With the passage of time, more and more spectators filed into the stands.
It's worth mentioning that the proportion of overseas viewers was particularly high this time, far exceeding that of a typical race.
Even many turf racing enthusiasts had come to watch.
This one-on-one duel could already be described as a "massive crowd," with the number of spectators far exceeding a hundred thousand, leading to a situation where tickets were in short supply.
Many more fans who couldn't get tickets had no choice but to watch the live broadcast, afraid of missing even a moment of this highly anticipated super duel!
"Nearl!! Nearl!! You have to win!"
"Nearl, you must prove that the Classic Triple Crown is greater than the Triple Tiara—you absolutely cannot lose!"
"Why is Miss Ruffian the best? Just because other Tiara race champions can't beat classic Crown race champions doesn't mean she can't."
"Ruffian!! Ruffian!! Ruffian!!"
"Radiant Knight, stay sharp, don't lose face!"
The heated discussions roared on...
A silver-haired girl, wearing a face mask, sat lazily in the front row, taking in the grand spectacle of Belmont Park.
In Platinum's amber, lively eyes, there was a hint of interest and novelty.
Because, until now, she had almost always come to the racetrack as a Uma Musume, as a participant.
In all this time, she had only attended as a spectator once, nearly a year ago, for Nearl's debut race.
But a debut race isn't even considered a graded stakes race. Hundreds, if not thousands, of debut races are held daily in circuits around the world, with very few spectators bothering to watch.
Therefore, this was actually Platinum's first time as a spectator witnessing such an eagerly anticipated, massively attended race.
'As expected of [me]! So popular.'
In terms of popularity, as a dual-surface threat and the current strongest on turf, her popularity seemed to surpass even Nearl's.
But if Nearl could win this globally watched [One-on-One Duel], her popularity would surge another great deal, perhaps even catching up!
The cheerful assassin's gaze drifted to the other seats in the front row...
What caught Platinum's eye were several girls in the row ahead of her who also had the distinctive ears of Uma Musume and, like her, were wearing masks to avoid recognition?
Moreover, more than one of them looked somewhat familiar to Platinum.
Dubai Millennium? Seabiscuit?
As she looked a moment longer, the Uma Musume in the front row also turned around and noticed her.
"Pegasus???"
The first to notice was Dubai Millennium, who once held the title of "Strongest Dual-Threat in History" during the [Dubai World Cup]!
This talented girl had never been able to forget Platinum after her regrettable, crushing defeat.
As a classic representative of the "Pegasus victims," Dubai Millennium sometimes had nightmares about the moment Platinum overtook her, and the unfortunate final ascent to the Pegasus Hall of Fame.
Even though Dubai Millennium was filled with a desire for revenge, that fury hadn't burned away her calm and wisdom. She clearly knew that even if she was also proficient on turf...
Her proficiency on turf and Platinum's proficiency on turf were not the same concept.
It was like comparing a primary school student getting a perfect score to a high school student getting a perfect score—they were simply not on the same level and couldn't be mentioned in the same breath.
So, Dubai Millennium chose to focus on her home ground, dirt, continuing to hone her skills and grow stronger for a chance at revenge, but... Platinum seemed to have zero interest in dirt!
Since winning the Dubai Dirt World Cup, she hadn't run a single dirt race since, making Dubai Millennium think she might never see Platinum again.
Unexpectedly... while she was here as a spectator to watch the one-on-one duel between two Undefeated Triple Crown winners on dirt, she would see this Pegasus right behind her?!
"Pegasus? What are you doing here?!"
Dubai Millennium blurted out instinctively.
But in this massive grandstand, amidst such a fervent atmosphere, spectators mentioning "Pegasus," "Triple Crown," and "Radiant Knight" were far too numerous to count.
Therefore, the stands were incredibly noisy, and almost no one paid attention to Dubai Millennium's exclamation.
Except... for Seabiscuit, sitting next to Dubai Millennium, who heard it. But her first reaction was:
"Pegasus? Nearl should have just arrived backstage by now, right? How could she be here?"
But the next second, Seabiscuit realized something. She didn't think Dubai Millennium was one to joke around, so she followed Dubai Millennium's gaze and turned her head.
"Huh? Pegasus?!"
The same words were uttered by Seabiscuit.
That silver-haired girl, slightly petite compared to European and American Uma Musume, possessing both cuteness and the sharp edge of an assassin, even with a face mask on...
If you paid attention, she wasn't hard to recognize. After all, Platinum was far too famous.
So, it was this Pegasus?
Seabiscuit's pretty face immediately showed interest.
This was... the recognized world number one in the turf Uma Musume circuit, a super talent who had achieved brilliant victories in England, France, Japan, Australia, Dubai, and other regions!
Even more, she had earned the [GOAT] title in both middle-distance and sprint distances on turf, single-handedly claiming half of the four major turf distance categories as the historical best!
Besides that... she had also snatched the title of strongest dual-surface Uma Musume, proficient on both turf and dirt.
One could say, in the eyes of the dirt Uma Musume world and dirt racing enthusiasts, this current first Pegasus, the strongest on turf, Platinum, was practically a living legend, a walking record-breaker!
Even Seabiscuit, who held immense status and influence in America, couldn't help but look at this seemingly cute silver-haired girl with the same seriousness one would afford [Man o' War], treating her with utmost respect.
"I truly didn't expect Miss Platinum to come watch a race again. What a surprise."
Seabiscuit smiled slightly and greeted Platinum.
"I'm Seabiscuit. If you're interested in the American Uma Musume scene, I could accompany you to learn about it and look around."
"If you have any questions or any requests at all. I, and the American racing officials, will do our utmost to satisfy you, Miss Platinum."
This was... treatment that even so-called world-class Uma Musume could never possibly receive!
Even if famous European elite Uma Musume or world-class talents came, they would only be handled by regular members of the racing officials.
For historical-level Uma Musume like Treve and Frankel, who could be etched into the history books, high-ranking officials within the organization would be qualified to host them.
But Seabiscuit wasn't just high-ranking; she was among the top of the high-ranking, a legend ranked in the top three in America over the past century! Only an equal legend could make her, already working intense hours, willingly take on more overtime.
It was like the NBA. Even if many famous basketball stars came to China, the news would record it as a "China visit."
But when the NBA's historical GOAT athlete Michael Jordan came to China, it was termed a "visit to China"!
Platinum, her arrival similarly warranted the serious attention of the entire American racing officials, an "official visit to America" level event!
"No need, I'm just here to watch the race casually."
The cool Platinum simply shook her head.
It wasn't as if she was unfamiliar with America.
While not to the level of [nobody knows America better than me], her original self and her "rival" were both here, so how could she not be familiar?
Seabiscuit's gaze remained fixed, her smile still in place.
If possible, Seabiscuit would have preferred to see this strongest dual-threat set foot on dirt again, galloping in an American race.
But sadly, the possibility was minuscule, as small as it could get.
After all, Platinum, having just run the pinnacle of sprint races, had publicly announced her next challenge would be the long-distance Goodwood Cup, and would definitely challenge a turf mile race after that.
This... basically revealed her schedule; she clearly hadn't planned for any other races in the short term.
But Seabiscuit still made an attempt.
"Then, Miss Platinum, do you have any thoughts about challenging American races?"
This question made Dubai Millennium perk up her ears, her whole body tensing.
This should have been an instant rejection from the Pegasus...
But instead, it became—
"I have some ideas, but nothing's certain yet."
"The Breeders' Cup... perhaps I'll challenge one of the races."
Platinum calmly gave a reply that made both Seabiscuit and Dubai Millennium's pupils contract.
Their first thought was...
Was Platinum going to face Nearl?
Two Pegasus, Platinum on turf, Nearl on dirt, were they actually going to gather at the Breeders' Cup?!
You have to understand, Platinum seemed to have only come to America twice, and both times were to watch Nearl race. And now she was interested in the Breeders' Cup, which Nearl was absolutely going to participate in...
Just what was the relationship between them?!
--+--
Belmont Park, Backstage.
The tall, golden-haired girl carrying her sword-spear entered the backstage with an upright posture, full of heroic spirit, and an overwhelming presence.
Pushing the door open, Margaret Nearl's orange eyes instantly took in everything backstage.
Aside from herself, there was only one other Uma Musume.
The two participants of the one-on-one duel had finally met.
It was a tall, black-haired girl with an exceptional physique, her cold gaze also fixed on her opponent, Nearl.
If Nearl was a Uma Musume shining brightly like the sun, then Ruffian was one who loomed over her opponents, like a tyrant dominating the night.
Widely recognized by the outside world, Nearl and Ruffian were considered worthy of comparison to the legendary duel between War Admiral and Seabiscuit, perhaps even surpassing it! To reach such a level, how could they be weak?
Both were acknowledged as the pinnacle of the dirt Uma Musume world, the answer in classic races!
Seeing Nearl's arrival and meeting her gaze, Ruffian no longer remained seated.
The next moment, the tyrant girl, dark as night and with a presence as vast as the sea, saw her cold, overbearing aura dissipate rapidly.
Then, Ruffian stood up, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly as she, with an elegance beyond ordinary imagination, extended a pale hand towards Nearl in a gesture for a handshake.
This gentle, elegant demeanor contrasted so sharply with the previously tearing, dominating tyrant presence that the golden-haired girl was stunned for a moment.
"Are you surprised by my gentle attitude and elegant manners?"
"No, that's just courtesy before confronting and defeating an opponent!"
As if accustomed to such reactions, Ruffian chuckled lightly, giving her extremely contrasting response.
"Witness it, my night will cover your radiance."
A cold yet smiling reply was uttered by Ruffian.
As an elite Uma Musume, how could she lack elegance?
Bearing the name "Ruffian," how could she not be arrogant and confident?
Possessing both, Ruffian spoke her first words to Nearl, and... her declaration of war!
In response, Nearl actually felt a rare... excitement. Her gorgeous, gem-like orange eyes were filled with fighting spirit.
This kind of opponent was exactly what she wanted!
"The long night should also come to an end."
Nearl turned her head away, not sitting down, but standing quietly like a resolute sculpture, waiting for the final countdown.
Ruffian likewise did not return to her original seat but also walked to the entrance, her smile fading, revealing her battle-ready demeanor.
This special [One-on-One Duel] wouldn't follow the conventional practice of entering the track based on popularity order.
They, the two Triple Crown Uma Musume, would enter together!
[The rare one-on-one duel officially begins under the watchful eyes of the world!]
[Let us welcome... the two competitors!]
[From her debut, the undefeated Classic Triple Crown winner, Nearl!]
[Also undefeated, the Triple Tiara overlord who has also broken numerous records, Ruffian!]
[An unprecedented Triple Crown VS Triple Tiara! This is destined to leave a profound mark on the entire history of Uma Musume racing. Let us wait and see this legendary battle.]
Following the commentator's incredibly excited voice, the two widely known Triple Crown Uma Musume appeared: one a tall, golden knightly girl, the other a black-haired girl with an imposing presence, walking side by side.
"Nearl!! Nearl!!"
"Ruffian!! Ruffian, you must win!"
"At this very moment, history is being made. Nearl's undefeated record must continue!"
"I never saw Man o' War's one-on-one, nor Seabiscuit's, but... this one is enough!"
Amidst the sky-filling, excited cheers and support!
The two Triple Crown girls stepped into their starting gates.
Would the scorching sun disperse the night?
Or would the night overwhelm the sun?
The answer would be revealed here!
[3!]
Inside the gate, Nearl was calm and composed, her expression steady.
But her strong heart was gradually beating faster, her body standing tall and straight, like a spear ready to be thrown at any moment.
[2!]
The girl tyrant who aimed to defeat legends stood like the embodiment of night, gloomy yet not lacking in solitary arrogance and dominance.
To surpass Secretariat, to fulfill her promise, she would not let victory slip away!
[1!]
As the countdown finished, the golden figure from gate number one on the left and the black figure from gate number two on the right shot out of the gates simultaneously with explosive speed.
That speed exceeded many people's expectations.
Even the most talented sprint specialists from Australia, who focused on power and prioritized gate starts, couldn't have done much better, could they?
Both Nearl and Ruffian displayed the unique, exceptionally fast gate start prowess befitting Triple Crown winners!
On the live big screen broadcast, the two figures, running close together side-by-side, resembled interweaving threads of black and gold, nearly touching, racing neck-and-neck, neither giving an inch, engaged in a fierce duel.
And that tall, black-haired girl, dark as night, gloomy and overbearing, saw her already formidable presence intensely increase in the next moment.
As if transforming into an impenetrable wall, capable of overturning the vast racetrack itself.
--+--
[(Tyrant's Domain): Activated]
[(Passive): Judges the average strength of all Uma Musume on the field. The stronger the opponents, the greater the boost to fighting spirit, and the more the increase to power and acceleration.]
[(Solitary Challenger): The fewer the surrounding Uma Musume, the faster her own speed increases and the more her stamina recovers.]
[(Warrior's Will): When only one opponent remains nearby, can slightly drain the opponent's presence, speed, explosiveness, and stamina, converting a portion to herself.]
[(Call Me Supreme): When in a "serious" state, moderately increases presence intensity. In the latter half of the race, slightly recovers stamina and increases speed.]
--+--
Right after bursting from the gates!
Forget about the final straight, never mind the halfway point.
At this literal starting point, Ruffian, who was considered to not have a stamina advantage, was the first to activate her domain!
Right from the start, the so-called white-hot phase, the true fight to the finish had already begun!
--+--
High above, the flapping wings of a soaring bird began to slow.
As if it might stop at any moment.
Below the bird lay the dirt track of Belmont Park.
--+--
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.