On the day of the Pegasus Kinen, worldwide.
Both the [Pegasus Kinen] and the Platinum Cup happening today had drawn significant attention.
Japan, Europe including the UK and France, Australia…
Even the American Uma Musume scene had many eyes on these events.
Not only had they gathered some of Japan's most elite super Uma Musume, but the turf course also saw the unexpected appearance of the previously un-traveled empress, Winx!
As for the dirt course, several American dirt specialists had arrived, and even the former strongest dual-surface Uma Musume, Dubai Millennium, was also taking on the challenge!
For the longest time, within the classic middle-distance range, Japan only hosted one event: the Japan Cup.
And the Japan Cup, at a full 2400 meters, was scheduled at a rather awkward time, shortly after the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The Arc itself is also 2400 meters, the longest middle-distance race. How could any Uma Musume, after just a month's rest following such a grueling race, travel to a foreign country with completely different conditions to run another 2400-meter Japan Cup?
Therefore, many foreign turf Uma Musume had to consider both their ability to adapt to Japan's notoriously firm turf and whether their schedules could even accommodate it.
So, no matter how high the prize money, the Japan Cup struggled to attract the true heavyweights. This was due to the circumstances, not simply looking down on Japanese racing.
It was similar to the third leg of the British Triple Crown, a long-distance G1. Its proximity to the Arc and its unpopularity in Europe as a long-distance race meant it saw almost no challengers.
Even a legend like Sea the Stars, who had won the first two British classics and was just one step away from the Triple Crown, chose not to attempt it.
But this time was different. Both the turf Pegasus Kinen G1 and the dirt Platinum Cup G1 were set at 2000 meters, significantly lowering the barrier for foreign Uma Musume to make the trip.
Furthermore, the timing was much earlier, successfully avoiding the Arc de Triomphe. The scheduling was impeccable, greatly reducing the hurdles for foreign Uma Musume.
It could be said that this [Pegasus Kinen] was no haphazard arrangement from start to finish. Learning from the Japan Cup's lessons, it was a meticulously planned effort to connect with the international stage and elevate the level of Japanese Uma Musume!
This all-in gamble by the URA against the prevailing trends was truly ambitious.
As for why the URA, which occasionally shows capability and decisiveness, would make such a counter-intuitive move… well, don't ask why just yet.
"Then, Miss Platinum, we'll see you off here."
"After the race, please return to the exhibition room we visited earlier. You will be presenting the trophy to the champion."
Hayakawa Tuzuna and the other surrounding URA executives waved goodbye to the silver-white maiden before them.
After they turned to leave, the petite, loli-like chairwoman couldn't help but flick her folding fan and voice her amazement.
"I've never seen an Uma Musume with popularity like this. Even the legendary Seabiscuit was probably about the same, right?"
The green-hatted lady beside her chuckled softly, shaking her head in denial.
"In terms of domestic influence, they are indeed similar. Both are the unquestionable top in their respective countries, with popularity surpassing the combined totals of the runners-up and those below."
"But the difference is… Miss Platinum's overseas popularity is several times higher than Seabiscuit's, and it's still growing."
"Her influence has reached the island nation of Australia, captivated dirt racing enthusiasts, and expanded across more than half the world."
"This is simply… she is the emperor among Uma Musume, accomplishing what Napoleon and Alexander the Great could not—conquering the entire world!"
"After all, she is the only one universally acknowledged as capable of rivaling Eclipse!"
Hayakawa Tuzuna didn't hide her admiration in the slightest, stating what she believed was a completely reasonable assessment.
Just look at the current [Pegasus Kinen]. The proportion of foreign spectators was incredibly high. Platinum fans from various nations had come specifically for her, a testament to her staggering popularity.
Akikawa Yayoi, as if remembering something, nodded in agreement while sighing with emotion.
"And because her foreign popularity is so high, her talent so great, her strength so immense…"
"Many of the foreign fans and spectators drawn to Platinum regret that she didn't go abroad earlier, that she 'wasted' a year in Japan. They consider her Japanese races as [embarrassing history], a waste of time."
"Some even wish Platinum would never return to Japan for the rest of her career, calling it a 'loss for the [Uma Musume world]'. They say second-rate tracks and races aren't enough to support a top-tier, once-in-a-generation Uma Musume like her."
"As much as I dislike such comments, I can't find a reason to refute them."
Even Akikawa Yayoi, a high-ranking official responsible for nurturing young foals in the Japanese Uma Musume world, had to admit this was the reality.
An existence completely on par with Eclipse, who went overseas and, within a year, dominated two major racing circuits, becoming the historical best Pegasus…
Compared to that, spending a year in Japan winning the Irregular Triple Crown and the Arima Kinen… didn't that seem like [embarrassing history], a waste?
"Such comments have also provoked many of Platinum's Japanese fans. So her return has excited them immensely."
The green-hatted lady smiled slightly, a look of anticipation on her face.
"So, what will Platinum say to Daiwa Scarlet, Orfevre, and the others in the preparation room? What will she say to her fans during the opening ceremony?"
Behind her, Platinum had already pushed open the preparation room door and stepped inside.
--+--
Pegasus Kinen, Uma Musume Preparation Room.
A buxom, crimson-haired girl with long twin tails, dressed in her victory outfit, carried herself like a top student.
Surrounding her were monsters with auras powerful enough to overwhelm ordinary Uma Musume—from Orfevre to Agnes Tachyon… and the most imposing of all, the elegant, composed, yet aloof and icy empress from Australia.
Daiwa Scarlet was feeling a bit nervous. Her breathing was slightly rapid, her ample chest heaving with an 'undulation' that the Pegasus Platinum could never hope to replicate.
Wh-what a terrifying lineup…
It feels like there are no less than three or four Uma Musume here who possess a Domain. How absurd!
Is this—the [norm] that Platinum experienced?
Ever since Platinum began her overseas campaign, every race she faced involved multiple Domain users.
Simply possessing a Domain was no longer enough to catch the attention of the great Platinum herself. In the eyes of the Pegasus… it was merely the [entry ticket for participation].
But in Japan, mastering a Domain meant standing at the very apex of a generation!
Back in last year's Arima Kinen, Daiwa Scarlet had already faced off against a Domain user.
Her opponent then was the Triple Crown winner, the Golden Tyrant Orfevre. At that time, Daiwa Scarlet was just one step away from mastering her own Domain… and consequently suffered a defeat by five lengths.
Daiwa Scarlet had thought that now, having mastered her Domain, she finally had the qualifications to compete on the international stage against the likes of Orfevre and other overseas powerhouses.
But she never expected that just feeling the aura of this all-star lineup in the preparation room alone was enough to make her feel suffocated.
Especially Winx, who made her understand what 'there's always someone better' truly meant! The pressure she emitted was significantly more intense than that of Orfevre or Agnes Tachyon.
And this incredibly powerful Winx was actually defeated on her home turf in Australia by Platinum, crushed by a massive margin with ease?!
If Winx is the ['someone better' among humans], then Platinum must be… ['the heavens beyond the heavens']?!
The crimson twin-tailed girl sucked in a sharp breath, her expression solemn and tense, yet she had no intention of backing down from the challenge.
She would never shy away from a strong opponent.
Around Daiwa Scarlet were also Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond; these two youngsters appeared even more nervous and apprehensive than she was.
Tap!
Tap!
A few seconds later, footsteps echoed from the corridor outside the preparation room, interrupting Daiwa Scarlet's thoughts.
She looked around, a puzzled expression on her face.
The preparation room was already filled with twenty Uma Musume, which was the total number of entrants.
Why were there multiple sets of footsteps in the corridor outside?
Before Daiwa Scarlet could finish her thought, the door was pushed open from the outside. The figure that entered was an Uma Musume that Daiwa Scarlet would remember for the rest of her life. Dressed in a silver-white victory outfit, carrying that world-famous bow and arrow, she stepped inside.
Behind Platinum were Hayakawa Tuzuna, Akikawa Yayoi, and the URA members who turned to leave after seeing her this far.
Daiwa Scarlet, Agnes Tachyon, Orfevre!
These three top Japanese Uma Musume reacted simultaneously, their pupils contracting sharply as they called out the girl's name.
"Platinum?"
"Platinum!"
"Platinum."
Platinum's gaze swept around the room, landing on the familiar young fillies.
Not only was there Agnes Tachyon, whom she had faced multiple times, and Daiwa Scarlet, her opponent from her debut race, but also Winx, whom she had just raced against in Australia some time ago?
On top of that, her fans, Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond, were here too?!
The first one Platinum looked at with interest was Agnes Tachyon.
The former Phantom Triple Crown winner, the genius girl who got injured after winning the Satsuki Sho and was treated by that black-hearted young doctor.
After losing to Platinum more than once in the Arima Kinen and the Takarazuka Kinen… this genius Uma Musume and mad scientist had grown remarkably quickly.
But the Japanese environment itself struggled to support further advancement to the world stage. Agnes Tachyon's legs were somewhat fragile, and she was more interested in researching Uma Musume.
Thus, her race frequency had decreased lately.
But upon hearing that Platinum would return and there was a chance to face the famous overseas empress, this mad scientist Uma Musume had, for once, chosen to enter the race.
She wanted to know just how strong Winx was, to use that to gauge and determine the heights Platinum had reached.
Researching the limits of an Uma Musume's maximum speed was, in itself, one of Agnes Tachyon's favorite research topics.
"Long time no see."
"Why have your races been fewer lately, Tachyon?"
Platinum greeted Agnes Tachyon.
The languid silver-white girl addressed her familiarly as 'Tachyon,' not using her family name, Agnes.
"Because racing isn't as interesting as studying your races and discussing the possibilities of Uma Musume."
Agnes Tachyon grinned, revealing a near-manic smile as she looked at the not-so-tall silver-white Pegasus who, in the eyes of the outside world, supported the stature of the Japanese and indeed the entire Asian Uma Musume scene.
Then, Daiwa Scarlet couldn't help but speak up.
Looking at Platinum, she voiced the question she had been brewing for a long time. Finally, she had this chance to see Platinum again. If she didn't ask now, she didn't know when the next opportunity would be.
"Platinum, when will you challenge a middle-distance race next?"
To challenge Platinum once more—this had always been Daiwa Scarlet's wish!
"Next time we face each other, I definitely won't lose by five lengths again!!"
The crimson twin-tailed girl declared with words like a resolute rose, full of fighting spirit and unwavering determination.
But what Daiwa Scarlet didn't expect was that when she said this, the first to react wasn't Platinum, but…
The seniors beside her, Agnes Tachyon and Winx, along with the other Uma Musume who had suffered defeats against Platinum.
Their expressions all turned subtly strange and incredulous, as if they collectively had something to say but held back.
These Uma Musume, without exception, had all been defeated by Platinum by large or even massive margins. They dreamed of only losing by single-digit lengths, of having a chance to stand alongside Platinum on the winner's podium.
And here was the world's sole exception, the only one who had ever lost by just five lengths, Daiwa Scarlet, actually unsatisfied and full of dreams for a rematch?!
"Good, I'll be waiting."
The silver-white girl nodded casually and confidently, not dismissing Daiwa Scarlet's dream.
"Come, try it—if you can manage it."
Platinum smiled slightly, sitting down on a nearby chair and leaning back.
"Before that, please put on a splendid performance for me first."
Her response, especially the last part, shifted from being directed at Daiwa Scarlet alone to addressing all the competing Uma Musume in the entire preparation room.
Instantly, Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond became excited. They clenched their small pink fists, their hearts filled with fighting spirit, wishing the race would start immediately.
Their earlier nervousness vanished in an instant; their emotions were completely swayed by this Miss Pegasus.
At this moment, the Pegasus Platinum was like…
A duchess taking her central seat in an opera house, quietly awaiting the performance of the stage play members, anticipating and appreciating their entrance onto the stage!
No Uma Musume, while still active, had ever received such glory. Only Platinum!
--+--
One hour later.
The massive crowd of over 100,000 spectators had all taken their seats in the stands.
As the inaugural international G1, heavily emphasized by the URA, the opening ceremony was considerably more grand compared to other Japanese G1s.
As the lengthy opening ceremony was nearing its end…
Until… the silver-white maiden took the microphone. The live broadcast on the large screens and screens worldwide watching the stream simultaneously switched to a close-up of Platinum.
In an instant, an unbelievable roar of cheers erupted. The vast racecourse was filled with the sound of Platinum's name.
"Platinum! Platinum! Finally, we get to see her in a Japanese race again!"
"Platinum!! Platinum!! Platinum!!"
"While it's a bit regrettable that she isn't officially competing, it's still satisfying enough."
"Sigh, even though I'm a fan of Miss Pegasus here in Japan, I have to admit that continuing her overseas campaign was best for her."
"Her races that year in Japan, compared to the Arc, The Everest, and the King George, really do seem like embarrassing history, a waste of time."
"We finally get to see Platinum at the race commemorating the Pegasus! I wonder who will win this crown?"
Among the voices, most were cheers born from the excitement of seeing Platinum, many even incoherent with joy.
Some fervent fans, thinking of their idol's best interests, acknowledged the view that Platinum really should have continued her overseas campaign and that her Japanese races were indeed her 'embarrassing history' compared to her international performances.
But even while acknowledging it, a portion of the Japanese fans still had regret and discomfort lingering in their hearts.
The next moment…
On the large screen, in the close-up shot.
The silver-white girl, clad as always in her victory outfit with her bow and arrow on her back, began her speech.
"Welcome, everyone, for coming to watch my commemorative race."
"I am very fortunate, and honored, to see so many spectators here for the [Pegasus Kinen]."
Platinum's mind was racing, searching for the right words.
"It's been a long time since I've set foot on this soil again. This is where I first began my campaigns."
In the next instant, her voice turned cold and sharp, "In the past, now, and in the future, I will never regret the battles I fought here in Japan."
"This place is not my embarrassing history. It is the path I came from."
The moment these words resounded across the vast racecourse stands and reached the countless Japanese fans watching the live stream!
First, there was a moment of near silence, but in the very next second, it was replaced by endless roaring excitement!
The Japanese fans, already famous for their extreme dedication and love for their idols, were now excited to the extreme, displaying seemingly limitless support.
"Wah! That's our beloved Miss Pegasus for you!"
"Platinum!! Platinum!! Platinum!!"
"I can't take it! As soon as the race ends, I'm buying ten more Platinum dolls. Buying even one less would be a disservice to her defense and affection for us Japanese fans and Japanese racing!"
"I admit, I used to think Platinum wasn't as good as Tachyon, but I've seen the light now! Pegasus Platinum is the best, the strongest Uma Musume, bar none!!"
"Tears, they're streaming out!! I'm going back to buy more cute Platinum dolls!!"
With a single sentence, a certain Assassin Lady had the Japanese fans spending money again to buy a massive number of dolls!
These were all fans here, the 'family' who could buy dolls and merchandise, showering Platinum with gold!
Naturally, the cool and aloof Assassin Lady wouldn't dismiss them carelessly.
Then, a spark of inspiration seemed to hit her.
"This will not be the last time I return. The Pegasus Kinen is not a one-woman show, and the protagonist is not me alone."
"Please give a round of applause for the contestants who are about to enter the track!"
The next moment, the silver-white maiden waved her hand. Her sharp, commanding presence was palpable even from the stands.
Suddenly, a silver-white radiance covered the vast course, transforming into…
The [Kazimierz Knight Arena]!
The Knight Arena that had so stunned domestic Japanese audiences was now reappearing on Japanese turf! It both shocked them and stirred up feelings of being moved.
The majestic visual effect, known worldwide to manifest only when Platinum's Domain was activated, was now being unleashed here!!
Since it was a Domain-specific effect, it should consume Platinum's stamina, right?
Just consider the upcoming entry of twenty Uma Musume, followed by the race itself. This would likely last for several minutes at least.
Even if Pegasus Platinum wasn't exiting the starting gate to run, merely maintaining the Domain must require a significant amount of stamina!
Yet Platinum waved her hand and deployed her Domain, covering the area with the Kazimierz Knight Arena for the spectators to admire and for the contestants to run upon. Her calm, exquisite face showed no trace of worry about exhausting her stamina. What if she couldn't sustain it and grew tired, forced to deactivate the Domain midway through the event? Wouldn't that become a joke?
It was as if Platinum had never even considered the possibility of 'fading' or running out of stamina!
The return of this familiar and awe-inspiring [Kazimierz Knight Arena] caused the fans' cheers and shouts to rise like ocean waves, one after another, deafening!
With this, the opening ceremony concluded.
--+--
The competing Uma Musume, take the stage.
[3!]
[2!]
[1!]
From the many starting gates, almost all the Uma Musume burst out simultaneously.
The race had begun. And the lady dominating the Knight Arena, Miss Platinum, sat at its very center, like a great lady occupying the prime seat in an opera house.
She sat cross-legged, lifting her head to gaze down at the twenty Uma Musume engaged in battle within the arena.
Suddenly, Platinum let out a soft laugh. Her amber eyes scanned the many Uma Musume who felt familiar to her.
Her fans, Satono Diamond and Kitasan Black!
The empress Winx on her first expedition!
Her past opponents, Daiwa Scarlet and Agnes Tachyon!
The Triple Crown Golden Tyrant, Orfevre!
She too felt a desire to see just who would emerge victorious.
The figures of the many Uma Musume immediately began an intensely fierce pursuit, separating into different groups in an extremely short amount of time.
--+--
Some time later.
Approaching the third corner, the race was past its halfway point.
Acting as the front-runner, leading in first place, Daiwa Scarlet's pupils contracted sharply.
In her field of vision, she saw… Winx, famous for her poor starts!
What a fast acceleration?!
A familiar feeling welled up inside her.
The scene that had haunted Daiwa Scarlet's nightmares countless times was the fragment where she was leading, only to be overtaken by the Pegasus Platinum who started slowly from behind.
Now, it felt incredibly similar!
Winx was also a world-famous presence, not someone to be taken lightly in the slightest.
Can't underestimate her. Can't be careless.
Now is the time to unleash my Domain!
Without hesitation, Daiwa Scarlet mustered her full aura power!
The next instant…
--+--
[Scarlet Domain: Deploy]
[Passive: When leading by five lengths or less, slightly reduces stamina consumption and slightly increases power and acceleration.]
[Passive: When trailing by five lengths or less, slightly reduces opponent's Domain suppression and slightly increases burst power.]
[(Scarlet Queen): …]
--+--
T/N: The 5 lengths really even affected her Domain thats crazy
--+--
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.