"Sever all attachments, forget everything!"
In Kyprios's eyes, Platinum was almost certainly the same type of person as herself.
Brimming with talent, looking down upon everything—that was the portrait of both her and Platinum!
The kind… overflowing with natural gift and extreme self-confidence, the ultimate elites who seemed aloof but were actually intensely focused on victory.
Yet, compared to other Uma Musume, they both savored the process of the race more than the result itself.
In other words, while Kyprios pursued victory, she relished the taste of achieving it even more.
In the past, Kyprios, much like a "problem child," would surpass her opponents in a race, steadily widening her lead until a massive victory seemed inevitable…
Then, she'd let loose, launching into a diagonal sprint down the homestretch—a move that drastically reduced her sprinting efficiency.
In the end, Kyprios actually managed to achieve a [massive difference, dominant victory] with that diagonal run in a prestigious graded stakes race, stunning countless fans and spectators.
To many, it seemed that if Kyprios wasn't facing exceptionally strong opponents, she might have won by a super large margin in a G1 race. Such was the power of the strongest long-distance Uma Musume!
But because Kyprios didn't care too much about the final result, she often failed to win by even larger margins. Only when an opponent truly threatened her could her limits be pushed! Even broken!
And now—the strongest opponent was right before her eyes!!
Kyprios didn't much care about the final number of lengths she won by; she cared more about the thrilling tension of clashing directly with a powerful rival.
In her view, Platinum was definitely the same type of person as her!!
Stand users are drawn to each other, and surely the same goes for similar Uma Musume?!
'Platinum, in many past races, either started late or went on a huge front-running spree, only unleashing her full power domain later on.'
'With her ability, she didn't need late starts, and she had other running styles to choose from!'
'Coincidentally, I'm the same! Platinum and I are kindred spirits!'
In Kyprios's eyes, beyond the excitement and seriousness, burned an unprecedented fighting spirit.
Kyprios's domain, without the slightest hesitation, unfolded right here and now!
It was so powerful it could only be described as [overwhelming], its intensity felt even by elites like Stradivarius.
"Let me witness the style of the world-renowned Pegasus in a long-distance race!"
Kyprios's domain was manifesting for all to see!
--+--
[(Immovable): When in a long-distance race, slightly improves own long-distance aptitude, heavy track aptitude, and slightly reduces stamina consumption.]
[(Towering Mountain): Slightly increases speed and power. Racing strategy becomes more structured. Small to moderate increase in momentum intensity depending on fighting spirit.]
[(Might Makes Right): …]
[(The Weak Scatter): …]
--+--
From her tall, slender frame that seemed to contain boundless power, an explosive acceleration came in the very next instant. The one hailed as the strongest, Kyprios, in this [Goodwood Cup] filled with powerful contenders, made a decision that left the outside world gasping in astonishment…
Namely—accelerate!
Beneath the curtain of rain, an early acceleration!
On the heavy track, her domain unfolded!
"Come at me, Pegasus Platinum!!"
"Let's see what kind of style a middle-distance nobody can show in a long-distance race!"
Kyprios grinned, the excitement in her eyes utterly captivated by the silvery-white luminous figure closing in from the periphery of her vision.
She'd actually had her eye on the legendary Pegasus Platinum for a long time.
Hailing from European elite Uma Musume families, most Uma Musume placed their expectations and passion on the [King's Course] distances of mile and middle-distance.
Only after confirming difficulty achieving success in middle-distance or mile graded stakes would they then consider the less popular long-distance or sprint courses, or even cross over to dirt racing.
It was just like Japanese Uma Musume, most of whom dreamed of competing in the middle-distance Classic Triple Crown, even if their raw talent was visibly more suited to other distances…
And Kyprios was the same.
She too had once yearned for the king's courses of middle-distance and mile, and poured effort into them, but she struggled to achieve notable results even in ordinary non-G1 graded races, let alone face monsters like Sea the Stars.
Finally, she decisively switched to long-distance, and upon changing categories, it was like stepping into a whole new world.
The filly who could barely win at middle-distance and mile transformed into a force that swept through long-distance, a peerless talent even the strongest long-distance prodigy of the Sea family, Stradivarius, had to acknowledge defeat against.
In a very short time, Kyprios became the [Strongest] in long-distance, earning the right to be mentioned alongside her idol, Sea the Stars, by the outside world!
And the Sea the Stars whom Kyprios admired, her idol, had been mercilessly defeated by that Pegasus in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe!!
Someone as excellent as Sea the Stars couldn't escape the fate of being pierced by that arrow!!
And now that Platinum, having surpassed her idol, was coming for her next!!
For Kyprios, long-distance was her final retreat, the stage where she absolutely must not lose.
"I will prove who is the world's number one long-distance Uma Musume!"
It was like a demon with absolute talent, wearing a near-ferocious, proud smile, seeking to bar the challenging hero from the gate.
"Right here, right now—!!"
[Unbelievable! Just as Pegasus Platinum accelerated to second place, nearly drawing level with the leading Kyprios!]
[Kyprios activated her powerful domain and began to accelerate. She was… saying 'no' to Platinum!]
[The currently active strongest long-distance Uma Musume is refusing to relinquish her supreme crown!!]
[Nearing the halfway point, the clash between the strongest and the strongest begins.]
The professional retired Uma Musume commentator reported the situation with perfect clarity.
This included Kyprios's act of activating her domain.
For all Uma Musume, activating one's domain was akin to drawing a sword—it wouldn't be sheathed until blood was drawn!
The stands on both sides were already boiling over.
Whether fervent Pegasus fans or loyal Kyprios supporters, all watched this prematurely ignited clash with rapt attention.
Until… a short while later.
"Eh??"
"Th-that is? The legendary… unique to the Pegasus…"
"So bright! Isn't it black? Why is it so dazzling and shiny in the rain and under the twin moons?"
Many spectators were wide-eyed, as if witnessing an utterly shocking scene.
It was…
--+--
On the turf track, near the very front.
Platinum, running at high speed through the relentless rain, her feet pounding the dark, heavy turf, had particles of black and white gathering behind her, coalescing into…
Dark, black wings spreading out behind the silvery-white girl!
The radiant Platinum, paired with the starkly contrasting, cold, and imposing black wings, perfectly mirrored the mythical Pegasus's wings from legend.
--+--
[Pegasus Form (Passive): Greatly increases power and acceleration. Significantly boosts momentum. Randomly seals 1-3 of the opponent's domain skills based on momentum intensity difference%.]
[Pegasus Form (Wings): Spreads wings. Slightly increases stamina consumption. While active…]
--+--
Her already high-speed running underwent a complete transformation, an evolution in the next instant.
It became… something akin to skimming the ground in flight!
Her speed increased further, burning itself into the vision of the stunned Kyprios ahead!
"You want to defeat me, is that it? Then come—"
"Kyprios, if you can!"
Platinum's whisper was like the pronouncement of death, akin to the moon goddess pursuing her prey with bow in hand.
And Kyprios… was the final one!
Effortlessly, even as the [Strongest] Kyprios deployed her proud domain…
She could only watch as that petite, silvery-white Pegasus with soaring black wings closed in relentlessly!!
The sturdiest defense seemed pierced through by Platinum's arrow, as if any resistance was futile?!
Cold sweat was already streaming down Kyprios's fair neck and back.
'How… how is this possible?!'
The cold sweat was soon covered by the even colder rain. In this cold, damp, rainy battlefield, it should have forced all Uma Musume to maintain calm composure.
But the current Kyprios was filled with a sense of crisis, her heart pounding wildly, completely unaffected by the cooling rain.
'This Pegasus… is she even an Uma Musume?!'
She was simply…something that surpassed the limits of her own species?!!
--+--
Further back, on the turf track.
"Th-this turf is so heavy."
"No, my trainer praised my heavy track adaptability plenty, but this… I'm struggling this much."
"So the gap between a heavy track and a severely heavy track is this vast?"
"Why are those two monsters at the front running as if it's flat ground?!"
"What's truly terrifying is that Kyprios, performing so powerfully with her domain fully active, still can't maintain an advantage against the Pegasus?"
More than one long-distance specialist was staring, dumbfounded, or wide-eyed in shock.
Faced with this rain, this unimaginably severe track condition, they all felt the physical strain and a deep-seated frustration.
The extremely heavy, severely rain-soaked turf should have been like a "quagmire" constantly swallowing the stamina of the competing Uma Musume, and many in the rear were already complaining bitterly.
Overseas challengers often saw their performance hampered by unfamiliar conditions or unsuitable tracks.
Local Uma Musume, with more training time, usually performed significantly better on heavy tracks.
The specific seasonal timing of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, combined with the primitive, poor-draining course, made the probability of heavy track conditions quite high—at least one in every three races tended to be on a heavy track.
This was why the [Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe], that top-tier international G1 race which overseas Uma Musume eagerly challenged, had failed to produce a champion from outside Europe for a full half-century.
Until Pegasus Platinum's reign!
But… middle-distance and long-distance races were entirely different concepts. In Uma Musume races, there was no single trick that worked everywhere.
Kyprios, excellent enough to be the current strongest, the peerless talent who defeated the strongest historical contender Stradivarius, was a prime example. Struggling in middle-distance, she switched to long-distance and immediately claimed the top spot.
So why!
Not only did Platinum not show any expression of strain or effort, she instead grew colder and calmer, like an assassin completing her assigned hunt.
Those behind, including Stradivarius, didn't know that Pegasus Platinum had arrived in Europe early and undertaken a nightmarish training regimen!
Well, at least the training volume was several times more than a certain Pegasus's routine back in Japan.
A few days of training, however you slice it, is several times more than half a day or one day, right?
"N-no good."
"The gap is getting a bit too large now."
"If this continues, it'll be hard to catch up."
A trace of worry flickered in Stradivarius's beautiful eyes. With her experience, she immediately judged that, having just reached the third turn, it was already time for her to accelerate.
After all, she wasn't an Uma Musume known for a powerful final kick.
Or rather—
If she possessed a powerful final kick, why would she even be running long-distance??
If one could truly balance [final kick] and [stamina], they would have long ago challenged the 2400-meter king's course that demanded both explosive power and endurance, instead of sticking to this niche long-distance course!
The mature, tall Sea family lady, now filled with a sense of crisis, couldn't help but gaze into the distance.
There… around the finish line, what Stradivarius saw was the phantom image of a maiden goddess seated high on a throne, as if ready to draw her bow and shoot the final arrow at any moment!
The Goddess under the moon, about to complete her hunt?!
And behind the throne stood many sculptures.
Each sculpture was a lifelike Uma Musume, all clad in either gorgeous or elegant race outfits, their expressions mostly frozen in utter astonishment at witnessing the Pegasus's shocking large-margin victory!
What particularly caught Stradivarius's attention were four specific sculptures.
Those four were…
Galileo.
Galileo.
Sea the Stars.
Daiwa Scarlet.
Galileo, one of the Sea family's signboard and most popular young ladies, was the first in Europe to enter the Pegasus Hall, the little foreign filly who lost to Platinum.
And she lost three times, entering the Hall twice.
And Sea the Stars… was an idol even Stradivarius admired, the monarch, the emperor-like figure of Europe's king's courses!
As for the final one, Daiwa Scarlet, her reputation wasn't low either, having made a name for herself overseas.
She was the only one in the entire world, a super talent who could enter the Hall and dance with the Pegasus! She lost by a mere five lengths!!
Rumor had it that many elite European young ladies went to Japan during the off-season and had training races with that Daiwa Scarlet.
And regardless of their strength, the publicly known results… were mostly victories by five lengths, or defeats by five lengths! All struggled to break the shackles of the [five] barrier.
Even the strongest empress from Australia, Winx, when she went to Japan to compete in the [Pegasus Kinen], could only beat Daiwa Scarlet by five lengths!
Therefore, the outside world speculated that the Crimson Queen was perhaps like a cat toying with mice—powerful, terrifying, and low-key.
But along with Daiwa Scarlet and Sea the Stars, countless top-tier geniuses had been defeated, turned into figurine sculptures collected within the Pegasus Hall!
There were multiple sculptures of the Sea family Uma Musume!
An extremely complex emotion rose in Stradivarius's heart.
"I can't lose face for the Sea family Uma Musume."
"Either win, or join Galileo-sis and Star-sis in the Pegasus Hall!"
Arrest Platinum and Kyprios!
In Stradivarius's vision, the pressure radiating from the silvery-white maiden at this moment was terrifying to the extreme!
--+--
At the very front.
The Uma Musume feeling the real pressure, sweat pouring down her back, was definitely not Stradivarius.
It was—the leader, Kyprios!
That silvery-white, radiant figure seemed to transform into a brilliant meteor tearing through everything, so dazzling that Kyprios, who kept accelerating but could only maintain a lead of less than two lengths, couldn't help but widen her eyes.
A look of determination flashed across her exquisite features. Her resolute gaze fixed firmly on the Pegasus Hall at the finish line ahead.
She must not admit defeat!
She must maintain her advantage!
This currently active strongest long-distance king, still unwilling to yield her leading position, displayed that fighting spirit, gritted her teeth, and poured out her full power!
"Time to go all out! I can't let anyone take the view from the front! The title of strongest belongs to me!"
Kyprios's powerful legs pounded the turf, unleashing a mighty and astonishing dash.
But despite Kyprios's desperate expression, no matter how hard she swung her arms, how forcefully she stomped the ground…
She couldn't widen the gap with the Pegasus who was almost at her side in her peripheral vision.
No matter how hard she tried, she could only watch the stunning approach of those black wings!
One length!
Half a length!
Until… neck and neck!
The silvery-white Pegasus was now completely level with a fully-powered Kyprios, sharing the lead.
Before the homestretch even arrived, the strongest, most specialized in long-distance… was already, despite giving her all, unable to maintain an advantage by the mere third turn!
"N-no! I can't just admit defeat like this."
Kyprios's breathing grew more ragged, filled with bitterness.
"If I can't defeat the Pegasus on my best course, the one who's only trained for long-distance for a few months…"
"Doesn't that mean I'll be left far behind?"
Kyprios didn't like the feeling of losing back in her middle-distance days.
But even if she couldn't surpass the Pegasus Hall as the winner, at the very least… she had to finish second, to beat one of the top three, Stradivarius, and enter the Pegasus Hall!
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!
"At least… at least secure second place!"
As this thought emerged, she noticed the phantom image of the maiden goddess seated high in the Pegasus Hall at the finish line, drawing her bow.
The icy judgment had swiftly arrived at the final moment.
"Seven."
Immediately after, the Platinum phantom in its divine form loosed the final arrow!
The brilliant, meteor-like arrow abruptly pierced through the still-fighting Kyprios!
And at the very front, the silvery-white maiden with an empty quiver was streaking like a meteor towards the homestretch in a flying leap.
[Incredible! Even in her first European long-distance G1 attempt, the Pegasus's divine might remains undiminished!]
[The Pegasus has instantly surpassed the currently active strongest long-distance king, Kyprios!]
[Just after the third turn, Platinum has already gained a half-length advantage and is taking the lead stepping towards the fourth turn and the homestretch.]
[Behind Kyprios, a fierce battle for "second place" is underway, with the accelerating Stradivarius challenging for the runner-up spot.]
As the commentator's voice rose higher!
[The leading Platinum seems to be performing an elegant solo dance! A Pegasus taking flight!]
[This isn't some romantic, uncontested run; it's undisputed, overwhelming strength!]
[Two lengths! Three lengths! Four lengths! The Pegasus, not even in the homestretch yet, is wantonly expanding her lead!]
Kyprios, just recovering from the shock of the Pegasus's special effects, the meteor-like arrow that pierced her… suddenly saw Stradivarius's acceleration.
In that instant, Kyprios's pupils sharply contracted.
'That one who must never be underestimated, she's here already? Her vision is as sharp as ever.'
'Stradivarius, at the very least… I have to defeat her again!'
A defeated rival, defeated once more!
Even before the race, many spectators predicted a possible [Top Three] showdown.
But if Stradivarius and Kyprios, desperately fighting for second place, were two of the top three…
Then what about Platinum, dancing solo at the front, impacting the margin of victory? What did that make her?
At this moment, even Kyprios and Stradivarius couldn't answer that.
In the eyes of these two long-distance fillies, the goal had gradually shifted from 'must win' to 'must not lose by too many lengths to enter the Hall,' and finally to…
Strive for second place; getting into the Pegasus Hall is success!!
Behind Platinum, the battle for second place continued unabated, the two almost neck-and-neck, locked in a desperate struggle.
While the two Uma Musume behind the Pegasus were fully engaged in their final, intense clash.
Ahead of them, that silvery-white figure, seemingly dancing and soaring alone, had already stretched her lead to an almost absurd degree!
Nine lengths!
Ten lengths!
Eleven lengths!
Platinum didn't know about the fierce duel behind her, wasn't aware that the two famous European powerhouses were locked in a fierce duel for the sole remaining spot in her Hall.
She cared even less about such things.
Uma Musume surpassed by Platinum were no longer considered opponents!
Once Platinum fully unleashed her acceleration, leaving all others behind, occupying the view ahead alone…
In Platinum's eyes, all that remained was to finish the race as soon as possible!
The fun was gone; she just wanted to clock out and slack off!
Amidst the astonished voices from the stands, under the glow of Terra's twin moons, the radiant silvery-white figure, with its signature black wings spread, entered the final straight after the fourth turn.
Fourteen lengths!
Fifteen lengths!
The stands on both sides had long since erupted into booming cheers.
Faced with such a visually stunning dash, even the most loyal, iron-willed fans of Stradivarius and Kyprios couldn't help but switch their allegiance.
[This is the Pegasus, this is the Eclipse! The only one in the world comparable to the legendary Eclipse, truly living up to the reputation.]
[Can Kyprios still catch up? Can she still… no, she can't!]
[The finish line is already before Pegasus Platinum. The crown for the strongest in long-distance history is within sight, and Platinum is proceeding towards it in top form!]
Even the commentator's voice began to carry notes of astonishment and awe.
The Pegasus, still accelerating on the homestretch, was far, far ahead of what many considered historical top-three level long-distance monsters Stradivarius and Kyprios.
This was a heavy track!
This was the inside course!
Just what kind of incredible adaptability, stamina, and power was required? Could an Uma Musume really be this versatile?
Just what kind of…shocking monster had the Three Goddesses created?!
With still half of the homestretch remaining, Platinum's lead was approaching a super large margin.
And now, the stands were filled with the sound of roaring cheers, countless voices celebrating early!
"Gwaa, to see such a brilliant race, even dying would be worth the price of admission!"
"Miss Platinum, don't go! Run a few more long-distance races, I want to see you defeat my idol, Miss Stradivarius, one more time!"
"I won't argue with Stradivarius or Kyprios fans about Platinum being the long-distance GOAT, but it's just a fact."
"I am Miss Platinum's dog!!"
"Just… just how many lengths will she win by? There's still half the homestretch left, I'm so curious!"
As countless voices rose, the silvery-white figure was already galloping past the halfway point of the homestretch.
The pitter-patter of rain continued.
Under the mysterious, majestic glow of Terra's twin moons, Platinum's swift, radiant form held both the cold sharpness of an assassin and the holy brilliance of a knight.
The image of the silvery-white Pegasus maiden, with her starkly contrasting black wings spread, practically skimming above the ground, was firmly etched into the memories of the Uma Musume behind her and the entire audience!
Platinum was speeding towards the finish line, and clocking out!
Twenty-one lengths!
Twenty-two lengths!
Twenty-three lengths!
Just as the two of the top three behind her finally, barely, established a slight order between themselves, the silvery-white maiden's cold eyes were filled with a determination aimed at ending the race.
Even with this exceptionally high level lineup, there was still no stopping Platinum!
The silvery-white Platinum, with the absolute bearing of a king, was confidently striding towards the finish line in her final dash.
Platinum did not speak, she only accelerated!
The latter part of the course, the final finish line, was within reach.
That silvery-white figure completely transformed into a light-like, peerlessly swift arrow, with the finish line as its target, piercing through it with her very body!!
Finally—!!
[If you cannot be faster, you cannot face the battle!]
[If you cannot be stronger, you cannot surpass!]
[Finally, if you cannot answer these roaring cheers, you are not qualified to win!]
[Becoming the king of an era, the supreme dance of the Goodwood Cup, presenting an unprecedented performance here—this is Pegasus Platinum!!]
[That is… a super large margin of twenty-seven lengths! The Pegasus is perhaps only one step away from surpassing Eclipse herself!!]
At the finish line, the dark yet luminous maiden Pegasus Platinum, running at her coldest, highest speed… crossed the finish line alone and first!
In the history of the Goodwood Cup, this high level lineup, gathering at least two of what many considered the historical top-three Long Distance Uma Musume, had turned into a display of the Pegasus Platinum's wanton, flight-like great victory.
Even the most professional Uma Musume commentator couldn't help but be deeply shocked involuntarily, voicing their praise.
Super large margin, a Grand Victory!
The following second, the entire Kazimierz Knight Coliseum erupted into a roaring, mountainous sea of celebratory cheers!
--+--
On the latter part of the homestretch, Kyprios, struggling desperately to maintain second place, stared fixedly at the scene of the Pegasus's solo dance across the finish line, as if trying to burn it into her mind.
Echoing in her mind was the conversation she had with Platinum before the race.
"For this long-distance race on a heavy track, maybe consider withdrawing."
"I'll wait for you in the next long-distance G1!"
"As for my advice, maybe wait a bit longer."
And in response to the advice Kyprios offered, Platinum's reply was…
—"I will shatter the rain."
The Pegasus… had actually done it!!!
Advice… just what had she advised?!
In Kyprios's heart, she could only let out a small, involuntary cry of despair.
'How can she be this strong?!'
--+--
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.