Tyrant's Domain!! Activated from the start!!
The moment the gates flew open, this lone, proud, and domineering dark tyrant unleashed her proudest domain without a second's hesitation.
When it came to pure physical strength, Ruffian refused to believe she was inferior to anyone—and she had both the qualifications and the resolve to back that up.
Early in her career, just before her sixth race, Ruffian had suddenly developed a high fever and found it difficult to eat.
At that time, Lin Anran was still at Japan's Tracen Academy, and when the school doctor and even the specialized Uma Musume medical team conducted examinations, they concluded…
That during her fourth race, a tiny, hairline fracture had appeared in Ruffian's right leg.
Yet she was still undefeated. And the injury hadn't been discovered until before her sixth race. That meant Ruffian had secured two high-stakes victories in a row—and won spectacularly—while injured and performing below her peak!
This solitary, proud tyrant-empress had never shown a hint of fear, even when hurt. Because of that, countless fans, rivals, and race officials had failed to notice she was dominating the track with an injury.
Such an astonishing, almost unbelievable feat was something Ruffian had pulled off. Her pride, her will to win, and that sheer stubbornness were recognized worldwide as formidable.
No matter the opponent, no matter the difficulty of the race, Ruffian's fighting spirit never waned—it only grew fiercer.
And right now, it was reaching its peak!
Under her control, that magnificent domain had transformed into a dark storm engulfing the entire Belmont Park track. It was like a lonely, drizzling rain of shadows, enough to put immense pressure on ordinary Uma Musume, even to the point of intimidation.
The sheer, overwhelming pressure of that aura was so intense that even those who possessed domains specializing in [weakening opponents] couldn't compare.
And yet, Ruffian's domain was the type that [amplified her own abilities]! Suppression should have been its weak point—but there was nothing weak about it. On the contrary, it was terrifyingly powerful.
Even among historic, legendary-class Uma Musume, few could go all out this early in a race. It was nearly impossible to burn through all your stamina this soon.
Only a true monster among the current generation could afford such extravagance—to unleash this level of presence so effortlessly, without a care for energy expenditure.
This… was the Tyrant who ruled over the Undefeated Triple Tiara for fillies, who dared challenge any Classic Triple Crown champion!
That dark, overbearing figure was like a falcon soaring across the sky, swift as the wind, ready to swoop down on her prey.
And her prey was none other than The Radiant Knight, Nearl!
Even now, as Nearl's signature post-start special effect activated…
At the gate, a shimmering, golden silhouette of a maiden knight gathered form, brandishing a sword-spear, poised to throw.
The wings that only a true Pegasus could possess stretched out wide!
The sight that never failed to amaze the audience and the competing Uma Musume alike—[Stellar Descent]—was now unveiled.
Even after witnessing that sword-spear tear through the sky, and the radiant golden-haired knight bathed in blazing sunlight beside her, Ruffian did her utmost to maintain her rhythm.
She had prepared far too long for this one-on-one duel to back down now!
With her domain unleashed, Ruffian achieved incredible acceleration almost instantly, seemingly managing to pull slightly ahead of the tall, golden-haired girl beside her, edging out by a head!
'Not enough—!'
'The fire inside me has only just been lit. This tiny lead is nowhere near sufficient.'
Ruffian was still not satisfied.
She could feel the astonishing blaze ignited within her not-so-delicate frame after activating her domain.
What was a mere head, a simple "neck difference," to her?
She had… activated her domain, her proudest domain skill, at more than half its full power!
The domain skills Ruffian wielded were unique to her—special and formidable.
--+--
[Passive: Judges the average strength of all Uma Musume on the field. The stronger they are…]
[Solitary Challenger: The fewer Uma Musume nearby…]
[Warrior's Will: When only one opponent remains nearby…]
--+--
These, in Ruffian's eyes, were among her very own [Trump Cards]!
Uma Musume standing at the pinnacle usually possessed at least one [special] or [exclusive] effect in their domain skills—what they considered their most crucial "ace in the hole."
For instance, the one called [Heavy Track Demon], Montjeu, had a domain that boosted her performance on heavy tracks while reducing negative effects. But on a standard track, it was just an ordinary domain.
Or take the immensely popular European Uma Musume, the King of Horse Mint– Galileo, with her charm and ability to influence opponents. But when facing Platinum, who also possessed the Horse Mint affinity and couldn't be charmed, that ability became ordinary.
Above them, the latest to shock the world with a unique domain was… Prove Out, the super dark horse who pulled off an upset victory against Secretariat!
Prove Out's skill activated when she wasn't the "strongest on the field"—the stronger her opponent, the more her condition and physical abilities improved, allowing her to defeat the struggling Big Red Monster, Secretariat.
Conversely, when no visibly stronger Uma Musume was present, Prove Out's performance would drop significantly.
Hence, her volatility was extreme—she could defeat hall-of-famers one day and lose to second or third-tier racers the next.
Perhaps those specific skills couldn't be activated in every race, or couldn't always reach maximum effect. But once the right opportunity arose, they would become a peak force, a nightmare for other Uma Musume.
And those few were all world-renowned monstrous geniuses. But the [Exclusive Skill] wielded by this solitary, dark tyrant maiden was, at this very moment, more exaggerated than any of theirs.
Judging the average strength of all Uma Musume on the field! The fewer Uma Musume nearby! Only one Uma Musume remaining!
Ruffian possessed not just one, but multiple domain skills with stringent activation conditions! And right now, all of them could be activated!
Wasn't this race a simple one-on-one duel between just two? This clash between two Undefeated Triple Crown winners… this average strength and number of participants…
It was safe to say this was, without a doubt, the best condition Ruffian had ever been in—bar none!
If her opponent were any other so-called world-class Uma Musume in a regular race, her domain skills wouldn't just be reduced in effect…
But this single-combat duel with The Radiant Knight, Nearl, allowed Ruffian's domain to reveal its truly monstrous, formidable nature for the first time.
The sharpest blade deserved the finest opponent to clash with—only then would its edge be honored! And Nearl was the strongest, most worthy adversary she could find.
Ruffian could feel it—the extent to which her domain skills were enhanced by Nearl's strength was… unprecedented.
'You Pegasus… you truly delight me!!!'
In the next instant, Ruffian began to steadily, almost devouringly, convert her advantage, slowly expanding her lead.
Feeling the flames inside her burn fiercer and fiercer, as if they held the power to incinerate everything, Ruffian's pale, exquisite face was filled with a fighting spirit barely containing her joy.
Ruffian continued her extraordinary acceleration!
[Unbelievable! Right out of the gate, Ruffian has defied expectations and immediately activated her domain.]
[Her acceleration is nothing short of astounding—she's already a head ahead of The Radiant Knight beside her.]
[And it looks like Ruffian's speed is still increasing?]
[But there's no way Nearl will just sit back and let Ruffian widen the gap!]
[Right from the start, is this going to turn into the kind of white-hot duel we usually only see in the final stretch?! This is indeed the rare attention this one-on-one showdown the world has been waiting for!]
The commentator's voice rapidly reported the situation out of the gates.
In the stands, countless spectators felt their hearts race as they stared intently at the track, or at the close-ups of the two Triple Crown Uma Musume on the big screen.
"Such a cool special effect! That phantom image of Miss Nearl throwing her sword-spear—it's like her ascended self! The way she spreads her wings and flies, finally drawing her weapon at the finish line—it's just too cool!"
"If only Miss Nearl could spread her wings in real life, like her phantom image or Miss Platinum… I'd be dreaming about her every night!"
"Being cool doesn't win races. Miss Ruffian doesn't need any fancy skins or special effects to win!"
"Ruffian is number one in the world!!"
"Seeing such strong fighters up close—even if I died, it'd be worth the price of admission!"
Amid the varied voices, each passionately cheering for their idol…
A few professional Uma Musume were also present, murmuring their own judgments and observations.
Among them sat a row containing Seabiscuit and Dubai Millennium, and behind them, watching with keen interest, was Platinum.
Seabiscuit's beautiful eyes shone with unusual light, her gaze fixed intently on Ruffian's lightning-fast figure.
"The degree of Ruffian's acceleration is more intense than ever before."
"I see…"
"It seems her exclusive domain skill is likely one of these: [Only One Uma Musume nearby] or [Stronger average field strength]."
"Or perhaps… both!"
Even someone as experienced and legendary as the retired Seabiscuit was somewhat surprised that Ruffian's domain skills were so perfectly suited for one-on-one combat!
Consider that Ruffian was already incredibly powerful, just a step away from the legendary tier.
And now, in this ideal environment, going all out, Ruffian had elevated herself yet another notch!
At least within the confines of this single duel, Ruffian had undoubtedly reached the supreme [Legendary] rank!
While Seabiscuit analyzed calmly, Dubai Millennium nodded slightly, a touch of laziness in her demeanor.
"True. That Giant-Killer, Prove Out, used a specific domain to display legendary power, surpassing even the legendary Secretariat."
"Since Ruffian was already almost a legend herself, she certainly has what it takes."
She too believed the current Ruffian was extremely fearsome—a [Tyrant] capable of dominating almost any Uma Musume!
The question now was: would Nearl fall within that "almost any" category?
And… would this be a repeat of that time Secretariat was mysteriously off her game?
This duel had become—Legend versus Legend! Triple Crown versus Triple Tiara!
"Incredible!"
"This is truly incredible!!"
From the row behind them, a relatively petite silver-white girl was feeling thrilled and excited.
The normally aloof Platinum was actually stirred with emotion.
How stirred?
She had unconsciously removed her disguise mask, and even her decidedly modest chest showed a faint, noticeable rise and fall.
"So cool!"
"So incredibly cool!!"
Unlike the professional commentators and the two Uma Musume in front of her, who were focused on Ruffian, Platinum stared fixedly at [Margaret Nearl].
She had only one thought…
—'I'm' so cool!
This trip wasn't wasted!
'Watching recordings or live streams just doesn't compare.'
'Seeing the Stellar Descent effect live, in person, as part of the audience… is so much more exciting!'
She felt not a trace of worry for Nearl—only satisfaction that she could finally enjoy the special effects as a spectator.
"So, what's Nearl's next effect…?"
--+--
Race Operations Backstage.
The backstage usually housed the director, producers, staff handling entry and exit, reporters, and others.
The producers' work was particularly hectic, often requiring them to monitor multiple high-speed cameras simultaneously and decide which shots were best for the live broadcast.
For example, zooming in on a front-runner to show how far ahead they were.
Or using close-ups to let viewers clearly see the Uma Musume speeding down a particular section.
Or… capturing the roaring crowd, or other famous Uma Musume who made surprise appearances.
All this often had to be handled in the short time before and after the race. Very few producers could perfectly showcase the Uma Musume's appeal and the race's excitement live.
But now, the producers for this race were collectively stunned, all looking at a relatively corner section of their many screens.
There sat… Seabiscuit, Dubai Millennium.
And behind them… [The Pegasus, Platinum]?!?
Three Uma Musume—two of them legends, and one a historic-grade figure.
"Huh? Seabiscuit and Platinum? Two legends, one from turf, one from dirt!"
"Miss Platinum is here too? The first Pegasus of our generation has finally come to watch the second Pegasus, Nearl?"
The producers didn't hesitate. Their eyes fixed on the world-famous legendary Uma Musume, they immediately made a collective decision.
The next second, both the trackside big screen and the screens watched by viewers worldwide…
Instantly switched to a split screen. Alongside the intense clash of the two Triple Crown maidens, a close-up of a specific section of the stands appeared.
Despite three Uma Musume being there, the shot precisely ignored the adjacent Dubai Millennium, focusing instead on Seabiscuit and Platinum in the front and back rows!
In an instant… the stadium erupted with surprised shouts!
"Huh??!"
"Platinum! Is that really Platinum? She actually came?"
"From Seabiscuit to Platinum—two legends at once!"
"Incredible, to see the Turf Pegasus legend here in America!"
"Miss Platinum, I really like you!!"
The reaction was overwhelmingly enthusiastic.
--+--
And out on the dirt track at the front.
The two figures locked in single combat were gold and black.
It was as if darkness and gold were intertwined. The black figure seemed to be gradually gaining a slight lead, but no one doubted the golden-haired maiden knight behind could close the gap at any moment.
After the first turn!
Ruffian had gained a half-length advantage.
In the eyes of this Undefeated Triple Tiara winner, supremely skilled in one-on-one combat and capable of maximizing her domain skills, she absolutely could not lose here.
Nor did she believe that her leading Nearl would fluster the Radiant Knight.
In previous races, that Radiant Knight had experimented with front-running tactics—she was undoubtedly a monster capable of [mastering] multiple running styles.
But… Ruffian remained convinced her opportunity had arrived!
"An advantage, then converted into victory!"
"My lead… will be your downfall!"
The solitary, dark-haired maiden, adopting a hunter's posture, prepared to accelerate further, to widen that lead.
Ruffian's speed had already surpassed that of a typical Great Escape—she was truly among the top tier in the world today.
Her voice carried, reaching Nearl's ears.
In response, Nearl felt her interest—and indeed, her fighting spirit—stirred. She glanced at the dark tyrant beside her.
"My downfall?"
"The race… has only just begun, hasn't it?"
An opponent of this caliber was a first for Nearl—a truly worthy, powerful adversary.
Not to mention… the other [her], the fellow Pegasus Platinum, was watching from the stands.
She couldn't accept an outcome that would give Platinum a reason to laugh at her. It felt like a dignity etched into her DNA, something not to be violated.
The next moment, her domain fully activated.
It was… the powerful domain born from merging [Blazing Sun's Obeisance] and [Flaming Edge], combining lasting protection and offensive might!
—[Domain: Activate]!!
--+--
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.