A Pegasus Surpassing Eclipse, Arrives at the Dream Cup!
This scene had truly become a spectacular view amidst the sea of people, everything revolving around the figure of the silver-white maiden who had appeared.
That Pegasus, Platinum, carrying her bow case and striding forward with an overwhelming aura, her silver-white race outfit, the cape fluttering in the wind.
Amidst the countless voices focused on her, she had already become the center of worldwide attention.
Under that massive crowd, the countless surrounding spectators could no longer hold back, erupting into wave after wave of tsunami-like cheers.
"Platinum? Platinum!! It's really the Pegasus Platinum!"
"Awesome!! To think Platinum is really here, that makes it truly complete, perfect."
"If this Dream Cup had all the legendary geniuses from dirt track history, but was missing the Pegasus who surpassed Eclipse, missing the strongest dual-surface Uma Musume, it would have been a bit of a shame. But thankfully… Platinum is here!"
"Originally, I wanted to support Nearl and Man o' War, but now… I choose Platinum, she's my first love!"
"Miss Platinum is the best in the world!! Prove before the dirt track, before the Three Goddesses, that you are the strongest on turf, and the strongest on dirt too!"
The gasps, cheers, and congratulations from the audience—this was clearly happening even earlier than the so-called pre-race entrance, yet the level of fervor and excitement surpassed the finish-line moment of other international GI races!
All because… this was the mythical Dream Cup, this was the Pegasus who surpassed Eclipse!
Among the gasping crowd were also Uma Musume who had faced Platinum in the past.
'So many people…'
The young Pegasus maiden, who seemed to be strolling with effortless ease, was instead feeling a bit surprised right now.
Such a huge audience—even for Platinum, who had experienced many hard-fought battles, a career spanning over twenty races, and GI victories reaching double digits—was something she had never seen before in such an exaggerated scale.
'This must be… the most massive Uma Musume race in the entire history of the world, across all those accumulated hundreds of thousands, even millions, of races.'
'Nothing will surpass it. This is the ultimate battle!'
In Platinum's view, there was only one possibility that might not be weaker than this ultimate Dream Cup.
That would be… the next one, the third Dream Cup.
But between this first Dream Cup and the second, over a hundred years had passed.
Who knew when the next one would be?
Platinum didn't concern herself with the future; only this legendary battle right before her eyes was what she needed to fight with all her might.
"Hmm?"
The next moment, the silver-white maiden moving through the crowd, with her assassin's sharp vision, noticed a rather inconspicuous row.
It was precisely where Daiwa Scarlet, Agnes Tachyon, Manhattan Cafe, and Tokai Teio were seated.
"Long time no see."
Immediately, Platinum raised her hand and waved a greeting towards that spot, her gaze moving from Daiwa Scarlet on the far left to Agnes Tachyon and the others.
In truth, even after campaigning overseas and battling many internationally famous World Uma Musume Kings, none had left as deep an impression on Platinum as these Japanese fillies—Daiwa Scarlet, Agnes Tachyon, and the others.
After all, no matter what World Uma Musume King it was, they usually became quiet after just one confrontation.
On top of that, Platinum's race schedule was extraordinary. After her European campaign—from the Eclipse Stakes besieged by the Coolmore group, to the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes facing the undefeated Harbinger, to defeating Sea the Stars in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe…
After that, she even went from Australian short-distance sprints back to European long-distance championships!
Such an outrageous schedule, such overwhelmingly luxurious opposition in every race, combined with Platinum's legendary feat of winning every race by large margins except against Daiwa Scarlet!
This successfully silenced the proud and combative European grandes dames, the World Horse Kings. After defeat, they didn't cling to the thought of immediate revenge in the next race.
Thus, these European grandes dames basically only had one race record against her, whereas the Japanese fillies, due to the distribution of Japanese races, mostly had at least one encounter with Platinum, some even two or three confrontations.
Therefore, it was hardly surprising that Platinum had a more vivid memory of the Japanese Uma Musume.
To her, there were no rivals in her eyes, only old acquaintances; it was all in the past.
With such perspective, such spirit, she was truly worthy of the name 'Strongest Turf Uma Musume in History'.
"Long time no see, Platinum!!"
The first to show delight and return the greeting was Tokai Teio. This famously lively genius senpai was full of affection for Platinum.
Some of the other Japanese Uma Musume even felt something close to honor, as if they were personally witnessing a super-celebrity who was approachable and carried no airs.
While they were still striving to win a single Japanese GI race, the URA had already specially held [GI Turf Race: Pegasus Kinen] and [GI Dirt Race: Platinum Cup] for the Pegasus Platinum!
That gap was vast beyond measure, stretching endlessly with no end in sight.
"So strong… this body!"
"Is this really a body an Uma Musume can possess? No wonder she could achieve a 50-length victory under the ridiculous intensity of racing twice in one day."
The one who uttered this exclamation was, without a doubt, the mad Uma Musume scientist, Agnes Tachyon.
This chestnut-haired, short-haired girl was highly observant and intensely interested in researching the topic of Uma Musume speed, a famously eccentric young scientist even within Tracen Academy.
Agnes Tachyon wasn't a particularly high-EQ Uma Musume; she never gave excessive praise just because she was on good terms with other Uma Musume.
Precisely because of this, her praise carried more weight.
Coming from a fellow Uma Musume, and because Agnes Tachyon herself had conducted in-depth research into Uma Musume, speed, and related areas that others hadn't.
"Eh—?!"
But in the next second, a flash of surprise crossed Agnes Tachyon's face.
Then, the chestnut-haired girl's pupils constricted sharply, and the corners of her mouth curled up almost manically, as if she had thought of or guessed some earth-shattering fact.
Agnes Tachyon's gaze was firmly locked onto Platinum's body, moving [from top to bottom], cycling repeatedly several times.
"Wh-what's wrong? Tachyon-senpai."
Daiwa Scarlet, beside her, immediately looked puzzled.
The Scarlet Queen, Daiwa Scarlet, idolized Agnes Tachyon.
This Agnes Tachyon, who often holed up intensely in her lab, the young scientist would frequently distribute potions with dubious, hard-to-explain, and very strange effects to the outside world.
But whenever she gave one to Daiwa Scarlet, it was often a potion with positive benefits like restoring stamina or healing the body. One could say she was quite friendly towards Daiwa Scarlet.
And Daiwa Scarlet could sense that Agnes Tachyon's attitude towards her leaned more towards that of an elder sister caring for a younger sister or kouhai.
But Agnes Tachyon's greater attention wasn't on her—it was on Platinum!
While other Japanese Uma Musume either shied away from Platinum in fear or worshipped her, Agnes Tachyon was different. She didn't fall into either category, but rather… was in "love"!
Agnes Tachyon's feelings for Platinum could be described as [profound love], a love so deep she would never miss a single second of any of Platinum's races, reaching a degree of "obsession."
For every race during Platinum's overseas campaign in Europe and America, Agnes Tachyon never missed the live broadcast!
Furthermore, for every single race since Platinum's debut, Agnes Tachyon had managed to acquire recordings of Platinum's run from numerous different angles through various channels.
Races always have several, even dozens, of camera angles.
The directors in the control room sift through dozens of shots, selecting the most visually appealing ones, those that best cover the entire field or the key contenders, to become the footage shown on the main broadcast screen.
After all, the race officials need to consider the audience and prioritize watchability.
But Agnes Tachyon didn't care about other Uma Musume, only Platinum. So, after every one of Platinum's races, Agnes Tachyon would rack her brains to obtain all the unused footage involving Platinum.
She also wouldn't let slip any recordings of Platinum's races shot from audience or fan perspectives!
Agnes Tachyon was constantly researching Platinum. The intensity of her research was almost frightening. One could even say she understood Platinum better than a certain black-hearted young doctor, better than Platinum herself!
After all—Agnes Tachyon, she herself had set foot on the racetrack purely for the research she adored. That was her true obsession. Racing came second.
And Platinum, in Agnes Tachyon's eyes, represented the potential peak of an Uma Musume's speed—an indispensable subject for her research direction.
That's why Daiwa Scarlet was so astonished. Right after praising Miss Pegasus, why did Agnes Tachyon suddenly freeze up and show such a strange reaction?
It was as though… something had occurred with Platinum, something far beyond what Agnes Tachyon had anticipated.
"Platinum!"
Agnes Tachyon didn't turn to explain to Daiwa Scarlet. Her eyes were gleaming with a peculiar light, as if she were beholding some unparalleled treasure, afraid to miss even the smallest detail about Platinum.
"You've gotten stronger since the Breeders' Cup, haven't you?!"
"Did you improve over these past two weeks, or is it… [Future Self]?"
The chestnut-haired scientist called out to Platinum.
Her voice reached the other Japanese Uma Musume around them, but it was quickly swallowed by the massive, bustling crowd.
Most of the invitations extended to the twenty-plus participating Uma Musume had been made public, confirming their participation and race schedules to the outside world.
Naturally, people online had scrutinized the invitation details, boldly speculating about the possibility of summoning a "Future Self" of certain Uma Musume.
But those theories were largely dismissed, considered by the public as little more than [apocryphal tales] from history—the chances of them being real were slim to none.
—After all, to qualify for the Dream Cup invitations, one had to rank among the top twenty-something in dirt track history.
How could anyone who had already reached such heights become even stronger in the future? Only active legends who had received invitations—true monsters—had even the slightest chance.
Looking at it that way, only four met the active requirement: Secretariat, Flightline, Nearl, and Platinum.
Older Uma Musume were even less likely to keep improving, which immediately ruled out three of them, leaving only [The Radiant Knight · Nearl]!
Thus, after heated discussions, the consensus was that Future Self Uma Musume probably didn't exist, but if they did… it would most likely be The Radiant Knight alone.
And now, Agnes Tachyon had keenly picked up on something, boldly voicing her speculation and pressing Platinum for an answer.
But between the incredibly noisy crowd and the fact she'd spoken in Japanese, almost no one else paid it any mind.
Platinum, however, with her exceptional hearing and her attention already focused in that direction, just barely caught Agnes Tachyon's question.
The next moment, Platinum's steps halted. She gazed at Agnes Tachyon, a rival she had faced more than once on the track.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, surrounded by fans who had parted to make way for her, the sudden pause in the Pegasus's stride immediately drew bewildered and curious murmurs from the countless spectators.
"Huh? Why did Miss Platinum stop?"
"She's looking at… Uma Musume? Are those Japanese Uma Musume?"
"What is Miss Pegasus going to say?"
Platinum remembered this eccentric scientist Uma Musume well—the former Phantom Triple Crown winner, hailed as the "Superliminal Princess." A mad scientist on the track.
They were old acquaintances. She wouldn't simply ignore her.
A faint smile touched Platinum's lips, as if she'd thought of something. She didn't respond with words. Instead… she raised a single index finger and placed it before her cherry-colored lips.
To anyone watching, it was unmistakably a [silence] gesture.
Without a doubt, most would interpret it as either a call for [silence] or a [shush].
The former would be telling the other person to shut up and be quiet. The latter, outright dismissal.
Either way, it could easily be seen as a provocation.
So, the spectators who noticed this were all taken aback.
Even the group of Japanese fillies with Agnes Tachyon were stunned for a moment, slow to react.
Even Daiwa Scarlet was frozen. Her first thought was, had Platinum taken offense at the question? Was she angry?
But soon, Daiwa Scarlet, along with countless other Platinum fans, dismissed the idea in their hearts.
The reason was simple. During the first year of Platinum's career, after achieving the Irregular Quadruple Crown with absolute dominance, an incident had occurred.
It was something fans still spoke fondly of to this day: the URA Annual Awards. The URA had tried to pressure Platinum into staying in Japan, and in response, Platinum, live on worldwide broadcast, delivered what would become a legendary line:
—"The URA has no right to crown me!"
After Platinum left Japan to compete in Dubai, the next GI race organized by the URA, the Osaka Cup, saw its popularity plummet, recording the lowest viewership since its promotion to GI status.
The contrast with the popularity of Platinum's previous race in Japan and the Dubai race she was currently in was stark.
And in the end, the result was that Platinum forgave the URA, who came crawling back on their knees, and returned for the Takarazuka Kinen! She single-handedly saved the struggling Japanese racing authority from disaster.
Almost no one in the world believed that the esteemed Platinum would forgive the URA simply because the prize money for the next Takarazuka Kinen had been significantly increased.
Even the URA internally thought so!
How could the revered Pegasus, the assassin who hunted all, be a vulgar Uma Musume swayed by mere money?
Therefore, it could only be because Platinum possessed a truly magnanimous character, responding to the expectations of the masses and returning with grace! This had become the accepted truth.
Such a dignified, imposing Pegasus—how could she possibly lose her composure or get angry over a question from Agnes Tachyon?
The image of a certain Platinum had become far too glorious! Gradually [deified], like a solar eclipse!
"I see…"
The next second, a near-mad grin spread across Agnes Tachyon's face.
It was as if she'd remembered something, her eyes fixed on the silver-haired maiden who, having lowered her finger without a word, now turned and entered the Dream Cup arena.
Beside her, Daiwa Scarlet and Tokai Teio grew restless. They both turned to Agnes Tachyon, hoping for an explanation.
Even the usually silent, ghost-like Manhattan Cafe watched with curiosity, wanting to know what answer Agnes Tachyon had deduced.
"Before a race once, when another Uma Musume tried to provoke her pre-race, Platinum responded… exactly like this. She raised a single finger, signaling a shush."
Agnes Tachyon didn't hold back, explaining directly.
"And then she whispered—'The future is yours.'"
"After that, she effortlessly crushed her opponent by a massive margin. And in the following race, she grew even stronger, far from her peak."
The future!
Did it belong to her opponent? No, it belonged to Platinum!
Clearly, this was Platinum's hint—an admission, in a way.
This explanation made the group of Japanese fillies, who held Platinum in such high esteem, widen their eyes in disbelief.
"S-so… that means… [Future Self] will really appear in the Dream Cup?"
"And it's not the Dirt Pegasus everyone predicted, not The Radiant Knight Nearl!"
"Platinum… is also a Future Self!!"
"How can an Uma Musume, after becoming the strongest in history, still not have reached her peak?"
--+--
Dream Cup, inside the racecourse.
The silver-haired maiden stepped skillfully into the backstage area.
As she entered, waves of startled exclamations immediately arose.
"Huh? Huh?!"
"I-Is it really her? Did she really come?"
"Even many Uma Musume worthy of the American Hall of Fame didn't qualify. And Miss Pegasus, who's only run two dirt races… actually made it?"
As Platinum's gaze swept the room, she quickly took in the surrounding Uma Musume.
Many of them were figures she recognized from the books on Uma Musume history and introductions she'd flipped through.
Seattle Slew, the first Undefeated Triple Crown winner in American dirt racing history! One of only two Undefeated Triple Crown winners! An absolute monster who, like The Radiant Knight, conquered a hellish schedule!
Northern Dancer, winner of two American classics, a dual Hall of Fame legend enshrined in both the United States and Canadian Halls of Fame.
A rare, prodigious talent, not American-born, yet who dominated the dirt tracks, crowned as [Canada's National Treasure].
And even Seabiscuit, an executive of the American racing authorities and a super idol adored and worshipped by nearly all dirt-track Uma Musume, had also slipped into her shimmering, azure-blue race outfit and was sitting to the side, a smile playing on her lips.
The one long hailed as the strongest of all time, the first-generation Big Red Monster, that peerless queen-like, crimson-talented and towering Man o' War, remained silent, her gaze firmly locked onto Platinum.
Besides them, there were other prodigies like Flightline and Secretariat.
And now, a number of these legendary, historically renowned super Uma Musume were showing considerable interest, all because Platinum had arrived.
Now, Platinum, who had swept the turf and dominated the dirt, wasn't just competing in the same race as these super seniors—in terms of status, she stood above most of these powerful figures!
The summit of dirt racing was within reach, with only this one race left to conquer!
Seabiscuit clapped her hands once, her usual elegance replaced by a long-absent fighting spirit.
"Platinum, to think you really reached the Dream Cup with just two races. It's truly unheard of."
"Well then… let's have a good race!"
Though the backstage wasn't particularly dark, the eyes of these peerless, historically famed Uma Musume gleamed with intimidating light, full of imposing pressure, locked onto either Platinum or a certain corner.
And in that corner.
The figure seated there was dazzling, no less than the first-generation Big Red Monster Man o' War or the second-generation Big Red Monster Secretariat. It was a golden-hued young knight, a Pegasus.
Margaret Nearl, the renowned Radiant Knight, calmly shifted her gaze, looking towards [the other her].
Pegasus and Pegasus!
But what the outside world didn't know was that this was also… a battle between Kuranta and Kuranta!
The assassin of the Armorless Union and the knight of the Nearl family began their peak Dream Cup showdown, their [Future Selves] clashing!!
--+--
A short while later.
Inside the Dream Cup racetrack.
The vast arena, beyond ordinary imagination, was now filled with a truly uncountable number of seated spectators.
After all, the predecessor of this fantastical Dream Cup venue was the famed [Belmont Park] in the United States, renowned for hosting both the prestigious Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes.
Built upon that foundation, this super event prepared for Uma Musume racing enthusiasts worldwide was even more spectacular and grand, achieving a level of sacred, majestic, and magnificent splendor akin to a temple.
The seated spectators were exhilarated, constantly chatting and exclaiming in awe.
Even the prodigious Japanese Uma Musume present couldn't help but sit up straight, awestruck by the vast, dreamlike venue and the many Uma Musume backstage being featured in close-ups on the large live broadcast screens.
"Man o' War! A name that's been in the textbooks since forever."
"Seabiscuit? She's the super idol beloved by all dirt racing fans. So many fans were disappointed when she retired from racing and joined the American racing authorities."
"It's not just Man o' War, there's… Secretariat! A legendary meeting of the two generations of Big Reds!"
"But what's even more stunning than the two Big Reds, in my opinion, is the encounter between the turf Pegasus Platinum and the dirt Pegasus Nearl."
"Right, because… while one of the two Big Reds will likely cement the title of 'Greatest of All Time,' these two Pegasi might produce two GOATs!"
Obviously, the world's ultimate [GOAT] titles are only two.
The turf GOAT had already been seized by Platinum.
Now, the dirt GOAT was being contested by Man o' War, Secretariat, Nearl, and Platinum.
The two Big Reds could, at most, claim one GOAT title between them. But the two Pegasi potentially had the power to dominate and secure both GOAT titles!
So, from the perspective of many spectators, on average, the Pegasi might genuinely be greater than the Big Reds!
Even if Man o' War or Secretariat wins this race, permanently solidifying their name as the strongest on dirt, it would still be [1:1]—a perfect tie.
But that condition is... the winner of this race must be Man o' War or Secretariat!
Among the crowd.
There were quite a few Uma Musume who hadn't qualified to compete but still held formidable reputations in American horse racing.
Sham, the prodigy who lost three times to the Big Red Monster but led Secretariat in launching a night raid, looked up with keen interest towards a specific spot.
That was… the commentator's booth.
"R-right."
"Why is the commentator's booth in this racetrack empty? Where are the official American race commentators?"
Sham wasn't the only one who noticed this peculiar situation.
Elsewhere in the stands, Ruffian had also picked up on this anomaly.
Typically, commentators are arranged by the organizing racing authority—either two professional commentators, or sometimes a popular guest commentator added to the mix.
But the organizer of this race was—the Three Goddesses!
There were no professional commentators present; it wasn't handled by the American racing authorities. Yet, the commentator's booth was still set up within this temporarily elevated racetrack.
So, who would the Three Goddesses assign to commentate this Dream Cup?
Under the curious gaze of many, the time until the entry ceremony ticked down, steady and relentless like raindrops falling from a rooftop in a night rain.
Finally——!!
On the commentator's platform, a shower of light materialized, coalescing under fantastical, sublime conditions into the form of a young girl. Her features were blurred, yet her equine ears and tail as an Uma Musume were clearly visible.
Her appearance bore a striking resemblance to certain rare manifestations of the Goddesses.
An ethereal, yet profoundly authoritative young female voice was projected by this spectral, indistinct young Uma Musume.
"This edition of the [Dream Cup] is run over 2400 meters on dirt."
"First to enter, competitor number one, Margaret Nearl."
There were no lengthy introductions or speeches, just a clean, concise announcement of the entry.
Under the stunned, astonished eyes of countless spectators, the ethereal, blurred young Uma Musume added one final piece of information.
"This race will be commentated by me, [Eclipse]. I look forward to the match."
Instantly, the world trembled!
The commentator, her name was… Eclipse!!
—The champion of the very first Dream Cup, an ancient myth from a century ago, was here in person at the racetrack!
--+--
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.