Tokyo Racecourse.
The pre-race interviews for the Artemis Stakes.
Journalists one after another, countless cameras focused—the scene was even more massive than the previous Saudi Arabia Royal Cup.
If, in Barbatos's last G3 race, she was still just a highly-touted rookie Uma Musume, now she had more than enough credentials to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with—or even surpass—G1-level competitors.
She had outpaced the former strongest in Japan, Tamamo Cross, in a relay marathon, and defeated a former Japan Cup champion, the world-class Obey Your Master.
Even if those two were no longer in their prime, the media couldn't care less.
As more and more people learned of Tamamo Cross's past achievements, and as footage of Obey Your Master and Tamamo Cross overpowering champions from other nations in the Japan Cup resurfaced—
Barbatos's fame had been pushed to yet another level. Her fanbase had even surpassed that of the "Emperor" herself, Symboli Rudolf!
Even El Condor Pasa, once spoken of in the same breath as Barbatos, had been somewhat overshadowed in online discourse after her loss to Inari One.
Many online commentators often overlooked why Barbatos had beaten Tamamo Cross in the relay marathon, or how Seiun Sky had opened up a 15-length lead.
In their eyes, Barbatos defeated Tamamo Cross, and El Condor Pasa lost to Inari One—so the conclusion seemed obvious.
Especially since, in order to truly compete with those two seniors, Barbatos had deliberately waited until the final straight to go all out, facing Tamamo Cross and Obey Your Master head-on, fair and square.
That alone earned cheers from Japanese netizens.
Pre-race interviews were originally meant to feature the top three most popular contestants, to build hype and boost ticket sales.
But in this interview, the second and third most popular Uma Musume seemed almost like supporting characters.
All eyes were fixed on the number one favorite: Barbatos.
"Miss Barbatos, for this Artemis Stakes, how many lengths are you planning to win by over the second-place finisher?"
Standing beside her, Trainer Minamizaka wore a faint, internal smile.
Although he had expected something like this during the pre-race interviews, it was even more over-the-top than he'd imagined.
Even though he was confident in Barbatos's ability to win this race—much like Twin Turbo during their strategy meeting—for the media to ask such a question so openly risked provoking the other participating Uma Musume, or even affecting Barbatos's own mindset.
It could potentially lead to an upset on the track.
Moreover, as media professionals conducting pre-race interviews, they really shouldn't be asking questions like this. Every journalist assigned to these events was rigorously trained to avoid the kind of irresponsible behavior seen in tabloid media.
Then again, perhaps it wasn't so surprising.
After all, Barbatos now had one of the largest fanbases among all Uma Musume. She had beaten Tamamo Cross, and there were even wild claims online that she would win the Winter Dream Cup.
No matter how you looked at it, with Barbatos having defeated Tamamo Cross, even her own trainer found her practically unbeatable in a G3-level race.
Hearing the reporter's question, Barbatos widened her eyes.
She prepared to swat down the assumption. "Until the very end of the race, nothing is certain."
"What if I lose right here in the Artemis Stakes? Every competitor in a graded stakes race is battle-tested. Until you've raced them, how can anyone claim an easy victory?"
It was like this in both Team Canopus's strategy meetings and the pre-race interviews.
It was enough to make Barbatos a little nervous.
Why were so many people planting flags and setting up expectations for her?
Originally, she thought this kind of hype wouldn't happen until at least December, after she'd won a G1 race.
By then, she'd be facing the Winter Dream Cup, with a field full of legendary Uma Musume. No fan would seriously think she could win that, so expectations would be more tempered.
But it seemed she had underestimated the impact of that relay marathon.
At first, she had El Condor Pasa sharing the spotlight, and above them both was the so-called "Once-in-a-Generation Talent," Silence Suzuka. She had felt relatively secure.
Now, though, she felt like a seasoned general on a stage, covered in prop flags from head to toe.
Hearing her response, the reporter who asked the question was taken aback.
The second and third most popular Uma Musume waiting for their interviews also seemed stunned. While every Uma Musume entered a race aiming to win, the opponent they faced this time felt truly daunting.
It was as if they, mere G3-level competitors, were suddenly up against a G1 or even a legendary Uma Musume—like Oguri Cap had stepped onto their track.
Especially after hearing Barbatos's words.
Their desire to fight for the top spot was rekindled, even if their confidence in actually winning wasn't all that firm.
Still, they couldn't help but feel Barbatos was more like a senior—her words carried the weight of a student council president, as if she were on a completely different level.
"Miss Barbatos, you really are quite humble. Perhaps it's this very attitude that has allowed you to reach such heights."
The reporter chuckled cheerfully.
How could someone who had beaten Tamamo Cross possibly lose in a G3 race?
The only question was by how many lengths she would win.
"Then, may I ask—it's said you plan to compete in December's Hanshin Juvenile Fillies Special. Are there any opponents you consider particularly noteworthy?"
Barbatos paused for two seconds, momentarily unsure how to answer.
What was going on? Why were these people already analyzing her opponents for the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies?
She hadn't even run the Artemis Stakes yet, and she still had a G2 race next month!
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The next day.
Subways near Tokyo Racecourse were flooded with crowds heading in that direction.
Online tickets for the Artemis Stakes were completely sold out. Groups of fans called up friends and made their way to the Tokyo Racecourse to watch this G3-level race.
As a graded stakes event, even a G3 always drew a decent crowd.
But it was rare to see the racecourse packed to the brim like today.
Some spectators held Barbatos plushies; others wore T-shirts printed with her image.
The moment Barbatos stepped onto the track and tossed off her jacket, the entire racecourse erupted in thunderous cheers. The live stream was flooded with comments in romaji or Japanese: "Ehehe~", "All hail the Wind God!", "A legend from her debut!"
This was a race whose outcome seemed beyond any doubt. Everyone was ready to witness the rise of a legend.
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T/N: Honkai: Star Rail fanfic up!
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.