Day Four.
The day of the event known as the [Woodward Stakes].
In the morning, the tall, crimson-haired girl, whose figure was both soft and powerfully built, had just returned from the training grounds not far away.
At the moment, sweat beaded on her forehead, and a clear weariness marked her expression.
Not just Secretariat, but even Lin Anran, who had left just two hours ago, had to lean against the wall for support as he walked.
This particular "training session" had resulted in what could only be described as a "mutual annihilation" for a certain doctor and a certain strongest Uma Musume.
But for Lin Anran, going back just meant returning to work.
For Secretariat, however, it was different. She still had a GI race to run this afternoon!
'A bit troublesome…'
The tall, crimson-haired beauty furrowed her brows slightly but remained composed, not panicking in the least.
After all, even among the so-called [Legendary] Uma Musume throughout history, she was one of the stronger ones, having already surpassed her senior, Seabiscuit.
Secretariat had seen plenty of monsters, and those very monsters called her a monster!
Even if she might not be in peak condition today…
Any drop in form wouldn't weaken her too much; she would undoubtedly still be far stronger than any so-called world-class Uma Musume.
As for that second-favorite, Prove Out, she had been defeated more than once or twice by Uma Musume who weren't even world-class.
Therefore, Secretariat felt not a shred of panic.
The strongest dirt-track Uma Musume of the current era, she had absolute confidence in herself! Even if she were weaker, it didn't mean her opponents had gotten stronger!
So, rather than worrying about the upcoming race, Secretariat was more preoccupied with her dear Dr. Lin… and his terrifying physical condition!
'It's truly unbelievable that Dr. Lin's stamina could reach such a level.'
It was… downright [frightening]!
One must understand that an Uma Musume's body is far stronger than that of an adult male—this is the most basic common sense in this world, known even to children.
And a racing Uma Musume is a whole tier stronger than a regular Uma Musume, akin to the gap between an average person and a professional athlete. And Secretariat herself stood at the very peak, above all athletes, the very answer to what a racing Uma Musume could be!
Logically speaking, a gifted girl with such astounding physical prowess like Secretariat should be the one exercising restraint and self-control, carefully protecting the body of the partner she cherished.
But who could have imagined… after "three days of battle," those indescribable nighttime struggles that could fill thirty thousand words, those nightly assaults spanning three full days… had ended without a clear victor?
Faced with such an exaggerated racial gap, not winning was tantamount to losing!
'If other Uma Musume found out about this, the sheer embarrassment would probably be worse than my debut loss.'
The good news: no need to worry about Dr. Lin's body getting hurt.
The bad news: the fact that she, as an Uma Musume, couldn't even gain the upper hand was utterly mortifying.
The proud crimson-haired girl's face flushed slightly. The turmoil in her heart was more intense than when she had debuted or even when she won the U.S. Triple Crown.
How could there be an Uma Musume who could sweep the field in races, yet outside of competition… still fail to defeat an ordinary human like Lin Anran? Did that even make sense?
And then, suddenly, another Uma Musume flashed through Secretariat's mind.
Namely… that most despicable, shameless, loser of a husband-stealing cat, Sham, who had launched her own nightly assault before Secretariat!
"So that's it. I understand completely."
A light seemed to flash in Secretariat's eyes as she had a sudden epiphany.
Previously, she hadn't quite understood why Sham, who had originally planned for seven days, had cut the time short to a mere three days.
It was like going through all sorts of trouble and paying a price to have a delicious meal delivered right to your door, only to stop eating after finishing just half. Wasn't that a waste of good food?
So, from a conventional perspective, Secretariat's initial judgment had been… that Sham wanted to resume training! Continuing any further would risk injuring Dr. Lin's body!
But even if Dr. Lin's body was truly fragile, his pelvis on the verge of injury…
As long as he was actually fine, couldn't he still help Sham with her recovery training plan as usual?
So, logically, was there really a need to shorten the seven days to three? Wouldn't it have been possible to have three nights of assault, then let Dr. Lin conduct normal training for the remaining four days?
This was the reason why, after reaching her initial conclusion, Secretariat still felt it wasn't entirely convincing and could only be considered a hypothesis.
But now, recalling her own experience—how even after tasting the pleasures and without any thought of restraint, the "horseplay" had still ended in a "stalemate"—the answer was right before her eyes!
After Sham launched her assault, injuries might indeed have occurred.
But—the one who got injured was not Dr. Lin!!!
"Dr. Lin's absurdly extreme endurance and physique… he's simply no ordinary man."
"And Sham, whose injuries had only recently mostly healed, was naturally a step below me in physical prowess to begin with."
"So how could that greedy, unrestrained husband-stealing cat possibly be a match for Dr. Lin?"
After all, this was Lin Anran, the Dr. Lin who could "last until dawn"! What kind of small fry was Sham? How could she possibly be stronger than her?
Finally arriving at the correct answer, the feeling of shame in Secretariat's heart suddenly lessened a bit.
It was like a top student who always scored perfect 100s suddenly getting a mere 70 on an exam and feeling utterly disgraced.
But then she discovers that her deskmate, who usually scored a respectable 90, didn't even manage 30 or 40 on the same test!
Suddenly, her own embarrassing failure didn't seem so severe anymore?
Her mood involuntarily lifting, the crimson-haired beauty nodded slightly and returned to her room.
Only a few hours remained until the afternoon race, the [GII · Woodward Stakes].
Since her pre-race warm-up was done and she was feeling somewhat fatigued… the best course was to stay in her room and recover as much as possible.
So, Secretariat sat down at her desk, opened her computer, and brought up her diary.
Horseplay Diary
Training Diary
Guidance Day Zero:
Excellent, Dr. Lin has agreed! He'll be delivered tomorrow!
What a perfect start! I've already gone ahead and bought all sorts of nice, revealing outfits, even got two or three pairs each of black and white tights and pantyhose. I'll mix and match later to see what Dr. likes best…
Just waiting for Dr. Lin to begin his "guidance" tomorrow! It's time to thoroughly wash off that Sham scent all over him and cover him with my own!
I need to restrain myself, practice moderation. Everything waits for Dr. Lin's arrival tomorrow!
--+--
Guidance Day One:
Guh… N-no, this can't be!!!!
Is Dr. Lin's stamina truly endless?
Why… why is Dr. Lin's physique so good? Why do I feel like I'm gradually losing the upper hand?
Although… it certainly feels very good too.
I'll reclaim the initiative from Dr. Lin tomorrow, next time.
--+--
Guidance Day Two:
How is this possible??
Oh no, the plan to reclaim the initiative has failed again.
It's not even our first time horseplaying, so why am I completely dominated every single time, agh…
Tomorrow! The last chance tomorrow, I absolutely must win!
--+--
Guidance Day Three:
Lost again on the final day… still couldn't defeat Dr. Lin?
And my body feels a bit tired, this…
Dr. Lin has to leave now. The race is tomorrow.
It seems defeating Dr. Lin will have to wait until next time.
--+--
This was the diary Secretariat had written over the past few days.
And now…
The race was about to begin!
--+--
Several hours later.
Afternoon, in the spectator stands.
Lin Anran was watching the race calmly as an ordinary spectator.
After all… these past few days, Secretariat's nightly assaults had been too fierce, even a notch stronger than Sham's.
With Sham, Lin Anran had felt only a little tired, not excessively so, and he had ultimately emerged victorious from those nightly battles.
But Secretariat… had genuinely made Lin Anran feel the strain in his kidneys. Fortunately, Secretariat hadn't won either; it always ended with her disheveled, flushed, and gritting her teeth, a "draw" where she ultimately had to lean against the wall to walk away.
Lin Anran didn't mind taking an extra half or full day off to give his fatigued body some more rest.
Although this race was considered a foregone conclusion by the outside world, Lin Anran had still come to watch.
For some reason, he had a faint, uneasy premonition.
"Secretariat, she's one of the top Legendary Uma Musume, right?"
"Even if… her condition might have dipped a bit, she shouldn't lose to just any world-class Uma Musume, let alone an ordinary historical-level one!"
As for why Secretariat's condition had dipped, a certain unscrupulous young doctor, the chief culprit, knew perfectly well.
But logically, she still shouldn't lose.
After all, by any measure, while the Woodward Stakes was a GI race, it didn't have the top-tier intensity of races like the Belmont Stakes or the Breeders' Cup Classic.
GI races also vary in strength and competition; this less prestigious race had even seen several Uma Musume scared off by the reputation of Secretariat, the Big Red Monster.
Thus, the only noteworthy opponent was the second-favorite, [Prove Out].
But although Prove Out had that one fluke victory over a Hall of Fame-caliber Uma Musume… more often than not, she performed below world-class, suffering several crushing defeats.
Therefore, many had concluded that Prove Out was a complete [One-Hit Wonder], the type who inexplicably burst forth with unbelievable power for a single race, burning herself out completely in the process.
Once burned out, wouldn't she just return to mediocrity?
And Secretariat, though not yet retired, with her record-breaking achievements, was universally acknowledged as a surefire future Hall of Famer!
"No matter what, a Hall of Fame Uma Musume, the Legendary Secretariat, versus Prove Out, who only managed to defeat a Hall of Famer once by chance…"
"—The advantage lies with Secretariat!"
Lin Anran naturally sided with Secretariat.
He then listened to the commentator's pre-race analysis and the fervent cheers of Secretariat's countless fans.
Some were even congratulating her in advance for adding another GI victory to her record and setting new achievements!
"SECRETARIAT!! SECRETARIAT!! SECRETARIAT!!"
"Instead of supporting that pathetic third-generation Big Red, we should support the second-generation Big Red who can't possibly lose!"
"On a heavy track, it's [the strong get stronger]. A fast track might allow for an upset, but on this heavy track, there's no chance for surprises anymore."
"Secretariat looks truly majestic and powerful. The only one who might match her brilliance and dominance is probably [The Radiant Knight, Nearl], right?"
"Why Secretariat is the best? Let's start with Nearl, who committed the sin of arrogance…"
"Show [Prove Out] the supreme authority of the strongest of our time!"
Amidst the incredibly heated support of the crowd…
The large screen zoomed in for a close-up.
As almost all the Uma Musume entered the starting gates, just before the race began, the precious footage focused on [The Big Red Monster·Secretariat].
That tall, dignified, and exceptionally heroic crimson-haired beauty captivated the entire stadium's attention, like an undefeated king destined to dominate every race!
The proud, undefeated king, the solitary Big Red Monster, raised her head calmly, awaiting the start of the race!
'Even if my condition isn't perfect, it's nothing major.'
'Back in the Belmont Stakes, even when I wasn't at my peak after a tough campaign, I still broke the record and achieved an overwhelming victory.'
'Compared to that, what does this non-top-tier GII race count for?'
The calm and aloof Secretariat showed no panic, her serious and composed demeanor worthy of a top-tier genius monster of the era.
With the final countdown, the [GII · Woodward Stakes] began—
A short while later.
Halfway through the race!
The galloping Secretariat's pupils constricted.
She stared intently at the nearby Prove Out, originally obscure and considered by the outside world to have only fluked a win against a Hall of Famer.
'So strong…'
That soaring, intense aura, the strides that remained effortless even on the heavy track—all proved that the second-favorite Uma Musume was far more underestimated than anyone thought.
But she was Secretariat!
The prestige of the [Big Red Monster] that the third-generation Big Red had lost, she, Secretariat, would reclaim it in this race!
"This time, Dr. Lin is watching from the stands."
"I need to show him that I'm invincible on the track!"
Though surprised for a moment, fueled by absolute confidence, Secretariat unleashed her signature acceleration.
--+--
Then, something that shocked many spectators occurred.
On the final stretch, the underestimated second-favorite, [Prove Out], kept pace without falling behind by any significant margin.
Not only that—
--+--
[Zone: Activated]
[(Giant Killer): Lock onto one Uma Musume. The greater the distance gap, slightly increase own acceleration and reduce stamina consumption; the smaller the distance gap, moderately increase fighting spirit and slightly increase speed.]
[(David vs. Goliath): When self is not the strongest in the field, target the strongest Uma Musume, slightly drain their stamina and explosiveness, and slightly reduce the suppressive effect of their aura.]
[(Hunter's Moment): Aura intensity increases based on the average strength of all Uma Musume in the race, fighting spirit greatly…]
[(Fighting Spirit Awakening): When an Uma Musume with a stronger aura than self is present, stamina moderately…]
--+--
That silent, icy-faced girl erupted with an aura almost rivaling Secretariat's, engaging in a genuine head-to-head confrontation!
On the homestretch, a scene beyond countless imaginations unfolded.
Under the pursuit of the intertwined red and black figures, many spectators who had been sure of Secretariat's victory were stunned speechless.
In the next moment…
In an atmosphere of almost dead silence, the Uma Musume named [Prove Out] righteously overtook Secretariat, crossing the finish line first to claim victory!!
The result, defying all common sense and shocking countless spectators into silence, left the entire stadium quiet for several seconds.
An incredibly rare super-upset, occurring in a race featuring the strongest Uma Musume, Secretariat, with no other serious contenders… had actually happened!!
"Huh??"
"Whaaat?!"
Even Lin Anran in the stands felt his pupils contract sharply. He had never expected to witness such a scene.
"Secretariat… lost?"
Unlike the many stunned, speechless fanatical Big Red fans around him, Lin Anran's expression, after processing the result, became somewhat complicated.
He could see that during the final stretch duel, Secretariat's performance had declined noticeably compared to her usual self.
As for the reason for this decline…
At that moment, Lin Anran felt like the beauty in the tale of the beacon fires fooling the nobles.
Had Secretariat been drained by him, leading to her poor physical condition and subsequent loss?!
Lin Anran didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
He could tell that Secretariat should have been capable of a more powerful acceleration.
For Secretariat, even a [Triple Acceleration] was absolutely within her capabilities.
But on the homestretch, she only managed a double acceleration before seeming to burn out…
"To lose… in this manner??"
Around him, it took a while for many of Secretariat's fans to react.
"Huh? Impossible! How could Secretariat lose?"
"Wait, is Prove Out's strength really that exaggerated?"
"This is the first time I've seen an Uma Musume righteously defeat Secretariat in a straight-line acceleration duel!"
"An upset! An unprecedented upset! I don't believe it!"
"Waaah, Secretariat, my Secretariat, how could you lose…"
--+--
On the dirt track.
The crimson-haired girl cloaked in a red-and-black cape, who usually appeared immensely dignified, was now standing stunned beyond the finish line.
Secretariat, second place!
[An unbelievable super-upset! Who would have thought, who would have thought the winner would be "Prove Out"!]
[Combined, she has now pulled off two major upsets, defeating two separate Hall of Fame-caliber Uma Musume!]
[A race beyond imagination, truly unexpected.]
As the commentator reacted with deep shock, Secretariat gritted her silver teeth.
She hadn't even been able to use her signature Triple Acceleration, and her stamina had been so poor she nearly slowed drastically?
A disgrace! A disgraceful defeat!!
The proud, peerlessly beautiful crimson-haired girl clenched her fists, thinking to herself.
'I have been weakened by indulgence, my performance so haggard…'
'From this day forward, I renounce it!!!'
--+--
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.