Ahead on the track! The crimson Daiwa Scarlet unleashed her full power sprint.
Having once lost to Platinum, a fact widely known to the public, she didn't consider that something to be happy about or boast of.
At the very least, she had to show her full strength and earn praise worthy of her name!
To that end, Daiwa Scarlet had put in considerable effort, finally mastering a powerful domain unique to her not long ago!
--+--
[Scarlet Domain: Activated]
[Passive: When leading by five lengths or less…]
[Passive: When trailing by five lengths or less…]
--+--
This domain from Daiwa Scarlet, activated for the first time, was a skill effect possessing its own unique special properties.
Moreover, it was effective within a range from leading by five lengths to trailing by five lengths, making it extremely versatile and very easy to utilize.
As long as she didn't encounter a monster like a Man o' War who could run her into the ground, even against world-class powerhouses, she might just have a fighting chance!
However, if the gap widened beyond the limit, or if she led by too much exceeding the limit, this domain's passive skill would be sealed and become unusable, with the upper and lower limits being [five lengths].
But Daiwa Scarlet didn't care about that drawback. She wasn't a front-running Uma Musume, nor did she possess the legendary prowess of Platinum, Nearl, or Secretariat. The margin of victory she could achieve wouldn't reach a massive difference.
Winning was enough; the margin didn't matter!
'I must win the [Pegasus Kinen] before Platinum, on this Knight Arena, and earn Platinum's recognition!!'
In an instant, she, known as the Crimson Queen, found her steps becoming incredibly light, flying forward.
Behind Daiwa Scarlet, the snow-white maiden who had been steadily closing in saw the shrinking gap halt, and even begin to widen again once more.
With her domain active, Daiwa Scarlet was sure to maintain her lead, even if her opponent was that super shut-in from Australia, Winx!
Daiwa Scarlet was going all out. As a front-runner, she sprinted with everything she had, daring not hold back even a shred, terrified that if overtaken, she wouldn't have the strength to reclaim her position!
[Winx has overtaken the number two front-runner, taking second place, and is advancing towards the leading Daiwa Scarlet.]
[And after the third turn, Daiwa Scarlet, a front-runner on the verge of being caught, has shown an astonishing burst of speed!]
[Truly worthy of the Crimson Queen, the Triple Tiara female sovereign who only lost to the Pegasus by five lengths!]
[Two lengths! Three lengths! Daiwa Scarlet has re-established her dominance.]
The commentator's voice rose with excitement.
Everyone knew it—the most heated stage of the race was unfolding right here!
The stunningly beautiful snow-white maiden stared intently at her opponent, Daiwa Scarlet, who had activated her domain and accelerated ahead.
Facing this legendary Uma Musume, even someone as excellent as Winx found her focus stretched taut as a bowstring, reaching its peak!
Behind Winx, the Golden Tyrant Orfevre and the Superliminal Princess Agnes Tachyon both raised their eyebrows slightly, seemingly somewhat surprised by Daiwa Scarlet's performance.
"Daiwa, I beat her once, I can beat her a second time!"
"Scarlet… finally mastered a domain, huh? This just got more interesting."
After all, they had either faced Daiwa Scarlet before or, as seniors, knew of her capabilities. They knew she was strong, but not to the extent of being one of Japan's top champions or a Hall of Fame Uma Musume who could dominate everything.
But now, Daiwa Scarlet's uncharacteristic domain activation and her continued acceleration to widen the gap definitely challenged that perception.
Winx, however, showed no surprise at all. Instead, her expression seemed to say, 'It was always meant to be this way.'
Because, she was an utterly fanatical, beyond-normal-comprehension… Pegasus fanatic!
She even owned one of Platinum's training jackets and wanted to secure a second one here!
So how could Winx not have heard of the legendary Uma Musume Daiwa Scarlet, [Who only lost to Platinum by five lengths], [The only one in the world to share the stage as the Pegasus's dance partner]?!
'As expected, an Uma Musume qualified to share the stage with Lady Platinum is no ordinary individual.'
'Perhaps she, like Lady Platinum and I, possesses a second acceleration! This likely isn't her full power!'
'Whew… Good thing I'm not a sprint-specialist Uma Musume, or this would be troublesome.'
Winx's gaze was sharp. She had already identified Daiwa Scarlet as the most formidable opponent in this Pegasus Kinen.
Generally, Uma Musume specializing in shorter distances focused more on [Power]. Someone like Black Caviar was a monster who trained power to its extreme.
Thus, in the sprint-level The Everest, Black Caviar had opened a significant gap on Winx, using her power to secure second place, right behind Platinum.
In longer races, the demand for stamina inevitably increased, while the need for pure power gradually decreased.
Winx excelled in races from mile to middle distance. She was an all-rounder, balancing power and stamina, not leaning completely to one side, which… currently put her at a slight disadvantage.
After all, Japan was famous for its [fast tracks].
The reason for the speed was the firmer turf! It required less raw power, so local Japanese Uma Musume often trained for stamina and explosive speed, while visiting Uma Musume often suffered from the unfamiliar conditions.
Winx, who balanced power, was inevitably affected, unable to use her absolute peak power, just like in The Everest.
'In The Everest, my power was slightly insufficient.'
'In the Pegasus Kinen, my stamina is slightly insufficient…'
'Although I can't use my peak form in this race either, the level of my opponents is completely different.'
The snow-white shut-in lady remained composed, serious without a trace of nervousness, instead feeling her fighting spirit ignite even more.
No matter how strong Daiwa Scarlet was, how close she was to the Pegasus, how could she compare to the real Pegasus, Platinum?
Having faced the pinnacle Platinum and Australia's strongest sprinter Black Caviar, why would she fear Japan's two local Triple Crown Uma Musume, Daiwa Scarlet who was weaker than Platinum?
Winx chose to "bide her time, avoid the sharp edge"!
And behind Winx, almost everyone made the same choice. No Uma Musume rashly accelerated early under the dominion of Daiwa Scarlet's full-power domain.
For a time, a situation formed with Daiwa Scarlet leading the pack alone.
Until…
Her lead gradually approached the [five-length] limit!
--+--
Grandstand.
A unique front-row, center seat.
The silver-white maiden in her victory uniform sat cross-legged, calmly looking down at the duel on the track.
This unconventional scene was a first, even for Platinum.
Even though she had watched [Margaret Nearl]'s races twice before—once for her important debut, and another for her one-on-one duel surpassing Ruffian.
Those two races were both regarded by the outside world as immensely important, potentially legendary battles, highly entertaining events that had pleased Platinum.
After all, that was another version of herself, Nearl, also a Pegasus, competing.
But this experience was entirely different for Platinum. If before it was [pleasing to the eye] and [satisfying curiosity], now it was—[amusement].
Platinum sat high on the throne of the Kazimierz Knight Arena, looking down from her vantage point at the young Uma Musume dueling below.
Who would have thought…
Platinum, the great seat under the Armorless Union, former idol knight who performed in the Kazimierz Knight Arena, now resembled the high-ranking executives that controlled the Knight Arena.
This was sheer absurdity!
But the feeling was unexpectedly wonderful, putting the cross-legged silver-white maiden in a very pleasant mood. Dominating the Kazimierz Knight Arena, she felt like she was watching "cricket fights."
So… who would win?
Unnoticed, Daiwa Scarlet had entered the final straight.
Platinum's gaze fell upon the figures of the top three Uma Musume.
The current order was: first place Daiwa Scarlet, second place Winx, and third place Orfevre, who was gradually increasing her speed and overtaking those around her.
But suddenly, Platinum raised an eyebrow, as if noticing something interesting.
"Daiwa Scarlet… she can't expand her lead beyond five lengths?"
"Just reached five and a half lengths, and Winx, who hasn't even activated her domain, immediately closed it back?"
"Could it be that her domain skill weakens or even deactivates if the margin exceeds a certain number of lengths?"
Such situations weren't rare.
That Hall of Fame Killer had proven that her domain skill might not even activate against weaker Uma Musume, preventing her from displaying the peak power she had against Secretariat.
Thus… capable of defeating Hall of Famers above, and losing to unknown, ordinary G1-winning Uma Musume below, she was a prime example of an "unpredictable blade."
Daiwa Scarlet, despite activating her domain and accelerating early, struggled to break through the five-length constraint and transform it into seven, eight, nine lengths, or even a massive lead.
So… Platinum no longer considered her the favorite.
In the next moment!
--+--
[Domain: Activated]
[(Hope Absent): Affects domains weaker than her own…]
[(Imagine Breaker): …]
[(Peak Hunter): …]
--+--
Then, as they stepped onto the final straight, Winx and the Golden Tyrant Orfevre almost simultaneously made their decision—they activated their own domains!
The final sprint, the showdown of ultimate speed in the homestretch… had arrived!
[Here it is, here it is, here it is!]
[The Empress Winx, famous for her explosive finish, and the Golden Tyrant Orfevre, they're accelerating almost at the same time!]
[Daiwa Scarlet's five-length lead… it's crumbling! Shrinking rapidly?!]
When the final straight reached its latter half!
With less than two hundred meters to the finish line, the snow-white Empress overtook Daiwa Scarlet.
Then, in the latter part of the straight, she took first place and raced freely!
The gold-haired maiden Orfevre had also activated her domain, pushing her final kick to the limit.
The Golden Tyrant's stoic expression changed, revealing her frenzied smile. She had already entered Daiwa Scarlet's field of vision, the gap less than a single length.
In a battle of final kicks, a genius known for her come-from-behind running style wouldn't lose to a front-runner!
In an instant, Daiwa Scarlet's pupils constricted. She clenched her silver teeth, finding it hard to believe.
She never imagined the advantage she built by accelerating early would crumble so completely before the final kicks of these two monsters?!
But Platinum was watching live! How could she admit defeat?
Only a hundred meters remained in the straight. She had to persevere. Even if she couldn't get first place, she couldn't let the gap widen too much!
The twin-tailed maiden, her fighting spirit still burning bright, continued to race down the final stretch!
Beside Daiwa Scarlet, the petite Orfevre, her expression now unmasked, also showed a hint of surprise.
'Daiwa Scarlet… is this strong with her domain active? It seems she was underestimated.'
'She accelerated early as a front-runner, yet she can still speed up slightly now? Impressive.'
In their last encounter, she had easily beaten Daiwa Scarlet by five lengths! But now, with only a hundred meters to the finish line, she was finally about to overtake?
'But… ahead of Daiwa Scarlet, there's another monster!'
Orfevre wasn't satisfied with just second place.
She disliked any second place, no matter the race, even the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe!
So, the Tyrant, revealing a crazed smile, displayed a diagonal accelerating dance, overtaking Daiwa Scarlet in one move and charging towards Winx ahead!
Sure enough, just as Platinum predicted, these three Uma Musume were locked in the final duel before the finish line!
[What a spectacular showdown, from Daiwa Scarlet's front-running and acceleration, to the breathtaking final kicks of Winx and Orfevre!]
[Orfevre, accelerating diagonally, has overtaken Daiwa Scarlet, but the gap to Winx is still significant.]
[Amidst the roaring cheers, it's—three lengths! An insurmountable gap!]
[Congratulations… to the lone Empress from Australia, crossing the line first and claiming victory!]
The snow-white, aloof Empress Winx crossed the finish line.
Behind her, the diagonally charging Golden Tyrant Orfevre secured second place.
Further behind, Daiwa Scarlet, trailing the Tyrant by two lengths, crossed the line in an unwilling third place!
As for the final margin of Daiwa Scarlet's defeat to Winx, it was—[five lengths]!
--+--
"Clap!"
"Clap!"
The silver-white maiden stood up, a slight smile gracing her lips as she offered her applause without reservation.
Immediately, the Kazimierz Knight Arena dissolved into shimmering particles, the grand venue reverting to its original racetrack form.
The large screen split into two images: on the left, Platinum standing and applauding; on the right, a close-up of Winx's victory.
Platinum's gaze moved from Winx to Daiwa Scarlet. Her applause was for these top three Uma Musume.
Even she acknowledged Daiwa Scarlet's improvement—losing to Winx by only five lengths and to Orfevre by only two!
Before a certain black-hearted young doctor found himself here, even without delving deep into horse racing history or Uma Musume origins, he had at least seen the anime.
In the Uma Musume PV, there existed a "discarded black history" from before the first season, which included a fleeting scene of Orfevre.
Because she looked petite, and the contrast between the meek, seemingly timid loli without the mask and the frenzied Tyrant with it off had piqued his interest, he'd taken note.
Back then, he'd seen comments explaining Orfevre's background.
The Golden Tyrant Orfevre, Classic Triple Crown winner, six G1 victories, two-time runner-up in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, highest vote percentage in Japanese Hall of Fame history, widely considered a lock for top three, arguably number one.
But her diagonal running and difficult temperament affected her evaluation; otherwise, she had a fair chance of being considered the strongest in Japanese history.
In a way, that Tyrant was the true [Essence of Japanese Uma Musume].
A talent like that was considered once-in-a-decade even at Japan's Tracen Academy! Many already believed Orfevre was definitely top five, even top three in Japanese history—a freak of talent who dominated the Arima Kinen in her classic year and would only be stronger now in her older years.
In her preferred distance and conditions, the current Orfevre could absolutely demolish excellent Japanese G1 Uma Musume by six or seven lengths.
As for Winx, needless to say, she was the epitome of "aged like fine wine," a world-renowned Australian Empress whose number of wins far exceeded those of Daiwa Scarlet and Orfevre combined.
For Daiwa Scarlet to improve to losing to the Golden Tyrant by only two lengths and to Winx by only five was no disgrace, but rather a great honor marking significant progress.
Therefore, Platinum did not withhold her smile or applause. This scene was also noticed by Winx and Daiwa Scarlet after they halted past the finish line!
Next, she had an award ceremony to attend!
--+--
Some time later.
Platinum stood before the three young fillies.
First, she presented the third-place prize to Daiwa Scarlet, who was bowing her head, cheeks flushed, unsure why she wasn't looking at her.
Daiwa Scarlet… from her cheeks to her ears were tinged with blush, both from shame and from… overheating.
Five lengths!
She actually lost by five lengths again, in front of Platinum?!
The silver-white maiden thought for less than a second before speaking words of praise.
"You ran well, Daiwa Scarlet."
Just that simple sentence made Daiwa Scarlet lift her head, her eyes brightening.
For a proud ojou-sama, a thousand words from the outside world couldn't compare to a single sentence from the person she cared about most.
"But I lost… again by five lengths."
Still, Daiwa Scarlet clenched her teeth, responding with a mix of regret and shame, but she accepted the prize.
Platinum remained composed, her voice cool yet carrying a hint of softness, her breath whispering near Daiwa Scarlet's ear.
"But you did run well, just like… our first meeting."
The comfort from the Pegasus Lady actually made Daiwa Scarlet's barely stabilized emotions, just cooled down from overheating, become agitated once more.
Her ears, face, and even her slender neck flushed red again, her heartbeat accelerating along with it. Daiwa Scarlet let out a soft "Guh!" and buried her head, instinctively thinking.
'Our first meeting! Platinum remembers? She… has a place for me in her heart?!'
'W-Wait, could it be that Platinum also…'
When Daiwa Scarlet looked up, Platinum had already picked up the second-place prize and was handing it to Orfevre beside her.
The petite Tyrant had put her mask back on, maintaining the facade of a calm, proper Uma Musume from the Gold family.
"Thank you," Orfevre began, nodding politely.
But the next moment, her crimson eyes were filled with fighting spirit.
"But more than your prize… I want you more."
Instantly, the prize in Daiwa Scarlet's hands beside her slipped, and she stumbled.
"I want to surpass you more, I want to defeat you!"
"When will your next middle-distance race be? Platinum-senpai!"
"Not decided yet."
Facing Orfevre's intense interest, even declaration of war, Platinum's expression remained calm. As she picked up the first-place prize, she gave her response.
"With your ability, it would be a shame not to go on expeditions."
"But as a Japanese Uma Musume, meeting me too early would also be a shame."
"As for my advice… wait a little longer."
In other words…
The Pegasus, the Great Seat Platinum, Centaurea—she was the final destination of the journey!
No need to rush to your doom. Wait until you've gained the honors you should, then come challenge her. It wouldn't be too late.
It was as if Platinum never considered the possibility of her form declining with time, unafraid of being "outlasted," unafraid of being defeated by the young or by time itself!
That calm, almost domineering response made the Golden Tyrant's pupils contract, leaving her speechless for a long moment.
Finally, it was the turn of the last one, the first-place winner, Winx!
From leading by five lengths to being overtaken and losing by five lengths!
The Empress, seen by the outside world as cold and aloof, was now somewhat excited, happier than when she won highly prestigious G1 races in Australia.
The bow-shaped trophy from Platinum, and…
That special [training jacket]—the one that made Daiwa Scarlet stare intently, her breathing growing slightly rapid—was being handed to her!
"Thank you, Lady Platinum!"
The first Pegasus Kinen came to a perfect close!
--+--
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.