As the clashing Zones faded from their vision, the distortion gradually clearing from their pupils, the Uma Musume finally got a clear view of the battlefield before them. A lone figure with long black hair had broken away from the pack and stormed past the finish line.
"It's her?!"
They squinted, an incredulous cry echoing silently in their hearts.
That long black hair had seared itself into their memories at the Arima Kinen, a memory too painful to ever erase.
Narita Brian had left such a deep scar on these Uma Musume that they'd instinctively believed she would stage a comeback and continue her winning streak.
But soon, a few Uma Musume with sharper senses detected something amiss. The figure now facing the stands, while possessing long black hair, had a build completely different from Narita Brian's.
"No… that's not right…"
More crucially, the Kyoto Racecourse was eerily silent, devoid of the earth-shaking cheers and roars of encouragement that should have filled the air.
"It's her!"
The name Northern Dreams surfaced in their minds—a name they had never paid much attention to before the race.
Even though their trainers had mentioned this Uma Musume might deliver a stunning performance, they still hadn't taken it seriously.
After all, as Uma Musume themselves, they knew all too well how difficult it was to regain top form after such a long absence from the track.
So, before the race, they'd all believed it was impossible for her to reproduce the strength she'd shown in the Kikuka-shō.
No one could have predicted that Northern Dreams' ability was this staggering.
She had proven with her own power that even trapped between the combined assault of two Zone-wielding Uma Musume, she could still break through, seizing the glory of the Tenno Shō (Spring) for herself!
Now, on the massive screen displaying the race order, her name was emblazoned in a red as vivid as her cape, declaring the name of this year's Tenno Shō (Spring) champion!
First Place: Northern Dreams!
Even more astonishing was the distance between her and the second-place finisher. As the other Uma Musume gradually reached the finish line, they saw an unbelievable number displayed on that screen.
Seven lengths. The lead Dream Weaver had built from her daring Great Escape at the start of the race had held all the way to the end! With an indisputable, glorious victory, she proclaimed one thing to the world—
The glory of the Northern family had returned. The strongest Uma Musume of this generation was never Narita Brian; it was her, Northern Dreams!
This was why the Kyoto Racecourse had fallen into a dead silence. The scene before them was simply too shocking, too unbelievable to be real.
That demon blade, 'Murasame,' had been drawn twice on the Kyoto Racecourse. The first time, it severed Narita Brian's Triple Crown. This time, its draw cut through the roaring tide of voices that had gathered over months!
In this oppressive, almost suffocating silence, Dream Weaver slowly untied the red ribbon from her hair. Tying it around her hand, she raised it high towards the stands.
Seeing this, Sugimoto Kentaro jolted as if electrocuted, finally snapping out of his daze. He had believed Dream Weaver would win, but he never expected such a resounding victory.
He swallowed hard, finding it impossible to calm the storm raging in his chest, and simply gave up trying. In a voice trembling with emotion, he shouted to the entire Kyoto Racecourse.
"When she seizes glory with a victory that brooks no argument, everyone should realize one thing—"
"The era of the North, the era of Northern Dreams, has arrived! Even if we don't look ahead to the inevitably brilliant future, we should cheer for this glorious victory right before our eyes! Let us add brilliance to her radiance with our most fervent blessings!"
"Here and now, I proclaim to the entire Uma Musume racing world—"
"The champion of the Tenno Shō (Spring) is… Northern Dreams!"
Spurred by Sugimoto Kentaro's desperate shout, Seiun Sky, whose eyes had unknowingly welled up with tears, finally released her death grip on the seat in front of her. Raising her pale fingers to her mouth, she cried out to Dream Weaver on the track.
"You won! The Tenno Shō (Spring)… Miss Dreams, you won it!"
Seiun Sky's cry was like a stone dropped into the stagnant, silent pond of the crowd, sending ripples spreading outwards.
First, one person began to clap. Then a group. Driven by more and more people, the momentum grew until finally, the entire Kyoto Racecourse seemed to vibrate with the thunderous applause.
Even the most devoted fans of Narita Brian had to admit one thing: at this moment, Northern Dreams had truly surpassed Narita Brian, surpassed the idol in their hearts.
Not even the most stubborn or foolish person could deny the brilliance of a seven-length victory.
With her indisputable win, Dream Weaver had finally begun to loosen the grip of the rumors that had plagued her and the Northern family for months.
Yet, facing this mountain-toppling, tsunami-like wave of applause, Dream Weaver herself frowned deeply.
'Mission… not completed?'
She might have forgotten what she'd said to Narita Brian, but how could she forget Narita Brian herself? After all, the other's name was still right there, listed in her system's mission interface.
The second stage mission in this script world was to defeat Narita Brian at her peak. That was precisely why Dream Weaver hadn't bothered to clear up the misunderstanding before the race, instead choosing to escalate her challenge towards Brian.
She had wanted to provoke Brian, to make her reach her peak condition so she could complete the mission. But even though Brian had performed beyond expectations, why hadn't the mission been completed?
Thinking this, she couldn't help but press her lips together.
She recalled the final moment before the race ended. Rice Shower's power remained cold and piercing, but the pressure from Narita Brian had suddenly… vanished.
Without Brian's support, that was what had allowed Dream Weaver to overcome both of them and open up that staggering seven-length lead.
Thinking back, it was indeed strange. Even with all the possible reasons, how could Narita Brian's Zone disappear in an instant, especially when Rice Shower had lost to her at the Arima Kinen?
There must be something going on that she didn't know about.
Dream Weaver rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought. She didn't want to get involved with other Uma Musume, but Narita Brian's condition was directly tied to her mission completion.
So she immediately turned around, scanning the track, trying to find any trace of Narita Brian.
But after looking all around, Dream Weaver couldn't spot Narita Brian anywhere. All she could see was Rice Shower, waving to her supporting fans in the stands.
Rice Shower had been right behind her, alongside Narita Brian, until the very end… Perhaps she would know where the other had gone?
Having reached this conclusion, Dream Weaver didn't hesitate any longer. She strode purposefully towards that light-blue figure surrounded by cheers.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.