Australia, the day of The Everest.
Amidst the queueing crowds were numerous overseas Pegasus enthusiasts and Platinum fans.
Even many retired or active Uma Musume were standing in line. This included Japanese Uma Musume like Satono Diamond and Kitasan Black, as well as European Uma Musume, and even those from the Coolmore Group who had been ruthlessly interrogated and arrested by Platinum in the past.
After all... for the Coolmore Uma Musume, seeing the Pegasus Platinum travel all the way to Australia for an unprecedented campaign was like watching the tabby cat that usually hunts mice go after other prey instead!
If she wasn't arresting them anymore, then they... could come and watch the race!
In fact, a significant number of Coolmore Uma Musume not only held no dislike for Platinum, but rather admired, even worshipped her!
As Platinum reached greater and greater heights, now almost to the point of '[the loneliness of the summit]', she still dared to challenge a new and difficult racecourse to break through her own limits, to face the two empresses of sprint racing.
In competitive sports, the winner is always king!
The despicable encirclements from the Coolmore Group in the past seemed utterly ridiculous in comparison, a fact silently acknowledged by many within the Coolmore Group today.
"If only Platinum was one of our Coolmore Uma Musume, I'd be willing to serve her tea and water every day."
"Wrong. Even if Lady Platinum wasn't a Coolmore Uma Musume, if she lived at your place, you'd still gladly serve her tea and water."
"Right? I saw your room before, plastered with Platinum posters, even one where she's pointing right at you!"
"She's a living legend, the first true legend on the turf."
"Even after the twin stars of the Sea family, Sea the Stars and Frankel, reached legendary status after her... the former was defeated head-on by Platinum, and the latter is the new king of mile races."
"Among these three legends, Platinum is undoubtedly the [Number One]! Just like how Man o' War still overshadows Seabiscuit and Secretariat among the three dirt legends."
The Coolmore Uma Musume in the queue couldn't help but voice their admiration and engage in heated discussions.
In one particular line, two lively Japanese teenage Uma Musume also waited with expressions of joy, anticipation, and a touch of worry.
Kitasan Black, Satono Diamond!
Back in Japan, Platinum's choice to campaign in Australia had caused a massive stir.
After all, Platinum was a Uma Musume registered and debuted in Japan. Even if, like The Radiant Knight Nearl, she originally hailed from another country like Poland... in terms of [Uma Musume nationality], she could be considered a 'Japanese Uma Musume'!
Throughout Japan, whenever Uma Musume were mentioned, her name was almost certain to come up. She had become a representative of Japan, even praised in international news as a 'Japanese National Treasure'!
One could say that every race Platinum won served to continuously raise and break the limits and records for Uma Musume in Japan, and across Asia.
With super enticing angles like [Platinum vs. Australia's Twin Empresses], [The Mid-Distance GOAT Challenges the Sprint GOAT], and [Platinum's Biggest Career Gamble!], combined with the Australian racing authorities' wildly enthusiastic, no-expense-spared promotional campaign!
Add to that Platinum's unparalleled, world-top-tier popularity, how could it not attract audiences from overseas?!
And now, even fellow Uma Musume who had already debuted, like Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond, had eagerly made their way here.
No longer could they be called 'the little two'; having fully matured, both Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond had even surpassed their idol Platinum in terms of, well, physique!
If Satono Diamond, Kitasan Black, and their shared idol Platinum were to stand together, Platinum would likely appear the smallest and youngest-looking.
As for exactly where she was smaller... it's best not to elaborate, nor is it necessary.
"Lady Platinum's choice of race challenge is as shocking as ever!"
"I never imagined that after sweeping through the classic mid-distance G1 races in Europe, she would suddenly switch to challenging the sprinting paradise of Australia's The Everest!!"
"No one in the entire world could have predicted this race choice!"
Satono Diamond's eyes sparkled. Even though she now carried herself with a mature, elegant aura befitting a young lady of a distinguished family, her adoration for Platinum had only grown!
The more races she won as a Uma Musume herself, the more clearly she understood just how incredible Platinum's abilities were!
It made her wonder, could the land of Japan truly have nurtured a Uma Musume of Platinum's caliber?
Something felt very, very off about that!
Even Satono Diamond, a Japanese Uma Musume herself, had her suspicions.
But... it didn't matter. At least Lady Platinum had truly debuted in Japan, allowing her the fortune of witnessing most of the Pegasus's races in person. That was enough!
Beside her, Kitasan Black was equally excited.
"What will the Pegasus be like in a sprint?"
"But I've heard that Black Caviar and Winx are both extremely formidable, the [Pinnacle Achievements] of decades of Australian racing development!"
"Black Caviar dominates the sprints, Winx rules the miles and mid-distances; together they're undefeated!"
"But if it's the Pegasus, she definitely stands a chance!!"
Similar thoughts were shared by the many foreign spectators around them.
Those who had specifically flown in from overseas just to watch this sprint spectacle were, for the vast majority, here for Platinum.
After all, The Everest had historically been, at best, the [perennial second-best], sometimes not even that, overshadowed by the [Melbourne Cup].
So even among dedicated sprint enthusiasts, few would fly in specially for a race that previously lacked such overwhelming influence.
But Platinum's status as the world's number one in popularity was on full display now, attracting countless fans to witness her race!
As the atmosphere grew increasingly heated...
The Everest's start time drew nearer.
--+--
Racetrack, Uma Musume preparation area.
The number of Uma Musume present this year surpassed any previous edition.
In a central spot stood a tall, not thin but robustly built young woman with a heroic air. She was the focus of wary, almost reverential gazes from many Australian Uma Musume.
Black Caviar, the second favorite for this race! In Japanese racing terms, she was the undisputed 'Australian Ace'!
She didn't possess the same blend of heroic beauty as Nearl, but had a wilder side, full of popularity and charm.
The first favorite was the Pegasus Platinum, who had descended upon Australia.
The third favorite was the incredibly successful super-homebody Winx.
If Black Caviar and Winx were [Invincible Under Heaven], then Platinum was akin to [A Foe From Beyond the Heavens]!
Winx, as a super-homebody who only competed in Australia, naturally had a fanbase mostly confined to the country.
Black Caviar, having campaigned overseas and shown her skills to the world, had a broader fanbase, having impressed some European audiences.
As for Platinum... needless to say!
Their relative popularity naturally resulted in the current rankings.
"Sure is crowded," Black Caviar remarked casually, leaning back in her chair with a relaxed sigh.
A statement with a double meaning!
The number of Uma Musume participating in The Everest, plus the spectator count, the influx of overseas visitors—even someone like her, who didn't pay much attention to these things, could see it at a glance.
A full eighteen Uma Musume were racing! This meant... the prize money had also increased significantly, with both difficulty and rewards rising!
Of course, there were plenty of local Australian spectators too. Many had watched Winx race for years, already accustomed to the shy homebody's dazzling, dominant performances.
Then there were the sprint enthusiasts, who had never seen Black Caviar lose, considering her an invincible empress!
Compared to their two Australian prides, the pinnacle of sprinting, this Pegasus was just an outsider—how dare she dream of snatching the [Sprint GOAT] crown?!
Thus, a significant number of local Australian spectators had also come to cheer on their homegrown Uma Musume.
Just like in the Japan Cup, where the most popular Japanese Uma Musume is hailed as the [Japanese Ace], entrusted with the hope of repelling foreign challengers, transforming into a 'Japanese Wolf'!
Now, Black Caviar and Winx were similarly burdened with great expectations; many Australian fans hoped they would defend their honor and become 'Australian Wolves'!
This brought a certain amount of pressure to Black Caviar.
Me, versus Platinum? Seriously?
But her calm and collected nature allowed her to quickly regain her composure.
After all, Winx was racing too.
If she accidentally lost, losing to the legendary Platinum wouldn't be much of a disgrace, right?
Besides, she wouldn't be the only one in the spotlight; Winx would be there too!
Having adjusted her mindset, Black Caviar then glanced over at the silent girl in snow-white racing silks nearby: Winx.
True to form, as cool and detached as ever. Not even the Pegasus can shake her confidence, huh?
And she's won so many races, from miles to the 2000-meter mid-distance! She doesn't flinch from challenging the sprint Everest against the Pegasus?
Is this what they mean by... 'Should I avoid her? Why doesn't she avoid me?'
While Black Caviar inwardly praised the snow-white girl, the latter was actually...
...thinking about how to approach the Pegasus after the race.
Afterwards... can I exchange training gear with Lady Platinum?
I want her autograph, maybe even the training clothes she's worn.
In many sports, it's common for athletes who respect each other to exchange jerseys.
Or, after a match, sharing their kit with fans as a prize isn't unusual either.
But neither works for Uma Musume races, because what they wear during competition is their [one-of-a-kind-in-the-world] racing silks.
If you exchanged or gave those away... what would you wear for the next race?
Thus, the [training gear] that Uma Musume also wear frequently, often more so than their racing silks, naturally became the only alternative.
I can imagine the effort and sweat Lady Platinum must have put in, crossing racecourses and distances, striving behind the scenes.
The Pegasus's training gear must be steeped in that dedication!
Winx harbored some misunderstandings and fantasies about the training gear of her beloved idol, the Pegasus Platinum, imagining it as something far more... seasoned than its likely 'like-new' state.
As she continued her train of thought...
Finally!
Through the open doorway of the preparation area walked a slightly petite silver-haired girl.
Notably, she carried a long case on her back, taller than half her height.
"Platinum?!"
"Is that the legendary bow she uses to shoot down all her opponents?"
"She looks... just as cute as in the pictures and news."
"She's not exactly tiny, but she is quite cute. The contrast with her domineering track presence is huge."
"Can't underestimate her. Even if Platinum isn't as strong as me, her explosive power is definitely no joke!"
More than one Australian Uma Musume couldn't help but voice their thoughts.
After all, this was a sprint!
Shorter distances demanded even more power and explosiveness, which was why they had all specifically trained for strength.
The result was mostly tall figures with visible muscle definition.
As for Winx, who, like Platinum, had a more youthful, girlish silhouette... she didn't specialize in sprints and hadn't spent as much effort honing pure strength like these Australian sprinters.
Thus, both Platinum and Winx, while not exactly petite by general standards, appeared somewhat smaller in the context of the specialized sprint discipline.
The silver-haired girl who entered remained perfectly composed. She calmly took off the long case and drew out the world-famous bow.
Suddenly...
Platinum heard a voice addressing her directly, not just murmuring or thinking aloud.
It came from the tall, wild-looking girl with a heroic air in the central spot.
Black Caviar?
"Platinum..."
"How many races do you plan to run in Australia? Thinking of challenging any others?"
"Or... just this one?"
The Sprint Empress went straight to the question that concerned her most.
As Uma Musume, especially those at the pinnacle, they were almost all beasts driven by a will to win.
In Black Caviar's view, if Platinum only ran this one race, and she lost, her undefeated record broken by the Pegasus with no chance for revenge...
She'd probably never feel settled, always haunted by the thought of Platinum, right?
"Just this one."
The silver-haired girl, bow now slung on her back, answered in a calm tone.
It was the most domineering, unfeeling answer possible. It signified that this Platinum had locked in victory from the start, prepared to take the top prize from this lucrative race and leave.
Defeat? Staying longer? She hadn't even considered them?!
This caused both Black Caviar and Winx to narrow their eyes slightly, each showing the same focused seriousness.
They didn't want to lose! Both possessed strong pride and self-respect!
"This battle will go down in history. Fittingly, we're all [undefeated]!"
As the top representative of sprinting, Black Caviar grinned excitedly, displaying intensely high fighting spirit.
"Don't think sprinting is so easy. I am the strongest!"
"Pegasus, you'll regret this."
That soaring fighting spirit made Platinum glance over for a moment.
Then, Platinum coldly turned towards the quiet, seemingly socially anxious girl in the corner.
She offered only a brief retort.
Namely...
"Among the undefeated, there are still differences."
Instantly, silence fell over the room once more!
--+--
A short while later.
[Now entering the track, the first favorite and top contender, the Uma Musume Platinum!]
[The Undefeated Pegasus legend, embarking on her first sprint campaign!]
[Let's wait and see: will the legend continue, or will the myth be shattered?!]
Amid the anticipatory cheers, the silver-haired girl walked towards her starting gate.
The gate position Platinum had drawn for this race was...
——[Number Nine].
A perfectly average middle position.
An interesting race, Black Caviar and Winx?
Platinum found herself unusually stirred by a flicker of competitive spirit.
After all... she'd even set aside some time for special training before this.
If she didn't win beautifully, wouldn't all that effort be wasted?
This time, I'll take it seriously.
As the silver-haired girl pondered, the announcer moved on to introduce the next top contender.
[The second favorite, Australia's pinnacle of sprinting! Black Caviar enters the track!]
[She too is undefeated, having even campaigned in Europe to secure victory...]
--+--
[3!]
[2!]
Before anyone knew it, all the Uma Musume had taken their positions in the gates.
[1!]
The countdown reached zero!
The moment the gates flew open, almost all the Uma Musume burst forward simultaneously, charging for the lead.
But in gate three, the snow-white Winx was a moment slower, slightly slow out of the gate.
In her field of vision, she saw...
...that silver-white figure, far from being slow like her, was incredibly swift. That rapid start made her seem like the fastest of them all?
"Lady Platinum... out of the gate that fast?"
"Then... what about me..."
--+--
T/N: New Uma Musume fic up!
--+--
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.