"What the hell! Is this the kind of situation a normal Uma Musume is supposed to face? This is just too much!"
Moonlight Lunacy's eyes welled up with tears; she was on the verge of crying.
But could you really blame her?
Up ahead, two powerhouses were dueling like gods, with lightning flashes, peals of thunder, and eerie, cackling laughter.
Then, another monster emerged from behind, its presence no less intimidating than the two in front, seeming like it wanted to devour her whole.
She was just a poor, delicate little Uma Musume!
Just as she was thinking this, Oguri Cap had already charged right up beside her.
"Eek!" Moonlight Lunacy, terrified, immediately swerved out of the way.
"What's with this one? That feeling like she wants to eat me alive is terrifying!"
Under the pressure of these three overwhelming auras, almost every Uma Musume on the track was affected.
The fear in their hearts made the path forward for these three all the smoother.
Oguri Cap advanced to the front with almost no resistance; only a handful remained ahead of her now.
"Oguri Cap! This is everyone's Oguri Cap! This final burst of speed is worth its weight in gold! Her closing kick absolutely deserves your cheers!"
"Go! Go!"
"Charge!"
The audience's passion was thoroughly ignited. They rose to their feet, excitedly shouting and cheering for the Uma Musume they supported.
This scene was an immense shock to the present-day McQueen. She gazed blankly around the entire racecourse, the twin ears on her head twitching restlessly from the clamor of the crowd.
But these minor discomforts couldn't overshadow the feeling stirring within her.
'So lively… so dazzling… Will I stand on this racetrack someday too?'
Her hands unconsciously clenched tighter, and her tail waved up and down flamboyantly.
In that moment, Mejiro McQueen understood the glory of the racetrack and felt the greatest longing for it.
"Hehe."
Ardan and Nearl, standing to the side, naturally noticed this. They exchanged a smile, and Ardan reached out to gently pat little McQueen's head.
"Nearl, look, McQueen's eyes are sparkling. This is the best, the most fitting mindset for an Uma Musume, isn't it? It seems McQueen is destined for great achievements in the future."
Watching the little McQueen, whose eyes were completely glued to the race and who hadn't noticed their conversation at all, Nearl agreed with Ardan's assessment.
"A passion for something is always the greatest driving force for success. McQueen has that potential."
"But she has only seen the glory on the track, not the pain and hardship beneath the surface. If she doesn't understand that, any future glory she attains will be like a piece of art—noble, but fragile."
As she spoke, Ardan's tone lowered, her eyes drifting down to her own feet. These fragile feet had caused her so much trouble.
Although she had endured it all, that didn't mean it hadn't been painful. Now, she just hoped little McQueen wouldn't end up like her.
"Many feet bring much fortune. I will keep an eye on McQueen."
Ardan felt Nearl's hand on her shoulder, as warm as ever.
She glanced sideways and was met with Nearl's consistently reassuring smile.
"Then I'll trouble you with that."
Ardan returned an equally bright smile.
But just then, Nearl's gaze suddenly snapped back to the racetrack, her expression immediately turning serious.
"Nearl, what's wrong?"
Seeing this look on Nearl's face, Ardan asked nervously.
"Tony Bianca has activated her Domain. She's about to make her all-out charge."
Nearl's brilliant golden eyes fixed on the Arc de Triomphe champion, whose body was now enveloped in swirling currents of black and white energy, and she said no more.
'This intensity… Her mastery over her Domain runs even deeper than Tamamo Cross-senpai's.'
--+--
I am strong. This is something I've always known.
But I haven't underestimated this race because of it. Even if it's just held on a remote far-eastern island, it's still an international G1 event.
I've adjusted my strategy and my condition to be just as they were before the Arc de Triomphe.
I believe that no matter which Japan Cup I ran in—even the one with Symboli Rudolf in it—I would absolutely not lose!
"But what is this?"
Tony Bianca's eyes, always filled with pride, were now flooded with shock.
Sweat was already streaming continuously down her face.
"What kind of newly established international major stakes is this? What kind of backwater island nation race is this?!"
Her expression gradually twisted into a snarl, even her canine teeth bared.
"Three Domain-level Uma Musume? You've got to be kidding me! This is no worse than the Arc de Triomphe!"
The interplay of black and white across her body grew more pronounced. Tony Bianca's left foot stomped down onto the ground with an exaggerated, powerful motion.
"Fine, no joking around. I'll give it my all to answer the challenge you, my respectable rivals, have presented!"
Domain: [Victory March]
Power erupted. She launched her pursuit against the two ahead. Close behind her, Oguri Cap was also in hot pursuit.
"This is truly thrilling! A battle between four Domain users—it's an extremely high-level contest!"
Maruzensky, seated in the VIP box, exclaimed in astonishment.
Ordinary Uma Musume couldn't see the Domains; they could only sense something was unusual. But those Uma Musume with the aptitude could witness the spectacle.
The three in the VIP box were naturally among them.
"What an exaggerated scene. Even you, Rudolf, have never seen such an intense racetrack before, have you?"
Mr. C.B., leaning against the window while intently watching the track, sighed with feeling.
"Indeed, that's true."
Symboli Rudolf nodded, speaking without a trace of concern.
"In all the races I've experienced in my life, I've fought against opponents with Domains many times. But competing against four Domain users simultaneously? Not even once."
"This Japan Cup will surely go down in history!"
"Though, there's one thing I've been noticing all along. Oguri Cap is just too terrifying, isn't she? In such a short time, she's even acquired a Domain."
"And by the looks of it, she has complete control over it. It's not some last-ditch, all-or-nothing flash in the pan."
Twitching her ears slightly, the only expression on Maruzensky's face was the astonishment one reserves for seeing a monster.
"It is truly a magnificent achievement. This is only her second major stakes, right? That she could bloom to such an extent… I never saw it coming."
The Emperor seemed to have a weight off her shoulders.
"She will definitely stir up a new wave of excitement in racing, breaking through the slump the sport has been in. In the coming years, the audience will witness new history."
Rudolf closed her eyes and smiled with satisfaction.
"Thus, my wish is fulfilled."
--+--
"Tony Bianca is charging up! Right behind her is Oguri Cap! The four leaders are locked in a fierce battle for that single top spot!"
"Currently, Obey Your Master leads, but Tamamo Cross is trailing by just a nose!"
"Tony Bianca! She's caught up, only a few strides away! Tony Bianca is about to overtake them!"
"Oguri Cap! Oguri Cap is pushing hard too! She's accelerating again! A second burst of speed!"
The commentator was roaring excitedly, completely disregarding professional decorum. But the next moment made their voice warp with sheer surprise.
"What's happening?! Tony Bianca is slowing down!"
--+--
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.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.