"Dr. Lin, I've purchased your flight ticket to Europe."
Flightline beamed, her beautiful eyes glinting with a sly, fox-like cunning—the kind that belied her delicate appearance, much like a petite fox that seemed fragile yet was an expert hunter.
She hadn't forgotten how she'd first detected that despicable, sneaky "thieving cat" Sham's cunning plot!
Wasn't it all because… the timing of Dr. Lin's clinic closure seemed a bit off?
Normally, the young doctor—so full of compassion and dedication, yet often buried in newspapers at work—would only take time off to close the clinic for Nearl's races, or for the races of a select few like Secretariat and herself.
Without a proper excuse, if he disappeared for no reason, even her unreliable ally Ruffian would likely notice something amiss sooner or later.
The only difference was, someone sharp might catch on in just a day or two, while those a bit slower might not realize until the ten-day summer training camp was nearly over.
To avoid that, they needed a plausible excuse.
And what could be better than going to watch Platinum's race?
This move was exactly… feinting in the east while attacking in the west!
"Please post it in the group chat, Dr. Lin, and let Secretariat and the others see it clearly."
After sending the message, Flightline soon heard a reply from Lin Anran.
"Alright."
Once that brief but crucial exchange ended, even the usually poised and elegant Flightline couldn't help but show her delight.
Yes!!!
The most critical first step, and the cover to avoid detection… were both in place.
If everything that needed to be done could be accomplished successfully, then there should be no flaws left, right?
There was no way anything could go wrong now!
She'd even meticulously arranged the location for the summer training camp…
Flightline hadn't chosen some potentially leaky hotel—instead, she'd specially bought a seaside villa, with an ocean view!
And the location was deliberately far from where Secretariat, Sham, and the others usually were.
Even after all that, Flightline still felt a little uneasy.
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, the elegant young lady added a follow-up reminder, sending another message to Dr. Lin.
[Dr. Lin, remember to post the flight details in the group just before boarding time.]
[Posting it too early in the group might be risky.]
If Dr. Lin posted the flight info too early, what if…
What if it struck a chord with Secretariat or that sneaky Sham? What if they immediately used their connections to buy tickets for the same flight, turning it into some precious date opportunity?
So, the timing of the post had to be just right—not too early, only just before boarding, leaving them no time to react or make alternative plans!
After careful and lengthy consideration, Flightline was convinced this had reached a level of foolproof.
Dr. Lin… was going to be hers!!!
--+--
A day or two later, as the flight time approached.
On the other side.
Setting down his newspaper, the dark-haired young doctor looked at his phone with a somewhat subtle expression.
On his screen, the flight details sent by Flightline were displayed.
"I never expected Flightline to resort to military stratagems?"
"Alright, it's about time."
Lin Anran couldn't help but mutter a remark as he looked at the flight info.
Then, he opened the familiar group chat and clicked to send the flight details.
Within just a few minutes of posting…
It was as if a single stone had stirred a thousand waves.
[Secretariat: Dr. Lin, you're going to watch Platinum's race?]
[Secretariat: What a pity, I have to focus on preparing for the Breeders' Cup. Your little niece is no pushover.]
[SundaySilence: There's not enough time anyway—Dr. Lin will be boarding soon.]
Several replies popped up in quick succession.
Whether due to race schedules or the boarding time, things unfolded exactly as Flightline had predicted.
"Good, then it's time to pack."
He should set off now, heading to the summer training camp location Flightline had arranged!
And the European Goodwood Cup was about to begin!
--+--
Time skipped forward two days.
The highly anticipated race, awaited by turf racing enthusiasts worldwide—the battle to decide the strongest long-distance Uma Musume in history…
Had finally reached its opening moment!
Outside the venue, the number of spectators waiting in line to enter was beyond counting.
And topics surrounding the popular Uma Musume were constantly brought up and discussed among the crowd.
"Why is Stradivarius the god? First, we must start with Platinum, who committed the sin of arrogance…"
"Go, Pegasus! Go, Pegasus!!"
"Who would've thought that besides the great rivalry between Stradivarius and Kyprios, we'd also have Platinum, the 'outsider from the skies'!"
"This is so exciting—to witness such an epic showdown!"
"Can Miss Platinum win? This is the second-to-last race in her quest for the grand slam, right?"
And among the crowd…
There was a stunning young lady with snow-white hair, looking somewhat uncomfortable in the queue, wearing a mask and hat to conceal her appearance, as if socially anxious and afraid of being recognized.
She was none other than one of the highest glories of Australian Uma Musume, famous for her prowess in mile races—[Winx]!
Besides being crowned Australia's champion and known as a super shut-in, almost no one knew that Winx actually had another identity.
Namely… a fervent Pegasus fanatic, a Platinum stan!
Ever since Platinum challenged and defeated both Black Caviar and Winx in Australia's The Everest, and mentioned her racing schedule in a post-race interview…
She had stunned countless viewers and fans worldwide who followed Platinum's races—including Winx, who was both a defeated rival and a fan.
So, wasn't it possible… that she could also come to Europe to participate in the final mile race of Platinum's four major events?
Having made her decision, Winx arrived in Europe not long ago to acclimatize to the local turf conditions early, preventing any issues with adjusting.
'So many people… As expected of Miss Platinum. So many fans are here to support her.'
For the shut-in young lady, she had virtually no experience watching other Uma Musume races live.
But to see her idol compete up close, Winx emerged from her room and came here.
'After all, Miss Platinum is the number one turf Uma Musume, a presence that can rival Eclipse!'
'It's no surprise her popularity is this high… Huh?!'
The next instant, Winx's pupils sharply contracted.
In her field of vision, she saw a silver-haired young girl carrying a long case on her back, strolling leisurely toward the entrance, her cape swaying gently behind her.
Miss Platinum?!
It wasn't just her—many spectators around also spotted Platinum.
"Platinum! Platinum's here!"
"Pegasus, I've been your fan for ten years, ever since your last Everest race! Can I have your autograph?"
"Gwah! Getting to see Platinum this close already makes the ticket price worth it!"
Professional event staff immediately moved to protect Platinum, ensuring she could pass through smoothly without being mobbed by fans on her way in.
With her sharp intuition, Platinum, while walking past, turned her head and glanced in Winx's direction.
Before entering the competitor's tunnel, the composed Platinum waved a greeting toward Winx.
Instantly, the shut-in young lady's heart raced, beating faster.
Platinum had noticed her among so many people!
'Miss Platinum… has me in her heart!!'
After that emotional moment, Winx watched as Platinum entered the venue.
--+--
After Platinum left.
Just as Winx was about to enter as a spectator…
She suddenly felt a damp sensation on her arm.
The next moment, the pitter-patter sound, accompanied by surprised and flustered exclamations from the crowd, reached Winx's ears.
This was…
Rain!
Sudden rain!
Realizing this, Winx's pupils constricted sharply. As a supporter of Platinum, she immediately felt a sense of foreboding.
"Nooo!!"
This was a super long-distance race, already extremely demanding on stamina.
And European turf was notoriously soft, with some racecourses having such poor drainage they were mockingly called "swimming pools."
That was for rain several days before the race—if it didn't drain properly, it could leave the turf heavy for days.
But now… it was raining just one hour before the race. This was undoubtedly a heavy track, even trending toward an extremely heavy track.
This rain…
Could it shatter Miss Pegasus's championship dream?
--+--
Half an hour later, inside the vast Goodwood Cup venue…
The rain hadn't stopped. But it couldn't dampen the spectators' enthusiasm.
The stands could already be described as "a sea of people"—far exceeding tens of thousands, with demand outstripping supply.
Many more who couldn't get tickets could only watch the live broadcast, afraid of missing a single moment of this world-renowned super race!
"Pegasus Platinum!! Pegasus Platinum!! Pegasus Platinum!!"
"MVP! MVP! The MVP and final winner of this race will be Pegasus Platinum!"
"No, Stradivarius is the world's number one! She's a three-time Goodwood Cup champion—she can win a fourth!"
"Come on, super dark horse Kyprios, pull off another upset! You're the current strongest long-distance Uma Musume!"
"The rain's still falling—among the top three, Platinum is at the biggest disadvantage, right? She doesn't specialize in long distance."
"Compared to those so-called 'mortal' achievements like strongest long-distance runner or multiple records, I'd rather see Platinum rival Eclipse… no, surpass Eclipse's mythical legend!"
Amid the countless heated discussions and cheers, an almost unbelievable situation emerged.
That is—
Despite Stradivarius having the most consecutive Goodwood Cup wins in history and the most significant home advantage!
Despite Kyprios being the current strongest in long distance!
Despite both being among the top three, with pre-race votes only slightly behind Pegasus Platinum, roughly in the same tier…
The on-site discussion and fan support for Stradivarius and Kyprios combined could barely match that for Platinum alone!
At the Goodwood Cup venue, in stands filled with spectators, Platinum's fans had formed a faction equal to the combined fans of the two long-distance queens—a rivalry on equal footing!
This contrasted significantly with the pre-race support differential.
There was only one explanation! That is… the fans of Stradivarius and Kyprios were also "exclusive fans" of Platinum!
So, with this shift, the fervor of support for Platinum far surpassed that for the other two long-distance queens.
--+--
And in the front rows of the stands!
The chestnut-haired Sea the Stars wasn't surprised at all. She turned to another Uma Musume beside her and sighed with admiration.
"As expected of Pegasus Platinum. Her popularity is even higher than the paper data suggested."
"Even with this pre-rain, which isn't favorable for Platinum, the support hasn't died down."
Sea the Stars knew very well that while the pre-race voting for the [Goodwood Cup] was global…
It definitely prioritized Europe, so Uma Musume who debuted in Europe had a significant support advantage.
Those from Asia or the U.S. naturally lacked some support, as their local fans mostly didn't know where to vote on the event's official website.
But with Platinum's fans present, and the defection of some Stradivarius and Kyprios fans, Platinum had achieved an overwhelming top popularity!
And beside Sea the Stars, the other young Uma Musume was…
Frankel!
If Stradivarius and Kyprios were both strong contenders for the GOAT of long distance, either deserving the title of strongest in history…
That meant they were like Secretariat and Man o' War—perhaps difficult to separate in achievements and strength, with only a minuscule gap.
But Frankel was different—she was already the undisputed Mile Emperor!
One must know that the premier race distances in Europe were middle distance and mile, each having their legendary Uma Musume.
For instance, middle distance had legends like Sea-Bird and Dance In The Dark. The mile had the legendary Brigadier Gerard.
To dominate a premier distance and be recognized as the Mile GOAT meant she had surpassed Brigadier Gerard's glorious achievements, standing among the elites in the hall of legends!
This young lady, considered the "most perfect crystal" nurtured by European turf, gazed at the empty track where no one had yet entered.
"Next time… it'll finally be my turn…"
Frankel looked forward to the chance to compete against that silver-white Pegasus.
She longed for that battle intensely.
Even though Stradivarius in this race was also from the Sea family, Frankel knew that, deep down, she didn't want to see Platinum lose now.
Because she wanted to replicate the achievements of another Pegasus—The Radiant Knight Nearl, who galloped on dirt, defeating both Ruffian and Flightline!
In her battles, Nearl successively defeated two undefeated Uma Musume, ending their unbeaten records.
And Frankel desired Platinum to display legendary-level performance in the mile as well, to engage in a thrilling duel with her, and thus… end that Pegasus's unbeaten legend!
"So… don't lose, Platinum."
In Frankel's view, Platinum was no ordinary Pegasus—she was the Pegasus called Eclipse. Only she was worthy of facing Platinum!
"Besides me, no one deserves to challenge her one-on-one!"
"Will this heavy rain destroy you?!"
--+--
Inside the Uma Musume preparation area.
The not-so-tall, relatively petite silver-white young lady, while deftly retrieving her bow from the long case, scanned the room.
Like an assassin, the Platinum-ranked girl—her exquisitely beautiful face brimming with an unusual, startling aura—could intimidate any ordinary person or Uma Musume who tried to meet her gaze.
Her slightly petite yet exceptionally lean figure contrasted sharply with the terrifying presence she emitted!
For this Goodwood Cup, including Platinum, there were only seven participating Uma Musume.
Most of them, upon seeing Platinum's intimidating aura, almost instinctively averted their eyes.
Only two Uma Musume had the courage and presence to meet Platinum's gaze.
They were… the taller, more mature and poised Stradivarius.
And the cold, aloof, slender young lady Kyprios.
Among all the Uma Musume present, Stradivarius undoubtedly had the strongest home advantage. As the three-time consecutive champion, she smiled and turned to look out the window.
The steady patter of rain clearly reached her ears.
Stradivarius was not only familiar with the course but also battle-hardened and immensely experienced, her stamina training pushed to the limit.
Moreover, she came from the Sea family.
The Sea family's founder, Urban Sea, made her name on the heavy track of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe! Her descendants largely inherited that excellent heavy track adaptability!
For Stradivarius at this moment, she practically had time and place on her side!
Beside her, Kyprios crossed her arms.
Compared to Stradivarius, Kyprios lacked the "place" advantage but possessed "human harmony"... no, superior raw ability!
Despite her youth, Kyprios was a domineering super monster in long-distance races.
Actually, somewhat contrary to outside expectations, Kyprios wasn't afraid of Stradivarius.
Or rather… why should she fear a has-been?
Even if Stradivarius had three consecutive Goodwood Cup wins.
Even if historically, Stradivarius was the undeniable queen of long-distance Uma Musume.
But—the past is the past, the present is the present!
There was no reason the current strongest should be inferior to the historical strongest, right?
Just like how the American dirt runners Nearl and Secretariat might not be inferior to Man o' War! Both had potential to surpass her!
The old guard's era was over; now was her time!
Having familiarized herself with Stradivarius's capabilities, Kyprios had the confidence and certainty to defeat her again.
Instead, it was the Pegasus Platinum, challenging a long-distance race outside Japan for the first time, who was the opponent Kyprios, the current strongest, regarded with more wariness.
But… the timing had arrived?!
The arrogant Kyprios couldn't help but feel pleased as she listened to the rain.
This was practically heavenly music assisting her ascent to the winner's podium!
It was simply divine!
But… Kyprios also had her own pride.
If she defeated a less-than-optimal, underperforming Platinum, Kyprios wouldn't be satisfied.
The greedy glutton wanted to devour everything; she wanted to taste and hunt her opponent at their most splendid moment, not settle for a cooled-down dish.
The next moment, Kyprios stood up, looked seriously at Platinum, and slowly offered her advice.
"Your last heavy track race was long ago."
"Your last long-distance race was even longer ago, and that was Japan's Arima Kinen and Kikuka Shō."
"This heavy-track long-distance race… consider withdrawing."
"I'll wait for you in the next long-distance G1!"
This was a reminder, and also a warning!
"My suggestion is to wait a bit longer."
Heavy tracks differed significantly across race distances.
Moreover, Platinum's last race was a short-distance event on different turf, far away in Australia!
This was long distance—more than double the race length compared to short distance. The required adaptability and stamina were incredibly demanding.
Actually, from a purely benefit standpoint, Kyprios and Stradivarius would be better off saying nothing.
Even though defeating Platinum would be a hugely tempting achievement, significantly boosting her historical standing… Kyprios restrained herself.
Either she defeats Platinum at her peak, or Platinum tramples her to achieve a myth surpassing Eclipse!
Perfection—only a perfect opponent was worth defeating!
On the other side, Stradivarius also responded with a smile.
"This heavy rain might… shatter your championship dream."
Clearly, Stradivarius also believed Platinum's best choice was to withdraw temporarily, preserving her precious undefeated record.
Wouldn't it be better to wait for the next European long-distance G1 on a firm track?
Hearing this, the silver-white young lady remained silent, simply placing the bow on her back.
This action alone was enough to express her stance.
The next moment, Platinum stepped forward, striding quickly toward the entrance.
Heavy rain… would shatter her championship dream?
As she pushed open the door, the chill from the rain-cooled air rushed at her, the howling wind whipping her pristine white hair into a flowing cascade.
Her cape fluttered loudly behind her.
Platinum's response finally came just before she departed.
—"I will shatter the rain."
--+--
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.