"Can I ask… why are you retiring?"
"What's the reason? Is it [Love]? Or something else?"
Galileo voiced her doubts.
As soon as the question left her mouth, the dozens of other Uma Musume nearby were the first to react.
Even legends like Secretariat and Flightline pricked up their ears, their attempts at maintaining an air of dignity and imposing presence failing as they couldn't help but eavesdrop, not wanting to miss Platinum's answer.
After all, this was the Pegasus Platinum, the super monarch universally acknowledged to have surpassed Eclipse and achieved domination over every turf course!
If it were other legendary Uma Musume, one might explain it as retiring out of loneliness from lacking worthy rivals, a helpless retirement.
But Platinum was the one who could even defeat legends—she shouldn't be like that!
—Among her many illustrious titles was one known as [The Strongest Dual-Wielder in History].
Meaning, since Platinum was invincible on turf, she could still try for the super G1 races on dirt!
The path before the Pegasus Platinum was absolutely vast, a breadth of future that legendary Uma Musume of past generations couldn't even hope to match!
Not only that, Platinum had never shown any signs of declining physical condition or gradual deterioration, so theoretically she still had at least half a year left in her prime.
Despite being in such an incredibly 'wealthy' state, Platinum chose to retire early. How could this not leave her fervent Pegasus fans worldwide feeling regretful? How could it not baffle this large group of Uma Musume competing in the Breeders' Cup?
"..."
When Platinum heard Galileo mention 'love' as a guess, the calm on her face showed a trace of astonishment, her cherry lips parting slightly in surprise.
Huh?
A love-struck little filly, aren't you, you Sea foal!
"No, you're overthinking it."
"It's simply... I've fought through so many races for so long, I'm just a little tired."
Platinum then gave her answer.
She didn't mention anything about possibly returning in the future.
If she said that, her future comeback to school the next generation of champions wouldn't be as surprising!
She had to give them a scare!
Although, in Platinum's impression, great thieves like Kaito Kid would always send a notice before striking their targets, full of martial virtue.
But sorry, she's an assassin, not a great thief! So no martial virtue here!
"??"
Platinum's response made Galileo's expression carry a hint of suspicion.
The keen black-haired girl looked at Platinum's petite frame, unchanged from the past, seemingly ordinary and inconspicuous yet containing boundless strength and endurance.
She really didn't look tired at all.
'Something feels... off?'
'But never mind, if Platinum doesn't want to say, she doesn't have to. The focus now is the race.'
Galileo promptly stopped dwelling on it.
Right now, the afternoon's race was the most important.
Of the two races Platinum had prepared for, the dirt race came first, followed by the turf race.
Therefore, Platinum's retirement race... was also Galileo's own retirement race!
Next, with an extremely serious expression, speaking as a rival, she slowly addressed Platinum.
"I can sense, in our three past duels..."
"You never went all out, did you?"
Galileo's tone held not just certainty, but also a touch of unwillingness and shame.
For an Uma Musume, what could be more humiliating than an opponent easily defeating you without even trying their hardest?
Racing against a turf Pegasus, giving your all but still unable to win!
But in this charming king of a girl's eyes...
Platinum slacking off still meant winning by a routine ten lengths, while being serious meant a super massive margin of twenty lengths.
And she herself had been utterly crushed by a slacking Platinum more than once.
Since this was her and Platinum's mutual retirement race, then... let's go crazy all the way!
If you're going to seek a thrill, of course you have to go all the way!
"This time, since it's our retirement race, Platinum, you should finally go all out, right?!"
Galileo's eyes fixed on the silver-haired girl.
But before Platinum could respond, an 'outside voice' from beyond them chimed in.
"No, you won't get that chance, Galileo."
Hearing the unfamiliar, almost cold female voice, Galileo immediately turned to look.
It was... a girl even more petite than Platinum, but the aura erupting from her body was a whole level stronger than both Platinum and Galileo—a monster girl.
The undefeated American dirt Triple Tiara winner, Ruffian!
Galileo knew very well that Platinum never showed her strength outside of races. Not only did she lack the imposing aura of a top Uma Musume, she even seemed weaker than third-tier Uma Musume.
Just like... an assassin hiding her power!
So, Galileo wouldn't blindly equate [aura = strength], wouldn't trust that equation.
But at the very least, this American empress Ruffian was absolutely powerful, a genius girl surpassing world-class.
"Platinum's first opponent will be me."
"There won't be any full strength left for you, Galileo."
Ruffian's icy tone delivered her answer.
That's right!
Of the two races Platinum was challenging, the later one, the [Breeders' Cup Turf], had Galileo as the opponent.
And the earlier one, the [Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile], the opponent was none other than Ruffian!
The reason was actually quite simple...
Ruffian herself wasn't an Uma Musume with outstanding stamina. Precisely because that wasn't her absolute forte, she chose to challenge the [Triple Tiara], not the American Classic Triple Crown.
With monsters like Secretariat, Nearl, and even Flightline gathered there, Ruffian didn't believe she could win against a full three legendary Uma Musume over the 2400-meter distance, which wasn't her strong suit.
Therefore, she could only choose to switch to another race.
Actually, Ruffian had plenty of races to choose from, like those limited to classic-age runners, or filly races, but she didn't want to challenge races with no difficulty.
And in the end... Ruffian chose to avoid the dirt Pegasus and challenge the turf Pegasus!
In Ruffian's view, even if she couldn't beat Nearl on dirt, facing Platinum on dirt should give her a decent chance of winning!
Even if she narrowly lost in the end, she would definitely drain a significant amount of Platinum's stamina, making it hard for her to win the later turf race, let alone... use her full strength.
Full strength? Impossible!
'If Platinum can still use her full strength in the later turf race...'
'Wouldn't that mean she could easily defeat me on my home ground, on my preferred dirt mile, without using full strength, and then still have enough left to face Galileo?'
For Ruffian, that was absolutely unacceptable!
That would be looking down on her, the Undefeated Triple Tiara winner, not far from becoming a dirt legend?!
Thus, Ruffian coldly stated her response, to cut off Galileo's hopes.
But... the next second, a light yet weighty voice came from that silver-haired girl.
"As you wish, Galileo."
"!"
Did she really think she was some soft pushover that could be handled and crushed without any effort, without expending much stamina or energy?
Ruffian whipped her head around, staring at Platinum's figure.
"You'll regret this, Platinum."
Platinum merely gave a light laugh, not responding immediately, instead drawing the bow from her long case.
"I am the strongest, Ruffian."
With an offhand remark, that strongest turf Pegasus declared her decision.
—Platinum would go all out in her final race, in her turf race rematch against the Pegasus!
Time skipped forward to the afternoon, a few hours later.
During the brief break after yet another G1 race had concluded...
From the spectator stands, quite a few sighs of admiration could be heard.
After watching who knows how many G1 races, many spectators were still waiting for the most important three!
Those three were the final events scheduled as the afternoon's grand finale: Platinum's two races, and Nearl's one race.
And the time for the first of those three was already drawing near.
"So this is American dirt racing? Feel like... it's not as exciting as I imagined."
"Your tastes have been spoiled by Platinum's races. You'll settle down after she retires."
"Waaah, don't! I want to watch Miss Platinum's races for a lifetime."
"The next race is finally Platinum's long-awaited, and more importantly, her final dirt track event!"
"Finally, it's here. Let me see it—the legendary strongest dual-surface runner, the one said to surpass Eclipse on turf, what will she look like on dirt?"
"Pegasus vs. Ruffian! Is this a rematch? Nearl managed to defeat Ruffian; can Platinum do the same?"
Amid the roaring excitement, some voices expressed regret over Platinum's impending retirement race drawing closer.
At the same time, others were curious about the showdown between Platinum and Ruffian!
Finally...
[Next up, the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile!]
Those words, from the current announcer, alone seemed to whip up a massive storm in an instant.
The feverish intensity of the live audience, along with the steadily rising numbers of viewers tuning in via TV and live streams, proved it beyond a doubt.
[Let's welcome... the strongest Uma Musume in history! Making her debut challenge on American soil!]
[The Pegasus, Platinum, has arrived!!]
A short time later...
[3!]
All the racers had now entered the starting gates.
Countless gazes were fixed on the silver-haired girl in gate number six.
[2!]
Even Ruffian was alert and focused, preparing for the moment the gates would fly open.
[1!]
The gates sprang open.
Along with Platinum, every racer burst from the gates simultaneously, charging forward!
Platinum's retirement race, her previous American challenge—the Dirt Mile... had begun!
"She's off!"
Ruffian's form was explosively fast. The moment she left the gate, she surged forward, aiming for the lead.
This sharp-witted Triple Tiara queen wasn't one to be swayed by anger or secret glee over Platinum's supremely confident pre-race words. With power like hers, she had full command over her emotions.
And she possessed incredibly sharp reflexes for reading the flow of a race.
'This chance... I have to take it.'
'This time, I'll lead from start to finish!'
The strategy Ruffian had chosen was... a Great Escape!
In her view, the proud, strongest Pegasus would never resort to specific tactics just to defeat someone she deemed 'mere.' Platinum's words before the race... they had to be sincere!
Since Platinum wouldn't be going all out this race, her running style would surely be an energy-saving one, like staying mid-pack or closing from behind.
Therefore, by building a sufficient lead with a strong front run, she could maximize her chances of victory!
'Platinum, you'll regret your choice, your running style!!'
The petite queen, Ruffian, wore a cold expression, her fighting spirit blazing hot, filled with the desire to defeat Platinum!
And so, she launched her powerful Great Escape!
Typically, a Great Escape that surpasses ordinary pace-setting, accelerating recklessly at the front—that's a running style rarely seen in the highest-level G1 races.
Even in American races, known for their faster pace and generally shorter distances, it's far from common.
Whenever a front-running dash appears, it always captures the audience's interest and makes them watch intently.
But now, many American spectators seemed captivated by a spectacle even more thrilling than the dash!
That was...
High in the sky, the blazing sun hanging there began to dim noticeably!
Replacing it... were two moons, one bright and one dim, alternating as if changing the very heavens!
The visual effects unique to Uma Musume, visible to spectators, were now so potent they were altering the sky itself—a shocking scene that dirt racing fans were witnessing for only the second time since Nearl.
The Pegasus Platinum, in this other world of dirt racing, after a long absence since the Dubai World Cup over a year ago, was finally displaying her signature effect in a dirt race again.
And the spectators who had been captivated by Nearl's shocking display before were now equally mesmerized by Platinum.
As for the Great Escape?
Irrelevant.
Platinum had also left the gates.
The silver-haired girl had not been slow out of the gate.
Her figure, relatively unassuming compared to most racers around her, was positioned within the mid-pack group, slightly toward the outside.
Her plan, as an assassin, for this race was...
To settle this quickly while conserving energy.
Then, proceed to torture... no, fully demonstrate to Galileo, to satisfy that charismatic king of Europe, and achieve a glorious finish!
So for this race, Platinum had chosen, for the first time in a while, a closing running style.
'Just as well, I trained for the mile distance recently.'
'It's coming in handy again now.'
If Platinum's inner thoughts were known to Ruffian or a certain former mile GOAT, they'd probably be grinding their teeth and glaring at her.
'You're treating a turf mile like a dirt mile?'
'Who applies formulas like this??'
But to the Pegasus, in Platinum's view, a mile was a mile—they were all the same!
At least, with her physique, her legs, she didn't feel any so-called discomfort or strain from switching between different track surfaces.
So, unconcerned, Platinum chose to run freely in this, her [First Retirement Race]!
[All racers are out of the gates, and surprisingly...]
[The one leading with a front-running dash at the very front is none other than the famed Dirt Triple Tiara Queen, Ruffian.]
[As for Platinum, perhaps because she has another turf race later, she has chosen an energy-saving closing style.]
[The clash between the two top favorites seems likely to emerge after the halfway point, as positions... Huh?]
The announcer's commentary on the post-gate positions cut off abruptly midway!
Then, recovering, the announcer in the high booth stared at the silver-haired girl positioned toward the back, on the outside.
[Wait a moment! We're only approaching the first turn!]
[The legendary Turf Pegasus, she's already starting to accelerate?!]
[On Platinum, the legendary twin wings... are unfolding!]
--+--
"This spot here is just right."
On the outside, the silver-haired girl fixed her gaze on the front-running racer, Ruffian, who was steadily widening the gap.
Platinum didn't like closing from the inside; she didn't want to be hemmed in by other racers, as it would affect her timing for acceleration.
And now!
The dark twin wings behind the silver-haired girl had unfurled.
"Time to accelerate!"
"Galileo is still waiting for me!!"
--+--
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.