow to the Pegasus under Terra's twin moons, and continued to support herself, to keep running.
The difficulty breathing caused by her rising blood pressure, the feeling that her lungs were about to burst—it was all due to the immense strain of running at such ultra-high speeds.
Even so, she didn't concede.
But that once dashing and confident girl's face was now contorted with ferocity. Her silver teeth were clenched so tight her lips showed traces of blood. The casual chicness from before had transformed into a desperate, all-out run, an acceleration continued at any cost!
For victory, to display her own radiant side, to earn Platinum's recognition and a true battle—Harbinger was willing to pay any price.
This race, this showdown with the Pegasus Platinum… was worth burning her fragile body out, worth turning herself into the fiery light of a meteor!
And in the next moment—!
A scene near miraculous unfolded before the rear pack of horses, witnessed to the astonishment of tens of thousands of spectators on both sides.
The figure in second place actually erupted with a visible burst of acceleration once more! A speed so terrifying it immediately created a massive, dominating gap, leaving even the third-place horse, who had just accelerated to overtake the front-runner, far behind in the dust!
Accelerate, accelerate, accelerate again!
This was… Harbinger's [Second Acceleration], unleashed by burning everything she had, staking her entire career!
Even though she knew that extending the duration of her field skill, while effective, would gradually increase her risk of injury.
Coupled with this all-out, body-draining sprint that had to be maintained for nearly half the remaining distance! Harbinger would absolutely pay a huge price after the race, one that exceeded her body's limits.
But… so what?
Harbinger, willing to offer a spectacular performance like a meteor, wouldn't worry about all that now. Everything else could wait until after she surpassed Platinum!
"This is me—"
"My career-staking acceleration!!"
In Harbinger's vision, a brilliant fighting spirit shone through, piercing the twin moons, aimed straight at the Silver Pegasus.
Accelerate!
Pursue!
And even… the trampling underfoot she most desired to see!
--+--
The stands were buzzing with surprise, seemingly caught off guard by what was happening.
Even Satono Diamond, Kitasan Black, and on the other side, Fame and Honor, were somewhat taken aback by Harbinger's exceptional acceleration.
"W-wait a second, this G2-level Uma Musume is actually this strong?"
"Such a powerful second acceleration. For the longest time, I've only seen it on historic monsters like Platinum and Secretariat."
"To think Harbinger also has that kind of potential? But I heard her physique isn't that great, not on par with Pegasus, the Big Red Monster, or Sea the Stars, right?"
"That's basically a career-ending run! To defeat Platinum, she's practically gambling with her life?!"
"If I remember correctly, this is the first time since Platinum's debut that anyone has managed to close the gap on her."
"Harbinger is going to become famous overnight! But Platinum isn't someone easily defeated!"
From ignorant casual spectators to professional Uma Musume, anticipation soared in everyone.
Could this be the start of an upset?
The meteoric flash of Harbinger? Or the ever-victorious, Silver Pegasus Platinum?
Under the convergence of countless gazes, most people couldn't help but lock their eyes back on the leading Platinum.
The current Platinum was rampantly displaying her speed!
Even though she was employing the extreme Great Escape strategy, infamous for burning out the runner, she made it look like a leisurely stroll, spreading her wings as if out for a casual flight!
But unlike usual, within her pair of amber eyes, it seemed a blazing flame of fighting spirit had ignited, declaring that the current Platinum was far from her usual lazy, casual self.
Platinum, in her leading position, could sense the surging momentum and soaring fighting spirit from behind. It was something only a true warrior could possess.
Unlike the so-called Coolmore Group that blockaded simply for victory!
This was a true, all-out, burn-everything, honorable acceleration and pursuit. That strength and resolve couldn't help but make Platinum glance sideways, her interest genuinely piqued.
Facing such an opponent, fighting seriously was the greatest respect she could offer, right?!
"An interesting opponent, Harbinger?"
"But… I won't lose!"
In the next moment, Platinum's flight advanced further, unleashing an absolute acceleration.
The beating of those dark wings on the Silver Maiden seemed to quicken!!
--+--
Platinum's speed was extremely terrifying.
However, the existence of a Pegasus was perhaps too luxurious a sight for the pack behind.
Because currently, their attention was completely captured by the second-place Harbinger.
After all, if you can't even catch second place, how can you talk about challenging the front-running Pegasus Platinum?
The current ultra-high speed from Harbinger now forced those behind to finally unleash their own final kicks, accelerating early and thoroughly. Even other G1-level Uma Musume felt despair.
"A second acceleration? Seriously, isn't she afraid of losing speed, of her body giving out?"
"So scary. I originally thought to aim for second and challenge for first, or at least set foot in the Pegasus Hall. I never expected Harbinger's true strength to be this exaggerated?"
"I'm finished!!! No, why can't I even catch up to second place even at full power?"
"Is this the speed a G2 Uma Musume should have? This is more outrageous than over a dozen G1 Uma Musume I've faced combined, and the key point… she's still a massive distance behind first-place Platinum?"
"I'm getting left in the dust by Harbinger, and Harbinger is also a massive distance behind Platinum?"
"No, when I faced Platinum in the Epsom Derby, I was only left by ten or twenty lengths. How is it now… the gap is getting even bigger?"
Numerous cries of despair continuously rose up.
Harbinger, her eyes only on the leading Pegasus ahead, ignored the sounds of all the other Uma Musume behind her and continued to stare intently at Platinum.
Unconsciously, her gaze shifted from shock, awe, disbelief, to bewilderment.
Finally, within that confused gaze, her pupils contracted sharply as she stared at the distant silhouette of the Silver Maiden.
Why?
Why, even like this, could she still not catch up to Platinum?
After unleashing her second final kick, Harbinger's pupils constricted. The side-by-side showdown she had envisioned and anticipated remained out of reach.
As the all-out chase began, as the wind on the track whipped harder with each breath!
The girl who had already passed the third turn and was striving towards the final fourth turn seemed to witness something she could hardly accept.
Ahead of Harbinger, ahead even after her second acceleration, that silver-white figure still hadn't been caught!
The gap remained at eleven, twelve lengths—a [Massive Distance]?!
In Harbinger's view, Platinum's figure wasn't getting closer; it was getting farther away!
"H-how… how is this possible…"
You have to understand, when she'd fully activated her Zone, she had brought the gap back to single-digit lengths!
At the closest point, the difference had shrunk to as little as [five lengths]! Briefly matching the absolute achievement set by Daiwa Scarlet during Platinum's debut race!
But after Platinum also activated her field, and those dark Pegasus Wings spread out behind her, that acceleration left Harbinger utterly horrified.
Thus… Harbinger gritted her teeth completely, choosing to burn everything she had, to drain every last ounce of her body's potential to unleash her own second acceleration.
Yet, under her own second acceleration, facing the [second acceleration] of a Great Escapee like Platinum, who should have inferior stamina and burst power… she was actually gradually losing ground again?
Those five lengths had unknowingly widened back into a massive distance. In the end, she couldn't even maintain Daiwa Scarlet's five-length record?
Even among second accelerations, could the gap really be this vast?
The front-running Pegasus had re-established a massive lead! It was completely, utterly unreachable!
Even though the current Harbinger had already left the third-place runner an absolute massive distance behind, Platinum ahead remained an unattainable sight.
Even… producing a feeling that made Harbinger tremble, even fear.
She suddenly felt her breath catch, a near-suffocating sensation spreading through her body.
The wide-eyed, frantic girl, Harbinger, could no longer maintain her cool, dashing demeanor. Her face was pale, bloodless, forced to helplessly watch that lightning-like, dazzling figure enter the home straight first, striding towards the final finish line.
"No… even so, I will keep running!"
But a fleeting flash of brilliance could never capture the eternally racing light!
Hope was gone!
Despair no longer existed either. What remained was transformed into admiration, into complete admiration of that Pegasus, turning into pure pursuit!
"I am Harbinger! I will honorably chase the Pegasus until the very last moment!"
The unyielding Harbinger, sustaining her fighting spirit until the end, aware of her body's exhaustion and its warnings, still drove her flying footsteps forward, continuing to run.
"Watch me! I am the Uma Musume closest to the Pegasus Platinum!!"
A meteor was chasing the Pegasus.
--+--
[Massive Distance! Platinum re-establishes a massive lead, continuing her flight down the home straight!]
[Skimming the ground as if in flight, she continues to extend her terrifyingly large leading gap.]
[The second-place Harbinger, already leading the third-place runner by an almost super massive distance, cannot gain an inch on Platinum?!]
The commentator's voice, reaching the latter half of the home straight as the race neared its end, continued to express amazement.
[Even though Harbinger at this moment shines brighter than anyone in the world expected, like a meteor streaking across the sky, her light is still partially overshadowed before the Pegasus!]
[It's not that she is weak. On the contrary, Harbinger is extremely strong! But unfortunately, she encountered Platinum!]
[That Pegasus is practically flying! The outcome is decided!]
The massive spectator stands erupted into complete, roaring cheers.
Cheers and shouts of support began like it was staged in advance.
In the eyes of countless people, they were fortunate to witness a dream-like scene.
The Silver Maiden at the very front, in the next moment…
Honorably, flew across the finish line!
[The meteorically brilliant Harbinger chases with all her might after the Pegasus Platinum under those dark wings!]
[A battle destined to be recorded in history, engraved upon the century!]
[Harbinger has already surpassed the previous race time record! She leads the third-place runner by a super massive distance of over twenty lengths!]
[But… she is only second. Platinum crosses the line first! Winning the King George VI Stakes by a massive distance of sixteen lengths over second-place Harbinger!]
[The top two finishers have both broken the historical record!]
[Any spectator fortunate enough to witness this battle live will have stories to tell friends, family, and future generations!]
As the commentator's expectant and extremely hyped voice finally faded away…
At the finish line, the Silver Maiden and the Meteor-like Harbinger crossed, one after the other.
Beyond the finish line, Harbinger didn't even have time for disappointment or dismay before seeing something in the next moment that left her utterly stunned.
From her body, shining particles began to flow out, streaming towards the location of the Pegasus Hall of Fame beyond the finish line.
This scene instantly captured the attention of the entire venue.
Even the large screen, which should have been focused on the following Uma Musume crossing the line to confirm placements… hesitated for less than a second before changing.
Namely, splitting into two scaled-down side-by-side feeds: one continuing to show the finish line, the other showing the changes happening at the Pegasus Hall of Fame.
And almost the vast majority of the audience without hesitation turned their heads to look at the right-side screen.
"Huh? The director's reaction was so quick!"
"Gwaa, this is exactly what I want to see!"
"Such an amazing Harbinger! She wasn't completely blown away by the front-running Pegasus by twenty or thirty lengths! She's definitely more deserving of entering the Pegasus Hall of Fame than someone like Fame and Glory."
"Looks like the production team thinks the same as us. They want to show the Hall of Fame, but the rules clearly state they must show the finish line, so they split the screen, right?"
"Sorry, Ms. Youmzain. This time you can't even get second. From today on, I'm a ten-year veteran Platinum fan! I absolutely have to see her Hall!"
Even though among these tens of thousands of spectators, many had come before to support other popular G1 Uma Musume, local European star Uma Musume.
But now… compared to seeing their former idols who had already lost, they wanted even more to see the Hall of Fame presided over by their current idol, the Pegasus Platinum!
And inside the Pegasus Hall!
Even though the margin Harbinger achieved wasn't as close as Daiwa Scarlet's or Mejiro Dober's few lengths or even near ten lengths.
Those particles finally settled in a relatively forward position within the Hall, even closer to the side of the Divine Maiden's silhouette on the throne.
Finally, they formed a lifelike sculpture of the young Uma Musume, Harbinger!
The pose of the sculpture captured her all-out, body-burning sprinting form.
From its front-and-back placement to its proximity to the throne, it all testified to Harbinger's excellence as an Uma Musume, that her determined fighting spirit was recognized by Platinum!
Harbinger, beyond the finish line, after coming to a stop, immediately felt the weakness in her body, the unbearable pain in her legs.
But now, she couldn't help but lift her head, gazing at her own image within the Pegasus Hall of Fame, forever etched there in such a radiant pose.
'Seems… this isn't so bad?'
Before Harbinger could reflect further, before she could sigh with emotion.
The Pegasus Platinum, who had already come to an abrupt stop long ago, strolled over to her side.
The Silver Maiden, a slight smile playing on her lips, proactively reached out her hand towards Harbinger.
"A rival that truly brings me joy!"
Platinum wasn't stingy with her praise.
Not only that, she sincerely, genuinely—not falsely—spoke her next words.
"What a spectacular race. I will probably never forget you for the rest of my life, Harbinger."
If previous times she'd said this was just formulaic consolation…
This time it wasn't just consolation; it carried recognition and praise.
After Platinum spoke these words, Harbinger's delicate face froze in surprise for a moment.
Reacting, she showed a relieved smile and quickly grasped Platinum's hand.
"Losing to a legend, losing to the future GOAT, is no disgrace."
The next second, a light flickered in Platinum's amber eyes.
Because she saw, through her advanced healing ability's insight into injuries.
[Uma Musume: Harbinger]
[Condition: Severe Injury]
…Huh? Harbinger… already severely injured? Just like that?
--+--
T/N: Bro is not twilight song
--+--
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.