[Don Armor]!
The knight's light armor, once worn by the Radiant Knight in her campaigns across Kazimierz, was now being donned in a manner utterly unheard of in the Uma Musume world.
And this was happening on the racetrack, before tens of thousands of live spectators and fans, with a global live streaming audience reaching an astonishing tens of millions!
Year after year, viewership for the first leg of the American Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, in the US alone has consistently started at twenty to thirty million people, according to statistics.
Overseas, fueled by intense discussion, that number skyrockets even further, making it a top-tier international G1 race that captures worldwide attention.
Under this global spotlight, an Uma Musume, for the very first time, was performing a mid-race [Outfit] change!!
The Golden Knightly Maiden, already dazzling beyond compare, now clad in shimmering silver armor, began her unique [Charge] through the sleet and snow!!
The packed stands on either side, after a moment of stunned processing, erupted into a collective wave of utter astonishment.
Exclamations and discussions of extreme intensity instantly filled the air.
"She actually has two sets of Outfits, just like Platinum?"
"Sh-she... just called out and summoned that cool armor? Is Nearl a Kamen Rider?"
"Is this what it means to be the Three Goddesses' favorite daughter?"
"Before the race, I was totally supporting Easy Goer, hoping to see the third generation of the Big Red lineage achieve legendary status. But... sorry, I just can't resist a Pegasus charging through the snow and rain in a massive front-run!"
"Looking at Nearl's dashing figure and heroic face, I can't help but want to... well, you know!! And I'm not even a lesbian!"
"Nearl in knight's armor is so incredibly cool. Her run is literally a [Charge]! No wonder the strongest turf Uma Musume Platinum calls her the Radiant Knight! A name might be given wrongly, but a title never is!"
From shock to admiration to adoration, almost every kind of reaction and sound continuously rose from the vast spectator seats.
--+--
Amidst those sounds, among the many seats.
In a front-row position sat a cute girl with short pink hair. The characteristic twin ears and tail marked her clearly as an Uma Musume.
Her face was exquisitely delicate, with cherry lips slightly upturned, giving her a sweet, charming aura. Her expression was one of obvious surprise.
The French filly named [Treve] stared, utterly shocked, at the back of the Golden Knightly Maiden leading the pack, galloping fiercely over the muddy track.
"Huh?"
"That's allowed?"
As a young lady from a European noble family, with a teacher who was the demon of heavy tracks, Montjeu, a champion of several G1 races, Treve thought she had seen it all.
After all, Europe had witnessed the legendary battle [Sea the Stars VS Platinum] in last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
As a close friend of Sea the Stars, and as someone about to debut who wanted to witness the clash of the era's top Uma Musume, she had every reason to be there.
Thus, even though the young French filly hadn't debuted yet, her horizons had been vastly broadened.
Treve had thought the Pegasus Platinum was the "Three Goddesses' Sole Favorite," possessing strength, talent, and unique Uma Musume special effects! A being that might not appear even once in a century!
But she never expected that after the Silver Pegasus dominated the turf, a second Golden Pegasus would also possess Uma Musume special effects.
And they were completely different, each with their own distinct characteristics.
"Nearl is practically the Three Goddesses'... youngest daughter?!"
After her initial surprise, Treve felt a surge of excitement.
She suddenly remembered that Margaret Nearl was a blood relative, and very close at that, to Dr. Lin, whom she was about to start working with!
Uncle and niece!
That meant while she was undergoing regular check-ups and training adjustments with the excellent Dr. Lin, she would eventually get to meet Nearl in person, right?
"Then... could I maybe try a [training race] with Senior Nearl someday?"
This seemingly harmless, well-behaved, and cute French filly was actually an Uma Musume filled with a competitive spirit.
Not having debuted yet, she certainly should address Nearl, who was competing in the classics, as 'senior'.
And Treve wasn't being blindly arrogant; in her view, her idea was perfectly... reasonable!
Because she wasn't foolish enough to challenge Nearl on dirt.
Margaret Nearl was a dirt specialist in her classic year. She hadn't even finished the Triple Crown races yet, so she must be wholly focused on dirt training.
If they switched to turf, Nearl's strength would definitely decrease significantly, but even then, her exceptionally superb physicality might still be on par with Treve's own turf specialization.
All in all, she was an excellent and suitable training partner!
"But it's too early to think about that now. Let's finish watching this race, get properly acquainted with Dr. Lin, and then talk about training races later."
"Senior Nearl... can she win the Derby?"
The cute pink-haired girl gazed at the track, her beautiful eyes full of curiosity and amazement, fixed on the radiant figure leading the way.
--+--
Over half the race was done, and the lead had already reached... a massive margin!
[Fourteen lengths! Fifteen lengths!]
[The Radiant Knight has already charged proudly through the third turn and is advancing towards the final stretch.]
[In the snow and rain, she's pushing towards a "super massive lead."]
[But... behind her, the closest second-place Uma Musume, the dark noble Sunday Silence, has begun her acceleration, and it's remarkably efficient!]
[The first favorite, Easy Goer, maintains her usual, accustomed pace increase. The choices of these two star Uma Musume are completely different?]
[One front-runner, one stalker, one closer! The choices of the top three—who will be the final winner? Let's wait and see this final white-hot duel!]
The commentator's voice rang out, particularly emphasizing the completely different choices of Sunday Silence and Easy Goer.
One aggressive, one conservative.
In reality, the aggressive Sunday Silence was the more anxious, less confident one, driven by her desire to win to take the huge risk of cutting inside and accelerating early.
Easy Goer, proud of her three-generation legacy of great red horses, was unwilling to abandon her specialized rhythm for a gamble.
Therefore... under this polarization, the final fierce battle began as they approached the homestretch!
The small, dark figure was no longer lying in wait!
The next instant, the dark-haired Uma Musume covered the entire track with her presence!
Sunday Silence's face was cold as steel, her eyes fixed on the back of the Golden Knightly Maiden ahead.
Her stamina had been significantly drained, that was true, but which Uma Musume on the track wasn't in the same state?
Even Easy Goer, behind her, who had only increased her pace without going all out early, was the same.
Sunday Silence firmly believed that Nearl, who had maintained her zone for a long time, probably had even less stamina left than she did, or at most, about the same.
And the final fourth turn was almost upon them, the final homestretch... was right there!!
"Pegasus Nearl actually has a zone! But... so do I!"
"Easy Goer, Nearl, feel the surprise I have for you."
With Sunday Silence's low murmur, the dark zone that covered the entire track, incompatible with Nearl's 'Night-Scouring Gleam,' underwent a dramatic change.
--+--
[Zone: Activated]
[(Dark Hunt): Causes all Uma Musume to enter a state of agitation, slightly reducing the effectiveness of their Zone skills. Requires time to regain calm.]
[(Yesterday's Grudge, a Thorn in the Back!): Locks onto one Uma Musume. The closer the distance to the target, the more the fighting spirit increases and speed gradually rises.]
[(No Early Moves): Slightly causes agitation and slows the actions of Uma Musume ahead!]
[(Illusionist): In the final stages of the race, narrows the field of vision of the Uma Musume ahead.]
[(Monopolize): ...]
--+--
In an instant, the dark zone wantonly enveloping the track became the nightmare of every Uma Musume.
Countless shackles and bindings seemed to instantly restrain every Uma Musume on the track except Sunday Silence herself.
Even someone as excellent as Easy Goer's pupils constricted, her teeth chattering slightly. The shocking chill and oppressive force weakened her fighting spirit.
A surprise?
This was a shock!!
Sunday Silence's zone wasn't a self-buff type like Nearl's, but a [debuff opponent] type, its suppressive far exceeding the normal pressure of an Uma Musume's presence.
This was Sunday Silence's Zone! A dark, profound, and terrifying zone aimed at victory, capable of imposing massive restrictions on all Uma Musume on the track.
Sunday Silence stared at the Radiant Knight ahead and the finish line beyond, and she accelerated once more!
'I must win!'
Behind them, the main pack had already fallen into stunned confusion, even chaos.
From Nearl's zone to Sunday Silence's zone.
These two completely different types of zones, both far surpassing the normal presence of a typical Uma Musume, became the final straw that broke the camel's back.
"Th-this is... a second zone? Sunday Silence has already mastered a zone?!"
"Wah, it's over! My trainer said we'd encounter Zone users in the second leg of the Triple Crown, most likely the third... and now there are two in the first leg?"
"I quit. I almost want to skip the next race. So many monsters... am I even qualified to challenge them?"
"It's over, I chose wrong!!"
Even in the sensitive mid-pack positions, Easy Goer gritted her silver teeth.
This noble, even arrogant, crimson-haired young lady felt a surge of regret welling up inside.
She was just one step away from her own Zone...
Yet, unexpectedly, both Nearl and Sunday Silence had already mastered theirs.
Instead, she, the first favorite, was the slowest and weakest among the three in mastering her presence?
And, lacking a zone, she had also made a critical error in strategy.
Namely—temporarily avoiding the edge, yielding for now!
Only considering Nearl as her rival, and having determined early on that Nearl's zone wasn't focused on absolute suppression, she had planned to use her powerful late kick in the homestretch to catch up.
But who could have predicted the existence of this uninvited guest, Sunday Silence, who possessed a debilitating zone with absolute suppression against those without zones?!
Extremely unwilling, Easy Goer, the most anticipated third-generation great red, could only watch with frustration and regret as the two figures, gold and black, ahead of her entered the homestretch and began their final battle.
"Ugh..."
"Next time, I must not underestimate them, and I must not play it safe!!"
--+--
On the homestretch.
Fifteen lengths!!
Sixteen lengths!!
As the dark-haired girl Sunday Silence, her pupils narrowed, desperately tried to cling to the ruthlessly expanding lead, a scene she completely never expected unfolded before her eyes.
That is... while her zone was active, supposedly suppressing even Nearl.
The Golden Knightly Maiden galloping ahead in her massive Great Escape displayed an explosive burst of power from her legs, instantly surging forward!
'N-No?! How could this be??'
What Sunday Silence didn't know was...
[Night-Scouring Gleam] was precisely one of the three zones Margaret Nearl had mastered, the one most adept at countering bad environments and debuff-type zones!
The suppression she relied on was utterly useless.
Then, the only remaining variable had to be the [final speed duel]!
And the result of that duel was now clear before their eyes... being utterly dominated!
The dazzling, radiant golden-haired girl, her soft yet resolute perfect body, seemed to gain even more power in the next instant!
As Nearl drove her feet down, sinking into the heavy, muddy track, the power and speed she displayed underwent a qualitative leap compared to before, simply not on the same level!
[Here they come! The Pegasus Nearl and the surprising Sunday Silence lead the way into the homestretch, heading for the finish line.]
[What's happening? Why have all the other Uma Musume slowed down? Easy Goer hasn't started her final kick yet? Isn't it too late?]
The official commentator's voice held a note of puzzlement amidst the play-by-play.
The temporary guest commentator, Seabiscuit, provided additional explanation.
[That's the effect of Sunday Silence's zone! She's actually mastered a zone with such incredible suppression in the first leg of the Triple Crown!]
[This is potential worthy of contending for two, even three crowns! Everyone underestimated Sunday Silence!]
[And facing such an excellent, underestimated genius, Margaret Nearl's choice is... to keep accelerating!!]
[Incredible! Even though Sunday Silence's zone and final kick are outstanding, she can't close the gap at all?]
The commentator's excited voice mingled with the excited shouts from the stands.
The large screen continuously zoomed in on Nearl and the Uma Musume behind her, showcasing what it meant to be Eclipse First, The Rest Nowhere!
Sunday Silence in second place, whom even the third-place Easy Goer found extremely difficult to catch, was still having the gap widened by the leading Radiant Knight?!
Behind Easy Goer was the main pack, decelerated under the influence of the two powerful Zones.
It could be said the racing picture was incredibly expressive, freely displaying the romantic and dazzling gallop of Nearl's massive front-run through the snow!
On the grand stage of the Kentucky Derby, with most other Uma Musume losing speed, the Radiant Knight became utterly unique, until...
[Heading for the finish line, aiming for the 'American Triple Crown,' Margaret Nearl charges forth with awe-inspiring majesty!]
[Twenty-three lengths! Twenty-four lengths! The finish line is in sight! The lead is still growing!]
[The Radiant Knight gallops proudly on the inside, the Great Escape through the snow until...]
The agile figure of the Golden Knightly Maiden finally crossed the finish line, her long, flowing hair just beginning to settle.
The lion-like, majestic, immensely powerful Knightly Maiden stood firmly at the finish line of the Kentucky Derby!!
Even in a Triple Crown year accepted as rivaling last year's legendary edition, the highly prestigious first leg, the Derby, was won by Nearl with a super massive lead?!
Past the finish line, the golden-haired girl Nearl came to a stop, the black cloak draped behind her still fluttering fiercely in the wind!
With Nearl's calm expression, as steady as a mountain, the entire stadium erupted into endless, booming cheers!
Even countless fans of Easy Goer and the past Big Red lineages spared no praise at this moment.
The Great Escape has always been the most popular running style.
Even in Japan's early days, there was a trend of looking down on Great Escapees, considering it a cowardly style afraid of a final speed duel. But over time, people came to accept it, even becoming fascinated by it!
Winning a G1 race with a Great Escape, even just once, could grant popularity, discussions, and fame in the eyes of Japanese fans no less than a Japanese Horse of the Year winning three or four G1 titles!
And let alone, this was in America, where the Great Escape is revered!
Moreover, this was the Kentucky Derby, achieved under historically bad conditions... a [Great Escape Through the Snow]!
With this single race, her name would resound across America!!
[Nearl hits the line first!! A super massive lead of twenty-five lengths!!]
Even the temporary guest commentator, Seabiscuit, couldn't help but voice her praise with an expectant tone.
[Celebrate! The dirt track has given birth to another genius destined for the history books!]
[A monster who surpasses the three-generation Big Red lineage, hopefully rivaling the second generation, has descended upon the Kentucky Derby!]
[The dirt track now has its own Pegasus!]
--+--
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.