"Leading the pack is Mejiro Rampage, who made a rocket start and is already running solo! An immediate four-length lead is absolutely massive; will she maintain this lead to the finish? In second is Turf Hopper, aiming for her original target at the Japan Cup. Following behind are Saint Verdant, Garnier, and Stahl Armekoa!"
"Go, Ran~!! Nice start!!"
It was 11 PM Japan time. Despite the time difference meaning the broadcast was in the middle of the night, it was earlier than Dubai, so Turbo was still full of energy. She might have looked a little sleepy, but the moment she saw Ran's start, all drowsiness vanished.
"That was an incredible burst out of the gate... It's like she started running the instant the gate opened, wasn't it?"
"No, I suspect Ran-san started a beat before the gate opened."
"A beat before...? Is that even possible?"
"If it's Rampage-san, she can do it!!"
"After all, she's our senior!!"
Indeed, it wasn't normal. It wasn't at the level of a mere reflex; it could only be explained as something she had planned in advance. Even so, it would be impossible without a precise grasp of the gate's timing.
"Big Sis was always good at starts, but... how do I put it? It's like she's refined it even further...?"
"That's right. Rampage-san isn't difficult with gates; in fact, she said narrow spaces made her feel calm."
"I can't really understand that part~"
As horse girls, they naturally preferred open and spacious areas, so this aspect was entirely beyond their comprehension.
"The 800 meters leading up to the first corner, also known as Swinley Bottom, is a downhill stretch of about 22 meters, but Mejiro Rampage is not slowing down at all! This is a run unique to her, a run she showed even on the Yodo Hill without losing any speed! She's still accelerating!!"
Rampage's figure, accelerating even on a downhill slope instead of slowing down, made Minamizaka involuntarily smile.
"As expected—" "It was worth all that mountain climbing, wasn't it?!" "—!?"
"Ah~ It's Shinzan~!!"
"It's Shinzan-san~!!"
"Hey, Turbo and Ticket, how have you been?"
"I'm great~!!"
"I'm great too~!!"
Everyone in the Canopus clubroom was startled by Shinzan's sudden appearance, but the two bundles of energy, Turbo and Ticket, were more welcoming. The others, meanwhile, were trembling in fear at Shinzan's arrival... but then again, it was typical of those two.
"Please stop appearing so suddenly..."
"My bad, my bad. Well, for Ran, elevation differences mean nothing now."
Shinzan's gaze rose, fixed on Rampage's figure, which was taking the shortest path through the corner with magnificent skill. Listening to the commentary over the radio, Shinzan heard the commentators exclaiming in astonishment, "What is that horse girl!?"
"Ran's running form fully utilizes her stride. Normally, cornering would be her weak point, but... with that leg strength, she's digging her feet into the ground, completely refusing to yield to centrifugal force, and cutting through the shortest path. If she does this, the others aren't just in trouble; it's worse than that. It's like taking the best parts of both stride and pitch."
"Big Sis, she's amazing after all..."
"As expected of Rampage-san!!"
Rice was burning her sister's brave figure into her memory, and Air Groove was captivated by her idol's running. Indeed, this running was overwhelming. These two aspects were also reasons why Rampage could maintain her undefeated streak.
"Ascot Racecourse has two key points. The downhill section from the start to the first corner, and then an endlessly uphill straight for the next 200 meters. Now, show them the power you forged in the mountains, Ran! Shake off the world, Rampage!!"
"Mejiro Rampage alone has entered the straight! Unbelievable speed! But this is an uphill climb now, a long, grueling slope. Oh, and here comes a horse girl from behind!!"
"She's trained more than I imagined—but I won't lose!!"
"The same goes for me!!"
"I, too—have my pride!!"
Stahl Armekoa, Garnier, Saint Verdant. These three surged forward simultaneously. They wouldn't be able to maintain that speed uphill; their pace would surely drop. Confident in their power, they made their move on the incline. They ascended the slope together, and at that moment, Al—curled the corners of her mouth.
"Horse girls trapped in running... Are you ready?... Then... Showtime!!"
The world was enveloped in mist. Only those present could comprehend it: monstrous figures with drills and propellers on their bodies appeared from everywhere, closing in as if to hunt them. Illusion was too mild a word; Al's ability truly deserved to be described as an invasion of the world. Anything within its reach was affected; there was no escape.
"This is—! Amazing, it's just like that world! I wanted to experience it just once! Why isn't there a shotgun here!?"
"Hahahahahahaha!! What an enchanting and stimulating world! Very well, even in such a world, I shall prove that my brilliance is the greatest!!"
"Tch, it's not working strongly on these ones...!!"
It wouldn't affect those with strong egos and unyielding wills. That was also her weakness; it hadn't worked on Arm Drinks in the Dubai World Cup. But now, that was impossible. Though the effect might be weak, she was confident it would land. Catching a slight moment of imbalance, Al passed Saint and Garnier, moving into second place. Only Rampage was left—but why? Her pace was disturbed—no, she was accelerating even more...!?
Within the mist that covered the world, humanoid figures with drills and propellers for bodies, looming as if to hunt them, stood in disarray. Yes, this was it. This was what had broken her spirit. She had overcome it through the encouragement of a departed soul, but the defeat was real. One defeat was death; a second was the death of the heart. A third was absolutely unforgivable, unforgivable. For that, she had trained.
"Alright, Ryan, let's go! My continually trained heart, body, and soul, now as one—come on, run with me!!"
Departed soul, let us rage together.
I will stir up a vortex of frenzy!!
It should undoubtedly be reaching her; there's no way it's not having an effect; I feel it working, and yet, why, why are you still running ahead of me...!?
"Mejiro Rampage is completely unfazed by the hill!! I-I can't believe it! Whether it's downhill or uphill, does she just feel it as flat ground!? Without slowing down, she's cleared the hill!! Three lengths ahead of Stahl Armekoa! Stahl Armekoa is desperately clinging on! She's putting on a burst, but can't close the gap! Mejiro Rampage has just rounded the final corner! Whoa, she's running right along the inner rail!!"
The Shinzan steel training etched into her body, the physical conditioning from climbing and descending mountains, meant nothing to her. She burst past it all, surpassing the tyrant, becoming an Onigami through her hidden power. No one could stand beside her fierce legs, which literally trampled over demons and monsters. The undefeated champion, Mejiro Rampage, has now—stirred up a whirlwind, no, a storm in Europe!
"This is, this is undeniably brilliant!! Mejiro Rampage crosses the finish line in first place!! Second is Stahl Armekoa, third is Saint Verdant, fourth is Garnier!! What an incredible feat! Japan's champion, Mejiro Rampage, has conquered the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, following her victory at the Dubai World Cup!!!! This makes it 26 wins in 26 starts!! The power of this horse girl is truly world-class!! And the time is 2 minutes 25 seconds 0!? A r-record!! Mejiro Rampage has set a record time that showcases her power as a world record holder!!"
Her name was etched into European history, the name: Onigami Mejiro Rampage. No one could doubt her power anymore, as she had led the race from start to finish, and it was met with respect, awe, and fear. Even amidst the destiny of the strong, Rampage remained unyielding. She would not waver again. Even if she did, she would simply re-train and compose herself.
"First—crown."
A single finger raised to the heavens. Once, Emperor Symboli Rudolf had raised a finger after winning the Classic Triple Crown—Satsuki Sho, Japan Derby, and Kikuka Sho—to signify his victories. Not imitating him, but rather to show Trainer Sue-chan, she raised her finger.
"Mejiro Rampage has raised her finger!! Does this signify her first victory in Europe, or is it an omen for future victories to come!?"
"Honestly, that girl... Ran-chan, you are simply the best."
Afterward, when Rampage returned, Sue-chan spontaneously hugged her. Rampage accepted and held her close, and together, they smiled for the numerous cameras aimed at them.
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