The backstage of Longchamp Racecourse, where the Uma Musume gather.
Meanwhile, the twenty-one Uma Musume displayed a mix of emotions—some joyful, others anxious.
About half of them, including Sea the Stars, had their eyes fixed on the large screen hanging in the center of the backstage, watching as the first competitors stepped onto the rain-soaked, softened turf.
The other half wore visibly troubled expressions as they turned to gaze out the window at the steady, drizzling rain.
It could be said the competing Uma Musume were now divided into two camps.
Those who dared to participate in the world-renowned Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe knew this race rarely had more than twenty entrants, with little room for flukes or dark horses.
Cases like that of Urban Sea—a true outlier in the history of the Arc—were so rare they were still talked about with awe years later.
Such legendary feats were nearly impossible to replicate. Thus, those bold enough to challenge the Arc were, at the very least, top-tier contenders proven in Grade One races across their home nations.
In fact, the number of G1 champions among them was too many to count on one hand.
Yet now, no fewer than ten Uma Musume were gritting their teeth or staring grimly out the window, seemingly lost in thought or hesitation.
"This… this has already surpassed heavy ground. It's reached the level of an extremely heavy track—something that's only happened a handful of times in Arc history!"
"If it was just heavy, I might still manage, but this… can I really handle this?"
"Even on regular heavy ground, victory would be a struggle. I never should have followed the Pegasus example and come here for this overseas challenge…"
"Maybe I should just withdraw. With weather like this, my trainer and family would understand."
"This isn't cowardice—it's the smart choice! I'll just watch the battle between the Pegasus and Sea the Stars from the sidelines."
Among those unsettled by the rain was a non-European Uma Musume, one all too familiar to Platinum—a figure who once held a "throne" among the Pegasus elite.
The dark monster herself, Manhattan Cafe!
She was once known for a devastating 31-length defeat, relegated to the farthest corner of the record books, occasionally mentioned only as "the one who lost by that much."
It wasn't until later, after the incident where Uma Musume from the Coolmore group surrounded her, and after Platinum's relentless hunt against Coolmore runners, that Manhattan Cafe's row in the hall of records gained a full line of Coolmore Uma Musume… and a trail of debris.
Thus, she finally shook off her reputation as the bottom-ranked runner.
And now… she was following in the footsteps of the Pegasus Platinum, embarking on her own overseas campaign!
By her side was her close friend, Agnes Tachyon.
Year after year, the Japanese Uma Musume circuit sent at least one—sometimes three or even four—runners to compete.
This year, counting the Pegasus Platinum herself, there were Japanese Uma Musume aiming for Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe glory.
Yet now… Agnes Tachyon, like Manhattan Cafe, wore a troubled expression as she stared out at the relentless rain.
Then, the young scientist turned her gaze toward the other group of European Uma Musume, who were brimming with fighting spirit.
One faction was ambitious, fiercely competitive, and eager to get out on the track immediately.
The other was looking toward the heavens, their emotions in turmoil over the sudden downpour.
Clearly, the former group was filled with confidence—either well-adapted to heavy ground or inherently optimistic.
The latter, including Agnes Tachyon and Manhattan Cafe, were all too aware of the Arc's fearsome reputation and felt the weight of pressure.
"This is dangerous…"
"I wonder if my stamina will hold out till the finish line."
The current Agnes Tachyon possessed power and explosiveness, but endurance was not her strong suit.
Winning the Japanese G1 Satsuki Sho over 2000 meters didn't mean she could easily handle Europe's 2400-meter tests. That alone was a monumental challenge, not to mention the sudden rain that had drastically worsened the ground conditions.
Manhattan Cafe was the exact opposite. Capable over 3000 meters, she had grown stronger with age, specializing in long distances. Her stamina would hold, but her power and burst… would pale in comparison.
This was the typical dilemma Japanese Uma Musume faced in the Arc: an imbalance between endurance and power.
But it wasn't just the Japanese runners who were expressing doubts or considering withdrawal—even some of the less motivated European elite were hesitating.
Yet Agnes Tachyon and Manhattan Cafe had no intention of quitting! Coming to Europe was no small feat. Withdrawing over weather would waste their efforts and disappoint their fans!
In short… they would fight!
Having calmly made her decision, Agnes Tachyon's signature smile returned to her face.
"Since we're not backing out, let's see it through to the end."
"Besides, I want to see firsthand what kind of dominance a so-called [legend] can really display on the track."
"Platinum, can you… really defeat Sea the Stars on heavy ground? We'll be watching until the very end!"
Some of the more adaptable and physically gifted Uma Musume were intently watching the silver-haired girl on screen as she prepared to enter the starting gates.
Foremost among them was Sea the Stars herself!
A moment later, the chestnut-haired girl rose calmly; she could already hear event staff approaching.
A few steps, and the door opened.
The staff entered and called the name of the second-favorite for victory, right after the Pegasus Platinum.
"Next up, the second favorite for the win: Sea the Stars…"
Dressed in her racing silks, Sea the Stars' eyes seemed to shimmer with brilliant light.
On good ground, Sea the Stars felt confident, though not absolutely certain.
After all, even Frankel—so talented she was nearly historic in mile races—had estimated her chances at 40% on good ground and 60% on heavy.
But now…
The chestnut-haired Sea the Stars turned eagerly toward the window, listening to the rain drumming against the glass.
The sound of rain? No—to her, it was a triumphant fanfare, heralding her greatest chance at victory!
This sudden storm felt like a proclamation of her coming win.
"Are the Three Goddesses… smiling upon me?"
Sea the Stars couldn't help but see this as fortune, a sign of the Three Goddesses' favor!
How else could she explain the torrential rain that started just before the race? Heavier than in past years!
This was a rarity even among [extreme heavy tracks]!
Though Platinum possessed that striking, memorable large bow—her second set of silks—which also seemed like a gift from the Three Goddesses…
To Sea the Stars, an Uma Musume who couldn't win was pointless, no matter how impressive or stylish she looked.
This rain, if it brought her victory, would be far more valuable than any second set of silks!
It was also worth noting that not long ago, Sea the Stars had received a text from her sister, Astronomer, informing her… that Dr. Lin would be attending the race!
What's more, Platinum had boldly claimed in front of Dr. Lin that she would defeat Sea the Stars on heavy ground!
Though Sea the Stars was curious how her sister knew about Dr. Lin at a time like this… now wasn't the moment to dwell on that.
Defeating Platinum was what mattered most!
'Dr. Lin, watch carefully from the stands.'
'I will be the one to hand Platinum her first defeat!'
'And in doing so… surpass Platinum as the strongest, fulfilling our past [promise]!'
After this race, she'd find a way to marry Dr. Lin!
But first… she would take to the track and defeat the Pegasus in the rain.
The next moment, the chestnut-haired girl turned with unwavering confidence and strode out toward the course.
--+--
The voice from the commentary booth echoed across the packed stands.
[Historically, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp has been known for its frequently "yielding" or "heavy" track.]
[But… no one could have predicted this: clear skies two hours ago have now given way to a torrential downpour!]
[The rain hasn't let up since! This is one of the most extreme heavy tracks in Arc history!!]
The commentator's tone was charged with excitement, clearly intrigued by the drastic shift to severe conditions.
Many spectators felt the same.
Compared to the usual good-to-firm ground, this extreme environment promised a fresh and thrilling spectacle.
[The first favorite is… the Pegasus Platinum in her new racing silks! That gleaming set of knight's armor seems to declare her readiness for battle!]
[It's incredibly rare for an Uma Musume to have a second set of silks!]
[Can the armored Pegasus Knight conquer this extreme heavy track? Let's wait and see!]
…
[Following Platinum, the second favorite and next most likely winner is the pride of the Sea family—their shining star!]
[The nearly flawless Sea the Stars!]
[…]
---
Some time later.
The twenty Uma Musume had taken their positions and entered the starting gates.
Platinum, clad in her knight's armor, glanced with slight surprise at the other gates.
She remembered there being twenty-two Uma Musume backstage, including herself.
But now… two gates stood empty, with only twenty entrants lined up.
"Did they withdraw at the last minute out of fear of the extreme ground?"
Platinum then turned her attention to the two familiar Japanese fillies in the adjacent gates.
"Yet Tachyon and Cafe, who are less familiar with European conditions, chose to fight on!"
Seeing past rivals again on the track wasn't something Platinum minded.
Well then… it was time to show these Japanese fillies what the Pegasus was like when she was serious!
[Finally, all the Uma Musume are in the gates! The countdown begins!]
[10…]
[9…]
[8…]
As the countdown continued, every Uma Musume in the gates focused intently, their concentration absolute!
Whether it was Agnes Tachyon, who knew victory would be difficult, or Sea the Stars, confident in her chances, neither planned to fall behind from the start.
Compared to the calm silver-haired Pegasus knight, they were all dead serious.
[3!]
[2!]
[1!]
The next instant, the gates flew open.
Under the oppressive, dark sky, the rain continued to fall.
Every Uma Musume on the field burst forward at once, their hair and silks immediately slick with rain. The explosive start was as swift as it was spectacular—a breathtaking sight.
This field, universally skilled, kept their eyes ahead while also subtly glancing to the side.
For one reason only… that gate held the Pegasus herself!
--+--
After the break, a chestnut-haired girl of average height secured an excellent position on the inner track!
It wasn't the innermost rail—not the most advantageous for turns—but slightly off the inside.
Instead, it was a spot on the inner track with a clear view, free from obstruction by other inside runners! To Sea the Stars, it was the perfect position.
'Excellent! I got a better start than I expected!'
Sea the Stars, positioned on the [inner track], was thoroughly pleased.
Her versatility and perfection were world-renowned.
Not only did she possess the incredible stats to handle any running style, but she'd also inherited the extreme heavy ground prowess of Urban Sea—the queen of heavy going in the Arc!
Thus, the confident chestnut-haired girl had the freedom and right to choose her tactics.
With her sharp instincts and quick reflexes, Sea the Stars had no intention of sticking to the innermost path in these extreme conditions.
The inside rail, while beneficial for saving ground and cutting turns, was a risk she'd normally take—but not today. Not against the Pegasus Platinum.
Every fiber of her being, from body to mind, was on high alert.
'Next, I'll hold a forward position.'
'It'd be too dangerous to try coming from behind against Platinum.'
There was another crucial [point] to consider: the inside was sure to become a bog!
The rain might not soak the Uma Musume's Three Goddesses-blessed silks, but it would absolutely drench Longchamp's famously soft turf.
On an extreme heavy track, parts of the inner course were bound to turn into a muddy mess.
Typically, even world-class Uma Musume struggled in such conditions—not just for the win, but even to place in a field of twenty or more. There was even a risk of injury.
On normal heavy ground, the challenge was maintaining speed. But on a boggy extreme track… even accelerating could be impossible!
So, if the inside turned to mud, most Uma Musume knew it meant surrendering any chance of victory—or even a top-five finish.
Of course, there was a small chance the inside might not be as badly affected.
If it held up, those on the rail would naturally gain some advantage, smoothing their path around turns and offering a glimmer of hope.
The potential reward was limited, but the risk was immense.
Sea the Stars didn't hesitate to avoid danger. She chose a confident position just off the inside, pushing forward with speed.
A moment later, her eyes widened slightly in surprise.
She saw three or four Uma Musume risking everything to fight for the innermost rail—the most hazardous ground!
First were Agnes Tachyon and Manhattan Cafe, both famous in Japan but little-known internationally, gritting their teeth as they embraced the high-risk strategy.
Almost level with them was a well-known European Uma Musume, the third favorite for the Arc: the elegant older sister figure, Youmzain!
'I've been second in the Arc two years in a row! I've never won this race!'
'In the King George, I couldn't even manage second—I was just a backdrop for Harbinger and Platinum.'
'This Arc… at the very least, I have to hold onto second again!'
'Sea the Stars, Platinum—I have to beat at least one of them!!'
Youmzain was also burning with determination.
These three Uma Musume were all braving the risks of the inside track!
Did they not understand the dangers? Of course they did. But they were willing to gamble for that slim advantage, that faint chance at victory!!
The reason was simple: the pressure from the [Silver Pegasus · Platinum] and the nearly flawless Sea the Stars was overwhelming.
The dark clouds blotting out the sky seemed to magnify that pressure, eroding their self-belief and driving them to adopt the most aggressive, desperate tactics.
So even Youmzain was gritting her teeth and charging for the inside, betting everything on that fleeting opportunity!
This… was the influence of the world's greatest race, the [Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe]! Even the underdogs aimed for the highest throne, dreaming of becoming the next super dark horse like the legendary 『Urban Sea』!
And so, this vast stage had already reached a fever pitch—right from the break.
--+--
"Platinum!! Platinum!! Platinum!!"
"Sea the Stars is number one! You're Europe's strongest—you must be the world's strongest too!"
"Miss Pegasus, do your best! Stay sharp, don't lose focus!"
"No Japanese Uma Musume has ever won the Arc—Platinum can change that!"
"Pegasus! Pegasus! Pegasus!"
From both sides of the stands, countless cheers erupted.
Most were fans from around the world drawn to Platinum, many of them Asian—particularly Japanese supporters who had traveled far specifically for this race.
Sea the Stars also had considerable support, far more than the third-favorite, but still less than Platinum.
Often, cheers reflected popularity, not necessarily strength.
At least, that's what Sea the Stars believed!
The sleek chestnut-haired girl gazed almost pityingly at Youmzain and Agnes Tachyon, racing hard on the inside.
To the reigning turf champion, their desperate gamble for a slight edge seemed… pointless and tragically sad.
In Sea the Stars' eyes, they were… only fighting for third.
'And what about you, Platinum?'
'On the outside—though not the widest—what will you do?'
The next moment—!
An overwhelming aura, almost like a domain, spread across the track from the outside!
Sea the Stars' eyes widened in shock!
Was that… [Pegasian Sight]?
--+--
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.