Nearl chose to accelerate and charge ahead!
The safest strategy of securing second place and contending for first was never an option for Nearl. To overcome all formidable foes and seize ultimate victory—this was the path the Radiant Knight had chosen.
No matter the world, no matter the opponent, this was Nearl's unwavering principle.
"Like this... all the way to the finish line!"
Once the decision was made!
Nearl's fearless stance radiated an unstoppable momentum.
Her powerful legs pounded the soft, demanding dirt track, sending sprays of mud flying. In the next moment, both Man o' War and Nearl set foot on the slope at the same time.
Nearl had already shifted into a higher gear, transforming into a force that soared above all! Facing the powerful rival at her side and the short, steep slope ahead, she chose to meet the challenge head-on!
The intensity of her aura, swelling and now no less formidable than Man o' War's domain, suddenly surged past the legendary rival.
In an instant, Man o' War felt a jolt of alarm and a flicker of stunned disbelief—the Big Red Monster had caught the scent of something extraordinary.
The very next moment, the golden-haired maiden knight on the inner track beside Man o' War leaned forward, adopting the signature posture of a Uma Musume renowned for her explosive final kick!
The patch of dirt where the Radiant Knight had stepped was visibly and distinctly depressed, a clear testament to her extraordinary power.
Thus, she unleashed a common-sense-defying [Slope Acceleration]!
But one must remember—this was the slope after the first turn!
It was still the early stage, far too soon for such a move. The ground was soft and draining, not the firm, energy-saving inner track. It was even a short slope, both steep and abrupt!
By any measure, this had nothing to do with conventional race strategy. It was an act that shattered all common sense.
The proud and powerful crimson-haired beauty narrowed her eyes slightly. Yet her wariness, along with her blazing, intensely burning fighting spirit, only grew stronger.
Having decided from the start to lead from the front and never yield, even if her opponent was the dirt-track Pegasus Nearl, Man o' War had no intention of giving an inch.
In her eyes, this was her most fearsome rival—the one who had even defeated her brilliant successor, the second-generation Big Red Monster, Secretariat!
If Nearl were allowed to seize the lead and unleash her dreaded Acceleration, if the Radiant Knight entered that state of certain victory, then Man o' War, sharing the inner track, would see her chances of winning inevitably diminish.
In a split second, Man o' War's eyes turned cold and sharp as lightning, her crimson hair streaming wildly. Her long robe fluttered dramatically as she charged up the slope. This Big Red Monster, without a moment's hesitation, chose... to match the pace!
Accelerating on a slope instead of slowing down?
That was something only the mediocre couldn't achieve, but—!
"I am Man o' War!"
"If Nearl can do it, so can I!"
Man o' War would sustain this duel with Nearl until one of them was utterly defeated, or until the finish line.
The fight to the death continued!
--+--
[Incredible! That short, steep slope, often a major obstacle disrupting the rhythm of all Uma Musume in the race, failed to halt the Radiant Knight and the original Big Red Monster.]
[They, running side-by-side in first place, have initiated a forbidden acceleration on the slope. The duel rages on!]
[Transcending common sense, breaking all conventions! For the two strongest, it seems merely a question of whether they wish to do it!]
Eclipse's booming voice spread across the Dream Cup stands, packed with countless spectators.
And at this very moment, Uma Musume and audiences from all over the world were watching the live broadcast on televisions, phones, and computers.
Countless gazes converged simultaneously on the two figures battling for supremacy at the front as they tackled the slope.
Behind Nearl, Flightline and Secretariat felt not a shred of surprise. They wouldn't be startled in the least by Nearl's leading Great Escape.
After all... in this Dream Cup, only the two of them had actual experience facing Nearl.
The other participating Uma Musume, like Northern Dancer and the other monster predecessors, had retired who knows how long ago. Even if they had studied Nearl, they lacked any real combat experience against her.
"Nearl indeed wouldn't pass up the lead."
"Even from an outer gate, she could easily take first and launch an unbelievable front-run."
"Let alone... this time, Nearl's starting gate position is the most inner, most suitable for a frontrunner in her entire career!"
Having anticipated this, Secretariat chose to watch from the sidelines, letting the two titans clash.
Her eyes were locked onto the sprinting figure of the golden-haired maiden ahead, observing the pair of majestic and pure white light-wings fluttering behind her.
"Surely, even Senior Man o' War cannot overtake Nearl before the final straight."
By the same token, Nearl probably couldn't escape Man o' War's clutches either, right?
These two, being of the same caliber, were destined to fight to the death until the very end. And that would be her chance to strike and overtake them both!
Beside Secretariat stood another tall, curvaceous, and imposing young woman, though she appeared somewhat more delicate compared to Secretariat.
Flightline, also a legendary monster renowned worldwide for her front-running style, possessed strength that spoke for itself.
The outside world acknowledged that even in the Dream Cup, which gathered the strongest dirt-track Uma Musume, Flightline had a solid chance of finishing in the top ten and could potentially pose a threat to the championship.
But Flightline was far from satisfied with such an evaluation. Like Northern Dancer, she aimed for more. She hadn't come here for a mere top-ten placing.
Burning with an equally intense fighting spirit, Flightline currently held seventh position, trailing Secretariat, Northern Dancer, and the far-outside Platinum by one or two lengths.
In a way, Flightline could confidently call herself the Uma Musume who "understands Nearl best."
Why?
Because... she had lost to Nearl the most times!
Admittedly, there were other Uma Musume from the same generation, like Sunday Silence and the third-generation Big Red Monster, Easy Goer, who had lost to Nearl two or three times during the U.S. Triple Crown races—a considerable number.
And both Sunday Silence and Easy Goer possessed historic levels of talent. In any other ordinary generation, they would have been strong contenders for at least two, if not all three, crowns.
But because they had the misfortune of clashing with Nearl, they ended up empty-handed in the classics. How could they possibly qualify for the Dream Cup?
One could say that despite being as excellent as Sunday Silence and Easy Goer, they had now lost even the qualification to challenge the Radiant Knight, Nearl.
They could only watch from the spectator stands, looking up at the dazzling figure of the knightly maiden charging forward.
And Flightline had no desire to repeat the fate of those younger fillies defeated by Nearl. She had an inexplicable, hard-to-articulate premonition: if she lost this Dream Cup, she would end up just like Sunday Silence and the others, never getting another chance to face Nearl again.
It was as if... after this, Nearl might retire, just like Platinum?
"Whether this is Nearl's final race or not, I must treat it as my last chance to face her. I cannot show the slightest slack, not even the smallest opening."
"Nearl, fighting so fiercely against Man o' War, might just end up in a mutually destructive clash!"
The extremely perceptive Flightline also saw the duel between Man o' War and Secretariat as the potential [Turning Point] of the Dream Cup!
Almost the entire world, including the spectators and the vast majority of the participating Uma Musume gathered for this unprecedented peak dirt-track battle, believed the most likely winners were the Radiant Knight and the two generations of Big Red Monsters.
The reason it was the 'vast majority' was that there were exceptions—individuals who denied that very notion.
Namely—Nearl herself, and another covetous presence: the great Platinum!
On the short, steep slope, gold and red seemed to intertwine, painting a breathtaking scene on this captivating [canvas].
The two Uma Musume, both worthy of the title [Strongest of the Strongest], fully displayed their utterly unyielding stances.
"Accelerating even while climbing?"
"Truly, her reputation is well-deserved. To be able to cross paths with such a powerful rival is fortunate."
The gallant golden-haired maiden clad in knightly armor, her cool and handsome yet exquisitely beautiful face, showed an intensely serious expression.
The moment of ascending the slope was undoubtedly a critical point in the race.
In numerous past GI international races, there was more than one or two instances where an Uma Musume gained an advantage precisely on an uphill or downhill section, then expanded that advantage in the subsequent curve or straightaway, solidifying her victory!
Margaret Nearl's crimson eyes shifted from Man o' War at her side to the crest of the slope ahead.
Nearl could keenly feel the extraordinary power of the original Big Red Monster beside her—a power surpassing that of ordinary Triple Crown winners, even legendary ones.
Whether it was strength, explosiveness, or stamina, Man o' War was exceptionally outstanding.
And in terms of aura intensity, domain, and even domain skills, she stood at the very pinnacle of Uma Musume. This was a level beyond any of the numerous veteran rivals Nearl had faced and defeated since her debut!
[(Big Red Monster): Judges the average strength of all Uma Musume in the race. The stronger the competition, the greater the boost to fighting spirit, stamina recovery, and speed...]
One of Man o' War's domain skills was shining brilliantly in this Dream Cup, which gathered the most outstanding dirt-track Uma Musume in history.
The exceptionally high average strength of the field in the "Dream Cup" provided Man o' War with a boost beyond her own imagination, reaching unprecedented levels.
As a result, the power Man o' War displayed could truly be described as... an all-rounder, a complete warrior!
Coupled with her perfect gate start acceleration, inner track position, and the super-standard enhancement from her unique domain skill, the Man o' War of this moment surpassed even her legendary peak form!
Facing an opponent of this caliber pushed Nearl's fighting spirit to its zenith. Fully aware of her rival's strength and the slope's importance, she had never shied away from a challenger or yielded the lead in any past race.
This time, in the final battle of the Dream Cup, would be no different!
"Come, Senior Man o' War!"
"After this slope, there can be only one [Leader]!"
Suddenly, the golden-haired maiden Nearl felt the large, beating heart in her chest stimulated to its limit.
The notion of compromise—conserving stamina and letting the legendary senior Man o' War charge ahead—never once crossed Nearl's mind.
To the Radiant Knight, compromise was just another word for defeat!
In the very next instant, having just set foot on the slope, she fearlessly unleashed the true might of her perpetual domain!
--+--
[(Unleashed Wrath): Slightly drains stamina and slightly reduces speed of Uma Musume with weaker aura...]
[(Speed Shooter): The closer she gets to the Uma Musume ahead, the greater the speed increase. When no Uma Musume is ahead...]
[(Knight Killer): The more Uma Musume she cumulatively overtakes, the greater the speed increase. When no Uma Musume is ahead...]
[(O Sun, Please Nod for Me): When the racecourse is bathed in sunlight...]
--+--
Her already immensely powerful aura surged higher and higher, instantly reaching a terrifying level that suppressed even the top-tier domains of Secretariat and Man o' War.
Even the golden-haired maiden's rival beside her, Man o' War, felt her pupils contract, a flash of stunned disbelief passing through her eyes.
In the next instant, Nearl's sprint erupted with astonishing explosiveness and raw power—her strides visibly quickened as she charged up the slope!
In the blink of an eye, even the overwhelmingly powerful Man o' War at her side began to fall behind, her form shrinking bit by bit.
Then, without even a moment to react, that minuscule nose difference… widened into a gap the entire audience could clearly see—a full neck's length!
A whole head apart!
How could this be?!
If it were any other Uma Musume in another race, pulling off a second acceleration wouldn't have fazed Man o' War.
Even a third burst of speed might only earn a brief glance from the legend.
After all, with proper stamina management, even legendary Uma Musume could manage two—or even three—bursts of acceleration.
'Right out of the gate, I activated my Domain, along with some Domain skills.'
'Even so, I couldn't widen the gap between Nearl and myself. She must have tapped into her own reserves and activated her first acceleration too.'
'But why… why would she unleash her second acceleration here, on this slope right after the first turn, not even halfway through the race?'
But this—this timing, this pacing—had nothing to do with being "reasonable"!
Ever since entering the venue, Man o' War had studied the course: a sharp uphill right after the first turn, another slope before the fourth turn, both up and down.
With three distinct slopes of varying incline, the track tested an Uma Musume's raw strength and timing to the extreme. The short final stretch only heightened the importance of a last-second spurt.
That's why Man o' War, Domain active from the start, was caught completely off guard.
Who would accelerate this early on a slope? And not just a normal increase in pace—this was a full Domain-powered burst, as if she had no concern for the slopes to come, or whether she'd have enough stamina and strength left for the final sprint!
What none of the Uma Musume on the field knew…
…was that the Radiant Knight blazing up that slope had indeed activated her Domain right out of the gate.
But that was all—just her Domain. No Domain skills yet!
Nearl's unique perpetual Domain, "Flaming Sun's Obeisance," provided a substantial boost on its own—one that lasted.
And that wasn't all.
Having undergone Maturation, Nearl—a Kuranta who'd completed that transformation—also possessed the unique Pegasus light-wings, granting her further special enhancements.
So Nearl had easily executed her first acceleration. Relying solely on her Domain's perpetual passive and the enhancement from her wings, the Radiant Knight raced head-to-head against Man o' War, who was already burning extra stamina with partial Domain skills.
And now, ascending the slope, Nearl was no longer satisfied. For the first time, she activated her proud Domain skill—unleashing a true second acceleration!
The impact was immense. Not only was Man o' War, racing beside her, stunned—even those closely watching from behind, like Secretariat, Seabiscuit, and Northern Dancer, were shaken at the very same moment.
"Kgh… Nearl, a second acceleration already? We're not even halfway!"
"Nearl, have you gone even crazier in the Dream Cup?!"
"How will Senior Man o' War respond? No matter what, I should accelerate earlier. I can't let the gap grow too wide."
"Is the physical gap between me and the strongest Uma Musume in history… really this vast? I refuse to believe it!"
Only now, in the Dream Cup, had Nearl finally used her Domain skill for the first time.
Suddenly, under the gaze of the trailing pack, with Man o' War stiffening beside her, feeling the terrifying speed of the Pegasus accelerating next to her…the neck-length difference stretched into half a body length!
Nearl, first to clear the short slope, no longer running side-by-side but alone in front, began to set the pace toward the second turn.
A golden radiance, constantly accelerating, seemed ready to vanish into the distance! The legendary Man o' War, chasing relentlessly, felt her expression freeze—fully experiencing the overwhelming pressure faced by the second and third Big Red Monsters.
"This…"
Just on the short slope, where power was tested most, Nearl had overtaken her, seizing a seemingly small half-body lead.
If Nearl were allowed to continue her Great Escape pace on the flat and the downhill to follow… just how wide would that gap become?
Man o' War didn't dwell on it. Gritting her teeth, she lifted her head high, pride intact, without a trace of fear.
"Isn't this the ultimate rival I've been searching for all this time?"
"Right here, right now, I can't back down an inch. I must defeat the Radiant Knight fair and square—and announce my return!"
Burning with fierce, proud fighting spirit, restored to her peak in the Dream Cup, and empowered by her superb Domain skills, Man o' War unleashed her full, ultimate power!
She would prove to that victory-or-death-seeking Pegasus that her own resolve and fighting spirit were no less intense!
The former strongest dirt-track Uma Musume, known as Man o' War—her majestic, mountain-like frame exuded an aura both immense and domineering, yet sharp as a blade's edge—transformed into a tornado sweeping through the Dream Cup!
The Uma Musume acknowledged as capable of rivaling the Pegasus, with the potential to win the Dream Cup, to surpass Nearl and ascend as the next Eclipse—it had to be her!
In an instant, Man o' War activated her Domain skill for the second time. Her speed climbed once more, crushing everything in its path, easily suppressing numerous Domains beyond the "Pegasus Vision."
That acceleration!
That determination!
That Domain!
It all proclaimed: this was the super monarch of dirt racing, the world's overlord! Even returning to this era, she remained the undisputed overlord!
The burst of speed Man o' War displayed in that moment was so swift, so fierce, it shocked the world.
This was… Man o' War, fully yielding to her instinct to chase victory, sparing no cost to challenge and defeat Nearl, reaching another peak surpassing even her past hard-fought races!
In Man o' War's eyes, Nearl's thirst for victory in this Dream Cup, her soaring will to defeat every Uma Musume here, must be terrifying. She, too, was accelerating with the resolve to stake everything.
"Fight me with all you have, Nearl!"
"Don't think you can shake me off that easily! I returned to my best form, came here, just for this—to face you!"
"Nearl! Our duel will be etched into history—not just dirt track history, but the history of all competitions!"
Without the slightest hesitation!
--+--
[(Crimson Summit): Locks onto one Uma Musume. The closer the distance to the target, the more fighting spirit intensifies and speed gradually increases.]
[(Unending Fury): Slightly increases endurance, speed, and physical strength. When in the first half of the race…]
[(Eternal Fighting Spirit): Aura intensity…]
[(Fighting Soul Awakening): …]
--+--
Her cool, proud crimson figure, tall and sleek, charged forward with dashing grace. Her overwhelmingly powerful Domain seemed capable of surpassing nearly every Uma Musume.
With an absolute, domineering record—an undefeated career—the champion Man o' War had now activated Domain skills twice. Their quantity and quality were both terrifying!
Coupled with Man o' War's near-perfect, all-around physical prowess… the shockwave of her power instantly surpassed the imagination of countless professional Uma Musume on the track and in the stands.
Across the vast field, most Uma Musume were already falling far behind the golden-haired knight. By the point after the first turn, the lead had stretched to three lengths… and was still growing.
Only Man o' War, now going all out with her Domain, charging ahead recklessly, could avoid being left behind at this critical moment!
Man o' War transformed here, executing a second acceleration within a Great Escape, moving even faster than the Domain-activated Uma Musume behind her.
That resolve, that soaring spirit, that hope—instantly fused into the blazing combat will driving Man o' War's desperate sprint.
Just as Nearl, after cresting the slope, opened a three-length gap on everyone else and reached a full one-length lead over Man o' War… Man o' War's own high-speed charge finally managed to avoid being dropped!
The mortal struggle seemed to stretch on.
Unnoticed, the Big Red Monster Man o' War had shifted from her initial calm, patrolling her territory like a proud lion, accelerating out of the gate to lead and dominate at will. But now…
Even someone as exceptional as Man o' War was stretched taut like a bowstring at its limit—ferocious and fearsome, yet possessing a strange "fragility"—as if this string could either shatter the legend of her opponent… or snap itself!
Only these top two monsters maintained the magnificent scene of an unchanging gap. Behind them, even the third-place Secretariat was gradually falling back!
But in the far outside lane, a position almost no one noticed…
A silver shimmer, worthy of matching the brilliant golden light on the innermost lane and at the front… began to flash on the outside.
[It's a second acceleration!! And even more astonishing—not after the halfway point, nor on the final stretch!]
[While climbing the slope, the Radiant Knight Nearl didn't slow—instead, she broke the taboo and accelerated on the incline, overtaking Man o' War!]
[Unwilling to remain second, Man o' War also unleashed her second acceleration!]
[But—!! No matter how fast Man o' War runs, that seemingly close single length has become an "Impassable Wall" blocking her advance!]
[Approaching the second turn, Man o' War hasn't managed to retake the lead—she hasn't even closed the gap?!]
The voice of Eclipse grew increasingly excited, mirroring the Dream Cup's rising intensity.
The stands on both sides erupted into a frenzy. Spectators from various countries, even without understanding each other's languages, could feel the excitement radiating from those around them!
In a flash, the leading Nearl was already approaching the second turn.
In second place, Man o' War!
That extreme one-length gap felt like an eternally unreachable finish line, forcing the original Big Red Monster to grit her silver teeth.
Not a trace of ease remained—even her face flushed red with effort.
Her gaze locked intensely on Nearl, being left behind by the dirt-track Pegasus with spread light-wings, flying low to the ground. What Man o' War's eyes failed to notice…
…was the silver-haired maiden in light knight's armor, now neck-and-neck with the accelerating Secretariat, then pushing a head forward, revealing an even more terrifying surge of speed.
A streak like a burning meteor, instantly assuming extreme velocity, overtook Secretariat and broke into Man o' War's peripheral vision.
"Time to accelerate."
The silver-white young Pegasus glanced at Man o' War on the inside lane, then looked further ahead at Nearl.
"Too rigid, and you break."
In Platinum's view, this principle applied to most Uma Musume—Man o' War included.
That refusal to yield even an inch, that sole focus on overtaking Nearl—pushing acceleration to the limit without the foundation to sustain it—would lead to collapse sooner or later.
All she had to do was wait. Maybe around the third turn, maybe on the slope before the final stretch, Man o' War would struggle to maintain her extreme pace. Surging past on the outside in the homestretch would then be effortless.
But that was too slow. Platinum never waited that long to accelerate—who knew how many lengths Nearl might have opened up by then?
But Platinum didn't want to wait. Her target… was also the other Pegasus—Nearl!
--+--
[(Speed Shooter): The closer to the Uma Musume ahead, the greater the speed increase. When no Uma Musume is ahead, slightly reduces subsequent stamina consumption.]
[(Knight Killer): The more Uma Musume cumulatively overtaken, the greater the speed increase. When no Uma Musume is ahead, slightly restores own stamina.]
[(Blazing Dawn): …]
[(Eternal Hunt): …]
[(Overdrive Mode): …]
--+--
Having made her decision, Platinum waited no longer!
Following her perpetual Domain, Platinum activated her Domain skills—ready to shoot the final arrow from her quiver!
The grass-track Pegasus on the outside lane displayed acceleration worthy of the title "Platinum Rank"—even on dirt!!
--+--
On the second turn.
'Why does Nearl's stamina, her power… seem like it hasn't reached its limit?!'
'This kind of adaptability!!'
'Not only that, but there's also her overwhelmingly powerful domain, one that shows not even a trace of [decay] since it was activated…'
Man o' War gritted her teeth, sensing the dire signals her own body was sending.
Yet Nearl ahead—she simply couldn't close that nearly hopeless one-length gap!
Unwilling to accept it, Man o' War refused to yield! She refused to believe her chances of victory were a complete "0"!
But in an instant, Man o' War's pupils abruptly contracted, as if she'd witnessed something unbelievable...
It was a silver [light]! It had already flooded her field of vision!!
A dazzling, majestic silver figure, shining from the far outside, instantly arrived right beside her!!
The far outside—the extremely taxing path—the one who'd had her domain active for so long, Platinum, was here!!!
Man o' War, who had already been overtaken by the dirt-track Pegasus Nearl, now found herself surpassed again right after the second turn! In the next second, right before Man o' War's stunned, unwilling eyes... she was blown past in an instant!
It was a figure utterly familiar to audiences worldwide, yet a stranger to the dirt—a Pegasus of the turf, with minimal dirt racing experience, largely overlooked by most Uma Musume in this Dream Cup.
The Turf Pegasus, Platinum!
With an attitude of reigning supreme, she first drew alongside Man o' War, and then, without any semblance of a stalemate or death struggle, abruptly surged past!!
That explosive power, strength, acceleration, coupled with the terrifying endurance represented by her universally known title [Long-Distance GOAT]—it was more ruthless and powerful than any storm! It became a nightmarish scene destined to haunt the legendary Uma Musume behind her for years to come!
'How is this possible?!'
Fine, she couldn't catch Nearl, but why...
Why was she being overtaken by Platinum, a turf Pegasus whose entire career featured just two dirt races?!
Reaching peak condition in the Dream Cup... Nearl being here as her [Future Self] was something Man o' War could somewhat rationalize; after all, she was a filly in her classic year, still with a future ahead.
But Platinum? Didn't she just announce a grand retirement at the Breeders' Cup half a month ago? She'd even accepted the retirement tour invitations from the Japanese racing officials—it's a done deal.
With only two dirt races under her belt, already retired... how could she possess such terrifying strength on dirt?
A retired Uma Musume shouldn't be able to keep getting stronger, right? What future does she even have?
Man o' War couldn't comprehend it; she was utterly shocked! Yet, her crimson eyes still burned with a fierce will to fight—she hadn't surrendered.
Then, from her body, where stamina wasn't yet fully depleted, she summoned a startling burst of power! She continued her charge!
But... it wasn't enough, nowhere near enough!
Platinum, galloping on the far outside, adopted a posture of hunting down everything. After seizing second place, she charged relentlessly towards the leading Nearl.
From start to finish, Platinum's target was only Nearl, only the other version of herself!
--+--
[First place: Nearl, Second place: Platinum!]
[Man o' War is strong, Man o' War is fast! But... she's actually being gradually pulled away by Nearl and Platinum, unable to recover even an inch!]
[The Pegasus Platinum on the far outside! It's actually her who surpassed Man o' War to earn the chance to duel Nearl?!]
[Beyond everyone's imagination! It's become a death match between two Pegasus!]
[Nearl VS Platinum! Dirt Pegasus VS Turf Pegasus!]
Accompanied by the commentator's passionate voice, the stands were filled with a mix of astonishment, screams, anticipation, and disbelief.
Countless sounds of shock and delight continuously echoed throughout the vast spectator area.
Pegasus fans, whether supporters of Nearl or Platinum, were all exhilarated.
"Platinum!! Platinum!! Platinum!!"
"I never expected the latter half to be dominated by these two Pegasus battling for the top two spots."
"Don't give up, Man o' War, Secretariat! You still have a chance to catch them!"
"The Radiant Knight!! The Radiant Knight!! Go, Miss Nearl!"
Amidst the intensely heated, widespread cheers…
--+--
On the live race track, within the pack behind.
The elegant and noble superstar, Seabiscuit, was staring wide-eyed, utterly stunned.
This legendary senior, an idol and mentor to many talented dirt-track Uma Musume, had witnessed countless famous racing moments.
But the shock she felt now, looking at the front runners, surpassed any she'd experienced before.
"Platinum?"
"Platinum!"
"Platinum."
From Seabiscuit, to Secretariat, to Flightline—they were all collectively stunned by the sight of Platinum, underestimated by all before the race on the far outside, slicing straight through the field.
Who could have imagined it? Who would have dared to think it?!
The pre-race spotlight was on duels expected by nearly ninety percent: either a Pegasus versus Big Red, or a clash of the two generations of Big Red, or perhaps a free-for-all...
But [Pegasus VS Pegasus]? That wasn't even on the list!
Yet this most unbelievable scene was unfolding before the eyes of the worldwide audience and the Uma Musume.
After the second turn, approaching the third.
Pegasus VS Pegasus!
The silver-haired girl's cape whipped fiercely behind her due to her extreme speed.
Her black wings swayed irregularly, unrestrained.
Ahead of Platinum was the golden knightly maiden, her luminous wings making her appear even more ethereal and sacred.
"Finally, only [I] remain."
"The arrows are all used up."
In Platinum's amber eyes, no other conspicuous, obstructive presence remained.
In a race with twenty-two Uma Musume, Platinum's past races always featured arrows numbering one less than the participants, representing herself.
Now, with two Pegasus running, only twenty arrows were what she started with!
Having surpassed Man o' War now, Platinum's quiver was empty—the symbolic hunt of the Platinum position was over.
Typically, an assassin doesn't dislike bustling, noisy scenes, as they provide perfect opportunities to strike when the target's attention is divided.
Similarly, there are plenty of Uma Musume who win as dark horses, not favored to win, suddenly surging from behind to victory.
Platinum has always lacked a strong craving for victory; she lacks that fighting spirit and sense of fulfillment. This time was no exception.
But this is the Dream Cup. The Uma Musume who made Platinum want to try fighting head-on... her will to fight, while not intense, was present!
However, what slightly bothered Platinum was... according to [Godolphin Arabian], one of the Three Goddesses, the Dream Cup champion would succeed Her as inheritor.
Could that mean—changing shifts? Don't tell me it's more unpaid overtime?
Almost instinctively, thinking this put Platinum in a strangely complex mood.
But she immediately cast it aside. The silver-white girl murmured softly.
"I'll deal with that after everything is over."
"This will be—the final curtain call."
Then, Platinum completely transformed into an arrow released from its bowstring. Under the stunned gazes of the legendary seniors behind her, with still a significant distance remaining before the final stretch...
She accelerated!!
Accelerated!!
Continued to accelerate!!
And Nearl, less than half a length ahead, seemingly the Uma Musume in this world who understood Platinum best, displayed an equally ferocious acceleration almost simultaneously.
The duel between the Pegasus intensified!
Behind them, even the third-place Man o' War had unknowingly been left over five lengths behind, and the gap was still widening!
A battle of myths was replaying here!
Under their fierce race, they reached the section after the third turn.
Platinum and Nearl, even as they stepped onto the uphill slope, moved as if it were flat ground, replicating the scene of ramp acceleration once again!
Next, they would charge down the slope and decide the victory on the final straight!
--+--
Down the slope, just before the final straight.
The golden-haired knightly maiden charged forward, continuing her unrestrained sprint.
Nearl's crimson eyes, from her peripheral vision, firmly tracked the only visible figure beside her on the outside.
'The final opponent, just as I thought!'
'Truly worthy of being [me]! Truly worthy of being the Platinum who hunts down everything!'
The more it was like this, the more it stoked the Radiant Knight's fighting spirit, making it burn hotter and fiercer.
Ever since Platinum accelerated past Man o' War and caught up, she had ignited Nearl's competitive spirit, driving her to increase her speed even further until now.
The current deadlock between Nearl and Platinum, with Nearl maintaining a neck lead, had persisted until this moment!
Knight versus assassin! High-spirited will to fight versus lazy and cool! Dirt Pegasus versus Turf Pegasus!
In an instant, as they raced down the energy-saving downhill slope, Nearl's eyes fixed on the not-so-long final straight ahead.
Then... the final sprint! Activate!!
"Let's—settle this now!!!"
--+--
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.