A sanctuary that belonged to Nearl alone—the Pegasus Hall!
It was a space utterly different from the Platinum Hall of Fame's solemnity and imposing aura—more classical, more sacred.
But the vision felt almost illusory. Under the gaze of the entire stadium, the scene suddenly shifted—to the interior of a towering building, dark and filled with ruins.
Just moments ago, out of the starting gate, no matter the weather, the sky had been dominated by the special effects of Nearl's [Stellar Descent].
The lance thrown by Nearl's phantom image had already torn through the clouds the instant she left the gate, allowing sunlight to bathe the vast dirt track.
Yet now, that blazing sun couldn't penetrate the darkness of the ruined building revealed by the sanctuary—as though the light of this world wasn't enough to illuminate a scene from another.
Witnessing this, even Flightline, watching from the stands, was filled with astonishment.
A second later, the scene within the ruined building was no longer pitch black. Like a movie screen flickering to life, it began to show something extraordinary.
In that long night, a gleam of light suddenly shot forth.
Before the crowd could even process their surprise or confusion, they saw it—the [Lance]!
A weapon everyone recognized—the iconic [Lance] carried by Nearl herself, the one aiming for the Triple Crown!
Within the sanctuary's vision, a tall, dignified knight girl in a white coat was pulling the lance from the ground. Her coat and long hair fluttered and snapped in the wind.
This golden-haired knight, Margaret Nearl, had become the only light piercing through the long night. Behind her, brilliant golden Pegasus wings flashed into view before dissolving into a shower of drifting feathers.
The sanctuary's display broadcast Nearl's radiant figure, shining in the darkness, to the tens of thousands present at the venue and the hundreds of millions watching live around the world!!
The audience was stunned, utterly captivated, unable to hold back their gasps of awe.
"Huh? How…? Nearl's special effects are always so dazzling and explosive. Why did it turn into this after summoning the sanctuary?"
"Why would her sanctuary show a dark, ruined building?"
"The Radiant Knight's silhouette is so cool! Shining like a beacon in the darkness, that heroic figure… no wonder even Platinum herself referred to her as [The Radiant Knight] back in Japan."
"Truly, a nickname is never given by mistake."
"It's a shame the two Pegasus never met again. Maybe next time it'll be at the [Breeders' Cup] or [Dream Cup]?"
"I'm so curious… as fellow Pegasus, the world's first one and the very one who gave Nearl the title [Radiant Knight]… what exactly is Platinum's relationship with— Huh? Wha—?!"
Some spectators, curious, couldn't help but think of the world-renowned Platinum.
These days, it wasn't just the US—fans from Japan, Europe, and nearly every corner of the racing world had discussed the relationship between "Platinum and Nearl."
After all, from what little was known, their connection seemed mysterious and unique.
Both possessed special effects visible to ordinary people, the only two in the world capable of such a feat—like daughters of the Three Goddesses themselves. No wonder they were called [Pegasus].
Nearl was outstanding and powerful, yet came from a humble background—a fallen family from the obscure Knight Kingdom, not even on the radar of Europe's and America's elite racing circles, absent from any list of future talents.
None of the major racing families had ever heard of [Margaret Nearl] before; it was as if she had appeared out of nowhere, a Pegasus descended upon the world.
But Platinum was the exception. She was the first to publicly mention "Nearl," speaking with seriousness, even wariness, labeling her [The Radiant Knight]—a Uma Musume she regarded with caution.
And at Nearl's debut race, Platinum was the first champion to attend in person, even before the three legends of American dirt who had faith in Nearl.
Back then, Platinum had just finished her races in Japan, announcing she would head to Europe to prepare for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Her whereabouts should have been tied to Europe.
So, in the eyes of the public, Platinum had come to America specifically for Nearl! This wasn't normal behavior for someone simply keeping an eye on a rival.
Thus, the mysterious relationship between these two Pegasus had long been a topic of heated discussion, yet no one had ever uncovered the truth.
Were they simply rivals?
Or friends?
Perhaps family? Or even sisters?
Maybe… lovers?
Countless possibilities had been imagined by passionate fans of both Platinum and Nearl. But unfortunately, after that, the two had gone their separate ways.
One was dominating American dirt, the other conquering European turf. With no further meetings, speculation remained just that.
But now, within the Pegasus Hall, the image of Nearl's back suddenly changed—a cold arrow shot fiercely toward Nearl!
In the next moment, it showed the silver-white girl, Platinum, drawing her bow, expressionlessly firing arrows at Nearl?!
A rapid volley of icy arrows—all deflected by Nearl's lance—before the Radiant Knight charged forward, closing in on Platinum and launching her own counterattack.
"Clang!"
No matter how many arrows flew, none could pierce Nearl's impenetrable defense—all were struck down!
Facing the sweeping lance, the silver-white assassin leaped into the air. As she spun mid-descent, her profile met Nearl's turning gaze.
In the next instant, Platinum used arrows from her quiver like daggers to parry Nearl's close-range assault, moving with incredible agility before retreating to a distance.
The final scene showed the silver-white girl, having repositioned herself safely, drawing her bowstring and firing a thunderous, massive arrow toward Nearl.
Facing the incoming projectile, the Radiant Knight remained unflinching. She swung her arm, the very ground beneath her cracking under immense pressure, her cape and waterfall-like hair whipping wildly.
Suddenly, she hurled her lance toward the thunderous arrow!!
The collision erupted into a shockwave deep enough to seemingly tear apart the entire racetrack, engulfing the Pegasus Hall's display in a blinding explosion.
BOOM—!!!
This scene unfolded before the eyes of spectators, including legends like Secretariat, Flightline, and Ruffian.
Even they, veterans of countless G1 races, were left wide-eyed and speechless. Such a spectacle was unheard of, unimaginable.
For the non-racing fans in the crowd, it was utterly mind-blowing. After a collective moment of stunned silence, the stadium erupted into a tsunami of cheers.
This was… something even the movies couldn't match! It felt like a glimpse into something that had truly happened, now projected by the Pegasus Hall.
"That was incredible! I'm used to seeing Platinum shoot down every other racer, but this is the first time I've seen anyone withstand her deadly arrows!"
"Could this be—a glimpse into a past training match between Platinum and Nearl?"
"Such an intense fight! Nearl is like a stats monster—none of those arrows could touch her."
"Damn stats monster! Even Platinum had to dodge her lance."
"Wait, is Nearl playing dirty? Just high stats and a throwable lance?"
"No, that's not right… I don't get it. Who holds training matches in ruined buildings instead of on a track?"
"Don't tell me Platinum's training involves shooting arrows at opponents instead of running?"
"Just getting to see Nearl's sanctuary show her fighting Platinum is worth the price of admission, even if I die tomorrow!"
No one doubted this would become an iconic moment, replayed and discussed endlessly.
After all, this was the first time the two Pegasus had appeared together since Platinum attended Nearl's debut race over half a year ago.
And this wasn't just one racing and one watching from the stands—this looked like a life-and-death battle between the two! Who wouldn't love seeing such an unconventional showdown?
The sudden appearance of the Pegasus Hall, and the scenes it displayed, captivated not only the spectators.
Even on the dirt track, the talented girls seeking revenge against Nearl saw it all clearly!
Among them was the second-favorite, the third-generation Big Red, Easy Goer!
Easy Goer was currently running along the inner rail, pushing hard to catch up…
But when she felt Nearl's zone activate right out of the gate—highly unusual—she knew something was wrong.
As she gritted her teeth, thinking of a countermeasure, the Pegasus Hall materialized over the track and began playing that scene…
[Nearl VS Platinum]?!!
"Huh?!"
"Wha—?!"
Instantly, the third-generation Big Red was filled with disbelief.
What… what was she seeing?
The legendary double-surface GOAT, the world's first Pegasus—her arrows were all deflected by Nearl?
After being blocked, even Platinum chose to retreat and fire from a distance, avoiding close combat?
Since when did Pegasus training matches look like this??
Big Red didn't understand, but Big Red was deeply impressed!
"Hah…"
"No, I can't let this distract me. It's just like a movie—it has nothing to do with me!"
Soon, the victory-focused Easy Goer chose to grit her teeth and ignore it.
No matter how shocking the scene, no matter what the relationship between Platinum and Nearl was, no matter if it was a training match or not…
That Pegasus Hall had nothing to do with her own race!
"At least… it's not Platinum's sanctuary with those scary black sculptures!"
Easy Goer was far more afraid of Platinum's sculptural displays. Thankfully… Nearl's sanctuary seemed very different, showing something like a training match…
"Compared to Platinum's sanctuary, Nearl's is more exciting and impressive, but probably less damaging…"
Before Easy Goer could fully calm down, the Pegasus Hall flickered gray and white—and didn't stop!
It seemed to switch to another clip!
The next second, the screen showed a scene that felt deeply familiar to Easy Goer—one that left her utterly stunned.
It was—the golden-haired knight girl sprinting down the homestretch, charging toward the finish line in the final seconds!
Then the perspective shifted, zooming in on the second-place Uma Musume.
It was… the final moments of the first leg of the American Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby!
In the sanctuary's broadcast, under rain and snow, Easy Goer had been trailing in a distant third.
So… the screen showed the small, dark, and tenacious monster girl, Sunday Silence, pushing with all her might in a last-ditch effort?!
But after just a few seconds, it froze on Sunday Silence's face—filled with frustration, gritted teeth, and humiliation.
"Huh?!"
After [Nearl VS Platinum], the next scene in the Pegasus Hall was actually Nearl facing other Uma Musume in official races?!
Then, another race appeared.
The second leg of the American Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes!
The second-place highlight—like a new protagonist on the silver screen—was again…
Second place: Sunday Silence!
Two clips in a row, first Platinum, then Sunday Silence—Easy Goer was completely dumbfounded.
Her heart, which had just begun to calm down, started racing again.
'W-Wait… so aside from the main event with Platinum…'
'Is Nearl's sanctuary showcasing—[Moments of Defeat]? Or is it [Nearl's Strongest Rivals]?'
If it was the former!
If she lost to Nearl here, she'd be the next one featured in "Nearl's Cinema"!
If it was the latter!
Win or lose, as long as she was the best opponent in a given race, even if she defeated Nearl, she could still appear in Nearl's exclusive Pegasus Hall…
Without a doubt, that would be the highest honor, the greatest crown—equal to sharing the screen with that dashing Silver Pegasus who faced Nearl with arrows!
So—was this a good thing?
'I… I want a cool scene like Platinum! Not a pathetic one like Sunday Silence!'
Although… she hadn't even managed second place in the first two Crown races… but that was then, and this is now!
In an instant, Easy Goer's fighting spirit was ignited like never before.
"So… this race—I have to win!!!"
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T/N: Type Moon x Multiverse Fic Up!
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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.