[The final incline posed no challenge to these two battle-hardened champions—one a winner of four varied classic titles, the other a Triple Crown victor from America!]
[The homestretch! The final showdown is happening right here!]
The voice of Eclipse, now fully hitting its stride in a soaring commentary style, was providing the final call for this Dream Cup race barreling toward its conclusion.
[Behind these two Pegasus girls, the third-place Man o' War has fallen back from five lengths to a gap of seven or eight lengths, nearing a massive margin.]
[Every Uma Musume on the track had already started their acceleration early, not wanting to let Nearl and Platinum, who first reached the final straight, build an insurmountable lead!]
[The final moments of the Dream Cup, the time for the ultimate clash has arrived!!]
With Eclipse's relentless commentary ringing out, it heralded the end of this epic 2400-meter super race!
In the stands at this moment, even many top-tier Uma Musume were on the edge of their seats, hearts filled with anticipation, their gazes fixed on the front-runners on the track.
The Uma Musumes from Japan's Tracen Academy couldn't hold back their cheers of support.
"Platinum!! Platinum!! Platinum!!"
"To think just making the top ten in the dirt Dream Cup would've been impressive enough for Platinum... did I still underestimate the Pegasus?"
"Maybe I lack the skill, but do I lack imagination too...?"
"A turf specialist, after just a couple of dirt races, she not only qualified for the Dream Cup but is now the closest one to The Radiant Knight, Nearl?!"
"Alright, if Miss Platinum, the strongest on turf, can rank in the top three even in the dirt Dream Cup... then later, I can properly brag to my juniors about facing a Pegasus!"
Even those Platinum had defeated in the past—Tokai Teio, Daiwa Scarlet, Agnes Tachyon—were now firmly in Platinum's corner.
After all... the more brilliant the Pegasus Platinum, who defeated them, proved to be, the more outstanding her Dream Cup performance became.
Then, their own losses to Platinum wouldn't be a disgrace, but rather a mark of pride, something other Uma Musume might even envy!
The classic example was Daiwa Scarlet, who'd lost to Platinum by a whopping five lengths in her debut race all that time ago.
To this day, the saying "Face a legendary Uma Musume early" circulated widely in racing circles worldwide.
Either you faced a monster like Secretariat in her prime, barely managing to keep the loss to single-digit lengths against Nearl, or you were like Daiwa Scarlet, battling a future legend before she reached her peak.
But the curious and amazed spectators were far from limited to these Japanese fillies.
Stars like Sea the Stars and Frankel from their respective lineages were also watching with keen interest.
However, unlike the Japanese Uma Musumes' tension and thrilled surprise born from staunchly supporting Platinum, the current Frankel and Sea the Stars wore complex expressions, even carrying a hint of... envy.
They envied that this Dream Cup was restricted to dirt, and they envied Platinum, a turf specialist, for being able to compete in it!
"So, if the order holds, the first Dream Cup was turf, the second is dirt..."
"Then the future third Dream Cup should return to turf, right?"
Sea the Stars couldn't help muttering to herself.
As a legendary middle-distance turf racer, she undeniably possessed the qualifications to challenge for the Dream Cup.
But the condition was that the third Dream Cup would be held within her racing lifetime.
Her sister, Galileo, had overheard her younger sister's words. The approachable black-haired girl curled the corner of her mouth into a slight smile.
"In that case, you'd have to face Platinum again."
That single sentence made the two younger family members, the sisters flanking Galileo—Sea the Stars and Frankel—shiver slightly like startled kittens.
"No Uma Musume in history has ever participated in more than one Dream Cup."
"The Pegasus Platinum... perhaps she will become the one and only!"
"As for now, let's properly enjoy her thrilling deathmatch with Nearl."
Then, the black-haired Galileo fixed her gaze on the very front of the track.
And now!
The two strongest Pegasus girls, masters of dirt and turf respectively, held the top two positions in this dirt Dream Cup!
The most intense clash, the final sprint... had already begun!!
--+--
Fourth place, Secretariat.
Secretariat, navigating the final incline before the homestretch, looked ahead at Man o' War, less than two lengths ahead of her.
But compared to the first-place Nearl and second-place Platinum, who had opened up a massive, near-"big difference" lead over her, Secretariat felt a deep, profound disbelief.
"Just half a month ago, in the Breeders' Cup Classic, I only lost to Nearl by five lengths!"
"This is my last chance for revenge. I must close the gap from here on out in the straight!"
But Secretariat knew in her heart that the only possible way to catch up was if...
Before they even reached the homestretch, especially Nearl and the Pegasus Platinum, had burned too much stamina from their early acceleration, leaving them unable to unleash their signature peak final kick!
But was such a flaw even possible?
Secretariat fell silent, simply pouring on the speed in pursuit, clinging to that slim hope.
But—!
What made Secretariat's pupils contract sharply was the sight of the two figures at the very front of the track... those two monsters whose immense, oppressive presence could even slightly overwhelm her own full-power domain!
Those two Pegasus girls, upon hitting the homestretch, saw their already formidable and terrifying auras surge even higher, as if their previous level was far from their limit!
What followed was transformed into an utterly fearsome final kick, acceleration on top of acceleration!
This was no struggling, weakened sprint from depleted stamina. That acceleration and its timing proved it was a final, all-out kick born of absolute confidence!
"Ha??!"
This scene completely stunned the two Big Red Monsters flying down the track, freezing them in their tracks.
In Secretariat's heart, a nearly despairing confusion welled up irresistibly.
Platinum! Nearl!
'Just what are they? Gods, or mortals??!!'
First acceleration, starting from the gate.
Second acceleration, beginning after the first turn on the ascent.
Third acceleration, starting from overtaking Man o' War and meeting the other Pegasus.
And now! On the homestretch, the golden-haired knight kept her eyes intently fixed on the other girl running beside her.
Nearl VS Platinum!
The Dirt Pegasus meets the Turf Pegasus on the dirt!
'At last... the final confrontation is here.'
Nearl's gaze shifted immediately, turning forward to focus on the finish line in the distance.
For The Radiant Knight, having entered the race, it was only right to fight with all her might for the glory of victory.
Whether as a knight or as an Uma Musume, this was the only way!
After the second turn, once Platinum from her mid-pack position overtook Man o' War and accelerated into second place, entering the golden-haired knight's peripheral vision, Nearl had without hesitation unleashed her third acceleration.
But facing Platinum's dominant, all-hunting presence, a mere three stages of acceleration... was indeed not enough!
That silver-haired girl carrying the bow, the seemingly petite yet intensely imposing Platinum, put Nearl in a state where her heart raced uncontrollably, accelerating to its limit, demanding utmost vigilance.
"Come at me, Platinum!"
Clad in golden armor and bearing sword and lance, the young knight showed not a trace of fear.
Only one Master can win the Holy Grail War, and only one champion could claim the Dream Cup!
The final stretch… Nearl, unleashing her fourth explosive acceleration, drove her powerful limbs into the flying mud with incredible force. Her already blazing speed somehow climbed even higher!
The ground where the maiden knight named Margaret Nearl had tread was visibly, dramatically sunken—a testament to her overwhelming power.
In an instant, the burst of speed from Nearl plunged the legendary champions behind her—all pushing their own limits to close the gap—into utter despair!
Nine lengths!
In a flash, Nearl was just… one step away from opening a massive lead over every Uma Musume except Platinum!
Veterans like Man o' War and Secretariat watched in disbelief, their eyes fixed on that golden figure.
Dazzling, brilliant as the sun, inspiring awe and yearning in all who saw her.
A moment later, it was ten lengths full!
Yet even more astonishing was that despite Nearl's ferocious acceleration, the silvery-white Pegasus maiden at her side still refused to be shaken off.
"Guh... such terrifying speed!! Nearl's opened a huge gap on so many monster-class seniors already—how does she still have stamina left?!"
"That's not the scary part! The scary part is that Platinum is still right there with her! It's like an eternal duel between a knight and her deadliest assassin!"
"Isn't this only Miss Platinum's third career race? With so little experience, how can she still find another gear?!"
"So the real question for the Dream Cup is—[Which Pegasus will prove superior in this dirt-track duel?]"
"Are all the other Uma Musume—Man o' War, Secretariat included—just fighting for third place? For the honor of being a dancer on the winner's stage beside the Pegasus?"
From both sides of the stands, the spectators' excited discussions grew more and more fervent.
Even as the Radiant Knight activated her unprecedented fourth acceleration, the hunting figure of Platinum remained steadfastly at her side!
The victory-chasing knight, and the eternal huntress assassin!
Nearly level, separated by a mere neck—a death struggle!
The most dazzling hunt, the most glorious duel, raged on, the outcome still hanging in the balance!
But... among the twenty-plus Uma Musume on the track, almost none were using the familiar 'Domain' skills that usually lit up the final stretch. Those had already been activated, their fuel spent.
After all, Platinum's brutally early acceleration defied all logic, and the pressure from Nearl's absolute front-running pace—having overtaken even Man o' War—was immense. And the final homestretch... was not long at all!
Thus, caught in the rhythm set by Platinum and Nearl, every super-class Uma Musume on the track had been forced to activate their Domains early, holding nothing back.
Uma Musume like Secretariat and Man o' War would rather accept defeat due to their own limitations, or fading in the stretch, than lose because they accelerated too late!
Yet Platinum herself, who had also activated numerous Domain skills early, now showed a different kind of acceleration.
Though sweat streamed down the refined profile of the silvery-white maiden, her expression remained coldly focused, her resolve firm.
That was her, through and through!
All this time, competing across major turf courses, Platinum had wrested the title of [Turf Long-Distance GOAT] from rivals like Stradivarius and Kyprios.
Not even the grueling tests of long-distance Grand Prix races had ever made Platinum feel true fatigue or strain.
But now... the Radiant Knight at her side, maintaining this relentless neck-and-neck pressure from start to finish, was displaying a level of power that, beyond the immense pressure, only stoked Platinum's own fighting spirit higher.
This was their first clash, and perhaps it would be their last.
Platinum knew that in this state, where both possessed their ['Future Selves'], peak condition, and maximum stats...
Her own experience of just two dirt races, while sufficient against ordinary world-class or historical-level Uma Musume, might very well become a fatal flaw against a legend among legends, or even... against another version of herself.
So, better to accelerate too early than too late! Platinum chose to trust in herself!
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
The two nearly identical figures, their gap microscopic, were like a twin storm capable of sweeping away everything—even a mountain range as vast as Man o' War!
Their galloping hooves only widened the gap behind them, leaving the pursuing pack further and further in their wake.
Under the intense gaze of the entire audience, the leading Nearl, her tall and unwavering figure, shone as brilliantly as the sun, commanding reverence.
The charging Radiant Knight, her muscles defined yet sleek with power, tensed like a drawn longbow, gathering immense force for her charge, refusing to yield an inch to the assassin, Platinum, surging beside her.
And so, the two Pegasus maidens reached the latter half of the final stretch. The finish line was no longer a distant dream.
--+--
In the stands, supporters of Platinum like Daiwa Scarlet and Manhattan Cafe, and supporters of Nearl like Sunday Silence, all held their breath, watching this final, accelerating duel hurtle towards its conclusion.
"Wait, earlier, Nearl and Platinum each had their own different Pegasus 'Hall.' Whose [Hall] will manifest now?"
"I don't think a Pegasus Hall can appear here. This is the Dream Cup, hosted by the Three Goddesses. Since Platinum and Nearl aren't goddesses, they probably can't summon their Halls here."
"The gap is still razor-thin! Will Nearl hold on, or will Platinum manage to overtake?!"
"Who will prove to be the strongest on dirt?!"
"Nearl, you must defend the honor of the dirt! How can you lose on your home turf to Platinum, only in her third race and on unfamiliar ground?"
"Go Platinum!! Go Platinum!! You have to win!"
The cheers from the spectators rose in an unending wave.
But in the next instant, the attention of countless spectators, previously fixed solely on the two leading Pegasus maidens, was abruptly seized by astonishment.
For there, materializing right at the finish line, was a Hall—one that manifested even within the sacred, mysterious confines of the Dream Cup.
And it was neither the Hall of Platinum familiar to her fans, nor was it the Hall of Nearl!
It was a new, majestic structure, more vast and spectacular than any seen in past races. It bore the mysterious, cold, and exquisitely beautiful architectural style of Platinum's Hall, yet its pillars were the signature, radiant gold of Nearl's, inspiring awe and solemn grandeur.
It was less of a Hall... and more like a—[Sanctuary]!
And standing atop this newly manifested Pegasus Sanctuary were not the solitary, throne-seated phantoms of before, but rather... the Radiant Knight Nearl, sword-lance in hand, gaze sharp as a blade, coldly focused on the petite, silvery-white assassin, Platinum, who stood opposite her, bow in hand.
In the next moment, Platinum on the Sanctuary drew her bow and let loose an arrow. It flew like a meteor, swift and brilliant, straight towards Nearl.
But the arrows, several in succession, failed to strike their target. The armored golden knight nimbly leaped and weaved, evading them all, and countered with a thrust of her sword-lance!
Just as the sword-lance was about to strike Platinum's position, the assassin maiden calmly deflected it with her bow. The clash of weapons rang out with a clear, sharp clang, a strangely melodious sound.
Simultaneously, on the track itself, the dirt-course Pegasus Nearl and the turf-course Pegasus Platinum were locked in their final exchange! A mere hundred meters remained in the final stretch before the curtain fell!
Corresponding to their struggle, the phantom maidens summoned by their respective Domain Hall effects now seemed almost tangible, no mere illusions, as they too engaged in their own fierce duel!
Both Pegasus, destined rivals—it seemed that no matter the world, no matter the battlefield, the death struggle between Nearl and Platinum would forever continue!
For a moment, this sight left viewers across the globe, all watching this Dream Cup, utterly stunned and speechless!
Knight versus Assassin upon the Sanctuary! Pegasus versus Pegasus upon the track!
--+--
The Final Stretch, Latter Half.
The leading positions, a mere hundred meters from the finish.
The golden figure of light and the silvery-white figure beside her were inextricably intertwined.
Neither Nearl nor Platinum held anything back; they laid bare every last ounce of their strength!
Even the usually languid Platinum understood, facing Nearl, that this was a target requiring her complete, utter focus to successfully hunt.
Their high-speed duel had continued from around the second turn all the way into the very last segment of the homestretch! The 2400-meter race was entering its final, decisive chapter!
Until the very last moment, Platinum, usually cold and calm before a race, showed a rare crack in her composure, a flicker of killing intent crossing her delicate features.
Meanwhile, the Radiant Knight, poised and steady, let her golden hair flow wildly in the wind, her fighting spirit burning brighter and fiercer than ever before.
"Nearl, do you think you can escape?"
"Come at me, Platinum! I won't lose."
In the eyes of both Nearl and Platinum, a razor-sharp, soaring will to fight was evident.
From the moment they saw each other, the moment they stepped onto the same muddy track, their heartbeats quickened, throbbing with a near-instinctual rhythm.
It was as if their Pegasus bodies had been waiting for this chance to battle the other Kuranta girl again, waiting countless days and nights, waiting across another time and space!
From Nearl to Platinum, from the first position to the second, that narrow margin at the neck seemed locked in place as the two galloping figures poured every last ounce of their being into this final stretch!
The relentlessly advancing Platinum drew closer, ever closer, finally pulling up right beside the Radiant Knight.
And the final sprint—the finish line was right there!
[Just as predicted! Nearl and Platinum, who took the lead from the mid-position, completely dominated the race. Not a single other Uma Musume could interfere in their duel!]
[In the end, it's their deathmatch after all! Will the Radiant Knight leap across the finish line in one go, or will the Pegasus Platinum complete the hunt, overtaking her to claim the ultimate peak of the Dream Cup?!]
[Come, let the world witness the final champion of the Dream Cup!]
Without a doubt, this was the most glorious showdown in the history of the entire dirt racing circuit, and indeed all of worldwide racing.
With a field packed with monstrous Uma Musume whose names would be recorded in history, only one final sovereign would be crowned here today!
The roaring crowd unmistakably declared that one of the Uma Musume had carved out a massive advantage and was now charging towards the final finish line!
Two figures, nearly neck and neck, crossed the finish line!
"At last—"
The one who reached the finish line first, by a margin so slim it could barely be measured, was…
[A black cloak fluttered and danced behind her in the wind!]
[The golden knight, bathed in the blazing sun, stood tall upon the mud!]
In that instant, the whole world watched!
The passionate, sky-rending cheers from the countless spectators in the stadium erupted, boiling over in that very moment.
The stadium, heated to its absolute peak, and audiences all around the world erupted into such fervent celebration that the individual cheers became an indistinguishable roar, a thunderous ovation for the spectacular race.
"Nearl!! Nearl!! Nearl!!"
"The strongest dirt Uma Musume in history is born!"
"The strongest in Turf history is Platinum, the strongest in Dirt history is Nearl! What kind of dream am I even having?!"
"To think I could witness such a race in my lifetime… I'll be telling the juniors about this for decades to come."
Praise and cheers for the victor flowed forth endlessly!
But to everyone's astonishment, Nearl seemed not to hear them. The victorious Radiant Knight, as if hearing some other sound that captured her attention, suddenly lifted her head.
In the air, a long, ethereal staircase materialized, becoming the next path forward for the one who had first crossed the finish line.
As this miraculous scene unfolded before everyone's eyes, Nearl, who had already activated her unique… Pegasus Light Wings during the race, now saw those very wings completely shed the restrictions imposed by the competition.
In the next second, it was no longer just skimming the earth. Before the eyes of the world, Nearl raised her luminous wings and, in her true Pegasus form, soared onto the vast staircase.
—That was… the true Stairway to Godhood!
From that moment on, the long-riding knight of the Nearl house, the radiant maiden knight who shone upon the dirt, transcended from legend into a myth that would be passed down through the ages.
[Margaret Nearl], the Dream Cup champion, became an eternal, undying myth, ascending before the eyes of the multitude!
--+--
Time: Over a month later.
Even after this long month, the Dream Cup remained a super-hot topic, constantly brought up all around the world.
Yes, a full month had already passed, ushering in a new… era!
The former [Golden Age], led by Platinum on turf and Nearl on dirt, an era of strife filled with legends like Frankel, Sea the Stars, Secretariat, and Flightline, was now drawing to a close.
Location: Europe, Longchamp Racecourse.
The silver-haired maiden, who usually carried a hint of languidness, looked somewhat helplessly at the screen backstage, which showed a massive, dense crowd.
Truth be told, for Platinum, the weariness she felt now was even greater than what she'd experienced during the Dream Cup a month ago.
It wasn't physical fatigue—what could possibly drain the energy of a Pegasus brimming with vitality? It was undoubtedly mental exhaustion.
Because… the event Platinum was currently participating in was her fourth[Farewell Tour Ceremony]!
And right now, it was the classic senior speech moment.
First, other Uma Musume that Platinum knew would give speeches, praising the great achievements Platinum had accomplished in her past races.
They were either stronger Uma Musume or seniors with far more seniority.
Given Platinum's record, it was simply too brilliant; you couldn't find anyone in Europe who could even be mentioned in the same breath, let alone someone stronger.
So… from the first ceremony in Japan to this fourth one here, the local racing authorities had been racking their brains to select suitable, highly respected top-tier seniors.
The senior currently giving the speech was the legendary Uma Musume Dancing Brave, who had also achieved a great victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe right here at Longchamp!
Not only that, Dancing Brave's past regret—representing turf but failing in her expedition to America—had been redeemed by Platinum, mending the regrets of many European fans.
The highly respected senior Dancing Brave, a tall, dignified, and mature beauty, stepped up to the podium and began her address.
"Hello everyone, I am Dancing Brave."
"It's an honor to be the speaker for Uma Musume Platinum's retirement ceremony."
"Three years ago, the turf witnessed the birth of a sovereign whose reign would be peerless, past or present..."
--+--
Backstage, Platinum, the guest of honor herself, was about to take the stage.
Why had the retirement ceremony ended up being held at France's Longchamp Racecourse anyway?
Initially, after the Dream Cup concluded, Platinum had returned to Japan to prepare. Following the original invitation from the URA, her retirement ceremony was supposed to be held there.
After all, the URA's offer was just too good to refuse.
But what Miss Platinum hadn't quite anticipated was the sheer scale of the commotion her retirement caused. Countless fans were heartbroken, their eyes brimming with tears, utterly reluctant to see her go.
The subsequent fallout left Platinum truly astounded. No sooner had she finished her Japanese retirement ceremony than she immediately received requests from racing authorities in other countries.
The URA in Japan wasn't the only one who wanted to host Uma Musume Platinum's retirement ceremony!
As the strongest Uma Musume in turf history, who also managed to clinch the Dream Cup Runner Up, overpowering two generations of the Big Red Monster, Platinum's popularity and influence were undeniably the greatest in the world.
She had left behind legendary achievements in more than one nation!
With racing authorities abroad more than willing to show their sincerity, and overseas fans eagerly awaiting her, Platinum eventually agreed, treating it as her last bit of business travel and overtime work.
And so, Platinum's retirement, originally scheduled only for Japan, suddenly transformed into a worldwide [Global Retirement Tour]!
--+--
The second retirement ceremony was held in Dubai.
This was where Platinum, upon reaching her older years, had once declared that the URA held no crown for her, and ventured abroad to achieve a legendary same-day double victory at the Dubai World Cup!
[Wins: Dubai Sheema Classic, Dubai World Cup (Dirt)]
--+--
The third retirement ceremony took place in Great Britain.
The Pegasus had secured her first international GI victory here, achieving an unconventional Triple Crown!
[Wins: Epsom Derby, Eclipse Stakes, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes]
--+--
The fourth retirement ceremony was in France.
Here, she captured the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, defeating the great champion of the sea, Sea the Stars!
[Win: Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe]
--+--
Having established such monumental achievements in various countries, and possessing popularity unmatched anywhere else in the world, it was only inevitable that this adoration would evolve into a global retirement tour!
And not just that—there were still at least two more ceremonies scheduled, in Australia and the United States!
Just thinking about that much overtime made Platinum, who preferred taking it easy, let out a faint, involuntary sigh.
One had to understand that Europe had always been prolific in producing world-class turf Uma Musume. Nearly half—sometimes even more than half—of the world's top-ranked Uma Musume each year hailed from various European nations.
Before Platinum's time, Japanese Uma Musume were generally considered second-rate. They practically had no fanbase in Europe at all!
Platinum alone changed that perception across the entire continent, showing them what it meant that 'beyond the mountain, there are higher mountains; beyond the sky, a loftier sky.'
Before her campaigns abroad, Platinum had worried about encountering those 'higher mountains.' But after sweeping through Europe, she realized she herself was that loftier peak, that unmatchable talent.
Now, having dominated with absolute popularity, Platinum's announcement of retirement stirred feelings of excitement, reluctance, and regret among her countless fans.
And now, here at France's Longchamp Racecourse, every single seat was filled!
Countless Pegasus enthusiasts from across Europe were either on the verge of tears or filled with profound reluctance.
"She's still at her peak! Just last year, she managed to repeat the same-day double crown legend at the Breeders' Cup... Why retire now?"
"Wahh... Miss Platinum, please don't go! How am I supposed to carry on without you?!"
"There's never been an Uma Musume like her—number one in history on turf, number two in history on dirt!"
"After Nearl disappeared, Miss Platinum lost all her rivals. It's only natural she'd choose to retire. We just can't bear to see her go."
The crowd at the racecourse wasn't just composed of French fans who'd started worshipping her after her stunning Arc victory.
Fans from neighboring Britain and Ireland, Japanese fans, and even spectators who had attended her previous retirement ceremonies and followed her here—they were all present in significant numbers!
Some of the more serious or ardent fans even began discussing Platinum's post-retirement legacy.
"Back then, Northern Dancer entered both the Canadian and American Halls of Fame, becoming a dual-Hallmaster... but she couldn't keep up with Platinum and Nearl at all, fading so badly she didn't even crack the top ten."
"But Miss Platinum, conquering the world and gathering countless glories, has double-digit G1 victories! She achieved absolute dominance over every distance! She's the strongest turf sovereign in history, surpassing even Eclipse."
"And at the Dream Cup, despite having the fewest dirt races among the participants, she only lost to The Radiant Knight by a hair, completely demolishing the third-place Big Red by a huge margin. She's unquestionably the historical number two on dirt!"
"If Northern Dancer could make it into two Halls of Fame, then Miss Platinum, the strongest in history, should get into at least four or five national Halls, right?"
This ongoing discussion, who knows for how long, continued to buzz.
Until... the speech by Dancing Brave concluded, and Platinum, the main protagonist, made her entrance.
Instantly, the entire venue fell silent for a moment, before erupting into a fervent, sky-piercing roar.
"PLATINUM!! PLATINUM!!"
"PEGASUS!! PEGASUS!! PEGASUS!!"
Many of Platinum's fans from around the world, convinced this might be the last time they'd see her on a racecourse, were completely captivated by her presence.
After a good while, once the fans' emotions had settled somewhat...
Under the close-up on the giant screen, Platinum raised a single finger to her lips, asking for quiet.
The Pegasus's retirement speech began.
[I will never forget, in the past...]
--+--
As the speech continued, gradually drawing to a close...
Hints of sobs from the audience reached Platinum's ears.
Platinum felt a twinge of pity. She hadn't planned on retiring forever, vanishing from the tracks entirely.
Judging by the physical changes observed during the Dream Cup... she could definitely become even stronger in the future!
After all, Platinum's condition was that of a [Future Self], not some [Past Self]!
A comeback was inevitable; it was only a matter of what kind of Uma Musume sovereign would emerge in the coming era, one who could spark Platinum's interest in returning for a showdown.
After a moment's thought, Platinum decided to improvise, adding just two more sentences to her prepared speech.
[Please, do not feel regret or disappointment. What I want to say is...]
[—Wait, and hope!]
With those final words, the silver-white Pegasus maiden waved her farewell to the audience.
Those last two lines from Platinum made countless fans in the crowd freeze in place momentarily.
In an instant, a multitude of possibilities began blossoming in the hearts of her supporters!
--+--
A short while later.
Backstage.
Platinum, preparing to depart, heard the sound of not just one, but several sets of footsteps approaching.
"Bang, bang, bang…"
The sound of knocking echoed against the door, followed by a female voice all too familiar to Platinum.
"Are you in, Platinum?"
It was none other than Galileo—the first formidable overseas rival Platinum had faced during her debut international GI race at the Epsom Derby in England, the young lady from the Sea family!
"Come in. What brings you here?"
Platinum turned her head toward the now-open doorway.
As she looked over, three Uma Musume stood there, one of whom was completely unfamiliar.
They were Galileo, her younger sister Sea the Stars, and their junior family member, Baaeed.
"You two…"
In the next moment, Platinum furrowed her brow slightly, her gaze sweeping over Galileo and Sea the Stars.
As an assassin, her most acute sense was her intuition—the very thing that allowed her to judge the right moment and an opponent's strength.
In that instant, she detected something languid and faded about Galileo, much like the retired seniors she'd seen back in Japan.
And Sea the Stars—that prodigious young talent who'd once challenged her in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe—had visibly lost some of her razor-sharp edge.
Of the two sisters, Galileo had probably retired about a year ago, while Sea the Stars couldn't have been retired for more than two or three months.
"Have you two… retired as well?"
Platinum tilted her head, studying the Sea sisters.
Galileo responded with a nod and a smile.
"I was the unlucky one who ran into you during the Classics."
"If even you have retired, there's no question about me."
The amiable eldest daughter of the Sea family was as carefree and easygoing as ever.
Meanwhile, the smaller, chestnut-haired Sea the Stars patted the young girl beside her—Baaeed—and spoke up.
"Just winning a few races got boring. I retired around the same time you announced your retirement at the Breeders' Cup."
As a legend in her own right, Sea the Stars was younger than her sister Galileo and belonged to the type of Uma Musume known for [late decline]—able to maintain her condition longer than the average racer.
Coupled with her inherently formidable strength, even in decline, she was very much "a star dimmed still outshines the rest."
But Sea the Stars carried the pride befitting a legend. In her eyes, the only true rival… was the Pegasus Platinum!
To choose retirement when she still had other options—such resolve and pride were truly worthy of her legendary status.
Platinum hadn't expected Sea the Stars to retire. This junior, this fledgling, had retired even earlier than she had?!
As for the dirt track scene, Platinum didn't need to guess—she was certain that after Nearl's disappearance and the end of the Dream Cup, Secretariat had lost all interest in continuing her racing career.
The old guard of turf and dirt were fading away one by one, retiring like leaves in the wind.
Was the so-called Golden Age coming to a close as well?
After a moment of surprise, a faint sense of melancholy rose inexplicably in Platinum's heart. She was witnessing the end of an era with her own eyes.
Yet, at the same time, a strange excitement began to stir within her.
'Beating up the same old faces again and again has gotten a bit stale.'
'Soon, new foals will ascend the throne, and I'll have fresh prey to hunt.'
A certain Platinum had already hatched a plan: wait until some young foal became "invincible," then make a comeback and teach her what it means to face an "alien threat"!
"Let me introduce you—her racing name is Baaeed."
"She might be the one to take up the mantle of [Strongest Miler] from you."
Then, Sea the Stars patted the bright-eyed, admiring junior beside her—Baaeed—and made the introduction.
Before Sea the Stars could finish, Baaeed darted forward, eagerly pulling out a notebook and pen as if she'd come prepared, presenting them to Platinum like an avid fan seeking an autograph.
Hearing this, Platinum smiled with deep meaning.
Good. She could now write the first name in her [Death Note].
"By the way…"
After signing the autograph and handing it back to Baaeed, the silver-haired maiden, as if struck by a question that piqued her interest, spoke up again.
"So… what do you plan to do next?"
What do retired Uma Musume usually end up doing?
Platinum was quite curious about that.
Although she had a feeling she wouldn't be able to "copy homework" from Sea the Stars and Galileo.
"Of course, we're going to America to find Lin—"
Sea the Stars' cherry lips parted, but she paused after just a few words, then quickly continued.
"To find Dr. Lin for a check-up. After that, we'll see. I've only retired recently, so I haven't thought that far ahead."
The sharp assassin didn't press the matter, merely offering a noncommittal response.
Beside her, Galileo smiled gently, showing no sign of concern or rivalry.
It seemed the two sisters, who used to guard against each other for fear of Dr. Lin being snatched away, had reconciled.
After all… Lin Anran had been in America for quite a while now. Compared to their sisterly bond back in Europe, the real threat was those American Uma Musume!
So now, having formed an alliance, Sea the Stars and Galileo were already planning to go together to America to see Dr. Lin again.
"Well, we won't disturb you any longer. See you next time!"
"Mhm, see you next time."
After seeing off the Sea family horse girls, Platinum stood backstage with her arms crossed.
As fun as it would be to make a comeback and surprise the new foals…
She'd have too much free time now and needed to find something to do.
Platinum wasn't about to follow in Sea the Stars' footsteps—that narcissus complex was not for her.
But what could be both leisurely and entertaining, something to kill time?
Suddenly, she thought of something interesting.
"That's it!"
Tracen Academy!
Hadn't Tracen Academy been inviting her over and over again?
Before, Platinum had refused for a simple reason: the lazy, laid-back assassin girl didn't want to be swarmed by trainers begging her to join their teams, didn't want to attend classes, and certainly didn't want to be bombarded with training match requests from a bunch of Japanese foals.
So, being extremely averse to trouble, Platinum had refused outright—no matter how earnestly Tracen Academy invited her, she never gave it a second thought.
But now things were different. Since she was retired, all those hassles were gone!
In fact, given Platinum's racing record and experience, she could undoubtedly become a trainer or faculty member at Tracen Academy.
It wasn't just common—it was practically the norm for retired athletes and esports players to transition into coaching roles in their field.
So, if she joined Tracen Academy, she wouldn't have to run herself—she could make other foals do the running and training!
Just like that, she'd found her next destination!
--+--
United States, a training ground.
A tall, crimson-haired beauty stood there, her beautiful eyes sweeping over the familiar training field with a tinge of regret.
The second-generation Big Red Monster, Secretariat, was preparing to retire!
After the Dream Cup ended, Secretariat—who had finished third, well behind the leaders—had chosen to retire without hesitation.
Even though she was in peak condition, with Nearl gone and Platinum retired, Secretariat had no one left to seek revenge against.
In that case, she might as well shift her focus completely from racing to the [Lin Anran Cup]!
Standing beside Secretariat was her good friend, and also her rival from the Dream Cup and even… the [Lin Anran Cup]—Flightline.
"Big Red, are you planning to retire too?"
Faced with Flightline's inquiry, Secretariat raised an eyebrow and looked back at her.
"Not just you and me, and not just Platinum..."
"Over on the turf, that twin stars from the Sea family have also announced their retirement."
The next moment, Secretariat's pupils abruptly constricted.
"Then, they..."
"Mhm, those Sea family Uma Musume who've had their eyes on Dr. Lin for a while—Sea the Stars, Galileo and the others—will probably be coming for Dr. Lin too."
Flightline's reminder plunged Secretariat into a long silence.
But what bothered Secretariat even more was that this warning came from Flightline, who should have been a rival.
Originally, Flightline was supposed to be allied with Ruffian...
"Because Ruffian has only just entered her older horse years. She hasn't retired yet, and her career still has a long way to go."
"So, you've turned to me instead?"
Secretariat continued to stare at Flightline in front of her, thoughtfully voicing her speculation.
"No, not just you."
Flightline, the elegant girl who appeared delicate but was actually shrewd and full of ideas, offered a faint smile, though her words carried a trace of helplessness.
"Even if we join forces and temporarily manage to stay ahead of the Sea sisters in the [Lin Anran Cup]..."
"But what about after that? What if other... 'stray cats' show up?"
"With Dr. Lin's medical skills, famous throughout Japan and even rising to prominence in the U.S., plus his unique, king-level attraction as a 'Horse Mint'..."
"Is it really so strange if, in the future, we face rivals like Sea the Stars or Galileo?"
Flightline's additional points left Secretariat silent for a long while.
She had to admit, Flightline wasn't wrong.
After all, it wasn't uncommon for trainers with that 'Horse Mint' constitution—even those who only interacted with a small number of Uma Musume at school—to end up pursued by multiple Uma Musume.
By comparison, Lin Anran's physique could be considered the ultimate Horse Mint! Not only that, but as an Uma Musume doctor, the number of Uma Musume he came into contact with was hundreds, even thousands of times greater than that of an ordinary trainer!
A trainer's team, at most, consisted of a handful of Uma Musume.
But Lin Anran, a renowned doctor famous worldwide, saw more than just a single digits worth of Uma Musume every day. And over time, that number accumulated...
You could say Flightline's warning was an inevitable reality staring them right in the face.
How could Lin Anran—filled with affinity for Uma Musume, uniquely appealing to them, and serving as their doctor—not attract fillies from across the seas?
Wanting to have Dr. Lin all to themselves? Looking at it now, that was simply impossible!
Sea the Stars and Galileo were merely the first rivals they had to face. In the future, there were bound to be others.
Even if Secretariat and Flightline formed an alliance and temporarily managed to "split Dr. Lin between them," it still wouldn't stop the 'stray cats' all the time. That much was obvious.
"So what exactly are you trying to say?"
Big Red didn't believe for a second that Flightline would just give up at this point, or try to convince her to do the same.
There must be... there must be some more extreme method. That's why she'd come to her seeking an alliance, and why she seemed so afraid she might refuse.
"That is—we, the Uma Musume who met Dr. Lin first, or relatively early, should form an alliance together."
"Anyone who comes after... we keep them out."
"Just the two of us definitely isn't enough. But if we add Sea the Stars, Galileo, Sham, and a few others... that's different."
That seemingly delicate but shrewd literary girl uttered a decisive, almost shocking proposal.
You could... do that?
If two people couldn't keep Dr. Lin to themselves for long, then just make it five, six... seven or eight?
"If we can't have him all to ourselves, and two can form an alliance, why not a few more who know and understand each other?"
"Isn't that better than worrying every day that some other 'stray cat' might snatch Dr. Lin away, maybe even drag him into some family's basement?"
"Having a fraction is better than having nothing at all. Don't you agree, Big Red?"
After saying all this, the smile faded completely from Flightline's delicate face. She stared seriously at Secretariat, waiting for her response.
For a long moment, Secretariat didn't answer directly. Instead, she asked a question of her own.
"Where do I fall on the list of people you've approached?"
"The last one. How could I possibly start with you, the most possessive one of all?"
Flightline's expected answer made Secretariat fall silent, then nod slowly.
The Big Red Monster, Secretariat... was finally letting go of her fiercely possessive nature!
And now, with even the most possessive of them all fully on board, all that was left to do was...
—Make it happen. See it through.
Secretariat had only one final question.
"Me, you, Ruffian, Sham, Galileo, Sea the Stars..."
"Can Dr. Lin's body even handle that? His pelvis... it won't break, will it?"
This final question made Flightline avert her gaze subtly.
"It... it should be fine, right?"
--+--
Several days later.
[Who will be the world's strongest Uma Musume after Nearl and Platinum?]
[What did Platinum mean by her final words, 'Wait, and hope,' during her retirement tour speech in France?]
[How many years will it take for an Uma Musume rivaling the two great Pegasus to be born?]
[Europe has its Baaeed, America has its Justify, Japan has its Equinox—perhaps it won't be too far off from the Golden Age.]
The discussions about Nearl and Platinum still hadn't died down easily.
But what no one knew was that the young doctor, who in some ways was closest to those two Pegasus girls, didn't feel particularly regretful about it at all.
And moreover… Lin Anran was still sleeping soundly in his large bed.
At this moment, within his dreams, he was having a rather peculiar one.
"Big Red, Flightline, Ruffian? Wasn't it supposed to be a rotation this time? How did it turn into all of them together…"
In the dream, what the young black-haired doctor found himself dreaming of was this:
Lin Anran, situated in an unfamiliar environment, lying on a luxurious large bed.
The young foreign fillies and noble young ladies he felt intensely familiar with, with whom he'd had numerous intimate encounters, all appeared together.
But then—
"Huh? Why is Little Star here too? And Galileo?"
"You all… came at just the right time!"
--+--
Some time later.
Early morning, Lin Anran woke up with a start from his dream.
Usually, even with nightmares or layered dreams, they'd be quickly forgotten upon waking, at most leaving behind one or two particularly vivid impressions.
But now, the awakened Lin Anran kept rubbing his temples, his expression deeply peculiar.
"Don't they say 'daytime thoughts, nighttime dreams'?"
"I certainly haven't been thinking to that extent… have I? Probably? How could I have such a dream?"
For some reason, after opening his eyes, Lin Anran felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
It was as if… this dream wasn't some random occurrence, but an extremely important event he needed to remember.
After feeling puzzled and confused, the unscrupulous young doctor eventually got out of bed.
"This couldn't possibly be some prophetic dream, could it?"
"Reality could never be this absurd, surely not."
Lin Anran chose to believe in reality, not some illusion.
Then, he checked the time and prepared to head out to the clinic.
Just as the Uma Musume head towards the Dream Cup for their final dance, the unscrupulous young doctor's carefree, slacker life… was also stepping onto the path towards its final dance!
--+--
Some time later, inside a clinic.
Lin Anran was sitting in his usual spot, but next to him was an additional seat.
A certain tall, red-haired beauty of few words was stationed beside him, unlike the other regularly visiting Uma Musume who would sit across from him as patients or guests for consultation or treatment.
The Big Red Monster, Secretariat, was sitting right next to him, almost as if she were his bodyguard.
"Dr. Lin, how much longer until you're off work?"
The black-haired young doctor in a white lab coat glanced at his phone and replied.
"Soon, soon."
A few days earlier, while still working at the clinic, Lin Anran had once again found himself facing a bold noble-born Uma Musume confessing to him.
Back then, Lin Anran had been ready with his well-practiced rejection.
But… Secretariat, who happened to arrive at the clinic, dissuaded the girl with her usual cool demeanor and mentioned that she had quite a bit of free time in the coming days, could stay by his side, and perform bodyguard duties.
As a living legend, a top finisher in the Dream Cup, the mere presence of the Big Red Monster was enough to crush any fledgling filly's courage to attempt a confession or snatch prey from the tiger's mouth.
A delicate yet exceptionally popular human doctor being protected by a professional and powerful Uma Musume bodyguard—sounded perfectly reasonable, right?
That was the reason Secretariat was sitting beside Lin Anran.
The effect was immediate. With a super-powerhouse ranked among the best in Uma Musume history standing guard, even the boldest ordinary Uma Musume would be deterred.
However, the handsome young black-haired doctor looked somewhat puzzled. For some reason, Lin Anran felt inexplicably that something was off.
For instance, in the last day or two, Secretariat had been checking the time on her phone and taking calls with unusually high frequency, almost as if… she was waiting for something, or devising some important plan.
But Secretariat was now on the verge of retirement, just waiting for the official retirement ceremony.
What could possibly be more important than that?
Lin Anran had asked her about it, but Secretariat had just shaken her head with a knowing smile, indicating it was nothing.
And now…
Finally, it was time for Lin Anran to get off work.
"The time is finally about right…"
"Dr. Lin, let's go."
Secretariat stood up and, turning, took hold of Lin Anran's sleeve.
But this time was different. It wasn't just going their separate ways, nor was it Secretariat inviting Lin Anran to her place for some "training guidance."
Instead—"By the way, Dr. Lin, could you accompany me to a place?"
Secretariat spoke to Lin Anran, making a request.
Not going to Secretariat's home? Somewhere else?
Though feeling a bit confused, Lin Anran didn't refuse.
"Alright, where is this place?"
--+--
A short while later.
Following Secretariat's lead, Lin Anran's steps halted in front of a completely unfamiliar, brand-new villa.
"Is this your friend's place?"
"Or… did you move?"
Secretariat didn't answer immediately. Instead, she smiled faintly, raising a finger to indicate she wouldn't answer for now.
"Dr. Lin, let's go inside first."
After walking for a bit, the two passed through the first-floor living room.
Lin Anran's gaze noted that the villa's interior seemed excessively new, with many furnishings apparently not yet in place.
The furniture and equipment that were present seemed a bit excessive in quantity—enough for three or four sets.
If this were a friend's new home, Secretariat wouldn't so rudely bring him along like this, right?
So the answer was obvious. It could only be… Secretariat's new home… right?
'No, that can't be right?! Secretariat's previous home didn't have this many people either!'
Feeling conflicted and confused, Lin Anran followed Secretariat upstairs and saw several closed rooms.
As he walked step by step, Lin Anran saw one room with its door open. He and Secretariat entered…
The room was spacious, but the most prominent feature in the center was a large bed, easily big enough to hold three or four people.
"???"
Lin Anran didn't understand, and he was greatly shocked.
The next second, the young black-haired doctor stood frozen in astonishment, as the vivid content of the dream he'd had before waking up today—the one he remembered so clearly even now—suddenly resurfaced in his mind.
Wait, in his dream…
The unfamiliar room he'd dreamed of!
The enormous bed from his dream!
It seemed, perhaps, maybe... could it be... this very bed? A perfect match?
Something was wrong. Something was deeply, profoundly wrong!
Could that dream… have actually been prophetic?
In an instant, Lin Anran was gripped by a nameless sense of crisis.
And in last night's dream, in this very room, after this very bed, what came next was…
Thud!
From the corridor outside the room came the sound of hurried, rapidly approaching footsteps.
Anyone hearing that chorus of steps would know a considerable number of people were coming.
Thud!
Those footsteps, to Lin Anran, sounded like a series of ominous, incomprehensible drumbeats.
More than one set of footsteps felt eerily familiar to him. Coupled with the scene that seemed ripped straight from his dream, Lin Anran understood completely.
'Oh no!'
Finally… the footsteps began to slow and then ceased. Turning his head, Lin Anran made out the figures now standing outside the clinic.
Sham, Flightline, Ruffian!
And also Galileo, Sea the Stars?!
The Uma Musume closest to Lin Anran had all come here at once?!
"You all…"
The stunningly beautiful crimson-haired girl curled the corner of her lips upwards, finally voicing the answer she had withheld from Lin Anran earlier.
"Dr. Lin, this is my friend's home, but it's also the new home I've moved into."
"And also… our new home from now on~"
After a moment to process this, Lin Anran's expression turned complex.
Even with his 'Horse Mint' physique, even with whatever physical enhancements he might have… facing this many Uma Musume at once… wasn't that far too dangerous?!
"W-wait, hold on a second."
"Wait, don't you only get one marriage certificate? Haven't any of you considered that problem?"
Now, even if he were to plead, 'Hah! Can't we talk about this?', it would be utterly useless, wouldn't it?!
Yet, the young, 'black-hearted' doctor attempted one last, desperate struggle.
But his clumsy attempt at sowing discord was completely ineffective against these scheming, unscrupulous intruders who had long since prepared for this.
The petite and adorable chestnut-haired girl, Sea the Stars, narrowed her eyes like a dangerously cunning cat. Though her smile was brilliant, it carried a profound threat.
"No need to worry about such a boring problem, Dr. Lin."
"We can just go to Saudi Arabia, or some other country that allows polygamy, to get married, can't we?"
"Or… no one gets a certificate. That's fine too."
"As for now… you should be thinking about… yourself."
--+--
The next second—!
The bed groaned under a weight it was never meant to bear!
The King of Horse Mint was now facing his own [Lin Anran Stakes] final sprint!
Following the conclusion of the hard-fought campaigns against the Pegasus Platinum and The Radiant Knight Nearl…
The young, black-hearted doctor, Lin Anran, had no choice but to commence his very own [Hard-Fought Campaign]!
--+--
One Month Later.
Japan, at Tracen Academy.
Tokai Teio was with the Uma Musume of the Mejiro family, and Daiwa Scarlet, and they were all sighing in unison.
Before them stood incredibly young and vibrant classic-year fillies, full of potential.
"It's true, every generation produces its own endless stream of geniuses," one of them remarked.
Then Mejiro Dober, who was usually quiet and withdrawn around others, spoke up unusually.
"However… ones on the level of Platinum and Nearl… they are truly the kind that appear only once in a century."
She, who had been defeated by a staggering eleven lengths by Platinum in one leg of the Triple Tiara, had once considered it a humiliating disgrace.
But later, as Platinum went on to demolish overseas super-horses with massive, even super-massive margins, Mejiro Dober no longer felt it was such a shame…
As for Daiwa Scarlet, her own record of losing by five lengths was considered by Pegasus fans worldwide an unprecedented achievement—to lose to the Pegasus Platinum by only five lengths!
Losing to Platinum had, ironically, become the most widely known honor in their own GI racing records!
"But, they will also face the same risk of injury that I, and Tachyon, did."
"Back then, we were very lucky to have Dr. Lin stationed here at Tracen. Our recoveries were very quick."
"But now, Dr. Lin is all the way in America. His reputation in Europe and the US is quite significant now. He probably won't return to Tracen, will he?"
Tokai Teio followed with a soft sigh, seeming somewhat nostalgic for the young doctor who had once shown her such great kindness.
Suddenly, Daiwa Scarlet, standing beside Tokai Teio, let out a confused and surprised "Huh?"
The famed Crimson Queen, her twin tails swaying slightly, looked down in stunned disbelief, staring intently at her phone screen.
Her reaction drew the attention of Tokai Teio and Agnes Tachyon.
Then, Daiwa Scarlet raised her phone, displaying it in their line of sight.
"Look at this, this news… is it real?"
[It is reported that Lin Anran, the highly renowned Uma Musume doctor in the United States, closed his practice one month ago. There is no news of it reopening.]
[The Big Red Monster, Secretariat, who announced on social media platforms one month ago that she was preparing her retirement ceremony, has provided no follow-up information to this day.]
[Ruffian, entering her older mare year and at her peak, has not been seen at her dedicated training grounds for over a month.]
[The last public appearance of the sisters Galileo and Sea the Stars was photographed by fans aboard a flight to the United States.]
It was a series of news reports, each containing slightly peculiar information.
So then… what did it all mean?
--+--
Meanwhile.
The Tracen Academy Chairman's Office.
The petite Chairman, Akikawa Yayoi, was calmly stroking the small cat in front of her, musing about how "each new generation brings its own talents."
The phone ringing on her desk didn't initially draw much of her attention.
After all, as someone with immense authority, receiving calls was a commonplace occurrence for her.
But when Akikawa Yayoi shifted her gaze and calmly glanced at the caller ID displayed on the lit screen, she froze on the spot.
"?!!"
The caller was none other than — Pegasus Platinum.
The next second, Akikawa Yayoi immediately stopped petting the cat and answered the call without hesitation.
"Hello, this is Akikawa Yayoi, Chairman of Tracen Academy…"
"Yes… you want to… is that so…"
"Of course! Of course it's possible! Tracen welcomes Miss Platinum's visit!"
It was no exaggeration to say that Akikawa Yayoi coveted Platinum intensely. Like the Symboli Rudolf before her, she had long hoped for the Pegasus Platinum to become a Tracen Uma Musume.
But unfortunately, she had not succeeded.
And now… even if Platinum has retired, so long as she is willing to come to Tracen Academy, Akikawa Yayoi would nod without hesitation even if she were to become the next chairman!
After all, that's the Pegasus, Platinum!
--+--
A few days later.
Japan, Tracen Academy.
On a vast field, the young Uma Musume from the academy's newest training year had gathered together.
Among them were quite a few talented Japanese genius fillies, such as Equinox and Do Deuce, who were growing curious.
They'd heard this speech was very important. The chairman herself was coming to deliver some crucial news. Even many older, veteran, and even retired seniors had caught wind of something and come to listen.
The chattering young fillies in the audience also included Uma Musume like Tokai Teio and Daiwa Scarlet.
Then, Akikawa Yayoi began her speech.
"Up to now, Tracen Academy has cultivated…"
It started with praise for Tracen's history, then shifted to encouragement for the new generation of rookie Uma Musume.
After speaking for a short while, finally, Akikawa Yayoi's expression turned utterly serious as she began to get to the main point.
"And now, Tracen Academy will welcome… the most heavyweight member in its entire history."
"After the legendary American Uma Musume Seabiscuit retired, she was invited and promptly became a high-ranking official in the American racing authority."
"She, too, possesses the same qualifications, but she refused the URA's invitation and has come here instead."
Hearing this, fillies like Equinox, and even Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond, widened their eyes in shock.
In Japan, what other Uma Musume could possibly be described as having the same qualifications, and even refuse the URA directly?!
Could it really be that one—the [Legend among Legends]!
"She will take up the role of a trainee trainer at Tracen."
"I hope everyone remains calm, maintaining the composure and elegance befitting an Uma Musume."
"So now, let's all welcome—!"
"The Pegasus Platinum!!!"
As Akikawa Yayoi's words fell, the entire Tracen Academy seemed to be rocked by an earthquake, waves of cheers and boiling excitement erupting constantly.
The figure of a silver-haired young girl stepped onto the stage, coming into view before the countless Uma Musume.
The strongest turf Uma Musume in history! Platinum!
In the future, perhaps decades later, some Uma Musume fans' idol might not be Platinum.
But their idol's idol would definitely be Platinum!
The shockwaves caused by Platinum's choice to appear as a [Trainee Trainer] transformed in an incredibly short time into an earth-shattering storm, sweeping from Tracen Academy across the whole of Japan in an instant.
And then, spreading to countries overseas, becoming a super headline that captured everyone's attention!
Watching this frenzied scene, Akikawa Yayoi wore a smile of excitement and anticipation.
She could already imagine it: soon, numerous elite Uma Musume from overseas would likely apply to come to Tracen Academy, all for the chance to be near Platinum!
Heck, probably even many of Tracen's own trainers were going to have a tough time; recruiting outstanding new super rookies in the future would become who-knows-how-many times more difficult.
Because, after retiring… Platinum had become a trainer!
Under countless gazes filled with anticipation, astonishment, and delight, the young Pegasus, Platinum, walked up to Akikawa Yayoi's side and took the microphone.
Platinum did not launch into a long, encouraging speech to motivate the younger generation like Akikawa Yayoi had.
Instead…
"It's been a while."
Platinum, has returned!
The Pegasus that Tracen dreamed of, has finally arrived!
--+--
Time flows on.
One day, on a sunny morning.
The silver-haired young girl was lazily stretching and yawning when the phone by her bed, from a filly in her squad, started ringing.
"Ms. Platinum, darn it, you tricked me again!"
"You promised that if I won the Autumn Tenno Sho, you'd have a training race with me on the track!"
"I've won! So where are you? You're not on the track at all!"
The voice of the excellent junior from her team came through the receiver.
Platinum opened her eyes, turned her head, and was just about to say something into the phone when…
She saw it. On the bedside table, a letter had been placed at some unknown time.
—[To Centaurea]
The Dream Cup. The Turf Dream Cup is finally coming?
Seeing this, all the laziness vanished from the eyes of the comfortable trainee trainer.
Replacing it was a sharpness, like a long-sheathed sword finally being drawn.
Platinum sat up, picked up the letter, and opened it.
What met her eyes was no longer the familiar heading from the Three Goddesses—[Godolphin Arabian], [Darley Arabian], [Byerley Turk]—offering their respects.
Instead, it was…
—[Eclipse] and [Margaret Nearl] offer their respects!
The Three Goddesses. The third seat. Is it finally time to fill the vacancy?
The bright morning sun spilled over the silver-haired girl.
The Uma Musume filly on the other end of the phone was still chattering away, wanting to have a match with her trainer, Ms. Platinum.
After a long silence, Platinum let out a soft, amused puff of air.
Since there was still some time before the next Dream Cup began…
Maybe she could spare a little effort and seriously fulfill the dreams of her juniors?
The remnants of the old era would return to face off against the new kings of the new era!
Platinum finally voiced her soft, whispered response.
—[I'm back.]
—[I've returned.]
--+--
T/N: For the webnovel readers, I wanted to make it a cliff hanger, as this chap is as long as 3 chaps combined, but i felt bad
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.