America.
The interview given by Flightline, who had finished as the runner-up, the defeated, was transforming into a peculiar storm, sweeping across the vast American Uma Musume racing world.
"She is a true Pegasus. She surpassed me, and she ['protected'] me."
"And just now, I too became one of those she protected."
This interview was far more than just answering questions.
To a greater extent, it was informing the outside world, publicizing the fact that Nearl had sheltered the entire field, protecting her opponents from injury.
And this was one of Flightline's ways of repaying Nearl.
If the Radiant Knight, Nearl herself, had tried to explain or elaborate, it would inevitably carry a whiff of "boasting about a favor" or "showing off."
Besides, Nearl didn't care about any of that. She didn't enjoy the adoration, nor did she mind the skepticism. So, with quiet composure, she had never offered any explanation to the outside world, or to the Uma Musume she had protected.
Until now!
The interviewed Flightline, with sharp insight, had perceived everything. To express her gratitude, she personally brought up Nearl's protection during a live televised news interview.
At this moment, not only were Flightline's fans and Pegasus enthusiasts watching the broadcast filled with shock and awe, but even the professional Uma Musume journalists present were stunned speechless.
Unprecedented! Never heard of before!
A legendary Uma Musume praising another legendary Uma Musume like this… it simply hadn't happened in the past.
Even if you tried hard to find a comparison, it could only be something like [Man o' War] and [Secretariat] – a retired senior praising a successor, a junior, like a master and apprentice.
In contrast, this scenario, where a legendary Uma Musume from the same era, as a direct opponent, offered such praise after a defeat, was itself an extremely rare occurrence.
And that wasn't all… besides praise, Flightline was expressing gratitude, explaining how she had been sheltered by Nearl, thus avoiding injury!
This news, this interview, was destined to shake the entire dirt-track Uma Musume world to its core.
If Nearl's previous performances were brilliant, they were still those of an Uma Musume surpassing other Uma Musume.
Always, it was about struggling to break through limits within that existing framework.
But this act of [sheltering] was completely different. It existed outside that framework, beyond the common sense of what an Uma Musume was.
You could say that no matter how strong Nearl was before, she was still just an Uma Musume who ran and surpassed others – and that is the very calling of an Uma Musume.
But now, Nearl had not only demonstrated her calling to the utmost but had also extended her shelter to include her very opponents. This was something countless Uma Musume couldn't even dream of.
What Uma Musume wouldn't wish for such a rival in her races?
It was as if, in the eyes of others, she had instantly transcended from being a ['person'] to an entity possessing ['divinity']!
You could say that from now on, Nearl would become that unique, almost divine existence in the eyes of countless Uma Musume.
And the Uma Musume who had been the original potential casualties in the Belmont Stakes and this Pacific Classic Stakes, all owed her a debt for this.
Not only did they lose to Nearl, but they also had to thank her!
An Uma Musume capable of such a thing was unprecedented in the entire history of Uma Musume racing, and Nearl had become the first!
From now on, it was likely that Nearl, as an extremely young classic-year Uma Musume, would see her popularity and influence within the Uma Musume community explode suddenly, perhaps even surpassing Secretariat's!
After all, what Uma Musume wouldn't like someone who could shelter them and prevent injuries?
"Alright, that's all I know."
"Now I should head back and rest."
Flightline then waved her hand, indicating she was leaving.
In truth, she wasn't really the type of Uma Musume who was good at public relations.
Furthermore, this was Flightline's first defeat since her debut. It would have been the norm for a defeated Uma Musume to simply leave early, refusing interviews.
But to thank her 'future little niece,' and to remember the debt of Nearl's shelter, Flightline specifically used her influence to explain this matter, boosting Nearl's already sky-high popularity to even greater heights.
Popularity with the external audience.
Influence among internal Uma Musume.
Both internally and externally, she was likely to at least rival, if not surpass, Secretariat!
Flightline, using her own name and reputation, was helping the Pegasus Nearl, who had aided her, to overtake Secretariat in popularity! Such decisiveness, such spirit, mirrored the strength she displayed on the track!
Flightline believed that the Radiant Knight's magnificent achievements, and that miracle of sheltering the entire field, would completely eclipse all others, like a solar eclipse, becoming mythical tales passed down for a hundred, two hundred years, or even longer!
And Flightline, busy returning to rest and adjust her condition, couldn't help but feel anticipation…
Some time from now, at the year-end [Breeders' Cup].
The inevitable showdown between Nearl and Secretariat!
Which of the two strongest legends of the dirt would prove superior?!
--+--
Several hours later.
A petite, dark-haired girl had returned to her home.
Sunday Silence, having first watched the [Pacific Classic Stakes], had then returned to the training ground for a session.
Nearl's increasingly outstanding performances, from dominating their fellow classic-year fillies to decisively defeating a legend like Flightline, had thoroughly stimulated Sunday Silence.
Thus, Sunday Silence chose to train, wanting to improve her own abilities as much as possible, to earn another chance to face Nearl.
"Thankfully, my last match against Nearl didn't leave me with any major injuries."
"I recovered quickly, and now I can still train and race."
"By the time the Breeders' Cup comes, it's not impossible for me to become stronger and have a chance to compete against Senior Secretariat and Nearl."
The petite, dark-haired girl's cold eyes filled first with relief, then transformed into fighting spirit.
The current Sunday Silence had gained nothing from the American Triple Crown, defeated three times by Nearl. Even though many recognized her strength, results-wise… it was somewhat awkward.
Logically, she could follow in the footsteps of Sham, that senior who was also defeated three times by Secretariat. She could focus on recovering properly, getting stronger, and achieving results in other races later on.
But—!
Sunday Silence didn't have that much time. She couldn't wait that long!
Because, the Dream Cup was in just a few months!!
You must understand, from the era of the legendary [Eclipse] until now, there had only been a single instance of the Dream Cup.
The reason Eclipse, an ancient Uma Musume whose deeds were difficult to fully verify, held firmly onto the [GOAT] title—only being matched this year by the Pegasus Platinum with her top achievements in sprints, middle distances, etc.—was largely because Eclipse was the champion of that first, and so far only, Dream Cup!
Later Uma Musume, no matter how amazing—for instance, Man o' War—had mythical achievements like [defeating a Triple Crown Uma Musume], but they never got the chance to compete against other top-tier Hall of Fame Uma Musume.
'No room to display one's heroism' probably described this situation.
But Eclipse was different. She was lucky enough to encounter the Dream Cup, where the top Uma Musume from the decades around her time all returned to their peak form for the [Crowning Battle of the Eras]! From then on, she became an eternal legend passed down through history!
Be it that supreme crown, far surpassing any other race.
Or the chance to face other top Uma Musume she had missed, those she couldn't face in their prime!
These two aspects alone were immensely attractive to highly competitive Uma Musume like Secretariat and Sunday Silence.
No Uma Musume would be completely uninterested in the Dream Cup. But the Dream Cup was a one-time event, not an annual one like the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe or the Breeders' Cup.
And precisely because the Dream Cup selected the top twenty-plus Uma Musume over several decades, only those with records good enough to secure a spot in the [Dirt History TOP20] could qualify for an invitation.
But legends like Secretariat, Nearl, and Flightline had already locked down their [invitations]. Besides them, there were other Uma Musume with outstanding records, like Seabiscuit, War Admiral, or other retired Triple Crown winners.
The difficulty was exceptionally high.
"Probably, even if I achieve five, six, seven wins in regular G1 races…"
"No, I'm afraid even ten wins might not be enough. I might not even qualify to touch the threshold."
"There are so many American G1s, countless monsters in history. They aren't short of monsters with numerous G1s."
"But I'm not a Triple Crown Uma Musume either…"
The dark-haired girl's mind flashed as she thought of one particular race.
Namely—the [Breeders' Cup Classic]!
It was the equivalent of Europe's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on turf, or Japan's Arima Kinen on turf—a true [All-Star Race], gathering the most powerful Uma Musume of the year.
Not only that… the [Breeders' Cup], with its Classic, Turf, Mile, Distaff, and several other GIs, was one of the reference models for the Dubai World Cup and the Pegasus Stakes format, famous overseas.
Even from Europe, and indeed Japan, Uma Musume would come to challenge!
It was said that the popular European Uma Musume, the daughter of the Sea family, Galileo, had already entered the Breeders' Cup Classic.
"This year's Classic is definitely going to be the most grand one in recent decades."
"Secretariat, Flightline, Nearl… at least two of these three legends will participate."
"No matter what Uma Musume, even if she hasn't won a single G1 before this, as long as she can win this legend-filled [Breeders' Cup], it should be enough to propel her into the top twenty in American history, right?"
This Breeders' Cup Classic had clearly become, in the eyes of ambitious Uma Musume like Sunday Silence who yearned for the Dream Cup, the only path to the Dream Cup.
And other top Uma Musume who thought the same, who coveted the Dream Cup but lacked the qualification, would definitely not let go of this final chance!
For this, Sunday Silence prepared to engage in relentless, arduous training, to fight for that slim possibility!
The dark-haired girl, having finished her training and returned to her room to rest, had just lain down on her bed.
Sunday Silence picked up her phone, habitually about to open the group chat.
She was in two group chats with Ruffian, Flightline, and Secretariat. One included Dr. Lin, the other specifically excluded him.
A few months back, when Sunday Silence lost to Nearl, both Flightline and Secretariat had joked in the smaller group that they should get revenge for Sunday Silence.
But now, in the process of seeking revenge…
In this group, only Secretariat remained undefeated by Nearl.
Instead, they were the ones being surpassed by Nearl, one after another.
"Huh?"
When Sunday Silence opened the group chat, she saw that Flightline had posted something.
It was… Flightline's own post-race interview.
Puzzled, Sunday Silence clicked on it immediately.
"She is a true Pegasus. She surpassed me, and she ['protected']..."
After watching the short interview clip, the petite, dark-haired girl's pupils seemed to shake as if from an earthquake, her whole body trembling slightly.
Suddenly, things that had confused her, that she couldn't figure out, became crystal clear.
During that final Triple Crown race, Nearl's supremely excellent performance had pushed both her and Easy Goer to their absolute limits, their bodies aching from the pursuit.
But at the end, the pain subsided sharply, as if it had all been an illusion.
Because it was the first instance, the first race where Nearl's shelter was active, no matter how clever Sunday Silence and Easy Goer were, they couldn't find the answer.
Until now… after Flightline figured it out and made it public.
"So that's it! Is that how it was?"
"Nearl, she actually sheltered us, her competitors, as well?"
The petite, dark-haired girl's exquisitely cute face was covered in astonishment and shock. She seemed to want to speak but stopped herself.
In truth, Sunday Silence's temper wasn't as good as her petite, cute appearance might suggest.
She was even somewhat irritable and extremely competitive.
Even if other Uma Musume were amazing, even if they beat Sunday Silence, the most they could earn was her recognition and respect, which would then transform into an even fiercer fighting spirit, a desire for revenge.
Even towards idols like Secretariat or the original Big Red Monster Man o' War, Sunday Silence felt respect, not admiration or worship.
The Dark Noble, proud as a lion king, had never worshipped any Uma Musume all this time.
Only that Dr. Lin earned her admiration, because he was the first to take such good care of her, not caring that before her debut, she was seen by the outside world as so-called 'fodder'.
After achieving fame and becoming a graded stakes-winning Uma Musume with several wins, more and more trainers and doctors wanted to form exclusive contracts with her, either to handle her training or her treatment.
But without exception, the irritable and proud Sunday Silence kept them all at a distance. She wouldn't accept anyone approaching her except for Dr. Lin.
Offering help in times of need versus adding flowers to the brocade—they were completely different concepts.
After becoming famous, Sunday Silence had seen the world. Even being repeatedly defeated by Nearl, she could manage to maintain her composure.
But now—!!
Upon learning that her potential injuries had actually been prevented by Nearl's shelter, granting her the chance to challenge Nearl again at the Breeders' Cup…
This irritable, proud, petite dark-haired girl who only bowed to Dr. Lin found her breathing growing slightly rapid.
"To think… to think…"
Instantly, in Sunday Silence's heart, the Radiant Knight's brilliance had surpassed even Secretariat's, even Man o' War's.
Greatness needs no explanation!
What kind of composure, confidence, and compassion must one have, as an Uma Musume, to shelter her very opponents?
Did such an Uma Musume really exist in this world?!
After her utter amazement, this petite, dark-haired girl who never worshipped any Uma Musume finally, for the first time, felt a sense of admiration for a specific Uma Musume.
The first human she admired was Dr. Lin from the Nearl family!
The first Uma Musume she admired was Margaret from the Nearl family!
Even this irritable, proud girl already held an extremely favorable impression of Margaret Nearl, looking up to her.
Let alone the countless other Uma Musume who already admired Nearl; upon learning of this sheltering, their admiration would reach new heights!
The unique radiance of the Radiant Knight, sheltering the entire field, was shining across America and spreading throughout the world!
"They are both from the Nearl family…"
The famously non-pedigreed, not-from-a-prestigious-family Miss Sunday Silence suddenly thought.
'If I married Dr. Lin…'
'Wouldn't I be a member of the Nearl family too? And then wouldn't I be Margaret's aunt-in-law or something?'
'Wouldn't the seniority be a bit strange?'
'Or should we just address each other separately? I call her my little niece, and she calls me Sunday Silence?'
--+--
At the same time.
Lin Anran was sitting at his computer desk.
Before him, a system panel was displayed.
[Race: Pacific Classic Stakes]
[Reward: Maturation Progress +15%...]
[Current Maturation Progress: 100%]
[Note: Margaret Nearl, Alternate Version Unlocked]
Huh? Alternate Nearl?!
--+--
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.